AIS Navigation Message Parsing for Changing Binary Formats

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing AIS message formats require software and equipment updates when changed, preventing immediate operation with new formats.

Innovation Solution

A navigation information reception device that determines and stores format information for analyzing navigation messages without updates, allowing for format and non-format message analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the format of binary messages in AIS messages is changed to enable individual operations by region, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases because software and equipment updates are required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing multiple format information templates (first format, second format, etc.) in the format information storage unit before runtime. When a navigation message is received, the system quickly matches the message format against stored templates without requiring software updates or equipment changes, thus achieving format adaptability while avoiding device complexity increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by storing different format information templates with varying parameters (different data structures, field definitions, and interpretation rules for navigation messages). The determination unit dynamically selects the appropriate format template based on message characteristics, allowing the system to adapt to different regional formats through parameter selection rather than structural modification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If new format equipment is introduced to support changed message formats, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time occurs because operation cannot start until equipment is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-loading multiple format information templates into the format information storage unit during system initialization or setup phase. This allows the determination unit to immediately match and interpret navigation messages in various formats without waiting for equipment updates, eliminating the time loss associated with introducing new format equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies copying by creating and storing multiple copies of format information templates (first format template, second format template, etc.) in the format information storage unit. Each template represents a different regional format specification. The system can instantly copy the appropriate template into active memory for message interpretation, avoiding the need to physically introduce new equipment for each format change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If software updates are required to correspond to new message formats, then measurement precision is improved for new formats, but ease of operation deteriorates because updates are necessary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple format information templates with precise interpretation rules for different regional navigation message formats. These templates are stored in advance in the format information storage unit, allowing the determination unit to accurately interpret messages without requiring software updates, thus maintaining measurement precision while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by designing a single determination unit and format information storage unit that can handle multiple message formats through stored templates. The analysis unit uses the selected format template to accurately interpret navigation messages regardless of regional format variations, achieving multi-format support with a single system configuration rather than multiple specialized software versions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4671111A1Navigation information receiving device, navigation information transmitting device, navigation information transmitting/receiving system, navigation information receiving method, navigation information transmitting method, navigation information receiving program, and navigation information transmitting program
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 FURUNO ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP4671111A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4671111A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4671111A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To make it possible to analyze navigation information messages even when the message format is changed, without requiring updating software or equipment. A navigation information receiving device 10 comprises: a receiving unit 101 that receives a navigation information message; a determining unit 102 that determines whether the received navigation information message is a formatted message or a non-formatted message; a format storage unit 104 that stores format information included in the formatted message; and an analyzing unit 103 that analyzes the contents of the non-formatted message on the basis of the format information stored in the format storage unit 104.