Detection device and echo image generation method for generating echo trails of moving objects according to the display range

Abstract

The present invention provides an echo image generation device and an echo image generation method for generating echo trails for multiple display ranges. [Solution] The antenna receives echo information of the transmitted wave from a target object to a ship. The echo image generation unit is configured to generate multiple processed echo information sets from the received echo information. The received echo information corresponds to a first display range of the display device. Multiple processed echo information sets, including multiple echo trails of a target object, are stored in at least one storage unit. One of the multiple echo trails is selected by a selection unit based on a second display range set by the user. A synthesis unit synthesizes the display output based on the selected echo trail.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to moving object detection technology, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for generating an echo trail of a moving object according to a display range. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Moving objects in marine environments, such as ships, vessels, barges and boats, are commonly used worldwide for various purposes including the transportation of people and cargo.

[0003] The position of a target object can be superimposed with an echo trail and displayed on a display screen. An echo trail is a motion trajectory obtained by superimposing a plurality of echoes received from multiple radar or sonar scans, and is a technology for visually expressing the movement (e.g., path and speed) of surrounding target objects. Information such as the traveling direction and speed of a moving object can be acquired and displayed substantially in real time. Echo trails are very useful for real-time evaluation of maritime traffic within a nearby area preset by a user, regardless of whether the user is on a ship or barge or at a fixed monitoring station. Echo trails are either relative or true (absolute) trajectories. A relative echo trail indicates the relative motion between the user and the target object, which allows early signs of collision risk to be grasped. Furthermore, by combining a relative echo trail with a true vector, the relative motion of target objects such as other ships can be visualized. A true echo trail presents a true (absolute) motion trajectory based on the speed and course of the target object. The display duration of an echo trail can be adjusted according to a user's request. For example, the user can set the duration of the target object to be monitored, that is, the duration of the displayed echo trail. It is also possible to set any display range of the target object to be monitored (e.g., 1.5NM, 3NM, 12NM, etc., where NM stands for nautical mile).

[0004] However, conventional systems and methods for generating and displaying echo trails have several drawbacks. For example, when a user changes the display range, the echo trail partially disappears or deteriorates for a certain period, making it difficult to determine the echo trail for the newly set display range. In this regard, several solutions have been proposed to at least partially address the above drawbacks. Some of the proposed solutions are shown below.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 (U.S. Patent No. 7,768,447B2) discloses a method and apparatus for processing detection signals. This method includes recording a detection image detected within a first detection range and outputting the detection image to a display unit. Furthermore, it includes recording additional information displayed on the screen and outputting the additional information to the display unit. When the first detection range is changed to a second detection range, a new image is generated from the recorded detection image using an image manipulation calculation function. The resulting image is adapted to the new scale (display range) of the second detection range. The generated image is recorded. The recorded additional information is adjusted to the new scale of the changed range, and the generated additional information is recorded. In this method, even if additional information is added to the new scale, the time required to process the additional information can cause degradation or loss of the echo trail. Furthermore, in this method, the motion trajectory deteriorates each time the display area is repeatedly changed. In some cases, the motion trajectory may become discontinuous due to the use of different settings (e.g., pulse width) in different display areas. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 7,768,447B2 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Figure 1A shows a block diagram of a signal processing unit 100 that processes echo information 102 in a conventional radar system based on prior art. Echoes received from an object (not shown in Figure 1) include echo information 102 indicating the distance, speed, direction, and position of the object, and are received by the antenna 104. A storage unit 106 stores the received echo information 102, and a synthesizer unit 108 synthesizes the echo and the echo trail into a display output 110. The display output 110 is displayed on a display device 112. If the user changes display parameters such as the display range, echo trail width, and echo trail time interval, inconsistencies (or discontinuities) in the echo trail width may occur on the display device 112. The radar is configured to enlarge / reduce or erase the stored echo trail when the user changes the display range. Therefore, immediately after changing the display range, image quality degradation or partial disappearance (loss) of the echo trail may occur, making it difficult for the user to objectively verify the information contained in the echo trail.

[0008] Figure 1B shows a schematic diagram of display outputs (e.g., 120, 130, 140) including echo trails and echoes in a conventional radar system, according to prior art. Conventional radar systems use an echo trail extension method to display echo trails based on a user-defined display range. In this method, the echo trail 122 of the previously defined display range is displayed along with the echo trail of the newly defined display range. The echo trail 122 of the previously defined display range disappears after a certain period of time. Therefore, since two echo trails are displayed simultaneously, it is difficult to determine the status of the target object until the echo trail 122 of the previous display range disappears. As shown in Figure 1B, display output 120 represents an echo trail image having the echo trail 122 and the echo 124 of the target object. Display output 120 corresponds to the current display range in the display. When the user changes the display range to a new display range, degradation and disappearance of the echo trail image occur in display output 120. For example, if the display range is reduced, the echo trail image will depict a new echo 134 and echo trails 122 and 132, as shown in display output 130. Echo trails 122 and 132 represent the echo trails of the previous and new display ranges, respectively. If the display range is increased, the echo trail image will have a new echo 144 with echo trails 122 and 142, as shown in display output 140. Echo trails 122 and 142 represent the echo trails of the previous and new display ranges, respectively. Therefore, instead of displaying only the echoes and echo trails of the selected display range, the echoes and echo trails of the previously set display range will also be displayed. This makes tracking and locating the target difficult.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need for technologies that reduce the occurrence of degradation or loss of echo trail images, allow users to easily determine the situation immediately after a change in the display range, and provide other technical advantages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above problems, one embodiment of the present invention provides a method that includes receiving echo information of multiple transmitted waves from a target object on a ship using an antenna. The method further includes generating multiple processed echo information sets from the received echo information, the received echo information corresponding to a first display range of a display device. The method further includes storing the multiple processed echo information sets, which include multiple echo trails of the target object. Furthermore, it includes selecting an echo trail from the storage unit based on a second display range set by a user (e.g., an observer of the display unit). The second display range is set from a plurality of pre-set display ranges set by the user. Furthermore, it includes synthesizing a display output based on the selected echo trail.

