Tag-Free Man Overboard Detection Using Radar and Video Confirmation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current man overboard detection systems rely on wearable tags, which can be removed accidentally or intentionally, leading to unreliable detection and are not designed for larger vessels like cruise ships or ferry boats, necessitating a tag-free detection method that operates in real time with high accuracy and low false alarms.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system comprising a detection module with imaging resolution that prevents human identification, video capture for confirmatory evidence, and a monitoring station that processes data from multiple modules to identify human presence without wearable devices, using radar and infrared cameras for continuous surveillance and accurate location determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wearable tags are used for man overboard detection, then detection capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates because tags can be removed accidentally or intentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the wearable tag component from the detection system. Instead of requiring tags to be worn by passengers, the system uses fixed monitoring units aboard the vessel that detect objects entering the water through radar, optical, or other sensing technologies. This removes the reliability issue of tag removal while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary detection mechanism (monitoring units with sensors) that indirectly detects man overboard events by sensing objects in the water rather than directly detecting tags on passengers. This intermediary approach provides more reliable detection without requiring passenger cooperation or wearing devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tag-based detection systems are used, then detection function is provided, but adaptability deteriorates because they are not designed for larger vessels like cruise ships or ferry boats
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal monitoring system that can be adapted to various vessel types including cruise ships, ferry boats, and smaller vessels. The system uses standardized monitoring units that can be deployed along the hulls of vessels of any size, providing consistent detection capability across different vessel classes and eliminating the limitation of tag-based systems being restricted to smaller vessels.
3Measurement precision
If high imaging resolution is used in detection system, then identification accuracy is improved, but false alarm rate increases due to inability to distinguish human bodies from other objects
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different detection characteristics to different aspects of the monitoring task. Rather than using uniformly high resolution across all parameters, the system uses appropriate sensing modalities (radar for detection, optical for confirmation) and applies resolution thresholds that balance detection sensitivity with false alarm reduction. The monitoring units detect objects entering water with appropriate precision while using pattern recognition to distinguish human bodies from other objects.
4Loss of time
If real-time detection is implemented, then response time is improved, but system complexity increases due to processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements preliminary detection and filtering actions that reduce the complexity of real-time processing. The monitoring units continuously scan for objects entering water and pre-process the data to identify potential man overboard events before full analysis is required. This preliminary action allows real-time detection while reducing the computational burden on the central system.
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring system for a periphery of a structure comprises a monitoring module (102) having a detection and ranging system (304, 308) arranged to support monitoring of a portion of the periphery corresponding to a coverage field in order to detect passage of a body beyond the periphery. The detector (304, 308) has an imaging resolution that prevents conclusive visual identification by a human operator of the nature of the body. The monitoring module also comprises a video capture apparatus (312, 314) arranged to provide video data in respect of the coverage field. The system also comprises a monitoring station apparatus (200) arranged to receive data from the monitoring module (102). In response to detection of the passage of the body by the detection system (304, 308), the monitoring station (200) enables the operator to review the video data. The video data enables the operator to identify readily the nature of the body detected and thereby to provide confirmatory visual evidence when the body is human.