Method for transmitting data of pilot plug including plurality of communication modules, and pilot plug for method

The pilot plug with multiple communication modules addresses the limitations of existing maritime navigation systems by providing integrated, real-time navigation information, enhancing navigation convenience and safety.

WO2025135437A1PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-06-26MAPSEA CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/KR2024/015935
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-12-22
Filing Date
2024-10-18
Publication Date
2025-06-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing maritime navigation systems face challenges in providing integrated, real-time navigation information to pilots, including limitations in reflecting dynamic sea conditions and lack of comprehensive safety information, which can lead to operational errors and accidents.

Method used

A method and device for a pilot plug equipped with multiple communication modules that selectively operate to transmit integrated maritime navigation data to a user's terminal, allowing for adjustment based on the data communication environment and user preferences.

Benefits of technology

The solution enhances the convenience of maritime navigation by providing pilots with accurate and reliable integrated navigation data, reducing the risk of accidents during ship entry and exit operations.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention is a method for transmitting data of a pilot plug including a plurality of communication modules, comprising the steps of: requesting configuration information from an adjacent user terminal when a connection to an AIS terminal of a ship is detected; determining one of a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode on the basis of the configuration information received according to the request; deactivating a second communication module for implementing the second transmission mode when the first transmission mode is determined, and deactivating a first communication module for implementing the first transmission mode when the second transmission mode is determined; and detecting the activated module between the first communication module and the second communication module, and transmitting AIS data at a first point of the ship to the user terminal on the basis of the detected module.
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Description

Method for transmitting data of a pilot plug including a plurality of communication modules and a pilot plug for the method

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for transmitting data in a device including a plurality of communication modules, and more specifically, to a method for providing integrated maritime navigation information for navigation of a ship to a terminal used by a user by utilizing a mobile app by a pilot plug mounted on a ship and acquiring AIS data, and to a pilot plug for implementing the method.

[0002] According to statistics published in various maritime academic journals, operational errors account for 82.8% of all marine accidents involving operating vessels, and human error accounts for 96.9% of collisions. Unlike automobiles or aircraft, ships typically have long stopping distances, often reaching 1-2 km. Therefore, captains and navigators must make intuitive and rapid decisions to control vessel movements for safety. For ultra-large vessels, each costing hundreds of billions of won, a single accident can lead to compensation amounts reaching hundreds of billions or even trillions of won. Therefore, to prevent such major accidents, shipping companies utilize navigational equipment worth billions of won.

[0003] In the past, navigators used analog methods, visually assessing the ocean environment and using those findings to determine parameters necessary for navigation. In particular, navigators faced the challenge of having to use separate terminals for each type of information, particularly to obtain maritime traffic-related information.

[0004] There have been various attempts to accurately implement Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) on terminals used by users, such as pilots, who control vessel movements. However, conventional ENCs suffer from a problem in that they fail to fully reflect real-time changing sea conditions. Furthermore, existing ENCs do not include information on Notices to Mariners (Notices to Mariners), which are related to maritime safety. This makes it difficult for users (captains, chief mates, pilots, etc.) who determine vessel movements to safely navigate their vessels solely based on ENCs. Furthermore, even if users receive separate information on Notices to Mariners, they cannot fully prevent accidents unless they also have access to relevant vessel information, such as position and loading, based on the vessel's operations at sea.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for maritime navigation that provides users with an integrated set of accurate navigational maps, navigational information for safe navigation, and information on ships at sea to provide optimal routes.

[0006] Meanwhile, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), pilots are classified into deep-sea pilots and harbor pilots. Since the number of harbor pilots is overwhelmingly greater than that of deep-sea pilots and the work of harbor pilots is widely known, the term pilot generally refers to harbor pilots.

[0007] Pilots board vessels at each port's pilotage area, guiding them to safe waterways and supervising their entry and departure. Pilots typically board vessels just beginning to move, receive a briefing from the captain, and then assume overall command of the vessel and the numerous tugboats involved in its movement. Because operational accidents often occur immediately after boarding, when information about the vessel is at its most limited, it's crucial for pilots to obtain accurate and timely information about the vessel.

[0008] In particular, pilots, by their nature of directing vessel movements from the outside, such as on the deck, rather than inside, such as cargo holds, machinery rooms, or cabins, tend to be extremely reluctant to carry any items other than radios like walkie-talkies and their own personal devices (smartphones or tablet PCs). Furthermore, some pilots do not fully trust maritime navigation information output to their personal devices via the Internet, preferring to control vessel entry and departure based on real-time vessel information received from the vessel's automatic identification system (AIS).

[0009] Considering the overall work characteristics and information preferences of pilots, a device capable of providing accurate and reliable information to pilots is needed. One such device is the Pilot Plug. However, the previously known Pilot Plug only features a Wi-Fi module, so it only performs simple functions such as transmitting real-time information extracted from the vessel in a Wi-Fi-based communication environment to the pilot's personal terminal. It lacks any other convenient features. Therefore, a device that improves upon this limitation is needed.

[0010] The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a data transmission method of a pilot plug including a plurality of communication modules and a pilot plug implementing the method.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem, a method comprises the steps of: when a connection to an AIS terminal of a ship is detected, requesting setting information from an adjacent user terminal; determining one of a first transmission method and a second transmission method based on the setting information received in response to the request; when the first transmission method is determined, deactivating a second communication module for implementing the second transmission method, and when the second transmission method is determined, deactivating a first communication module for implementing the first transmission method; and detecting an activated module among the first communication module and the second communication module, and transmitting AIS data of the ship at a first point in time to the user terminal based on the detected module.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem, a device comprises: a pilot plug, a connection unit for detecting a connection to an AIS terminal of a ship and receiving AIS data from the connected AIS terminal; an activation control unit for determining one of a first transmission method and a second transmission method based on setting information received from a user terminal; a first communication module for transmitting the AIS data to the user terminal using the first transmission method; and a second communication module for transmitting the AIS data to the user terminal using the second transmission method, wherein the activation control unit, when the first transmission method is determined, deactivates the second communication module for implementing the second transmission method, and when the second transmission method is determined, deactivates the first communication module for implementing the first transmission method, detects an activated module among the first communication module and the second communication module, and transmits AIS data of the ship at a first time point to the user terminal based on the detected module.

[0013] One embodiment of the present invention can provide a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the above method.

[0014] According to the present invention, a pilot plug that performs a more improved operation than conventional ones can be implemented.

[0015] According to the present invention, the pilot plug includes a plurality of communication modules, which can be selectively operated to output integrated maritime navigation data to a user's terminal, thereby improving the convenience of the pilot's work and reducing the accident rate during the entry and departure of a ship.

[0016] According to the present invention, a user can check a desired level of maritime navigation data through a terminal he or she uses by adjusting the operating characteristics of a pilot plug according to the level of the port's data communication environment or according to his or her work style.

[0017] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the composition of the invention described in the description or claims of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an integrated maritime navigation information provision system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a user terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an integrated maritime navigation information provision system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the data processing unit of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a process of processing ship data according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a process of processing ship data according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing process of navigation notification data according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a processing process of navigation notification data according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing a process of processing navigation notification data according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an integrated maritime navigation information providing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an integrated maritime navigation information providing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Fig. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the appearance of a pilot plug according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the entire system implemented through the pilot plug described in Figure 12.

[0031] Figure 14 is a block diagram showing an example of sub-modules included in the main body of the pilot plug.

[0032] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data transmission method of a pilot plug including a plurality of communication modules according to the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating a user terminal and an integrated maritime navigation providing app installed on the user terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for communicating with a pilot plug in a user terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem, a method comprises the steps of: when a connection to an AIS terminal of a ship is detected, requesting setting information from an adjacent user terminal; determining one of a first transmission method and a second transmission method based on the setting information received in response to the request; when the first transmission method is determined, deactivating a second communication module for implementing the second transmission method, and when the second transmission method is determined, deactivating a first communication module for implementing the first transmission method; and detecting an activated module among the first communication module and the second communication module, and transmitting AIS data of the ship at a first point in time to the user terminal based on the detected module.

