CA2805092A1 - Progress monitoring and environmental protection systems - Google Patents
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Abstract
A system for managing personnel and equipment engaged in making roads or other cutlines within a project area is configured to monitor production and also to warn of encroachments into environmentally sensitive areas or other prohibited zones. The system may comprise a personnel locating system comprising mobile GPS receivers configured to communicate location information to a central station. Location information received at the central station is processed to generate warnings and other information. The system can enhance safety, environmental protection and efficiency of projects involving cutlines.
Description
PROGRESS MONITORING AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
Field of the Invention [0001] This invention relates to monitoring projects involving making roads or other cutlines. An example application is monitoring the creation of cutlines as may be required for prospecting for petrochemicals, minerals or the like.
Background [0002] Petrochemical exploration can involve seismic studies of underground geological formations. Such studies involve the use of explosives and/or mechanical vibrators to transmit vibrations into the ground. The vibrations propagate through the earth. The propagation is affected by geological formations. The vibrations may be subsequently detected by an array of sensors. Vibration data picked up by the sensors may be processed in ways that are beyond the scope of the present disclosure to provide information that characterizes the geological formations. This information may be applied to determine good sites for wells for the recovery of gas or oil.
SYSTEMS
Field of the Invention [0001] This invention relates to monitoring projects involving making roads or other cutlines. An example application is monitoring the creation of cutlines as may be required for prospecting for petrochemicals, minerals or the like.
Background [0002] Petrochemical exploration can involve seismic studies of underground geological formations. Such studies involve the use of explosives and/or mechanical vibrators to transmit vibrations into the ground. The vibrations propagate through the earth. The propagation is affected by geological formations. The vibrations may be subsequently detected by an array of sensors. Vibration data picked up by the sensors may be processed in ways that are beyond the scope of the present disclosure to provide information that characterizes the geological formations. This information may be applied to determine good sites for wells for the recovery of gas or oil.
[0003] Seismic studies are most conveniently done using large equipment.
Consequently, before an area is studied, a network of roads or other cutlines is generally made. After the roads are in place, trucks or other vehicles carrying appropriate equipment may be brought in to conduct the seismic studies.
Consequently, before an area is studied, a network of roads or other cutlines is generally made. After the roads are in place, trucks or other vehicles carrying appropriate equipment may be brought in to conduct the seismic studies.
[0004] Seismic studies are often conducted in wilderness areas. Heavy equipment such as mulchers, bulldozers, feller-bunchers and the like that may be used to create cut lines can cause significant environmental degradation by, for example, driving through streams, clearing vegetation near streams, and the like. For this reason, environmental laws often require that an allowance around streams be left undisturbed. Even so, an equipment operator may inadvertently or on purpose disturb vegetation in an allowance.
[0005] Creating a network of cutlines for a seismic survey can be time-sensitive. The seismic surveying equipment represents an exceedingly large capital cost. If the cutlines are not completed in an area that is scheduled for a seismic survey by the time that the survey is scheduled to start then the seismic surveying equipment may be idled at very high cost. To ensure that the cutlines are completed on time it is desirable to monitor progress on a frequent basis. This is time intensive and complicated.
[0006] Other endeavors that present problems similar to those encountered in setting up cutlines for seismic surveying include: building systems of logging roads, building roads to service drilling sites for mineral prospecting, and the like.
[0007] References that deal with wirelessly tracking device or user locations include the following patent documents: US20050143096, US20060129691, US20120003992, US20110112943, US20010034577, US6377881, US6560565, JP2008176600A, W02005024536A1, and GB2459880A.
Brief Description of the Drawings [0008] The accompanying drawings illustrate non-limiting example embodiments of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings [0008] The accompanying drawings illustrate non-limiting example embodiments of the invention.
[0009] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example system.
[0010] Figure 2 shows a map which includes various prohibited regions as well as various planned cutlines.
[0011] Figure 2A is a blown-up view of a portion of Figure 2 showing an example tolerance region.
[0012] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining completion of a planned section of a cutline according to an example embodiment.
[0013] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating location-based warnings.
[0014] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example remote viewing system.
Detailed Description [0015] An example embodiment of the invention provides a system that in an entirely or largely automated manner warns of intrusions of machinery into allowances around streams and other prohibited areas and monitors progress toward completion of a planned arrangement of cutlines. The cutlines may comprise, for example, roads, trails, rights-of-way from which at least some vegetation (typically larger vegetation) has been removed and the like.
Detailed Description [0015] An example embodiment of the invention provides a system that in an entirely or largely automated manner warns of intrusions of machinery into allowances around streams and other prohibited areas and monitors progress toward completion of a planned arrangement of cutlines. The cutlines may comprise, for example, roads, trails, rights-of-way from which at least some vegetation (typically larger vegetation) has been removed and the like.
[0016] Figure 1 illustrates an example system 10 that comprises a computer system 12 interconnected with a personnel tracking system 14. Personnel tracking system tracks positions and movements of personnel around an area in which an arrangement of cutlines is planned. In an example embodiment, personnel tracking system 14 comprises a plurality of mobile GPS receivers 15 that are in wireless data communication with a central station 16 connected to computer system 12. Each GPS
receiver 15 is configured to periodically transmit its location and identification to central station 16. Central station 16 can thereby track where personnel are currently located throughout the day.
receiver 15 is configured to periodically transmit its location and identification to central station 16. Central station 16 can thereby track where personnel are currently located throughout the day.
[0017] It is possible but not necessary for GPS receivers 15 to provide location information essentially continuously to central station 16. In typical applications it will suffice for GPS receivers 15 to supply location information to central station 16 once every few minutes. For example, each GPS receiver 15 may provide information identifying its current location to central station 16 once every 2 to 35 minutes with about once every 15 minutes being satisfactory in many applications. As another example, each GPS receiver 15 may store information identifying one or more locations that it has been in since the last time GPS receiver 15 contacted central station 16, and provide that information (in addition to or instead of information identifying the current location) to central station 16 in a single transmission once every 2 to 35 minutes.
[0018] A GPS receiver 15 may be configured to send location information to base station 16 automatically on some schedule. In the alternative, GPS receivers 15 may be configured to provide location information to base station 16 in response to requests originating from base station 16. For example, in one embodiment, computer system 12 generates requests for location information from specific GPS
receivers 15.
Each request is passed to a base radio that is in radio communication with the GPS
receiver 15 to which the request is directed. The base radio transmits the request with the ID of a field radio associated with the GPS receiver 15. The GPS receiver receives the request and responds with its current location. The base radio receives the location information and passes that location information to computer system 12.
Computer system 12 processes the location information (for example, using methods as described below).
receivers 15.
Each request is passed to a base radio that is in radio communication with the GPS
receiver 15 to which the request is directed. The base radio transmits the request with the ID of a field radio associated with the GPS receiver 15. The GPS receiver receives the request and responds with its current location. The base radio receives the location information and passes that location information to computer system 12.
Computer system 12 processes the location information (for example, using methods as described below).
[0019] It is convenient but not mandatory for GPS receivers 15 to be integrated into two-way radios as are commonly required to be carried by workers on job sites.
In some embodiments, GPS receivers 15 used to monitor locations of machines are attached to the machines. In other embodiments the GPS receivers are carried by the operators of the machines.
100201 In some embodiments GPS receivers 15 are hosted in field radios that are configured to be paired with corresponding base radios. Different base radios may operate on different frequencies and/or channels. In this way, many field radios may be operated simultaneously without interfering with one another. For example, each base radio may be paired with 10 or fewer field radios in some embodiments.
Field radios paired with different base radios may be assigned to personnel having different roles. For example, survey personnel may be assigned field radios that correspond to -5-.
one base radio; equipment operators may be assigned field radios paired with another base radio and so on.
[0021] Computer system 12 may keep associations between different mobile GPS
receivers 15 and the personnel to whom those GPS receivers have been issued.
