965results about "Navigational aid arrangements" patented technology

A mobile terminal (200) obtains image data related to a product posted on a flier (300) by imaging and sends the image data related to the product to a shopping management server (100). Upon reception of the image data related to the product from the mobile terminal (200), the shopping management server (100) determines the product by analyzing the image data related to the product, obtains at least one of inventory information and sales information of the product, and sends at least one of the inventory information and the sales information of the product to the mobile terminal (200). The mobile terminal (200) combines computer-graphics image data indicating at least one of the inventory information and the sales information of the product sent from the shopping management server (100) with an image of the flier in real space and presents the combined image, thereby solving the problem.

A system is provided for optimizing a path for a marine vessel through a waterway from an initial location to a final location. The system includes a propulsion system and a directional system on the marine vessel, which impart a selective propulsion force on the marine vessel at a selective direction based on a received propulsion command and direction command from a processor. The processor determines an optimal path for the marine vessel, an optimal propulsion command and optimal directional command at a respective incremental location along the optimal path, so to optimize a performance characteristic of the marine vessel. The determination of the optimal path, the optimal propulsion command and the optimal directional command is based on the initial location, the final location, at least one operating parameter, the performance characteristic, and navigational data of the waterway.

An automatic timing measurement system that provides a measure of time of passage of a watercraft through a prescribed course. Algorithms based on inertial or other estimates augmented by GPS speed / position measurements are used to track position of a watercraft. Said position estimates are used to allow the locations of prescribed courses to be mapped and memorized. Algorithms are then used to allow the apparatus to automatically detect passage of a watercraft through mapped courses for the purpose of measuring and reporting time of passage of said watercraft past key points in said course, and for modifying the behavior of the speed control portion of the apparatus if necessary at certain points in the mapped course. A measure of accuracy of driver steering can be provided along with the ability to automatically steer the watercraft through the course if “steer-by-wire” mechanism is available. GPS speed control is augmented with a secondary velocity measurement device that measures speed over water resulting in an optional user selectable real-time compensation for water current. Furthermore, GPS is used as the key input to produce boat speed-based pull-up profiles.

Many different types of systems are utilized or tasks are performed in a marine environment. The present invention provides various configurations of unmanned vehicles, or drones, that can be operated and / or controlled for such systems or tasks. One or more unmanned vehicles can be integrated with a dedicated marine electronic device of a marine vessel for autonomous control and operation. Additionally or alternatively, the unmanned vehicle can be manually remote operated during use in the marine environment. Such unmanned vehicles can be utilized in many different marine environment systems or tasks, including, for example, navigation, sonar, radar, search and rescue, video streaming, alert functionality, among many others. However, as contemplated by the present invention, the marine environment provides many unique challenges that may be accounted for with operation and control of an unmanned vehicle.

A system is provided for optimizing a path for a marine vessel through a waterway from an initial location to a final location. The system includes a propulsion system and a directional system on the marine vessel, which impart a selective propulsion force on the marine vessel at a selective direction based on a received propulsion command and direction command from a processor. The processor determines an optimal path for the marine vessel, an optimal propulsion command and optimal directional command at a respective incremental location along the optimal path, so to optimize a performance characteristic of the marine vessel. The determination of the optimal path, the optimal propulsion command and the optimal directional command is based on the initial location, the final location, at least one operating parameter, the performance characteristic, and navigational data of the waterway.

A vehicle or watercraft regeneration system includes at least one electric motor capable of generating electricity and a controller for the at least one motor; wherein the controller to optimize the efficiency of the regeneration. The controller can optimize efficiency by including comprises circuitry for biasing the electric motor during regeneration. Also provided is a regeneration system that further comprises an electricity storage device such as a battery, a capacitor, an electrolysis unit that generates hydrogen from water, and a flywheel. In addition, an efficiency enhancing system for a watercraft or vehicle includes at least one electric motor capable of generating electricity; a controller for the at least one motor; and an electrical connection between the at least one motor and the controller, where in the controller adjust one or more magnetic fields of the electric motor during regeneration to optimize the efficiency of the regeneration. Methods for increasing efficiency of regeneration of a watercraft of vehicle powered by at least one electric motor are also disclosed.

Apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable medium for navigation safety and collision prevention are described herein. The apparatus may cause the collection of marine electronic data from marine data sources. Marine data sources may include a radar system, a sonar system, a position system, a tracking system, and / or a chart system. The apparatus may further determine, based upon the marine electronic data, the presence of a hazard in the projected path of the watercraft. The apparatus may determine if the hazard is within a threshold distance and, in response, may cause the watercraft to stop before reaching the hazard. In some instances, the apparatus may transmit a warning alert to the watercraft operator, and after a predetermined period of time without response by the operator, the apparatus may cause the watercraft to stop to prevent collision with the hazard.

A short-term planned route from a start position that is a ship position at a first time up to an end position that is the ship position at a second time is designed based on a planned route, an estimated encounter marine phenomenon information, operation performance information measured on a ship, and a hull motion model of the ship, the estimated encounter marine phenomenon information being measured on the ship based on actually encountered marine phenomenon information. The short-term planned route makes a first evaluation function optimal, the first evaluation function containing: an index indicating an influence of a fluctuation portion between a planned position that is a ship position planned at the second time on the planned route and the end position; a fuel consumption index when the ship sails along the short-term planned route; and a safety index when the ship sails along the short-term planned route.

A method is disclosed that resolves a long-standing seafaring problem of how close to the wind to sail. Sailboats need a convenient way to determine the optimal heading to minimize the Tacking Time to Destination (TTD). Unlike Velocity Made Good (VMG), the method disclosed here allows route planning before the trip, predicts travel time on different points of sail, allows comparison of the optimal tacking routes, and also plots the different routes so that it is inherently obvious that a particular tacking angle is longer and more off-course but will arrive sooner because of the speed on that heading. These principles can be implemented with manual dials that define the distance and speed, to calculate the relative or actual travel time on a leg without using electronics. Software is also described that visually illustrates the current and optimal headings by calculating Tacking Time to Destination before departure.

The invention discloses an intelligent ship-borne terminal device for inland waterway intelligent shipping information service. The ship-borne terminal device consists of a power supply module, a data collection module, a main control module, a communication module and a human-computer interaction module; and an online analysis processing technology, multiple sensing technologies (global positioning system (GPS), automatic identification system (AIS), wireless frequency identification devices (RFID), sensors and videos) and a communication technology are utilized by the invention to realize the automatic identification of a ship identity and the perception of a running status of the ship by aggregating, rebuilding and interacting polymorphic heterogeneous data under the sailing status of the inland waterway ship, so that solid guarantee can be provided for the ship data perception of an inland waterway intelligent shipping information service system, the realization of ship-ship interconnection, ship-bank interconnection and ship-cargo interconnection and for the safe sailing and high efficient transportation of inland waterway ships in China, and the rapid development of the inland waterway intelligent shipping information service (internet of ships) can be promoted.

A data communication system for use on a surface or subsurface vessel. The system includes a base system and a plurality of user components. The base system includes a marine enhanced ground proximity warning system (MEGPWS), a communication component, and a wireless transceiver coupled to the MEGPWS. The user component includes a wireless transceiver, an earpiece speaker, a microphone, a heads-up display (HUD), and a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver, the earpiece speaker, the microphone, and the HUD. The processor generates an image for presentation on the HUD based on information received from the base system. Also, the processor receives voice signals from the microphone, prepares and transmits the received voice signals for transmission to the base system, receives voice signals from the base system via the wireless transceiver, and prepares and outputs the voice signals received from the base system via the earpiece speaker.

The invention relates to a multifunctional rudder-free aquaculture workboat which comprises a boat body. A drive device, a steering device, a meteorological device providing information of wind speed, the wind direction, temperature, humidity and pressure, a navigation device, a communication module which can be communicated with a handheld mobile base station or a land fixed base station, an obstacle avoidance device, a coordination control drive device, a steering device, a central control module for achieving boat unmanned intelligent navigation, a water flow measuring device for detecting the speed and direction of the water flow, a water quality detection device for collecting a water sample and detecting water quality parameters, an underwater detection device for detecting the distribution state of the underwater fish schools or other biotic communities, an automatic bait casting device for controlling bait casting and feeding, and a storage battery for providing a work power source for a boat device. Fan drive is adopted by the workboat, a complex mechanical engine, a steering rudder and a transmission mechanism are removed, and the multifunctional rudder-free aquaculture workboat is light, high in efficiency, free of rudder and pollution and capable of automatically completing water quality parameter detection and bait casting and feeding in the aquaculture area.

