Marine Display System Integrating Sonar and Nautical Chart Views
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nautical chart and sonar image systems are separate and uncorrelated, making it difficult and time-consuming for users to understand surface and subsurface conditions of a body of water, as they need to consult multiple displays and infer information between the two.
Innovation Solution
A system that correlates sonar image data with location data, allowing users to zoom in on a nautical chart and seamlessly transition to associated sonar images, with adjustable scale thresholds and intuitive user interface controls for perspective shifting between chart and sonar views.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nautical chart and sonar image are displayed separately on different displays or in split screen format, then each display can show its own information clearly, but the user must consult multiple displays and make multiple selections to understand surface and subsurface conditions, increasing operation complexity and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines nautical chart display and sonar image display into a single integrated display interface. The system overlays sonar images onto the nautical chart at corresponding geographic locations, allowing users to view both surface and subsurface information simultaneously on one display without switching between multiple displays or split screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses geographic location data as an intermediary to correlate and align sonar image data with nautical chart data. By using location coordinates as the common reference frame, the system automatically associates sonar returns with their corresponding chart positions, eliminating the need for manual correlation or multiple selections.
2Loss of information
If nautical chart and sonar image are displayed separately, then each can be optimized for its own purpose, but the user must infer information between the two displays, making it difficult and time-consuming to ascertain water conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges nautical chart and sonar image into a single correlated display where both information types are visible simultaneously at their corresponding geographic locations. This integration eliminates the need for users to mentally infer relationships between separate displays and provides complete surface and subsurface information in one view.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a vertical dimension to the traditional 2D nautical chart by overlaying sonar images that represent the subsurface dimension. This allows users to perceive both surface (chart) and subsurface (sonar) conditions in a unified spatial context, making the correlation between them intuitive and immediate.
3Measurement precision
If the system provides detailed sonar images and nautical charts with multiple zoom levels and perspectives, then information detail and accuracy are improved, but the device complexity and user interface complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic zooming and panning capabilities that allow users to adjust the scale and perspective of the correlated chart and sonar display. The correlation relationship is maintained dynamically across different zoom levels, with the system automatically adjusting the sonar image scale to match the chart scale, providing detailed information without requiring complex manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts display parameters such as sonar image scale, overlay transparency, and perspective angle based on the selected zoom level and user preferences. These parameter changes are made dynamically to maintain optimal correlation between chart and sonar data, reducing the need for manual system configuration while preserving high measurement precision.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus for providing marine information is provided including a user interface, a processor, and a memory including computer program code. The memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to generate a sonar image based on sonar return data received from an underwater environment, determine a location associated with the sonar return data based on location data received from one or more position sensors, and render a nautical chart on a display. The computer program code is further configured to cause the apparatus to receive a user input on the user interface directed to a portion of the display in which the nautical chart is presented, and modify presentation of the nautical chart such that the portion of the display presents the sonar image in response to receiving the user input.