Vessel location transnission device for minimizing power consumption and vessel positioning system having same

Abstract

A ship position transmitting device is disclosed. The ship position transmitting device includes a first BLE transceiver that determines the connection status with a second BLE transceiver and generates connection status information; a GPS receiver that receives first satellite signals output from GPS satellites at a first time point to generate first position information and receives second satellite signals output from GPS satellites at a second time point to generate second position information; and a microcontroller unit that receives the first position information, receives the first connection status information and the second position information, generates a first position corresponding to the first position information and a second position corresponding to the second position information, and switches the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device from a normal operating mode to a sleep mode when the first connection status information indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is disconnected and the first position and the second position are the same.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ship position transmitting device, and more particularly to a ship position transmitting device capable of reducing power consumption and a ship position tracking system including the same. Background Technology

[0002] The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a navigation device capable of automatically transmitting and receiving information, such as the vessel name, specifications, and speed, via wireless communication between vessels and / or between a vessel and a land-based gateway to enhance navigational safety and security. It is a system that utilizes the collection and provision of accurate vessel location information for port control and supports search and rescue operations in the event of maritime accidents. Vessels of 300 tons or more engaged in international voyages are required to install AIS.

[0003] A vessel position transmitting device is installed on vessels that are not required to install AIS, and since the vessel position transmitting device periodically transmits the vessel's position to the control center, the control center can determine the vessel's position.

[0004] Since the ship position transmitter receives voltage from the battery installed therein, it uses a power save mode, also known as sleep mode, to extend the battery's usage time.

[0005] Sleep mode is a low-power mode for electronic devices such as computers, TVs, and remote control devices. Compared to keeping the electronic device fully powered on, sleep mode significantly saves power consumption and allows the user to avoid re-issuing commands or waiting for the device to reboot when it restarts. Prior art literature

[0006] Published Patent Application: Publication No. 10-2009-0119375 (Published November 19, 2009) Registered Patent Application: Registration No. 10-0902400 (Announced June 11, 2009) Registered Patent Application: Registration No. 10-2029790 (Announced October 8, 2019) The problem to be solved

[0007] The technical problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a ship position transmitting device and method thereof, which can reduce power consumption by switching from normal operating mode to sleep mode only when the communication connection between BLE transceivers is disconnected and the ship does not move for a certain period of time, and a method of operating a ship position tracking system including the same.

[0008] The technical problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a ship position transmitting device and method, and a method of operation of a ship position tracking system including the same, which can reduce power consumption by determining whether an RF signal is detected by an RF receiver using a signal related to a 1 PPS signal output from a GPS receiver even when operating in a normal operating mode, controlling the RF receiver to turn off when the RF signal is not detected for a certain period of time, controlling the GPS receiver to turn on / off before transmitting the RF signal, and controlling the bit rate of the RF signal to be transmitted according to the RSSI value of the received RF signal. means of solving the problem

[0009] A ship position transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first BLE transceiver that determines the connection status with a second BLE transceiver and generates first connection status information; a GPS receiver that receives first satellite signals output from GPS satellites at a first time point to generate first position information and receives second satellite signals output from the GPS satellites at a second time point to generate second position information; and a microcontroller unit that receives the first position information, receives the first connection status information and the second position information, generates a first position corresponding to the first position information and a second position corresponding to the second position information, and switches the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device from a normal operating mode to a sleep mode when the first connection status information indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is disconnected and the first position and the second position are the same.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a ship location tracking system comprising a ship location transmitting device that transmits a ship message in a normal operating mode, a gateway that generates a gateway message corresponding to the ship message, and a management server that receives the gateway message and stores it in a database, wherein the ship location transmitting device comprises: a first BLE transceiver that determines the connection status with a second BLE transceiver and generates first connection status information; a GPS receiver that receives first satellite signals output from GPS satellites at a first time point and generates first location information, and receives second satellite signals output from GPS satellites at a second time point and generates second location information; and a microcontroller unit that receives the first location information, receives the first connection status information and the second location information, generates a first location corresponding to the first location information and a second location corresponding to the second location information, and switches the operating mode of the ship location transmitting device from the normal operating mode to a sleep mode when the first connection status information indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is disconnected and the first location and the second location are the same.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operation of a ship location tracking system comprising a ship location transmitting device that transmits a ship message in a normal operating mode, a gateway that generates a gateway message corresponding to the ship message, and a management server that receives the gateway message and stores it in a database, comprises the steps of: a first BLE transceiver of the ship location transmitting device determining a connection status with a second BLE transceiver and generating first connection status information; a GPS receiver of the ship location transmitting device receiving first satellite signals output from GPS satellites at a first time point to generate first location information and receiving second satellite signals output from GPS satellites at a second time point to generate second location information; and a microcontroller unit of the ship location transmitting device receiving the first location information, then receiving the first connection status information and the second location information, generating a first location corresponding to the first location information and a second location corresponding to the second location information, wherein when the first connection status information indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is disconnected and the first location and the second location are the same, the ship location transmitting device It includes the step of switching the operating mode from the normal operating mode to the sleep mode. Effects of the invention

[0012] The ship location transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention has the effect of reducing power consumption by switching from normal operating mode to sleep mode only when the communication connection between BLE transceivers is disconnected and the ship does not move for a certain period of time.

