DEVICE, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR OPERATING A SHIP

Description

Technical area

[0001] Embodiments according to the invention relate to a device, a method and a computer program for operating a ship. Background of the invention

[0002] To ensure safe and trouble-free ship operation, voyage-specific and safety-related information is currently determined manually for each ship and route. Despite the dependence on many factors, this decision is primarily based on empirical values ​​and a not clearly quantifiable assessment by the responsible planners. In particular, the determination of the information is based on a predefined route for the ships, thus ensuring reliable operation of the ship. Changes in the ship's operating status cannot be taken into account. Document DE102004031933 discloses a computer-aided planning method for a voyage plan. EP2878528 discloses a method for motor-driven berthing. XP03276680 discloses a method for monitoring and analyzing ship performance to optimize fuel use.

[0003] In view of this, there is a need for a concept that enables a better compromise between optimized, efficient and safe operation of a ship, cost reduction, compliance with shipping-specific regulations and easier verification of compliance with shipping-specific regulations.

[0004] This problem is solved by the independent patent claims with method claim 1, computer program claim 11 and device claim 12.

[0005] Further developments according to the invention are defined in the subclaims. Summary of the invention

[0006] One embodiment relates to a method for operating a ship, comprising the step of obtaining a ship's voyage plan by means of a processing device on the ship. The ship's voyage plan can be transmitted, for example, from a land station to the ship's processing device. Alternatively, the ship's voyage plan can be transmitted, for example, via a USB stick, via an app, and / or via input via a user interface of a device on the ship that, for example, executes the method, to the ship's processing device. The ship's voyage plan can have one or more defined ship operating states for one or more sections of a voyage of the ship. The voyage of the ship can, for example, be divided into the sections of sea travel and port layover. The one or more sections of the ship's voyage can, however, also be regular time periods, for examplefive minutes, 30 minutes, one hour or one day and in doing so, for example, map the entire voyage of the ship in terms of time. It is also possible, however, for the ship's voyage plan to have only one section, which can, for example, cover the entire voyage of the ship. During this one section or the multiple sections of the voyage, the ship's voyage plan can have one or more defined ship operating states, which in terms of time, for example, map the entire voyage of the ship or define an operating state of the ship at regular or irregular intervals during the voyage. During the voyage, a current ship operating state of the ship can be recorded and assigned in time to one of the defined ship operating states of the ship's voyage plan.

[0007] For example, the current ship operating state can be recorded at a point in time during the voyage and assigned to a defined ship operating state of the ship's voyage plan at the same point in time. Optionally, it is possible for the current ship operating state to comprise the ship's operating state at a point in time when it is recorded and at subsequent points in time. It is thus possible for the current ship operating state to define the ship's operating state for periods within a section or for several sections of the ship's voyage, thereby enabling the current ship operating state to be assigned to one or more of the defined ship operating states of the ship's voyage plan, which can define the ship operating state during the same time period as the current ship operating state. In other words, for example,enables only specific points in time or sections of a predefined journey to be compared with a current journey, whereby deviations can be determined very effectively with little computing power using the method.

[0008] According to one embodiment, both the one or more defined ship operating states and the current ship operating state completely map the ship's voyage (reality), whereby, for example, the current ship operating state can be temporally assigned to all defined ship operating states. This enables the defined ship operating states to be effectively linked to the current ship operating state for the entire ship's voyage, allowing current deviations in the voyage to be quickly recorded and thus simplifying replanning of the ship's voyage.

[0009] The method for operating the ship can compare the current ship operating state with the temporally assigned defined ship operating state of the ship's voyage plan in order to calculate an updated ship's voyage plan in response to deviations between the current ship's operating state and the defined ship's operating state. The calculation of the updated ship's voyage plan is based, for example, on a model that takes into account operationally relevant parameters for the ship's operation.

[0010] The present invention is based on the finding that by calculating an updated ship's travel plan based on deviations of the current ship's operating state from the temporally assigned, defined ship's operating state, the method allows for short-term events that could disrupt the ship's operation to be taken into account, so that the updated ship's travel plan can ensure smooth, efficient, and safe operation of the ship. The model on which the calculation of the updated ship's travel plan is based can allow the deviation of the current ship's operating state from the temporally assigned, defined ship's operating state of the ship's travel plan to be integrated into the updated ship's travel plan in such a way that the ship's operation can be maintained, thus resulting in as few as possible, or even no, delays or disruptions in the ship's operation.By taking operational parameters into account, the model can observe shipping-specific regulations and provide an updated ship's voyage plan that complies with the shipping-specific regulations or optionally indicates when shipping-specific regulations have not been complied with. The model is designed, for example, to optimize the updated ship's voyage plan so that the ship's operation is maintained efficiently and safely when deviations occur. The model can, for example, be designed to at least partially, where possible, allow deviations that lie within tolerated deviations from shipping-specific regulations in order to maintain the ship's operation and, for example, avoid delays in the ship's operation. The shipping-specific regulations, for example, indicateFramework conditions within which deviations from regulations are permitted in exceptional situations.

