Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing power usage in mining environments. The amount of power needed to operate a set of electrical machines that are to run simultaneously is determined. Power usage by the electrical machines during a time period can be predicted based on how much power is expected to be needed by each machine. If the predicted power usage exceeds a threshold power usage, power to one or more electrical machines in the mining environment is restricted so that actual power usage in the mining environment does not exceed the threshold power usage during the specified time period. The electrical machines which will have power restricted thereto can be selected based at least in part on relative priorities for the electrical machines in the set. Power can be restricted to machines as a whole (an effective shutdown), or to specific operations of the machines.

Abstract: A system and method for driver guidance are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a vehicle. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the vehicle and a heading of the vehicle. A device is configured to generate a plurality of outputs. A controller is connected to the position sensor and the display device. The controller is configured to access, via a wireless communications network, a database to identify a target loading location for the vehicle, determine a location and a heading of the target loading location for the vehicle, and modify at least one of the plurality of outputs of the display device based upon at least one of the location and the heading of the target loading location.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing power usage in mining environments. The amount of power needed to operate a set of electrical machines that are to run simultaneously is determined. Power usage by the electrical machines during a time period can be predicted based on how much power is expected to be needed by each machine. If the predicted power usage exceeds a threshold power usage, power to one or more electrical machines in the mining environment is restricted so that actual power usage in the mining environment does not exceed the threshold power usage during the specified time period. The electrical machines which will have power restricted thereto can be selected based at least in part on relative priorities for the electrical machines in the set. Power can be restricted to machines as a whole (an effective shutdown), or to specific operations of the machines.

Abstract: A system and method for driver guidance are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a vehicle. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the vehicle and a heading of the vehicle. A device is configured to generate a plurality of outputs. A controller is connected to the position sensor and the display device. The controller is configured to access, via a wireless communications network, a database to identify a target loading location for the vehicle, determine a location and a heading of the target loading location for the vehicle, and modify at least one of the plurality of outputs of the display device based upon at least one of the location and the heading of the target loading location.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a path to a target destination are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a haul truck. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the haul truck. A distributed objects database stores information describing target destinations within a mining environment and performance characteristics of the haul truck. A navigation aid is connected to the position sensor. The navigation aid is configured to identify a target destination for the haul truck, retrieve a performance characteristic of the haul truck from the distributed objects database, and calculate a first path to the target destination using the performance characteristic of the haul truck. A user interface is connected to the navigation aid. The user interface is configured to display the first path for an operator of the haul truck.

Abstract: A system and method for driver guidance are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a vehicle. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the vehicle and a heading of the vehicle. A device is configured to generate a plurality of outputs. A controller is connected to the position sensor and the display device. The controller is configured to access, via a wireless communications network, a database to identify a target loading location for the vehicle, determine a location and a heading of the target loading location for the vehicle, and modify at least one of the plurality of outputs of the display device based upon at least one of the location and the heading of the target loading location.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing power usage in mining environments. The amount of power needed to operate a set of electrical machines that are to run simultaneously is determined. Power usage by the electrical machines during a time period can be predicted based on how much power is expected to be needed by each machine. If the predicted power usage exceeds a threshold power usage, power to one or more electrical machines in the mining environment is restricted so that actual power usage in the mining environment does not exceed the threshold power usage during the specified time period. The electrical machines which will have power restricted thereto can be selected based at least in part on relative priorities for the electrical machines in the set. Power can be restricted to machines as a whole (an effective shutdown), or to specific operations of the machines.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a path to a target destination are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a haul truck. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the haul truck. A distributed objects database stores information describing target destinations within a mining environment and performance characteristics of the haul truck. A navigation aid is connected to the position sensor. The navigation aid is configured to identify a target destination for the haul truck, retrieve a performance characteristic of the haul truck from the distributed objects database, and calculate a first path to the target destination using the performance characteristic of the haul truck. A user interface is connected to the navigation aid. The user interface is configured to display the first path for an operator of the haul truck.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a path to a target destination are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a haul truck. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the haul truck. A distributed objects database stores information describing target destinations within a mining environment and performance characteristics of the haul truck. A navigation aid is connected to the position sensor. The navigation aid is configured to identify a target destination for the haul truck, retrieve a performance characteristic of the haul truck from the distributed objects database, and calculate a first path to the target destination using the performance characteristic of the haul truck. A user interface is connected to the navigation aid. The user interface is configured to display the first path for an operator of the haul truck.