A system for remotely tracking, monitoring and messaging vessels (14) utilizing a global positioning system satellite constellation, having a transceiver located on the vessel to be tracked and monitored, a monitoring center located remote from the vessel, a communications means allowing the bi-directional communication between the transceiver and the monitoring center, a communications means allowing the uni-directional communication from the global positioning system satellite constellation to the transceiver, sensors on the on-board systems of the vessel, a communications means allowing communication between the sensors and the transceiver, an input / output means for messaging, and a communications means allowing communication between the input / output means and the transceiver.

There is provided a navigation route generation device with which a host moving body can be navigated by offsetting it parallel to a line on the current travel direction of the host moving body by a simple operation, without changing the preset destination or bearing. A plotter that is part of an automatic steering system of a ship comprises a current route acquisition component, a parallel route generator, and a navigation route setting component. The current route acquisition component acquires the travel direction of the host ship. The parallel route generator generates a parallel route, which is a route that is parallel to the travel direction acquired by the current route acquisition component. The navigation route setting component sets the parallel route generated by the parallel route generator to the navigation route of the host ship.

Systems and methods disclosed herein provide for various embodiments of maritime control components. For example in one embodiment, a control component, adapted to be used with a watercraft, includes a mounting feature adapted to mount the control component to a steering wheel of the watercraft, and a mode selector of the control component adapted to receive and transmit a first user input signal corresponding to a user selected mode of operation from a plurality of selectable modes of operation including a map mode, a sonar mode, a fishfinder mode, a radar mode, an autopilot pattern mode, an entertainment mode, and / or a maritime mode. The control component further includes an increase / decrease actuator adapted to receive and transmit a second user input signal corresponding to a user selection within the user selected mode of operation. Embodiments of a watercraft and a method of display control are also provided.

The positions and motions of a bow and a stern of the ship are detected using redundant devices and evaluated to automatically perform difficult maneuvers in ports or to generate recommendations for controlling the ship

A system for controlling a marine vessel includes a processor, a propulsion system, and a directional system. The processor is disposed onboard the marine vessel and obtains a trip plan that includes designated operational settings of the marine vessel for a trip along a waterway. The propulsion system is communicatively coupled with the processor and generates propulsion to move the marine vessel according to the designated operational settings of the trip plan. The directional system is communicatively coupled with the processor and steers the marine vessel according to the designated operational settings of the trip plan. Operating the propulsion system and the directional system according to the designated operational settings of the trip plan reduces at least one of fuel consumed or emissions generated by the marine vessel relative to the marine vessel being propelled or steered according to one or more plans other than the trip plan.

A system for monitoring a physical change of a marine structure includes a complex optical measuring instrument configured to detect a behavior and structural change of the marine structure by using at least one optical sensor by means of optical fiber Bragg grating.

The invention provides an automatic ship collision avoidance method based on a velocity vector coordinate system. The automatic ship collision avoidance method comprises the steps of: (1) regarding a ship as a particle, and acquiring information of obstacles surrounding the ship; (2) judging whether a risk of collision between the ship and the surrounding obstacles exists through a collision prediction model, if the risk exists then entering the step (3), and if not then returning to the step (1); (3) calculating a relative velocity, at which the ship can move out from a collision region, of the ship in the velocity vector coordinate system, and calculating an absolute velocity of the ship according to the relative velocity; (4), regulating a course of the ship via an autopilot controller by utilizing the absolute velocity of the ship until the current velocity of the ship is the absolute velocity; (5) and repeating the steps from step (1) to step (4) over and over again so as to achieve automatic ship collision avoidance based on the velocity vector coordinate system. The automatic ship collision avoidance method can judge whether the risk of collision among ships exists and can provide the collision avoidance method.

A watercraft includes a plurality of devices, a central controller, and a display device. The central controller is programmed to execute centralized control of the devices. The display device includes a touch panel function. The display device is configured to communicate with the central controller, and to display information regarding watercraft in a Graphical User Interface (GUI) format.

A vehicle positioning apparatus is shown and described. The positioning apparatus is adaptable for the guidance of a vehicle into a limited space, such as in the case of a boat approaching a dock, slip, or trailer. The vehicle includes two emitters, producing two images reflected to the operator of the vehicle. The emitters are spaced from each other in such a manner that the operator may determine direction, orientation, and other critical parameters of the vehicle during approach to the limited space by viewing of the reflected images. Targets may be employed to enhance the image seen by the operator.

