3D Rock Fall Trajectory Analysis Using Sensor Fusion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rock fall monitors only indicate the occurrence of rock falls without providing sufficient details for optimal project design and operation, lacking the ability to accurately analyze and predict rock fall trajectories.

Innovation Solution

A method and system combining radar, video, and seismic sensors to fuse data, allowing for the estimation of three-dimensional rock fall trajectories by detecting the rock fall source, free fall, bounce kinematics, and runout, using spatial characterizing data and Kalman filters for improved accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a combination of radar, video, and seismic sensors is used to analyze rock falls, then measurement precision and information completeness are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverock fall trajectory analysis accuracyVSAvoidsensor fusion system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rock fall analysis is divided into distinct phases (free fall, bounce, runout), with different sensor types optimized for detecting specific phases. Radar captures free fall trajectory, seismic sensors detect bounce events, and video systems track runout, allowing each sensor to specialize rather than requiring all sensors to perform all functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A central processing system acts as an intermediary that fuses data from multiple independent sensor systems. This mediator integrates radar depth data, video imagery, and seismic signals into a unified trajectory analysis, managing the complexity centrally rather than requiring complex distributed coordination between sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If high frame rate video data is captured continuously, then rock fall detection precision is improved, but energy consumption and data processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverock fall source detection accuracyVSAvoidvideo capture energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The video capture system operates periodically rather than continuously, switching between low frame rate monitoring mode and high frame rate detection mode. The system captures high frame rate data only when rock fall events are detected by radar or seismic sensors, maintaining detection precision while dramatically reducing overall energy consumption and data processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses excessive action (high frame rate) only when necessary for accurate detection, and partial action (low frame rate) during normal monitoring. This selective application of high-resolution capture ensures precision is maintained for critical measurements while avoiding the continuous energy and computational burden of high frame rate operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If spatial adjustments are applied for different regions of the rock fall site, then hazard detection accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehazard detection accuracyVSAvoidspatial adjustment computation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different spatial regions of the rock fall site are assigned different detection thresholds and analysis parameters based on local hazard characteristics. High-risk zones receive more intensive analysis with lower detection thresholds, while low-risk zones use simpler monitoring, optimizing both accuracy and computational efficiency across the entire site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides detailed rock fall trajectory analysis, enabling optimized project planning and real-time risk assessment, allowing for targeted risk mitigation and improved safety measures.

Implementation Method 1

capturing depth data of the rock fall site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

A seismic sensor detects bounce events where the rock bounces off the wall and interacts with the ground

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSeismic detection: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

capturing video data of the rock fall site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12546908B2Rock fall analyser

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 COMMONWEALTH SCI & IND RES ORG

AI summary

This disclosure relates to analysing rock falls. A video camera captures video data, a depth measurement system captures depth data, a seismic sensor captures seismic data, and a data store stores spatial characterising data of the rock fall site. A processor detects a rock fall source location based on the video data, depth data, seismic data; determines a three-dimensional free fall estimation based on the rock fall source location; estimates three-dimensional bounce kinematics based on the three-dimensional free fall estimation and the spatial characterising data of the rock fall site; estimates a runout based on the rock fall source location, free fall and bounce kinematics; and combines the rock fall source location, the three-dimensional free fall, the three dimensional bounce kinematics and the runout to determine a rock fall trajectory.