Inventory system for mine field

Abstract

A system includes a beacon, a reader, a controller, a display, and a connection. A beacon: selectively activatable; having a unique identifier; upon activity, receiving a type; emitting a signal including an identifier and a type upon activity and movement; during activity, signals are emitted periodically. The reader is used for receiving the signal; an approached beacon is identified. The controller is used for receiving the signal; identifying the approached beacons; a programmable logic device has a programmable logic and a repeater responsive to the logic and a signal. The display displays: an area associated with the reader and the controller; an active beacon in the area, the beacon entering the area being associated with the beacon having approached the associated reader or controller; and an active beacon not in the area. Connections: receive identifiers of beacons determined to have approached them from the controller and the reader and transmit them to the display; the user is allowed to associate the type and the location with the identifier and write the type to the beacon.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of mining. Background Art

[0002] In a typical mining operation, mineral extraction involves blasting rock to form blocks, converting the blocks into smaller fragments (sludge) for transportation, and transporting the sludge to a processing area where valuable components are extracted through chemical and physical processes.

[0003] Transporting slimes can be very complicated; in large mines, many transport routes are tens of kilometers long and can be above or below the surface. Another complication is the source of the slimes: some slimes contain economically important amounts of valuable components; some do not; and valuable slimes are often visually indistinguishable from the rest. Further complicating the issue is the difficulty in preserving slime identity: in a typical mine, slime piles may be mixed with other piles during transport. Slime piles are also sometimes stored in random locations.

[0004] The above complications are more than just minor inconveniences: incorrectly loaded trucks can cost thousands of dollars. Summary of the invention

[0005] Forming one aspect of the present invention is an inventory management system for a mine, the system comprising a beacon, a reader, a controller, a display system and a connection system.

[0006] Each beacon is functionalized as follows: it can be selectively activated; it has a unique identifier; when active, it is suitable for receiving a type; when active and in motion, it emits a signal including the identifier and the type of reception; when active, it periodically emits a signal.

[0007] Each reader is functionalized to: receive signals emitted by beacons; and identify, based on the received signals, beacons that are determined to be in proximity to the reader.

[0008] Each controller is functionalized as follows: receives signals emitted by beacons; identifies beacons determined to be proximate to the controller based on the received signals; has programmable logic; and has a repeater responsive to the logic and the received signals.

[0009] The display system is functionalized as follows: displaying zones, each zone being associated with a reader or controller; displaying active beacons in each zone, beacons entering a zone being associated with the beacon having been determined to have been in proximity to the reader or controller associated with the zone; and displaying active beacons not in a zone.

[0010] The connection system is functionalized as follows: adapted to receive from the controller and reader an identifier of a beacon determined to be in proximity thereto and communicate it to a display; adapted to allow a user to associate a type and location with the identifier; adapted to write the type to the beacon.

[0011] According to another aspect, the system may further include handheld devices, each handheld device being functionalized to: receive a signal emitted by a beacon; and identify a beacon determined to be in proximity to the handheld device based on the received signal.

[0012] According to another aspect, the connection system may include: an application that, when used, enables the phone to function.

[0013] According to another aspect, the application can enable the phone to function

[0014] Adapt the phone to allow the user to write the type to the beacon as described above;

[0015] Adapting the phone to allow the user to associate a type, location and comment with the identifier;

[0016] Adapting the phone to allow the user to associate a type, location and note with the identifier by manual entry into the phone and subsequent transmission to the display system via the Internet;

[0017] Adapt the phone to:

[0018] o receiving details of a beacon identified as being in proximity to it from a handheld device;

[0019] ο display the details of the beacon on the phone;

[0020] o Allow the user to store updated locations of the beacon; and

[0021] oCommunicate the updated position of the beacon to the display system.

[0022] According to another aspect, the beacon may be activated by a magnet.

[0023] According to another aspect, a beacon may have a low power state, an active state, and a magnet switch, and be adapted such that the beacon switches to the active state when a magnet approaches the magnet switch while the beacon is in the low power state.

