Marine Steering Control Using Sunlight Field Detection for Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marine vessel imaging systems face challenges in capturing images effectively under backlit conditions due to sunlight, which can degrade image quality and hinder automated navigation.
Innovation Solution
A marine vessel steering control device that includes a first imager and a controller to determine if sunlight is within a defined angular field, adjusting the vessel's traveling direction to keep the sunlight outside this field, thereby maintaining image quality for automated navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated vessel operation uses image capture for navigation, then navigation automation is achieved, but image quality deteriorates when sunlight enters the imaging angular field
Solution Approach 1:
The determiner predicts whether sunlight will enter the imaging angular field before actual image capture occurs. By determining the sunlight position in advance based on the imaging angular field parameters and sunlight position information, the system can proactively adjust the vessel's traveling direction to prevent backlight conditions, ensuring image quality is maintained from the outset rather than reacting after degradation occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the sunlight position relative to the imaging angular field and uses this feedback to adjust the vessel's traveling direction. The determiner determines whether sunlight is within the reference angular field, and the vessel operation controller modifies the traveling direction accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains image quality while enabling automated navigation.
2Reliability
If the vessel changes traveling direction to avoid sunlight, then image quality is maintained, but navigation path may deviate from optimal route
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts the vessel's traveling direction only to the extent necessary to move sunlight outside the reference angular field, not completely altering the navigation path. The vessel operation controller changes the traveling direction to an angle where sunlight is located outside the reference angular field, representing a minimal deviation from the original path that suffices to maintain image quality while preserving overall navigation efficiency.
3Reliability
If the system continuously monitors sunlight position, then backlight conditions are avoided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The determiner serves multiple functions: it determines sunlight position, predicts backlight conditions, and provides control signals to the vessel operation controller. By consolidating these functions into a single determination module rather than separate sensors and processors, the system achieves reliable backlight avoidance while minimizing device complexity. The reference angular field concept also universalizes the solution across different imaging conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A marine vessel steering control device includes a first imager fixed to a hull to capture an image of a subject, and a controller configured or programmed to include a vessel operation controller to perform an automated vessel operation of the hull based on a captured image obtained by the first imager, and a determiner to determine, based on an imaging angular field of the first imager, whether or not sunlight is located within a reference angular field defined as an angular field within the imaging angular field. In a case where the sunlight is located within the reference angular field, the vessel operation controller is configured or programmed to change an actual traveling direction of the hull to an angle at which the sunlight is located outside the reference angular field.