[0011] It can therefore be concluded that the vessel operation procedure enables optimized, efficient, and safe operation of the vessel while observing shipping-specific regulations and facilitates verification of compliance with shipping-specific regulations by adjusting the vessel's voyage plan during the vessel's voyage due to deviations in the route. Furthermore, the vessel operation procedure can reduce costs, as the model for calculating the updated vessel's voyage plan can, for example, take shipping-specific regulations into account using operationally relevant parameters, thus avoiding fines for non-compliance with shipping-specific regulations.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the ship's voyage plan and / or the updated ship's voyage plan includes a task schedule for a crew of the ship for the voyage. The ship's voyage plan and the updated ship's voyage plan can thus identify and document crew tasks, activities, and rest breaks for each of the sections of the voyage in the task schedule to ensure smooth operation of the ship.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the operation-relevant parameters of the model can include maintenance times, seagoing times, port layover times, and / or safety-relevant parameters, such as crew rest periods. The seagoing times and port layover times enable the ship to dock at a port in a timely manner according to the updated ship voyage plan, for example, or to plan tasks during the seagoing times and port layover times by the model in such a way that there are no or only minimal delays in the operation of the ship. For example, the method can also take maintenance times into account in the model, whereby the updated ship voyage plan, for example, indicates in the task schedule for the ship's crew when and who should optimally perform maintenance work on the ship's machines displayed by the updated ship voyage plan so that the ship can complete the voyage safely and with a reduction in operational disruptions.Furthermore, the model can include safety-relevant parameters, such as crew rest periods, which are defined by shipping-specific regulations and should be observed to ensure the safe operation of the ship. Failure to observe crew rest periods may, for example, result in crew fatigue, which may limit the operation of the ship and result in non-compliance with shipping-specific regulations, which may increase costs for the operation of the ship and possibly lead to accidents.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the model is designed to permit deviations from the safety-relevant parameter "crew rest periods" in an exceptional situation in order to maintain the operation of the ship. In other words, the model can be designed, for example, to violate the safety-relevant parameter "crew rest periods" in an exceptional situation in order to maintain the operation of the ship. An exceptional situation can, for example, be the deviation of the current ship operating state from the temporally assigned, defined ship operating state of the ship's voyage plan, e.g., due to damage to the engine / ship or due to a delayed arrival at port.The model therefore gives priority to maintaining the operation of the ship and, for example, in the event of damage to the engine / ship, assigns tasks to repair the damage even to crew members who require crew rest time at that time in accordance with shipping-specific regulations, so that the ship can continue operations with little or no restrictions. Equally, the model can identify an exceptional situation in the event of a delayed port arrival, for example, and thus calculate different crew rest times for crew members who require a certain crew rest time in accordance with shipping-specific regulations, which lie within the tolerated deviations according to the regulations. The model can then assign tasks in the task schedule to these crew members so that a shortened port layover time can be adhered to while completing all necessary tasks, thus ensuring that the ship's operations are not disrupted or are only minimally disrupted.This means that the process is optimized for the operation of the ship and is very efficient.

[0015] According to one embodiment, at least one of the operation-relevant parameters can be adjusted based on a deviation of the current ship operating state from the temporally assigned, defined ship operating state of the ship voyage plan. For example, the deviations can indicate that the seagoing times or the port layover times have changed and therefore need to be adjusted, or that events have occurred whereby the maintenance times and / or crew rest periods should be adjusted so that the deviations do not disrupt the operation of the ship and thus optimized, efficient, and safe operation of the ship can be ensured. By adjusting the operation-relevant parameters based on the deviations, the model can take the deviations into account and thus calculate an updated ship voyage plan that ensures the operation of the ship despite the deviations.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the model can take into account whether tasks in the task schedule for the crew can be divided up over time and / or distributed among multiple crew members. This means that if the deviations indicate that urgent tasks must be completed now and cannot, for example, be postponed to a later time, the model can postpone other concurrent tasks to a different time or distribute them among other crew members in accordance with the task schedule of the ship's voyage plan. This means that activities caused by the deviations can be carried out with little or no restrictions on the operation of the ship. Based on the model with the updated ship's voyage plan, the method can thus assign tasks and activities to crew members and determine when they should be carried out.This ensures optimized, efficient and safe operation of the ship.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the calculation of the updated ship's voyage plan, based on the model, can be performed in less than five minutes after the deviations of the current ship's operating state from the temporally assigned, defined ship's operating state of the ship's voyage plan have been detected. According to one embodiment, the time can also be less than one minute, 30 seconds, or one second, whereby the ship's voyage plan can be dynamically adapted to the updated ship's voyage plan, for example, in real time. The method can thus react very quickly to deviations of the current ship's operating state from the temporally assigned, defined ship's operating state of the ship's voyage plan, thus ensuring efficient and safe operation of the ship at every point in time during the ship's voyage.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the current ship operating status can be recorded by means of an interface of the processing device to an electronic nautical chart, to engine sensors, to crew work time terminals, and / or to the shore station. Due to the processing device's access to the electronic nautical chart, the current ship operating status can include, for example, a ship's position, a ship's route, weather, war, distress at sea, environmental zones, piracy, etc. for the ship's voyage. Through the interface to the engine sensors, the current ship operating status can indicate whether a ship's engine requires maintenance, is damaged, has failed, or is operating properly. Using the crew work time terminals, the processing device can automatically register which work is being performed by which crew member at what time.Through the interface to the shore station, information relevant to the ship's operation, such as a pilot's delay, a change in the ship's route, or other requirements of the shore stations regarding the ship's operation, can be transmitted. Thus, the process can automatically record the current ship's operating status via the interfaces and, based on this, compare the current ship's operating status with the temporally assigned, defined ship's operating status of the ship's voyage plan in order to check whether the current ship's operating status deviates from the defined ship's operating status. Thus, the process can query and / or verify a wide variety of events that could influence the ship's operation via the processing device's interfaces and incorporate them into the calculation of the updated ship's voyage plan.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the current ship operating state can include current, possibly e.g., simultaneous, and / or future working hours and / or tasks of the crew, current machine states, current and / or future positions of the ship, and / or external influences. For example, the processing device can use the interface to the crew's work terminals to record current and past working hours and tasks completed by crew members and, based on this information, determine current and future working hours and tasks of the crew, which the processing device can provide in the form of the current ship operating state. Furthermore, the current ship operating state can include the current state of the ship's machines.The current ship operating status can display the ship's voyage, including its current and future positions, for example, from the time the current ship operating status was recorded. External influences that can be reflected in the current ship operating status include, for example, interactions with land, such as a pilot's recording, or interactions on the water, such as influences from war, weather, distress at sea, etc. Thus, the method enables the detection of a wide variety of unforeseen events during ship operation and prevents these events from disrupting ship operations.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the current ship operating status can be recorded at specific times or during events. For example, the method can record the current ship operating status every five minutes, once per hour, once per day, or upon the occurrence of an event, such as a signal from the ship's engines, the crew's work terminals, the electronic nautical chart, or the shore station. Thus, the method is designed to automatically and independently optimize the ship's operation and make it efficient and safe. Optionally, it is also possible for the current ship operating status to be recorded continuously using the method throughout the ship's entire voyage.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the ship's voyage plan and / or the updated ship's voyage plan can be dependent on a ship's route. For example, the task schedule for the ship's crew can be dependent on one or more sections of the voyage, such as a port docking section and a seagoing section. For example, the one or more defined ship operating states of the ship's voyage plan and the updated ship's voyage plan during a sea voyage can differ from the one or more defined ship operating states during a port layover. Thus, the method can be individually adapted to the ship's route to optimize the ship's operation and make it efficient and safe.

