Underground Stationary Object Positioning via Mobile Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for positioning and tracking stationary objects in underground environments, such as tools and safety equipment, are costly and data-intensive, making it impractical to use advanced high-precision systems due to the large number and frequent addition/removal of these objects, which are often not self-propelled and less valuable.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilizes a transmitter on stationary objects to broadcast a signal, detected by moving objects with a receiver, determining their position and recording it with a time stamp, allowing positioning without direct connection to advanced systems, leveraging existing infrastructure and reducing data intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If advanced high-precision positioning systems are used for stationary objects, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system cost and data processing requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses moving objects (mining machines, vehicles, or persons with receivers) as intermediaries to detect and report positions of stationary objects. Instead of directly connecting stationary objects to the complex positioning infrastructure, the moving objects serve as mobile detection nodes that broadcast their positions and receive signals from stationary objects, thereby mediating the positioning process and reducing the complexity burden on stationary object tracking
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified representation of the positioning problem by having moving objects carry positioning information and use it to infer stationary object positions. Rather than implementing full positioning capability in every stationary object, the system copies the positioning function to mobile platforms that can service multiple stationary objects sequentially, reducing per-object complexity
2Reliability
If advanced positioning systems are deployed for all stationary objects, then object tracking capability is improved, but data processing load increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the positioning functions of multiple stationary objects into a single data processing workflow. When a moving object detects multiple stationary objects during its movement, the system combines their position reports into unified tracking records, reducing redundant data transmission and processing. The central system processes consolidated position data rather than handling individual streams from each stationary object
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous data transmission from all stationary objects, the system uses periodic detection opportunities that occur naturally when moving objects pass by stationary objects. Positioning data is collected at discrete intervals based on moving object trajectories, reducing overall data volume while maintaining adequate tracking coverage through the periodic sampling effect of mobile detectors
3Reliability
If stationary objects are equipped with direct connection to positioning infrastructure, then positioning reliability is improved, but implementation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes moving objects serve multiple functions: they act as transportation vehicles, operational equipment, and positioning detectors simultaneously. By equipping existing moving objects with receivers and positioning capabilities, the system achieves multi-functionality where the same mobile platform performs both its primary operational task and the secondary function of detecting stationary object positions, eliminating the need for dedicated positioning infrastructure at stationary objects
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables moving objects to self-configure as positioning detectors without requiring modifications to stationary objects. The moving objects autonomously use their own positioning systems to determine their locations and use this information to infer stationary object positions through signal detection and triangulation, making the positioning service self-provided by the mobile elements rather than requiring infrastructure installation at each stationary location
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a position of a stationary object in an underground environment, wherein the underground environment includes infrastructure for positioning of moving objects, the method including: broadcasting, by a transmitter arranged on the stationary object, a signal; detecting, by a receiver provided in a first moving object, the presence of the stationary object by receiving the signal; determining a position of the first moving object at a time at which the stationary object was detected; recording a position of the stationary object based on the determined position of the first moving object together with a time stamp indicating the time at which the stationary object was detected; and assigning a position to the stationary object based on the recorded position. A corresponding system is also disclosed.