[0024] According to another aspect, the signal may also include battery strength.

[0025] According to another aspect, the reader and controller may be functionalized to filter and control the received beacon data stream.

[0026] According to another aspect, the display system can be further functionalized to display the beacon detail change history.

[0027] According to another aspect, the connection system may be further functionalized to allow an authorized user to change beacon details after association.

[0028] The advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent upon reviewing the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a partial schematic diagram showing an example embodiment of the present invention deployed in a stylized mine site;

[0030] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of the middle circled area 2;

[0031] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of the middle circled area 3;

[0032] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of the middle circled area 4;

[0033] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of the middle circled area 5;

[0034] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of the middle circled area 6;

[0035] Figure 7 is with Figure 6 Similar views;

[0036] Figure 8 Yes Display Figure 2 a view of the device being started;

[0037] Fig. 9 is the view of the display produced by the application on the functionalized phone;

[0038] Fig.10 is a diagram showing a functionalized phone scanning a beacon;

[0039] Fig.11 is a view of another GUI generated on the functionalized phone;

[0040] Fig.12 is a view of another GUI generated on the functionalized phone;

[0041] Fig.13 is a diagram showing a functionalized phone writing a type to a beacon;

[0042] Fig.14is a view of another display generated by an application on a functionalized phone;

[0043] Fig.15 is the view of a handheld device before it is connected to a functional phone via an app;

[0044] Fig.16 is the view of the handheld device after being connected to a functionalized phone via an application;

[0045] Fig.17 is a view of the GUI generated on a functionalized phone before user authentication;

[0046] Fig.18 This is a view of the sample GUI that is generated after the user is authenticated;

[0047] Fig.19 is another view of a GUI generated on a functionalized phone;

[0048] Fig. 20 is another view of a GUI generated on a functionalized phone;

[0049] Fig.21 It is a GUI view of the historical changes of beacon details;

[0050] Fig. 22 yes Figure 1 A simplified view of system connections;

[0051] Fig.23 yes Figure 2 A split diagram of the beacon shown in;

[0052] Fig.24 yes Figure 2 beacon electronics and embedded architecture; and

[0053] Fig.25 Is a GUI view of beacon details and location history. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Figure 1 An example inventory management system in accordance with the present invention is shown in partially schematic form, deployed in a stylized mine 100 .

[0055] Mine Overview

[0056] It can be seen that the mine 100 comprises, among other things, zones Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, a sludge pile M, a waste zone W, an ore zone O, tunnels F1, F2, F3, F4 and a mine car C. Zones Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4 are to be understood as zones within the mine, such as corridors or rooms. Sludge piles M are to be understood as piles of material extracted during the mining process, in which there are different amounts of valuable materials. Tunnel F1, F2, F3, F4 are to be understood as passages created during the mining process. Waste zone W is where a pile is stored within the mine with little valuable material. Ore zone O is where a pile is stored within the mine with enough valuable material for further processing. Mine cars C carry the piles through the mine.

[0057] system

[0058] The example system will be understood to utilize a proprietary RF communication system known as the Wireless Positioning and Sensing Network (WPSN), and includes a beacon 22 , a reader 24 , a controller 26 , a handheld device 28 , a display system 30 , and a connectivity system 32 .

[0059] WPSN

[0060] WPSN is a medium access control (MAC) layer system with low latency, high security, low bit rate, low power, high communication range, geolocation capability and statistical adaptive throughput characteristics, which is designed to manage the communication and positioning of highly unpredictable wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The communication protocol uses XOR encryption to keep the packet length to a minimum while ensuring that the wireless signal cannot be easily decoded. The manner in which positioning is performed is easily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, and therefore, further details are neither provided nor required. In more detail, WPSN is a half-slot ALOHA that is subject to a slot duration that is adjusted based on environmental conditions. The start of transmission is any time during a random slot, but transmissions may leak outside the slot boundaries. This method allows commands to be received but does not seek confirmation because the reliability of the WPSN network is mitigated by time diversity. The receiver of the WPSN network decrypts the received signal, while it checks the integrity and reliability of the received data by verification. Time diversity refers to the WPSN network repeating the broadcast signal multiple times. The transmission time is randomly generated based on the proposed half-slot ALHOA protocol. The WPSN signal is narrowband to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio. The random nature of transmissions minimizes interference since the network cannot be sensed prior to transmission.

