Vessel Tracking via Speed Threshold Position Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vessel tracking systems face challenges in accurately associating vessel positions due to temporary and easily changeable Maritime Mobile Service Identifiers (MMSIs), leading to incorrect identification and potential collisions, as well as interference from other radio transmissions, resulting in inefficient data processing and incorrect information dissemination.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that receives and processes vessel data messages with associated identifiers and positions, determines if they are related, calculates the required speed between positions, and associates them if below a certain threshold, effectively sorting and updating vessel tracks to ensure accurate tracking, even when MMSIs change or transmissions are distorted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MMSI is used as vessel identifier in AIS messages, then vessel tracking is enabled, but identifier reliability deteriorates due to manual input errors and intentional changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification system that cross-checks MMSI identifiers against multiple data sources including IMO numbers, vessel databases, and historical AIS data. This intermediary layer validates whether received MMSI identifiers correspond to legitimate vessels, detecting errors or intentional changes by comparing against known vessel characteristics and registration data.
2Reliability
If all received vessel data messages are processed, then complete tracking coverage is achieved, but data processing complexity increases due to noise from distorted transmissions and other transport types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary filtering actions before full processing by analyzing message characteristics such as position consistency, speed plausibility, and temporal patterns. Messages that fail initial consistency checks are flagged or discarded before entering the main processing pipeline, reducing the burden on subsequent processing stages while maintaining tracking completeness for valid messages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where processed vessel tracks are used to validate incoming messages. Received positions are compared against expected vessel routes and speed patterns derived from historical data and current track information. Messages inconsistent with feedback from the tracking system are identified as noise or errors and excluded from further processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method of tracking vessel movement which comprises receiving a first vessel data message comprising a first vessel identifier, the first vessel data message having been transmitted at a first time and being associated with a first position; and receiving a second vessel data message comprising a second vessel identifier, the second vessel data message having been transmitted at a second time and being associated with a second position. The method also comprises determining if the first vessel identifier and the second vessel identifier are related. If the first vessel identifier and the second vessel identifier are related, a speed required for a vessel to have moved from the first position to the second position is determined; which is then determined if the speed is below a speed threshold; and if the speed is below the speed threshold, the first position is associated with the second position.