Such associations may be maintained, for example, in a database or other structure.
[0022] One application of system 10 lies in warning of encroachments or potential encroachments of personnel into allowances around streams or other prohibited areas.
To this end, computer system 12 has access to a map 20 of the work area.
Figure 2 shows an example of a map 20. Map 20 may, for example, comprise a map of the work area in a GIS system running on computer system 12. Map 20 may includes prohibited regions 22. Computer system 12 may be configured to compare locations of personnel as received from GPS receivers 15 to prohibited regions 22.
Computer system 12 may generate a warning in the event that a GPS receiver 15 provides a location within a prohibited region 22.
[0023] In the example map 20 shown in Figure 2, prohibited regions 22A through 22C are respectively illustrated as providing buffer zones around streams 21A
to 21C.
[0024] In some applications, prohibited regions 22 may apply to some personnel but not others. For example, a surveyor on foot may be allowed to enter an allowance around a stream whereas machinery may be prohibited from entering an allowance. In such applications, computer system 12 may maintain different rules for different personnel or different groups of personnel. The different rules may specify whether or not the personnel are prohibited from entering certain prohibited regions 22.
[0025] In some embodiments map 20 includes warning regions 23 around prohibited regions 22. Computer system 12 may be configured to provide a first warning when a GPS receiver 15 provides a location within a warning region 23 applicable to the personnel associated with the GPS receiver 15 and another warning if the GPS
receiver 15 provides a location within the prohibited region 22.
[0026] Computer system 12 may provide warnings in one or more different ways.
For example, computer system 12 may comprise a user audio-visual interface 13 at a monitoring station. Audio and/or visual warnings may be provided by computer system 12 to an operator at the monitoring station. The operator may then take necessary action, for example, contacting the user of the GPS receiver 15 by radio or the like. Computer system 12 may additionally preserve a record of an entry into a prohibited region 22. Such records may be used to identify problems but, equally importantly, in some embodiments may be used to demonstrate completion of a project without incursions into prohibited regions 22. Computer system 12 may additionally or in the alternative generate a message to the user of the GPS
receiver in question. The message may, for example, comprise a text or speech message delivered wirelessly to the GPS receiver 15. This allows system 10 to warn operators of the monitoring station, users of GPS receivers 15, or both of a potential incursion into a prohibited region 22.
[0027] In some embodiments, some warnings are provided via audio cues that correspond in intensity to the importance or urgency of the warning. For example, system 10 may generate a high-intensity audio cue (such as a siren) if a machine is about to enter a prohibited region 22, an intermediate-intensity audio cue (such as a bell) if a machine is about to deviate from the planned cutline to which it has been assigned, and a low-intensity audio cue (such as a beep) if certain features of system 10 (such as a radio feature) are activated or deactivated.
[0028] In certain embodiments, the mapping of warnings to audio cues is preprogrammed and cannot be changed. In other embodiments, the mapping of warnings to audio cues can be changed by an operator at the monitoring station but not by a user of a GPS receiver 15 associated with a machine; in still other embodiments, a user of a GPS receiver 15 can change the mapping of warnings to audio cues for that GPS receiver 15, but may be constrained by rules that are preprogrammed or provided by an operator of the monitoring station. For example, a user of a GPS receiver 15 may be able to change the audio cue corresponding to a high-importance warning, but may only be able to select a high-intensity audio cue to correspond to such a warning.
[0029] System 10 may provide additional safety features such as warning personnel of the presence of other personnel in the area. For example, computer system 12 may generate warnings when certain GPS receivers 15 provide locations that are close together. Such warnings may, for example, be of assistance where one GPS
receiver is associated with personnel who will be carrying out blasting or other activities that could present a danger to others in the area. As another example, such warnings may be generated where larger equipment, such as a mulcher 26, is operating near on-foot personnel 27. Such warnings may be generated automatically by computer system by comparing locations received from different GPS receivers 15 and applying rules based on roles of the personnel with whom the GPS receivers are associated.
[0030] In addition or as an alternative to warning operators of the monitoring station and/or users of GPS receivers 15, system 10 may generate warnings or reports for other parties. For example, system 10 may generate automatic reports for managers or oversight personnel. These reports may be generated on a regular interval (e.g. daily or weekly), or may be generated on the occurrence of an event. For example, a report may be automatically generated and emailed to a manager or oversight personnel when a machine enters a protected region 22. As another example, system 10 may record the number of times that machines came within a certain distance of on-foot personnel 27 and generate a warning for managers or oversight personnel as part of an automatic safety audit.
[0031] A company may preserve such reports to demonstrate that environmental and/or safety regulations were complied with during work on a project. In some embodiments the reports are automatically signed with a digital signature for later authentication.
[0032] System 10 may additionally or in the alternative monitor progress toward completion of a planned set of cutlines. Map 20 (or another map) may include a planned set of cutlines, including completed cutlines 24 and incomplete cutlines 25.
System 10 may monitor progress toward completion of the planned set of cutlines by processing locations received from GPS receivers 15. System 12 may achieve this by determining when segments of the incomplete cutlines have been completed. Such determinations may, for example, be performed by computer system 12.
[0033] Completion of a cutline segment may be assumed when certain conditions relating to the movements of equipment are satisfied. For example, a segment of an incomplete cutline 25 may be deemed complete when a mulcher 26 has traversed that segment at least once. As another example, a segment of an incomplete cutline may be deemed complete when a mulcher 26 has traversed the segment at least a predetermined number of times. As another example, a segment of an incomplete cutline 25 may be deemed complete when two or more specified pieces of equipment have each traversed the segment (perhaps in a specified sequence). These completion conditions may, for example, be associated with one or more segments of incomplete cutlines 25. Complete conditions may, as a further example, be stored on and evaluated by a computer system 12, which may mark incomplete cutlines 25 as complete in response to the completion conditions associated with a particular segment of incomplete cutline 25 being satisfied.
[0034] Cutlines may be represented by system 10 in a variety of ways. For example, cutlines may be represented as a sequence of points; in this example, a path between one point and a subsequent point is called a "segment", although that path may or may not be represented by system 10. As another example, planned cutlines may be divided into one or more shorter paths (which are also called "segments"), which may be of uniform or varying lengths; straight, curved or otherwise shaped; and continuously or discontinuously arranged. In such an example, cutline segments may be further divided into smaller cutline segments dynamically by system 10. For example, if a cutline segment is partially traversed by a mulcher 26, then the segment may be split into two or more segments ¨ one set of segments that substantially correspond to the path of the traversal of mulcher 26, and one set of segments substantially corresponding to the portion of the original segment that has not yet been traversed. In yet another example, system 10 may record the distance that each type of machine has traversed planned cutlines and define cutline segments corresponding to those movements. The defined cutline segments may, for example, be expanded as machine continue to move, and/or may be represented by system 10 as a distance travelled rather than (or in addition to) being represented as a set of points or paths. In each of these examples, segments may be represented in a memory of computer system 12.
[0035] Note that production (as measured by completed segments of incomplete cutlines 25) cannot be determined simply by aggregating the distance travelled by machines since machines may travel significant distances for repairs, fuel, transportation to or from a base of operations or the like and such travel does not contribute to production. Similarly, a more skilled operator and/or a better machine may complete a segment of incomplete cutline 25 in one pass and then move onto the next segment whereas a less skilled operator or the operator of a machine that is less efficient may go back and forth over a segment of incomplete cutline 25 more times before completing one segment and progressing to the next segment.
[0036] By determining completion of a planned arrangement of cutlines segment-by-segment, system 10 can provide immediate information regarding what proportion of the planned arrangement of cutlines is complete. Such determinations of cutline completion may, for example, be performed by computer system 12. By comparing the quantity of segments of completed cutlines 24 at different times, system 10 can monitor production. For example, the production achieved in one day may be determined by comparing the set of segments of completed cutlines 24 at the end of the day to the set of segments of completed cutlines 24 as of the end of the previous day. This information is valuable in determining whether the project is or is not on schedule.
