Maritime Vessel Image Verification Against AIS Data

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing AIS systems lack the ability to verify the accuracy of transmitted vessel identification information, making them susceptible to misuse by broadcasting false data.

Innovation Solution

A multisensor system that captures images of maritime vessels, processes the information, and compares it with received AIS data to detect discrepancies, generating alarms and storing records of any inaccuracies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If AIS systems rely on broadcasted information for vessel identification, then the system operation is simple and ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of vessel identification deteriorates because the system cannot verify the accuracy of transmitted data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidvessel identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification system that captures images of vessels and extracts identification information from those images. This intermediary process acts as a mediator between the AIS broadcast and the monitoring system, providing an independent verification channel that does not rely on the broadcasted data itself, thus resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and identification reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by comparing the identification information extracted from vessel images against the AIS broadcasted data. This feedback mechanism detects discrepancies and alerts monitoring entities, creating a closed-loop verification system that maintains reliability while preserving the simplicity of AIS operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If AIS systems accept broadcasted information without verification, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of vessel identification deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoididentification data accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy of the vessel through image capture and extracts identification information from this copy. This copying approach provides an independent source of identification data that can be compared against AIS broadcasts, improving measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity since it uses existing imaging and image processing capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11373401B2Detection of discrepancies between imaged maritime vessels and received identification data

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 FLIR SYST AB

AI summary

Various techniques are disclosed for the detection of discrepancies between imaged maritime vessels and received identification information. In one example, a method includes capturing an image of a maritime vessel and processing the image to extract information associated with the vessel. The method also includes receiving automatic identification system (AIS) data, comparing the extracted information to the AIS data, and generating an alarm in response to a discrepancy detected by the comparing. Additional methods, systems, and devices are also provided.