Ship Docking Vision Assist Using Water Surface Reference
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ship docking assisting systems face challenges in accurately docking ships with reduced hardware resources, particularly in detecting relative positions between the ship and the wharf at long distances, where the distance between the ship body and the docking target is long, making it difficult to accurately assist the approaching operation.
Innovation Solution
A ship docking assisting apparatus that uses an imaging device mounted on the ship to capture images of both the docking target and the water surface, calculating relative positional relations between the ship and the docking target from multiple sets of image information, allowing for accurate detection and assistance in both approaching and docking operations without the need for pre-stored map information, thereby reducing hardware requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image information from both the docking target and water surface is used to calculate relative positional relations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing is segmented into distinct functional modules: water surface detection module, docking target detection module, and relative position calculation module. This segmentation allows each module to focus on a specific task, improving overall measurement precision while making the complex processing more manageable and less error-prone
Solution Approach 2:
The water surface serves as an intermediary reference object between the ship and the docking target. By detecting the water surface position in addition to the docking target, the system creates an intermediate reference frame that improves the accuracy of relative position calculations without requiring direct complex measurements between all components
2Productivity
If map information is pre-stored in the storage device, then productivity is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by calculating relative positional relations in real-time based on current image information from the docking target and water surface, rather than relying on pre-stored map information. This eliminates the need for large storage resources while maintaining high docking operation efficiency through on-demand computation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from using static pre-stored map data to using dynamic real-time image parameters. By continuously updating position calculations based on current visual information from the imaging device, the system achieves high productivity without requiring substantial storage resources for map data
3Adaptability or versatility
If a camera is provided at the front part of the ship body for approaching operation detection, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds another dimension to position detection by incorporating water surface image information alongside docking target information. This multi-dimensional approach compensates for the limitations of front-mounted camera detection at long distances, maintaining measurement precision while preserving adaptability for approaching operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple image sources (docking target and water surface) to continuously refine position estimates. By processing image information from the front camera and comparing it with water surface references, the system maintains measurement precision even during approaching operations where the ship is at varying distances from the docking target
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A ship docking assisting apparatus 1 and a ship docking assisting method of assisting a ship 50 to be accurately docked with reduced hardware resource are provided. The ship docking assisting apparatus 1 includes a storage device 3 and a ship docking assist processor 10 which is used in the ship docking assisting method. The ship docking assisting apparatus 1 and the ship docking assisting method assist the docking of the ship 50 by outputting ship information related to the ship 50 to an assist target device 8. The ship docking assist processor 10 acquires image information including the docking target and the water surface taken by the imaging device 2 (S1). The ship docking assist processor 10 calculates at least one relative positional relation between a ship body 51 and the docking target, from a plurality of sets of image information obtained while the ship 51 is moved forward in the ship body front-rear direction by a propulsion unit 53 (S2). The ship docking assist processor 10 stores the relative positional relations in the storage device 3, as ship information (S3). The ship docking assist processor 10 outputs the at least one set of ship information stored in the storage device 3 to an assist target device 8 (S4).