Wireless Mobile Device Remote Control for Marine Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote motion control systems for marine vessels, such as dedicated wireless remote controllers and secondary helm stations, are inefficient due to lack of visibility, potential for miscommunication, high costs, and infrequent use, leading to inadequate control and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A general-purpose wireless mobile device with a touch-sensitive screen is used to remotely control a marine vessel by communicating with an electronic control system via a wireless network, incorporating a packet delivery module, network health monitor, and user interface module to collect and send environmental and system status information, and to receive and transmit control inputs, ensuring timely and accurate control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a crew member is stationed on the deck to relay information verbally, then visibility is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to potential miscommunication and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/verbal communication system with an electronic digital communication system. The main helm station and secondary helm stations are connected via wired connections to the electronic control system, allowing digital transmission of control inputs and environmental information without human intervention for relay, thereby eliminating miscommunication and delays while maintaining improved visibility from deck-mounted secondary stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic control system as an intermediary between the helm stations and the vessel's marine subsystems. This intermediary automatically processes control inputs from either the main or secondary helm stations and transmits commands to the marine subsystems, eliminating the need for crew members to manually relay information while maintaining the visibility advantages of deck-mounted positions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stationary secondary helm stations are dispersed about the vessel, then visibility and control coverage are improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to duplicative stations and wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the secondary helm stations universal by designing them with the same functionality as the main helm station, allowing either station to assume control of the vessel. The electronic control system receives control inputs from any helm station through wired connections, enabling any station to perform any control function, thereby achieving comprehensive coverage without requiring specialized equipment at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple helm stations into a single electronic control system. Rather than having independent control systems at each helm station, the control inputs from the main and secondary helm stations are combined and processed by one centralized electronic control system that manages all marine subsystems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining multi-location control capability.
3Ease of operation
If a dedicated wireless remote controller is used, then portability is improved, but control reliability deteriorates due to lack of safeguards and insufficient feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms in the wireless remote controller system by providing visual and audible indicators that confirm when control inputs are being received by the electronic control system. The system displays status information and provides real-time feedback to the operator about the effectiveness of control commands, ensuring that the operator knows whether the vessel is responding as expected, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving portability.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a general-purpose wireless mobile device having a touch-sensitive screen and executing a remote control application is used to remotely control a vehicle (e.g., a marine vessel). The general-purpose wireless mobile device communicates via a wireless network with an interface (e.g., a server) that is coupled to an electronic control system of the vehicle (e.g., the vessel). In operation, environmental information and/or system status information is collected through the electronic control system, propagated to the interface (e.g., server), and then sent over the wireless network to the wireless mobile device. Similarly, control input is sent over the wireless network to the interface (e.g., server), which passes the information to the electronic control system, which in turn issues appropriate control signals to the vehicle subsystems (e.g., marine subsystems) to control the motion of the vehicle (e.g., the vessel).