[0013] A ship position transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention has the effect of reducing power consumption by determining whether an RF signal is detected by an RF receiver using a signal related to a 1PPS signal output from a GPS receiver, even when operating in a normal operating mode, and turning off the RF receiver when the RF signal is not detected for a certain period of time.

[0014] The ship position transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention has the effect of reducing power consumption by controlling the on and off of the GPS receiver a certain time before transmitting an RF signal, even when operating in a normal operating mode.

[0015] The ship position transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention has the effect of reducing power consumption by controlling the bit rate of the RF signal to be transmitted based on the result of comparing the RSSI value of the received RF signal with a reference value, even when operating in a normal operating mode. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0016] Detailed descriptions of each drawing are provided to facilitate a more complete understanding of the drawings cited in the detailed description of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a ship position tracking system including a ship equipped with a ship position transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a ship position transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3a is an example of a flowchart explaining the operation of the ship position transmitting device illustrated in FIG. 2, which can reduce power consumption by entering a sleep mode from a normal operating mode when both of two conditions are satisfied. FIG. 3b is another example of a flowchart explaining the operation of the ship position transmitting device illustrated in FIG. 2, which can reduce power consumption by entering a sleep mode from a normal operating mode when all three of three conditions are satisfied. FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the ship position transmitting device illustrated in FIG. 2, which can reduce power consumption by controlling the transmission speed of an RF transmission signal in a normal operating mode. FIG. 5a is a flowchart explaining the operation of the ship position transmitting device illustrated in FIG. 2, which can reduce power consumption by using an RTC clock signal time-synchronized with a 1PPS signal in a normal operating mode. It is a chart. Fig. 5b is the data format of the RF received signal. Fig. 6 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the ship position transmitter shown in Fig. 2, which can reduce power consumption by controlling whether to supply power to the GPS receiver in normal operating mode. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a ship location tracking system including a ship equipped with a ship location transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a ship location tracking (or management) system (100) includes a ship (110) on which a ship location transmitting device (200) is installed, a gateway (130), a management server (or control server; 140), and a database (142).

[0019] Although the database (142) and the management server (140) are shown as separate in FIG. 1, the database (142) may be placed inside the management server (140) according to the embodiment.

[0020] A ship location transmitting device (200) installed on a ship (110) that is sailing transmits each ship message (VI1 and VI2) to a gateway (130) via a wireless communication network.

[0021] The first vessel message (VI1) includes a unique identifier (VID) that can uniquely identify the vessel (110) in transit, a first location (P1), and a first message number (MN1). The first location (P1) represents GPS coordinates, and the first message number (MN1) is a unique identifier that can uniquely identify the first vessel message (VI1).

[0022] The second vessel message (VI2) includes a unique identifier (VID) that can uniquely identify the vessel (110) in transit, a second location (P2), and a second message number (MN2). The second location (P2) refers to GPS coordinates, and the second message number (MN2) is a unique identifier that can uniquely identify the second vessel message (VI2).

[0023] A gateway (130) installed on land generates gateway messages (GI1 and GI2) corresponding to each ship message (VI1 and VI2) and transmits them to a management server (140) via a wired or wireless communication network.

[0024] The first gateway message (GI1) includes a unique identifier (GID) for the gateway (130), a unique identifier (VID) for the vessel (110), a first location (P1), a first message number (MN1), and a first reception time (TS1). The first reception time (TS1) refers to the time when the gateway (130) received the first vessel message (VI1).

[0025] The second gateway message (GI2) includes a unique identifier (GID) for the gateway (130), a unique identifier (VID) for the vessel (110), a second location (P2), a second message number (MN2), and a second reception time (TS2). The second reception time (TS2) refers to the time when the gateway (130) received the second vessel message (VI2).

[0026] The management server (140) stores each gateway message (GI1 and GI2) in the database (142).

[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a ship position transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3a is an example of a flowchart explaining the operation of the ship position transmitting device shown in FIG. 2, which can reduce power consumption by entering a sleep mode from a normal operating mode when both conditions are satisfied.

[0028] Although FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary ship location transmitting device (200) that charges an internal battery using solar energy, the battery control circuit (254) may be replaced with a voltage generator that generates an internal operating voltage using an external power source (e.g., an external battery or a voltage output from the generator of the ship (110)). In this case, the configuration (250) may not be installed.

