Marine Chartplotter Route Guidance with Dynamic Lane Boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine electronic devices, such as chartplotters, often display navigational information in a way that is difficult to read and interpret, making it challenging for operators to navigate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A marine electronic device with a processing system that displays a route to a destination using indicators like lines and arrows, and provides guidance by displaying a lane with boundaries to accommodate minor course deviations, while also considering cartographic and vessel data to determine an efficient and safe route, and offers features like 3D mapping, sonar data rendering, and a guard zone for threat detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional navigation information display methods are used, then the device shows basic route information, but the information is difficult to read and interpret
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation information is segmented into multiple visual layers: route line showing the path, lane boundaries defining acceptable deviation zones, and guidance arrows providing directional cues. This segmentation allows each element to convey specific information independently, making the overall navigation data easier to read and interpret without overwhelming the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color coding to differentiate various navigation elements and their states. Route lines, lane boundaries, and guidance indicators use distinct colors or color variations to indicate different information types and statuses, enhancing the readability and interpretability of navigation information through visual differentiation.
2Ease of operation
If a lane with boundaries is displayed to accommodate minor course deviations, then the guidance becomes more intuitive, but the display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lane width is made dynamic rather than fixed. The processing system automatically adjusts the lane width based on real-time vessel data including current speed, heading, and turning radius. This dynamic adjustment allows the display to accommodate minor course deviations intuitively while adapting to the vessel's operational characteristics, reducing the perceived complexity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic lane width calculation and adjustment based on vessel performance data without requiring manual intervention. The processing system self-regulates the display parameters by considering the vessel's current state, eliminating the need for operators to manually configure complex display settings while maintaining intuitive guidance.
3Reliability
If route determination considers multiple vessel data parameters, then the route safety and efficiency improve, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the lane width and route parameters based on the vessel's performance characteristics before the actual navigation begins. By pre-calculating acceptable deviation zones and route safety margins based on vessel data such as turning radius and speed capabilities, the system reduces real-time processing complexity while maintaining high route safety and reliability.
4Device complexity
If guidance indicators are displayed only when the vessel is off course, then the information remains clean and uncluttered, but the response time to correct course may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring the vessel's position relative to the desired route and automatically displaying guidance indicators (such as arrows or lane boundary markings) whenever the vessel deviates from the acceptable lane. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures timely course correction while maintaining a clean display by only showing indicators when actually needed, balancing information clarity with responsive guidance.
Data Source
AI summary
A marine electronic device such as a chartplotter which includes a display; a location determining component; and a processing system for receiving location data from the location determining component and for causing information to be displayed by display. The processing system causes the display to display information which assists an operator in navigating and ascertaining characteristics of bodies of water, objects on nearby shores, and other vessels.