Remote Ship Piloting Using a Virtual Bridge Control Center

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for guiding large container ships into ports require a pilot to board the vessel, exposing them to dangerous conditions and limiting efficiency due to the need for manual navigation in confined waterways.

Innovation Solution

A remote-controlled system where a remote control center, equipped with sensors and communication technology, sends pilot-control information to the ship's control unit, allowing for remote maneuvering of the vessel and tugboats, eliminating the need for a pilot to board the ship.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pilot boards the container ship to provide local navigation expertise, then the ship can be safely maneuvered into port, but the pilot is exposed to dangerous conditions and the system has limited availability due to pilot waiting time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafe maneuvering into portVSAvoidpilot exposure to dangerous conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the ship's bridge environment in a remote control center, allowing the pilot to observe and control the ship remotely through video feeds, sensors, and communication systems without physically boarding the vessel. This eliminates exposure to dangerous sea conditions while maintaining full situational awareness and control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a remote control center as an intermediary between the pilot and the ship, equipped with transmitters and receivers that relay control commands and sensor data. This intermediary system enables the pilot to exercise control over the ship's maneuvering units without direct physical contact, thereby eliminating harmful environmental exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a pilot boards the container ship, then local navigation expertise can be applied, but the system experiences loss of time due to pilot availability and waiting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocal navigation expertiseVSAvoidpilot waiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control center enables pilots to remain continuously available and ready to assist multiple ships simultaneously without the need to physically board and disembark. The system allows for continuous monitoring and control capabilities, eliminating idle waiting time and improving the overall efficiency of pilot services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The remote control center serves multiple functions: it can support multiple ships simultaneously, provide navigation assistance, monitor ship conditions, and coordinate with port authorities. This multi-functional capability allows a single pilot to efficiently manage several vessels without time loss from boarding procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If conventional manual navigation is used in confined waterways, then the ship can be controlled, but the operation requires a pilot to be physically present on board

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual navigation controlVSAvoidremote control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical presence on the ship's bridge with electronic and optical systems. Video cameras, sensors, and communication equipment transmit visual and operational data to the remote control center, where control commands are sent back to maneuver the ship. This substitution eliminates the need for physical boarding while maintaining full navigational control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11815886B2Method and system for operating a ship

Publication Date: 2023.11.14 A P MOLLER AS

AI summary

A system comprises a ship having one or more maneuvering units for controlling the speed and direction of the ship. The ship comprises a ship control unit configured to send signals to the one or more maneuvering units to maneuver the ship and a transmitter-receiver connected to the control unit and configured to transmit and receive information. The system comprises a remote-control center remote from the ship. The remote-control center comprises a transmitter-receiver 16 configured to receive situation information of the ship. The remote-control center comprises a remote-control unit configured to determine pilot-control information for maneuvering the ship based on the situation information and configured to transmit the pilot-control information to the ship via the transmitter-receiver of the remote-control center. The transmitter-receiver of the ship is configured to receive the pilot-control information. The ship control unit is configured to send signals, based on the pilot-control information, to the one or more maneuvering units of the ship to maneuver the ship.