Integrated Watercraft Display Correlating Sonar and Cartographic Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current systems for displaying information on watercrafts are complex and time-consuming, requiring the commanding person to gather and correlate data from various stations, which hinders quick decision-making.

Innovation Solution

A device with integrated data acquisition, processing, and display means that correlates cartographic, sonar, and ship information elements, using an autostereoscopic display to present a unified, three-dimensional view, allowing for real-time route calculation and detection probability assessment without the need for additional viewing aids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If information is collected and displayed at various separate stations, then information completeness is improved, but decision-making time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddecision-making time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate information stations (cartographic, sonar, ship systems) into a single integrated display device that presents all information categories simultaneously in one location, eliminating the need for the commanding person to visit or check multiple separate stations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If multiple information categories are integrated into one display, then data acquisition is simplified, but display complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata acquisition simplicityVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display device segments information into distinct categories (cartographic, sonar, ship information) that can be independently controlled and displayed in different visual formats, allowing complex information to be organized into manageable, separately-adjustable components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a three-dimensional display format to present multiple information categories simultaneously, utilizing spatial depth to differentiate and organize various data types without requiring multiple separate two-dimensional displays

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

3Device complexity

If traditional 2D displays are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but information perception capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay structure simplicityVSAvoidinformation perception capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional displays to a three-dimensional display system that provides depth perception and spatial representation of information, enhancing the commanding person's ability to perceive and understand complex maritime situations

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution simplifies data acquisition and presentation, enabling the commanding person to make informed decisions swiftly by correlating and graphically displaying critical information, enhancing safety and efficiency on watercrafts.

Implementation Method 1

using an autostereoscopic display to present a unified, three-dimensional view

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAutostereoscopic display:

Data Source

PatentEP3420311B1Device for the integrated display of information on a watercraft
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 THYSSENKRUPP MARINE SYST GMBH
  • EP3420311B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3420311B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for the integrated display of information (50) on a watercraft, wherein the information (50) is made up of multiple information categories, wherein a first information category is made up of cartographic information elements (51), wherein a second information category is made up of sonar information elements (52), wherein a third information category is made up of ship information elements (53), wherein the device has at least a first means for data capture, wherein the device has at least a first means for data processing (20), wherein the device has at least a first display means (10), wherein the at least one first means for data capture has at least a first interface (41) to the sonar system, wherein the at least one first means for data capture has at least a second interface (42) to the ship system, wherein the at least one first means for data capture has at least a third interface (43) to the ship database, wherein the cartographic information elements (51) can be captured by means of the third interface (43), wherein the sonar information elements (52) can be captured by means of the first interface (41), wherein the ship information elements (53) can be captured by means of the second interface (42), wherein the at least one first means for data processing (20) is designed to correlate the first information category, the second information category and the third information category, wherein the at least one first display means (10) is designed to display the information (50) obtained by the correlation of the information categories.