[0029] Solar cells (250) convert solar energy into electrical energy (e.g., electric charges), and a battery charger (252) stores the electrical energy in a built-in battery installed inside a battery control circuit (254), and the battery control circuit (254) supplies power (or voltage, PW) to a GPS receiver (220) or cuts off the power (PW) supplied to the PS receiver (220) in response to a power control signal (PCTL) output from a microcontroller unit (MCU).

[0030] Although in FIG. 2, power (PW) is shown being supplied to the PS receiver (220), power (PW) is supplied to the components (210, 230, 232, 234, and 240).

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3a, the ship position transmitting device (200) includes a first antenna (ANT1), a second antenna (ANT2), a third antenna (ANT3), a first BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) transceiver (210), a GPS receiver (220), an MCU (or controller; 230), an RTC (real-time clock, 232), a timer (234), and a radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuit (240).

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3a, it is assumed that the ship position transmitting device (200) operates in a normal operating mode (S110).

[0033] The first BLE transceiver (210) determines the connection status (also referred to as the 'communication-enabled status') with the second BLE transceiver (310) of the electronic device (300), and generates first connection status information (CSIj, j=1) based on the result of the determination and transmits it to the MCU (230). The first BLE transceiver (210) and the second BLE transceiver (310) communicate through antennas (ANT2 and ANT4).

[0034] The electronic device (300) may be a display device capable of displaying data corresponding to a nautical chart, a track, or an RF signal transmitted from a gateway (130) (e.g., a display device that performs an operation corresponding to a user's touch, including a touch screen), or a BLE communication device (e.g., a smartphone). The electronic device (300) includes a second BLE transceiver (310), a processor (320), and a display device (330).

[0035] The second BLE transceiver (310) receives a first BLE modulated signal from the first BLE transceiver (210), demodulates it, and transmits the demodulated first BLE signal to the processor (320). The processor (320) generates first data corresponding to the demodulated first BLE signal and transmits it to the display device (330). The display device (330) displays the received first data.

[0036] The processor (320) transmits the second data generated according to the operation of the display device (330) to the second BLE transceiver (310), and the second BLE transceiver (310) generates a second BLE modulation signal corresponding to the second data and transmits it to the first BLE transceiver (210).

[0037] The GPS receiver (220) receives first satellite signals (ST1_k, ST2_k, and ST3_k, k=1) output from GPS satellites at a first time point through the third antenna (ANT3) to generate first position information (PIi, i=1) and outputs the first position information (PI1) to the MCU (230).

[0038] Additionally, the GPS receiver (220) receives second satellite signals (ST1_k, ST2_k, and ST3_k, k=2) output from GPS satellites at a second time point, generates second position information (PIi, i=2), and outputs the second position information (PI2) to the MCU (230). For example, there is a fixed time interval (e.g., 10 minutes) between the first time point and the second time point.

[0039] After receiving the first position information (PI1), the MCU (230) receives the first connection state information (CSI1) and the second position information (PI2), and calculates the first position (PO1) corresponding to the first position information (PI1) and the second position (PO2) corresponding to the second position information (PI2).

[0040] The MCU (230) determines whether the connection between the first BLE transceiver (210) and the second BLE transceiver (310) is disconnected based on the first connection status information (CSI1) (S120).

[0041] When the first connection status information (CSI1) indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver (210) and the second BLE transceiver (310) has not been broken (i.e., the first BLE transceiver (210) can communicate with the second BLE transceiver (310) via BLE) (NO of S120), the MCU (230) maintains the operating mode of the ship location transmitting device (200) as a normal operating mode (S110).

[0042] However, when the first connection status information (CSI1) indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver (210) and the second BLE transceiver (310) is broken (i.e., the first BLE transceiver (210) cannot communicate with the second BLE transceiver (310) via BLE) (YES of S120), the MCU (230) determines whether the first position (PO1) and the second position (PO2) are the same (S130).

[0043] When the first position (PO1=P1) and the second position (PO2=P2) are not the same (NO of S130), that is, when the ship (110) is in operation, the MCU (230) maintains the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device (200) as a normal operating mode (S110).

[0044] However, when the first position (PO1=P1) and the second position (PO2=P1) are the same (YES in S130), that is, when the ship (110) does not move for a certain period of time (e.g., the time difference between the first time point and the second time point), the MCU (230) converts the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device (200) from normal operating mode to sleep mode (S140). Here, the first position (PO1) and the second position (PO2) being the same means that they are the same within the error range of the GPS receiver (220).

[0045] In sleep mode, the MCU (230) enters sleep mode, the RF transceiver (240) enters sleep mode, and the power (PW) supplied to the GPS receiver (220) is turned off according to the power control signal (PCTL) output from the MCU (230).

