Hybrid Vessel Tracking Handoff Near Shore Using Mobile Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location tracking systems for water vessels, especially near shore, are inadequate due to infrequent satellite updates, which hinder accurate and timely tracking, particularly for commercial and personal vessels, leading to safety concerns and failed rescue efforts.
Innovation Solution
A handoff system that supplements satellite data with real-time mobile data by monitoring for mobile signals near the water vessel's GPS location, allowing for more frequent and accurate tracking, especially when the vessel approaches shore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellite tracking is used for water vessels, then location tracking is possible, but update frequency is low (every 15 minutes) and cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mobile phone infrastructure as an intermediary system between satellite tracking and ground-based location monitoring. Mobile phones on vessels act as mediators, providing frequent location updates via cellular networks when available, thereby bridging the gap between expensive satellite tracking and the need for continuous monitoring without requiring constant satellite communication
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes the location tracking capability universal by enabling multiple tracking methods (satellite, mobile phone, hybrid) to serve the same function of vessel location monitoring. This allows different vessels to use appropriate tracking methods based on their needs and capabilities, with mobile phones providing tracking functionality that previously only expensive satellite systems could deliver
2Measurement precision
If satellite tracking is used for smaller water vessels, then location data can be obtained, but the infrequent updates make trajectory calculation impossible due to faster speeds
Solution Approach 1:
Mobile phone networks serve as an intermediary that provides continuous location updates for fast-moving smaller vessels. The mobile network infrastructure enables frequent position reporting that captures the rapid movement of small boats, allowing accurate trajectory calculation without relying on infrequent satellite updates
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the update frequency parameter based on vessel type and location. For smaller, faster vessels, the mobile phone-based system provides high-frequency updates suitable for calculating trajectories of rapidly moving targets, whereas traditional satellite systems maintained fixed low-frequency update intervals regardless of vessel characteristics
3Productivity
If mobile phone location information is used, then frequent location updates are possible, but there is no infrastructure to link mobile phone location to water vessel location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a handoff system as an intermediary platform that connects mobile phone location data with water vessel identification. This system acts as a bridge, receiving location information from mobile phones and correlating it with vessel data from satellite tracking and other sources, thereby creating a unified location tracking system without requiring direct integration between mobile phones and vessel tracking infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges previously separate tracking systems (satellite tracking for vessels, mobile phone location services for land users) into a unified hybrid tracking system. By combining data from multiple sources and using a handoff mechanism, the system integrates these distinct infrastructure elements into a cohesive location tracking solution that leverages the strengths of both systems
4Reliability
If dedicated satellite tracking technology is installed on water vessels, then location can be tracked, but it is computationally and practically expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Mobile phone networks and ground-based cellular infrastructure serve as intermediaries that provide location tracking capability without requiring expensive satellite tracking equipment on every vessel. The system uses the existing mobile network infrastructure to relay location information, thereby reducing the computational and financial burden on individual vessels while maintaining tracking reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of satellite tracking functionality using mobile phone technology. Instead of requiring every vessel to have satellite tracking capabilities, the system uses mobile phones (which are already universally carried by mariners) to replicate the location tracking function through cellular network infrastructure, providing a cost-effective alternative that mirrors satellite tracking capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method are disclosed for enabling seamlessly tracking a location of a water vessel by supplementing satellite data with mobile data location based on proximity of a water vessel to shore. The system receives a Global Positioning System (GPS) location of the water vessel, the GPS location of the water vessel based on using the satellite data of the water vessel. The system determines that the GPS location is within a threshold distance of a boundary. Responsive to determining that the GPS location is within the threshold distance of the boundary, the system initiates monitoring for a mobile signal emanating from a trajectory path of the water vessel. The system detects, during the monitoring, the mobile signal, the tracking the location of the water vessel based on mobile data of the mobile signal. The system provides the tracked location to a monitoring device.