[0037] In a similar manner, system 10 may, in some embodiments, determine the proportion or the quantity of incomplete cutlines 25. System 10 may also, for example, determine the amount of work required to complete incomplete cutlines which are currently partially completed ¨ e.g. one or more segments of incomplete cutlines 25 may need to be traversed once by a mulcher 26 and then once by a bulldozer in order to be completed. If certain segments have been traversed by a mulcher 26 but have not thereafter been traversed by bulldozer, system 10 may determine the distance remaining to be travelled by mulchers 26 before all incomplete cutlines may be completed, and may also determine the distance remaining to be travelled by bulldozers before all incomplete cutlines may be completed.
Similarly, system 10 may, for example, determine the total distance that is available to be traversed by a particular type of machine ¨ for instance, if 10km of incomplete cutlines 25 have been traversed by a mulcher 26 but are still awaiting traversal by a bulldozer, then system 10 may determine that 10km of cutline are available for bulldozers to conduct work on. This enables system 10 to provide information regarding the total distance of cutlines that have yet to be completed, and the total distance yet to be travelled by various types of machines. This information can be valuable in preparing time or cost estimates for completion, or may be useful for other purposes.
[0038] In some embodiments system 10 is configured to estimate a date for completing the system of cutlines based on the total length of cutlines completed, the time taken to complete the cutlines and the total length of cutlines still uncompleted.
In some embodiments such an estimate may be refined by determining an average rate of progress for different conditions. For example, progress may be slower in boggy areas than in other areas. System 10 may permit a user to select areas of the digital map that correspond to different terrain types and conditions. The system may then estimate the time required to complete a section of uncompleted cutline based on the time taken to complete already completed cutlines through terrain and conditions that are similar to those through which the section of uncompleted cutline passes.
In some embodiments a user may assign specific machines or machine/operator combinations to uncompleted sections of cutlines. The system may be configured to estimate the time required for completion of the uncompleted cutlines based on the time taken for the same machine or machine/operator combination to complete already-completed sections of cutlines in similar conditions on the same or another job. For example, the system may compute average rates of completion based on the lengths of previous cutline segments and the times taken to complete those segments.
[0039] In some embodiments, system 10 is configured to display map 20 with incomplete cutlines 25 and complete cutlines 24 overlaid on map 20. Incomplete cutlines 25 and complete cutlines 24 (and/or segments thereof) may be displayed with different visual representations, allowing users of system 10 to visually assess overall production. System 10 may, in some embodiments, also represent partially-complete cutlines according to the amount of work already done and/or yet to be done.
For example, a complete cutline 24 may be displayed with a green colour, an incomplete cutline 25 may be displayed with a red colour if no work has been done, and an incomplete cutline 25 that has been partially completed may be displayed with a yellow colour that varies in intensity according to the degree of completion, or a yellow colour that is shifted towards a red or green hue if the cutline's completion is closer to wholly incomplete or complete, respectively. Other example representations include displaying incomplete cutlines 25 as dashed lines and complete cutlines 24 as solid lines (or as bold lines, with partially complete cutlines as lines of a lesser width), displaying cutlines with a transparency corresponding to their degree of completion (i.e. cutlines become more opaque as they near completion), and/or overlaying one or more segments of a cutline with a symbol, analogously on a highway map. Mape showing the locations of completed cutlines may also be stored and/or printed.
[0040] In addition to measuring overall production, production may be monitored separately for different machine/operator combinations. This information can assist in evaluating operators and also for evaluating the effectiveness of different machines under the local conditions. In some embodiments, system 10 is configured to provide a warning if production of a particular machine is below a threshold during a specified period. For example, a problem may be indicated where a machine has made no progress or only very little progress to extend a cutline over a period of 1/2 hour or 1 hour. In such a case, computer system 12 may generate a warning.
[0041] System 10 may automatically compare positions of GPS receivers 15 corresponding to machines that make cutlines to the locations of planned cutlines.
System 10 may generate a warning if a machine is off of a planned cutline. In some embodiments, different machines may be assigned to different planned cutlines and system 10 may generate a warning if a machine is off of the planned cutline to which it has been assigned. The assignments may, for example, be made by a user of computer system 12. For example, the user may select one or more uncompleted segments of cutlines and assign an available machine to those segments from a list. In some embodiments, a user may assign machines to uncompleted segments of cutlines using a graphical display in which the user may highlight an uncompleted cutline segment and assign a machine to the highlighted segment by selecting a machine from a list, dragging and dropping an icon representing the machine to the highlighted segment, or the like.
[0042] In some embodiments, GPS receivers 15 provide (or are coupled with devices which provide) their users with information other than or in addition to the above warnings regarding planned cutlines so as to enable those users to construct cutlines according to the planned arrangement. For example, GPS receivers 15 may provide a map and/or directional indicia (such as an arrow or audible turn-by-turn directions) indicating the direction in which planned cutlines extend relative to the user. In some embodiments system 10 may wirelessly communicate coordinates defining planned cutlines to GPS receivers 15 and GPS receivers 15 may include displays that graphically indicate to machine operators or other personnel the locations of planned cutlines relative to the current location of GPS receiver 15.
[0043] Users of GPS receivers 15 may intentionally deviate from planned cutlines for several reasons, such as obstacles impeding the planned cutlines; safety hazards in the area of planned cutlines; changes in plans by coordinators, management or others; or other reasons. In some embodiments, system 10 allows map 20 of planned cutlines to be changed, updated, replaced or otherwise altered. This may optionally be performed through a user interface of computer system 12.
[0044] After map 20 is changed, etc., system 10 may determine which portions of the planned cutlines on the changed map 20 are completed cutlines 24 and which are incomplete cutlines 25. In some embodiments, this is accomplished by storing some or all of the location data received from GPS receivers 15 by computer system 12 and comparing the stored location data to the changed map 20. This allows system 10 to recalculate which of the planned cutlines have been complete by determining which portions of the planned cutlines have been traversed by machines, etc., as discussed above. In some embodiments, this recalculation of cutline completion is only performed for planned cutlines that were added in the alterations to map 20 and/or did not exist in map 20 before the alterations. This allows deviations from the previously-planned cutlines to be recognized and counted towards the newly-planned cutlines even if those deviations occurred prior to map 20 being changed, updated, replaced or otherwise altered.
[0045] It is most typical that a project involving the creation of cutlines will be coordinated by a person who is responsible for the overall management of the project.
In some embodiments, the coordinator has a user interface to system 10 by way of which the coordinator can receive warnings of any of the types discussed above. The coordinator may then take appropriate action such as directing a machine operator by two-way radio not to proceed into a prohibited region 22, sending help to assist the operator of a machine that has become stuck or is encountering mechanical difficulties, providing advice for avoiding obstacles etc.
[0046] The coordinator may also receive production information from system 10.
The coordinator may also use system 10 to quickly generate production reports. A
production report may, for example, provide information about production (e.g.
total length added to cutlines according to a plan in a day, week, or other period;
percentage of plan that has been completed; and so on).
[0047] Figure 2A is a blown-up view of a portion of Figure 2 showing portions of completed cutlines 24B and incomplete cutlines 25B. System 10 may, in some embodiments, provide a tolerance region 28 around at least incomplete cutlines 25.
Positions of GPS receivers 15 that fall outside of tolerance region 28 do not contribute to completion of incomplete cutline 25 with which they are associated. For example, tolerance region 28 may extend out 20 or 30 metres from incomplete cutline 25 (resulting in a tolerance region 28 that is at least 40 to 60 metres wide). In such an embodiment, a mulcher 26 at a position 29B that is outside tolerance region 28 (for example, 45 metres away from incomplete cutline 25) will not result in a traversal by mulcher 26 being recorded against at least the nearest portion of incomplete cutline 25. System 10 may optionally determine or estimate the path taken by mulcher between its previous position and position 29 and count the portion of that path falling within tolerance region 28 towards completion of at least a portion of incomplete cutline 25. Alternatively, or in addition, if mulcher 26 moves to a position 29A that is, for example, 15 metres away from incomplete cutline 25 then the movement of mulcher 26 between its previous position (which, in this example, is inside the tolerance region 28) and its new position 29A may be counted towards the completion of the portion of incomplete cutlines 25 lying substantially between those two positions, even though position 29A does not lie precisely on incomplete cutline 25.
