Near-Shore Vessel Tracking Using Satellite-Mobile Handoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location tracking systems for water vessels, especially near shore, are inadequate due to the lack of infrastructure to link mobile phone location information with water vessel location information, leading to infrequent updates and hampered rescue efforts.
Innovation Solution
A system that seamlessly tracks a water vessel's location by supplementing satellite data with mobile data based on proximity to shore, using a network environment that includes mobile devices, responder devices, and a central locator system to initiate monitoring for mobile signals and associate them with water vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If satellite tracking is used for water vessels, then location tracking is possible off-shore, but location updates are infrequent and computationally expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is segmented into two modes: satellite-based tracking for open ocean areas and mobile network-based tracking for near-shore areas. This segmentation allows each subsystem to operate optimally in its designated zone, with satellite tracking providing reliable offshore coverage and mobile networks providing frequent near-shore updates without the computational burden of continuous satellite communication.
Solution Approach 2:
A handoff system acts as an intermediary between satellite tracking and mobile network tracking. It receives GPS location data from water vessels, determines proximity to shore, and seamlessly transitions tracking responsibility to mobile networks when vessels enter near-shore zones. This intermediary enables frequent location updates by leveraging mobile network infrastructure without requiring continuous satellite communication.
2Measurement precision
If satellite tracking is used for smaller water vessels, then location data can be obtained, but tracking is ineffective due to faster speeds and infrequent updates
Solution Approach 1:
The handoff system serves as an intermediary that captures location data from smaller water vessels via mobile networks in near-shore areas. By intercepting mobile device location information and associating it with vessel identifiers, the system obtains frequent location updates that accurately reflect the fast-moving trajectories of smaller vessels, eliminating the time loss associated with infrequent satellite updates.
3Productivity
If mobile phone location information is used near shore, then frequent location updates are possible, but there is no infrastructure to link mobile phone location with water vessel location
Solution Approach 1:
The handoff system performs multiple functions using a unified infrastructure: it receives GPS data from water vessels, determines shore proximity, initiates mobile signal monitoring, detects and associates mobile signals with vessels, and provides seamless tracking. This multi-functional approach enables frequent location updates near shore without requiring separate complex systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages existing mobile devices on water vessels that already possess location-determining capabilities. Rather than requiring specialized tracking equipment on each vessel, the handoff system utilizes the self-service location functionality of standard mobile phones, associating these existing location data streams with vessel identifiers to provide frequent tracking updates.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If infrequent location updates are sent to save computational resources, then satellite tracking remains viable, but mariner safety and rescue efforts are hampered
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system segments computational requirements by location zone. In near-shore areas where mariner safety is most critical, the system utilizes mobile network infrastructure to provide frequent location updates without heavy computational burden. In open ocean areas, less frequent satellite updates are sufficient. This spatial segmentation optimizes both energy consumption and safety monitoring effectiveness.
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.