Method for Navigation in No-Passing Zones
First Claim
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1. A method for assisting navigation of a vessel in a no-passing zone, comprising:
- A. Providing a first vessel with a radio transponder, wherein the radio transponder can transmit and receive messages containing at least information about another vessel'"'"'s location;
B. Providing the first vessel with a computer, wherein the computer is programmed to be capable of;
i. Accessing a database of mile-mark distances for the waterway on which the first vessel is navigating;
ii. Accessing a database of one or more no-passing zones for the waterway on which the first vessel is navigating;
C. Receiving radio transponder information from at least one other vessel operating on the same waterway;
D. Using a program executing in the computer;
i. determining the mile-mark distance of the first vessel on the waterway, using the database of mile marker distances;
ii. determining the mile-mark distance, speed and direction of the at least one other vessel, using the radio transponder messages received from the at least one other vessel;
iii. determining the sequence of no-passing zones located ahead of the first vessel, using the database of no-passing zones;
iv. determining the times at which the first vessel enters and exits one or more no-passing zones ahead of it and whether the at least one other vessel will be within the at least one no-passing zone simultaneously; and
v. determining a necessary change in the first vessel'"'"'s speed to avoid being within the at least one no-passing zone simultaneously with any one or more other vessels.
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Abstract
A method for assisting tug boats, work boats and other vessels to navigate no-passing zones, such as narrow channel areas, along an inland and other waterways to avoid passing or overtaking other vessels having the right-of-way according to established waterway rules of the road within the no-passing zones. The method is implemented within an executing computer program, using a database of mile mark distances and of no-passing zones along the length of the waterway.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for assisting navigation of a vessel in a no-passing zone, comprising:
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A. Providing a first vessel with a radio transponder, wherein the radio transponder can transmit and receive messages containing at least information about another vessel'"'"'s location; B. Providing the first vessel with a computer, wherein the computer is programmed to be capable of; i. Accessing a database of mile-mark distances for the waterway on which the first vessel is navigating; ii. Accessing a database of one or more no-passing zones for the waterway on which the first vessel is navigating; C. Receiving radio transponder information from at least one other vessel operating on the same waterway; D. Using a program executing in the computer; i. determining the mile-mark distance of the first vessel on the waterway, using the database of mile marker distances; ii. determining the mile-mark distance, speed and direction of the at least one other vessel, using the radio transponder messages received from the at least one other vessel; iii. determining the sequence of no-passing zones located ahead of the first vessel, using the database of no-passing zones; iv. determining the times at which the first vessel enters and exits one or more no-passing zones ahead of it and whether the at least one other vessel will be within the at least one no-passing zone simultaneously; and v. determining a necessary change in the first vessel'"'"'s speed to avoid being within the at least one no-passing zone simultaneously with any one or more other vessels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification