Patent ID: 8306726

Claim:
A system, comprising: a mobile machine including a communication device, and a position monitoring system associated with the mobile machine, the position monitoring system including: a receiver configured to receive position data from a positioning satellite and to generate a position signal based on the received position data, the receiver being located on-board the mobile machine; an inertial navigation unit including a sensor configured to measure a parameter associated with movement of the mobile machine, and to generate a movement signal based on the measured parameter, the inertial navigation unit being located on-board the mobile machine; and a controller associated with the receiver and the inertial navigation unit, and being configured to: receive the position signal when the position signal is available; receive the movement signal; detect an unavailability of the position signal; calculate a position parameter for the mobile machine based on the received movement signal and the position signal received before detection of the unavailability of the position signal; determine whether a difference between a first value of a parameter determined from the position signal and a second value of the same parameter determined from the movement signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein the controller is configured to save the position signal after determining that the difference between the parameter determined from the position signal and the same parameter determined from the movement signal does not exceed the predetermined threshold; and generate a warning signal after determining that the difference exceeds the predetermined threshold; and a central control station configured to: communicate with the controller through the communication device; receive the position signal and/or the movement signal through the communication device; and monitor the position of the mobile machine.