The invention is a vision navigating method for mobile robot based on image representation character. It includes steps: the mobile robot detects the natural marked object automatically; matches the current image with the image and scene in sample bank, in order to determinate the current position. The method solves the hardware problem caused by former navigation system with sensor, which can be applied to non-field environment where the traditional navigation mode is difficult to be adaptive, and carries on the self localization of mobile robot. The navigation method combines the scene mark detection and scene image representation analysis.

A maneuvering assisting apparatus includes a plurality of cameras. Each camera is arranged in a downward attitude on a side surface of a ship hull, and captures surroundings of the ship. A CPU creates a whole-circumference bird's eye view image representing in an aerially viewed manner the surroundings of the ship, based on outputs of these cameras. Also, the CPU transparently multiplexes a graphic image representing at least an extension of the aerially viewed ship, onto the whole-circumference bird's eye view image. Moreover, the CPU non-transparently multiplexes a graphic image representing one portion of the aerially viewed ship, onto the whole-circumference bird's eye view image.

An electronic navigational system may automatically develop nautical routes, may retrieve previously-developed nautical routes, or may combine previously developed route(s) or route segment(s) with an automatically developed route or route segment(s).

The traffic control method according to the present invention includes obtaining radar information on a target from at least one radar; obtaining AIS information of the target from an AIS (automatic identification system) of the target; detecting GPS jamming; and fusing the radar information and the AIS information. The fusing selectively fuses the AIS information depending on whether the GPS jamming occurs in the position of the target as a result of the detection.

An integrated safety accessory arrangement and components for users of personal watercraft such as kayaks, canoes, and catamarans. The arrangement is comprised of safety related components providing the following integrated features: alternate personal hydration for paddlers accommodating common beverage containers as well as compartments for contemporary sports reservoirs with hull and hatch cover ports to route and seal the attached drinking tubes for use underway, and mounting and storage for navigation and communication devices such as marine compasses, GPS, VHF and FRS radios, cell phones, and the like. All are accessible while underway; and one-handed kayak skirt-on use of common portable manual pump with in-hull pump storage holder.

The present disclosure relates to an autopilot device (2) which actuates, at least, on the course controls (3) of the bearing vessel (6), and which comprises an electronic evasion module (4) capable of generating evasive manoeuvre orders for the autopilot device (2) in the event of taking a collision course; as well as a radar (7) connected to said an electronic evasion module (4) in order to detect the existence of obstacles (5, 5′) which generate collision courses, as well as comprising a laser telemeter (16) and an AIS system (17), to support the radar (7), and means of detecting (18) the turning degrees of the steering wheel, as well as sensors (19) that measure the revolutions of the engine.

The invention relates to an underwater side-scan sonar collecting and releasing device arranged under a boat bow deck. The device is characterized in that the boat bow is provided with a slot so as to be convenient for arranging the sonar on the boat bow, the slot can also be used for collecting an underwater sonar, and after the sonar is collected, the sonar can be covered; the sonar is arranged on a collecting and releasing rod, and the collecting and releasing rod is driven through a transmission device comprising an electromotor, a speed reducer, a stainless steel chain, and the like to rotate so as to send the sonar into water; after the sonar reaches a boat bow working position vertical to the bottom of the boat, an electrical push rod pushes a positioning pin to insert into a positioning hole so as to improve the rigidity of the sonar collecting and releasing rod; and the rotation angle of collecting and releasing the sonar is measured by an encoder connected to a rotation shaft. The imaging quality of the sonar arranging device is high, and the device can realize the quick collection and release of the underwater sonar; after the sonar is placed, the positioning pin is inserted, which can effectively guarantee the working precision of the sonar; the sonar can be guaranteed to be correctly collected and released through the encoder; and by integrating the three points, the detection precision of the sonar can be effectively and greatly improved, and the device is convenient to use.

For a vessel steering apparatus for performing a movement control to move a vessel to a target position on the basis of a signal of a GPS apparatus, a movement control stop area, a buffer area adjacent to the movement control stop area, and a movement-controlling area adjacent to the buffer area are set on the basis of the distance from the target position, wherein in the movement control stop area, thrust generation by a propulsion apparatus is stopped; in the movement-controlling area, thrust is generated by the propulsion apparatus; and in the buffer area, thrust is generated by the propulsion apparatus of the vessel for movement control only in the case where the vessel moves from the movement-controlling area to the buffer area, then stays in the buffer area, and moves in a direction away from the target position.