Patent ID: 8315838
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A system for use in controlling a resource-extraction operation in an environment in which a plurality of equipment units are deployed for the extraction of at least one resource from the environment, the system comprising: a) a pre-extraction modeling unit in data communication with a first plurality of heterogeneous sensors that in use measure features of the environment, wherein the pre-extraction modeling unit is programmed to fuse the data from the first plurality of sensors that comprises a spatial description of the environment and an estimate of a distribution of the at least one resource in the environment; b) an equipment modeling unit comprising data input means configured to receive equipment data relating to the plurality of equipment units operating in the environment and a processor programmed to combine the equipment data into an equipment model describing the equipment units; c) a post-extraction modeling unit in data communication with a second plurality of sensors that in use monitor information relating to material extracted from the environment, wherein the post-extraction modeling unit is programmed to fuse the data from the second plurality of sensors into a post-extraction model descriptive of material extracted from the environment; and d) a data communication system that communicates requested information from at least one of the pre-extraction model, the equipment model, and the post-extraction model to the equipment units for use in controlling operation of the equipment units in the resource-extraction operation.