U.S. patent application number 14/523985 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-19 for positioning system using radio frequency signals.
This patent application is currently assigned to CATERPILLAR INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is CATERPILLAR INC.. Invention is credited to David William Smith, Richard Kent Yates.
Application Number | 20150051828 14/523985 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50275304 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150051828 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; David William ; et
al. |
February 19, 2015 |
POSITIONING SYSTEM USING RADIO FREQUENCY SIGNALS
Abstract
A positioning system and method for determining a position of a
machine are disclosed. The system may have an optical sensing
device configured to generate determined shape data associated with
a portion of the worksite at the position of the machine. The
system may have a first signal device configured to transmit a
radio frequency signal and receive a response signal. The system
may have a second signal configured to receive the transmitted
radio frequency signal and transmit the response signal. The system
may have a controller in communication with the optical sensing
device and at least one of the first and second signal devices. The
controller may be configured to determine an approximate position
based on the radio frequency signal and the response signal,
identify a reference shape data corresponding to the determined
shape data, and determine the position based on the approximate
position and the reference shape data.
Inventors: |
Smith; David William; (Upper
Coomera, AU) ; Yates; Richard Kent; (Bardon,
AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CATERPILLAR INC. |
Peoria |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CATERPILLAR INC.
Peoria
IL
|
Family ID: |
50275304 |
Appl. No.: |
14/523985 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13722179 |
Dec 20, 2012 |
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14523985 |
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61703125 |
Sep 19, 2012 |
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61704202 |
Sep 21, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
701/446 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05D 2201/021 20130101;
G01S 5/0257 20130101; G01S 5/0294 20130101; G01S 7/4808 20130101;
G01S 17/87 20130101; G05D 1/024 20130101; G01S 1/68 20130101; G01S
13/74 20130101; G01S 17/89 20130101; G05D 1/0274 20130101; G01S
17/42 20130101; G01C 21/30 20130101; G05D 1/0261 20130101; G01S
13/865 20130101; G01S 17/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/446 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/30 20060101
G01C021/30; G01S 17/06 20060101 G01S017/06 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A system for determining a position of a machine in a worksite,
comprising: an optical sensing device configured to generate
determined shape data associated with a portion of the worksite at
the position of the machine; a first signal device configured to
transmit a radio frequency electromagnetic signal and receive a
response signal; a second signal device configured to receive the
transmitted radio frequency electromagnetic signal and transmit a
second radio frequency electromagnetic signal as the response
signal in response to receiving the radio frequency electromagnetic
signal; and a controller in communication with the optical sensing
device and at least one of the first and second signal devices,
having a map of the worksite and a set of reference shape data
associated with the worksite, the controller configured to:
determine an approximate position of the machine on the map based
on the radio frequency electromagnetic signal and the response
signal, match the determined shape data to a reference shape data
from a subset of reference shape data associated with the
approximate position, and determine the position of the machine
corresponding to the location of the matching reference shape
data.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the optical sensing device is a
LIDAR unit configured to emit laser emission and detect the laser
emission that is reflected by a portion of the worksite.
23. The system of claim 21, wherein the first signal device is an
RFID tag device and the radio frequency electromagnetic signal
includes unique identification information associated with the RFID
tag device, and the second signal device is an RFID reader device
and the response signal includes unique identification information
associated with the RFID reader device.
24. The system of claim 21, wherein the first signal device is
located at a fixed location within the worksite, and the second
signal device is located on the machine and is in communication
with the controller.
25. The system of claim 21, wherein the second signal device is
located at a fixed location within the worksite, and the first
signal device is located on the machine and is in communication
with the controller.
26. The system of claim 21, wherein determining the approximate
position of the machine comprises calculating a distance based on
an elapsed time between the transmission of the radio frequency
electromagnetic signal and the reception of the response signal by
the first signal device.
27. A method for determining a position of a machine at a worksite,
performed by one or more computing processors, comprising:
generating determined shape data associated with a portion of the
worksite from an optical sensing unit; transmitting a radio
frequency electromagnetic signal from a first signal device;
receiving the radio frequency electromagnetic signal and
transmitting a second radio frequency electromagnetic signal by a
second signal device as a response signal in response to receiving
the radio frequency electromagnetic signal; determining, by the one
or more computing processors, an approximate position of the
machine on a map of the worksite based on the response signal and
an elapsed time associated with the radio frequency electromagnetic
signal and the response signal; matching the determined shape to a
reference shape data from a subset of reference shape data
associated with the approximate position; and determining, by the
one or more computing processors, the position of the machine
corresponding to the location of the matching reference shape.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the determined shape data is
generated by a LIDAR unit configured to emit laser emission and
detect the laser emission that is reflected off of a portion of the
worksite.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein the radio frequency
electromagnetic signal is transmitted by an RFID tag device located
at a fixed location within the worksite, and the response signal is
transmitted by an RFID reader device, located on the machine, in
response to the radio frequency electromagnetic signal.
30. The system of claim 27, wherein the first signal device is
located at a fixed location within the worksite, and the second
signal device is located on the machine and is in communication
with the one or more computing processors.
31. The system of claim 27, wherein the second signal device is
located at a fixed location within the worksite, and the first
signal device is located on the machine and is in communication
with the one or more computing processors.
32. The system of claim 21, wherein determining the approximate
position of the machine comprises calculating a distance based on
an elapsed time between the transmission of the radio frequency
electromagnetic signal and the reception of the response signal by
the first signal device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/703,125, filed Sep. 19, 2012, and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/704,202, filed Sep. 21, 2012. The
entire disclosure of each of these provisional applications is
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a positioning
system and, more particularly, to a positioning system for a mobile
machine that provides high-precision position determination in
underground environments.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Machines such as, for example, haul trucks, drills, loaders,
conveyors, and other types of heavy equipment are commonly used in
underground mining applications to perform a variety of tasks.
Unlike above-ground mining applications, underground mining sites
do not have access to GPS (Global Positioning System) signals, yet
knowledge of a machine's on-site location is desirable, for
example, with respect to the site geography.
[0004] In some underground mining applications, Light Detection and
Ranging (LIDAR) positioning systems may be used to determine the
location of a machine with respect to a worksite. LIDAR systems
scan the surrounding environment to identify shapes of portions of
the worksite in proximity of the machine. The scanned shapes are
then compared to a known map of the worksite, and the positioning
system infers the position of the machine based on a correlation
between the location on the map and the scanned shape.
