Ship Collision Risk Assessment Using Time and Distance Weighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collision risk assessment systems, such as CPA collision alarms, do not align with navigators' varied assessment criteria, which can be based on time or distance, leading to mismatched collision alarms.
Innovation Solution
A navigation assistance device that calculates both time-based and distance-based collision risk values, allowing adjustable weights for reference time and distance to combine assessment criteria, and issues alarms based on combined risk determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If CPA collision alarm based on time until closest approach is used, then collision risk assessment is simplified and automated, but it does not match navigators who use distance as criterion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges time-based collision risk assessment (CPA alarm) with distance-based collision risk assessment into a unified system. The processing circuitry calculates both time-based risk values and distance-based risk values, then combines them to determine overall collision risk, thereby accommodating both navigator preferences simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the weighting between time-based and distance-based assessment criteria. The processing circuitry can flexibly prioritize either time or distance depending on the situation, allowing the collision risk assessment to adapt to different operational contexts and navigator preferences
2Ease of operation
If single criterion (time or distance) is used for collision risk assessment, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot accommodate varied navigator preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The collision risk assessment system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can assess risk based on time criterion, distance criterion, or a combination of both. This multi-functional capability allows a single system to serve different navigator preferences without requiring separate assessment systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If combined time and distance criteria are used, then alignment with navigator preferences is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the collision risk assessment into distinct time-based calculation and distance-based calculation components. Each component operates independently with its own criteria, and the processing circuitry combines their results. This segmentation maintains clarity and manageability while achieving comprehensive assessment
Data Source
AI summary
A navigation assistance device is provided, including processing circuitry configured to acquire first ship data representing the position and speed of a first ship; acquire second ship data representing the position and speed of a second ship; on the basis of the first ship data and the second ship data, calculate a first collision risk value based on the time required for the second ship to approach the first ship; on the basis of the first ship data and the second ship data, calculate a second collision risk value based on the distance between the first ship and the second ship; and on the basis of the first collision risk value and the second collision risk value, determine whether there is a risk of collision between the first ship and the second ship.