[0022] One embodiment provides a computer program with a program code for carrying out the method when the program runs on a computer.

[0023] An embodiment provides an apparatus for operating a ship with a processing device of the ship, which can be configured to process a ship's itinerary, e.g.from a land station, from a USB stick, from an app and / or via an input into a user interface of a device on the ship, wherein the ship's voyage plan has one or more defined ship operating states for one or more sections of a voyage of the ship; to record a current ship operating state of the ship during the voyage, wherein the current ship operating state is temporally assigned to one of the defined ship operating states of the ship's voyage plan; and to compare the current ship operating state with the temporally assigned defined ship operating state of the ship's voyage plan in order to calculate an updated ship's voyage plan in response to deviations of the current ship operating state from the defined ship operating state.Furthermore, the device can be configured to calculate the updated ship voyage plan based on a model that takes into account operational parameters relevant to the operation of the ship. The ship voyage plan and / or the updated ship voyage plan can, for example, include a task schedule for a ship's crew for the voyage. Short character description

[0024] Embodiments according to the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. With regard to the schematic figures shown, it should be noted that the illustrated functional blocks are to be understood both as elements or features of the device according to the invention and as corresponding method steps of the method according to the invention, and corresponding method steps of the method according to the invention can also be derived therefrom. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus and a method for operating a ship according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a task schedule for a crew of a ship according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a method for operating a ship according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of an application of a method for operating a ship according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of an application of a method with interaction with a land station according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of an application of a method with a very tight port sequence according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig.7 shows a schematic representation of an application of a method during an event on a ship according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the embodiments according to the figures

[0025] Before exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, it is pointed out that identical, functionally equivalent or equivalent elements, objects and / or structures in the different figures are provided with the same or similar reference numerals, so that the description of these elements shown in different exemplary embodiments is interchangeable or can be applied to one another.

[0026] Fig. 1shows a schematic representation of a device 100 for operating a ship 110 with a processing device 120 of the ship 110 and a land station 130. The processing device 120 can be arranged in or on the ship 110, and the land station 130 can be arranged on dry land. According to one embodiment, the processing device 120 can communicate with the land station 130 via radio. For example, the device 100 can be configured to transmit a ship's itinerary 140 from the land station 130 to the processing device 120.

[0027] The ship's voyage plan 140 can have one or more defined ship operating states Z', Z' n-1 , Z' n , Z' n+1,1 , Z' n+1,2 , Z' n+2,1 , Z' n+2,2 , Z' n+2,3 , Z' n+3 for a section Z or for several sections Z 0 to Z k (where k represents a positive integer) of a voyage of the ship 110. Thus, the ship's voyage plan 140 can, for example, have a single section Z, which can, for example, represent the complete voyage of the ship 110. Alternatively, the voyage can also be divided into several sections Z 0 to Z k, wherein Fig. 1 the sections Z n-1 to Z n+3 are shown and the ship 110 is currently in the section Z n. In Fig. 1thus, a section of the voyage of the ship 110 is shown. The ship voyage plan 140 can, for example, have a ship operating state Z' for one section Z, which defines a ship operating state of the ship 110 for the entire section Z. The defined ship operating state Z' can continuously define a ship operating state of the ship 110 for each point in time of the section Z. It is equally possible for the section Z n-1 to have only one defined ship operating state Z' n-1, the section Z n to have the defined ship operating state Z' n, and the section Z n+3 to have the defined ship operating state Z' n+3, and each of the defined ship operating states Z' n-1, Z' n, Z' n+3 to define the ship operating state of the ship 110 for the respective corresponding section Z n-1, Z n, Z n+3.Alternatively, it is also possible for one of the sections Z 0 to Z k to have a plurality of defined ship operating states, such as, for example, the section Z n+1 , which can have the defined ship operating state Z' n+1,1 and the defined ship operating state Z' n+1,2 , and the section Z n+2 , which can have the defined ship operating states Z' n+2,1 , Z' n+2,2 and Z' n+2,3 . For example, each of the defined ship operating states Z' n+1,1 , Z' n+1,2 , Z' n+2,1 , Z' n+2,2 and Z' n+2,3 can define a time and a change in the ship operating state of the ship 110 on the voyage.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the one or more defined vessel operating states may include working hours and tasks of the crew of the vessel 110, positions of the vessel 110 on the voyage, and external influences for the one or more sections Z, Z 0 to Z k of the voyage of the vessel 110.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the ship's voyage plan 140 can have a task schedule for a crew of the ship 110 for the voyage. The task schedule can define for the entire voyage, i.e. for all sections of the voyage of the ship 110, when and where on the ship 110 an activity is to be carried out by a crew member, wherein the task schedule assigns these activities to specific crew members at specific times on the voyage. According to one embodiment, the defined ship operating state can have the task schedule for the one or more sections. The task schedule can, for example, in section Z n, in the form of the defined ship operating state Z' n, have tasks or activities of the crew on the ship 110 during a voyage, and in section Z n+2, for example, in the form of the defined ship operating state Z' n+2,2 works orCrew activities related to a port 200 at which the ship 110 may be docked.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the ship travel plan 140 may be dependent on the ship route Z. For example, the defined ship operating states Z' n-1 , Z' n , Z' n+1,1 , Z' n+1,2 and Z' n+3 may comprise seafaring-specific ship operating states of the ship 110, and the defined ship operating states Z' n+2,1 , Z' n+2,2 and Z' n+2,3 may comprise port-specific ship operating states of the ship 110.

