Abstract: A mine safety apparatus, and related method, that records movement data of a scene, visual images of the scene and correlates the movement data with the visual images. The apparatus comprises: a slope monitoring device that records location data in the scene and tracks the location data over time to identify movement and produce visual movement overlays; an image capture device that records a plurality of visual images of the scene from a location; and a processor that stitches the visual images into a panoramic image of the entire scene and for selected Points of Interest in the scene accurately determines a coordinate so that the visual movement overlays are correctly correlated with the Points of Interest.

Abstract: A slope stability monitoring apparatus which produces slope deformation maps that preserve measurements from fast moving small areas, slow moving small areas, slow moving large areas and fast moving large areas while minimising the effect of non-wall movement contamination, such as atmosphere and artefacts. Also a method of producing slope deformation maps by deriving a correction factor and applying the correction factor to correct for non-wall movement contamination.

Abstract: A Slope Stability Lidar that directs a beam of optical radiation into an area on a point by point basis, each point having an elevation and azimuth and a processor that acquires data and processes the data to compile direction data, range data and amplitude data for each point, segments the acquired data into blocks of data defining a voxel, averaging the acquired range data within the voxel to produce a precise voxel range value for each voxel, comparing voxel range values over time to identify movement and generating an alert if movement exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A slope monitoring system for monitoring deformation of a wall or slope from a virtual point of view. A slope monitoring device directs signals at a slope or wall and compiles direction data, range data and amplitude data from signals reflected from the slope or wall. The direction data, range data and amplitude data comes from a first real position and a second real position. The data may be recorded sequentially or concurrently.

Abstract: The invention is a mounting bracket particularly suited for mounting monitoring equipment in underground mines. The mounting bracket comprises a wall mounting plate and a levelling bracket removably attachable to the wall mounting plate. A first hinge member on one of the wall mounting plate or the levelling bracket and a second hinge member on the other of the wall mounting plate or the levelling bracket together form a hinge that engages between the wall mounting plate and the levelling bracket allowing the levelling bracket to be swung down to reduce it's profile or to be removed entirely. A locking screw locks the hinge to prevent hinged movement between the levelling bracket and the wall mounting plate when in use.

Abstract: A method for displaying an area on a display device, such as a graphical user interface (GUI), by displaying a front view of the area generated from front view data and a top view of the area generated from top view data according to a first line-of-sight; processing an interaction between an operator and one of the front view and the top view of the GUI; and displaying on the same display device an updated front view of the area and an updated top view of the area, wherein the updated front view and the updated top view are generated from the front view data and top view data according to a second line-of-sight, and wherein the first line-of-sight and the second line-of-sight have a common origin. The method is particularly useful for visualising, for example, an open cut mine. An apparatus for working the method is also described.

Abstract: The invention is a method of geo-positioning geographic data for visualization of a geographic area, particularly a mine site, and a device to work the method.

Abstract: A Work Area Monitor comprising a radar module mounted on a motorized vehicle. The Work Area Monitor provides early warning of slope failure in a work area by generating an alarm if movement detected in movement data derived from interferometrically processed radar images exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A method of generating an alarm indicating movement of a slope under inspection that sets an alarm if (1), where dX is a first measured displacement, dY is another measured displacement at a chosen difference from dX, and dZ is another measured displacement at a chosen difference from dY, and the corresponding times at which the chosen distances are measured are tA, tB and tC respectively for dX dY and dZ. So that an alarm is set if the ratio of the time taken for the slope to move between dY and dZ compared to moving between dX and dY is less than the ratio of the respective displacements.

Abstract: A Work Area Monitor comprising a radar module mounted on a motorised vehicle. The Work Area Monitor provides early warning of slope failure in a work area by generating an alarm if movement detected in movement data derived from interferometrically processed radar images exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A Work Area Monitor comprising a radar module mounted on a motorised vehicle. The Work Area Monitor provides early warning of slope failure in a work area by generating an alarm if movement detected in movement data derived from interferometrically processed radar images exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods of error handling in interferometric signal processing for a ground based slope monitoring system are described. Uncorrected movement data is extracted from interferometric radar measurements of a relatively stable reference. The movement data is corrected for changes in atmospheric conditions as a function of changes in a refractive index of the air and an offset induced at zero range.

Abstract: A method and system for determining alarm conditions of a slope under inspection whereby one or more dimensionless threat estimate values are calculated for one or more time periods. The maximum dimensionless threat estimate value calculated is selected and compared with a threshold alarm value. If the maximum dimensionless threat estimate value exceeds the threshold alarm value alarm conditions are set to indicate that the slope under inspection is exhibiting unsafe movement.

Abstract: Systems and methods of error handling in interferometric signal processing for a ground based slope monitoring system are described. Uncorrected movement data is extracted from interferometric radar measurements of a relatively stable reference. The movement data is corrected for changes in atmospheric conditions as a function of changes in a refractive index of the air and an offset induced at zero range.

Abstract: A method of error handling in a slope monitoring system that generates slope movement data from interferometric signal processing of radar images of the slope monitoring system. The error handling occurs in two steps. The movement data is corrected for changes in atmospheric conditions and disturbances are identified. It is convenient to mask the regions identified as disturbed in the display of the corrected movement data. Typical disturbances include short term disturbances, such as trucks, and long term disturbances, such as vegetation.

Abstract: A ground penetrating radar includes a signal generator, a return signal processor, a gate and an antenna. The signal generator is a dual frequency synthesizer that generates a stepped frequency master signal and a tracking signal offset by an intermediate frequency. The return signal processor is a dual channel quadrature receiver that mixes down a return signal and a sample of the master signal to intermediate frequency using the tracking signal. The signal generator is pulsed by the gate and the return signal is gated at the same frequency. Hollow pyramidal antennas are also described that have an ultrawide band bowtie structure with antenna electronics located within one antenna element. A method of operating the radar is also described.