[0011] In one embodiment, the method further includes displaying a display output that includes a selected echo trail.

[0012] In one embodiment, the method further includes accepting a second display range set by the user.

[0013] In one embodiment, the method further includes the user setting a second display range, which changes the first display range to the second display range.

[0014] In one embodiment, the method includes further processing the echo information to generate a plurality of processed echo information sets for a plurality of pre-set display ranges based on the received echo information.

[0015] In one embodiment, the method includes further generating a processed echo information set from the received echo information for an arbitrary display range.

[0016] In one embodiment, the method further includes generating a validation dataset containing multiple processed echo information sets and received echo information.

[0017] In one embodiment, the method includes generating a set of echo information that has been processed by scaling, filtering, matching, linear interpolation, or linear extrapolation.

[0018] In one embodiment, a system for generating echo images (echo image generation device) is disclosed. The system includes an antenna that receives echo information of multiple transmitted waves from a target object on a ship. The received echo information corresponds to a first display range of a display device. The system also includes an echo image generation unit that generates multiple processed echo information sets from the received echo information. Furthermore, the system includes a storage unit that stores the multiple processed echo information sets, where the multiple processed echo information sets include multiple echo trails of the target object. The system also includes a selection unit that selects one echo trail from the multiple echo trails in the storage unit based on a second display range set by the user. The second display range is set from a plurality of pre-set display ranges. Furthermore, the system includes a synthesis unit that synthesizes display outputs based on the selected echo trail.

[0019] In one embodiment, the system further includes a display device that displays a display output including a selected echo trail.

[0020] In one embodiment, the system further includes a user interface that accepts a second display range set by the user.

[0021] In one embodiment, the user changes the first display range to the second display range.

[0022] In one embodiment, the echo image generation unit is configured to further process the echo information in order to generate multiple processed echo information sets for multiple preset display ranges based on the received echo information.

[0023] In one embodiment, the echo image generation unit is configured to further generate a processed echo information set from received echo information for an arbitrary display range.

[0024] In one embodiment, the synthesis unit is configured to further generate a verification data set including a plurality of processed echo information sets and received echo information.

[0025] An advantage of various embodiments is that they provide display output without deterioration or disappearance of echo trail images even when the display range is changed by a user.

[0026] The above summary is merely illustrative and is not intended to be limiting in any way. In addition to the examples, embodiments and features described above, further examples, embodiments and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the detailed description below.

[0027] The present invention provides an echo image generation apparatus and an echo image generation method for generating echo trails. Using echo information received from a plurality of radar or sonar scans, echo trails of target objects such as surrounding ships are generated for a plurality of different display ranges. The generated echo trails are stored in a storage unit. When the display range is changed to a different value, a stored echo trail corresponding to the newly set display range value is selected and displayed on a display device. This enables echo trail ima ge deterioration and disappearance to be reduced, allowing a user to easily monitor the surrounding environment without significant delay or waiting time after changing the display range. In this regard, the user may be located on a mobile barge or a mobile ship, or the user may be arranged in a fixed (land / Marine) monitoring station or the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The following detailed description of embodiments is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Exemplary configurations of the disclosure are shown in the drawings to illustrate the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to any particular apparatus or tools or means disclosed herein. Furthermore, the drawings are not to scale. [Figure 1A] Figure 1A shows a simplified block diagram of the signal processing unit for echo processing in a conventional radar system. [Figure 1B] Figure 1B shows a schematic diagram of an echo in a conventional radar system. [Figure 2A] Figure 2A shows an example of an environment related to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] Figure 2B shows another embodiment of the environment in Figure 2A, relating to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a simplified block diagram of a detection device based on an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of various inputs to the signal processing unit in a detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a display output showing a marine environment related to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a simplified block diagram of the signal processing unit for echo processing in a detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing exemplary processing included in the signal processing unit for echo processing in a detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figures 8A and 8B show examples of echo display output in a conventional detection device. Figures 8C and 8D show examples of echo display output in a detection device based on an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figures 9A and 9B show an example of the echo display output in a conventional detection device. Figures 9C and 9D show another embodiment of the echo display output in a detection device based on another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]Figure 10 shows a flowchart of a method for generating an echo image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Unless otherwise specified, the drawings referenced herein should not be construed as being drawn to scale, and such drawings are merely illustrative. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] The following description includes many specific details to help you fully understand the present invention for illustrative purposes. However, the present invention can be implemented without these specific details. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure this embodiment. The examples used herein are intended solely to facilitate understanding of how to carry out the embodiments herein and to enable those skilled in the art to carry out the embodiments described herein. Therefore, these examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0031] Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “embodiment” means that a particular function, structure, or feature described in relation to that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The phrase “in one embodiment” found throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Furthermore, various features are described that are shown in some embodiments but not in others. Similarly, various requirements are described that are necessary in some embodiments but not in others.

[0032] Furthermore, while the following description includes many details for illustrative purposes, many variations and / or modifications to these details fall within the scope of the invention. Similarly, while many features of the invention are described in relation to or in combination with others, many of these features can be provided independently of others. Accordingly, this description herein is written without prejudice to the generality of this specification and without imposing any limitations herein.

[0033] Not all objectives or effects / benefits can necessarily be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment described herein. Therefore, a person skilled in the art, for example, will realize that a particular embodiment may be configured to achieve or optimize one or more effects / benefits taught herein, without necessarily achieving other objectives or effects / benefits taught or suggested herein.