[0031] The processing device 120 of the device 100 can be configured according to one embodiment to detect a current ship operating state 150 of the ship 110 during the voyage. The current ship operating state 150 can be temporally related to one of the defined ship operating states, e.g., according to Fig. 1the defined ship operating state Z' n , of the ship voyage plan 140. Thus, the current ship operating state 150 can, for example, define a ship operating state of the ship 110 at the time of recording the current ship operating state 150 or for the entire section Z n or for all points in time from the time of recording until the end of the voyage (thus, for example, for part of the section Z n , for the entire section Z n+1 to Z k ). Depending on the case, the current ship operating state 150 can thus be assigned at least partially (e.g. only at the time of recording) or completely to the defined ship operating state Z' n or at least partially to the defined ship operating state Z' n and all subsequent defined ship operating states (e.g. from Z' n+1,1 to Z' k ).

[0032] According to one embodiment, the processing device 120 can have interfaces to an electronic nautical chart, to engine sensors, to crew time recording terminals, and to the shore station 130 in order to record the current ship operating status 150. Thus, the current ship operating status 150 can include current states of machines that can be transmitted from the engine sensors of the ship 110 to the processing device 120. The current ship operating status can indicate, for example, whether the machines are functioning properly, require maintenance, are damaged, or have failed. Furthermore, the current ship operating status 150 can indicate the current position or current shipping route of the ship 110, current weather, distress at sea, current war influences, etc., which the processing device 120 can obtain, for example, from the electronic nautical chart.Furthermore, the current ship operating state may include external influences, such as the ship picking up a pilot or refueling the ship, which the processing device can record, for example, via the shore station 130. Due to the crew's working time terminals, working hours and completed tasks of the crew can be automatically registered, whereby the current ship operating state 150, for example, has a work schedule that shows which tasks were performed by the crew, when, and by whom up to the time of recording the current ship operating state 150. In this case, the current ship operating state can, for example, be compared with concurrently defined ship operating states, wherein the defined ship operating states can represent ship operating states of the ship 110 of the sections Z 0 to Z n , i.e., before recording (such as Z n-1 , Z n ).Thus, it is possible that the current ship operating state can be assigned to defined ship operating states Z n-1 , Z n before capture, or even to all defined ship operating states Z', Z' n-1 , Z' n , Z' n+1,1 , Z' n+1,2 , Z' n+2,1 , Z' n+2,2 , Z' n+2,3 and Z' n+3 of the voyage.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the current ship operating state 150 can be recorded at specific times or during events. For example, the current ship operating state can be recorded every five minutes, once per hour, or once per day. Alternatively, it is also possible for the current ship operating state to be recorded at defined events, such as a signal from the engine sensors of the ship 110, a signal from the shore station 130, a signal from the electronic nautical chart, or a signal from the processing device 120, for example, when the processing device 120 determines, via the crew's working time terminals, that shipping-specific regulations are not being complied with, leading, for example, to a crew overhaul.The event of the electronic nautical chart can, for example, define a change of route of the vessel 110, the signal from the engine sensors can, for example, define damage, a failure or necessary maintenance and the signal from the land station can, for example, define a delay of the pilot as an event.

[0034] The processing device 120 can be configured to compare the current ship operating state 150 with the temporally assigned defined ship operating state Z'n of the ship voyage plan 140 in order to calculate an updated ship voyage plan 160 in response to deviations of the current ship operating state 150 from the defined ship operating state Z'n. The calculation of the updated ship voyage plan 160 can be based on a model 170 that can take into account operationally relevant parameters for the operation of the ship 110.

[0035] The updated ship voyage plan 160, like the ship voyage plan, may include a task schedule for the crew of the ship 110 for the voyage. Furthermore, the ship voyage plan and / or the updated ship voyage plan 160 may be dependent on the ship route Z. The updated ship voyage plan 160 may include one or more updated defined ship operating states for the one or more sections Z n to Z k from the time the current ship operating state is detected.In this case, the one or more updated defined ship operating states may deviate from the one or more defined ship operating states Z', Z' n-1 , Z' n , Z' n+1,1 , Z' n+1,2 , Z' n+2,1 , Z' n+2,2 , Z' n+2,3 and Z' n+3, since the deviations of the current ship operating state 150 from the defined ship operating states Z', Z' n-1 , Z' n , Z' n+1,1 , Z' n+1,2 , Z' n+2,1 , Z' n+2,2 , Z' n+2,3 and Z' n+3 were taken into account in the updated ship voyage plan.

[0036] The model 170 can be configured to adapt the ship's itinerary 140, taking into account operationally relevant parameters, so that the operation of the ship 110 is not brought to a standstill or is not significantly affected. The operationally relevant parameters of the model 170 can include maintenance times, seagoing times, port layover times, and safety-relevant parameters, such as crew rest periods. These operationally relevant parameters can be predefined or automatically adjusted by the processing device 120. The model 170 can be configured to optimize the work schedule of the ship's itinerary within the maintenance times, seagoing times, and port layover times, taking into account the deviations, so that, for example,Violations of working hours regulations (according to shipping-specific regulations) are avoided and maintenance times, seagoing times, port layover times, and crew rest times are adhered to, whereby smooth and safe operation of the vessel 110 can be ensured by the device 100. According to one embodiment, the safety-relevant parameter of crew rest times can be violated by the model 170 in an exceptional situation, e.g., damage to machinery / vessel or a delayed port arrival, in order to maintain the operation of the vessel 110. Although the model 170 is designed to adhere to the crew rest times as much as possible, it can accept minor violations of the crew rest times due to exceptional situations, e.g., when this is no longer possible, in order to avoid, for example, a standstill of the vessel 110.