[0005] In some applications, however, it may be difficult for LIDAR
systems to determine the location of a machine based solely on the
identification of shapes. For instance, the LIDAR systems may
detect shapes that are not unique to a specific location, and
without additional information about the general location of the
machine, it may not be possible to deduce the specific location of
the machine based solely on the scanned shape. In addition, there
may be objects at the worksite that do not have a permanent
location or that have been newly added. Such objects may cause
complications for LIDAR systems that are trying to match the shapes
in the worksite environment to a pre-existing map if those shapes
are not included in the pre-existing map.
[0006] The disclosed positioning system is directed to overcoming
one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems
of the prior art.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
system for determining a position of a machine in a worksite. The
system may include an optical sensing device configured to generate
determined shape data associated with a portion of the worksite at
the position of the machine. The system may also include a first
signal device configured to transmit a radio frequency signal and
receive a response signal, and a second signal device configured to
receive the transmitted radio frequency signal and transmit the
response signal in response to receiving the radio frequency
signal. The system may also include a controller in communication
with the optical sensing device and at least one of the first and
second signal devices. The controller may be configured to
determine an approximate position of the machine based on the radio
frequency signal and the response signal. The controller may also
be configured to identify at least one reference shape data
corresponding to the determined shape data. The controller may also
determine the position of the machine based on the approximate
position and a position in the worksite associated with the at
least one reference shape data.
[0008] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
method for determining a position of a machine at a worksite. The
method may include generating determined shape data associated with
a portion of the worksite. The method may include transmitting a
radio frequency signal, receiving the radio frequency signal, and
transmitting a response signal in response to receiving the radio
frequency signal. The method may include determining an approximate
position of the machine based on the response signal and an elapsed
time associated with the radio frequency signal and the response
signal. The method may include identifying at least one reference
shape data corresponding to the determined shape data. The method
may also include determining the position of the machine based on
the approximate position and a position in the worksite associated
with at least one reference shape data.
[0009] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to
a system for determining a position of a machine at a worksite. The
system may include a first signal device configured to transmit one
or more radio frequency signals and receive one or more response
signals. The system may include a second signal device configured
to receive the one or more transmitted radio frequency signals and
transmit the one or more response signals in response to receiving
the one or more radio frequency signals. The first signal device
may be located on one of the machine and at a fixed location within
the worksite, and the second signal device is located at the other
of on the machine and the fixed location within the worksite. The
system may include a movement sensor configured to detect movement
of the machine. The system may also include a controller, wherein
the controller may be configured to generate a plurality of first
sets of particles and second sets of particles in a closed-loop
manner. The controller may generate a first set of particles, each
particle being associated with a position within the worksite and
an orientation. The controller may update the position and
orientation of each particle of the first set of particles based on
the detected movement of the machine. The controller may assign a
weight to each particle of the first set of particles indicative of
a probability that the position and orientation of the particle
match the position and an orientation of the machine, wherein the
probability is determined based on elapsed time between
transmitting the one or more radio frequency signals and receiving
the one or more response signals. The controller may generate a
second set of particles based on the assigned weights. The
controller may determine the position of the machine based on one
of the plurality of second sets of particles.
[0010] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
method for determining a position of a machine in a worksite. The
method may include transmitting one or more radio frequency
signals. The method may also include receiving the one or more
radio frequency signals and transmitting one or more response
signals in response to receiving the one or more radio frequency
signals. The method may include receiving the one or more response
signals. The method may include generating a plurality of first
sets of particles and second sets of particles, in closed loop
manner. The method may include generating a first set of particles,
each particle being associated with a position within the worksite
and an orientation. The method may include updating the position
and orientation of each particle of the first set of particles
based on detected movement of the machine. The method may include
assigning a weight to each particle of the first set of particles
indicative of the probability that the position and orientation of
the particle match the position and an orientation of the machine,
wherein the probability is determined based on elapsed times
between transmission of the one or more radio frequency signals and
reception of the one or more response signals. The method may
include generating a second set of particles based on the assigned
weights. The method may include determining the position of the
machine based on one of the plurality of second sets of
particles.
[0011] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to
a load-haul-dump loader in a worksite. The loader may include a
power system, one or more traction devices driven by the power
system to move the load-haul-dump loader, and a positioning system
to determine the position of the load-haul-dump loader. The
positioning system may include a first signal device, a second
signal device, a movement sensor, and a controller. The controller
may be configured to generate a plurality of first sets of
particles and second sets of particles in a closed-loop manner. The
controller may generate a first set of particles, each particle
being associated with a position within the worksite and an
orientation. The controller may update the position and orientation
of each particle of the first set of particles based on detected
movement of the load-haul-dump loader. The controller may assign a
weight to each particle of the first set of particles indicative of
the probability that the position and orientation of the particle
match the position and an orientation of the load-haul-dump loader,
wherein the probability is determined based on elapsed time between
transmitting one or more frequency signals by the first signal
device and receiving the one or more response signals by the second
signal device. The controller may generate a second set of
particles by utilizing the assigned weights. The controller may
determine the position. of the load-haul-dump loader based on one
of the plurality of second sets of particles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of an exemplary disclosed
machine;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a pictorial illustration of an exemplary
positioning system that may be used with the machine of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a pictorial illustration of another exemplary
positioning system that may be used with the machine of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a pictorial illustration of a further exemplary
positioning system that may be used with the machine of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary disclosed
positioning method;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting another exemplary disclosed
positioning method;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting a further exemplary
disclosed positioning method;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a pictorial illustration related to the exemplary
method of FIG. 7;
[0020] FIG. 9 is another pictorial illustration related to the
exemplary method of FIGS. 7; and
[0021] FIG. 10 is a further pictorial illustration related to the
exemplary method of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a machine 10 having an exemplary
disclosed positioning system. Machine 10 embodies a mobile machine
configured to perform one or more operations associated with an
industry such as mining, construction, farming, transportation, or
any other industry known in the art. For example, machine 10 may be
a load-moving machine such as a haul truck, a loader, an excavator,
a wheel tractor, a scraper, or any other like machine. Machine 10
may be used above-ground or underground. For example, FIG. 1
illustrates an underground mining load-haul-dump (LHD) loader,
which may be used to access a load site in a mine, haul a load away
from the load site, and release the load at a dump site. Machine 10
may be manually controlled, semi-autonomously controlled, or
fully-autonomously controlled. Machine 10 may include, among other
things, one or more traction devices 14 that propel machine 10,
movement sensors 15 that sense various movements of machine 10, a
power source 16, and a controller 18. Controller 18 may be in
communication with movement sensors 15, power source 16, and/or
drive traction devices 14, and may be configured to regulate
operation of power source 16 in response to various inputs, for
example, from an operator input device and/or movement sensors 15,
to drive traction devices 14 and propel machine 10 in a desired
manner. Controller 18 may also receive information from movement
sensors 15 indicative of, for example, velocity, acceleration,
and/or turning rate of machine 10, and may be configured to compute
various motions, such as distance and direction traversed by
machine 10, based on such information. In various embodiments,
controller 18 may also be utilized in determining the position of
machine 10 as will be described in greater detail below.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates machine 10 performing a task at a
worksite 20. Worksite 20 may be a mine site or any other type of
worksite having a roadway 22 traversable by machine 10. In some
embodiments, worksite 20 may not have access to GPS navigation
systems, for example, when worksite 20 is an underground mine site.
