Marine Search System with Chart Plotter and Pointing Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marine search and recovery operations lack efficient systems for coordinating information exchange and distributing data among participating vessels to effectively locate and rescue objects or individuals in the sea, relying largely on oral or radio communication.
Innovation Solution
A marine search system incorporating a chart plotter, vessel position sensors, a pointing unit with cameras, and an identification unit that displays and manages camera images, allows for the classification and storage of target positions, and emulates AIS signals for objects without their own transmitters, enabling coordinated and expedited search efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple local searchlights are deployed on a single vessel to improve search coverage, then the ability to locate objects in the sea is improved, but the complexity of coordinating information exchange and distributing data among participating vessels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple searchlights and their associated data processing into a unified networked system. Multiple searchlights on a single vessel or across multiple vessels are integrated through a common data exchange protocol, allowing centralized coordination of target information, positions, and search data, thereby reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from managing multiple independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal data exchange format and communication protocol that can handle information from various sources (searchlights, radar, visual observation) and distribute it to multiple participating vessels. This multi-functional approach allows the same coordination mechanism to serve different search scenarios and vessel configurations, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Productivity
If visual observation and radar search are conducted manually with oral or radio communication, then the system remains simple, but the efficiency and speed of information distribution among vessels is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual oral or radio communication with an automated electronic data exchange system. Search data, target positions, and observation information are transmitted electronically between vessels and the coordinating system, eliminating the need for manual communication and significantly improving information distribution speed and accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized protocols.
3Loss of information
If AIS information from other vessels is received and displayed, then awareness of other vessels' positions is improved, but the risk of information overload on the chart plotter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by selectively processing and displaying AIS information based on relevance to the current search operation. Rather than displaying all received AIS data uniformly, the system filters and prioritizes information from vessels in the immediate search area or those actively participating in the operation, reducing information overload while maintaining completeness of critical data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary filtering and organization of AIS information before presentation to the operator. Data is pre-processed to identify relevant vessels, organize their positions and identities, and prepare information for efficient display, reducing the cognitive load and processing complexity during active search operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a marine recovery system comprising the following features:a chart plotter (1)a position sensor (10) arranged for displaying the vessel's (2) position (2N, 2E) in said chart plotter (1);a position receiver (21) for other vessels' (221, 222, . . . ) or objects (24) position (23N, 23E) and possibly their identity, and for displaying them in said chart section (4);an pointing camera unit (3) for directing a stabilized main axis (31) towards a target (5) in or by the sea, and arranged for calculating the target's position (5N, 5E),a camera image (45) for being displayed in said chart plotter (1) with an aiming circle (55) representing said stabilized main axis (31), and for moving said camera image (45) to a new desired position (53N, 53E) in said chart section (4);an identification unit (7) connected to the pointing unit (3) arranged to select and assign to said target (5) a class (51) and for storing said assigned class (51) and said target's (5) position (53N, 53E) as an object (24) with a stored position (58N, 58E) in a second memory (82) for display as symbols (22s) in said chart plotter (1).