[0046] However, in sleep mode, the battery control circuit (254) periodically supplies power (PW) to the GPS receiver (220) according to the power control signal (PCTL) periodically output from the MCU (230). The GPS receiver (220) uses the periodically supplied power (PW) to receive satellite signals (ST1_k, ST2_k, and ST3_k) output from the GPS satellites at that time, generates the corresponding location information (PIi), and outputs it to the MCU (230).

[0047] The ship location transmitting device (200) enters sleep mode from normal operating mode only when both of the two conditions (YES of S120 and YES of S130) are satisfied (S140).

[0048] In sleep mode, the first BLE transceiver (210) that has not entered the sleep mode determines the connection status with the second BLE transceiver (310) of the electronic device (300) again, and generates second connection status information (CSIj, j=2) according to the result of the determination and transmits it to the MCU (230).

[0049] The MCU (230) determines whether the connection between the first BLE transceiver (210) and the second BLE transceiver (310) is disconnected based on the second connection status information (CSI2) (S150).

[0050] When the second connection status information (CSI2) indicates that the first BLE transceiver (210) is connected to the second BLE transceiver (310) (i.e., the first BLE transceiver (210) can communicate with the second BLE transceiver (310) via BLE) (NO of S150), the MCU (230) switches the operating mode of the ship location transmitting device (200) from sleep mode to normal operating mode (S110).

[0051] In normal operating mode, the MCU (230) and the RF transceiver (240) each exit sleep mode, and the GPS receiver (220) is periodically turned on or off to reduce power consumption.

[0052] When the second connection status information (CSI2) indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver (210) and the second BLE transceiver (310) is still broken (YES in S150), the MCU (230) determines whether the first position (PO1) and the third position (PO3) are the same (S160).

[0053] In sleep mode, the MCU (230) periodically generates a power control signal (PW) to supply power (PW) to the GPS receiver (220). The battery control circuit (254) supplies power (PW) to the GPS receiver (220) in response to the power control signal (PW).

[0054] As power (PW) is supplied to the GPS receiver (220), the GPS receiver (220) receives third satellite signals (ST1_k, ST2_k, and ST3_k, k=3) output from the GPS satellites at a third time point, generates third position information (PIi, i=3), and outputs it to the MCU (230).

[0055] As the third position information (PI3) is received by the MCU (230), the MCU (230) calculates the third position (PO3) corresponding to the third position information (PI3) and generates a power control signal (PW) to cut off the power (PW) supplied to the GPS receiver (220). The battery control circuit (254) cuts off the power (PW) supplied to the GPS receiver (220) in response to the power control signal (PW).

[0056] When the first position (PO1=P1) and the third position (PO3=P2) are not the same (NO of S160), that is, when the stationary vessel (110) is in operation, the MCU (230) switches the operation mode of the vessel position transmitting device (200) from sleep mode to normal operation mode (S110).

[0057] However, when the first position (PO1=P1) and the third position (PO3=P2) are the same (YES in S160), that is, when the ship (110) does not move for a certain period of time (for example, the time difference between the time when the second position information (PI2) is received and the time when the third position information (PI3) is received), the MCU (230) maintains the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device (200) in sleep mode (S140).

[0058] That is, when the ship position transmitting device (200) operating in sleep mode according to step (S140) is connected to the first BLE transceiver (210) and the second BLE transceiver (310) (NO of S150) or when the first position (PO1) and the third position (PO3) are not the same (NO of S160), the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device (200) is switched from sleep mode to normal operating mode (S110).

[0059] Although in FIG. 3a, step (S120) is shown to be performed before step (S130) and step (S150) is shown to be performed before step (S160), depending on the embodiments, step (S130) may be performed before step (S120) and step (S160) may be performed before step (S150).

[0060] FIG. 3b is another embodiment of a flowchart illustrating the operation of a ship location transmitting device shown in FIG. 2, which can reduce power consumption by entering sleep mode from normal operating mode when all three conditions are satisfied.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3b, the ship position transmitting device (200) enters sleep mode (S140) when both of the two conditions exemplified in FIG. 3a (YES of S120 and YES of S130) are satisfied and the ship (110) arrives at port.

[0062] When the first position (PO1) and the second position (PO2) are the same (YES of S130), the MCU (230) determines whether the vessel (110) has entered the port (S135).

[0063] When a ship location transmitting device (200) that communicates via RF using a gateway (130) and an RF transceiver (240) enters a virtual port area (131), the RF transmitter (244) transmits the current location of the ship (110) to the gateway (130) through an RF switch (246) and a first antenna (ANT1). Based on the current location, the gateway (130) determines that the ship (110) has entered the virtual port area (131) and transmits port entry information indicating port entry to the first antenna (ANT1). The port entry information is transmitted to the MCU (230) through an RF switch (246) and an RF receiver (242).

[0064] When the MCU (230) receives port arrival information indicating that it has arrived (YES of S135), the MCU (230) switches the operating mode of the ship location transmitting device (200) from normal operating mode to sleep mode (S140).