[0048] If, for example, system 10 represents cutline segments as a series of points, then tolerance regions 28 may extend out around each point. Thus, in this example, if system 10 records the location of a mulcher 26 being within the tolerance region 28 around a particular point, then that point may be marked complete (or marked as partially complete, according to that point's associated completion conditions).
[0049] Warnings may be generated as discussed above if a machine in tolerance region 28 moves to within a certain distance of the edge of tolerance region 28 or if the machine moves outside of tolerance region 28 or both. For example, a mulcher 26 that moves 20 metres away from an incomplete cutline 25 may trigger the generation of a warning for the machine operator indicating that the machine is in danger of leaving the tolerance region 28. If mulcher 26 does leave tolerance region 28, another (or a first) warning may be generated for that machine operator and/or for a coordinator.
[0050] Users of GPS receivers 15 may intentionally deviate from planned cutlines for several reasons, such as obstacles impeding the planned cutlines; safety hazards in the area of planned cutlines; changes in plans by coordinators, management or others; or other reasons. In some embodiments, system 10 allows map 20 to be changed, updated, replaced or otherwise altered. This may optionally be performed through a user interface of computer system 12.
[0051] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 30 for determining when a segment of a planned cutline has been completed. In block 32, method 30 receives location information from one or more GPS receivers 15 that are associated with equipment of one or more types that can complete a cutline. For example, the GPS receivers 15 may be associated with mulchers 26 (self-propelled forestry machines that can push down trees and grind the trees into shreds).
[0052] In block 34, system 10 determines whether the locations are on parts of planned cutlines that have not previously been recorded as having been completed in system 10. If not, method 30 returns to block 32 to obtain further location information from GPS receivers 15.
[0053] If block 34 does determine that one or more locations are on a part of a planned cutline that has not previously been recorded as having been completed then system 10 may compute an incremental distance from the location along the planned cutline to the end of the portion of the cutline that was previously recorded as having been completed. Where location information from GPS receivers is received fairly frequently this incremental distance will typically be fairly small (being limited by the maximum speed of travel of the machine and the time since the last location information was received from the machine).
[0054] In block 36 system 10 updates a data structure to indicate that the part of the planned cutline ending at the current location of the machine has been completed.
System 10 may also update the data structure with the time and date of completion.
The data in a data structure that indicates the time and date on which each part of each planned cutline has been completed may be used to prepare reports indicating the amount of production between any two times/dates (by totalling the length of cutline sections recorded in the data structure as being completed between the two times/dates). The data in such a data structure may also be used to determine a total length of planned cutline that has been completed as of any time/date (by adding up the lengths of all sections of cutline recorded in the data structure as having been completed before the time/date).
[0055] System 10 optionally tracks one or more aspects of production on an ongoing basis. For example, where location information for a machine indicates that the machine has completed a section of planned cutline not previously recorded as having been completed then system 10 may add a length of the section of planned cutline to one or more of: a data location containing a value for total production over the entire project; a data location containing a value for total production over the entire project since a specific time (e.g. today, this week, in the last 2 hours); a data location containing a value for total production of the machine over the entire project; a data location containing a value for production of the machine since a specific time (e.g.
today, this week, in the last 2 hours).
[0056] Figure 4 illustrates an example method 40 for generating location-based warnings according to an example embodiment. In some embodiments system 10 executes a method like method 30 and a method like method 40 in parallel (or else executes a method that combines features of methods 30 and 40). In block 42, method 40 receives location information from GPS receivers 15.
[0057] In block 44, method 40 checks to see whether the location of any of GPS
receiver 15 corresponds to an area that is prohibited for that GPS receiver 15. Block 44 may, for example, comprise looking in a database to determine a role associated with the GPS receiver 15 and then querying a GIS database to determine whether the location falls within an area that is prohibited for that role. If block 44 determines that a GPS receiver 15 has a location within an area for which a warning should be generated then a warning is generated in block 45.
[0058] In block 46, method 40 checks to see whether any warnings should be generated based on the proximity of different GPS receivers 15. Block 46 may, for example, compute distances between the locations of pairs of GPS receivers 15 and may then compare the distances to thresholds that may be variable depending on the roles associated with different GPS receivers 15. For example, a threshold distance for two machines may be different for a threshold distance between a machine and a person on foot. If block 46 determines that a warning should be generated then a warning is generated in block 47.
[0059] Method 40 then returns to block 42 to await further location information from GPS receivers 15.
[0060] Figure 5 illustrates an example system 50 for remotely viewing information collected by computer system 12. Computer system 12 is often located proximate to the elements of personnel tracking system 14, but there may be users at remote locations (for example, at a corporate head office) who may wish to view the information collected by computer system 12. In some embodiments, there are one or more remote viewers 54 which receive from computer system 12 information related to cutline production, warnings, reports, GPS receiver 15 locations, or any combination thereof. For example, this information may be received in real-time (or nearly real-time), allowing remote viewers to view maps or other visualizations or summaries of the received information that substantially reflect the current conditions of the project.
[0061] In some embodiments, computer system 12 registers its current Internet Protocol (IP) address with a known dynamic DNS server 52. The IP address of computer system 12 can be received from known dynamic DNS server 52 by one or more remote viewers 54. This enables remote viewers 54 to connect directly to computer system 12 without first being configured with the IP address of computer system 12.
[0062] In addition to the functions above, computer system 12 may use mapping software to maintain an updated display showing an image of map 20 marked with the locations of personnel associated with GPS receivers 15. The locations may be displayed using indicia that are visually distinguishable for different roles.
For example, the locations may be marked with icons having different colours, shapes etc.
Such a display permits a coordinator to see at a glance how personnel are distributed within the project area.
[0063] System 10 may be further configured to verify that all GPS receivers 15 have left the project area at the end of each work period. It may also, or alternatively, be configured to find a quick or otherwise effective route from one location (such as the GPS location of an employee with first-aid training) to another (such as the GPS
location of on-foot personnel 27 who has signalled an injury). This route-finding may be triggered automatically in response to a signal from a GPS receiver 15 or may be triggered by a coordinator.
[0064] Certain implementations of the invention comprise computer processors which execute software instructions which cause the processors to perform a method of the invention. For example, one or more processors in one or more computer systems 12, central stations 16 or other systems comprising processors may implement one or both of the methods of Figure 3 and Figure 4 by executing software instructions in a program memory accessible to the processors. The invention may also be provided in the form of a program product. The program product may comprise any medium which carries a set of computer-readable signals comprising instructions which, when executed by a data processor, cause the data processor to execute a method of the invention. Program products according to the invention may be in any of a wide variety of forms. The program product may comprise, for example, non-transitory physical media such as magnetic data storage media including floppy diskettes, hard disk drives, optical data storage media including CD ROMs, DVDs, electronic data storage media including ROMs, flash RAM, or the like. The computer-readable signals on the program product may optionally be compressed or encrypted.
[0065] Where a component (e.g. a software module, processor, assembly, device, circuit, etc.) is referred to above, unless otherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a reference to a "means") should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.
[0066] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.
In some embodiments, GPS receivers 15 used to monitor locations of machines are attached to the machines. In other embodiments the GPS receivers are carried by the operators of the machines.
100201 In some embodiments GPS receivers 15 are hosted in field radios that are configured to be paired with corresponding base radios. Different base radios may operate on different frequencies and/or channels. In this way, many field radios may be operated simultaneously without interfering with one another. For example, each base radio may be paired with 10 or fewer field radios in some embodiments.
