System and method for communicating near-real time marine navigation information

• US 10,029,769 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2014
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spatial Engineering, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Spatial Engineering, Inc.
• Inventors: Truluck, Richard L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOUIE, WAE LENNY
• Application Number:
  US14/533,912
• Publication Number:
  US 20160123737A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,357 Days
• Field of Search: 701425, 701429, 701409, 702 2, 702166
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 49/00 Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids nautical measuring instruments G01C; radio navigation, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/18 for measuring depth
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 13/008 measuring depth of open water
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/005 with correlation of navigation data from several sources, e.g. map or contour matching G01C21/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence

Abstract

A system for providing near real time navigation information includes a first communication device configured to transmit collection vessel data representing collection vessel draft and a geoposition. It also includes a second communication device configured to transmit user vessel data, including user vessel draft and user geoposition. A processing device is configured to determine a keel verified depth (KVD) based upon the collection vessel depth for the geoposition and transmit that data to the second communication device.

Claims

1. A system for providing near-real time navigation information comprising:

a communication network;

a first communication device coupled to said communication network and configured to transmit collection data obtained from a collecting vessel during transit through a waterway, said collecting vessel having a collecting vessel draft, said collection data comprising a time of collection, geoposition data at time of collection, and said collecting vessel draft;

a second communication device simultaneously coupled to said communication network and configured to transmit user data obtained from a user vessel, said user vessel having a user vessel draft, said user data comprising a user time at a user geoposition and said user vessel draft;

a data processing device coupled to said communication network and configured to receive said collection data, store a keel verified depth data for a geoposition in said waterway based upon said collection data, and transmit said keel verified depth data to said second communication device for a user geoposition proximal to said waterway geoposition such that said user vessel is able to utilize said collection data from said collecting vessel in near real time.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said data processing device if further configured to obtain tidal data relevant to said waterway geoposition and said user time.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said data processing device is further configured to transmit a depth confidence indication to said second communication device, said depth confidence indication representing a comparison of said user vessel draft to said keel verified depth.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said data processing device is further configured to transmit excess over-depth data to said second communication device.