Roadway 22 may be bordered by side walls 24, such as, for example,
walls of an underground tunnel, and may have a ceiling, such as a
tunnel roof disposed above roadway 22. In some applications, there
may also be objects other than side walls 24 such as other
machines, barrels, poles, geological features, and other like
obstacles disposed in various locations at worksite 20 relative to
roadway and/or the additional objects described above. In various
embodiments, it may be desirable to ascertain position information
of machine 10 in worksite 20. In some embodiments, the position
information may be used by machine 10 in navigating worksite 20. In
other embodiments, the position information may be used to monitor
and gather data about how efficiently machine 10 and other machines
in worksite 20 are performing various tasks.
[0024] In exemplary embodiments, a position of machine 10 in
worksite 20 may be determined by utilizing a positioning system 30.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, positioning system 30 may include, among
other things, controller 18, an optical sensing device 32, a reader
device 34, and/or a tag device 36. Controller 18 may include a
processor, a memory module, and/or a storage module (not shown). In
some embodiments, one or more of the processor, memory module,
and/or storage module may be included together in a single
apparatus. In other embodiments, one or more of the processor,
memory module, and/or storage module may be provided separately.
Processor may include one or more known processing devices, such as
a microprocessor. Memory module may include one or more devices,
such as random-access memory (RAM), configured to store information
used dynamically by controller 18 to perform functions related to
the various operations of machine 10. Storage module may include
any type of storage device or computer readable medium known in the
art. For example, storage module may comprise a magnetic,
semiconductor, tape, optical, removable, non-removable, volatile,
and/or non-volatile storage device. Storage module may store
programs, algorithms, maps, look-up tables, and/or other
information associated with determining a position of machine 10 in
worksite 20.
[0025] Optical sensing device 32 may be utilized to scan objects
surrounding machine 10, such as roadway 22, side walls 24, the
ceiling of an underground tunnel, and/or any other object
associated with worksite 20, using light signals. Optical sensing
device 32 may be located on a frame and/or body of machine 10, such
as at the front, back, side, and/or any other place on machine 10.
There may be more than one optical sensing device 32 disposed on
machine 10, and each optical sensing device 32 may be located at a
unique location on machine 10. For example, separate optical
sensing devices 32 may be located at the front, at the back, and on
each side of machine 10. In various embodiments, an exemplary
optical sensing device 32 may be a LIDAR unit that includes one or
more light sources, such as lasers, and/or one or more detectors.
In other embodiments, an exemplary optical sensing device 32 may be
any other device known in the art that utilizes optical
electromagnetic radiation to obtain information related to roadway
22, side walls 24, the ceiling, and/or any other object associated
with worksite 20. In exemplary embodiments in which optical sensing
device 32 comprises a LIDAR unit, lasers may emit light that
reflects off of for example, the surface of side walls 24 and/or
other surfaces of objects in worksite 20. Detectors of the LIDAR
unit may receive the reflected light and may send signals to
controller 18 indicative of the light received. Controller 18 may
then calculate distances to the various points on the surfaces of
the objects based on data from optical sensing device 32. For
example, such data may include time elapsed between emission of the
light and detection of the light. Based on the calculated
distances, controller 18 may also estimate, calculate, and/or
otherwise determine a shape of the object. In this disclosure, the
shape of the object determined based on the data from optical
sensing unit 32 is referred to as "determined shape data."
[0026] In some embodiments, positioning system 30 may include a map
of worksite 20 stored in the storage module of controller 18. In
such embodiments, controller 18 may compare the determined shape
data to stored and/or otherwise known shapes disposed at unique
respective locations on the map of worksite 20. In this disclosure,
these stored and/or otherwise known shapes of the map of worksite
20 are referred to as "reference shape data." In exemplary
embodiments, controller 18 may compare length, width, height,
dimensional, angular, orientation, and/or other information
indicated by determined shape data with stored information
associated with each respective reference shape data. Controller 18
may identify a best match between the determined shape data and a
reference shape data. Since each reference shape data corresponds
to a unique location at worksite 20, controller 18 may determine a
position of machine 10 based on this corresponding location.
[0027] In various embodiments, such as, for example, when worksite
20 includes similar features in various locations or consists of a
repeating layout, controller 18 may have difficulty finding a
unique match between the determined shape data and reference shape
data. In such embodiments, controller 18 may not be able to
determine the position of machine 10 with certainty and/or great
accuracy. For example, as shown, in FIG. 2, side walls 24 at Area I
and Area II may each have substantially similar shapes. Machine 10
may be near Area I and may scan side wall 24 of Area I with optical
sensing device 32. However, the determined shape data obtained by
the controller 18 in response to the scan may closely match two
different reference shape data that correspond to the side wall
surface shapes located at Area I and Area II. In such situations,
controller 18 may not be able to ascertain whether machine 10 is at
the location of Area I or Area II. Thus, in such embodiments,
reader device 34 and tag device 36 may be utilized, in addition to
optical sensing device 32, in determining the position of machine
10.
[0028] Reader device 34 and/or tag device 36 may be devices
configured to generate, transmit, and/or receive signals. In some
embodiments, the signals generated, transmitted, and/or received by
reader device 34 and/or tag device 36 may be radio frequency
signals. For example, reader device 34 may be an RFID (Radio
Frequency Identification) reader and tag device 36 may be an active
RFID tag, where an RFID tag that is active (as opposed to passive)
may actively generate signals without first receiving a signal.
Both reader device 34 and tag device 36 may include a transmitter
that transmits radio frequency signals, a receiver that receives
radio frequency signals, and/or a transceiver that both transmits
and receives radio frequency signals. In some embodiments, tag
device 36 may be placed on machine 10 and reader device 34 may be
placed at a point in worksite 20 such as, for example on or in side
walls 24 or a ceiling of an underground tunnel of worksite 20. In
some embodiments, there may be more than one tag device 36 disposed
on machine 10, and each tag device 36 may be located at a unique
location on machine 10. For example, separate tag devices 36 may be
located at the front and at the back of machine 10. In some
embodiments, more than one reader device 34 may be placed at
various points of worksite 20. In some embodiments, reader devices
34 and tag devices 36 may be interchanged such that one or more
reader devices 34 may be attached to machine 10 and one or more tag
devices 36 may be attached to various points of worksite 20.