Field radios paired with different base radios may be assigned to personnel having different roles. For example, survey personnel may be assigned field radios that correspond to -5-.
one base radio; equipment operators may be assigned field radios paired with another base radio and so on.
[0021] Computer system 12 may keep associations between different mobile GPS
receivers 15 and the personnel to whom those GPS receivers have been issued.
Such associations may be maintained, for example, in a database or other structure.
[0022] One application of system 10 lies in warning of encroachments or potential encroachments of personnel into allowances around streams or other prohibited areas.
To this end, computer system 12 has access to a map 20 of the work area.
Figure 2 shows an example of a map 20. Map 20 may, for example, comprise a map of the work area in a GIS system running on computer system 12. Map 20 may includes prohibited regions 22. Computer system 12 may be configured to compare locations of personnel as received from GPS receivers 15 to prohibited regions 22.
Computer system 12 may generate a warning in the event that a GPS receiver 15 provides a location within a prohibited region 22.
[0023] In the example map 20 shown in Figure 2, prohibited regions 22A through 22C are respectively illustrated as providing buffer zones around streams 21A
to 21C.
[0024] In some applications, prohibited regions 22 may apply to some personnel but not others. For example, a surveyor on foot may be allowed to enter an allowance around a stream whereas machinery may be prohibited from entering an allowance. In such applications, computer system 12 may maintain different rules for different personnel or different groups of personnel. The different rules may specify whether or not the personnel are prohibited from entering certain prohibited regions 22.
[0025] In some embodiments map 20 includes warning regions 23 around prohibited regions 22. Computer system 12 may be configured to provide a first warning when a GPS receiver 15 provides a location within a warning region 23 applicable to the personnel associated with the GPS receiver 15 and another warning if the GPS
receiver 15 provides a location within the prohibited region 22.
[0026] Computer system 12 may provide warnings in one or more different ways.
For example, computer system 12 may comprise a user audio-visual interface 13 at a monitoring station. Audio and/or visual warnings may be provided by computer system 12 to an operator at the monitoring station. The operator may then take necessary action, for example, contacting the user of the GPS receiver 15 by radio or the like. Computer system 12 may additionally preserve a record of an entry into a prohibited region 22. Such records may be used to identify problems but, equally importantly, in some embodiments may be used to demonstrate completion of a project without incursions into prohibited regions 22. Computer system 12 may additionally or in the alternative generate a message to the user of the GPS
receiver in question. The message may, for example, comprise a text or speech message delivered wirelessly to the GPS receiver 15. This allows system 10 to warn operators of the monitoring station, users of GPS receivers 15, or both of a potential incursion into a prohibited region 22.
[0027] In some embodiments, some warnings are provided via audio cues that correspond in intensity to the importance or urgency of the warning. For example, system 10 may generate a high-intensity audio cue (such as a siren) if a machine is about to enter a prohibited region 22, an intermediate-intensity audio cue (such as a bell) if a machine is about to deviate from the planned cutline to which it has been assigned, and a low-intensity audio cue (such as a beep) if certain features of system 10 (such as a radio feature) are activated or deactivated.
[0028] In certain embodiments, the mapping of warnings to audio cues is preprogrammed and cannot be changed. In other embodiments, the mapping of warnings to audio cues can be changed by an operator at the monitoring station but not by a user of a GPS receiver 15 associated with a machine; in still other embodiments, a user of a GPS receiver 15 can change the mapping of warnings to audio cues for that GPS receiver 15, but may be constrained by rules that are preprogrammed or provided by an operator of the monitoring station. For example, a user of a GPS receiver 15 may be able to change the audio cue corresponding to a high-importance warning, but may only be able to select a high-intensity audio cue to correspond to such a warning.
[0029] System 10 may provide additional safety features such as warning personnel of the presence of other personnel in the area. For example, computer system 12 may generate warnings when certain GPS receivers 15 provide locations that are close together. Such warnings may, for example, be of assistance where one GPS
receiver is associated with personnel who will be carrying out blasting or other activities that could present a danger to others in the area. As another example, such warnings may be generated where larger equipment, such as a mulcher 26, is operating near on-foot personnel 27. Such warnings may be generated automatically by computer system by comparing locations received from different GPS receivers 15 and applying rules based on roles of the personnel with whom the GPS receivers are associated.
[0030] In addition or as an alternative to warning operators of the monitoring station and/or users of GPS receivers 15, system 10 may generate warnings or reports for other parties. For example, system 10 may generate automatic reports for managers or oversight personnel. These reports may be generated on a regular interval (e.g. daily or weekly), or may be generated on the occurrence of an event. For example, a report may be automatically generated and emailed to a manager or oversight personnel when a machine enters a protected region 22. As another example, system 10 may record the number of times that machines came within a certain distance of on-foot personnel 27 and generate a warning for managers or oversight personnel as part of an automatic safety audit.
[0031] A company may preserve such reports to demonstrate that environmental and/or safety regulations were complied with during work on a project. In some embodiments the reports are automatically signed with a digital signature for later authentication.
[0032] System 10 may additionally or in the alternative monitor progress toward completion of a planned set of cutlines. Map 20 (or another map) may include a planned set of cutlines, including completed cutlines 24 and incomplete cutlines 25.
System 10 may monitor progress toward completion of the planned set of cutlines by processing locations received from GPS receivers 15. System 12 may achieve this by determining when segments of the incomplete cutlines have been completed. Such determinations may, for example, be performed by computer system 12.
[0033] Completion of a cutline segment may be assumed when certain conditions relating to the movements of equipment are satisfied. For example, a segment of an incomplete cutline 25 may be deemed complete when a mulcher 26 has traversed that segment at least once. As another example, a segment of an incomplete cutline may be deemed complete when a mulcher 26 has traversed the segment at least a predetermined number of times. As another example, a segment of an incomplete cutline 25 may be deemed complete when two or more specified pieces of equipment have each traversed the segment (perhaps in a specified sequence). These completion conditions may, for example, be associated with one or more segments of incomplete cutlines 25. Complete conditions may, as a further example, be stored on and evaluated by a computer system 12, which may mark incomplete cutlines 25 as complete in response to the completion conditions associated with a particular segment of incomplete cutline 25 being satisfied.
[0034] Cutlines may be represented by system 10 in a variety of ways. For example, cutlines may be represented as a sequence of points; in this example, a path between one point and a subsequent point is called a "segment", although that path may or may not be represented by system 10. As another example, planned cutlines may be divided into one or more shorter paths (which are also called "segments"), which may be of uniform or varying lengths; straight, curved or otherwise shaped; and continuously or discontinuously arranged. In such an example, cutline segments may be further divided into smaller cutline segments dynamically by system 10. For example, if a cutline segment is partially traversed by a mulcher 26, then the segment may be split into two or more segments ¨ one set of segments that substantially correspond to the path of the traversal of mulcher 26, and one set of segments substantially corresponding to the portion of the original segment that has not yet been traversed. In yet another example, system 10 may record the distance that each type of machine has traversed planned cutlines and define cutline segments corresponding to those movements. The defined cutline segments may, for example, be expanded as machine continue to move, and/or may be represented by system 10 as a distance travelled rather than (or in addition to) being represented as a set of points or paths. In each of these examples, segments may be represented in a memory of computer system 12.
[0035] Note that production (as measured by completed segments of incomplete cutlines 25) cannot be determined simply by aggregating the distance travelled by machines since machines may travel significant distances for repairs, fuel, transportation to or from a base of operations or the like and such travel does not contribute to production. Similarly, a more skilled operator and/or a better machine may complete a segment of incomplete cutline 25 in one pass and then move onto the next segment whereas a less skilled operator or the operator of a machine that is less efficient may go back and forth over a segment of incomplete cutline 25 more times before completing one segment and progressing to the next segment.