[0037] According to one embodiment, at least one of the operationally relevant parameters can be adjusted based on the deviations of the current ship operating state 150 from the defined ship operating state Z'n of the ship's voyage plan 140. For example, the deviations can indicate a change in the ship's route Z, which may allow the operationally relevant parameters of sea travel times and port layover times to be adjusted. If the deviations indicate, for example, an overhaul of the crew (e.g., crew rest periods were not observed), the maintenance times can be adjusted and, for example, postponed to a later date when the crew rest periods have been brought back within the shipping-specific regulations.

[0038] Thus, the device 100 can automatically regulate the operation of the vessel 110 and, for example, provide and adapt instructions to the crew of the vessel 110 based on the current vessel operating status 150, without requiring human intervention. For example, the device automatically generates the adapted work schedule, which is provided to the crew and is then carried out by the crew, whereby the work can be monitored by the device.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the model 170 can consider whether tasks in the crew task schedule can be divided over time and / or distributed among multiple crew members. For example, the current ship operating state 150 can indicate that a crew member unexpectedly had to work outside of scheduled times (e.g., indicated by the task schedule of the ship's voyage plan 140 at a defined ship operating state) three times in one night due to engine repairs and should therefore now observe the crew rest period to comply with shipping-specific regulations. However, this means that activities that the task schedule of the ship's voyage plan 140 has scheduled for this crew member during the day cannot be performed.The model can thus distribute this work among other crew members in the updated ship voyage plan 160 so that all necessary tasks for the operation of the ship 110 are performed, thus ensuring the operation of the ship 110. Likewise, tasks in the task schedule can be allocated over time, for example, by the model if, due to deviations, more urgent tasks should be prioritized to ensure the operation of the ship 110. Adhering to crew rest periods ensures safe operation, as accidents or operational errors due to fatigue can be avoided. This can prevent or minimize delays in the operation of the ship. Likewise, penalties for non-compliance with shipping-specific regulations can be avoided.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the calculation of the updated ship's voyage plan 160 based on the model 170 can be performed in a time of less than five minutes, less than one minute, or less than one second after detecting the deviations of the current ship's operating state 150 from the defined ship's operating state Z'n of the ship's voyage plan 140. Thus, the device 100 can react very quickly to the deviations and prevent the operation of the ship 110 from being restricted.

[0041] According to one embodiment, model 170 is a static model with which, for example, tasks for ensuring the operation of ship 110 can be defined and classified as realistically as possible. This model is optionally not adapted. Using a method that device 100 can execute, for example, only a task distribution is adapted (e.g., the task schedule), whereby the tasks can nevertheless be subject to the same structure and the model, for example, is not changed as a result.

[0042] In other words, Fig. 1also a method 300 for operating the ship 110, which, based on the task model 170, adapts a distribution of the tasks required for ship operation in response to changes (e.g., deviations of the current ship operating state 150 from the defined ship operating state Z'n of the ship voyage plan 140) in the ship operating state, taking into account safety-relevant aspects such as statutory rest periods (e.g., crew rest periods). Interfaces to the electronic chart system (e.g., the electronic nautical chart) and to other components of the integrated bridge system on board enable the automatic recording of changes to the ship's voyage (the ship's route Z). The voyage can be stored in the electronic nautical chart (e.g., as a ship voyage plan 140) and clearly define a ship operating state of the ship 110.

[0043] One advantage of the inventive approach is that it enables very rapid calculation and analysis of various strategies without directly negatively impacting ship operations. The model and the resulting results provide robust planning and decision-making support for various levels of personnel management on board and ashore. The use of the software also offers the possibility of structuring work processes and task allocation more efficiently, as well as optimizing working time management. In addition to reducing administrative overhead, ship safety is also increased, for example, by avoiding overwork of the crew.

[0044] Via the land station 130 or on the ship 110 via the processing device 120, it is possible to manually or automatically define and modify basic data of the model 170, such as ports, ships, positions / ship routes, tasks / activities, ship operating states, assignments to ship operating states, and a crew list, in the device 100. This basic information can, for example, be stored in the ship's itinerary 140 and can be adapted to the updated ship's itinerary 160 by the model 170 when unexpected situations deviate from the ship's itinerary 140 occur. In doing so, the model 170 can include operationally relevant parameters such as the ship's class of the ship 110, ship's route details (e.g., sea travel times and port layover times), minimum / maximum number of crew members per position on the ship 110, and shipping-specific regulations (e.g.,Regulations regarding working hours, regulations regarding crew rest periods, and / or regulations regarding a watch pattern, and / or permitted exceptions to shipping-specific regulations, may be taken into account. The processing device 120 may, for example, be designed to transmit information such as the updated ship's itinerary 160 to the shore station 130, e.g., via radio. Furthermore, information may be synchronized via the radio connection between the shore station 130 and the processing device 120. The information may, for example, be a report regarding working hours and crew rest periods or a report regarding reasons for non-compliance with shipping-specific regulations. The device 100 may automatically capture and provide this information.

[0045] Fig. 2shows an excerpt of a task schedule 180 for a crew 112 of a ship for three sections Z n to Z n+2 of a voyage. A ship's voyage plan or an updated ship's voyage plan can have the task schedule 180. The working times of the crew 112 are entered in the form of bars in the task schedule 180 for each section Z n to Z n+2 of the voyage. The working time bars can show which activities on the ship should be carried out by the respective crew member of the crew 112 at the respective time. A crew rest period, for example, is entered between the individual bars. The task schedule 180 depends, for example, on the ship's route Z n to Z n+2. For example, during the sea voyage Z n and Z n+2, fewer and different activities are required than during the port stay Z n+1 .

[0046] The Fig. 2The task schedule 180 shown may, for example, be an initial task schedule specified for the ship by a land station. Likewise, the task schedule shown may be an updated task schedule, which, for example, due to an unforeseen event on the ship's route, also allows the ship's processing equipment to be adjusted using a model based on the initial task schedule in order to maintain the ship's operation while taking the unexpected event into account. Thus, the task schedule 180 of the updated ship's voyage plan may differ from the task schedule 180 of the initial ship's voyage plan.