[0034] All signal processing units described herein can be fully automated and implemented by software code modules executed by a computing system including one or more computers or processors. The code modules can be stored in any type of non-temporary computer-readable medium or other computer storage device. Some or all of these methods can be implemented in dedicated computer hardware.

[0035] It will be apparent from this disclosure that there are many other variations not described herein. For example, depending on the embodiment, any particular operation, event, or function of any of the algorithms described herein may be performed in different sequences, and may be added, merged, or excluded entirely (e.g., not all described actions or events are necessary for the execution of the algorithm). Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the operations or events may be executed in parallel rather than sequentially, for example, through multithreading, interrupt handling, or via multiple processors or processor cores, or on other parallel architectures. In addition, different tasks or processes may also be executed by different machines and / or computing systems that can work together.

[0036] Various exemplary logic blocks and modules described in relation to the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or executed by a machine such as a processor. The processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be a controller, a microcontroller, or a state machine, or a combination thereof. The processor may include electrical circuits that process computer-executable instructions. In another embodiment, the processor may include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable device that performs logic operations without processing computer-executable instructions. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a digital signal processor (digital signal processing device) and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Although the description herein mainly concerns digital technology, the processor may also include mainly analog elements. For example, some or all of the signal processing algorithms described herein may be implemented by analog circuits or mixed analog and digital circuits. The computing environment may include, but is not limited to, any type of computer system based on a microprocessor, mainframe computer, digital signal processor, portable computing device, device controller, or in-device computing engine.

[0037] Unless otherwise specified, conditional language such as “can,” “could,” “will,” or “may” is understood to mean in the context of commonly used expressions to convey that a particular embodiment includes certain features, elements, and / or steps, but other embodiments do not. Thus, such conditional language does not generally mean that features, elements, and / or steps are any way required in one or more embodiments, or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for determining whether these features, elements, and / or steps are included in or performed in any particular embodiment.

[0038] Any process description, element, or block in the flowcharts described herein and / or shown in the accompanying drawings should be understood as representing a module, segment, or part of code that includes one or more executable instructions for implementing a particular logical function or element in the process. Alternative embodiments are included within the scope of the embodiments described herein, where elements or functions may be removed or performed in no particular order from those illustrated or described, substantially simultaneously or in reverse order, depending on the relevant functionality, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0039] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, numerals such as "one" should generally be interpreted as including one or more described items. Thus, phrases such as "one device configured to do..." are intended to include one or more enumerated devices. Such one or more enumerated devices may also be collectively configured to perform the stated citation. For example, "processors performing A, B and C below" may include a first processor performing A and a second processor performing B and C. In addition, even if an enumeration of specific numbers of the introduced embodiments is explicitly listed, a person skilled in the art should interpret such an enumeration as typically meaning at least the number listed (for example, a mere enumeration of "two enumerations and" without other modifiers usually means at least two enumerations, or two or more enumerations).

[0040] In general, a person skilled in the art will find that the terms used herein are generally intended to be "non-limiting" terms (for example, the term "including" should be interpreted as "including, but at least," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," and the term "including" should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to, the following").

[0041] As used herein, the terms “adhere,” “connect,” “pair,” and other related terms should be interpreted, unless otherwise noted, as including removable, movable, fixed, adjustable, and / or removable connections or linkages. Connections / linkages include direct connections and / or connections having an intermediate structure between the two components described.

[0042] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the numbers preceded by terms such as “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially,” as used herein, include the enumerated numbers and represent quantities close to the stated quantities that further perform the desired function or achieve the desired result. For example, “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially,” unless otherwise explicitly stated, mean values ​​less than 10% of the stated numbers. Features of embodiments disclosed preceded by terms such as “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially,” as used herein, represent features with some variability that further perform the desired function or achieve the desired result with respect to that feature.

[0043] Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, and these elements should be understood as being within the realm of other acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure and are protected by the following claims.

[0044] Various embodiments of the present invention provide an echo image generation device and an echo image generation method that generate echo trails of moving objects according to the display range. Detection devices such as radar systems receive echo information containing multiple echoes from a target object and perform processing of the echo information (e.g., scaling, enlargement, reduction, linear interpolation). The received echo information is processed, and multiple processed echo information sets corresponding to multiple pre-set display ranges are generated. The generated processed echo information sets are stored in a memory unit. When the user changes the display range from one value to another, the echo trail corresponding to the newly set display range value is retrieved from the memory unit and displayed on the display device. This reduces the degradation or loss of the echo trail image when the display range is changed, and allows the user to easily evaluate the environment around the vessel without significant delays or waiting times after changing the display range. Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 2A to 10.

[0045] The term "echo trail" is used interchangeably with terms such as "multiple echo trails," "multiple hypothetical echo trails," and "multiple processed echo information sets." Similarly, the term "display range" is used interchangeably with terms such as "set of display ranges" and "multiple display ranges."

[0046] Figure 2A shows an example of an environment 200 relating to several embodiments of the present invention. The environment 200 is a marine environment 200 including, for example, one or more vessels (e.g., ships) navigating a body of water (e.g., the sea). The marine environment 200 includes one or more mobile bodies 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210. The marine environment 200 also includes a communication base station 212 and a communication network station 214. The communication base station 212 and the communication network station 214 are connected to each of the one or more mobile bodies 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210 at least by radio communication. In this regard, in order to generate an echo trail, any of the communication base station 212, the communication network station 214, and one or more vessels 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210 can function as observation stations, and the remaining one or more vessels 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210 can function as targets. For example, if either the communication base station 212 or the communication network station 214 functions as an observation station, then all of the multiple vessels 204, 206, 208, and 210 function as target objects. Alternatively, if one or more mobile bodies (e.g., vessel 202) functions as an observation station, then the remaining one or more mobile bodies 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210, i.e., mobile bodies 204, 206, 208, and 210, function as target objects for generating echo trails. However, the communication base station 212 and the communication network station 214 may not be considered target objects because they are assumed to be stationary relative to the inertial reference frame.