[0036] In the above method, the setting information may be information that was previously stored in the user terminal before requesting the setting information.

[0037] In the above method, the first transmission method may have a lower transmission speed than the second transmission method.

[0038] In the above method, the first transmission method may be a method of communicating in a lower frequency band than the second transmission method.

[0039] In the above method, the first transmission method may be a method that consumes lower power than the second transmission method.

[0040] In the above method, the first transmission method, when applied to the user terminal, may be a method that enables the user terminal to access the Internet.

[0041] In the above method, the second transmission method, when applied to the user terminal, may be a method of blocking the user terminal's access to the Internet.

[0042] In the above method, the first transmission method may be a Bluetooth-based transmission method, and the second transmission method may be a WiFi-based transmission method.

[0043] In the above method, the step of transmitting the AIS data of the first point in time of the ship to the user terminal may transmit the AIS data using the first transmission method, and then, based on a user input, switch to the second transmission method and transmit the AIS data.

[0044] According to another embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem, a device comprises: a pilot plug, a connection unit for detecting a connection to an AIS terminal of a ship and receiving AIS data from the connected AIS terminal; an activation control unit for determining one of a first transmission method and a second transmission method based on setting information received from a user terminal; a first communication module for transmitting the AIS data to the user terminal using the first transmission method; and a second communication module for transmitting the AIS data to the user terminal using the second transmission method, wherein the activation control unit, when the first transmission method is determined, deactivates the second communication module for implementing the second transmission method, and when the second transmission method is determined, deactivates the first communication module for implementing the first transmission method, detects an activated module among the first communication module and the second communication module, and transmits AIS data of the ship at a first time point to the user terminal based on the detected module.

[0045] In the above device, the first transmission method may be a Bluetooth-based transmission method, and the second transmission method may be a WiFi-based transmission method.

[0046] According to another embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem, a method comprises the steps of: receiving a transmission request for setting information from a pilot plug connected to an AIS terminal of a ship; searching for the setting information in a database and transmitting the searched setting information to the pilot plug; and, in response to the transmitted setting information, when one of a first communication module and a second communication module of the pilot plug is activated, communicating with the pilot plug in a communication method supported by one of the activated first communication module and second communication module.

[0047] In the above method, when the first communication module is activated, data received from the first communication module and the AIS data station can be integrated, and the integrated result can be output through the display of the user terminal.

[0048] In the above method, when the second communication module is activated, the result received from the second communication module can be processed and output through the display of the user terminal.

[0049] One embodiment of the present invention can provide a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the above method.

[0050] The present invention is capable of various modifications and embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. The effects and features of the present invention, as well as the methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below, along with the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be implemented in various forms.

[0051] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. When describing with reference to the drawings, identical or corresponding components are given the same drawing reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0052] In the following examples, the terms first, second, etc. are not used in a limiting sense, but are used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0053] In the examples below, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0054] In the following examples, terms such as “include” or “have” mean that a feature or component described in the specification is present, and do not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

[0055] In some embodiments, where the implementation is otherwise feasible, a particular process sequence may be performed in a different order than described. For example, two processes described in succession may be performed substantially simultaneously, or in a reverse order from the described order.

[0056] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0057] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an integrated maritime navigation information provision system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 1, an integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100) can be connected to a user terminal (200) via a communication network (NET). The integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100) can be provided as a server for driving an integrated maritime navigation providing app of the user terminal (200). The integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100) can provide all information on a vessel's route, including navigational information, weather information, and ship information at sea, to provide maritime navigation information to a user via the user terminal (200).

[0059] An integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) receives and integrates data related to charts, weather, and ships required for maritime navigation from an external distributed maritime information provision server, and can provide integrated maritime navigation information to a user through an app on a user terminal (200).

[0060] An Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a device that automatically identifies vessels at sea within a preset range. Specifically, an AIS is a device that automatically shares vessel information through a VHF (Very High Frequency) channel when the AIS of an adjacent vessel is detected. When communication is established through an AIS, information such as the departure point, destination, speed (in knots), operating angle, load, and cargo type of the vessel with which the communication was made can be collected in one place.

[0061] In the present invention, the automatic identification system for ships can be broadly categorized into two types. First, although not directly illustrated by reference numbers, it is assumed that the first to fourth ships (SH1, SH2, SH3, and SH4) illustrated in FIG. 1 are all equipped with an automatic identification system for ships. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 1, there is a base station on land that communicates with the first to fourth ships, and the base station, like the ships, is equipped with an automatic identification system (AIS). For convenience of explanation, the automatic identification system for ships installed at the base station will hereinafter be abbreviated as the "automatic identification system (AIS) of the base station."

[0062] The base station's Automatic Identification System (AIS) can communicate with AISs deployed on ships at sea to exchange information about the ships. The integrated maritime navigation information system (100) can receive information about ships not only from the base station but also from ships at sea. For example, the integrated maritime navigation information system (100) can receive information about the location and movement of ships through radar and / or LiDAR deployed on ships at sea.

[0063] In one embodiment, the integrated maritime navigation information system (100) can receive information on all ships at sea and information on surrounding ships around the ship from the automatic identification system (AIS) and radar (RADAR) of a base station on land. For example, the integrated maritime navigation information system (100) can receive data related to all ships at sea (SH1, SH2, SH3, SH4) from the AIS of the base station, and can receive data related to the ship (SH4) closest to the land from the radar on land. In addition, the integrated maritime navigation information system (100) can receive data including location information and identification information related to the ship (SH1) and surrounding ships (SH2) from the automatic identification system and radar of the ship (SH1).

[0064] In one embodiment, the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can receive data related to ships (SH1, SH2, SH3, SH4) through various sensors including a base station's automatic identification system (AIS), shipboard radar, land radar, and lidar.

[0065] That is, the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can receive various information including location, loading, and identification information about ships sailing or at anchor through the automatic identification system (AIS) of the base station, the automatic identification system of ships at sea, the radar of the base station, and the radar of ships at sea, and store the information as maritime navigation data. The integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can integrate the stored maritime navigation data and update it in real time to provide the user with integrated maritime navigation through an app of the user terminal (200).

[0066] An app providing integrated maritime navigation is installed on the user terminal (200), and the user can utilize the integrated maritime navigation through the app. The user terminal (200) can provide the user with chart information, vessel information, and navigation notification information collected based on the location of the user terminal (200) through the integrated maritime navigation providing app.

[0067] The user terminal (200) may be a smart device equipped with a processor, memory, and communication functions, such as a smartphone, tablet PC, laptop, or desktop. Furthermore, the user terminal (200) may be a dedicated device, kiosk, or POC (point of care) device equipped with display and input functions.

[0068] The user terminal (200) may be a user's mobile device, mainly including a smartphone or tablet PC. The user may receive integrated maritime navigation information received from the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) by executing the integrated maritime navigation provision app installed on the user terminal (200) not only while on the user's vessel (SH1), but also when the user disembarks and the vessel (SH1) moves, thereby increasing the distance between the user and the vessel (SH1).

[0069] The communication network (NET) performs the function of electrically connecting the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) and the user terminal (200), and may include various wired and wireless communication networks such as a data network, a mobile communication network, and the Internet. In particular, the communication network (NET) in the present invention includes not only the currently used mobile communication network, but also the old-generation mobile communication network that has already been used and then abandoned, and the next-generation mobile communication network whose infrastructure is scheduled to be built and used in the future, and thus may be one of GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), CDMA 2000, LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution Advanced), 5G (5-Generation), and the 6G mobile communication network scheduled for service in 2030. In addition, the communication network (NET) may also include a network implemented through satellite communication, such as STARLINK.

