Customized Mining Vehicle Messaging Protocol

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current mining communication systems lack comprehensive views of expected arrival times, queue times, and machine efficiencies, and do not support real-time operational guidance, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to operator distractions and idle equipment.

Innovation Solution

A method and communication platform that determine communication terminal types, assign machines to groups, and customize message formats and responses based on terminal capabilities, enabling efficient message distribution and real-time operational guidance in mining environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If voice communication is used in mining operations, then operators can communicate basic information, but operator distractions increase and comprehensive real-time operational guidance cannot be provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive view of arrival times and operational statusVSAvoidoperator distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces voice-based communication with an automated digital messaging system that delivers operational guidance, arrival time estimates, and queue information directly to machine displays. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to verbally communicate while maintaining comprehensive information delivery without causing operator distraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service communication by automatically generating and delivering messages containing operational guidance, arrival time estimates, and queue information to appropriate machines. The automated messaging system serves itself by retrieving data from operational systems and distributing it without human intervention, reducing operator involvement and distraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If trucks travel longer distances between extraction equipment and unloading points, then more material can be moved, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial movement volumeVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback to operators and dispatchers about truck locations, queue times at unloading points, and extraction equipment status. This feedback enables dynamic route optimization and scheduling decisions that balance material movement productivity with fuel consumption by identifying the most efficient trucks and routes at any given moment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The messaging system enables dynamic adjustment of operational parameters such as truck routing, loading schedules, and unloading priorities based on real-time conditions. This dynamic optimization allows the system to maximize material movement while minimizing fuel consumption by adapting to changing operational circumstances rather than following fixed routes and schedules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If trucks wait longer at endpoints for loading or unloading, then more material can be processed, but equipment usage efficiency decreases and idle fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial processedVSAvoidequipment usage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides preliminary information to truck operators about expected queue times and loading/unloading status before they arrive at endpoints. This advance information allows operators to plan their arrivals to minimize waiting time, coordinate with extraction equipment operators, and optimize the timing of material movement operations to maintain high equipment usage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If extraction equipment operates while waiting for trucks, then equipment utilization improves, but coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment utilizationVSAvoidcoordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated messaging system acts as an intermediary that coordinates between extraction equipment operators and truck operators. It automatically manages the complexity of coordination by delivering standardized messages about equipment status, queue times, and operational guidance, allowing both parties to independently optimize their operations without direct complex communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9020688B2Customized message protocol in mining vehicle operations

Publication Date: 2015.04.28 CATERPILLAR INC

AI summary

A communication system in a mining environment customizes messages and responses to both conserve radio bandwidth and to accommodate different communication terminal types in use. Messages to a loader with a communication terminal having a four line display and four keys may be tailored to the capabilities of the terminal, while a similar message to a foreman terminal with a full keyboard or a tablet touch screen display may include both more detail and a richer set of responses. To save bandwidth, common messages and responses can be pre-loaded onto the communication terminals so that many messages and responses can be transmitted using only the message identifier.