[0036] By determining completion of a planned arrangement of cutlines segment-by-segment, system 10 can provide immediate information regarding what proportion of the planned arrangement of cutlines is complete. Such determinations of cutline completion may, for example, be performed by computer system 12. By comparing the quantity of segments of completed cutlines 24 at different times, system 10 can monitor production. For example, the production achieved in one day may be determined by comparing the set of segments of completed cutlines 24 at the end of the day to the set of segments of completed cutlines 24 as of the end of the previous day. This information is valuable in determining whether the project is or is not on schedule.
[0037] In a similar manner, system 10 may, in some embodiments, determine the proportion or the quantity of incomplete cutlines 25. System 10 may also, for example, determine the amount of work required to complete incomplete cutlines which are currently partially completed ¨ e.g. one or more segments of incomplete cutlines 25 may need to be traversed once by a mulcher 26 and then once by a bulldozer in order to be completed. If certain segments have been traversed by a mulcher 26 but have not thereafter been traversed by bulldozer, system 10 may determine the distance remaining to be travelled by mulchers 26 before all incomplete cutlines may be completed, and may also determine the distance remaining to be travelled by bulldozers before all incomplete cutlines may be completed.
Similarly, system 10 may, for example, determine the total distance that is available to be traversed by a particular type of machine ¨ for instance, if 10km of incomplete cutlines 25 have been traversed by a mulcher 26 but are still awaiting traversal by a bulldozer, then system 10 may determine that 10km of cutline are available for bulldozers to conduct work on. This enables system 10 to provide information regarding the total distance of cutlines that have yet to be completed, and the total distance yet to be travelled by various types of machines. This information can be valuable in preparing time or cost estimates for completion, or may be useful for other purposes.
[0038] In some embodiments system 10 is configured to estimate a date for completing the system of cutlines based on the total length of cutlines completed, the time taken to complete the cutlines and the total length of cutlines still uncompleted.
In some embodiments such an estimate may be refined by determining an average rate of progress for different conditions. For example, progress may be slower in boggy areas than in other areas. System 10 may permit a user to select areas of the digital map that correspond to different terrain types and conditions. The system may then estimate the time required to complete a section of uncompleted cutline based on the time taken to complete already completed cutlines through terrain and conditions that are similar to those through which the section of uncompleted cutline passes.
In some embodiments a user may assign specific machines or machine/operator combinations to uncompleted sections of cutlines. The system may be configured to estimate the time required for completion of the uncompleted cutlines based on the time taken for the same machine or machine/operator combination to complete already-completed sections of cutlines in similar conditions on the same or another job. For example, the system may compute average rates of completion based on the lengths of previous cutline segments and the times taken to complete those segments.
[0039] In some embodiments, system 10 is configured to display map 20 with incomplete cutlines 25 and complete cutlines 24 overlaid on map 20. Incomplete cutlines 25 and complete cutlines 24 (and/or segments thereof) may be displayed with different visual representations, allowing users of system 10 to visually assess overall production. System 10 may, in some embodiments, also represent partially-complete cutlines according to the amount of work already done and/or yet to be done.
For example, a complete cutline 24 may be displayed with a green colour, an incomplete cutline 25 may be displayed with a red colour if no work has been done, and an incomplete cutline 25 that has been partially completed may be displayed with a yellow colour that varies in intensity according to the degree of completion, or a yellow colour that is shifted towards a red or green hue if the cutline's completion is closer to wholly incomplete or complete, respectively. Other example representations include displaying incomplete cutlines 25 as dashed lines and complete cutlines 24 as solid lines (or as bold lines, with partially complete cutlines as lines of a lesser width), displaying cutlines with a transparency corresponding to their degree of completion (i.e. cutlines become more opaque as they near completion), and/or overlaying one or more segments of a cutline with a symbol, analogously on a highway map. Mape showing the locations of completed cutlines may also be stored and/or printed.
[0040] In addition to measuring overall production, production may be monitored separately for different machine/operator combinations. This information can assist in evaluating operators and also for evaluating the effectiveness of different machines under the local conditions. In some embodiments, system 10 is configured to provide a warning if production of a particular machine is below a threshold during a specified period. For example, a problem may be indicated where a machine has made no progress or only very little progress to extend a cutline over a period of 1/2 hour or 1 hour. In such a case, computer system 12 may generate a warning.
[0041] System 10 may automatically compare positions of GPS receivers 15 corresponding to machines that make cutlines to the locations of planned cutlines.
System 10 may generate a warning if a machine is off of a planned cutline. In some embodiments, different machines may be assigned to different planned cutlines and system 10 may generate a warning if a machine is off of the planned cutline to which it has been assigned. The assignments may, for example, be made by a user of computer system 12. For example, the user may select one or more uncompleted segments of cutlines and assign an available machine to those segments from a list. In some embodiments, a user may assign machines to uncompleted segments of cutlines using a graphical display in which the user may highlight an uncompleted cutline segment and assign a machine to the highlighted segment by selecting a machine from a list, dragging and dropping an icon representing the machine to the highlighted segment, or the like.
[0042] In some embodiments, GPS receivers 15 provide (or are coupled with devices which provide) their users with information other than or in addition to the above warnings regarding planned cutlines so as to enable those users to construct cutlines according to the planned arrangement. For example, GPS receivers 15 may provide a map and/or directional indicia (such as an arrow or audible turn-by-turn directions) indicating the direction in which planned cutlines extend relative to the user. In some embodiments system 10 may wirelessly communicate coordinates defining planned cutlines to GPS receivers 15 and GPS receivers 15 may include displays that graphically indicate to machine operators or other personnel the locations of planned cutlines relative to the current location of GPS receiver 15.
[0043] Users of GPS receivers 15 may intentionally deviate from planned cutlines for several reasons, such as obstacles impeding the planned cutlines; safety hazards in the area of planned cutlines; changes in plans by coordinators, management or others; or other reasons. In some embodiments, system 10 allows map 20 of planned cutlines to be changed, updated, replaced or otherwise altered. This may optionally be performed through a user interface of computer system 12.
[0044] After map 20 is changed, etc., system 10 may determine which portions of the planned cutlines on the changed map 20 are completed cutlines 24 and which are incomplete cutlines 25. In some embodiments, this is accomplished by storing some or all of the location data received from GPS receivers 15 by computer system 12 and comparing the stored location data to the changed map 20. This allows system 10 to recalculate which of the planned cutlines have been complete by determining which portions of the planned cutlines have been traversed by machines, etc., as discussed above. In some embodiments, this recalculation of cutline completion is only performed for planned cutlines that were added in the alterations to map 20 and/or did not exist in map 20 before the alterations. This allows deviations from the previously-planned cutlines to be recognized and counted towards the newly-planned cutlines even if those deviations occurred prior to map 20 being changed, updated, replaced or otherwise altered.
[0045] It is most typical that a project involving the creation of cutlines will be coordinated by a person who is responsible for the overall management of the project.
In some embodiments, the coordinator has a user interface to system 10 by way of which the coordinator can receive warnings of any of the types discussed above. The coordinator may then take appropriate action such as directing a machine operator by two-way radio not to proceed into a prohibited region 22, sending help to assist the operator of a machine that has become stuck or is encountering mechanical difficulties, providing advice for avoiding obstacles etc.
[0046] The coordinator may also receive production information from system 10.
The coordinator may also use system 10 to quickly generate production reports. A
production report may, for example, provide information about production (e.g.
total length added to cutlines according to a plan in a day, week, or other period;
percentage of plan that has been completed; and so on).
[0047] Figure 2A is a blown-up view of a portion of Figure 2 showing portions of completed cutlines 24B and incomplete cutlines 25B. System 10 may, in some embodiments, provide a tolerance region 28 around at least incomplete cutlines 25.