Abstract: A system and method for driver guidance are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a vehicle. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the vehicle and a heading of the vehicle. A device is configured to generate a plurality of outputs. A controller is connected to the position sensor and the display device. The controller is configured to access, via a wireless communications network, a database to identify a target loading location for the vehicle, determine a location and a heading of the target loading location for the vehicle, and modify at least one of the plurality of outputs of the display device based upon at least one of the location and the heading of the target loading location.

Abstract: A system and method for driver guidance are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a vehicle. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the vehicle and a heading of the vehicle. A device is configured to generate a plurality of outputs. A controller is connected to the position sensor and the display device. The controller is configured to access, via a wireless communications network, a database to identify a target loading location for the vehicle, determine a location and a heading of the target loading location for the vehicle, and modify at least one of the plurality of outputs of the display device based upon at least one of the location and the heading of the target loading location.

Abstract: A system and method for driver guidance are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a vehicle. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the vehicle and a heading of the vehicle. A device is configured to generate a plurality of outputs. A controller is connected to the position sensor and the display device. The controller is configured to access, via a wireless communications network, a database to identify a target loading location for the vehicle, determine a location and a heading of the target loading location for the vehicle, and modify at least one of the plurality of outputs of the display device based upon at least one of the location and the heading of the target loading location.

Abstract: A system and method for driver guidance are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a vehicle. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the vehicle and a heading of the vehicle. A device is configured to generate a plurality of outputs. A controller is connected to the position sensor and the display device. The controller is configured to access, via a wireless communications network, a database to identify a target loading location for the vehicle, determine a location and a heading of the target loading location for the vehicle, and modify at least one of the plurality of outputs of the display device based upon at least one of the location and the heading of the target loading location.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a path to a target destination are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a haul truck. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the haul truck. A distributed objects database stores information describing target destinations within a mining environment and performance characteristics of the haul truck. A navigation aid is connected to the position sensor. The navigation aid is configured to identify a target destination for the haul truck, retrieve a performance characteristic of the haul truck from the distributed objects database, and calculate a first path to the target destination using the performance characteristic of the haul truck. A user interface is connected to the navigation aid. The user interface is configured to display the first path for an operator of the haul truck.

Abstract: A system and method for target destination selection for a mining vehicle are present. A position sensor is mounted to a haul truck. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the haul truck. A distributed objects database stores information describing hazards, boundaries and target destinations within a mining environment. A navigation aid is connected to the position sensor. The navigation aid is configured to access the distributed objects database to identify a plurality of potential target destinations for the haul truck using the position of the haul truck, identify at least one attribute of the haul truck, and filter the plurality of potential target destinations using the at least one attribute to generate a filtered list of target destinations. A user interface is configured to display the filtered list of target destinations for selection by an operator of the haul truck.

Abstract: A system and method for guided navigation of a mining vehicle are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a haul truck. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the haul truck. A navigation aid is configured to identify a target destination for the haul truck, calculate a path including the target destination, and use the position sensor to monitor a progress of the haul truck along the path. A user interface is configured to display at least a portion of the path to an operator of the haul truck.

Abstract: A system and method for driver guidance are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a vehicle. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the vehicle and a heading of the vehicle. A device is configured to generate a plurality of outputs. A controller is connected to the position sensor and the display device. The controller is configured to access, via a wireless communications network, a database to identify a target loading location for the vehicle, determine a location and a heading of the target loading location for the vehicle, and modify at least one of the plurality of outputs of the display device based upon at least one of the location and the heading of the target loading location.

Abstract: A system and method for target destination selection for a mining vehicle are present. A position sensor is mounted to a haul truck. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the haul truck. A distributed objects database stores information describing hazards, boundaries and target destinations within a mining environment. A navigation aid is connected to the position sensor. The navigation aid is configured to access the distributed objects database to identify a plurality of potential target destinations for the haul truck using the position of the haul truck, identify at least one attribute of the haul truck, and filter the plurality of potential target destinations using the at least one attribute to generate a filtered list of target destinations. A user interface is configured to display the filtered list of target destinations for selection by an operator of the haul truck.

Abstract: A navigation device and a method for navigation are disclosed. A display is provided and a processor is connected to the display. The processor is configured to communicate with a database. The database stores information describing a plurality of objects in a mining environment. The processor is configured to identify a heavy equipment in the database, and identify a loading envelope for the heavy equipment. The loading envelope is at least partially determined by a location of the heavy equipment. The processor is configured to display the loading envelope on the display.

Abstract: A system and method for guided navigation of a mining vehicle are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a haul truck. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the haul truck. A navigation aid is configured to identify a target destination for the haul truck, calculate a path including the target destination, and use the position sensor to monitor a progress of the haul truck along the path. A user interface is configured to display at least a portion of the path to an operator of the haul truck.