[0061] Beacon

[0062] refer to Figure 2 and Fig.23 Each beacon 22 is a reinforcement device having a bottom shell 71, a top shell 58 and screws 64 on the outside, and an electronic circuit 73, a battery 60 and a cascade 61 on the inside.

[0063] structure

[0064] The battery 60 is placed in the battery holder 66. Subsequently, the electronic circuit 73 is placed in the inner shell 71. Then, the cascade 61 is placed in the gap 68. Then, the top shell 58 is placed on top of the bottom shell 71. Then, the screw 64 is screwed into the through hole 69 and penetrates the bottom hole 65, thereby tightly fixing the bottom shell and the top shell together. The bottom shell 71 and the top shell 58 protect the battery 60, the PCB 59 and the battery holder 66 from compression forces. More specifically:

[0065] The inner shell 68 encapsulating the PCB 59, the battery holder 66 and the battery 60 is protected by the outer shell 70 to avoid direct compression from the side;

[0066] The walls of the inner housing 68 hold the electronic circuit 73 in place and protect it from compression applied from the top or buttons of the beacon;

[0067] The bottom shell 71 and the top shell 58 protect the battery 60, the PCB 59 and the battery holder 66 from impact forces. More specifically: in the event of an impact force, the extrusion 57 absorbs the lateral impact associated with the movement of the battery 60, ensuring that the battery holder 66 or the PCB 59 is protected; and the extrusion 63 loosely holds the PCB 59 in place, while the foam 62 secures the PCB 59 to the top shell 58 to reduce the impact of the impact and the impact force;

[0068] Cascade 61, bottom case 71, top case 58 and screws 74 protect electronic circuit 73 and battery 60 from water and dust; and

[0069] Since the cascade 61 is placed in the gap 68, which is located inside relative to the position of the screw holes 65 and 69, the screw hole 69 does not need to be sealed.

[0070] refer to Fig.23 and Fig.24 , the architecture 73 of PCB 59 consists of a microcontroller 74, a WPSN antenna 75, a WPSN transceiver 76, a magnetic switch 77, an NFC antenna 78, an NFC transceiver 79, a motion sensor 80, a power on / off circuit 81 and a battery 60, all of which are functionalized as follows:

[0071] 73 has a default ultra-low power state, a low power state, and an active state;

[0072] is adapted so that, when a magnet approaches the magnet switch 80 while the beacon is in the ultra-low power state, the power on / off circuit 81 connects power to the microcontroller and WPSN transceiver, which switches the beacon to the active state;

[0073] is arranged so that, when an OFF message command is received by the WPSN transceiver 76 via the WPSN antenna 75, the microcontroller 82 switches an I / O pin connected to the power on / off circuit 81, which cuts off power to the microcontroller 81 and the magnetic switch 77, thereby switching the beacon back to an ultra-low power state;

[0074] Have a unique identifier;

[0075] When active, adapted to receive a type via the NFC transceiver 79 through the NFC antenna 78a;

[0076] When in low power state, appropriate transmission type, status and battery strength;

[0077] When active, periodically emits a WPSN signal including identifier, type, and battery strength;

[0078] Has a status signal responsive to activation and can be scanned by the NFC transceiver 79 via the NFC antenna 78;

[0079] • Upon receipt of a primary message sent by the WPSN transceiver 76 via the transceiver antenna 75, a low power state is assumed.

[0080] As shown in the figure, piles throughout the mine are labeled with beacons. Each active beacon broadcasts a WPSN signal that includes a unique identifier associated with the beacon, the type of pile selected from ore and waste, and the battery life. The signal is sent periodically at random intervals constrained by a threshold. The random intervals between signals sent when the beacon is stationary (determined by the motion sensor) are relatively long compared to the random intervals between signals sent when the beacon is in motion. The duration of the read interval when stationary or in motion is programmable via NFC or WPSN.