Positions of GPS receivers 15 that fall outside of tolerance region 28 do not contribute to completion of incomplete cutline 25 with which they are associated. For example, tolerance region 28 may extend out 20 or 30 metres from incomplete cutline 25 (resulting in a tolerance region 28 that is at least 40 to 60 metres wide). In such an embodiment, a mulcher 26 at a position 29B that is outside tolerance region 28 (for example, 45 metres away from incomplete cutline 25) will not result in a traversal by mulcher 26 being recorded against at least the nearest portion of incomplete cutline 25. System 10 may optionally determine or estimate the path taken by mulcher between its previous position and position 29 and count the portion of that path falling within tolerance region 28 towards completion of at least a portion of incomplete cutline 25. Alternatively, or in addition, if mulcher 26 moves to a position 29A that is, for example, 15 metres away from incomplete cutline 25 then the movement of mulcher 26 between its previous position (which, in this example, is inside the tolerance region 28) and its new position 29A may be counted towards the completion of the portion of incomplete cutlines 25 lying substantially between those two positions, even though position 29A does not lie precisely on incomplete cutline 25.
[0048] If, for example, system 10 represents cutline segments as a series of points, then tolerance regions 28 may extend out around each point. Thus, in this example, if system 10 records the location of a mulcher 26 being within the tolerance region 28 around a particular point, then that point may be marked complete (or marked as partially complete, according to that point's associated completion conditions).
[0049] Warnings may be generated as discussed above if a machine in tolerance region 28 moves to within a certain distance of the edge of tolerance region 28 or if the machine moves outside of tolerance region 28 or both. For example, a mulcher 26 that moves 20 metres away from an incomplete cutline 25 may trigger the generation of a warning for the machine operator indicating that the machine is in danger of leaving the tolerance region 28. If mulcher 26 does leave tolerance region 28, another (or a first) warning may be generated for that machine operator and/or for a coordinator.
[0050] Users of GPS receivers 15 may intentionally deviate from planned cutlines for several reasons, such as obstacles impeding the planned cutlines; safety hazards in the area of planned cutlines; changes in plans by coordinators, management or others; or other reasons. In some embodiments, system 10 allows map 20 to be changed, updated, replaced or otherwise altered. This may optionally be performed through a user interface of computer system 12.
[0051] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 30 for determining when a segment of a planned cutline has been completed. In block 32, method 30 receives location information from one or more GPS receivers 15 that are associated with equipment of one or more types that can complete a cutline. For example, the GPS receivers 15 may be associated with mulchers 26 (self-propelled forestry machines that can push down trees and grind the trees into shreds).
[0052] In block 34, system 10 determines whether the locations are on parts of planned cutlines that have not previously been recorded as having been completed in system 10. If not, method 30 returns to block 32 to obtain further location information from GPS receivers 15.
[0053] If block 34 does determine that one or more locations are on a part of a planned cutline that has not previously been recorded as having been completed then system 10 may compute an incremental distance from the location along the planned cutline to the end of the portion of the cutline that was previously recorded as having been completed. Where location information from GPS receivers is received fairly frequently this incremental distance will typically be fairly small (being limited by the maximum speed of travel of the machine and the time since the last location information was received from the machine).
[0054] In block 36 system 10 updates a data structure to indicate that the part of the planned cutline ending at the current location of the machine has been completed.
System 10 may also update the data structure with the time and date of completion.
The data in a data structure that indicates the time and date on which each part of each planned cutline has been completed may be used to prepare reports indicating the amount of production between any two times/dates (by totalling the length of cutline sections recorded in the data structure as being completed between the two times/dates). The data in such a data structure may also be used to determine a total length of planned cutline that has been completed as of any time/date (by adding up the lengths of all sections of cutline recorded in the data structure as having been completed before the time/date).
[0055] System 10 optionally tracks one or more aspects of production on an ongoing basis. For example, where location information for a machine indicates that the machine has completed a section of planned cutline not previously recorded as having been completed then system 10 may add a length of the section of planned cutline to one or more of: a data location containing a value for total production over the entire project; a data location containing a value for total production over the entire project since a specific time (e.g. today, this week, in the last 2 hours); a data location containing a value for total production of the machine over the entire project; a data location containing a value for production of the machine since a specific time (e.g.
today, this week, in the last 2 hours).
[0056] Figure 4 illustrates an example method 40 for generating location-based warnings according to an example embodiment. In some embodiments system 10 executes a method like method 30 and a method like method 40 in parallel (or else executes a method that combines features of methods 30 and 40). In block 42, method 40 receives location information from GPS receivers 15.
[0057] In block 44, method 40 checks to see whether the location of any of GPS
receiver 15 corresponds to an area that is prohibited for that GPS receiver 15. Block 44 may, for example, comprise looking in a database to determine a role associated with the GPS receiver 15 and then querying a GIS database to determine whether the location falls within an area that is prohibited for that role. If block 44 determines that a GPS receiver 15 has a location within an area for which a warning should be generated then a warning is generated in block 45.
[0058] In block 46, method 40 checks to see whether any warnings should be generated based on the proximity of different GPS receivers 15. Block 46 may, for example, compute distances between the locations of pairs of GPS receivers 15 and may then compare the distances to thresholds that may be variable depending on the roles associated with different GPS receivers 15. For example, a threshold distance for two machines may be different for a threshold distance between a machine and a person on foot. If block 46 determines that a warning should be generated then a warning is generated in block 47.
[0059] Method 40 then returns to block 42 to await further location information from GPS receivers 15.
[0060] Figure 5 illustrates an example system 50 for remotely viewing information collected by computer system 12. Computer system 12 is often located proximate to the elements of personnel tracking system 14, but there may be users at remote locations (for example, at a corporate head office) who may wish to view the information collected by computer system 12. In some embodiments, there are one or more remote viewers 54 which receive from computer system 12 information related to cutline production, warnings, reports, GPS receiver 15 locations, or any combination thereof. For example, this information may be received in real-time (or nearly real-time), allowing remote viewers to view maps or other visualizations or summaries of the received information that substantially reflect the current conditions of the project.
[0061] In some embodiments, computer system 12 registers its current Internet Protocol (IP) address with a known dynamic DNS server 52. The IP address of computer system 12 can be received from known dynamic DNS server 52 by one or more remote viewers 54. This enables remote viewers 54 to connect directly to computer system 12 without first being configured with the IP address of computer system 12.
[0062] In addition to the functions above, computer system 12 may use mapping software to maintain an updated display showing an image of map 20 marked with the locations of personnel associated with GPS receivers 15. The locations may be displayed using indicia that are visually distinguishable for different roles.
For example, the locations may be marked with icons having different colours, shapes etc.
Such a display permits a coordinator to see at a glance how personnel are distributed within the project area.
[0063] System 10 may be further configured to verify that all GPS receivers 15 have left the project area at the end of each work period. It may also, or alternatively, be configured to find a quick or otherwise effective route from one location (such as the GPS location of an employee with first-aid training) to another (such as the GPS
location of on-foot personnel 27 who has signalled an injury). This route-finding may be triggered automatically in response to a signal from a GPS receiver 15 or may be triggered by a coordinator.
[0064] Certain implementations of the invention comprise computer processors which execute software instructions which cause the processors to perform a method of the invention. For example, one or more processors in one or more computer systems 12, central stations 16 or other systems comprising processors may implement one or both of the methods of Figure 3 and Figure 4 by executing software instructions in a program memory accessible to the processors. The invention may also be provided in the form of a program product. The program product may comprise any medium which carries a set of computer-readable signals comprising instructions which, when executed by a data processor, cause the data processor to execute a method of the invention. Program products according to the invention may be in any of a wide variety of forms. The program product may comprise, for example, non-transitory physical media such as magnetic data storage media including floppy diskettes, hard disk drives, optical data storage media including CD ROMs, DVDs, electronic data storage media including ROMs, flash RAM, or the like. The computer-readable signals on the program product may optionally be compressed or encrypted.