[0065] That is, the ship location transmitting device (200) enters sleep mode only when all three conditions (YES of S120, YES of S130, and YES of S135) are satisfied (S140).

[0066] However, if the ship location transmitting device (200) communicating via RF using the gateway (130) and the RF transceiver (240) has not entered the virtual port area (131) (NO of S135), the ship location transmitting device (200) maintains its normal operating mode (S110).

[0067] In sleep mode, the vessel departs (S145), and the first BLE transceiver (210) that has not entered the sleep mode determines the connection status with the second BLE transceiver (310), and generates second connection status information (CSI2) based on the result of the determination and transmits it to the MCU (230).

[0068] The MCU (230) determines whether the connection between the first BLE transceiver (210) and the second BLE transceiver (310) is disconnected based on the second connection status information (CSI2) (S150).

[0069] When the second connection status information (CSI2) indicates that the first BLE transceiver (210) is connected to the second BLE transceiver (310) (NO of S150), the MCU (230) switches the operating mode of the ship location transmitting device (200) from sleep mode to normal operating mode (S110).

[0070] However, when the second connection status information (CSI2) indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver (210) and the second BLE transceiver (310) is still broken (YES in S150), the MCU (230) determines whether the first position (PO1) and the third position (PO3) are the same (S160).

[0071] When the first position (PO1) and the third position (PO3) are not the same (NO of S160), that is, when the stationary vessel (110) is in operation, the MCU (230) switches the operation mode of the vessel position transmitting device (200) from sleep mode to normal operation mode (S110).

[0072] However, when the first position (PO1) and the third position (PO3) are the same (YES in S160), that is, when the ship (110) does not move for a certain period of time (for example, the time difference between the time when the second position information (PI2) is received and the time when the third position information (PI3) is received), the MCU (230) maintains the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device (200) in sleep mode (S140).

[0073] That is, when the ship position transmitting device (200) operating in sleep mode according to step (S140) is connected to the first BLE transceiver (210) and the second BLE transceiver (310) (NO of S150) or when the first position (PO1) and the third position (PO3) are not the same (NO of S160), the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device (200) is switched from sleep mode to normal operating mode (S110).

[0074] As explained above, in FIG. 3b, step (S120) is shown to be performed before step (S130) and step (S150) is shown to be performed before step (S160); however, depending on the embodiments, step (S130) may be performed before step (S120) and step (S160) may be performed before step (S150).

[0075] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the ship location transmitting device shown in FIG. 2, which can reduce power consumption by controlling the transmission speed of the RF transmission signal in normal operating mode.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, it is assumed that the ship position transmitting device (200) operates in a normal operating mode (S210).

[0077] The RF receiver (242) receives an RF modulated signal modulated at a third frequency through the first antenna (ANT1) and the RF switch (246) (S220). The RF modulated signal modulated at a third frequency may be a signal transmitted from the gateway (130).

[0078] The RF receiver (242) calculates the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value (RSSIV) for the RF modulated signal modulated at the third frequency and transmits the RSSI value (RSSIV) to the MCU (230) (S230).

[0079] The MCU (230) compares the RSSI value (RSSIV) with the reference RSSI value (REF) (S240).

[0080] When the RSSI value (RSSIV) is greater than the reference RSSI value (REF) (YES in S240), the MCU (230) controls the operation of the RF transmitter (244). Accordingly, under the control of the MCU (230), the RF transmitter (244) transmits an RF modulated signal modulated at a first frequency to the gateway (130) through the RF switch (246) and the first antenna (ANT1) at a first bps (or first bitrate) (S250).

[0081] However, when the RSSI value (RSSIV) is not greater than the reference RSSI value (REF) (N0 of S240), the MCU (230) controls the operation of the RF transmitter (244). Accordingly, under the control of the MCU (230), the RF transmitter (244) transmits an RF modulated signal modulated at a second frequency to the gateway (130) through the RF switch (246) and the first antenna (ANT1) at a second bps (or second bit rate) (S260).

[0082] The first bps (or first bit rate) is different from the second bps (or second bit rate). For example, the first bps may be 12.8 kbps and the second bps may be 6.4 kbps.

[0083] For example, each of the RF modulated signal modulated at the first frequency and the RF modulated signal modulated at the second frequency may include a location (e.g., GPS coordinates).

[0084] As the RF modulated signal modulated at the first frequency is transmitted to the gateway (130) at a high speed (e.g., the first bps), the transmission time of the RF modulated signal of the RF transmitter (244) is reduced. Accordingly, the power consumption of the RF transmitter (244) is reduced.

[0085] FIG. 5a is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the ship position transmitter shown in FIG. 2, which can reduce power consumption by using an RTC clock signal time-synchronized with a 1PPS signal in normal operating mode, and FIG. 5b is the data format of the RF received signal.

