Marine Navigation System Augmented View Sensor Fusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine navigation systems face challenges in providing accurate and reliable navigation and maneuvering, especially in low visibility conditions, as they rely on limited onboard information and may not accurately reflect the surrounding environment.
Innovation Solution
A marine navigation system that integrates a positioning unit, nautical chart database, short-range distance sensor module, and control unit to provide an augmented view on a display, combining nautical chart information with real-time scanned data from the environment, and highlighting discrepancies between the two for improved navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional onboard navigation systems are used, then the system is simple to operate, but the navigation accuracy and reliability deteriorate in low visibility conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges traditional nautical chart display with real-time sensor data (LIDAR, radar, cameras) to create an augmented view that combines prior knowledge with current environmental information. This integration improves navigation reliability by providing multiple data sources while maintaining a unified user interface that does not significantly increase operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary processing layer that fuses data from multiple sensors and compares it with nautical chart information. This mediator process generates the augmented view, resolving the contradiction by handling complexity internally while presenting a streamlined interface to the operator.
2Loss of information
If multiple separate navigation information sources are used, then the information completeness improves, but the cognitive load on the captain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple information sources (nautical charts, LIDAR scans, radar data, camera images) into a single augmented view displayed on one screen. This merging eliminates the need for the captain to switch between multiple displays or mentally integrate separate information streams, thereby maintaining information completeness while reducing cognitive load and improving interpretation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system overlays real-time sensor data in the same spatial dimension as the nautical chart, allowing simultaneous visualization of expected terrain and actual environment. This dimensional integration enables the captain to perceive all information sources in a unified spatial context, improving interpretation efficiency without sacrificing information completeness.
3Measurement precision
If real-time sensor scanning is implemented, then the accuracy of surrounding environment information improves, but the system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary data fusion process that receives high-precision data from multiple sensors (LIDAR, radar, cameras) and reconciles it with nautical chart information. This mediator layer handles the complex processing requirements internally, generating simplified augmented views that maintain high measurement precision while managing data processing complexity through systematic integration algorithms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances navigation safety by providing real-time, high-precision information about the marine vessel's surroundings, reducing cognitive load for the captain and improving interpretation efficiency, regardless of visibility conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the short range distance sensor module being configured to provide scanned data of a surrounding environment of the marine vessel
Implementation Method 2
a positioning unit configured to detect a position of the marine vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A marine navigation system for a marine vessel includes a positioning unit configured to detect a position of the marine vessel, a nautical chart database, a display being configured to present a view of a nautical chart information and a position of the marine vessel on the nautical chart, and a short range distance sensor module arranged on the marine vessel. The short range distance sensor module provides scanned data of a surrounding environment of the marine vessel. A control unit is operatively connected with the short range distance sensor module, the positioning unit, the nautical chart database and the display. The control unit processes the scanned data to provide a scanned view of the surrounding environment. The control unit is configured to present an augmented view of the nautical chart and scanned data on the display, and to indicate portions of the scanned data which does not match the nautical chart information in the augmented view.