[0065] Where a component (e.g. a software module, processor, assembly, device, circuit, etc.) is referred to above, unless otherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a reference to a "means") should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.
[0066] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.
Claims (18)
1. An apparatus for tracking completion of cutlines, the apparatus comprising a computer configured by software to:
access a digital map, the map representing a planned arrangement of cutlines in a mapped area;
receive location information corresponding to the locations of one or more GPS receivers; and based on the received location information and the map, automatically update completion information associated with the planned arrangement of cutlines;
wherein updating the completion information comprises marking at least one segment of a planned cutline in the planned arrangement of cutlines complete in response to the received location information corresponding to the at least one segment of the planned cutline.
access a digital map, the map representing a planned arrangement of cutlines in a mapped area;
receive location information corresponding to the locations of one or more GPS receivers; and based on the received location information and the map, automatically update completion information associated with the planned arrangement of cutlines;
wherein updating the completion information comprises marking at least one segment of a planned cutline in the planned arrangement of cutlines complete in response to the received location information corresponding to the at least one segment of the planned cutline.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, the computer configured by software to:
determine from the received location information that a first GPS receiver of the one or more GPS receivers is within a warning distance of one or more warning areas or locations; and automatically generate one or more warnings in response to determining that the first GPS receiver is within the warning distance of the one or more warning areas or locations.
determine from the received location information that a first GPS receiver of the one or more GPS receivers is within a warning distance of one or more warning areas or locations; and automatically generate one or more warnings in response to determining that the first GPS receiver is within the warning distance of the one or more warning areas or locations.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the one or more warning locations is a current location of a second GPS receiver of the one or more GPS receivers.
4. An apparatus according to any of claims 2 and 3, wherein at least one of the one or more warning areas or locations comprises a buffer zone around a watercourse.
5. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, the computer configured by software to:
determine from the received location information that a GPS receiver of the one or more GPS receivers is at more than a tolerance distance from one or more segments of one or more cutlines in the planned arrangement of cutlines; and automatically generate one or more warnings in response to determining that the GPS receiver is outside the warning distance of the one or more segments of one or more cutlines in the planned arrangement of cutlines.
determine from the received location information that a GPS receiver of the one or more GPS receivers is at more than a tolerance distance from one or more segments of one or more cutlines in the planned arrangement of cutlines; and automatically generate one or more warnings in response to determining that the GPS receiver is outside the warning distance of the one or more segments of one or more cutlines in the planned arrangement of cutlines.
6. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, the computer configured by software to provide to a user report based on at least one update of the completion information over a user-defined time period.
7. An apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 6, the computer configured by software to automatically provide to a user reports based on at least one warning generated by the computer.
8. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein updating the completion information comprises marking at least one segment of a cutline in the planned arrangement of cutlines partially complete.
9. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, the computer configured by software to display on a display device the map comprising the mapped area and the planned arrangement of cutlines, and to display completed sections of cutlines in a manner that is visually distinct from incomplete segments of cutlines.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9 comprising displaying partially-complete cutline segments in a manner distinct from the completed cutline segments and the incomplete cutline segments.
11. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one of the one or more GPS receivers is associated with a machine and at least one of the one or more GPS receivers is associated with on-foot personnel.
12. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11, the computer configured by software to provide to a remote user at least one of:
the map accessed by the computer;
the planned arrangement of cutlines represented by the map;
the completion information associated with the planned arrangement of cutlines;
reports provided by the computer; and warnings generated by the computer.
the map accessed by the computer;
the planned arrangement of cutlines represented by the map;
the completion information associated with the planned arrangement of cutlines;
reports provided by the computer; and warnings generated by the computer.
13. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 12, the computer configured by software to represent one or more cutlines in the planned arrangement of cutlines as a series of points;
determine from the received location information that a GPS receiver of the one or more GPS receivers is within a tolerance distance of a point in the series of points;
in response to determining that a GPS receiver of the one or more GPS
receivers is within the tolerance distance of the point in the series of points, mark the point complete;
wherein marking at least one segment of a cutline in the planned arrangement of cutlines complete comprises marking at least one point of the series of points complete.
determine from the received location information that a GPS receiver of the one or more GPS receivers is within a tolerance distance of a point in the series of points;
in response to determining that a GPS receiver of the one or more GPS
receivers is within the tolerance distance of the point in the series of points, mark the point complete;
wherein marking at least one segment of a cutline in the planned arrangement of cutlines complete comprises marking at least one point of the series of points complete.
14. A method for tracking completion of cutlines, the method comprising the following steps performed by a computer:
accessing a digital map, the map representing a planned arrangement of cutlines in a mapped area;
receiving location information corresponding to the locations of one or more GPS receivers;
based on the received location information and the map, automatically updating completion information associated with the planned arrangement of cutlines; and repeating the steps receiving location information corresponding to the locations of one or more GPS receivers and in response to receiving location information, updating the represented completion information.
accessing a digital map, the map representing a planned arrangement of cutlines in a mapped area;
receiving location information corresponding to the locations of one or more GPS receivers;
based on the received location information and the map, automatically updating completion information associated with the planned arrangement of cutlines; and repeating the steps receiving location information corresponding to the locations of one or more GPS receivers and in response to receiving location information, updating the represented completion information.
15. Apparatus for tracking completion of cutlines, the apparatus comprising:
wireless location-determining means for determining the locations of one or more machines;
mapping means comprising a digital map specifying locations of planned cutlines;
comparison means for automatically comparing locations of machines as determined by the location-determining means to locations of segments of planned cutlines as specified by the mapping means; and means for modifying the digital map to indicate that one or more of the segments of the planned cutlines are completed in response to the comparison means determining in respect to one of the segments that the locations of machines satisfy a completion condition.
wireless location-determining means for determining the locations of one or more machines;
mapping means comprising a digital map specifying locations of planned cutlines;
comparison means for automatically comparing locations of machines as determined by the location-determining means to locations of segments of planned cutlines as specified by the mapping means; and means for modifying the digital map to indicate that one or more of the segments of the planned cutlines are completed in response to the comparison means determining in respect to one of the segments that the locations of machines satisfy a completion condition.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15 comprising means for automatically determining an aggregate length of cutline sections completed in a time period.
17. Apparatus according to claim 15 or 16 comprising means for generating a warning in response to an encroachment of one of the one or more machines into a prohibited area specified by the digital map.
18. A method for tracking completion of cutlines, the method comprising:
wirelessly determining the locations of one or more machines;
maintaining a digital map specifying locations of planned cutlines;
for automatically comparing the locations of the machines to locations of segments of the planned cutlines; and modifying the digital map to indicate that one of the segments of the planned cutlines is completed in response to determining in respect to the one of the segments that the locations of the machines satisfy a completion condition.
wirelessly determining the locations of one or more machines;
maintaining a digital map specifying locations of planned cutlines;
for automatically comparing the locations of the machines to locations of segments of the planned cutlines; and modifying the digital map to indicate that one of the segments of the planned cutlines is completed in response to determining in respect to the one of the segments that the locations of the machines satisfy a completion condition.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2805092 CA2805092A1 (en) | 2013-02-05 | 2013-02-05 | Progress monitoring and environmental protection systems |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2805092 CA2805092A1 (en) | 2013-02-05 | 2013-02-05 | Progress monitoring and environmental protection systems |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2805092A1 true CA2805092A1 (en) | 2014-08-05 |
Family
ID=51293310
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2805092 Abandoned CA2805092A1 (en) | 2013-02-05 | 2013-02-05 | Progress monitoring and environmental protection systems |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2805092A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110163473A (en) * | 2019-04-12 | 2019-08-23 | 平安普惠企业管理有限公司 | A kind of monitoring method and equipment of Task Progress |
-
2013
- 2013-02-05 CA CA 2805092 patent/CA2805092A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110163473A (en) * | 2019-04-12 | 2019-08-23 | 平安普惠企业管理有限公司 | A kind of monitoring method and equipment of Task Progress |
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