[0086] Since the ship position transmitting device (200) is a synchronization system, the ship position transmitting device (200) synchronizes time using a 1 PPS (pulse-per second) signal output from the GPS receiver (220).

[0087] It is assumed that the ship location transmitting device (200) is operating in normal operating mode and the GPS receiver (220) is powered off (S310).

[0088] The MCU (230) generates a power control signal (PCTL) that instructs the supply of power (PW) to the GPS receiver (220) and outputs it to the battery control circuit (254). Since the battery control circuit (254) supplies power (PW) to the GPS receiver (220) according to the power control signal (PCTL), the GPS receiver (220) is powered on (S320).

[0089] The powered-on GPS receiver (220) transmits a 1PPS signal to the MCU (230) (S330). Upon receiving the 1PPS signal, the MCU (230) generates a power control signal (PCTL) instructing the cutoff of power (PW) supplied to the GPS receiver (220) and outputs it to the battery control circuit (254). Since the battery control circuit (254) cuts off the power (PW) supplied to the GPS receiver (220) according to the power control signal (PCTL), the GPS receiver (220) is powered off (S340). The powered-off GPS receiver (220) does not consume power (PW).

[0090] The RTC (232) generates an RTC clock signal time-synchronized with the 1PPS signal under the control of the MCU (230) that receives the 1PPS signal (S350).

[0091] The RF receiver (242) detects the preamble and synchronization signal (SYNC) included in the RF modulation signal (RX_RF) transmitted from the gateway (130) using an RTC clock signal time-synchronized with the 1PPS signal (S360).

[0092] The MCU (230) detects whether the preamble (PREAMBLE) and the synchronization signal (SYNC) included in the RF modulation signal (RX_RF) are input to the RF receiver (242) within a certain time using the output signal of the RF receiver (242) (S360).

[0093] When the preamble and synchronization signal included in the RF modulation signal (RX_RF) are not detected within a certain time calculated by the timer (234) (NO in S370), the MCU (230) turns off the RF receiver (242) to reduce power consumption of the RF receiver (242) (S390).

[0094] However, if the preamble and synchronization signal (SYNC) included in the RF modulation signal (RX_RF) are detected within a certain time calculated by the timer (234) (YES in S370), the MCU (230) maintains the power on state of the RF receiver (242) to receive more data (DATA) included in the RF reception signal (S380).

[0095] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the ship position transmitting device shown in FIG. 2, which can reduce power consumption by controlling whether to supply power to the GPS receiver in normal operating mode.

[0096] Referring to FIGS. 1, FIGS. 2, and FIGS. 6, it is assumed that the ship position transmitting device (200) operates as a normal operating mog (S410).

[0097] The MCU (230) outputs a power control signal (PCTL) to the battery control circuit (254). The battery control circuit (254) can supply or cut off power (PW) to the GPS receiver (220) in response to the power control signal (PCTL). To reduce power consumption of the GPS receiver (220), the GPS receiver (220) is periodically turned on or off.

[0098] When the power (PW) supplied to the GPS receiver (220) is off (S415), the MCU (230) outputs a power control signal (PCTL) to the battery control circuit (254) to supply power (PW) to the power-off GPS receiver (220) before transmitting an RF modulation signal (e.g., location information of the vessel (110)) to the RF transmitter (244).

[0099] The MCU (230) uses the RTC (232) to calculate the time to transmit the RF modulated signal (RF_TXT) and the current time (CTM), calculates the difference between them (RF_TXT and CTM), and compares the calculated difference with the reference time (TREF) (S420). The reference time (TREF) can be calculated by the timer (234).

[0100] When the calculated difference is shorter than the reference time (TREF, e.g., 10 seconds) (YES in S420), the MCU (230) transmits a power control signal (PCTL) to the battery control circuit (254). Since the battery control circuit (254) supplies power (PW) to the GPS receiver (220) according to the power control signal (PCTL), the GPS receiver (220) is powered on (S425).

[0101] As power (PW) is supplied to the GPS receiver (220), the powered-on GPS receiver (220) generates location information using satellite signals (ST1_k, ST2_k, and ST3_k, k=4) output from GPS satellites and transmits it to the MCU (230) (S430).

[0102] The MCU (230) that receives location information transmits a power control signal (PCTL) to the battery control circuit (254). The battery control circuit (254) cuts off the power (PW) supplied to the GPS receiver (220) according to the power control signal (PCTL), so the GPS receiver (220) is powered off (S435).

[0103] The MCU (230) calculates the location from the received location information (S440), generates a signal including the calculated location, and transmits it to the RF transmitter (244) (S445). The RF transmitter (244) transmits an RF modulated signal (e.g., VI1 or VI2 of FIG. 1) to the gateway (130) through the RF switch (246) and the first antenna (ANT1).