[0070] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a user terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 2, the user terminal (200) includes a display unit (210), a wireless communication unit (220), an interface unit (230), an integrated maritime navigation providing app (240), and a GPS unit (250).

[0072] The display unit (210) can display integrated maritime navigation provided through the integrated maritime navigation providing app (240) on the screen. Depending on the embodiment, the display unit (210) can be a display device capable of displaying a user interface for integrated maritime navigation or a module that directly or indirectly controls the device.

[0073] The wireless communication unit (220) can be connected to the integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100) via a network. For example, when the integrated maritime navigation providing app (240) is executed on the user terminal (200), the wireless communication unit (220) can establish a connection with the communication unit of the integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100). That is, the user terminal (200) can exchange data with the integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100) via the wireless communication unit (220).

[0074] The interface unit (230) can directly connect the user terminal (200) and the ship. For example, the interface unit (230) can wire a connection between the user terminal (200) and the ship's system. That is, the user terminal (200) can be directly connected to the ship's automatic identification device and radar-connected system through the interface unit (230) in a situation where there is no Internet connection.

[0075] The integrated maritime navigation providing app (240) may be an app that provides maritime navigation to a user of a user terminal (200) based on maritime navigation data received through the integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100). The integrated maritime navigation providing app (240) may provide the user with an interface for maritime navigation operations. The integrated maritime navigation providing app (240) may immediately reflect and provide to the user vessel data, navigation notification data, etc., updated in real time through the integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100).

[0076] The GPS unit (250) may include a GPS. The user terminal (200) may provide the location of the user terminal (200) in real time via GPS. The GPS unit (250) may provide coordinates indicating the location of the user terminal (200) to the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100).

[0077] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an integrated maritime navigation information provision system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 3, the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) may include a data processing unit (110), a data integration unit (120), a communication unit (130), a control unit (140), and a database (300).

[0079] The database (300) can receive and store vessel data, chart data, and navigation notification data from a distributed maritime information provision server. The vessel data may include vessel-related information, including vessel identification and location information. The navigation notification data may include information for safe navigation, such as weather, ocean currents, reefs, and pirate information. The database (300) is connected to the data processing unit (110) and can exchange vessel data, chart data, and navigation notification data with the data processing unit (110).

[0080] The data processing unit (110) may receive first maritime navigation data from the database (300) and generate second maritime navigation data. The first maritime navigation data may include first vessel data, first chart data, and first navigation report data received from a distributed maritime information provision server. The second maritime navigation data may include second vessel data, second chart data, and second navigation report data. The second maritime navigation data may be generated by processing the first maritime navigation data. This will be described in more detail in FIG. 4.

[0081] The data integration unit (120) can integrate the second maritime navigation data generated by the data processing unit (110). The data integration unit (120) can form integrated navigation data based on the second maritime navigation data. For example, the data integration unit (120) can form the second nautical chart data as a first layer, the second vessel data as a second layer, and the second navigation report data as a third layer. The data integration unit (120) can generate integrated navigation data having a multi-layer structure including the first to third layers. The integrated navigation data can be provided to the user terminal (200) and provided to the user as maritime navigation through an integrated maritime navigation providing app.

[0082] The communication unit (130) can be connected to the wireless communication unit (220, see FIG. 2) of the user terminal (200, see FIG. 2) to exchange data. The communication unit (130) can be connected to the AIS and radar, which are respectively installed on the base station and the ship. The integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can receive maritime navigation data, including ship data, chart data, and navigation report data, through the communication unit (130) and store the data in the database (300).

[0083] The control unit (140) can perform overall control related to connection and data transmission between the data processing unit (110), data integration unit (120), communication unit (130), and database (300).

[0084] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration of the data processing unit of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 also illustrates a specific configuration of a distributed maritime information provision server that exchanges maritime navigation data via the data processing unit and a database.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 4, the data processing unit (110, see FIG. 3) may include a ship data processing unit (111), a chart data processing unit (112), and a navigation notification data processing unit (113). In addition, referring to FIG. 4, the distributed maritime information provision server (40) may include a comprehensive ship detection server (10), an electronic chart information server (20), and an integrated navigation notification server (30).

[0086] The integrated vessel detection server (10) collects data on all vessels at sea, the own vessel, and surrounding vessels from base stations and vessel AIS, and radars on land and vessels. The integrated vessel detection server (10) can generate first vessel data based on the collected data. The first vessel data can include identification information, loading information, and location information of the own vessel, surrounding vessels, and all vessels, respectively. In one embodiment, the first vessel data can be vessel data initially provided to the integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100) when the integrated maritime navigation providing app is executed on the user terminal (200). The integrated vessel detection server (10) can store the first vessel data in the database (300).

[0087] The electronic chart information server (20) may correspond to a server that provides electronic charts collected from an electronic chart display system (ECDIS), etc. The electronic chart information server (20) may store first chart data including electronic charts in a database (300). The electronic chart information server (20) may transmit updated electronic charts to the database (300) in real time. The first chart data may include electronic charts provided to the initial integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100).

[0088] The integrated navigation notification server (30) can provide navigation notifications. Here, navigation notifications may refer to information related to the safe navigation of a vessel. Navigation notifications may be provided for each maritime zone. For example, navigation notifications may include information on reefs, sandbars, sunken ships, underwater obstacles, maritime construction, firing drills, tidal currents and currents, submarine cables, pirate information, and drifting hazards. The integrated navigation notification server (30) can provide navigation notifications in text form. The database (300) can store first navigation notification data including the text-based navigation notifications provided by the integrated navigation notification.

[0089] In one embodiment, the data processing unit (110) and the distributed maritime information provision server (40) can exchange data through a database (300).

[0090] The ship data processing unit (111) can receive the first ship data stored from the database (300). The ship data processing unit (111) can check in real time whether the ship data in the database (300) is updated and extract the updated ship data.

[0091] The vessel data processing unit (111) can generate second vessel data based on the first vessel data. The second vessel data may include data updated from the first vessel data over time. For example, the vessel data processing unit (111) may receive from the database (300) only data related to updated location information among the vessel location information, identification information, and loading information included in the first vessel data. The vessel data processing unit (111) may generate second vessel data with updated location information from the first vessel data.

[0092] In one embodiment, the vessel data processing unit (111) may generate second vessel data from first vessel data based on the location of the vessel, which changes in real time. For example, the vessel data processing unit (111) may generate second vessel data including second position data, first loading data, and second identification data of vessels surrounding the vessel at a second time based on first vessel data including first position data, first loading data, and second identification data of vessels surrounding the vessel at a first time. The first time may be the time when the integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100) and the user terminal (200) are first connected. The second time may be any time thereafter that is different from the first time. That is, the vessel data processing unit (111) may generate second vessel data by keeping the same loading data for multiple vessels at different time points in the first vessel data and updating only the changed position data and identification data. The vessel data processing unit (111) is efficient because it receives only updated vessel data from the database (300) and generates secondary vessel data based on this. The secondary vessel data can be integrated with the secondary navigation report data and the secondary nautical chart data to provide integrated navigation data to users through an integrated maritime navigation service app.

[0093] In one embodiment, the ship data processing unit (111) can receive ship data collected through various types of sensors including an automatic ship identification system (AIS), shipboard radar, land radar, and lidar, and fused in the comprehensive ship detection server, from the database in real time.

[0094] The chart data processing unit (112) may receive first chart data from the electronic chart information server (20). In one embodiment, the electronic chart information server (20) may transmit first chart data including an electronic chart to a database (300), and the chart data processing unit (11) may receive first chart data stored in the database (300).