[0047] Fig. 3shows a block diagram of a method 300 for operating a ship, comprising the step of transmitting 310 a ship's voyage plan from a land station to a processing device of the ship. The ship's voyage plan includes one or more defined ship operating states for one or more sections of a ship's voyage. Optionally, the ship's voyage plan can be dependent on a ship's route.

[0048] During the voyage, the method 300 records 320 a current ship operating state of the ship. The current ship operating state is temporally associated with one of the defined ship operating states of the ship's voyage plan. Optionally, the current ship operating state can be recorded using an interface of the processing device to an electronic nautical chart, to engine sensors, to crew work time terminals, and to the shore station. The current ship operating state can include current and future crew working hours and tasks, current machine states, current and future ship positions, and external influences. According to one embodiment, the current ship operating state can be recorded at specific times or during events.

[0049] The method 300 compares the current ship operating state with the temporally associated defined ship operating state of the ship voyage plan 330 in order to calculate 340 an updated ship voyage plan in response to deviations of the current ship operating state from the defined ship operating state. The calculation 340 of the updated ship voyage plan can be based on a model that takes into account operationally relevant parameters for the operation of the ship. Furthermore, the updated ship voyage plan can include a task schedule for the ship's crew for the voyage. According to one embodiment, the operationally relevant parameters of the model can include maintenance times, seagoing times, port layover times, and safety-relevant parameters, such as crew rest times. During the calculation 340, the model can violate the safety-relevant parameter crew rest times in an exceptional state in order to maintain the operation of the ship.According to one embodiment, during the calculation 340 of the updated ship's voyage plan, at least one of the operationally relevant parameters can be adjusted based on the deviations of the current ship's operating state from the defined ship's operating state of the ship's voyage plan. Furthermore, the model can consider whether tasks of the task schedule for the crew can be divided over time and / or distributed among multiple crew members. According to one embodiment, the calculation 340 of the updated ship's voyage plan based on the model can be performed within less than five minutes after the deviations of the current ship's operating state from the defined ship's operating state of the ship's voyage plan have been determined.

[0050] There are various triggers for changes in a ship's operating status. The following examples will consider two types: those initiated by the shore station and those initiated by the ship.

[0051] Fig. 4shows the device 100 in operation. According to a ship's voyage plan, which can be transmitted from a land station 130 to a processing device 120 of a container ship 110, for example by radio, the container ship 110 travels, for example, from Bremerhaven 200 1 to Rotterdam 200 2. The ship's voyage plan has, for example, a single section Z of the voyage of the ship 110. The section covers, for example, a complete day and is dated September 23, 2018. In this section Z, two defined ship operating states Z' 1 and Z' 2 exist. A first defined ship operating state Z' 1 is dated, for example, 09:00 a.m. and includes a recording of a pilot on board the ship 110 in order to dock the ship 110 punctually and safely in the port of Rotterdam 200 2. For example, a second defined ship operating state Z' 2 is dated 10:00 and concerns a planned arrival time in Rotterdam 200 2 .The planned arrival time in Rotterdam, for example, is stored in an electronic map system 190.

[0052] At 7:30 a.m., land station 130 transmits an updated voyage to electronic chart system 190, according to which the arrival in Rotterdam 200 2 and thus also the pilotage takeover are postponed by three hours. According to the new voyage, vessel 110 is to drop anchor shortly before Amsterdam at 8:30 a.m. and wait for the delayed pilot. The vessel's current operating status is determined from the voyage data transmitted from land station 130 to electronic chart 190. The vessel's current operating status can be recorded, for example, via an interface between processing device 120 and chart 190.

[0053] The current ship operating state comprises, for example, a time period from the detection (e.g., 7:30 a.m.) of the current ship operating state until the arrival in Rotterdam 200 2 . Thus, the current ship operating state can be temporally assigned to both the first defined ship operating state Z' 1 and the second defined ship operating state Z' 2 , since both defined ship operating states lie within the time period of the current ship operating state. By comparing the current ship operating state with the temporally assigned defined ship operating states Z' 1 and Z' 2 of the ship voyage plan, the processing device 120 can determine deviations, based on which the processing device 120 calculates an updated ship voyage plan, which, for example, redistributes tasks for the safe and smooth operation of the ship system.This distribution is triggered, for example, by a change in the electronic nautical chart 190 (e.g., in the Electronic Chart Display and Information System = ECDIS) and is enabled by the device 100 in such a way that previously performed working hours of the seafarers (crew) on board the ship 110 are, for example, included in the task distribution and, at the same time, the rest periods (e.g., crew rest periods) are guaranteed and thus, for example, a new task schedule is calculated by the device 100.

[0054] Based on Fig. 4 An alternative example of an application of the device 100 is explained. In this exemplary embodiment, the second defined ship operating state Z' 2 can additionally include the information that the ship 110 has a port layover time of twelve hours in Rotterdam 200 2, x containers are to be transshipped during these twelve hours, and a provisioning pickup is planned in this port.

[0055] New information about the voyage can be sent from the shore station 130 to the electronic chart system 190. This new information may, for example, include a change in the number of containers that need to be transshipped and information that ship 110 is to be refueled for ten hours in Rotterdam 200 2. Thus, the current operating state (y instead of x containers are to be transshipped and the ship is to be refueled for ten hours in Rotterdam 200 2) deviates from a time-associated, defined ship operating state Z' 2. Thus, the operating state of ship 110 has changed, even though the schedule (the port layover time) has not changed. The new tasks must be incorporated into the updated ship voyage plan in such a way that all other necessary tasks can be completed without restricting or violating the ship's rest period and operation.This redistribution is done automatically by the device.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the device 100 is not limited to redistributing tasks for ship operations, but can also be configured to automatically calculate time intervals for maintenance work on machinery of the ship 110. This allows maintenance work for critical systems to be better planned and, if necessary, brought forward or postponed without having to negatively change the operating state of the ship 110.

[0057] Thus, the device 100 is configured to implement changes by the land station 130 (e.g., arrival times), changes in landing operations in the port, and planning of maintenance work.