[0104] The gateway (130) generates a gateway message (e.g., GI1 or GI2 of FIG. 1) corresponding to an RF modulation signal (e.g., VI1 or VI2 of FIG. 1) and transmits it to a management server (140), and the management server (140) stores and manages the gateway message in a database (142).

[0105] The present invention has been described with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings, but this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0106] 100: Ship Location Tracking System 110: Ship 200: Ship position transmitter 210: 1st BLE transceiver 220: GPS antenna 230: Microcontroller Unit 240: RF transceiver circuit 242: RF Receiver 244: RF Transmitter 246: RF Switch

Claims

Claim 1 A ship position transmitting device comprising: a wireless transceiver receiving a wireless modulated signal including port entry information from a gateway; a first BLE transceiver determining a connection status with a second BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) transceiver and generating first connection status information; and a GPS receiver receiving first satellite signals output from GPS satellites at a first time point to generate first position information, and receiving second satellite signals output from the GPS satellites at a second time point to generate second position information. It includes a microcontroller unit (MCU), wherein the MCU receives the first location information, then receives the first connection status information and the second location information, generates a first location corresponding to the first location information and a second location corresponding to the second location information, determines whether the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is disconnected based on the first connection status information, maintains the operating mode of the ship location transmitting device in a normal operating mode when the first connection status information indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is not disconnected, determines whether the first location and the second location are the same when the first location and the second location are not the same, maintains the operating mode of the ship location transmitting device in the normal operating mode when the first location and the second location are the same, and when the first location and the second location are the same, a ship including the ship location transmitting device virtually enters the port. A ship position transmitting device that receives the above-mentioned arrival information indicating entry into an area via the above-mentioned wireless transceiver, and switches the operating mode of the above-mentioned ship position transmitting device from the above-mentioned normal operating mode to a sleep mode in response to the above-mentioned arrival information. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 A ship position transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein when the MCU turns off the power of the GPS receiver when entering the sleep mode, the MCU supplies power to the GPS receiver, receives third position information from the powered-on GPS receiver, generates a third position corresponding to the third position information, and switches the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device from the sleep mode to the normal operating mode when the first position and the third position are different. Claim 4 In claim 1, the MCU receives second connection status information from the first BLE transceiver, determines whether the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is disconnected based on the second connection status information, and when the second connection status information indicates that the first BLE transceiver is connected to the second BLE transceiver, switches the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device from the sleep mode to the normal operating mode, and when the second connection status information indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is still disconnected, receives third location information generated by the GPS receiver that operates as power is supplied, calculates a third location corresponding to the third location information, generates a power control signal to cut off the power supplied to the GPS receiver after calculating the third location, determines whether the first location and the third location are the same, and when the first location and the third location are not the same, switches the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device from the sleep mode to the normal operating mode. A ship position transmitting device that switches and maintains the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device in the sleep mode when the first position and the third position are the same. Claim 5 A ship position transmitting device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the MCU receives a 1 PPS (pulse-per-second) signal from the GPS receiver, generates a real-time clock (RTC) signal time-synchronized with the 1 PPS signal, detects whether the wireless modulation signal is received by the wireless transceiver using the RTC clock signal, and turns off the wireless transceiver when the wireless modulation signal is not detected for a certain period of time. Claim 6 A ship position transmitting device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the MCU supplies power to the GPS receiver that is powered off before transmitting the signal to be transmitted to the wireless transceiver, turns off the power supplied to the GPS receiver after receiving third position information from the GPS receiver that is powered on, generates the third position from the third position information, and generates the signal to be transmitted including the third position and transmits it to the wireless transceiver. Claim 7 In claim 1, the wireless transceiver includes a wireless receiver that receives a wireless modulated signal modulated at a third frequency from the gateway and generates a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value, and a wireless transmitter; the MCU compares the RSSI value with a reference value and transmits a signal related to the wireless modulated signal to the wireless transmitter so that when the RSSI value is greater than the reference value, the wireless modulated signal modulated at a first frequency is transmitted to the gateway at a first bps, and when the RSSI value is less than the reference value, the signal related to the wireless modulated signal is transmitted to the wireless transmitter so that the wireless modulated signal modulated at a second frequency is transmitted to the gateway at a second bps, and the first bps is different from the second bps. Claim 8 A ship location tracking system comprising a ship location transmitting device that transmits a ship message in a normal operating mode, a gateway that generates a gateway message corresponding to the ship message, and a management server that receives the gateway message and stores it in a database, wherein the ship location transmitting device comprises: a wireless transceiver that receives a wireless modulated signal including port arrival information from the gateway; a first BLE transceiver that determines a connection status with a second BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) transceiver and generates first connection status information; and a GPS receiver that receives first satellite signals output from GPS satellites at a first time point to generate first location information and receives second satellite signals output from GPS satellites at a second time point to generate second location information.The device includes a microcontroller unit (MCU), wherein the MCU receives the first location information, then receives the first connection status information and the second location information, generates a first location corresponding to the first location information and a second location corresponding to the second location information, determines whether the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is disconnected based on the first connection status information, maintains the operating mode