Vessel Service Timeline Visualization for Availability Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to efficiently and timely present voluminous data on onboard service availability and utilization in transportation vessels, which is crucial for maintaining high-quality network connectivity and entertainment services due to their time- and location-sensitive nature.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising on-ground and onboard components that collect, process, and visually present service performance metrics through graphical user interfaces, including trip-schedule viewers, to monitor and manage network connectivity and entertainment services in vessels like aircraft, ships, and trains.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If voluminous data on onboard service availability and utilization is collected and monitored, then service quality measurement capability is improved, but data presentation efficiency and timeliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice quality measurement capabilityVSAvoiddata presentation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments voluminous service quality data into distinct categories (availability metrics, utilization metrics, service type classifications) and presents them through organized graphical interfaces with multiple view options (summary views, detailed views, time-based views). This segmentation enables efficient data presentation while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms complex multi-dimensional service quality data into visual representations across multiple dimensions including time (historical trends, real-time status), space (different service locations, vessel positions), and hierarchy (aggregate summaries to detailed breakdowns). This dimensional transformation enables timely presentation of comprehensive service quality information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive service performance data is collected across multiple parameters, then service monitoring accuracy is improved, but information processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice monitoring accuracyVSAvoidinformation processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal data processing framework that handles multiple service types (communications, entertainment, connectivity) and multiple metric types (availability, utilization, quality) through a single integrated system. The graphical user interface provides unified access to all service performance data regardless of service type or metric category, reducing processing complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate processing layers including data aggregation functions, filtering mechanisms, and visualization intermediaries that translate raw service performance data into meaningful graphical representations. These intermediaries simplify the processing of comprehensive service data by pre-processing and organizing information before presentation to operators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If service quality information is presented in detailed format, then information completeness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic graphical interfaces that automatically adjust the level of detail presented based on user interactions, selection criteria, and operational context. Operators can dynamically switch between summary views and detailed views, and the system adapts the information density to match operational needs, maintaining ease of operation while preserving access to complete information when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of information detail in different interface regions and contexts. Summary dashboards provide high-level overview information for quick assessment, while detailed reports and drill-down capabilities provide comprehensive information for in-depth analysis. This localized quality approach ensures operators can easily access appropriate information levels without being overwhelmed by unnecessary detail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4022851B1Methods and systems for visualizing availability and utilization of onboards services in vessels
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 VIASAT INC
  • EP4022851B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4022851B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4022851B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for displaying onboard service information for vessels are described. In some embodiments, a method comprises obtaining time range data indicating a time range; obtaining corresponding trips within the time range for each of a plurality of vessels; and obtaining status of an onboard service provided during each trip of the corresponding trips for each of the plurality of vessels. In response to receiving a request for displaying service performance information for the plurality of vessels, first graphical interface data is generated. The data represents a plurality of vessel identifiers that corresponds to the plurality of vessels; a plurality of trip icons for the corresponding trips for each of the plurality of vessels, and a timeline that represents the time range. The data is transmitted to a display device to cause the display device to generate and to display a trip-schedule viewer representation.