Mine Works Elevation Visualization via Color-Mapped 3D Topography
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the mining industry, it is challenging to assess and comprehend the status of infrastructure development and work required at a mine worksite due to difficulties in monitoring and visualizing elevations associated with the site.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine elevation values for a mine worksite, assign corresponding colors based on a defined color scale progressing through a spectrum of hues, and generate a 3-dimensional image to illustrate these elevations, allowing for the visualization of differences between actual and intended topographies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional elevation monitoring methods are used, then the system is simple, but the ease of comprehending elevation status deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by mapping elevation values to a color scale where different colors represent different elevation ranges. This allows operators to quickly comprehend elevation status at a glance, transforming abstract numerical data into intuitive visual information without significantly increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms 2D plan views into 3D perspective views with elevation shading. This dimensional transformation provides depth perception and makes elevation differences immediately apparent, greatly improving comprehension while using standard visualization software.
2Measurement precision
If detailed elevation data is collected, then measurement precision is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the worksite into a grid of measurement points, with each point having its own elevation value. This segmentation allows detailed elevation data to be collected systematically while making the overall monitoring task manageable by breaking it into discrete, measurable units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the elevation data in a structured format that can be easily processed and visualized. This digital representation preserves precise measurement data while simplifying detection and monitoring through automated processing and graphical display.
3Ease of operation
If 3-dimensional visualization is implemented, then ease of comprehending elevation status is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates 3D visualizations as graphical representations (copies) of the actual elevation data. These visualizations provide intuitive topographic understanding while being produced through automated software processes that minimize the complexity of the underlying data processing system.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method and computing system for illustrating elevations in an image corresponding to an area of interest that is at least a portion of a mine worksite. The method includes determining, by a selection, a first dataset that includes a plurality of elevation values defining an elevation topography for a first area of interest. The method further includes, for each of the at least a portion of the elevation values in the first dataset, determining a corresponding color for illustrating the elevation value according to a scale of colors. The scale spans a defined range of altitudes. Each color in the scale is definable by a hue; and at least one parameter for influencing at least one of a lightness and a darkness of the color. The color scale is defined to progress through a spectrum of hues across the defined range of altitudes. The method also includes generating a first image portraying at least a 3-dimensional, non-plan view of the elevation topography for the first area of interest, illustrating the at least a portion of the elevation values of the first dataset in the corresponding determined colors.