Marine Control Input Saturation Using Local Obstacle Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine vessel input devices are limited by centralized control systems, leading to challenges in adaptability, performance consistency, maintenance complexity, interoperability, and latency, especially when integrating with different vessel systems or employing multiple input devices.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized input device with integrated processing circuitry that controls saturation independently, utilizing distance sensors and force feedback to manage input limits and responsiveness, allowing for localized processing and adaptive control settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If saturation control is centralized in the marine vessel control system, then system-wide coordination is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the saturation control functionality by providing each input device with its own integrated processing circuitry that independently controls saturation. This distributes the control logic from a centralized system to individual devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining coordination through standardized communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
Each input device becomes self-sufficient with integrated processing circuitry that autonomously handles saturation control without requiring centralized management. The device independently determines saturation levels based on its own operational parameters, eliminating the need for complex centralized coordination while improving maintainability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If saturation control is decentralized to the input device, then adaptability and portability are improved, but system integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The input device incorporates universal processing circuitry that can function across different marine vessel systems and configurations. The integrated circuitry handles multiple functions including saturation control, signal processing, and communication, making the device adaptable to various applications while standardizing the interface to reduce integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing circuitry dynamically adjusts saturation parameters based on real-time operational conditions and device state. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to optimize performance for different vessels and scenarios without requiring complex manual configuration or integration adjustments.
3Loss of time
If processing circuitry is integrated in the input device, then response time is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the processing circuitry directly into the input device, combining signal processing, saturation control, and communication functions in a single integrated unit. This eliminates separate processing stages and reduces latency by handling all control operations locally at the device level without external communication delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated processing circuitry acts as an intermediary between the input device and the marine vessel control system, pre-processing signals and determining saturation levels before transmission. This local processing reduces the computational burden on the central system and minimizes communication latency while maintaining systematic coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
An input device for navigational control of a marine vessel has processing circuitry to obtain a requested input device input in response to a maneuvering of the input device; obtain a distance between the marine vessel and a closest obstacle located in a direction indicated by the requested input device input; and control saturation of the input device at least based on the distance. The processing circuitry is integrated in the input device and configured to control the saturation independently of control circuitry of the marine vessel external to the input device.