[0095] In one embodiment, the chart data processing unit (112) may generate second chart data based on the first chart data. For example, the chart data processing unit (112) may receive first chart data including electronic charts in various formats and generate second chart data converted into maritime navigation data. In one embodiment, the chart data processing unit (112) may receive first chart data including a plurality of electronic charts from an electronic chart information server (20) that receives and stores a plurality of electronic charts through a plurality of routes, integrate the first chart data, and generate a single second chart data to be used as maritime navigation data.

[0096] The navigation notification data processing unit (113) can receive first navigation notification data from the integrated navigation notification server (30). In one embodiment, the integrated navigation notification server (30) provides the first navigation notification data to the database (300), and the navigation notification data processing unit (113) can receive the first navigation notification data stored in the database (300). The first navigation notification data can correspond to a specific area of ​​the sea where the vessel is located.

[0097] The navigation notification data processing unit (113) can update the first navigation notification data according to changes in the vessel's location based on the location of the user terminal (200). For example, if the location of the user terminal (200) changes from the initial first zone to the second zone, the navigation notification data processing unit (113) can re-receive the first navigation notification data for the second zone from the database.

[0098] The navigation notification data processing unit (113) can generate second navigation notification data based on the first navigation notification data. The first navigation notification data may correspond to data stored in the database (300) in text format. The second navigation notification data may be in image format. The second navigation notification data may be in image format and provided to a user as maritime navigation data through a maritime navigation providing app. In one embodiment, the navigation notification data processing unit (113) can generate second navigation notification data by converting the first navigation notification data into image data through artificial intelligence-based natural language processing.

[0099] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a process of processing ship data according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a process of processing ship data according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] In FIG. 5, the display unit (210) of the user terminal (200) can display a ship image provided through an integrated maritime navigation providing app (240). The display unit (210) can display a chart image received from a chart data processing unit.

[0101] The chart data processing unit (112) of the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can provide chart data, and the vessel data processing unit (111) can provide vessel data. The chart data processing unit (112) provides chart data including electronic charts in the form of images. The vessel data processing unit (111) can update overall vessel information and surrounding vessel information based on the current location of the vessel received from the GPS unit (250) and provide the updated information to the integrated maritime navigation provision app (240).

[0102] In FIG. 6, the vessel data processing unit (111) may provide a hash table (50) containing vessel data to the user terminal (200). The hash table (50) may be composed of only information necessary as maritime navigation data among vessel-related information. For example, the hash table (50) may be composed of vessel data including information related to the vessel's location coordinates (T1), movement path (T2), identification information (T3), and number of passengers (T4). The hash table (50) may be stored through an integrated maritime navigation providing app (240, see FIG. 5).

[0103] For example, each of the own ship (SH1) and surrounding ships (SH2) may include information other than location coordinates (T1), movement path (T2), identification information (T3), and number of passengers (T4) as ship data. The ship data processing unit (111) may preferentially provide only the ship data T1 to T4 required for maritime navigation of the own ship (SH1) among various ship data through a hash table (50) provided to the user terminal.

[0104] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a process for processing navigational information data according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating a process for processing navigational information data according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process for processing navigational information data according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] In FIG. 7, the integrated navigation notification server (30) can collect navigation notification data for each of a plurality of zones from a plurality of navigation notification relays (60) each of which is positioned in a plurality of zones on the chart. The integrated navigation notification server (30) can provide the first navigation notification data collected from the navigation notification relays (60) of the plurality of zones to a plurality of ships (SH) in the corresponding plurality of zones.

[0106] More specifically, the integrated navigation notification server (30) can provide first navigation notification data to the database (300) of the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) connected to multiple ships (SH) in multiple zones. For example, when the integrated maritime navigation provision app (240, see FIG. 5) of the multiple connected user terminals (200) is executed, the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can be connected to the integrated navigation notification server (30) and receive the first navigation notification data through the database (300).

[0107] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the process in which the navigation notification data processing unit (113) processes first navigation notification data to generate second navigation notification data. This will be described below with reference to Figure 7.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 8, the navigation notification data processing unit (113) may include a navigation notification data receiving module (131), a structured data processing unit (132), a natural language processing unit (133), a data visualization module (134), and a navigation notification visualization data transmission module (135).

[0109] The navigation notification data reception module (131) can receive the first navigation notification data collected from the integrated navigation notification server (30). The first navigation notification data can be in text format. The structured data processing unit (132) can prioritize processing the structured data excluding the unstructured data from the first navigation notification data. The structured data contains relatively unimportant formal information among the navigation notification information included in the first navigation notification data.

[0110] The natural language processing unit (133) can analyze the first navigation notification data in text format using artificial intelligence to extract meaning. The text analysis technique used in the natural language processing unit (133) can be of various types utilizing artificial intelligence and is not particularly limited.

[0111] The data visualization module (134) can generate an image corresponding to the meaning of the first navigation notification data extracted through the natural language processing unit (133). That is, the data visualization module (134) can generate the second navigation notification data in the form of an image.

[0112] The navigation notification visualization data transmission module (135) can provide second navigation notification data including visualized navigation notification data to the user terminal (200).

[0113] The navigation notification visualization data transmission module (135) can send the first second navigation notification data to the data integration unit (120) of the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) to generate integrated navigation data and transmit it to the user terminal (200).

[0114] In addition, the navigation notification visualization data transmission module (135) can directly provide updated second navigation notification data to the user terminal (200) and visually provide the user with an image including navigation notification information through an integrated maritime navigation provision app (240, see FIG. 5).

[0115] In Fig. 9, the navigation notification data processing unit (113) can receive navigation notification data for multiple zones in real time from multiple navigation notification relay stations (60) each placed in multiple zones (S210).

[0116] The navigation notification data processing unit (113) can generate second navigation notification data visualized as an image by processing the received first navigation notification data in natural language using artificial intelligence (S220).

[0117] The communication unit (130) can transmit each of the second navigation notification data in image format to a plurality of ships (SH) located in each of the plurality of zones (S230). The communication unit (130) can transmit the second navigation notification data corresponding to a plurality of user terminals (200) connected to each of the plurality of ships.

[0118] The display unit (210) of the user terminal (200) can provide the second navigation notification data in the form of an image to the user through a display (S240).

[0119] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating an integrated maritime navigation information provision method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 illustrates the data transmission, reception, and processing process between an integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100), a distributed maritime information provision server (40), and a user terminal (200).

[0120] In Fig. 10, the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) receives ship data, nautical chart data, and navigation notification data through a distributed maritime information provision server (40) including a comprehensive ship detection server (10), an electronic chart information server (20), and an integrated navigation notification server (30) (S110).

[0121] The integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can store received vessel data, chart data, and navigation notification data in a database (300) (S130).

[0122] The integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can process and integrate ship data, nautical chart data, and navigation notification data stored in a database (300) to generate integrated maritime navigation data (S130, S140).

[0123] The integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can be connected to multiple user terminals (200) via a network (S150). When the integrated maritime navigation provision app (240) is executed on the user terminal (200), the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can be connected to the user terminal (200) and provide integrated maritime navigation data.

[0124] The user terminal (200) can transmit location information to the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) (S160). When the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) is first connected to the user terminal (200), the system can transmit vessel data, nautical chart data, and navigation notification data to the user terminal (200) as initial data based on the location information of the user terminal (200) (S170).

[0125] Thereafter, the user terminal (200) can transmit location information that changes during the ship's navigation in real time to the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) (S180). The data processing unit of the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can update ship data, chart data, and navigation report data based on the ship's location information that changes in real time received from the user terminal (200) and transmit the updated data to the user terminal (200) (S190). The integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can output the integrated maritime navigation data that is updated in real time to the user through the integrated maritime navigation provision app of the user terminal (200).

[0126] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an integrated maritime navigation information providing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0127] Figure 11 shows a method for connecting a user terminal (200) to a system of one's own ship when the network connection between the user terminal (200) and the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) is not smooth.

