Camera Boat Loading Guidance for Precise Trailer Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for loading a boat onto a trailer are often challenging due to variability in ramp dimensions, wind conditions, and the lack of guidance, leading to potential damage and inefficiency, especially for inexperienced operators.
Innovation Solution
A navigation system that uses a mobile device with an image processing unit and camera to determine the longitudinal axes of the boat and trailer, providing guidance through visual and auditory cues to align the boat correctly with the trailer, utilizing markers on the trailer and real-time environmental considerations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single operator performs boat loading without assistance, then the operation can be completed independently, but the alignment precision and safety are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera-based guidance system as an intermediary between the operator and the boat-trailer alignment task. The system captures images, processes them to detect longitudinal axes, and provides visual feedback through a monitor, serving as a virtual assistant that enhances alignment precision without requiring physical presence of another person.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for manual mechanical alignment (which requires skill and experience) with an automated optical measurement and image processing system. The system uses cameras, image processing algorithms, and visual feedback to substitute for the mechanical skill that would otherwise be needed for precise alignment.
2Productivity
If the operator moves quickly to reduce waiting time, then productivity increases, but the risk of damage to boat or trailer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a real-time feedback system that continuously monitors the boat's position relative to the trailer and provides visual guidance to the operator. This feedback loop allows the operator to move quickly while maintaining proper alignment, as the system constantly informs them of their position and guides corrections, enabling both speed and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares alignment guidance information in advance by detecting the longitudinal axes and calculating the desired trajectory before the boat completes its approach. This preliminary preparation of guidance data allows the operator to proceed confidently at optimal speed without needing to make reactive adjustments.
3Ease of operation
If conventional marker-based navigation is used, then basic navigation is possible, but real-time alignment guidance during boat loading is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static marker-based navigation into a dynamic real-time guidance system. The system continuously captures images, processes them to detect current positions and orientations, and updates the visual feedback in real-time during the loading process. This dynamic approach provides continuously updating alignment information rather than static pre-planned navigation paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends conventional 2D marker-based navigation by adding the dimension of real-time image processing and visual feedback. The system doesn't just use markers for position detection but processes entire images to detect longitudinal axes and calculate alignment, providing comprehensive spatial information in real-time that goes beyond basic marker coordinates.
4Device complexity
If no visual feedback system is used, then the system remains simple, but the operator cannot accurately judge alignment during loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera and monitor system as an intermediary that captures and displays the alignment state for the operator. This visual intermediary allows the operator to see the boat's position relative to the trailer from a safe distance and make precise adjustments based on the displayed image, greatly improving alignment judgment accuracy without significantly increasing physical system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy (image) of the actual boat-trailer scene and displays it on a monitor for the operator to view. This optical copy allows the operator to assess alignment accuracy without being in a position where they can directly observe the alignment, providing a safe and clear view of the alignment state.
Data Source
AI summary
A navigational system and method for guiding a boat onto a trailer, which comprises at least one marker mounted on the trailer; a camera located on the boat to assist the system with determining a longitudinal axis of the boat, and generating images of at least a front area of the boat and the at least one marker; an image processing unit for 1) receiving and processing the images to determine the at least one marker, 2) estimating the longitudinal axis of the trailer, 3) generating a desired boat trajectory for aligning the longitudinal axis of the boat with the longitudinal axis of the trailer; and 4) periodically generating guidance output commands to the user to assist the user with following the desired boat trajectory and facilitate loading of the boat on the trailer; and an image display for sequentially displaying the generated images of the camera to a user.