Harbor Berthing Monitoring With AI Segmentation and Panoramic Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vessel monitoring systems, such as ECDIS and radar, suffer from inaccuracies due to GPS limitations, AIS update periods, and noise, making it difficult to accurately monitor surroundings and guide vessels during berthing or unberthing in harbors.

Innovation Solution

A method and device using multiple cameras with artificial neural networks for image segmentation and viewpoint transformation to generate panoramic images, calculating distances and speeds to guide vessels safely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ECDIS and GPS are used for vessel monitoring, then navigation information can be displayed, but measurement precision and reliability are insufficient due to GPS inaccuracies and AIS update periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple monitoring systems (ECDIS, GPS, AIS, radar, and camera systems) into an integrated monitoring device that fuses data from all sources to achieve both high measurement precision and reliable vessel position tracking, overcoming the limitations of individual systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces visual recognition technology as an intermediary verification layer that independently confirms vessel and obstacle positions, mediating between the electronic systems and providing accurate measurement without being affected by GPS drift or AIS update delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If radar is used for obstacle detection, then surrounding areas can be monitored, but measurement precision is reduced due to noise and unsearchable areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring coverage areaVSAvoidobstacle detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges radar monitoring with visual camera systems, where radar provides broad area coverage and the camera system provides high-precision visual confirmation of detected obstacles, creating a complementary system that achieves both wide coverage and high accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback loops where radar detection results trigger visual verification by camera systems, and the visual confirmation feedback refines the obstacle detection accuracy, continuously improving measurement precision through iterative verification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If visual checking is performed for obstacle detection, then measurement precision can be improved, but productivity is reduced due to increased time and effort required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobstacle detection accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated visual recognition systems that perform obstacle detection and classification autonomously without requiring continuous manual visual checking, allowing the system to self-monitor and maintain high precision while preserving productivity through automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection with automated computer vision and image processing systems, substituting human effort with mechanical/algorithmic processing that maintains high detection accuracy while significantly improving monitoring efficiency and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3862997B1Ship and harbor monitoring device and method
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 SEADRONIX CORP
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  • EP3862997B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3862997B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a harbor performed by a computing means, and according to an aspect of the present invention, a method for monitoring a harbor comprising obtaining a harbor image; generating a segmentation image corresponding to the harbor image; generating a display image corresponding to the harbor image and having a first view attribute; generating a transformed segmentation image corresponding to the segmentation image and having a second view attribute different from the first view attribute; generating a panoramic image by matching the display image; generating a matched segmentation image by matching the transformed segmentation image; calculating berthing guide information of the vessel based on the matched segmentation image; and outputting the berthing guide information with the panoramic image.