[0081] Reader

[0082] refer to Figure 3 , each reader 24 is a ruggedized device that has internally (and not shown) a power supply, a microcontroller, a storage unit, a WPSN transceiver and microcontroller, an LTE transceiver, a Wi-Fi transceiver, and an Ethernet port, all functionalized to:

[0083] Identifying beacons that are determined to be in proximity to the reader based on the WPSN signal;

[0084] · Capture the identifier, type, battery strength information, and WPSN received signal strength (RSSI) information from such beacons [hereinafter referred to as “Details”];

[0085] Send commands to the beacon via WPSN;

[0086] Temporary or permanent storage of received beacon and diagnostic data;

[0087] Assign date, time and timestamp to beacons that have approached the reader;

[0088] Configurable to send data to and receive data from connected systems, or to only send data to connected systems;

[0089] After receiving the beacon from the WPSN, decrypt the beacon details;

[0090] Store data from beacons locally if a connected system is unavailable, otherwise send data immediately;

[0091] When re-accessing the connection system, the connection system performs access detection so as to throttle the transmission of the stored data in the time sequence of the transmitted data to prevent overloading the connection system;

[0092] Identify beacons that have transmitted data to this reader within a configurable time frame to eliminate duplicate data;

[0093] Identify different versions of beacons for functionality;

[0094] Real-time configuration logging for troubleshooting;

[0095] Use a key / password to authenticate to the connecting network for added security;

[0096] Verify the signature of the letter to prevent fraud;

[0097] · If WPSN is not available, a health check is performed to force a restart.

[0098] It will be appreciated that the boundaries of each reader-defined zone are defined by the distance over which the reader can sense the WPSN signal of the beacon.

[0099] Controller

[0100] refer to Figure 4 , each controller 26 is a ruggedized device that has internally (and not shown) a power supply, a microcontroller, a storage unit, a WPSN transceiver and microcontroller, an LTE transceiver, a Wi-Fi transceiver, an Ethernet port, programmable logic, and a repeater, all of which are functionalized as follows:

[0101] Identifying beacons that are determined to be close to the controller based on the WPSN signal;

[0102] Capturing details from such beacons;

[0103] ·Repeaters respond to logic and details;

[0104] Send commands to the beacon via WPSN;

[0105] Temporarily or permanently store received beacons and diagnostic data;

[0106] Assign date, time and timestamp to beacons that have approached the reader;

[0107] ·Configured to send and receive data, or to send data only to a connected system, or to remain disconnected from a connected system;

[0108] Upon receiving a beacon from the WPSN, decrypt the beacon details;

[0109] Store data from beacons locally if a connected system is unavailable, otherwise send data immediately;

[0110] Checking the connection system access so that the stored data can be sent in chronological order;

[0111] Limit the data sent when re-accessing a connected system to prevent overloading the connected system;

[0112] Identify beacons that have transmitted data to this reader within a configurable time frame to eliminate duplicate data;

[0113] Identify different versions of beacons for functionality;

[0114] Configure real-time logging for troubleshooting;

[0115] Use a key / password to authenticate to the connecting network for added security;

[0116] Verify the signature of the letter to prevent fraud;

[0117] Health check to force restart if WPSN is unavailable;

[0118] Verify the beacon's programmed state against the value stored in the database. In the event of a conflict, the database version will prevail;

[0119] Can be configured to work without a connected system and control the controller actuators based on the received beacon data details and the controller local logic. In this configuration, a reader can be installed next to the controller, where the reader sends data to the connected system and the controller controls the actuator logic.

[0120] The illustrated controller defines an area where beacons 27 are deployed and which leads to the branch between ore channel O and waste channel W. The logic of the controller is programmed to trigger lighting in response to the type details of the beacon.