[0029] In some embodiments, tag device 36 may generate and transmit
a radio frequency signal, and reader device 34 may receive the
radio frequency signal generated by tag device 36. In response to
receiving the radio frequency signal, reader device 34 may generate
and transmit a response signal, and tag device 36 may receive the
response signal. Positioning system 30 may then determine the
distance between reader device 34 and tag device 36 based on the
time elapsed between transmission of the radio frequency signal by
tag device 36 and reception of the response signal by tag device
36. In some embodiments, tag device 36 may calculate the distance,
for example, using a processor located within and/or associated
with tag device 36. In some embodiments, tag device 36 may store
the calculated distance, for example, in a memory located within
and/or associated with tag device 36. For example, in FIG. 2, the
processor and storage module of controller 18 of positioning system
30 may calculate and store the distances between reader device 34
and tag device 36. In some embodiments, these stored distances may
be used by controller 18 to determine the position of machine 10.
Embodiments in which the position of machine 10 in worksite 20 may
be determined by utilizing reader device 34 and tag device 36 will
be described in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 5 and
6.
[0030] In sonic embodiments, when positioning system 30 includes
multiple reader devices 34, tag device 36 may transmit a radio
frequency signal, and one or more of the multiple reader devices 34
may be in range to receive the radio frequency signal and may, in
turn, transmit a response signal. The radio frequency signal from
tag device 36 and the response signal from each reader device 34
may include information that uniquely identifies from which tag
device 36 the radio frequency signal originated, and from which
reader device 34 the response signal originated. Therefore, tag
device 36 may receive multiple response signals and calculate
multiple distances, each distance corresponding to a unique reader
device 34 from the multiple reader devices 34 that transmitted a
response signal. In some embodiments, controller 18 may calculate
and/or store one or more of the multiple distances. In further
embodiments, tag device 36 may store one or more of the calculated
distances.
[0031] In other embodiments, the roles of reader device 34 and tag
device 36 may be switched such that a reader device 34 may generate
and transmit a radio frequency signal, tag device 36 may receive
the radio frequency signal and transmit a response signal, and
reader device 34 may receive the response signal. The distance
between tag device 36 and reader device 34 may be determined based
on the time elapsed between transmission of the radio frequency
signal and the reception of the response signal by reader device
34. In some embodiments, reader device 34 may calculate and store
the one or more distances. In other embodiments, a processor and
storage device associated with reader device 34 may calculate and
store the one or more distances.
[0032] For purposes of the present disclosure, reader devices 34
and tag devices 36 may be interchangeable. To reflect this
flexibility, reader device 34 and tag device 36 may also be
referred to throughout the present disclosure as "first signal
device" and "second signal device," not necessarily respectively.
That is, first signal device may be reader device 34 and second
signal device may be tag device 36, or first signal device may be
tag device 36 and second signal device may be reader device 34. In
exemplary embodiments, an initial signal from a first signal device
may be received by a second signal device. In response to receiving
the initial signal from the first signal device, the second signal
device may generate a response signal. The first signal device that
generated the initial signal may receive the response signal, such
that a distance may be determined between the two devices. In
various embodiments, the first signal device may be located on
machine 10, and the second signal device may be located at a fixed
point in worksite 20. In other embodiments, the first signal device
may be located at a fixed point in worksite 20, and the second
signal device may be located on machine 10.
[0033] For example, tag device 36 may be an active RFID tag, and.
reader device 34 may be an RED reader. Multiple tag devices 36 may
be mounted at various fixed locations of worksite 20, and reader
device 34 may be attached to machine 10. Tag devices 36 may be
configured to initiate the distance measurement, for example, by
transmitting a radio frequency signal to reader device 34,
receiving a response signal from reader device 34, and measuring
the time elapsed between transmitting the radio frequency signal
and receiving the response signal. In some embodiments, tag device
36 may initiate the distance measurement with all reader devices 34
attached to one or more machine 10 in worksite 20 at the same time.
In some embodiments, reader device 34 on machine 10 can retrieve
the distance measurements from tag devices 36 at any time. In
various embodiments, reader device 34 may then transmit the
retrieved distance measurements to controller 18 for performing
methods of determining position as discussed with respect to FIGS.
5, 6, and 7 below.
[0034] In another exemplary embodiment, tag device 36 may be an
active RFID tag mounted at various fixed locations of worksite 20,
and reader device 34 may be attached to machine 10, but reader
device 34 may be configured to initiate the distance measurement
and determine the distance, for example, by transmitting a radio
frequency signal to tag device 36, receiving a response signal from
tag device 36, and measure the time elapsed between transmitting
the radio frequency signal. In some embodiments, reader device 34
may then transmit the measurement of elapsed time to controller 18
for performing methods of determining position as discussed
below.
[0035] In yet another exemplary embodiment, tag device 36 may be an
active RFID tag attached to machine 10, and reader device 34 may be
an REID reader 34 mounted at various fixed locations of worksite
20, as depicted in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10. Tag devices 36 may
be configured to initiate the distance measurement, for example, by
transmitting a radio frequency signal to reader device 34,
receiving a response signal from reader device 34, and measuring
the time elapsed between transmitting the radio frequency signal
and receiving the response signal. In some embodiments, tag device
36 may then transmit the measurement of elapsed time to controller
18 for performing methods of determining position as discussed
below.
[0036] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, positioning system
30 includes multiple reader devices 34. Tag device 36 may receive
response signals from each of the multiple reader devices 34, and
may determine the distance to each reader device 34 based on the
received response signals corresponding to each reader device 34.
Controller 18 may then use the distances to the multiple reader
devices 34 to narrow down the possibilities of where machine 10 may
be located in worksite 20 by processes known in the art. Such
process may include, for example, trilateration. In the
trilateration process, known distances between an object of
interest and two or more fixed points are used as radii of circles
associated with the respective fixed points. The location where the
circles intersect may be utilized as the position of the object of
interest. In some embodiments, due to noise or error in the
distances measured, the position determined through trilateration
may be an approximate position 40. For example, such error may be
caused by electrical noise in tag device 36 and/or reader device 34
and/or interference with the radio frequency signals of tag device
36 and/or reader device 34 by other devices that are emitting
signals in the radio frequency range. In addition, such error may
be caused by reflection and/or absorption of the radio frequency
signals by objects in worksite 20. As shown in FIG. 2, approximate
position 40 may comprise a range of possible positions of machine
10, as opposed to a specific position of machine 10. Positioning
system 30 may utilize approximate position 40 in conjunction with
the determined shapes obtained by optical sensing device 32 to
determine a specific position of machine 10. For example, as shown
in FIG. 2, based on the distance between tag device 36 on machine
10 and reader devices 34 in worksite 20, positioning system 30 may
determine an approximate position 40 in the vicinity of Area I.