of the ship location transmitting device in the normal operating mode when the first connection status information indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is not disconnected, determines whether the first location and the second location are the same when the first connection status information indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is disconnected, maintains the operating mode of the ship location transmitting device in the normal operating mode when the first location and the second location are not the same, and includes the ship location transmitting device when the first location and the second location are the same. A ship position tracking system that receives the arrival information indicating that a ship has entered a virtual arrival area via the wireless transceiver, and switches the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device from the normal operating mode to a sleep mode based on the arrival information. Claim 9 A ship position tracking system according to claim 8, wherein when the MCU turns off the power of the GPS receiver when entering the sleep mode, the MCU supplies power to the GPS receiver, receives third position information from the powered-on GPS receiver, generates a third position corresponding to the third position information, and switches the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device from the sleep mode to the normal operating mode when the first position and the third position are different. Claim 10 In claim 8, the MCU receives second connection status information from the first BLE transceiver, determines whether the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is disconnected based on the second connection status information, and when the second connection status information indicates that the first BLE transceiver is connected to the second BLE transceiver, switches the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device from the sleep mode to the normal operating mode, and when the second connection status information indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is still disconnected, receives third location information generated by the GPS receiver that operates as power is supplied, calculates a third location corresponding to the third location information, generates a power control signal to cut off the power supplied to the GPS receiver after calculating the third location, determines whether the first location and the third location are the same, and when the first location and the third location are not the same, switches the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device from the sleep mode to the normal operating mode. A ship position tracking system that switches and maintains the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device in the sleep mode when the first position and the third position are the same. Claim 11 A method of operation of a ship location tracking system comprising a ship location transmitting device that transmits a ship message in a normal operating mode, a gateway that generates a gateway message corresponding to the ship message, and a management server that receives the gateway message and stores it in a database, the method comprising: a step in which a first BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) transceiver of the ship location transmitting device determines a connection status with a second BLE transceiver and generates first connection status information; and a step in which a GPS receiver of the ship location transmitting device receives first satellite signals output from GPS satellites at a first time point to generate first location information and receives second satellite signals output from GPS satellites at a second time point to generate second location information. A step in which a microcontroller unit of the ship position transmitting device receives the first position information and then receives the first connection status information and the second position information; a step in which the microcontroller unit generates a first position corresponding to the first position information and a second position corresponding to the second position information; a step in which the microcontroller unit determines whether the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is disconnected based on the first connection status information; a step in which the microcontroller unit maintains the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device in the normal operating mode when the first connection status information indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is not disconnected; a step in which the microcontroller unit determines whether the first position and the second position are the same when the first position and the second position are not the same; a step in which the microcontroller unit maintains the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device in the normal operating mode when the first connection status information indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is disconnected;A method of operating a ship position tracking system comprising: a step of receiving, through a wireless transceiver communicating with the gateway, arrival information indicating that a ship including the ship position transmitting device has entered a virtual arrival area when the first position and the second position are the same; and a step of the microcontroller unit switching the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device from the normal operating mode to a sleep mode in response to the arrival information. Claim 12 In claim 11, a method of operating a ship position tracking system further comprising: a step of turning off the power of the GPS receiver when the microcontroller unit enters the sleep mode; a step of supplying power to the GPS receiver that has been turned off by the microcontroller unit; a step of the microcontroller unit receiving third position information from the GPS receiver that has been turned on and generating a third position corresponding to the third position information; and a step of the microcontroller unit comparing the first position and the third position, and when the first position and the third position are different, switching the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device from the sleep mode to the normal operating mode. Claim 13 In claim 11, the microcontroller unit receives second connection status information from the first BLE transceiver; the microcontroller unit determines whether the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is disconnected based on the second connection status information; when the second connection status information indicates that the first BLE transceiver is connected to the second BLE transceiver, the microcontroller unit switches the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device from the sleep mode to the normal operating mode; when the second connection status information indicates that the connection between the first BLE transceiver and the second BLE transceiver is still disconnected, the microcontroller unit receives third location information generated by the GPS receiver that operates as power is supplied; the microcontroller unit calculates a third location corresponding to the third location information; after the microcontroller unit calculates the third location, the microcontroller unit generates a power control signal to cut off the power supplied to the GPS receiver; and the microcontroller unit [represents] the first location and the A method of operating a ship position tracking system further comprising: a step of determining whether a third position is the same; a step in which, when the first position and the third position are not the same, the microcontroller unit switches the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device from the sleep mode to the normal operating mode; and a step in which, when the first position and the third position are the same, the microcontroller unit maintains the operating mode of the ship position transmitting device in the sleep mode.

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