[0121] Handheld Devices

[0122] refer to Figure 5 , Fig.15 and Fig.16 Each handheld device 28 is a ruggedized device that has internally (and not shown) a battery, a microcontroller, a WPSN transceiver, a real-time clock, memory, and a Bluetooth transceiver, all of which are functionalized as follows:

[0123] Identify beacons that are determined to be close to the handheld device based on the WPSN signal;

[0124] Capturing details from such beacons;

[0125] Measure received signal strength (RSSI);

[0126] Compress and steer the received beacon data stream;

[0127] Temporary or permanent storage of received beacon and diagnostic data;

[0128] Assigning a date, time and timestamp to beacons that have come into proximity with a handheld device without an application;

[0129] Visual LED indicators show the status of handset operation, Bluetooth transceiver connection and WPSN communication;

[0130] Send handheld device status data to connected systems via the app;

[0131] ·Connecting to, disconnecting from, and subsequently communicating with a connected system through an application;

[0132] When the handheld device is connected to the connected system via the application, not assigning a date and time stamp to the identified received beacons, deferring the assignment of the date and time stamp to the connected system;

[0133] Sends its battery level to connected systems.

[0134] Display System

[0135] The display system 30 is functionalized as follows:

[0136] Display area [each of the above areas is defined by the reader or controller];

[0137] Displays active beacons in each zone. Beacon entry zones are defined by the identification of beacons that have approached a reader or gateway, and beacon exit zones are defined by beacons entering another zone.

[0138] Display active beacons that are not in the area;

[0139] · Displays the last time a reader or controller detected an active beacon after the beacon entered the area, such as Fig.21 As shown in;

[0140] ·according to Fig.25 Displays beacon routing data in a searchable spreadsheet format, allowing authorized users to Fig.25 Click 83 to download historical beacon data in a spreadsheet;

[0141] Allows authorized users to change beacon details after association, and displays the name of the authorized person making the change, the date and time of the change, and the Fig.21 Details of changes;

[0142] Identify authorized users, as they need to log into a cellular phone enabled by the application (e.g. Fig.17 ) or by logging in through the display system (not shown).

[0143] Connecting the system

[0144] refer to Figure 1 , it will be seen that the exemplary connection system 32 includes an underground (private) cellular tower 34, a cellular phone functionalized by an application 36, a server 38, a keyboard 40, a Wi-Fi hub 42, an Ethernet cable [identified on the legend], and should be understood to be functionalized as follows:

[0145] The server receives details of beacons identified to which it has approached from the controller and reader via Ethernet, Wi-Fi signals and LTE signals (where available) and transmits the details to the display;

[0146] Functionalized phone: receives details of beacons identified as being in proximity to it from a handheld device via Bluetooth signals, displays the details of the beacon on the phone; allows the user to store updated locations of beacons locally; transmits updated locations of beacons to a server and then to the display when the phone gains an internet connection;

[0147] · Suitable for allowing users to associate source, type, location and annotations with identifiers through the use of applications and functional phones;

[0148] Suitable for enabling a functional phone to write the associated type to the beacon via NFC;

[0149] adapted to associate beacon identifiers and their details received by the controller and the reader with beacon identifiers and their details received by the user from a functionalised phone;

[0150] Adaptation to filter beacon details received from controllers and readers to display only beacon entry and exit points in an area or the date and time of the last scan;

[0151] • Suitable for tracking details of any modifications to the beacon, such as the user making the modification, the date and time of the modification, and sending this to the display system.

[0152] use

[0153] Inventory Overview

[0154] One aspect of the usefulness of this system will be Figure 6 and Figure 7 This is clearly visible in the enlarged view of the display shown in . Here it will be seen that on the display the bottom row is entitled Activated Tag and shows three records, one for each of lanes F2, F3 and F4. In each lane an icon will appear representing the beacon displayed therein, the colour of the icon displayed in the zone indicating the type of material. The row or level above is entitled Underground and within it will be seen that the records for zones Z1, Z2 and Z3 are displayed, again each record has an icon of a single colour indicating the presence of a single pile and each zone has a number in the upper right corner indicating the total number of active beacons present in the zone. The top row or level is entitled Surface and shows a record for zone Z4 and two icons within it representing the two piles in that zone. Thus this system generally allows a mine supervisor to have an idea of ​​the stockpile situation in the mine. Figure 7 The result of selecting the icon on the screen is shown, i.e. obtaining information about the heap, i.e. the origin and type, the date and time when the active beacon first approached a reader in zone Z1, and the time when the beacon last approached a reader in zone Z1 before exiting to another zone