[0128] The user terminal (200) can be directly connected to the ship system when the wireless network connection level with the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) is below a standard. That is, the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can determine whether the data transmission / reception sensitivity is lower than a threshold (S310). The communication unit (130) of the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can determine whether the data transmission / reception sensitivity with the user terminal (200) is lower or higher than the threshold.

[0129] If the data transmission / reception sensitivity is higher than the threshold, the communication unit (130) can establish a connection between the user terminal (200) and the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) (S320). For example, if the data reception sensitivity is higher than the threshold, the user terminal (200) can receive maritime navigation data including vessel data, nautical chart data, and navigation notification data from the database (300) of the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100).

[0130] If the data transmission / reception sensitivity is lower than the threshold, the communication unit (130) may notify the user terminal (200) of a network connection failure and connect the user terminal (200) to the pilot plug of the ship system. The communication unit (130) may determine whether the user terminal (200) can be connected to the pilot plug of the ship (S330). For example, the communication unit (130) may determine whether the user terminal (200) is connected to the pilot plug of the ship system.

[0131] If it is determined that connection with a pilot plug is possible, the user terminal (200) can connect to the ship system through the pilot plug and receive ship data including ship location information from the connected ship system (S340).

[0132] If it is determined that connection with the pilot plug is impossible, the communication unit (130) of the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can receive the ship's location information using the GPS of the user terminal (200). Ship data including information other than the ship's location information can be received through the hash table (50, see FIG. 6) provided in the integrated maritime navigation provision app.

[0133] That is, the integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100) updates ship data through the database (300) when the wireless network connection sensitivity is higher than the threshold. The integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100) can update ship data directly from the ship system to the user terminal (200) when the wireless network connection sensitivity is lower than the threshold and the pilot plug of the ship system can be connected. The integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100) can update ship data through the GPS and hash table of the user terminal (200) when the pilot plug cannot be connected to the ship system.

[0134] Fig. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the appearance of a pilot plug according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0135] Fig. 12 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Referring to Fig. 12, it can be seen that the pilot plug (1200) according to the present invention is composed of a connecting portion (1210) and a main body (1230).

[0136] The connection part (1210) is a part that is directly connected to the AIS terminal of the ship. When the connection part (1210) is connected to the AIS terminal of the ship, power and data can be transmitted from the power line and data line of the AIS terminal of the ship to the pilot plug (1200). More specifically, when the connection part (1210) is connected to the AIS terminal of the ship, power can be supplied to a module requiring power supply among the sub-modules included in the pilot plug (1200), and the AIS data of the ship can be transmitted to the communication module included in the pilot plug (1200).

[0137] The main body (1230) is composed of a housing (1231) of a pilot plug (1200) and sub-modules arranged inside the housing (1231). The housing (1231) forms the exterior of the pilot plug (1200) and is formed in a form that surrounds the sub-modules. In addition, the sub-modules arranged inside the housing (1231) may include a first communication module, a second communication module, an activation control unit, and a memory. The first communication module, the second communication module, the activation control unit, and the memory are described later in FIG. 14.

[0138] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the entire system implemented through the pilot plug described in Figure 12.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 13, it can be seen that the entire system (1) implementing the transmission method of the pilot plug including a plurality of communication modules according to the present invention is implemented in a form in which the user's own ship (SH1) on board, the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100), the user terminal (200), the ship automatic identification system (AIS) of the base station, and the radar (RADAR) are connected through various communication networks. In FIG. 13, the user is considered to be a pilot involved in the entry and exit of the own ship (SH1).

[0140] As illustrated in Figure 13, the ship automatic identification system (AIS) and radar (RADAR) of the base station are located on land (inland), and the server implementing the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) is also considered to be located on land.

[0141] A user can board his / her vessel (SH1) and mount a pilot plug (1200) on an AIS terminal (AIST). The pilot plug (1200) according to the present invention includes multiple communication modules, and the pilot plug (1200) can transmit data to an external terminal using a communication method supported by any one of the multiple communication modules.

[0142] For example, when the first communication module of the pilot plug (1200) is activated, the second communication module of the pilot plug (1200) is deactivated, and the pilot plug (1200) can transmit AIS data received from the AIS terminal (AIST) to the user terminal (200) using the first transmission method supported by the first communication module. Here, the AIS data received from the AIS terminal (AIST) may be the first maritime navigation data described in FIG. 3 or a portion of data constituting the first maritime navigation data. That is, the AIS data corresponds to raw data received from the AIS terminal (AIST), and is not processed data like the second maritime navigation data generated by the data processing unit (110) of the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100). Fig. 13 illustrates an example in which the first communication module is activated and a local area network (NET2) is implemented, and the AIS data transmitted to the user terminal (200) through the local area network (NET2) is abbreviated as D1.

[0143] As another example, when the second communication module of the pilot plug (1200) is activated, the first communication module of the pilot plug (1200) is deactivated, and the pilot plug (1200) can transmit AIS data received from the AIS terminal (AIST) to the user terminal (200) using the second transmission method supported by the second communication module. Fig. 13 exemplarily shows that the second communication module is activated and a local area network (NET2) is implemented.

[0144] The two embodiments described above are the same in that the pilot plug (1200) transmits AIS data to the user terminal (200) via a local area network (NET2), but they can be distinguished in the method of forcing the communication status of the user terminal (200), and the specific process for this will be described later in FIG. 14.

[0145] The automatic identification system of the own ship (SH1) including an AIS terminal (AIST) can communicate with the automatic identification system (AIS) of the base station through a VHF communication network (NET3). The automatic identification system of the own ship (SH1) including an AIS terminal (AIST) can automatically transmit AIS data of the own ship (SH1) to the automatic identification system of another ship (e.g., SH4) other than the own ship (SH1) and the automatic identification system (AIS) of the base station through a channel that can communicate with a signal of an internally defined VHF band. That is, although not separately illustrated in FIG. 13, the automatic identification system of the own ship (SH1) includes a VHF communication module (not illustrated) for communicating with the automatic identification system of another ship or the automatic identification system (AIS) of the base station.

[0146] The integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can communicate with the user terminal (200) through a communication network (NET1). The communication network (NET1) at this time means a communication network with a wider scope than the local area communication network (NET2) and the VHF communication network (NET3) described above, and may include various wired and wireless communication networks such as a data network, a mobile communication network, and the Internet. In particular, the communication network (NET) in the present invention includes not only the currently used mobile communication network, but also the old-generation mobile communication network that has already been used and then abandoned, and the next-generation mobile communication network whose infrastructure is scheduled to be built and used in the future, and thus may be one of GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), CDMA 2000, LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution Advanced), 5G (5-Generation), and the 6G mobile communication network scheduled for service in 2030.

[0147] The integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100) can receive various information including location, loading, and identification information of ships sailing or anchored through the automatic identification system (AIS) and radar (RADAR) of land-based base stations and ships at sea, and store the information as maritime navigation data. The integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100) can integrate the stored maritime navigation data and update it in real time to provide integrated maritime navigation to the user through an app of the user terminal (200). In order for the integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100) to provide integrated maritime navigation through the app of the user terminal (200), the AIS data transmitted from the integrated maritime navigation information providing system (100) to the user terminal (200) will be abbreviated as D2. Unlike D1 described above, D2 is information processed in the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) and may be the second maritime navigation data described in FIG. 3.

[0148] As an example, the communication network (NET1) connecting the communication between the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) and the user terminal (200) may be deactivated by the communication settings of the user terminal (200). For example, if the user sets the user terminal (200) to airplane mode, thereby terminating all wireless communications of the user terminal (200), the communication network (NET1) between the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) and the user terminal (200) may be deactivated. In addition, the communication network (NET1) between the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) and the user terminal (200) may also be deactivated when the communication method of the user terminal (200) is limited to wireless communications through the local area network (NET2) due to the influence of the local area network (NET2). A detailed description thereof will be described later with reference to FIG. 14.