[0047] In this regard, observation stations (e.g., vessel 202) may be equipped with a detection device 250. The detection device 250 may be selected from a group consisting of radar and sonar systems. The detection device 250 is used to identify moving objects (e.g., vessels 204, 206, aircraft 210) and stationary moving objects (e.g., vessel 208), and other systems (not shown) in the marine environment.

[0048] The vessel 202 is associated with a communication base station 212 and a communication network station 214. The communication base station 212 and the communication network station 214 are communicated with the vessel 202 via either wired or wireless communication.

[0049] The communication base station 212 functions as a central connection point for wireless devices to communicate. Equipped with a fixed transceiver, the communication base station 212 serves as a primary communication hub for mobile entities (e.g., ships 204, 206, and aircraft 210), stationary mobile entities (e.g., ship 208), and other systems (not shown) within the marine environment 200. The communication base station 212 may include one or more receiving / transmitting antennas, microwave antennas, electronic circuits, etc., used to handle traffic such as cellular communication traffic, data communication traffic, and signaling communication traffic. It functions as a bridge between communication devices and systems within the marine environment 200, including one or more mobile entities (e.g., ships 204, 206, and aircraft 210), stationary mobile entities (e.g., ship 208), and other systems (not shown).

[0050] The communication network station 214 connects communication equipment and systems within the marine environment 200. Within the marine environment 200, communication equipment and systems are installed on one or more mobile bodies (e.g., ships 204, 206, aircraft 210), stationary mobile bodies (e.g., ship 208), and other systems (not shown). In one embodiment, communication equipment and systems within the marine environment 200 include devices used for detection, ranging, and monitoring, such as radar and sonar systems mounted on mobile bodies or fixed monitoring stations. Communication is typically carried out via radio means, such as radio channels in telecommunications or computer networks. The communication network station 214 is used to transfer information, such as a digital bitstream, from one or more senders to one or more receivers. The communication network station 214 has a certain capacity for transmitting information, which is often measured by bandwidth in Hz or data rate in bits per second.

[0051] The detection devices 250 and other communication devices and systems within the marine environment 200 communicate with each other and with the communication base station 212 via the communication network station 214. In some embodiments, the communication network station 214 functions as a dual-function radar communication base station (DFBS). In a DFBS system, the communication base station 212 functions as a central connection point for radio communication devices and receives echo signals reflected from targets as a detection device such as radar.

[0052] The detection device 250 includes components that detect objects (whether static or dynamic) within a predetermined display range of the vessel 202 (functioning as an observation station) and determine one or more parameters related to the detected object 204. The one or more parameters related to the detected object 204 are not limited to position information, movement information, direction, or speed.

[0053] Figure 2B shows another embodiment of the marine environment 200 of Figure 2A relating to at least some embodiments of the present invention. The detection device 250 transmits multiple transmission waves 252 through multiple 360-degree scans. The multiple transmission waves 252 reach one or more target objects 204, 206, 208, and 210 and are reflected from one or more target objects 204, 206, 208, and 210. The reflected waves from the vessel 204 correspond to the multiple transmission waves 252, for example, called echo 254, and are received by the vessel 202.

[0054] Figure 3 shows a simplified block diagram of a detection device 250 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The detection device 250 comprises a transmitter 300, a receiver 302, a display unit 304, and a user interface (UI) 306. The transmitter 300 may be, but is not limited to, a solid-state (semiconductor), magnetron, traveling wave tube, or transistor amplifier.

[0055] The transmitting unit 300 includes a waveform generator 308 for generating a low-power transmission signal (e.g., radio waves) (e.g., transmission wave 252). The transmission wave 252 is transmitted from an observation station (e.g., ship 202) to detect a target (e.g., target ship 204). The signal generated by the waveform generator 308 is supplied to the pulse amplifier 310. In the case of pulse radar, a magnetron is widely used as the transmitting unit, but when high average power is required, the pulse amplifier 310 is used.

[0056] The transmitting unit 300 further includes a pulse modulation unit 312. The pulse modulation unit 312 switches the pulse amplification unit 310 ON / OFF according to the input pulse generated by the waveform generation unit 308. The transmit / receive switching unit (duplexer) 314 is used to create isolation between the transmitting unit 300 and the receiving unit 302. The transmission of the transmission wave 252 by the transmitting unit 300 and the reception of the echo 254 by the receiving unit 302 can be performed using a single antenna 316, as shown in Figure 3. The transmit / receive switching unit 314 makes it possible to use the single antenna 316 for both transmission and reception purposes. Since the transmitting unit 300 and the receiving unit 302 operate at different power levels, the transmit / receive switching unit 314 separates them. Therefore, the signal from the pulse amplification unit 310 is supplied to the antenna 316 via the transmit / receive switching unit 314.

[0057] Antenna 316 also receives echoes 254 from one or more vessels 204, 206, 208, and 210. Information that can be extracted from the echoes 254 (referred to as echo information 317) may include the position, direction, and speed of one or more vessels 204, 206, and 208. Using the echo information 317, the detection device 250 can calculate the position, direction, and speed of the target 204.

