Banner Roller Mechanism for Remote Nautical Symbol Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for displaying nautical symbols, such as signal flags and day shapes, on vessels are inefficient and require significant crew effort, expertise, and electrical power, especially for uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a first and second roller to support a banner with a plurality of symbols, an actuator to rotate the rollers, and processors to control the actuator and adjust which symbol is displayed, allowing for remote control and efficient display of nautical symbols on vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If LED screens are used to display flag representations, then visibility is improved, but electrical power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses printed representations of flags and symbols on a banner instead of LED screens. The banner displays graphical representations of signal flags and day shapes that are printed on the material, eliminating the need for high-power LED displays while maintaining visibility through the printed imagery and color coding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a reusable banner with printed flag representations that can be easily replaced or adjusted, rather than using expensive, high-power LED screens. The printed banner provides sufficient visibility without the continuous high energy consumption of electronic display systems.
2Illumination intensity
If LED screens display flag representations, then visibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex LED display systems with a simpler printed banner system. The banner contains pre-printed graphical representations of flags and symbols that can be displayed without complex electronic controls, reducing device complexity while maintaining visual communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the display function from complex electronic LED screens and implements it through a simpler printed banner system. The visual information is extracted from electronic display technology and transferred to a static printed medium that requires minimal mechanical components for operation.
3Shape
If physical flag hoisting is used, then proper flag shape and silhouette are maintained, but crew effort and expertise requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses printed representations of flags on a banner that replicate the proper shapes and silhouettes without requiring physical flag hoisting. The printed graphics maintain the correct geometric forms and color coding while eliminating the need for crew members to manually handle and position physical flags.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically displays the correct flag representations through controlled rotation of the banner, eliminating the need for crew members to manually hoist or adjust physical flags. The automated mechanism serves itself by electronically controlling which symbol is displayed based on navigation status.
4Reliability
If manual flag display is used, then proper nautical communication is achieved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically selects and displays the appropriate flag representations based on the vessel's navigation status and communication requirements. The automated control mechanism eliminates the time-consuming manual selection and hoisting processes while ensuring accurate nautical communication through proper symbol display.
Solution Approach 2:
The banner pre-contains multiple printed representations of different flags and symbols in the correct positions and configurations. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for real-time manual assembly or adjustment, allowing instant display of the required communication symbols when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for displaying nautical symbols on a vessel is provided. The device includes a first roller, a second roller, an actuator, and a first processor. The first and second rollers are configured to support a banner comprising a plurality of symbols and to furl the respective ends of the banner such that a symbol in the plurality of symbols is positioned for display between the first roller and the second roller. The actuator is configured to rotate at least one of the rollers. The first processor is configured to control the actuator. An apparatus for displaying a plurality of nautical symbols on a vessel; a computer-implemented method of adjusting a displayed symbol on a device; and a system which comprises a device for displaying nautical symbols on a vessel and a second processor are also provided.