WATERCRAFT NAVIGATION SAFETY SYSTEM

• US 20170365175A1
• Filed: 06/20/2016
• Published: 12/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Navico Incorporated (Brunswick Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Navico Holding A.S. (Brunswick Corporation)
• Inventors: Harnett, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 10,037,701 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2201/18 Sonar
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 43/18 preventing collision or grounding; reducing collision damage reducing pollution by collision B63B25/082
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 45/08 the devices being acoustic
• 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: B63H 20/14 Transmission between propulsion power unit and propulsion element
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2021/216 using electric control means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0206 specially adapted to water vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 3/02 Anti-collision systems

Abstract

Apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable medium for navigation safety and collision prevention are described herein. The apparatus may cause the collection of marine electronic data from marine data sources. Marine data sources may include a radar system, a sonar system, a position system, a tracking system, and/or a chart system. The apparatus may further determine, based upon the marine electronic data, the presence of a hazard in the projected path of the watercraft. The apparatus may determine if the hazard is within a threshold distance and, in response, may cause the watercraft to stop before reaching the hazard. In some instances, the apparatus may transmit a warning alert to the watercraft operator, and after a predetermined period of time without response by the operator, the apparatus may cause the watercraft to stop to prevent collision with the hazard.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory including computer program code, the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:

transmit one or more navigation instructions to at least one motor controller for navigating a watercraft along a route;

receive marine electronic data from one or more marine electronic data sources as the watercraft travels along the route;

determine, based on the marine electronic data, if a hazard is in a projected path of the watercraft based on the route; and

cause, via the at least one motor controller, the watercraft to stop before reaching the hazard in an instance which the hazard is determined to be in the projected path.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:

determine a distance to the hazard from the watercraft;

determine if the distance to the hazard is within a threshold distance; and

cause the watercraft to stop in an instance in which the distance to the hazard is within the threshold distance.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:

determine a velocity of the watercraft;

determine if the velocity of the watercraft is above a minimum threshold velocity; and

cause the watercraft to stop in an instance in which the distance to the hazard is within the threshold distance and the velocity exceeds the minimum threshold velocity.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:

determine a depth of the hazard;

determine if the depth of the hazard is within a threshold depth corresponding to a minimum safe depth for the watercraft; and

cause the watercraft to stop in an instance in which the depth of the hazard is within the threshold depth and the distance to the hazard is within the threshold distance.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:

cause an alert to be provided to a user, wherein the alert indicates the presence of the hazard in the projected path of the watercraft.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:

determine a period of time that has elapsed since causing the alert to be provided to the user;

determine if the period of time that has elapsed is greater than a threshold period of time; and

cause the watercraft to stop in an instance in which the period of time that has elapsed is greater than the threshold period of time.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:

receive, in response to the alert, user input indicating a desire to stop the watercraft; and

cause, in response to receiving the user input, the watercraft to stop before reaching the hazard.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the marine electronic data is received from at least one of a chart system, a sonar system, a radar system, a position system, or a tracking system.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the marine electronic data is at least one of chart data, sonar data, radar data, positioning data, or tracking data.

10. A system with the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises at least one of:

a sonar system configured to emit one or more sonar beams generally forward of the watercraft, receive return echoes of the one or more sonar beams, and convert the return echoes into sonar data, wherein the sonar system is electrically connected to the apparatus and configured to transmit the sonar data to the apparatus, wherein the marine electronic data includes the sonar data;

or

a radar system configured to emit one or more radio waves at least generally forward of the watercraft, receive reflected radio waves, and convert the reflected radio waves into radar data, wherein the radar system is electrically connected to the apparatus and configured to transmit the radar data to the apparatus, wherein the marine electronic data includes the radar data.

11. A method comprising:

transmitting one or more navigation instructions to at least one motor controller for navigating a watercraft along a route;

receiving marine electronic data from one or more marine electronic data sources as the watercraft travels along the route;

determining, based on the marine electronic data, if a hazard is in a projected path of the watercraft based on the route; and

causing, via the at least one motor controller, the watercraft to stop before reaching the hazard in an instance in which the hazard is determined to be in the projected path.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

determining a distance to the hazard from the watercraft;

determining if the distance to the hazard is within a threshold distance; and

causing the watercraft to stop in an instance in which the distance to the hazard is within the threshold distance.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

determining a velocity of the watercraft;

determining if the velocity of the watercraft is above a minimum threshold velocity; and

causing the watercraft to stop in an instance in which the distance to the hazard is within the threshold distance and the velocity exceeds the minimum threshold velocity.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

determining a depth of the hazard;

determining if the depth of the hazard is within a threshold depth corresponding to a minimum safe depth for the watercraft; and

causing the watercraft to stop in an instance in which the depth of the hazard is within the threshold depth and the distance to the hazard is within the threshold distance.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

causing an alert to be provided to a user, wherein the alert indicates the presence of the hazard in the projected path of the watercraft.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

determining a period of time that has elapsed since causing the alert to be provided to the user;

determining if the period of time that has elapsed is greater than a threshold period of time; and

causing the watercraft to stop in an instance in which the period of time that has elapsed is greater than the threshold period of time.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprised of at least one memory device having computer program instructions stored thereon, the computer program instructions being configured, when run by a processor, to:

transmit one or more navigation instructions to at least one motor controller for navigating a watercraft along a route;

receive marine electronic data from one or more marine electronic data sources as the watercraft travels along the route;

determine, based on the marine electronic data, if a hazard is in a projected path of the watercraft based on the route; and

cause, via the at least one motor controller, the watercraft to stop before reaching the hazard in an instance which the hazard is determined to be in the projected path.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the computer program instructions are further configured, when run by the processor, to:

determine a distance to the hazard from the watercraft;

determine if the distance to the hazard is within a threshold distance; and

causing the watercraft to stop in an instance in which the distance to the hazard is within the threshold distance

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the computer program instructions are further configured, when run by the processor, to:

determine a velocity of the watercraft;

determine if the velocity of the watercraft is above a minimum threshold velocity; and

cause the watercraft to stop in an instance in which the distance to the hazard is within the threshold distance and the velocity exceeds the minimum threshold velocity.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the computer program instructions are further configured, when run by the processor, to:

cause an alert to be provided to a user, wherein the alert indicates the presence of the hazard in the projected path of the watercraft.