[0155] Heap Source

[0156] Although the above description contemplates marking a pile with a beacon, it will be understood that in order for a pile to have a beacon disc therein, the beacon must first be placed therein. This is done by mine personnel whenever a pile needs to be added to the inventory, i.e., when a new pile is created in the mining operation.

[0157] Deploying beacons involves:

[0158] Retrieve the beacon from storage;

[0159] ·Make the magnet in close contact with the top center of the device, such as Figure 8 as shown to activate the device;

[0160] · Activate the application on the functionalized phone as required;

[0161] Select the "Scan Beacon" function on the app, such as Fig. 9 As shown;

[0162] ·Put your phone close to the beacon, such as Fig.10 As shown;

[0163] Enter the details of the tunnel and ore type into the application, such as Fig.11 As shown;

[0164] Select "Upload" on the application. Fig.12 As shown;

[0165] ·Put your phone close to the beacon, such as Fig.13 As shown;

[0166] Wait for confirmation on the phone that the beacon has been programmed, such as Fig.14 shown.

[0167] Process Control

[0168] As shown, as each tagged pile passes through zone Z2, the controller therein reads the material type from the WPSN signal and then logic activates the repeater to signal the mine car operator to enter the appropriate path O or W based on the material type.

[0169] Manual inventory audits and slime maintenance

[0170] In addition to assigning beacons to a pile when it is initially formed and characterized, handheld devices can be used throughout the mine to scan piles for audit purposes, i.e. to ensure that the pile has been properly tagged. The harsh conditions to which beacons are exposed sometimes cause them to become damaged. In these cases, a new beacon can be activated and placed in the pile in the manner previously indicated.

[0171] In some cases, mine personnel will discover the nature of a pile when checking inventory, i.e. when there is no active beacon at a certain location and the inventory indicates the presence of a pile with a beacon, it will be obvious that the previous beacon has been destroyed or lost and a new beacon with the same details as the previous beacon can be activated. In other cases, it may be necessary to re-characterize the pile.

[0172] Similarly, if a beacon's battery life readings indicate an impending failure, a new beacon may be activated and deposited with the same details as the beacon that is about to lose functionality.

[0173] In all cases, the system records details of the change, including time and user.

[0174] Variants

[0175] Although specific systems, mines and uses are illustrated herein, it is apparent that variations are possible. For example, however:

[0176] WPSN uses randomization to avoid signal conflicts, but other systems are also possible.

[0177] WPSN is specified and can use other protocols such as LoRaWAN, LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, SixFox, Zigbee;

[0178] The beacon communicates with the phone via Bluetooth and NFC, and can use other methods such as WiFi;

[0179] Beacons can communicate with protocols such as LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, SixFox, and Zigbee.

[0180] Only a few headings are shown, while a mine may have thousands of tunnels, areas and levels.

[0181] Multiple types of slimes can be stored in each pile to prevent damage;

[0182] In the described embodiment, the category field is ore or waste, the category field need not be so limited and can be customized to include, for example, gold, silver, mixed, on call, low grade material or investigate;

[0183] Provide a handheld device that communicates with a smartphone, and obviously can produce custom hardware that embodies the required functionality;

[0184] The time period between signals emitted by beacons can vary and be set by the user for individual beacons or in batches;

[0185] The magnetic switch and default low power state can be omitted;

[0186] The reader and controller can be powered by batteries;

[0187] Information collected by the reader and controller can be transmitted to a server by means other than a local connection to the Internet; for example, a phone could be functionalized to periodically collect data when in proximity to a reader and controller and upload it to a server the next time the phone obtains an Internet connection;

[0188] Repeaters can be used to trigger devices other than signal lighting, such as conveyor belts or audible alarms;

[0189] Devices with similar functionality to handheld devices can be hardwired to minecarts;

[0190] The display system shown shows a simple diagram, the layout can of course be different;

[0191] Display server and keyboard, the server can be a cloud server;

[0192] The picture shows an underground private cellular tower. Ground cellular coverage is also often used.

