Modular Mining Systems, Inc.

Leica Geosystems Mining, Inc.

Jigsaw Technologies, Inc.

Jonathan P Olson

Eric S Gustafson

Lyle V Johnson

Kevin R Bentley

Steven H Vesterdal

Lee J Smith

A system for determining vehicle loading and unloading comprises an acceleration detector provided on a vehicle, a location detector for detecting the location of the vehicle and a processor that receives information detected by the acceleration detector and location detector and determines whether the detected acceleration is due to vehicle loading, unloading or travel, based on the received information. A timer may be started, when vehicle loading or unloading is determined, such that the amount of time spent loading or unloading the vehicle may be obtained. Also, a condition of a traveled surface may be determined based on information received from the acceleration detector and location detector.

Vehicle loading and unloading detection

The system contains a central computer unit having a first database controlled by a first logic unit. At least one mobile computer unit is joined with the mobile equipment. Each of the mobile computer units has a second database controlled by a second logic unit. At least one wireless communication device enables communication between said first logic unit and said second logic unit, wherein said mobile computer unit is operable independent of the first logic unit.

Computerized mine production system

A Dynamically Reconfigurable Dynamic Wireless Network for connecting a local area network ('LAN') to wireless Mobile Stations. Backbone Access Points ('Backbone APs') are physically connected to the LAN. Levels of Wireless Access Points (&#x201c;Wireless APs&#x201d;) are daisy-chained together and connected to the Backbone AP, providing an extended area of network coverage. Mobile stations are connected to either Backbone APs or Wireless APs. Dynamic Reconfiguration prevents single point failures. Each AP contains a router, Address Resolution Protocol (&#x201c;ARP&#x201d;) cache, and Distributed Routing Table (&#x201c;DR Table&#x201d;). The DR Table maintains the Media Access Control (&#x201c;MAC&#x201d;) address and the Internet Protocol (&#x201c;IP&#x201d;) address of each AP below it in the Distributed Routing Tree. Additionally, each DR Table also maintains the IP address for the device each AP is connected. The Distributed Routing Tree is dynamically reconfigured to minimize transmission hops or to maximize signal strength between Mobile Stations and the LAN.

Dynamic wireless network

A slope monitoring device includes a cable anchored at one end to the sloped wall of an open pit mine, dump, or the like. The cable extends over an idler pulley at the top of the sloped wall and passes around a further pulley coupled to an optical shaft encoder which generates a digital signal corresponding to the angular position of the pulley. The cable is engaged by a clutch and is wound about a play-off reel, each secured to a weighted sleeve slidingly extending about a vertical post. The weighted sleeve maintains tension upon the cable, while the clutch allows additional cable to be played off of the reel when tension is increased due to movement of the wall. The shaft encoder information, along with the temperature, battery condition, and cable condition, are transmitted by radio to a remote location for processing.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Jonathan P Olson