[0058] An example of the receiver 302 is a superheterodyne receiver. A superheterodyne receiver is a type of radio receiver that uses frequency mixing to convert the echo 254 into a fixed intermediate frequency (IF) signal, which is easier to process than the original carrier frequency. The receiver 302 includes a radio frequency (RF) amplifier 318 (e.g., a low-noise RF amplifier). The RF amplifier 318 functions as the input stage of the receiver 302. The RF amplifier 318 generates RF pulses proportional to the echo 254 of the transmitted wave 252. In one embodiment, the RF amplifier 318 functions as the input stage of the receiver 302. In another embodiment, a mixer 320 functions as the input stage by excluding the RF amplifier 318. The mixer 320 mixes the output of the RF amplifier 318 with the output of the local oscillator 322, and the output of the mixer 320 is supplied to the intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier 324. In the IF amplifier 324, the RF pulses received from the mixer 320 are converted into an IF signal. The IF signal generated by the mixing unit 320 is amplified by the IF amplifier unit 324. The IF amplifier unit 324 functions as a matching filter, improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the echo 254. It also enhances the echo detection capability of the receiver unit 302 by reducing the influence of unwanted signals. The bandwidth of the receiver unit 302 is associated with the bandwidth of the IF amplifier unit 324.

[0059] The receiving unit 302 further includes a detection unit 326 (e.g., a crystal diode) which demodulates the echo 254 and separates the transmitted wave 252 from the carrier wave. The video amplification unit 328 amplifies the echo 254 to a level that can be displayed on the display device 304. In one embodiment of the present invention, the detection unit 326 and the video amplification unit 328 are replaced by an analog-to-digital (AD) conversion unit. The AD conversion unit performs digital signal processing of the intermediate frequency signal. The threshold determination unit 330 determines the presence of the target object 204 in the marine environment 200. The threshold determination unit 330 sets a threshold that is compared with the amplitude of the transmitted wave 252. If the threshold determination unit 330 exceeds the threshold, this indicates the presence of the target object 204. Otherwise, it is presumed that the wave received by the antenna 316 contains only noise components.

[0060] The display device 304 shows the display output 334 of the receiving unit 302. The range and position of the target object 204 are displayed on the display device 304 by mapping them in a polar coordinate system. In one embodiment, the display device 304 is implemented as a Planar Position Indicator (PPI) mounted on a cathode ray tube (CRT). The display output 334 modulates the electron beam of the CRT, enabling the electron beam to scan outward from the center of the CRT. This scanning represents a rotation synchronized with the orientation of the antenna 316.

[0061] Antenna 316 functions as a transceiver for transmitting a wave 252 around the vessel 202. Antenna 316 also receives echoes 254 from the target 204. Signal processing unit 332 processes the received echoes 254 and transmits echo information 317 (e.g., target position, direction, speed) to display device 304 in the form of an echo image. The detection device 250 also includes a user interface (UI) 306 that allows the user to input display parameters. In one embodiment, UI306 allows the user to change the display range of the current echo trail in display304 to any value or a preset display range.

[0062] The detection device 250 processes the received echoes 254 of the currently set display range and generates multiple hypothetical echo trails for each configurable range (multiple display ranges). The multiple hypothetical echo trails for each configurable range are stored in a memory unit (not shown in Figure 2B).

[0063] The user can select a display range from multiple display ranges using UI306. Based on the display parameters (i.e., display range) set by the user, the display output of the vessel 204 on the display device 304 is adjusted. Multiple display ranges refer to a set of display ranges that can be set using the detection device 250. Examples of multiple display ranges are not limited to multiple display ranges such as 12NM, 3NM, and 1.5NM. Based on the selected display range, the display output of the target (e.g., echo and echo trail) is displayed on the display device 304.

[0064] In one embodiment of the present invention, the signal processing unit 332 generates a plurality of processed echo information sets from the received echo information 317. The received echo information 317 corresponds to a first display range of the current echo trail on the display device 304. The first display range represents the current display range of the echo trail on the display device 304. The user can change the display range by selecting a new display range from a plurality of display ranges using the UI 306. The new display range selected by the user represents a second display range. That is, the user changes the display range from the first display range to the second display range using the UI 306. Detailed steps of the echo processing by the signal processing unit 332 are shown in Figure 6.

[0065] The detection device 250 is configured so that reflected transmitted waves (e.g., echoes 254) identify vessels (e.g., vessels 204, 206, 208, 210). Furthermore, the detection device 250 is configured to determine the coordinates of the target vessels (e.g., target vessels 204, 206, 208, 210) and the distance between vessel 202 and each target vessel (e.g., target vessels 204, 206, 208, 210). The distance between vessel 202 and the target vessels (e.g., target vessels 204, 206, 208, and 210) is calculated based on the time measured between the transmission of the transmitted waves 252 and the reception of the echoes 254. From the received echoes 254, the detection device 250 can extract echo information 317 such as the position, direction, and speed of one or more target objects (e.g., target vessels 204, 206, 208, 210). More specifically, the signal processing unit 332 can process the echo 254 and extract the position, direction, and velocity of one or more target objects (e.g., target vessels 204, 206, 208, 210) from the echo 254.

[0066] The signal processing unit 332 is further configured to generate multiple processed echo information sets from the received echo 254. The received echo 254 corresponds to a first display range of the current echo trail on the display device 304. Multiple processed echo information sets, including multiple echo trails of an object (e.g., a ship 204), are stored in at least one storage unit (not shown in Figure 3). One of the multiple echo trails is selected by a selection unit (not shown in Figure 3) based on a second display range set by the user. A synthesis unit (not shown in Figure 3) synthesizes the display output 334 based on the selected echo trail. When the display range is changed from one distinct value to another, a stored echo trail corresponding to the newly set display range value is selected from the stored echo trail group and displayed on the display device 304. This reduces the occurrence of degradation or loss of the echo trail image displayed on the display device 304.

[0067] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of various inputs 402 (e.g., position information, movement information, direction, speed) to the signal processing unit 332 of the detection device 250 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Echo information 317 is received by the detection device 250 on the vessel 202 from multiple target objects 404 (e.g., moving vessels 204, 206, stationary vessel 208, aircraft 210). The detection device 250 also receives data from and transmits data to the communication base station 212. Echo information 317 includes, but is not limited to, inputs 402 of one or more target objects (204, 206, 208, or 210). The signal processing unit 332 comprises an echo image generation unit 406, a storage unit 408, a selection unit 410, and a synthesis unit 412.