[0193] The OFF command to switch the beacon from low-power mode to ultra-low-power mode can be sent via the NFC transceiver through the NFC antenna, or any other signal that the beacon microcontroller can receive (whether wireless or wired);

[0194] The reader and controller can be powered by batteries, Power over Ethernet (PoE), or other power sources (e.g. different DC or AC voltage sources) as long as the correct power adapter is installed;

[0195] Beacons can also be activated and associated with a sludge pile by semi-automatic and automatic processes (e.g., but not limited to, embedded systems, programmable logic systems);

[0196] Beacons may also be placed on or in the sludge pile by semi-automatic or automatic processes, including but not limited to autonomous robotic telecontrol, smart shovels, and telecontrol robotic arms;

[0197] The location of the NFC scanner on your mobile phone may vary;

[0198] The system can be deployed in non-mining operations, such as concrete manufacturing;

[0199] The storage and distribution of beacons can be automated;

[0200] • It is also possible to manually update the details assigned to a beacon in the display area.

[0201] Therefore, the present invention should be construed as limited only by the appended claims which are to be construed accordingly.

Claims

1. An inventory management system for a mine, the system comprising: Beacons, each beacon is functionalized as follows: Can be selectively activated; Have a unique identifier; ·When active, suitable for receiving type; · When in motion and in action, emit a signal including an identifier and the type of reception; When active, periodically emit the signal, Readers, each reader is functionalized as follows: Receive signals from beacons; Based on the received signals, identifying beacons that are determined to be proximate to the reader; Controllers, each controller is functionalized as follows: · receiving a signal sent by the beacon; Based on the received signals, identifying a beacon that is determined to be proximate to the controller; ·With programmable logic; having a repeater responsive to said logic and received signal, Display system, the display system is functionalized as follows: oDisplay zones, each zone being associated with a reader or controller; o active beacons displayed in each zone, beacon entry into a zone being associated with said beacon having been determined to be in proximity to said reader or controller associated with said zone; oShow active beacons that are not in the area, A connection system, the connection system is functionalized as follows: o adapted to receive from the controller and the reader an identifier of a beacon to which proximity has been determined and communicated to the display; o suitable for allowing the user to associate a type and location with an identifier; oSuitable for writing types to beacons.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a handheld device, each handheld device being functionalized as follows: receiving a signal from a beacon; Based on the received signals, beacons are identified that are determined to be proximate to the handheld device.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein: The connection system comprises: Applications that, when used, enable functionality of the phone.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein: The application functionalizes the phone so that it is suitable for allowing the user to write the type to the beacon as described above.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein: The application enables the phone to functionalize to allow the user to associate a type, location and annotation with an identifier.

6. The system according to claim 3, wherein: The application functionalizes the phone so that the phone is adapted to allow the user to associate a type, location and note with an identifier by manual input into the phone and subsequent transmission to the display system via the Internet.

7. The system according to claim 3, wherein: The application functionalizes the phone so that the phone is suitable for: receiving from the handheld device details of a beacon identified as being in proximity thereto; displaying details of the beacon on the phone; Allowing a user to store updated positions of said beacons; as well as The updated position of the beacon is communicated to the display system.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The beacon can be activated by a magnet.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The beacon has a low power state, an active state, and a magnet switch, and is adapted such that the beacon switches to the active state when a magnet approaches the magnet switch while the beacon is in the low power state.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The signal also includes battery strength.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The reader and controller are further functionalized to filter and control the received beacon data stream.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein: The display system is further functionalized to display the beacon detail change history.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein: The connection system is further functionalized to allow an authorized user to change beacon details after association.

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