Therefore, positioning system 30 may determine that it is likely
machine 10 is near Area I, and not near Area II, of worksite 20
even though a determined shape obtained by optical unit 32 may
match the shape of the side wall 24 at both Area I and at Area II.
In exemplary embodiments, positioning system 30 may use determined
shape data from optical unit 32 to specifically pinpoint where in
the approximate position 40 of Area I machine 10, once approximate
position 40 has been determined using reader device 34 and tag
device 36.
[0037] As shown in the exemplary worksite 20 of FIGS. 3 and 4, in
additional exemplary embodiments, positioning system 30 may include
controller 18, reader device 34, and tag device 36, while optical
sensing device 32 may be omitted. In FIGS. 3 and 4, machine 10 is
shown on roadway 22 of worksite 20 with an orientation heading
indicated by an arrow 42. Worksite 20 is also shown to include
multiple reader devices 34 at various locations. In the embodiments
of FIGS. 3 and 4, positioning system 30 may be configured to
determine distances A, B, C between one or more tag devices 36
attached to machine 10 and one or more reader devices 34 attached
to various points of worksite 20. Although three reader devices 34
and three distances A, B, C are shown in FIG. 3, various
embodiments may have more than three or less than three reader
devices 34, and positioning system 30 may be configured to
determine more or less than three distances. Positioning system 30
may determine a position of machine 10 based on these distances A,
B, C. However, as discussed above, in some environments, errors or
noise introduced by reader device 34, tag device 36, or the
worksite environment may limit the precision of the distance
determination. Due to the limit in precision, positioning system 30
may be able to determine only an approximate position 40 where
machine 10 may be.
[0038] In addition, in some embodiments, the position of reader
devices 34, tag devices 36, and machine 10 may be such that based
on the distances A, B, C between reader devices 34 and tag devices
36 with machine 10, positioning system 30 may determine multiple
approximate positions 40. For example, if positioning system 30
includes two reader devices 34 attached to two different locations
of worksite 20, and machine 10 with tag device 36 is equidistant
from both reader devices, according to known geometric principles,
there are at least two positions in worksite 20 that machine may
be. Therefore positioning system 30 may be unable to determine a
unique approximate position 40 that corresponds to the distance
information. In such embodiments, a more precise determination of
location of machine 10 may be desirable.
[0039] Accordingly, in such embodiments, positioning system 30 may
perform a simulation utilizing the information from reader device
34 and tag device 36, in an iterative process, to determine a
specific position of machine 10 at worksite 20. Such a simulation
may include, for example, a particle filter estimation technique
and/or other simulation techniques known in the art. As will be
described in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 7, such a
simulation may include populating a stored map of worksite 20 with
one or more particles 38. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10,
such exemplary particles 38 may comprise virtual indicators of
possible machine position and/or orientation. For example, such
position indicators may comprise an x-coordinate associated with an
x-axis and a y-coordinate associated a y-axis. Exemplary x and y
axes are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, such orientation
indicators may comprise degrees of rotation relative to, for
example, the positive x-axis, or a two-dimensional unit vector
characterized by an x- and y-value. In FIGS. 3 and 4, arrows 44
provide a visual representation of the orientations of particles
38. As will be described in greater detail below, during such a
simulation, position system 30 may randomly populate a map stored
in the storage module of controller 18 with particles 38, each
particle 38 having an initial randomly generated position and
orientation 44. The respective positions and/or orientations 44 of
the particles 38 may then be updated based on information from
reader device 34 and tag device 36, until positioning system 30 is
able to determine a specific position of machine 10 indicated by a
spatial convergence of the updated particles 38. In some
embodiments, a position machine 10 determined in such a manner may
be more accurate and/or specific than a position determined based
only on a single measurement of distance between reader device 34
and tag device 36.
[0040] FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 illustrate flowcharts associated with
exemplary methods of using the various disclosed positioning
systems 30, and each of these exemplary methods will be discussed
in the following section to further illustrate the disclosed
concepts.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0041] The disclosed positioning systems 30 may be applicable to
any mobile machine where position determination is desired. The
disclosed positioning systems 30 may be particularly applicable to
underground mining applications, such as exemplary worksites 20
illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, where a machine 10 does not have
access to a GPS navigation system.
[0042] With reference to the exemplary positioning system 30 in
FIG. 2 and the exemplary flow chart shown in FIG. 5, in an
exemplary method of determining the position of machine 10,
positioning system 30 may begin scanning the roadway 22, side walls
24, or any other part or object associated with worksite 20, with
optical sensing unit 32 and may generate determined shape data
associated with roadway 22, side walls 24, or other part of
worksite 20 (Step: 510). In some embodiments, determined shape data
may include, for example, the contour, length, width, height,
angle, orientation and/or other shape-indicative information of an
object such as side wall 24 in worksite 20. In some embodiments,
determined shape data may be in vector format, bitmap format, or
any other format known in the art. In some embodiments, determined
shape data could include data indicative of a physical feature of
objects in worksite 20 other than those listed above, as known in
the art, such as for example, texture, complexity, and/or
smoothness.
[0043] As discussed above, in embodiments when worksite 20 includes
surfaces having similar shapes, geometries, and/or other physical
attributes at multiple locations, the determined shape data may not
provide enough information to determine the specific position of
machine 10. Accordingly, at Step 515, positioning system 30 may
determine an approximate position 40 of machine 10 using at least
one first signal device, such as tag device 36, and at least one
second signal device, such as reader device 34. In some
embodiments, approximate position 40 may be determined by
determining a distance between the first signal device and the
second signal device.
[0044] FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method
of determining a distance between the first and second signal
devices that may be used to determine an approximate position 40 of
machine 10 in Step: 515. In the exemplary method illustrated in
FIG. 6, the positioning system 30 may use at least one reader
device 34 and at least one tag device 36, where either device may
be first signal device or second signal device as discussed above.