[0058] Fig. 5shows a further embodiment of a device 100 in operation. According to a ship's itinerary transmitted from a land station 130 to a processing device 120 of a ship 110, the ship 110 is sailing from Djibouti 200 1 to South Africa 200 2 . It is 10:00 a.m., and according to the ship's itinerary, the ship 110 will sail off the coast of Somalia for ten hours Z' n in six hours. Thus, the ship's itinerary for a section Z of the ship's 110 journey includes a defined ship operating state Z' n , which states that the ship 110 will sail off the coast of Somalia from 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. the next day.

[0059] At 12:00, for example, a new voyage can be transmitted from shore station 130 to processing device 120 of ship 110. This new voyage includes, for example, the same geographical waypoints with the same schedule as in the ship's voyage plan, but the security requirements for the sea area off Somalia have changed. The area has been classified at a higher risk level due to piracy incidents the previous day. Shore station 130 requires more seafarers than before to be on watch simultaneously. The ship's operating status has changed, and to guarantee safety, a new task allocation must be implemented as quickly as possible by device 100 to ensure the operation of ship 110.

[0060] Fig. 6shows another embodiment of the device 100 in operation. A container ship 110 travels through a very tight port sequence 200 1 to 200 6 in Southeast Asia, which is associated with a high workload for the entire crew. The hours worked by all seafarers are automatically recorded on board, for example, via an interface of a processing device 120 of the device 100 to the crew's work time terminals. Exceeding a given crew workload limit signals, for example, a change in the operating status of the ship 110 and thus triggers an adjustment of the task distribution to guarantee compliance with the safety requirements for the new status.For example, the device 100 can allow crew members who have reached their limit of capacity to take a crew rest break and, instead of these crew members, assign other crew members the tasks to be performed at that time to ensure the operation of the vessel 110.

[0061] Fig. 7shows an embodiment of a device 100 in operation. According to a ship's voyage plan, a ship 110 is traveling from Europe to North America. During the crossing, an emergency signal may be automatically triggered due to a fire in the cargo hold. The ship's operating status has obviously changed. A task distribution for managing the emergency and simultaneously sailing the ship must be available as quickly as possible. With the automatic triggering of the emergency, this exceptional state is automatically adopted by the device 100 and taken into account by a processing device 120 when calculating an updated ship's voyage plan. Thus, the device 100 is designed to maintain the operation of the ship 110 even in unexpected extreme situations.

[0062] Although some aspects have been described in the context of a device, it should be understood that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, so that a block or component of a device can also be understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step. Analogously, aspects described in the context of or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block, detail, or feature of a corresponding device. Some or all of the method steps may be performed by (or using) a hardware apparatus, such as a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, some or more of the key method steps may be performed by such an apparatus.

[0063] Depending on specific implementation requirements, embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware or software. The implementation may be performed using a digital storage medium, such as a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blu-ray Disc, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, or a FLASH memory, a hard disk, or other magnetic or optical storage device storing electronically readable control signals that can interact or cooperate with a programmable computer system to perform the respective method. Therefore, the digital storage medium may be computer-readable.

[0064] Some embodiments according to the invention thus comprise a data carrier having electronically readable control signals capable of interacting with a programmable computer system such that one of the methods described herein is carried out.

[0065] In general, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a computer program product having a program code, wherein the program code is effective to perform one of the methods when the computer program product is run on a computer.

[0066] The program code can, for example, also be stored on a machine-readable medium.

[0067] Other embodiments include the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein, wherein the computer program is stored on a machine-readable carrier.

[0068] In other words, an embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a computer program which has a program code for carrying out one of the methods described herein when the computer program runs on a computer.

[0069] A further embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a data carrier (or a digital storage medium or a computer-readable medium) on which the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein is recorded. The data carrier, the digital storage medium, or the computer-readable medium is typically physical and / or non-perishable or non-transient.

[0070] A further embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a data stream or a sequence of signals that represents the computer program for carrying out one of the methods described herein. The data stream or the sequence of signals can be configured, for example, to be transferred via a data communication connection, for example, via the Internet.

[0071] A further embodiment comprises a processing device, for example a computer or a programmable logic device, which is configured or adapted to carry out one of the methods described herein.

[0072] A further embodiment comprises a computer on which the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein is installed.

[0073] A further embodiment according to the invention comprises a device or system designed to transmit a computer program for performing at least one of the methods described herein to a recipient. The transmission can be electronic or optical, for example. The recipient can be, for example, a computer, a mobile device, a storage device, or a similar device. The device or system can, for example, comprise a file server for transmitting the computer program to the recipient.

[0074] In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (e.g., a field-programmable gate array, an FPGA) may be used to perform some or all of the functionalities of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field-programmable gate array may interact with a microprocessor to perform any of the methods described herein. In general, in some embodiments, the methods are performed by any hardware device. This may be general-purpose hardware such as a computer processor (CPU) or method-specific hardware such as an ASIC.

[0075] The devices described herein may be implemented, for example, using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

[0076] The devices described herein, or any components of the devices described herein, may be implemented at least partially in hardware and / or in software (computer program).

[0077] The methods described herein may be implemented, for example, using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

[0078] The methods described herein, or any components of the methods described herein, may be implemented at least partially by hardware and / or by software.

[0079] The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. It is understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein will be apparent to others skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the following claims and not by the specific details presented in the description and explanation of the embodiments herein.

