Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a safety and monitoring system and particularly to a safety and monitoring system for an underground mining vehicle.
Description of Related Art
[002] In underground mining operations, ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment is paramount. Traditional mining vehicles operating in confined and hazardous environments face significant challenges in terms of visibility, communication, and overall safety monitoring. Accidents such as collisions, equipment malfunctions, and personnel injuries can occur due to the inherent risks associated with underground mining activities.
[003] Moreover, current safety systems for underground mining vehicles typically rely on a combination of sensors, cameras, and alarms to alert operators to potential hazards. However, these systems often lack integration, real-time monitoring capabilities, and fail-safe mechanisms to prevent accidents effectively. Additionally, the harsh and dynamic nature of underground mining environments presents unique challenges for maintaining reliable communication and data transmission between vehicles and control centers.
[004] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced safety and monitoring system for an underground mining vehicle that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a safety and monitoring system for an underground mining vehicle. The system comprising: a humidity and temperature sensor installed on a mining vehicle, and adapted to detect a humidity and temperature level of surroundings of the mining vehicle. The system further comprising: an air quality sensor installed in the mining vehicle, and adapted to determine an air quality index of the surroundings of the mining vehicle. The system further comprising: a check button installed in the mining vehicle for an on-spot assessment of the surroundings of the mining vehicle. The system further comprising: an image capture unit installed on the mining vehicle, adapted to capture a video feed of the surroundings of the mining vehicle. The system further comprising: a processor, communicatively connected with the humidity and temperature sensor, the air quality sensor, and the image capture unit The processor is configured to: receive sensor data regarding the measured humidity and temperature level, and the measured air quality index from the humidity and temperature sensor, and the air quality sensor, respectively; transmit the sensor data on actuation of the check button to an output unit; and transmit the captured video feed to a remote device for real-time monitoring of the surroundings of the mining vehicle.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for monitoring a safety of an underground mining vehicle. The method comprising steps of: receiving sensor data regarding a measured humidity and temperature level, and a measured air quality index from a humidity and temperature sensor, and an air quality sensor, respectively; transmitting the sensor data on actuation of a check button to an output unit; and transmitting a captured video feed to a remote device for real-time monitoring of the surroundings of the mining vehicle.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a safety and monitoring system for an underground mining vehicle.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a safety and monitoring system for an underground mining vehicle that offers comprehensive monitoring of temperature, humidity, air quality, and real-time alerts, providing a more holistic approach to safety management within mine applications.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a safety and monitoring system for an underground mining vehicle that incorporates voice commands and immediate alerts through an LCD and buzzer ensuring that drivers receive timely feedback on environmental conditions, allowing for proactive responses to potential hazards.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a safety and monitoring system for an underground mining vehicle that integrates with the Internet of Things (IoT) services enabling supervisors to access real-time sensor data remotely, enhancing oversight and allowing for proactive safety management even from a distance.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a safety and monitoring system for an underground mining vehicle that enhances situational awareness, particularly in low-light conditions, providing drivers with a clearer view of their surroundings to navigate safely.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a safety and monitoring system for an underground mining vehicle that combines multiple safety features into a single, integrated system, this solution offers a more streamlined and efficient approach to safety management for truck drivers operating in challenging mine environments, potentially reducing the need for multiple disparate systems.
[0013] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0014] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a safety and monitoring system for an underground mining vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a processor of the safety and monitoring system for an underground mining vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for monitoring a safety of an underground mining vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0021] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0022] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a safety and monitoring system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100) for an underground mining vehicle 102 (hereinafter referred to as the mining vehicle 102), according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 may enable a mine worker to be aware of environmental parameters inside a mine. The system 100 may further enable a supervisor of the mine worker to remotely view inside of the mine where the mine worker may be working, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise the mining vehicle 102, a cloud server 120, and a remote device 122. The mining vehicle 102 may further comprise a humidity and temperature sensor 104, an air quality sensor 106, a check button 108, an image capture unit 110, a processor 112, an output unit 114, a communication unit 116, and a power supply unit 118.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mining vehicle 102 may be a vehicle driven by the mine worker inside the mine. The mining vehicle 102 may be adapted for actions such as, but not limited to, an extraction of ore, a setup of mine, an inspection, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any actions of the mining vehicle 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the mining vehicle 102 may be, but not limited to, a roller, an excavator, a driller, a loader, a forklift, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the mining vehicle 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the humidity and temperature sensor 104 may be installed on the mining vehicle 102. The humidity and temperature sensor 104 may be adapted to detect a humidity and temperature level of surroundings of the mining vehicle 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the humidity and temperature sensor 104 may be a Digital Humidity and Temperature 11 (DHT11) sensor. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the humidity and temperature sensor 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the air quality sensor 106 may be installed in the mining vehicle 102. The air quality sensor 106 may be adapted to determine an air quality index of the surroundings of the mining vehicle 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air quality sensor 106 may be a Metal Oxide 135 (MQ135) sensor. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the air quality sensor 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the check button 108 may be installed in the mining vehicle 102 for an on-spot assessment of the surroundings of the mining vehicle 102.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the image capture unit 110 may be installed on the mining vehicle 102. The image capture unit 110 may be adapted to capture a video feed of the surroundings of the mining vehicle 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image capture unit 110 may be a wireless night vision camera with pan and tilt functionality. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the image capture unit 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 112 may be connected with the humidity and temperature sensor 104, the air quality sensor 106, and the image capture unit 110. In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 112 may be connected to the imaging unit. The processor 112 may further be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the processor 112 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the processor 112 may be an Espressif 32 (ESP32) with Wireless Fidelity (WiFi). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the processor 112 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 112 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the output unit 114 may be adapted to report, display, and announce a sensor data collected by measuring the humidity and temperature level, the measured air quality index from the humidity and temperature sensor 104, and the air quality sensor 106, respectively. The output unit 114 may be installed in a visual proximity of the mine worker driving the mining vehicle 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the output unit 114 may be a sound unit, a display unit, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the output unit 114 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display unit may be a 16 by 2 Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the display unit including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sound unit may be, but not limited to, a speaker, a buzzer, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sound unit may be an APR33A3 voice feedback unit. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sound unit, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 116 may be adapted to transmit the sensor data to the cloud server 120. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 116 may be a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) module. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication unit 116, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the power supply unit 118 may be adapted to supply operational power to the processor 112. According to embodiments of the present invention, the operational power may be in a range from 3 Volts (V) to 7 Volts (V). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operational power supplied by the power supply unit 118 may be of 5 Volts (V). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any operational power that may be supplied by the power supply unit 118.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server 120 may be adapted to transmit the video feed captured by the image capture unit 110 to the remote device 122. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server 120 may be a Blynk cloud monitoring server. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the cloud server 120, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the remote device 122 may be an electronic device (such as a mobile or a tablet) that may be used by the supervisor of the mine worker. In an embodiment of the present invention, the remote device 122 may be adapted to receive the video feed captured by the image capture unit 110 through the cloud server 120. In another embodiment of the present invention, the remote device 122 may further be adapted to receive the sensor data from the humidity and temperature sensor 104, and the air quality sensor 106.
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the processor 112 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processor 112 may comprise the computer-executable instructions in form of programming modules such as a data receiving module 200 and a data transmission module 202.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the sensor data regarding the measured humidity and temperature level, and the measured air quality index from the humidity and temperature sensor 104, and the air quality sensor 106, respectively. The data receiving module 200 may further transmit the sensor data to the data transmission module 202, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data transmission module 202 may be activated upon receipt of the sensor data from the data receiving module 200. The data transmission module 202 may be configured to transmit the sensor data on the actuation of the check button 108 to the output unit 114, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the data transmission module 202 may further be configured to transmit the captured video feed to the remote device 122 for real-time monitoring of the surroundings of the mining vehicle 102.
[0040] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for monitoring the safety of the mining vehicle 102 using the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] At step 302, the system 100 may receive the sensor data regarding the measured humidity and temperature level from the humidity and temperature sensor 104.
[0042] At step 304, the system 100 may receive the sensor data regarding the measured air quality index from the air quality sensor 106.
[0043] At step 306, the system 100 may enable the user to actuate the check button 108.
[0044] At step 308, the system 100 may transmit the received sensor data to the output unit 114.
[0045] At step 310, the system 100 may transmit the captured video feed to the remote device 122.
[0046] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0047] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A safety and monitoring system (100) for an underground mining vehicle (102), the system (100) comprising:
a humidity and temperature sensor (104) installed on a mining vehicle (102), and adapted to detect a humidity and temperature level of surroundings of the mining vehicle (102);
an air quality sensor (106) installed in the mining vehicle (102), and adapted to determine an air quality index of the surroundings of the mining vehicle (102);
a check button (108) installed in the mining vehicle (102) for an on-spot assessment of the surroundings of the mining vehicle (102);
an image capture unit (110) installed on the mining vehicle (102), adapted to capture a video feed of the surroundings of the mining vehicle (102);
a processor (112), communicatively connected with the humidity and temperature sensor (104), the air quality sensor (106), and the image capture unit (110), characterized in that the processor (112) is configured to:
receive sensor data regarding the measured humidity and temperature level, and the measured air quality index from the humidity and temperature sensor (104), and the air quality sensor (106), respectively;
transmit the sensor data on actuation of the check button (108) to an output unit (114); and
transmit the captured video feed to a remote device (122) for real-time monitoring of the surroundings of the mining vehicle (102).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output unit (114) is selected from a sound unit, a display unit, or a combination thereof.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the captured video feed is transmitted to the remote device (122) through a cloud server (120).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the humidity and temperature sensor (104) is a Digital Humidity and Temperature 11 (DHT11) sensor.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air quality sensor (106) is a Metal Oxide 135 (MQ135) sensor.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor (112) is an Espressif 32 (ESP32) with Wireless Fidelity (WiFi).
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a power supply unit (118) adapted to supply operational power to the processor (112), wherein the operational power is in a range from 3 Volts (V) to 7 Volts (V).
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image capture unit (110) is a wireless night vision camera with pan and tilt functionality.
9. A method (300) for monitoring a safety of an underground mining vehicle (102), the method (300) characterized by steps of:
receiving sensor data regarding a measured humidity and temperature level, and a measured air quality index from a humidity and temperature sensor (104), and an air quality sensor (106), respectively;
transmitting the sensor data on actuation of a check button (108) to an output unit (114); and
transmitting a captured video feed to a remote device (122) for real-time monitoring of the surroundings of the mining vehicle (102).
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the humidity and temperature sensor (104) is a Digital Humidity and Temperature 11 (DHT11) sensor.
Date: May 3, 2024
Place: Noida