AR Tidal Current Display for Intuitive Vessel Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional AR-based navigation systems fail to intuitively display tidal current information from external sources, hindering effective navigation of marine vessels due to incomplete integration and display of tidal information, which can negatively impact vessel integrity and performance.

Innovation Solution

A tidal current information display device that superimposes tidal current information on a ship's display screen using augmented reality, integrating data from on-board and external sources to provide intuitive navigation assistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional AR-based navigation systems display image information and sensor data, then navigation assistance is provided, but tidal current information from external sources cannot be displayed intuitively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetidal current informationVSAvoidintuitive display
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges tidal current information from external sources with on-board sensor data and image information into a single integrated AR display. The tidal current information display module combines multiple data sources (external tidal data, on-board sensors, camera images) to present comprehensive navigation information, resolving the contradiction by integrating previously separate information streams into a unified intuitive interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a tidal current information display module as an intermediary component that specifically handles external tidal current data. This module acts as a mediator between external tidal information sources and the navigation display system, processing and presenting tidal current information in an intuitive manner that complements existing AR navigation features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If tidal current information is obtained from external sources, then navigation accuracy can be improved, but integration and display effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoidinformation integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tidal current information display module is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both an external data receiver and an integration hub that combines tidal current information with on-board sensor data and image information. This universal module handles multiple data types and sources through a single integrated interface, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high navigation accuracy.

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

3Loss of information

If multiple data sources are used for navigation, then information completeness is improved, but effective integration and display is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddisplay effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges image information from cameras, sensor data from on-board equipment, and tidal current information from external sources into a single coherent AR display. The tidal current information display module specifically integrates external tidal data with local sensor measurements and visual information, presenting all data sources in a unified effective display that maintains information completeness while ensuring ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4086575B1Tidal current information display device
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 FURUNO ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP4086575B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4086575B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4086575B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tidal current information display device (1) for a movable body (11) includes a position measurement module (151) to detect a position of the movable body (11), a geographical information selection module (152) to determine geographic information to be displayed on a display screen (16) based on the detected position, a tidal current information receiving module (153) to receive and store tidal current information based on the detected position, a tidal current information display module (154) to generate display data for displaying a first graphical user interface (GUI) (202) for displaying the tidal current information corresponding to a predetermined position on the geographic information displayed on the display screen (16), and a voyage time calculation module (155) to calculate an estimated time for the movable body (11) to reach the predetermined position. The first GUI (202) is configured for showing at least one of: the estimated time and a direction and speed of a tidal current at the estimated time.