Lifting device efficient load delivery, load monitoring, collision avoidance, and load hazard avoidance

A lifting device sensor system, said system comprising:

• a display unit;
• and
• a lifting device sensor unit comprising:
• a housing configured to removably couple about a load line of a lifting device;
• a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver coupled with said housing and configured for determining a sensor unit position in three dimensions;
• a load monitor coupled with said housing and configured for monitoring a load coupled with said load line, including monitoring a load position and a load orientation of said load;
• and
• a wireless transceiver coupled with said housing and configured for wirelessly providing information including said load position, said load orientation, and said sensor unit position to said display unit, wherein said display unit is located apart from said sensor unit.

A method of monitoring a lifting device load, said method comprising:

• determining a three dimensional position of a sensor unit coupled with a load line of a lifting device, said determining performed by a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver coupled with a housing of said sensor unit;
• monitoring a load position and a load orientation of a load coupled with said load line, said monitoring performed by a load monitor coupled with said housing;
• and
• wirelessly providing information from said sensor unit to a display unit located apart from said sensor unit, said information including said load position, said load orientation, and said sensor unit position.

A lifting device sensor system comprising:

• a display unit;
• a lifting device sensor unit comprising:
• a housing configured to removably couple about a load line of a lifting device;
• a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver coupled with said housing and configured for determining a sensor unit position in three dimensions;
• a load monitor coupled with said housing and configured for monitoring a load coupled with said load line, including monitoring a load position and a load orientation of said load;
• and
• a wireless transceiver coupled with said housing and configured for wirelessly providing information including said load position, said load orientation, and said sensor unit position;
• and
• a computer system located remotely from said lifting device sensor unit, said computer system configured for wirelessly receiving said information and for supplying some portion of this received information to a display unit located on a job site of said lifting device, wherein said display unit is located apart from said sensor unit.

A lifting device sensor unit, said sensor unit comprising:

• a housing configured to removably couple about a load line of a lifting device;
• a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver coupled with said housing and configured for determining a sensor unit position in three dimensions;
• an inertial sensor coupled with said housing and configured for augmenting said first GNSS receiver in determining a sensor unit position in three dimensions;
• a load monitor coupled with said housing and configured for monitoring a load coupled with said load line, including monitoring a load position and a load orientation of said load;
• and
• a wireless transceiver coupled with said housing and configured for wirelessly providing information including said load position, said load orientation, and said sensor unit position, to a display unit located apart from said sensor unit.