As shown in FIG. 6, at Step 650, a first signal device, such as tag
device 36, may generate and transmit a radio frequency signal. In
some embodiments, the first signal device may transmit radio
frequency signals at predefined regular intervals. In exemplary
embodiments, such intervals may be less than or greater than one
second. The radio frequency signal may traverse worksite 20 and, at
Step 655, the radio frequency signal may be received by a second
signal device, such as reader device 34. At Step 660, the second
signal device may respond to receiving the radio frequency signal
by generating and transmitting a response signal. In some
embodiments, the response signal may contain, for example,
identification information or coordinate information that is unique
to the respective second signal device. The response signal may
traverse worksite 20 and, at Step 665, the response signal may be
received by the first signal device that transmitted the radio
frequency signal. At Step 670, positioning system 30 may determine
a time elapsed between the transmission of the radio frequency
signal by the first signal device and the reception of the response
signal by the first signal device. In other embodiments,
positioning system 30 may determine other elapsed times, such as
the time elapsed between the transmission of the response signal
and reception of the response signal. At Step 675, based on a
determined elapsed time and a known radio signal propagation speed,
such as, approximately the speed of light, positioning system 30
may determine a distance between the first signal device and the
second device signal. For example, positioning system 30 may
determine such a distance by multiplying known propagation speed
with the time elapsed between transmission and reception of the
response signal. This distance may correspond to the distance
between, for example, the location of worksite 20 having reader
device 34 and the location of machine 10 having tag device 36.
[0045] Positioning system 30 may also determine the distance
between the location of tag device 36 and a location of more than
one reader device 34, in accordance with the method shown in FIG.
6. In such embodiments, positioning system 30 may determine a
position of machine 10 based on multiple determined distances, for
example, by a trilateration process. However, due to error, noise,
and/or other limitations in the precision of the measurement of
distance, the determined position may be an approximate position
40. Positioning system 30 may use approximate position 40 to focus
a search for a match of determined shape data in map data of
worksite 20. By focusing the search to approximate position 40,
positioning system 30 may determine a specific position of machine
10, as discussed with respect to Steps: 520 and 525 of FIG. 5.
[0046] With continued reference to FIG. 5, at Step 520, positioning
system 30 may attempt to find a match between determined shape data
generated at step 510, and a reference shape data associated with
worksite 20. In some embodiments, positioning system 30 may search
a subset of reference shape data from the set of all reference
shape data associated with worksite 20 to find the match. For
example, positioning system 30 may search a subset of reference
shape data that corresponds to portions of side walls 24 that are
at approximate position 40 determined at Step 515. Positioning
system 30 may identify a match between the determined shape data
generated at Step 510 and a reference shape data from the subset of
reference shape data associated with approximate position 40. In
various embodiments, the match may be made utilizing any number of
shape-matching algorithms, image recognition software, and other
methods known in the art. At Step 525, positioning system 30 may
determine a specific position of machine 10 corresponding to the
location of the matching reference shape data.
[0047] As discussed above, additional exemplary embodiments for
determining the position of machine 10 may not include the use of
optical sensing unit 32. In such exemplary embodiments, positioning
system 30 may determine the position of machine 10 by performing,
for example, a simulation utilizing information from a first signal
device, such as tag device 36, and a second signal device, such as
reader device 34, in an iterative process, to determine a specific
position of machine 10 at worksite 20. FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart
illustrating such an exemplary method of determining the specific
position of machine 10 that may be used by exemplary positioning
systems 30 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0048] in the embodiment of FIG. 7, machine 10 may employ, as
depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, a positioning system 30 that does not
include optical sensing unit 32. At Step 710, positioning system 30
may randomly populate a map of worksite 20 with particles 38, as
shown in FIG. 3. Such particles 38 may be associated with an
estimated position and orientation of machine 10 within worksite
20. When positioning system 30 initially randomly populates the map
of worksite 20 with particles 38 at Step: 710, both the position
and orientation of each particle 38 may be randomly assigned. In
some embodiments, any number of particles 38 may be generated at
Step: 710 depending on various factors known in the art, such as
computational resources and/or desired convergence. For example, in
some embodiments, a number of particles 38 on the order of
thousands may be appropriate. In various embodiments, a smaller
number of particles 38 may require less computational resources
from positioning system 30, but a larger number of particles may
allow positioning system 30 to determine the position of machine 10
with fewer iterations before the simulation converges to a
solution.
[0049] In some embodiments, as positioning system 30 performs the
method illustrated in FIG. 7, machine 10 may not maintain the same
position and/or orientation 42, but instead, may move within
worksite 20. In such embodiments, positioning system 30 may be
configured to account for the movement of machine 10. For example,
machine 10 may move forward or backward, turn left or right, and/or
otherwise change position in any other known manner, and at Step:
712, positioning system 30 may detect such movement of machine 10
using movement sensors 15. At Step: 715, positioning system 30 may
then update the positions and/or orientations 44 of particles 38 to
reflect movement based on the detected movement of machine 10. For
example, if machine 10 moves forward one foot, the current
positions of all particles 38 may be moved forward on the map one
foot at Step: 715. In exemplary embodiments, an amount of simulated
variation may also be introduced at Step: 715 to reflect a
limitation in the precision of movement sensors 15. For example, if
angular movement measurements from movement sensor 15 are known to
be accurate to within five degrees, and machine 10 turns by twenty
degrees, particles 38 may on average also turn by twenty degrees.
But to account for variations in sensor accuracy, some particles 38
may, for example, turn as much as twenty live or more and others as
little as fifteen degrees or less. The distribution of these
variations may be determined according to statistical methods known
in the art. For example, the percentage of particles 38 that turn
by a particular amount of degrees may be set by a Gaussian
distribution centered on twenty degrees.
[0050] In some embodiments, once positioning system 30 has updated
the positions and orientations of particles 38 at Step: 715,
positioning system 30 may determine a probability associated with
each particle 38 indicating how closely the updated position and
orientation 44 of each particle 38 matches the position and
orientation 42 of machine 10. For example, in some embodiments,
positioning system 30 may determine such a probability for each
particle 38 by performing one or more of Steps: 717, 720, 721, 723,
724, and 725 OF FIG. 7.
[0051] At Step: 717, positioning system 30 may determine the
distance between the first signal device, such as tag device 36 on
machine 10, and one or more second signal devices, such as reader
devices 34 located at various points in worksite 20. The distance
may be determined in a manner similar to that discussed with
respect to the steps shown in FIG. 6. For example, based on the
time elapsed between generation of a radio frequency signal by tag
device 36 and reception of a response signal by tag device 36,
positioning system 30 may calculate the distance by multiplying the
speed of propagation of the radio frequency signal with elapsed
time.
[0052] At Step: 720, based on the one or more determined distances
from first signal device disposed on machine 10 to the one or more
second signal devices located at various points in worksite 20,
positioning system 30 may generate an actual measurement vector.
