Patent ID: 11892836
Assignee: LIEBHERR MINING EQUIPMENT NEWPORT NEWS CO.
Field: Control (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G  B  E | IPC B  E  G

Claim 0:
1. A system for controlling a plurality of autonomous vehicles on a mine site, the system comprising:
a centralized platform comprising a processor and memory storing an inventory list of the plurality of autonomous vehicles travelling on the mine site and comprising a first communication interface configured to communicate missions to the plurality of autonomous vehicles, the first communication interface of the centralized platform comprising a first communication controller, amplifier, and/or antenna;
the plurality of autonomous vehicles, each autonomous vehicle comprising:
a corresponding first communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate with the centralized platform for receiving a predetermined mission, each corresponding first communication interface comprising a corresponding first communication controller, amplifier, and/or antenna;
a corresponding second communication interface comprising a corresponding second communication controller, amplifier, antenna, and/or V2V transmitter; and
a vehicle controller comprising a processor and memory configured to autonomously control that autonomous vehicle according to the predetermined mission; and

a portable device, the portable device comprising a second communication interface comprising a second communication controller, amplifier, antenna, and/or V2V transmitter configured to wirelessly communicate directly with each corresponding second communication interface of each autonomous vehicle of the plurality of autonomous vehicles,
wherein each autonomous vehicle of the plurality of autonomous vehicles comprises a first location system for determining a first position of that autonomous vehicle and wherein each autonomous vehicle is configured to directly communicate the first position of that autonomous vehicle to the portable device via the respective corresponding second communication interface, each first location system comprising a first receiver, gyroscope, and/or acceleration sensor,
wherein the portable device further comprises a second location system and a user interface, the second location system comprising a second receiver, gyroscope, and/or acceleration sensor and being configured to determine a second position of the portable device and the user interface comprising a display and being configured for displaying information identifying at least a subset of autonomous vehicles out of the plurality of autonomous vehicles based on the first position communicated via the second communication interface, the subset of autonomous vehicles being determined based on a distance with respect to the second position of the portable device,
wherein the portable device further comprises a local emergency stop that, when activated, causes the portable device to send a first command inhibiting motion of all vehicles out of the plurality of autonomous vehicles present within a predetermined distance from the portable device, and wherein the local emergency stop is activated by a first user input to a first push button on the portable device, and
wherein the portable device further comprises a global emergency stop that, when activated, causes the portable device to send a second command for inhibiting motion of all vehicles out of the plurality of autonomous vehicles, wherein the global emergency stop is activated by a second user input to the first push button or a second push button on the portable device, and wherein activation of the global emergency stop is only possible after activation of the local emergency stop.