[0149] Figure 14 is a block diagram showing an example of sub-modules included in the main body of the pilot plug.

[0150] Fig. 14 will be described with reference to Fig. 12.

[0151] Referring to FIG. 14, it can be seen that the main body (1230) of the pilot plug (1200) includes a first communication module (1232), a second communication module (1233), an activation control unit (1234), and a memory (1235). The first communication module (1232), the second communication module (1233), and the activation control unit (1234) included in the main body (1230) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be driven in a form included in a hardware device such as a microprocessor or a general-purpose computer system.

[0152] The names of each module included in the main body (1230) illustrated in FIG. 14 are arbitrarily named to intuitively explain the representative function performed by each module, and when the present invention is actually implemented, each module may be given a name different from the name described in FIG. 14.

[0153] In addition, the number of modules included in the main body (1230) of FIG. 14 may vary depending on the embodiment. More specifically, in FIG. 14, the main body (1230) includes a total of five modules, but depending on the embodiment, the first communication module (1232), the second communication module (1233), the activation control unit (1234), and the memory (1235) may be integrated into one module, or at least one module may be implemented in a form in which it is separated into two or more modules.

[0154] First, the connection unit (1210) can detect a connection to the AIS terminal of the ship and receive AIS data from the AIS terminal. Here, as already explained, the received AIS data is data about the own ship (SH1) and may include information on the departure point, information on the destination, information on the speed (in knots), information on the operating angle, information on the load, information on the type of cargo, etc. In other words, the received AIS data corresponds to raw data received from the own ship (SH1) and therefore does not contain information on other ships or the maritime situation.

[0155] The first communication module (1232) operates so that AIS data received through the connection unit (1210) can be transmitted to the user terminal (200) in the first transmission method. The first communication module (1232) operates when activated by the activation control unit (1235) described below, and does not operate when deactivated. As an example, the first transmission method supported by the first communication module (1232) may be a Bluetooth-based transmission method, and in this case, the first communication module (1232) is a Bluetooth module.

[0156] The second communication module (1233) operates so that AIS data received through the connection unit (1210) can be transmitted to the user terminal (200) in the second transmission method. The second communication module (1233) operates when activated by the activation control unit (1235) described below, and does not operate when deactivated. As an example, the second transmission method supported by the second communication module (1233) may be a Wi-Fi-based transmission method, and in this case, the second communication module (1233) is a Wi-Fi module. In the present invention, it is considered that the Wi-Fi-based communication supported by the second communication module (1233) does not allow access to the Internet. That is, in the method of implementing Wi-Fi in the present invention, since the Wi-Fi router of the ship (SH1) is not connected to an Internet service provider (ISP), it can access a peripheral device that broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal and perform communication, but cannot provide an Internet service to the user terminal (200).

[0157] In the present invention, the first transmission method implemented by the first communication module (1232) has a lower transmission speed, a lower frequency band, and lower power consumption than the second transmission method implemented by the second communication module (1233). If the first transmission method is a Bluetooth-based transmission method and the second transmission method is a Wi-Fi-based transmission method, the transmission speed according to the first transmission method is at most 1 MB / s, but the transmission speed according to the second transmission method is at most 54 MB / s. In addition, if the first transmission method is a Bluetooth-based transmission method and the second transmission method is a Wi-Fi-based transmission method, the frequency band according to the first transmission method is 2.4 GHz, but the frequency band according to the second transmission method is 5 GHz.

[0158] The activation control unit (1234) determines one of the first transmission method and the second transmission method based on the setting information received from the user terminal (200), and controls the AIS data of the ship (SH1) to be transmitted to the user terminal (200) according to the determined transmission method. More specifically, the activation control unit (1234) deactivates the second communication module (1233) when the first transmission method is determined based on the received setting information, and deactivates the first communication module (1232) when the second transmission method is determined, and then detects an activated module among the first communication module (1232) and the second communication module (1233) and controls the AIS data to be transmitted to the user terminal (200) using the transmission method supported by the detected module.

[0159] Here, when the connection unit (1210) is connected to the AIS terminal of the ship, the activation control unit (1234) can request configuration information from the user terminal (200) adjacent to the pilot plug (1200) and receive configuration information.

[0160] As an example, the setting information may be a setting value that the user has previously input when installing an app on the user terminal (200). If the user has previously saved the setting value in order to transmit AIS data to the user terminal (200) via Bluetooth, the activation control unit (1234) may receive the setting information from the user terminal (200), read the received setting information, and activate only the first communication module (1232) to control the AIS data to be transmitted to the user terminal (200) via Bluetooth.

[0161] As another example, the setting information may be information about the completeness of the electronic navigation chart information (or the level of the app) built into the app of the user terminal (200). As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11, the integrated maritime navigation information output to the user terminal (200) of the present invention is information that is largely built by integrating ship information (the own ship and adjacent ships), electronic navigation chart information, and navigation notice information into layers, and then integrating them. Among these, electronic navigation chart information has the characteristic of having a huge capacity. If all electronic navigation chart information with a huge capacity is built into an app, not only will the capacity of the app increase dramatically, but there is also the problem of having to secure the code for activating each region that makes up the electronic navigation chart at once.

[0162] More specifically, raw data for electronic charts (ECs) is managed by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). Typically, terminals using ENCs can download ENC data all at once, but they are locked by region. To properly utilize downloaded ENCs, a code must be received each time a voyage begins to unlock certain areas related to the vessel's navigation route. This unlocking allows ENCs for the relevant areas to be activated. For ease of explanation, high-capacity apps built with all ENC information will be referred to as "general apps," while low-capacity apps built with only a portion of the ENC information will be referred to as "lightweight apps."

[0163] Next, the activation control unit (1234) checks the setting information and determines that all electronic chart information is present if the app installed in the user terminal (200) is a general app (high-capacity app), and can control the AIS data to be transmitted to the user terminal (200) via the second transmission method through the second communication module (1233). The app installed in the user terminal (200) can be driven to selectively unlock only the areas related to the navigation of the ship (SH1) among the pre-stored electronic chart information, and merge the AIS data transmitted via the second transmission method into the unlocked electronic chart, thereby finally outputting integrated navigation data (combined data of electronic chart and AIS data) to the user terminal (200). In this case, if the second communication module (1233) transmits AIS data to the user terminal (200) based on Wi-Fi, the user terminal (200) cannot access the Internet, and therefore cannot receive the second maritime navigation data provided by the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) while the second communication module (1233) is activated.

[0164] On the other hand, the activation control unit (1234) checks the setting information and determines that if the app installed on the user terminal (200) is a lightweight app (low-capacity app), some of the electronic navigation information is missing, deactivates the second communication module (1233), and controls the AIS data to be transmitted to the user terminal (200) through the first transmission method via the first communication module (1232). In the case where the AIS data is transmitted to the user terminal (200) according to the first transmission method (e.g., Bluetooth) via the first communication module (1232), the user terminal (200) can access the Internet, and thus, even during the period in which the first communication module (1232) is activated, the second maritime navigation data provided by the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) can be received.

[0165] In this embodiment, the navigation data that can be output to the user terminal (200) may be either a 'light version of integrated maritime navigation data' generated by combining AIS data with an incomplete electronic chart built in a lightweight app, or 'the second maritime navigation data' provided by the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) via the Internet. By making a predetermined input to the user terminal (200), the user may select to display only the results for either one of the two data.

[0166] As described above, there may be cases where the user prefers to use the lightweight integrated navigation data rather than the second maritime navigation data provided by the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100). Since the second maritime navigation data is processed information generated through the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100), the reliability of the data may be an issue, and it is statistically known that users tend to control the movement of the vessel only with the navigation data generated from vessel information (AIS data) extracted only from their own vessel (SH1).