[0068] The echo image generation unit is configured to generate multiple processed echo information sets from the received echo 254. The received echo 254 corresponds to the first display range of the current echo trail on the display device 304. Multiple processed echo information sets, including multiple echo trails of an object target (e.g., 204), are stored in at least one storage unit 408. One of the multiple echo trails is selected by the selection unit 410 based on a second display range set by the user. The synthesis unit 412 synthesizes the display output 334 based on the selected echo trail. The synthesis unit 412 generates a validation dataset including the multiple processed echo information sets and the received echo information 317.

[0069] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a display output 334 showing a marine environment 200 related to at least some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, a vessel 202 is located in the center of the display output 334. The vessel 202 transmits a transmission wave 252 to the surroundings. In one embodiment, the display device 304 may be configured with three display ranges, for example, range R1, range R2, and range R3. Various vessels 502, 504, 506, and 508 (also called "target objects 502, 504, 506, and 508") are also shown in Figure 3. Vessel 502 is within display range R1, vessel 504 is within display range R2, and vessels 506 and 508 are within display range R3. The user can set the display range and change it, for example, from the current display range (also called the "first display range") to a new display range (also called the "second display range"). For example, if the first display range is R2, the user can change the display range from R2 to R1 or R3. R1, R2, and R3 are not limited to 1.5 NM, 3 NM, and 12 NM, respectively. The pulse width and current display range should be set by the user so that the echo and echo trail of the target object can be clearly seen on the display device 304. In one embodiment of the present invention, the user can set or change the pulse width for each display range using the UI 306. There is also an embodiment in which the current pulse width set by the user is stored in a memory unit, and the echo image generation unit generates a plurality of processed echo information sets corresponding to the pulse width stored in the memory unit.

[0070] When the display range is small (e.g., 1.5 NM), the corresponding echoes and echo trails are displayed larger on the display device 304. On the other hand, when the display range is large (e.g., 12 NM), the corresponding echoes and echo trails are displayed smaller on the display device 304.

[0071] Figure 6 shows a simplified block diagram of the signal processing unit 332 for processing echo information 317 in the detection device 250 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For simplification, the processing of echo information 317 in the receiving unit 302 is omitted, and Figure 6 mainly describes the processing of echo information 317 in the signal processing unit 332. The signal processing unit 332 includes an echo image generation unit 406 that processes the echo information 317 received by the antenna 316. The echo image generation unit generates a plurality of processed echo information sets from the received echo information 317. The processed echo information sets represent a plurality of echo trails ET(1), ET(2) ... ET(N) (where N is an integer), each corresponding to the display range of the current echo trail in the display unit 304. The plurality of echo trails ET(1), ET(2) ... ET(N) are generated based on the received echo information 317. Therefore, based at least on the configuration of the detection device 250 and the settings of the display device 304, the echo image generation unit generates multiple echo trails ET(1), ET(2) ... ET(N) of the ship 204.

[0072] The signal processing unit 332 has one or more storage units, for example, storage unit 602 and a plurality of storage units 408 (also called "storage unit 408"). Storage unit 602 stores the echo trail ET'(1) corresponding to the current display range, i.e., the first display range. The plurality of storage units 408 can be, for example, storage units 408(1), 408(2)...408(N) (where N is an integer). The echo image generation unit generates a plurality of echo trails ET(1), ET(2)...ET(N) for each display range based on the received echo information 317. The generated plurality of echo trails ET(1), ET(2)...ET(N) for the target object 204 are stored in the corresponding storage units 408(1), 408(2), ...408(N), respectively.

[0073] When a user changes the display range using UI306, that is, when changing from the first display range to the second display range, the corresponding echo trail (one of the echo trails ET(1), ET(2), ... ET(N)) stored in the corresponding memory units 408(1), 408(2), ... 408(N) is selected by the selection unit 410. The echo trail (one of ET(1), ET(2), ... ET(N)) selected based on the second display range (the newly set display range) is displayed on the display unit 304 as a display output 334.

[0074] The multiple display ranges are pre-set based on the specifications of either or both of the detection device 250 and the display device 304. The device specifications are not limited to the operating range of the detection device 250, the processing speed of the signal processing unit 332 and the echo image generation unit 406, or the frequency of the transmitted wave from the waveform generation unit 308.

[0075] The synthesis unit 412 displays the display output 334 based on the selected echo trail. The display output 334 includes the echo information 317 and the echo trail selected based on the new display range. Therefore, delay, degradation, and loss of the echo trail can be avoided when changing the display range (for example, from the first display range to the second display range). This is because the echo trail of the selected display range is already stored in the storage units 408(1), 408(2)...408(N), and can be easily retrieved and displayed on the display device 304.

[0076] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of processing 700 in which a signal processing unit 332 is involved in processing echoes 254 in a detection device 250, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The signal processing unit 332 processes multiple echo information 702 for each display range from echo information 317 (obtained from echo 254) received from an object target (e.g., 204). The signal processing unit 332 generates multiple echo information 702 corresponding to the entire display range from the received echo information 317. Since the echo trails ET(1), ET(2) ... ET(N) for the entire display range corresponding to the received echo trail are readily available from each storage unit 408(1), 408(2) ... 408(N), the echo trail for the display range selected by the user is immediately displayed on the display device 304 without delay. This reduces the occurrence of degradation or loss of the echo trail image and makes it easier to judge the situation immediately after changing the display range.

[0077] The following are examples of the processing performed by the echo image generation unit for each configurable display range, but are not limited to these: Echo scaling: including enlargement or reduction of the echo in each configurable display range; Image filtering: to smooth the echo after echo scaling; and Echo size processing: processing to match the corresponding pulse width set for each display range.