Claims

1. Method (300) for operating a ship (110), comprising: obtaining a ship itinerary (140) by means of a processing means (12) of the ship (110), the ship itinerary (140) comprising one or more defined ship operating conditions (Z', Z'1, Z'2, Z'n-1, Z'n, Z'n+1,1, Z'n+1,2, Z'n+2,1, Z'n+2,2, Z'n+2,3, Z'n+3) for one or more sections (Z, Z0 to Zk) of a journey of the ship (110); during the journey, detecting (320) a current ship operating condition (150) of the ship (110), the current ship operating condition (150) being temporally associated with one of the defined ship operating conditions of the ship itinerary (140), and wherein the current ship operating condition (150) is detected by means of an interface of the processing means (120) with machine sensors and with an electronic sea map (190), and / or with working-hour terminals of the crew (112); and wherein the one or more defined ship operating conditions (Z', Z'1, Z'2, Z'n-1, Z'n, Z'n+1,1, Z'n+1,2, Z'n+2,1, Z'n+2,2, Z'n+2,3, Z'n+3) and the current ship operating condition (150) comprise states of machines, current and / or future positions of the ship (110), and / or external influences; and comparing (330) the current ship operating condition (150) to the temporally associated, defined ship operating condition of the ship itinerary (140) so as to calculate (340) an updated ship itinerary (160) in response to deviations of the current ship operating condition (150) from the defined ship operating condition, calculating time intervals for maintenance work of machines of the ship (110); automatically controlling the operation of the ship (110) by means of the updated ship itinerary (160), wherein the ship itinerary (140) and / or the updated ship itinerary (160) comprises a task schedule (180) for a crew (112) of the ship (110) for the journey, wherein the task schedule indicates the time intervals for the maintenance work of the machines of the ship.

2. Method (300) as claimed in claim 1, the method (300) comprising transmitting (310) a ship itinerary (140) from a land station (130) to a processing means (120) of the ship (110).

3. Method (300) as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, wherein the operation-relevant parameters of the model (170) comprise maintenance times, seafaring times, port lay times and / or safety-relevant parameters such as crew resting periods.

4. Method (300) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the model (170) is configured to allow, in an exceptional state, deviations from the safety-relevant parameter "crew resting periods" so as to maintain operation of the ship (110).

5. Method (300) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the operation-relevant parameters is adapted on the basis of a deviation of the current ship operating condition (150) from the defined ship operating condition of the ship itinerary (140).

6. Method (300) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the model (170) takes into account whether or not tasks of the task schedule (180) for the crew (112) may be temporally split up and / or be split up among several crew members.

7. Method (300) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein calculation of the updated ship itinerary (160) on the basis of the model (170) is effected within less than five minutes upon ascertainment of the deviations of the current ship operating condition (150) from the defined ship operating condition of the ship itinerary (140).

8. Method (300) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the current ship operating condition (150) comprises current and / or future working hours and / or tasks of the crew (112).

9. Method (300) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the current ship operating condition (150) is detected at specific points in time or upon events.

10. Method (300) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the ship itinerary (140) and / or the updated ship itinerary (160) depends on a ship route.

11. Method (300) for operating a ship (110), comprising: transmitting (310) a ship itinerary (140) from a land station (130) to a processing means (120) of the ship (110), the ship itinerary (140) comprising one or more defined ship operating conditions (Z', Z'1, Z'2, Z'n-1, Z'n, Z'n+1,1, Z'n+1,2, Z'n+2,1, Z'n+2,2, Z'n+2,3, Z'n+3) for one or more sections (Z, Z0 to Zk) of a journey of the ship (110); during the journey, detecting (320) a current ship operating condition (150) of the ship (110), the current ship operating condition (150) being temporally associated with one of the defined ship operating conditions of the ship itinerary (140), and wherein the current ship operating condition (150) is detected by means of an interface of the processing means (120) with machine sensors and with an electronic sea map (190), and / or with working-hour terminals of the crew (112); and wherein the one or more defined ship operating conditions (Z', Z'1, Z'2, Z'n-1, Z'n, Z'n+1,1, Z'n+1,2, Z'n+2,1, Z'n+2,2, Z'n+2,3, Z'n+3) and the current ship operating condition (150) comprise states of machines, current and / or future positions of the ship (110), and / or external influences; and comparing (330) the current ship operating condition (150) to the temporally associated, defined ship operating condition of the ship itinerary (140) so as to calculate (340) an updated ship itinerary (160) in response to deviations of the current ship operating condition (150) from the defined ship operating condition, calculating time intervals for maintenance work of machines of the ship (110); automatically controlling the operation of the ship (110) by means of the updated ship itinerary (160), wherein the ship itinerary (140) and the updated ship itinerary (160) comprise a task schedule (180) for a crew (112) of the ship (110) for the journey, wherein the task schedule indicates the time intervals for the maintenance work of the machines of the ship.

12. Computer program comprising a program code for performing the method (300) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, when the program runs on a computer.

13. Device for operating a ship (110), comprising: a processing means (120) of the ship (110) that is configured to obtain a ship itinerary (140), the ship itinerary (140) comprising one or more defined ship operating conditions (Z', Z'1, Z'2, Z'n-1, Z'n, Z'n+1,1, Z'n+1,2, Z'n+2,1, Z'n+2,2, Z'n+2,3, Z'n+3) for one or more sections (Z, Z0 to Zk) of a journey of the ship (110); to detect, during the journey, a current ship operating condition (150) of the ship (110), the current ship operating condition (150) being temporally associated with one of the defined ship operating conditions of the ship itinerary (140); and to detect the current ship operating condition (150) by means of an interface with machine sensors, and with an electronic sea map (190), and / or with working-hour terminals of the crew (112); wherein the one or more defined ship operating conditions (Z', Z'1, Z'2, Z'n-1, Z'n, Z'n+1,1, Z'n+1,2, Z'n+2,1, Z'n+2,2, Z'n+2,3, Z'n+3) and the current ship operating condition (150) comprise states of machines, current and / or future positions of the ship (110), and / or external influences; and to compare the current ship operating condition (150) to the temporally associated, defined ship operating condition of the ship itinerary (140) so as to calculate an updated ship itinerary (160) in response to deviations of the current ship operating condition (150) from the defined ship operating condition, to calculate time intervals for maintenance work of machines of the ship (110); to automatically control the operation of the ship (110) by means of the updated ship itinerary (160), wherein the ship itinerary (140) and / or the updated ship itinerary (160) comprises a task schedule (180) for a crew (112) of the ship (110) for the journey, wherein the task schedule indicates the time intervals for the maintenance work of the machines of the ship.

14. Device for operating a ship (110) according to claim 13, wherein the ship itinerary (14) is obtained from a land station (130).

15. Ship comprising a device as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14.