Autonomous Entity Zone Transition Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automation systems in mining operations are limited in their ability to integrate and manage autonomous entities across different zones within a defined geographical region, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns due to the lack of comprehensive control and coordination.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for regulating the movement of autonomous entities between zones by using a supervising controller to instruct and register entities with different zone controllers, ensuring seamless transition and control handover through transition zones, thereby maintaining safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autonomous entities operate independently in different zones without integrated control, then each zone can maintain simple local control, but the system lacks coordination and safety across zone boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The geographical region is divided into multiple zones with operation-defined geographical boundaries, each zone having its own controller for local autonomous operations. This segmentation allows each zone to maintain independent control while being part of a larger integrated system, resolving the contradiction between local simplicity and global coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple zone controllers are merged into a unified automation system that coordinates control across all zones. The system integrates local zone controllers with a centralised control architecture, enabling both independent zone operation and coordinated system-wide safety management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an autonomous entity moves between zones under a single controller, then control continuity is maintained, but the entity cannot respond to zone-specific supervisory control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A transition zone is established that spans the boundary between two zones, allowing the autonomous entity to be pre-registered with the destination zone controller before fully entering that zone. This preliminary action ensures that when the entity enters the destination zone, it can immediately respond to zone-specific supervisory control without delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition zone acts as an intermediary region that facilitates smooth control handover between zone controllers. The entity is temporarily associated with both the origin and destination zone controllers during the transition, enabling seamless transfer of supervisory control authority.
3Reliability
If comprehensive supervisory control is implemented across all zones, then system-wide coordination and safety are improved, but the complexity of managing multiple controllers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent zone controllers, each managing a specific geographical zone. This segmentation reduces the complexity of any single controller while maintaining system-wide coordination through the integrated automation system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Each zone controller is designed with universal capabilities to manage autonomous entities within its zone and to communicate with other zone controllers. This multi-functionality allows controllers to operate independently for local control while simultaneously participating in system-wide coordination, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described of regulating movement of an autonomous entity between a first zone (904) and a second zone (901), wherein the first and second zones each have an operation-defined geographical boundary within a defined geographical region. The autonomous entity is instructed to move into a transition zone (906, 907) that spans the first zone and the second zone, wherein the autonomous entity while located in the first zone is responsive to supervisory control of a first controller (912) associated with the first zone. The autonomous entity is registered with a second controller (910) associated with the second zone to enable the autonomous entity to respond to supervisory control of the second controller as the autonomous entity enters the second zone through the transition zone. The autonomous entity is de-registered from the first controller.