[0078] Echo sizing involves linear interpolation and line This includes, but is not limited to, shape extrapolation. Linear interpolation is a useful technique for constructing new data points within a range of known discrete data points. Therefore, linear interpolation can be used to find new display ranges between known display ranges. Linear extrapolation forms tangents to the ends of known data and extends beyond those ends. Therefore, by using linear extrapolation, it is possible to find new display ranges beyond the known display ranges. This allows the detection device 250 to operate within a more configurable pre-set display range.

[0079] Figures 8A and 8B show examples of echo trail display outputs 800 and 810 in a conventional detection device. Conventional detection devices use an echo trail extension method (see Figure 1B) when the display range is changed by the user. In Figures 8A and 8B, the display range has been changed from 6 NM to 3 NM. Display output 800 represents the echo trail in the 6 NM display range. Display output 810 represents the echo trail in the 3 NM display range (after the change from 6 NM). It is clear that there is degradation of the echo trail image, which makes it difficult for the user to judge the target status immediately after the display range has been changed.

[0080] Figures 8C and 8D show embodiments of the echo display outputs 820 and 830 in the detection device 250 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figures 8C and 8D, the display range has been changed from 6 NM to 3 NM. Display output 820 represents the echo trail in the display range of 6 NM. Display output 830 represents the echo trail in the display range of 3 NM (after the change from 6 NM). When using the present invention, the echo trail in the pre-set display range (i.e., 6 NM) is completely erased, and the echo trail corresponding to the newly set display range (i.e., 3 NM) is selected from the storage unit 408. As a result, the pre-stored echo trail corresponding to the newly set display range is displayed on the display device 304. This clearly prevents degradation or loss of the echo trail image, and compared to the display outputs 800 and 810 in Figures 8A and 8B, the user can easily determine the status of the target immediately after the display range change.

[0081] Figures 9A and 9B show examples of the echo display outputs 900 and 910 in a conventional detection device. Conventional detection devices use an echo trail extension method (see Figure 1B) when the display range is changed by the user. The display range is changed from 12 NM to 3 NM. Display output 900 represents the echo trail in the 12 NM display range. Display output 910 represents the echo trail after changing the display range from 12 NM to 3 NM. It is clear that the echo trail image has disappeared, making it difficult for the user to judge the target situation immediately after changing the display range.

[0082] Figures 9C and 9D show examples of echo display outputs 920 and 930 in the detection device 250 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The display range is changed from 12 NM to 3 NM. Display output 920 represents the echo trail in the display range of 12 NM. Display output 930 represents the echo trail in the display range of 3 NM (after the change from 12 NM). When using the present invention, by selecting an echo trail pre-stored in the storage unit 408 that corresponds to the newly set display range (i.e., 3 NM), the echo trail of the conventionally set display range (i.e., 12 NM) is completely erased, and the echo trail of the newly set display range (i.e., 3 NM) is displayed on the display device 304. As a result, compared to the display outputs 900 and 910 in Figures 9A and 9B, it becomes easier for the user to judge the status of the target immediately after the display range is changed.

[0083] Figure 10 shows a flowchart of method 1000 for generating an echo image according to an embodiment of the present invention. The operations in the flowchart of method 1000, and combinations of operations within the flowchart of method 1000, may be implemented by other devices related to the execution of software, such as hardware, firmware, processing circuits, and / or one or more computer program instructions. The order in which the operations of method 1000 are performed is not necessarily the order presented. Furthermore, one or more operations may be grouped together and performed as a single step, or one operation may have multiple substeps that are performed in parallel or sequentially. Method 1000 begins with operation 1002.

[0084] In operation 1002, method 1000 includes the antenna 316 receiving echo information 317 of multiple transmitted waves 252 on the vessel 202 from the vessel 204.

[0085] In operation 1004, method 1000 includes the echo image generation unit generating a plurality of processed echo information sets from the received echo information. The received echo information corresponds to the first display range of the display device 304. The display device 304 displays a display output 334 including the selected echo trail.

[0086] The echo image generation unit processes the received echo information 317 and generates multiple processed echo information sets for multiple pre-set display ranges based on the received echo information 317.

[0087] In one embodiment, the echo image generation unit processes a set of processed echo information from the received echo information 317 for an arbitrary display range. The arbitrary display range can be set by the user or pre-set by the user.

[0088] In another embodiment, generating multiple processed echo information sets includes one or more of the following: scaling, filtering, matching, linear interpolation, and linear extrapolation of the echo information 317.

[0089] In operation 1006, method 1000 includes storing a plurality of processed echo information sets in storage units 602, 408, wherein the plurality of processed echo information sets include a plurality of echo trails ET(1), ET(2)...ET(N) of the target object 204.

[0090] In operation 1008, method 1000 includes the selection unit 410 selecting one of a plurality of echo trails ET(1), ET(2)...ET(N) from storage units 602, 408 based on a second display range set by the user. The second display range is set from a plurality of pre-set display ranges. The user can change from the first display range to the second display range via the user interface 306. The selection unit 410 selects an echo trail corresponding to the newly set display range from the plurality of echo trails ET(1), ET(2)...ET(N).

[0091] In operation 1010, method 1000 includes the synthesis of a display output 334 based on the selected echo trail by the synthesis unit 412. The echoes and echo trails of the newly set display range are synthesized and displayed to the user on the display device 304. In one embodiment, a signal processing unit or an echo image generation unit generates a verification dataset including a plurality of processed echo information sets and received echo information 317.

