Marina Slip Occupancy Sensors for Real-Time Availability Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marina operation staff are often unaware when transient boat slips become available for re-rental due to lack of timely notification from long-term renters, face challenges with unexpected watercraft arrivals and departures, and suffer from slip theft without prompt detection.
Innovation Solution
A marina slip occupancy detection system comprising a watercraft detector with an occupancy sensor, processor, and communication module that alerts a remote server and notification device to notify staff of occupancy changes, enabling real-time management and alerting dockhands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual monitoring of slip occupancy is used, then device complexity is low, but productivity and revenue optimization are reduced due to lack of timely occupancy information
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automated occupancy sensors and detectors that continuously monitor slip occupancy without requiring manual intervention. The detectors automatically detect watercraft presence/absence, communicate status changes to the remote server, and trigger notifications, enabling the system to self-monitor and self-communicate occupancy information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual monitoring mechanisms with automated electronic occupancy sensors and detection systems. Instead of staff physically checking slips, the system uses electronic detectors, communication modules, and automated notification systems to track and report occupancy status.
2Loss of information
If long-term renters are relied upon to notify marina staff of their departure, then device complexity remains low, but loss of information occurs as staff are not timely notified of slip availability
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes an automated feedback loop where occupancy detectors continuously monitor slip status and automatically communicate changes to the remote server and marina staff. When occupancy status changes (watercraft arrives or departs), the system automatically sends notifications, ensuring timely information flow without relying on manual updates from renters.
3Loss of time
If manual detection of watercraft arrival is used, then device complexity is low, but productivity is reduced due to unexpected arrivals not being promptly detected
Solution Approach 1:
The occupancy detectors are continuously monitoring slip occupancy status in advance, ready to detect and report any changes immediately. The system is pre-configured to automatically detect watercraft arrival, communicate status changes to the server, and trigger notifications before marina staff would manually discover the arrival.
Data Source
AI summary
A marina slip occupancy detection system includes at least one watercraft detector configured to detect the presence and/or absence of a watercraft in a target area. A process of the watercraft detector is configured to communicate with a remote server with indications of occupancy or occupancy change. The remote server is configured to notify a dockhand, marina manager, and/or the watercraft owner/operator depending on the occupancy change and predetermined configurations of the remote server.