[0167] Additionally, users may prefer to use lightweight integrated navigation data rather than secondary maritime navigation data due to concerns about latency in checking AIS data. Some of the information contained in the vessel information transmitted by the vessel's automatic ship identification system (ASI) may have a long collection cycle. If secondary maritime navigation data is generated by considering this collection cycle, it may take a long time for the user to obtain the information they want. Therefore, users may prefer to obtain vessel information without latency by attaching a pilot plug (1200) to the AIS terminal (AIST), quickly grasp the surrounding maritime situation using only lightweight integrated navigation data, and then direct the vessel's operation.

[0168] The memory (1235) may perform a function of temporarily or permanently storing various data collected during the communication process between the first communication module (1232), the second communication module (1233), and the activation control unit (1234). The memory (1235) may include a random access memory (RAM) such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a CD-ROM, a Blu-ray or other optical disk storage, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a flash memory.

[0169] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data transmission method of a pilot plug including a plurality of communication modules according to the present invention.

[0170] Since the method according to Fig. 15 can be implemented by the pilot plug described in Fig. 14, the following description will be made with reference to Figs. 12 to 14, and any description that overlaps with what has already been described will be omitted.

[0171] The connection part (1210) of the pilot plug (1200) can detect the connection to the AIS terminal (AIST) of the ship and transmit the detection result to the activation control part (1234) of the main body (1230) (S1510).

[0172] The activation control unit (1234) of the pilot plug (1200) can request setting information from a user terminal (200) adjacent to the pilot plug (1200) (S1520).

[0173] When the activation control unit (1234) of the pilot plug (1200) receives the requested setting information in step S1520, it can determine one of the first transmission method and the second transmission method based on the received setting information (S1530).

[0174] In step S1530, if the activation control unit (1234) determines the first transmission method (S1540), the activation control unit (1234) deactivates the second communication module (1233) (S1550), and if the activation control unit (1234) determines the second transmission method (S1560), the activation control unit (1234) can deactivate the first communication module (1232) (S1570). Here, the deactivation of the module can be implemented by cutting off the power supplied to the module by forming an open circuit using a switch or MOSFET, etc., and can be implemented in various ways depending on the embodiment.

[0175] Finally, after the activation control unit (1234) deactivates either the first communication module (1232) or the second communication module (1233), the communication module that remains activated transmits AIS data to the user terminal (200) using the transmission method determined in step S1530 (S1580).

[0176] As an optional embodiment of step S1580, the pilot plug (1200) may transmit AIS data to the user terminal (200) using the first transmission method, and then may switch to the second transmission method based on a user input to transmit the AIS data. This optional embodiment reflects the user's judgment, and may be applied when the user determines that the AIS data received from the pilot plug (1200) alone is sufficient because the Wi-Fi-based communication speed is faster than the Bluetooth-based communication speed, and thus the user determines that the second maritime navigation data transmitted from the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) is not necessary.

[0177] FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating a user terminal and an integrated maritime navigation providing app installed on the user terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0178] Hereinafter, the description will be given with reference to Fig. 2.

[0179] In FIG. 16, the user terminal (200) illustrated together with the integrated maritime navigation providing app (240) refers to an electronic device having a display unit (210) for displaying visual data and an interface unit (not shown) for receiving data from a user. Referring to FIG. 16, the user terminal (200) is illustrated in the form of a smartphone, but the terminal (200) when the present invention is implemented is not limited to a smartphone, and may include all portable terminals such as tablet personal computers (Tablet PCs) and netbooks.

[0180] The integrated maritime navigation providing app (240) of FIG. 16 is not a physical device, but rather a logical device representing an intangible application installed on a user terminal (200). Although it is illustrated as being included in the user terminal (200) in FIG. 16, when the integrated maritime navigation providing app (240) is actually implemented on the user terminal (200), it can be implemented in a form in which a set of scripts composed of various commands are integrated into an executable program and installed on the user terminal (200). That is, the integrated maritime navigation providing app (240) operates in a form in which it controls the content displayed on the display unit (210) of the user terminal (200).

[0181] The integrated maritime navigation providing app (240) illustrated in FIG. 16 illustrates only the components necessary to highlight the features of an embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that, in embodiments other than the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, other general-purpose components may be included in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 16.

[0182] Referring to FIG. 16, it can be seen that the integrated maritime navigation providing app (240) includes a communication unit (241), a search unit (243), a database (245), and a display control unit (247).

[0183] The communication unit (241) can control communication with the pilot plug (1200). Specifically, the communication unit (241) can receive a transmission request for setting information from the pilot plug (1200) connected to the AIS terminal of the ship. In addition, the communication unit (241) can also perform a function of controlling so that communication can be maintained smoothly when only a specific communication module in the pilot plug (1200) is activated. That is, the communication unit (241) can control the communication module of the user terminal (200) to operate in a limited manner according to a predefined command.

[0184] The search unit (243) can search for setting information in the database (245).

[0185] The database (245) stores various types of information in conjunction with hardware such as memory physically included in the user terminal (200), and can control the transmission of stored information when requested by another module such as the search unit (243). In addition, the database (245) can store vessel information, electronic chart information, and navigation notification information.

[0186] The display control unit (247) performs a function of controlling the output of information determined to be output on the display unit (210) of the user terminal (200) through a series of processes.

[0187] The functions of the integrated maritime navigation providing app (240) described in FIGS. 12 to 15 are described by sub-module in FIG. 16 as follows.

[0188] When a transmission request for setting information is received from the pilot plug (1200) connected to the AIS terminal of the ship, the communication unit (241) transmits the transmission request to the search unit (243), thereby controlling the search unit (243) to search for the setting information in the database (245). Here, the setting information may be a setting value previously input by the user, or, depending on the embodiment, may be information indicating the size of the capacity of the integrated maritime navigation providing app (240) installed in the user terminal (200) or the amount of electronic chart information, as has already been explained. In other words, what information the setting information means is defined in advance in the search unit (243).

[0189] After the search unit (243) searches for setting information in the database (245), the communication unit (241) can operate to transmit the searched setting information back to the pilot plug (1200). Then, when one of the first communication module (1232) and the second communication module (1233) of the pilot plug is activated in response to the transmitted setting information, the communication unit (241) can control the user terminal (200) and the pilot plug (1200) to communicate using a communication method supported by one of the activated first communication module (1232) and the second communication module (1233).

[0190] The display control unit (247) can control to integrate data received from the first communication module (1232) and the AIS data station when the first communication module (1232) is activated, and output the integrated result through the display unit (210) of the user terminal (200). Here, the AIS data station refers to the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) described in FIG. 1. In addition, the present embodiment relates to an additional embodiment in which the user terminal (200) receives data from both the Bluetooth-based first communication module (1232) and the Internet-based integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) and then integrates the data. This embodiment can be applied when a ship enters or leaves a port in a country with a low level of port data communication environment, such as Africa, Southeast Asia, or South America, rather than in a country with a high level of port data communication environment, such as Korea or Singapore. That is, in a port of a country where the data communication environment is not properly established, even if an integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) is installed, it may take a long time for the second maritime navigation data (D2) to be received by the user terminal (200). However, in this embodiment, since the user terminal (200) receives data from both the Bluetooth-based first communication module (1232) and the Internet-based integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100) and then integrates them, the present invention can be reproduced at a high level even in a port of a country where the data communication environment is poor.

[0191] As another example, the display control unit (247) can control the display unit (210) to process the result received from the second communication module (1233) and output it through the display of the user terminal (200) when the second communication module (1233) is activated. This embodiment refers to an embodiment in which the pilot plug (1200) is connected to the AIS terminal and the AIS data is transmitted to the user terminal (200) while a Wi-Fi-based communication system is established. As has already been explained, when Wi-Fi is activated, the second maritime navigation data (D2) cannot be provided to the user terminal (200) from the integrated maritime navigation information provision system (100).