[0092] The disclosed method with reference to Figure 10, or one or more operations of the detection device 250, are stored in one or more computer-readable media (e.g., one or more optical media disks, volatile memory components (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or static random access memory (SRAM)), or non-volatile memory or storage components (e.g., solid-state non-volatile memory components such as hard drives or flash memory components)) and executed on a computer (e.g., a multifunction device (MFD), a multifunction device black box (MFD-BB), a navigation device, a chart plotter, an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS), a laptop computer, a netbook, a webbook, a tablet computing device, a smartphone, or other mobile computing device). Such software is executed, for example, on a single local computer or using one or more network computers in a network environment (e.g., via the Internet, a wide area network, a local area network, a remote web-based server, a client-server network (such as a cloud computing network), or other similar networks). Furthermore, any intermediate or final data created and used during the implementation of the disclosed method or system is stored on one or more computer-readable media (e.g., non-temporary computer-readable media) and is considered to be within the scope of the disclosed technology. In addition, any software-based embodiment can be uploaded, downloaded, or remotely accessed through appropriate means of communication. Such appropriate means of communication include, for example, the Internet, the World Wide Web (WWW), intranets, software applications, cables (including fiber optic cables), magnetic communications, source communications (including radio frequency (RF), microwave, and infrared communications), electronic communications, or other similar means of communication.

[0093] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention. For example, various operations, blocks, etc. described herein can be activated and operated using hardware circuits (e.g., complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) based logic circuits), firmware, software, and / or any combination of hardware, firmware, and / or software (e.g., embodied in a machine-readable medium). For example, apparatus and methods can be embodied using transistors, logic gates, and electrical circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) circuits and / or digital signal processing (DSP) circuits).

[0094] In particular, among the other components of the detection device 250, the echo image generation unit can be implemented using software and / or transistors, logic gates, and electrical circuits (e.g., integrated circuit circuits such as ASIC circuits). Various embodiments of the present invention may include one or more computer programs, which are stored on a computer-readable medium or otherwise embodied and configured to cause a processor or computer to perform one or more operations. A computer-readable medium storing, embodied, or encoded computer programs or similar languages ​​may be embodied as a tangible data storage unit that stores one or more software programs causing a processor or computer to perform one or more operations. Such operations are, for example, any of the steps or operations described herein. In some embodiments, computer programs may be stored and provided to a computer using any kind of non-temporary computer-readable medium. Non-temporary computer-readable mediums include any kind of tangible storage medium. Examples of non-temporary computer-readable media include magnetic storage media (floppy disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives, etc.), magneto-optical storage media (e.g., magneto-optical discs), CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), CD-Rs (Compact Disc Recordable), CD-RWs (Compact Disc Rewritable), Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs), Blu-ray Discs (BDs), and semiconductor memory (mask ROMs, programmable ROMs (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), flash memory, random access memory (RAMs), etc.). Furthermore, tangible data storage units may be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices, one or more non-volatile memory devices, and / or a combination of one or more volatile and non-volatile memory devices. In some embodiments, computer programs may be provided to the computer using any kind of temporary computer-readable medium. Examples of temporary computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and wave sources. Temporary computer-readable media can provide programs to the computer via wired communication lines (e.g., electric wires, optical fibers) or wireless communication lines.

[0095] Therefore, the echo image generation unit does not allow the echo trail image to deteriorate or disappear even if the user changes the display range. Furthermore, the present invention makes it possible for the user to easily determine the status of the target object immediately after the display range.

[0096] As described above, various embodiments of the present invention can be carried out using steps and / or operations in a different order and / or hardware elements with configurations different from those disclosed. Therefore, although the present invention has been described based on these exemplary embodiments, specific modifications, variations, and alternative structures are evident and well within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An echo image generation method comprising: receiving echo information of multiple transmitted waves from a target object on a ship; generating multiple processed echo information sets from the received echo information; storing the processed echo information sets; selecting one echo trail from among multiple echo trails from the storage unit based on a second display range set by the user; and synthesizing a display output based on the selected echo trail.

2. The echo image generation method according to claim 1, further characterized by displaying the display output including the selected echo trail.

3. The echo image generation method according to claim 1, further characterized in that it accepts the second display range set by the user.

4. The echo image generation method according to claim 3, wherein the setting of the second display range by the user includes changing the first display range to the second display range.

5. The echo image generation method according to claim 1 is characterized in that the echo information is further processed in order to generate a plurality of processed echo information sets corresponding to a plurality of preset display ranges based on the received echo information.

6. The echo image generation method according to claim 5 is characterized in that a processed echo information set for an arbitrary display range is further generated from the received echo information.

7. The echo image generation method according to claim 1 is characterized by further generating a verification dataset including the plurality of processed echo information sets and the received echo information.

8. The echo image generation method according to claim 1, wherein the step of generating the plurality of processed echo information sets includes one or more of the following: scaling, filtering, matching, linear interpolation, and linear extrapolation of the echo information.

9. An echo image generation device comprising: an antenna that receives echo information of multiple transmitted waves from a target object on a ship; an echo image generation unit that generates multiple processed echo information sets from the received echo information; a storage unit that stores the multiple processed echo information sets; a selection unit that selects one of multiple echo trails from the storage unit based on a second display range set by the user; and a synthesis unit that synthesizes display outputs based on the selected echo trail.

10. The echo image generation apparatus according to claim 9 is further characterized by comprising a display device that displays a display output including the selected echo trail.

11. The echo image generating apparatus according to claim 9 is further characterized by comprising a user interface that accepts the second display range set by the user.

12. In the echo image generation apparatus according to claim 11, the setting of the second display range by the user is characterized by changing the first display range to the second display range.

13. The echo image generation apparatus according to claim 9 is characterized in that the echo image generation unit is configured to further process the echo information in order to generate a plurality of processed echo information sets for a plurality of preset display ranges based on the received echo information.

14. The echo image generation apparatus according to claim 13 is characterized in that the echo image generation unit is configured to further generate a processed echo information set from received echo information for an arbitrary display range.

15. The echo image generation apparatus according to claim 9 is characterized in that the synthesis unit is configured to further generate a verification dataset including a plurality of processed echo information sets and received echo information.

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