Such an actual measurement vector may be based on an actual
position of machine 10 at worksite 20 relative to second signal
devices, such as reader devices 34 located at various points in
worksite 20. The actual measurement vector may include information
related to the distances and directions from machine 10 to each
reader device 34. FIG. 8 includes a pictorial representation of
actual measurement vectors A, B, C extending from tag device 36 to
respective reader devices 34.sub.A, 34.sub.B, and 34.sub.C, Actual
measurement vectors A, B, C each represent a distance between
machine 10 and the respective reader device 34, and a direction
from machine 10 to the respective reader device 34. In further
exemplary embodiments, actual measurement. vectors A, B, C can be
collectively referred to as a single and/or composite actual
measurement vector P. Such an exemplary vector P is shown in FIG.
8. FIG. 8 also depicts machine 10 with an orientation 42. In
addition, a particle 38 is depicted in relation to machine 10, with
an orientation 44.
[0053] In various embodiments, positioning system 30 may also
determine estimated measurement vectors D, E, F based on distances
from the estimated position associated with particle 38 to the same
reader devices (34.sub.A, 34.sub.B, 34.sub.C) used to generate
actual measurement vector P. FIG. 9 includes a pictorial
representation of estimated measurement vectors D, E, F extending
from particle 38 to respective reader device 34.sub.A, 34.sub.B,
and 34.sub.C, Estimated measurement vectors D, F, F each represent
a distance between particle 38 and the respective reader device 34,
and a direction from particle 38 to the respective reader device
34. In further exemplary embodiments, estimated measurement vectors
D, E, F can be collectively referred to as a single and/or
composite estimated measurement vector Q. Such an exemplary vector
Q is shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 corresponds to FIG. 8 in that it
depicts particle 38 with the same position and orientation 44
relative to reader devices 34 as depicted in FIG. 8. However,
machine 10 has been omitted from FIG. 9 for clarity. Estimated
measurement vector Q is indicative of the estimated position and
orientation 44 of particle 38 relative to reader devices 34.sub.A,
34.sub.B, and 34.sub.C. In some embodiments, positioning system 30
may, at Step 721, determine the distances between the estimated
position of particle 38 and the positions of the same set of reader
devices 34 used to generate actual measurement vector P at Step 720
in order to determine estimated measurement vector Q. For example,
positioning system 30 may determine each distance by calculating
the difference between known positions of respective reader devices
34.sub.A, 34.sub.B, 34C and the estimated position of particle
38.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in exemplary embodiments, actual
measurement vector P and estimated measurement vector Q may not
match each other due to differences in the positions and
orientations of machine 10 and particle 38, respectively.
Accordingly, at Step: 724, positioning system 30 may determine a
difference between actual measurement vector P and estimated
measurement vector Q. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIG. 8
and FIG. 9, positioning system 30 may determine the difference
between actual measurement vector P and estimated measurement
vector Q by translating and rotating one or both of the two
measurement vectors P and Q relative to each other in a single
reference frame. For example, at Step: 724, actual measurement
vector P may be translated to be centered on particle 38, as shown
by measurement vector P' in FIG. 8. Furthermore, in FIG. 8,
measurement vector P', as centered on particle 38, is also rotated
relative to orientation 44 of particle 38 by the amount of
rotational difference between orientation 44 of particle 38 and
orientation 42 of machine 10. Translated and/or rotated measurement
vector P' includes components A', B', and C' that correspond to
components A, B, and C of actual measurement vector P respectively.
As an example, if particle 38 is oriented 15 degrees
counterclockwise relative to machine 10, translated and/or rotated
measurement vector P' may also be rotated 15 degrees
counterclockwise relative to actual measurement vector P. Once
positioning system 30 has translated and/or rotated actual
measurement vector P, positioning system 30 may compare translated
measurement and/or rotated vector P' to estimated measurement
vector Q, both. depicted in FIG. 9. For example, position system 30
may determine a vector difference between translated and/or rotated
measurement vector P' and estimated measurement vector Q. For
example, such a vector difference may be calculated by individually
calculating the vector difference between each component A' and A,
B' and B, and C' and C. A vector difference may be calculated by
taking the difference between each element in one vector, such as
A', and the corresponding element in the other vector, such as A.
In some embodiments, positioning system 30 may also calculate the
magnitude of the vector difference between vectors P' and Q to
determine the difference between actual measurement vector P of
machine 10 and estimated measurement vector Q of particle 38. At
Step: 724, positioning system 30 may determine the difference
between actual measurement vector P and estimated measurement
vector Q, for example, by determining the difference between
measurement vectors P' and Q, for each of particles 38 with which
positioning 30 has populated map of worksite 20.
[0055] At Step: 725, positioning system 30 may assign weights to
each particle 38 based on the difference. For example, if the
difference between actual measurement vector P and estimated
measurement vector Q for a specific particle 38 is smaller than for
other particles 38, this may be an indication of higher probability
that the position and orientation of the specific particle 38 is an
accurate estimate of the position and orientation of machine 10. If
the difference between the actual measurement vector P and the
estimated measurement vector Q for a specific particle 38 is larger
than for other particles 38, this may be an indication of lower
probability that the position and orientation of the specific
particle 38 is an accurate estimate of the position and orientation
of machine 10. Therefore, in some embodiments, at Step 725,
positioning system 30 may assign, from a configurable range of
weights, a larger weight indicating higher probability to a
particle 38 whose corresponding estimated measurement vector Q has
a smaller vector difference with the actual measurement vector P
compared with the vector difference between the actual measurement
vector P and the estimated measurement vector Q corresponding to
other particles 38. Positioning system 30 may assign a smaller
weight indicating lower probability to a particle 38 whose
corresponding estimated measurement vector Q has a larger vector
difference with the actual measurement vector P compared with the
vector difference between the actual measurement vector P and the
estimated measurement vector Q corresponding to other particles
38.
[0056] For example, with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, at Step:
725, positioning system 30 may assign a particular weight to
particle 38 based on the difference between actual measurement
vector P and estimated measurement vector Q, determined at Step:
724. FIG. 10, on the other hand, shows a different particle 38
having a position and orientation 44 that more closely matches the
position and orientation 42 of machine 10. In such an embodiment,
positioning system 30 may assign a relatively higher weight to the
particle 38 of FIG. 10 than the weight assigned to particle 38
depicted in FIGS. 8. and 9 since the difference between actual
measurement vector P and estimated measurement vector Q, in FIG.
10, is smaller. In further embodiments, it is contemplated that
other methods known in the art may be used to determine a weight
for each particle 38.