[0192] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for communicating with a pilot plug in a user terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0193] Since the method according to Fig. 17 can be implemented by the integrated maritime navigation providing app (240) described in Fig. 16, it will be described with reference to Fig. 16, and any description that overlaps with the content already described will be omitted.

[0194] The communication unit (241) can receive a transmission request for setting information from the pilot plug (S1710).

[0195] The search unit (243) can search for setting information in the database (245) (S1730).

[0196] The communication unit (241) can transmit the searched setting information to the pilot plug (1200) (S1750).

[0197] The communication unit (241) can control communication to be performed in a communication method determined by the pilot plug (S1770).

[0198] As an example, when the first communication module (1232) is activated, the display control unit (247) can integrate data received from the first communication module (1232) and the AIS data station and output the integrated result through the display of the user terminal (200).

[0199] In addition, when the second communication module (1233) is activated, the display control unit (247) can control the display unit (210) to process the results received from the second communication module (1233) and output them through the display of the user terminal (200).

[0200] The pilot plug (1200) and integrated maritime navigation providing app (240) according to the present invention can significantly improve the convenience of the work of the pilot who is the user. More specifically, according to the current electronic chart system, when all electronic charts of the world are installed in a locked state on a terminal and a request for information on electronic charts is made to a chart company in a country adjacent to a specific country, a permission key in the form of a code is issued, and only the portion of the electronic chart corresponding to the specific country area is unlocked with the permission key, allowing the activated electronic chart to be used, which has the problem of being inconvenient. In particular, implementing all locked electronic charts as an app and installing them on a terminal has been pointed out as not only excessive app capacity and difficult to optimize, but also inefficient due to the characteristic of receiving a permission key and activating only a limited area.

[0201] According to the present invention, a pilot plug includes a plurality of communication modules, which can be selectively operated to output integrated maritime navigation data to a user's terminal, thereby enhancing the convenience of the pilot's work and reducing the accident rate during the entry and departure of a vessel. The user pilot can adjust the operating characteristics of the pilot plug according to the level of the port's data communication environment or according to his / her work style, thereby checking a desired level of maritime navigation data on the terminal he / she is using.

[0202] The method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be executed on an electronic device in the form of a program command. The electronic device includes a portable communication device such as a smartphone or smart pad, a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, and a home appliance.

[0203] The embodiments of the present invention described above may be implemented in the form of a computer program that can be executed through various components on a computer, and such a computer program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. At this time, the medium may include a magnetic medium such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape, an optical recording medium such as a CD-ROM and a DVD, a magneto-optical medium such as a floptical disk, and a hardware device specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, etc.

[0204] Meanwhile, the computer program may be specifically designed and constructed for the present invention, or may be one known and available to those skilled in the computer software field. Examples of computer programs may include not only machine language code, such as that generated by a compiler, but also high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

[0205] The specific implementations described in the present invention are exemplary embodiments and do not limit the scope of the present invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, descriptions of conventional electronic components, control systems, software, and other functional aspects of the systems may be omitted. In addition, the lines connecting or connecting members between components illustrated in the drawings are merely representative of functional connections and / or physical or circuit connections, and may be replaced or represented as various additional functional connections, physical connections, or circuit connections in an actual device. In addition, unless specifically mentioned as “essential,” “important,” etc., a component may not be absolutely necessary for the application of the present invention.

[0206] The use of the term "above" and similar referential terms in the specification of the present invention (especially in the claims) may refer to both singular and plural. Furthermore, if a range is described in the present invention, it includes inventions that apply individual values ​​within the range (unless otherwise stated), and is equivalent to describing each individual value constituting the range in the detailed description of the invention. Finally, unless the order of the steps constituting the method according to the present invention is explicitly stated or otherwise stated to the contrary, the steps may be performed in any appropriate order. The present invention is not necessarily limited by the order in which the steps are described. The use of all examples or exemplary terms (e.g., "for example," etc.) in the present invention is merely intended to illustrate the present invention in detail, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the examples or exemplary terms, unless otherwise defined by the claims. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, combinations, and variations can be made within the scope of the appended claims or their equivalents, depending on design conditions and factors.

Claims

1. When a connection to the ship's AIS terminal is detected, a step of requesting setup information to an adjacent user terminal; A step of determining one of the first transmission method and the second transmission method based on the setting information received according to the above request; When the first transmission method is determined, a step of deactivating the second communication module for implementing the second transmission method, and when the second transmission method is determined, a step of deactivating the first communication module for implementing the first transmission method; and A method for transmitting data of a pilot plug including a plurality of communication modules, comprising the step of detecting an activated module among the first communication module and the second communication module, and transmitting AIS data of the first point in time of the ship to the user terminal based on the detected module.

2. In paragraph 1, The above setting information is, A method for transmitting data of a pilot plug including a plurality of communication modules, the data being information that was previously stored in the user terminal before requesting the above setting information.

3. In paragraph 1, The above first transmission method is, A data transmission method of a pilot plug including a plurality of communication modules, which has a lower transmission speed than the second transmission method.

4. In paragraph 1, The above first transmission method is, A data transmission method of a pilot plug including a plurality of communication modules, which is a method of communicating in a lower frequency band than the second transmission method.

5. In paragraph 1, The above first transmission method is, A data transmission method of a pilot plug including a plurality of communication modules, which is a method that consumes lower power than the second transmission method.

6. In paragraph 1, The above first transmission method is, A method for transmitting data of a pilot plug including a plurality of communication modules, which, when applied to the user terminal, enables access to the Internet of the user terminal.

7. In paragraph 1, The second transmission method is as follows: A data transmission method of a pilot plug including a plurality of communication modules, which, when applied to the above user terminal, is a method of blocking access of the above user terminal to the Internet.

8. In paragraph 1, The above first transmission method is, It is a transmission method based on Bluetooth, The second transmission method is as follows: A data transmission method of a pilot plug including multiple communication modules, which is a transmission method based on WiFi.

9. In paragraph 1, The step of transmitting the AIS data of the first point of time of the above vessel to the user terminal is, A data transmission method of a pilot plug including a plurality of communication modules, which transmits the AIS data using the first transmission method and then switches to the second transmission method based on a user's input to transmit the AIS data.

10. A connection part that detects a connection to the ship's AIS terminal and receives AIS data from the connected AIS terminal; An activation control unit that determines one of the first transmission method and the second transmission method based on setting information received from a user terminal; A first communication module that transmits the AIS data to the user terminal using the first transmission method; and Includes a second communication module that transmits the AIS data to the user terminal using a second transmission method, The above activation control unit, When the above first transmission method is determined, the second communication module for implementing the second transmission method is deactivated, When the second transmission method is determined, the first communication module for implementing the first transmission method is deactivated, A pilot plug that detects an activated module among the first communication module and the second communication module, and transmits AIS data of the first point in time of the ship to the user terminal based on the detected module.

11. In paragraph 10, The above first transmission method is, It is a transmission method based on Bluetooth, The second transmission method is as follows: Pilot Plug, a transmission method based on WiFi.

12. A step of receiving a transmission request for setting information from a pilot plug connected to the AIS terminal of the ship; A step of searching the above setting information from a database and transmitting the searched setting information to the pilot plug; A method for communicating with a pilot plug in a user terminal, comprising the step of communicating with the pilot plug in a communication method supported by one of the activated first communication module and second communication module when one of the first communication module and the second communication module of the pilot plug is activated in response to the transmitted setting information.

13. In paragraph 12, A method for communicating with a pilot plug in a user terminal, further comprising the step of integrating data received from the first communication module and the AIS data station when the first communication module is activated, and outputting the integrated result through a display of the user terminal.

14. In paragraph 12, A method for communicating with a pilot plug in a user terminal, further comprising the step of processing a result received from the second communication module and outputting it through a display of the user terminal when the second communication module is activated.

15. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the method according to Article 12.

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