System and method for identifying machine work cycle phases

A method for monitoring work cycles on a worksite including a truck and a loading machine, the truck including an accelerometer, and each of the truck and the loading machine including a GPS device or other location device, the method comprising:

• receiving, at a processing unit via a datalink connected to a communications interface a signal from the GPS device or other location device on the truck and a signal from the accelerometer on the truck indicative of location information and acceleration information, respectively, for the truck and a signal from the GPS device or other location device on the loading machine indicative of location information for the loading machine;
• determining, using the processing unit, a distance between the truck and the loading machine based on a difference between the location information for the truck and the location information for the loading machine;
• and
• determining, using the processing unit, a phase of a work cycle of the truck based on the determined distance between the truck and the loading machine and on the acceleration information for the truck.

A system for monitoring work cycles on a worksite including a truck and a loading machine, the system comprising:

• a communications interface;
• memory storing instructions;
• an accelerometer on the truck;
• a GPS device or other location device on each of the truck and the loading machine;
• and
• a processing unit configured to execute the instructions to:
• receive, via a data link connected to the communications interface, a signal from the GPS device or other location device on the truck and a signal from the accelerometer on the loading machine indicative of location information and acceleration information, respectively, for the loading machine and a signal from the GPS device or other location device on the truck indicative of location information for the truck;
• determine a distance between the loading machine and the truck based on a difference between the location information for the loading machine and the location information for the truck;
• and
• determine a phase of a work cycle of the loading machine based on the determined distance between the loading machine and the truck and on the acceleration information for the loading machine.