[0057] At Step: 730 of FIG. 7, positioning system 30 may repopulate
the map with a new set of particles 38. In various embodiments, the
map may be repopulated by reproducing or keeping some or all of the
previous set of particles 38. In some embodiments, which particles
38 that are kept, and how many of the particles are kept, may be
selected randomly, but the probability of selection may be
proportional to the weight assigned to each particle 38 at Step:
725. Additionally, the rate of reuse of a particular particle 38
may in some embodiments be proportional to the weight assigned to
that particle 38. Particles 38 with higher weights may be randomly
chosen multiple times in proportion to the weight. Particles 38
with lower weights may be randomly chosen less frequently or not at
all. In such embodiments, positioning system 30 may resample the
previous set of particles 38, reusing particles 38 from the
previous set one or more times to be in the new set. For example, a
previous set of particles 38 may contain 100 particles, and each
particle 38 is assigned a weight at Step: 725. Positioning system
30 may generate the first particle 38 in the next set of particles
38 by randomly selecting a particle 38 from the previous set of
particles 38, with a higher likelihood of choosing particle 38 with
a larger weight. This random selection that incorporates the
increased likelihood of selection for different particles 38 may be
implemented in various ways known in the art. For example, before
positioning system 30 begins the random selection process,
positioning system 30 may create a representative pool of particles
38 to make the selection from. The representative pool may include
all of the particles 38 from the previous set, but may also include
multiples of sonic or all of the particles 38 in proportion to the
weight of each particle 38. In such an example, a particle 38 with
a larger weight may be represented more times than a particle 38
with a smaller weight in the representative pool of particles 38.
Therefore, when positioning system 30 randomly selects from the
representative pool of particles 38, positioning system 30 may be
more likely to select particles 38 that make up a larger percentage
of the representative pool than particles 38 that make up a smaller
percentage of the representative pool. Positioning system 30 may
then continue to generate all other particles 38 in the next set of
particles 38 by again randomly selecting from, for example, the
same representative pool of particles. Any other mode of
representation of particles 38 that incorporates information of the
weights of particles 38 may be used as well.
[0058] As a result of Step: 730, the next set of particles 38 may
include more particles 38 clustering around positions that are more
likely to have the same position of machine 10, and more particles
38 with orientations 44 that are more likely the same as the
orientation 42 of machine 10. Positioning system 30 may then repeat
Steps: 715 to 730 using the new set of particles 38. Positioning
system 30 may continue to repeat Steps: 715 to 730, in a
closed-loop manner. In various embodiments, after multiple
iterations, a majority of particles 38 may be positioned close to
the actual position of machine 10, as shown in FIG. 4. A majority
of particles 38 may also have orientations 44 that are close to the
orientation 42 of machine 10 (not shown). In FIG. 4, machine 10 is
depicted as having moved during the time the iterations occurred,
illustrating that exemplary methods performed by positioning system
30 may occur in dynamic situations. In such situations, particles
38 may be updated to become more accurate estimates of machine 10,
and particles 38 may also be updated to reflect the changes in the
position and orientation 42 of machine 10 that is moving.
Eventually, particles 38 may converge upon the position and
orientation 42 of machine 10 despite the fact that machine 10 may
be constantly moving.
[0059] At Step: 735, at the end of each iteration, positioning
system 30 may determine whether an end condition has been met. Such
determinations at Step: 735 may include, for example, checking to
see if a quantitative spread of particles 38 is above or below a
threshold or determining whether a predetermined number of
iterations have been performed. In exemplary embodiments, the
quantitative spread may be a value which indicates a variation in.
the values of position and/or orientation of particles 38, such as
standard deviation, statistical range, and/or any other measure
known in the art. If the end condition has not been met (Step 735:
NO), positioning system 30 may return to Step 715 and may continue
to perform. Steps 715 to 730, When the end condition is met (Step
735: YES), positioning system 30 may calculate and/or otherwise
determine the position of machine 10 at Step: 740. For example,
positioning system 30 may average the positions of particles 38 to
generate a best estimate of the specific position of machine 10. it
is contemplated that the best estimate of the specific position of
machine 10 may be determined from the particles using other
calculations known in the art. In some embodiments, positioning
system 30 may also determine a quantitative spread of the position
and/or orientation 44 of particles 38 to determine an accuracy of
the estimate. For example, if the particles are loosely spread out
in position, there is less certainty in the accuracy of the
estimate than an estimate based on tightly clustered particles. For
example, if the greatest distance between any two particles is less
than a configurable threshold value, such as 75 meters, positioning
system 30 may determine that the accuracy of the estimate is
accurate. In such an example, the threshold value may be set to
other appropriate values. In various embodiments, positioning
system 30 may be a continuous real-time tracking system, and
therefore, even after an end condition has been met at Step: 735
and the position of machine 10 has been determined, as long as
machine 10 continues to move, particles 38 may continue to be
updated. That is, positioning system 30 may continue to perform
Steps: 715 to 730 even after determination of the position of
machine 10, in order to maintain an accurate, updated determination
of the position of machine 10, as machine 10 continues to move.
[0060] In various embodiments, at any given moment, machine 10 and
first signal device, such as tag device 36, may be within a
physical range that allows for communication with a subset of all
of second signal device, such as reader devices 34, in worksite 20.
The method described in FIG. 6 may include the subset of all second
signal devices in worksite 20 that are in the physical range that
allows for communication with first signal device. As the method in
FIG. 7 proceeds through iterations, machine 10 may move such that
some of the reader devices 34 that were originally in communication
range are no longer in range, and those that were not in range are
now in range. In various embodiments, each iteration can be
adjusted to use signals received from any/all second signal devices
that are currently in communication range.
[0061] Several benefits may be associated with the embodiments of
disclosed positioning system. For example, because determination of
position of machine 10 does not rely on LIDAR, mud and other
artifacts from worksite 20 obstructing the source of light beam
signals may not hinder determination of the position of machine 10.
Yet, despite the lack of LIDAR, high precision determination of the
position of machine 10 may be possible utilizing radio frequency
signals.
[0062] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the positioning system
30 of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, it
is contemplated that the number of first or second signal devices
may be optimized for a specific level of precision of position
determination. In other embodiments, the number of first or second
signal devices may be optimized for minimization and simplification
of the number of components in positioning system. In some
embodiments, controller 18 may be located somewhere other than
machine 10, or there may be multiple controllers 18 at various
locations. For example, controller 18 may be part of a computer
system that is associated with worksite 20, or may be part of a
remote system. In some embodiments, any component of the
positioning system may be in communication with any other component
of the positioning system by wired or wireless connections. Other
embodiments of the method and system will apparent to those skilled
in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of
the positioning system disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered as exemplary only with a
true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following
claims and their equivalents.
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