Boat-Mounted Vision Rangefinding for Submerged Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to accurately detect and identify objects partially or fully submerged in water, such as whales or containers, due to limitations in sonar, RADAR, and LIDAR technologies, which can lead to collisions and damage to boats.
Innovation Solution
A system using a camera-based capturing module mounted on a boat, combined with an inertial measurement module and artificial neural networks, to generate and process images for object detection, identification, and calculate distances, allowing for precise trajectory adjustments to avoid collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sonar-based technologies are used to detect immersed objects, then detection capability for submerged objects is improved, but detection capability for floating objects is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection technologies (sonar for submerged objects, LIDAR for floating objects) into a single integrated detection system. The processing module selectively activates appropriate detection modes based on object characteristics, thereby achieving both reliable submerged object detection and versatile detection coverage including floating objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting both submerged and floating objects, measuring distances, identifying object types, and tracking trajectories. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable to different detection needs while maintaining reliability across all detection scenarios.
2Reliability
If LIDAR systems are used to detect floating objects, then detection capability for floating objects is improved, but identification capability and spatial resolution are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts laser power levels and processing parameters based on detected object characteristics and distance. For distant objects, higher power is used to maintain detection capability, while for closer objects, the system switches to higher resolution modes, thereby optimizing both detection reliability and measurement precision adaptively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (laser power, pulse duration, scanning frequency) based on detection requirements. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system maintains spatial resolution while extending detection range, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If signal reflection methods are used to detect floating objects, then detection simplicity is improved, but detection accuracy and distance measurement capability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple signal reflection detection with time-of-flight measurement using LIDAR technology. This substitution maintains operational simplicity while dramatically improving distance measurement accuracy, as the system calculates distance based on light travel time rather than relying on reflection intensity alone.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (30) for determining the distance between a boat (1) and at least one object (5) at least partially immerged in a water area (3), said system (30) comprising a capturing module (310), intended to be mounted on said boat (1), for example on a mast (20), said capturing module (310) comprising at least one camera, said at least one camera being configured to generate at least one sequence of images of said water area (3), and a processing module (320), intended to be embedded onboard said boat (1), said processing module (320) being configured to receive the at least one sequence of images from said at least one camera, to detect at least one object (5) in said at least one received sequence of images and to determine the distance between the boat (1) and the at least one detected object (5) using the received sequence of images.