System for displaying track of a moving body

• US 5,754,429 A
• Filed: 05/17/1995
• Issued: 05/19/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Furuno Electric Co, Ltd
• Original Assignee: Furuno Electric Co, Ltd
• Inventors: Nishimura, Takehiko, Ishihara, Shinji
• Primary Examiner(s): Teska, Kevin J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walker, Tyrone V.
• Application Number:
  US08/443,385
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 364/436, 364/437, 364/439, 364/441, 364/443, 364/447, 364/460, 364/461, 340/958, 340/961, 340/971, 318/588, 342/41, 345/157, 345/159, 345/160, 345/161
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/203 Specially adapted for sailing ships
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 3/00 Traffic control systems for marine craft marking of navigational route B63B22/16, B63B51/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 3/02 Anti-collision systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display system for displaying a past track of the ship, the present position of the ship, and a future predicted track of the ship, A display system according to the present invention generates coordinate data representing a desired pattern based on the ship'"'"'s speed and the ship'"'"'s bearing in order to display a past track of the ship and a future predicted track of the ship.

Claims

1. A display system comprising:

speed detection means for detecting speed of a moving body;

bearing detection means for detecting a bearing of the moving body with respect to a reference bearing;

rate of turn measuring means for detecting a turning speed of the moving body;

coordinate-data generating means for generating coordinate data representing a present position and bearing of said moving body based at least on the speed of said moving body detected by said speed detection means and the bearing of said moving body detected by said bearing detection means, and a future predicted position and bearing based at least on said present position and bearing and the turning speed of said moving body detected by said rate of turn measuring means;

coordinate data storing means for sequentially storing the coordinate data representing at least the present position and bearing of said moving body to obtain past position and bearing of said moving body;

environment image generating means for generating an image representative of an environment through which said moving body maneuvers; and

an indicator for simultaneously displaying a first graphical figure representing a shape of said moving body indicative of the present position and bearing of the moving body, a second graphical figure representing the shape of said moving body indicative of the past position and bearing of the moving body in relation to the present position and bearing of the moving body, and a third graphical figure representing the shape of said moving body indicative of the future predicted position and bearing of the moving body in relation to the present position and bearing of the moving body, and said generated image, a size of said first second, and third graphical figures being scaled approximately to a display of said generated image.

2. The display system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the speed detection means for detecting the speed of the moving body comprises a Doppler sonar.

3. The display system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the speed detection means for detecting the speed of the moving body comprises a GPS receiver.

4. The display system of claim 1 further comprising:

storing means for successively storing speed of said moving body detected by said speed detection means and bearing of said moving body detected by said bearing detection means.

5. The display system of claim 1, wherein said coordinate-data storing means further storing the coordinate data representing the future predicted position and bearing of said moving body.

6. A display system comprising:

speed detection means for detecting speed of a moving body;

bearing detection means for detecting a bearing of the moving body with respect to a reference bearing;

rate of turn measuring means for detecting a rate of turn of the moving body;

coordinate-data generating means for generating coordinate data every predetermined period of time representing a future predicted position and bearing based on the speed of said moving body detected by said speed detection means, the bearing of said moving body detected by said bearing detection means and the turning speed of said moving body detected by said rate of turn measuring means;

environment image generating means for generating an image representative of an environment through which said moving body maneuvers; and

an indicator for simultaneously displaying a plurality of graphical figures representing a shape of said moving body respectively indicative of the future predicted position and bearing of the moving body based on the coordinate-data, and said generated image, a size of said plurality of graphical figures being scaled approximately to a display of said generated image.

7. The display system of claim 6 further comprising:

coordinate-data storing means for storing the coordinate data representing said future predicted position and bearing.

8. A display system of claim 6, wherein said graphical figures represent an approximation of the shape of said moving body.

9. A display system of claim 8, wherein said environment, image generating means comprises:

a land form generating means for generating land forms representative of an environment through which said moving body maneuvers.

10. A display system comprising:

speed detection means for detecting speed of a ship;

bearing detection means for detecting a bearing of the ship with respect to a reference bearing;

rate of turn measuring means for detecting a turning speed of the ship;

ship'"'"'s hull point storing means for storing signals representing a plurality of points of the ship'"'"'s hull;

coordinate-data generating means for generating coordinate data representing a present position and bearing of said ship'"'"'s hull based at least on the speed of said ship detected by said speed detection means, the bearing of said ship detected by said bearing detection means and said plurality of points of the ship'"'"'s hull stored in said ship'"'"'s hull point storing means, and a future predicted position and bearing of said ship'"'"'s hull based at least on said present position and bearing and the turning speed of said ship detected by said rate of turn measuring means;

coordinate-data storing means for sequentially storing the coordinate data representing at least said present position and bearing of said ship'"'"'s hull to obtain past position and bearing of said ship'"'"'s hull; and

an indicator for simultaneously displaying a first graphical figure representing said ship'"'"'s hull indicative of the present position and bearing of the ship'"'"'s hull, a second graphical figure representing said ship'"'"'s hull indicative of the past position and bearing of the ship'"'"'s hull in relation to the present position and bearing of the ship'"'"' hull, and a third graphical figure representing said ship'"'"' hull indicative of the future predicted position and bearing of the ship'"'"'s hull in relation to the present position and bearing of the ship'"'"'s hull.

11. The display system of claim 10 further comprising:

storing means for successively storing speed of said ship detected by said speed detection means and bearing of said moving body detected by said bearing detection means.

12. The display system of claim 10, wherein said coordinate-data storing means further storing the coordinate data representing the future predicted position and bearing of said moving body.

13. The display system of claim 10, wherein the speed detection means for detecting the speed of the ship comprises a Doppler sonar.

14. The display system of claim 10, wherein the speed detection means for detecting the speed of the ship comprises a GPS receiver.

15. A display system comprising:

speed detection means for detecting speed of a ship;

bearing detection means for detecting a bearing of the ship with respect to a reference bearing;

rate of turn measuring means for detecting a rate of turn of the ship;

ship'"'"'s hull point storing means for storing signals representing a plurality of points of the ship'"'"'s hull;

coordinate-data generating means for generating coordinate data every predetermined period of time representing a future predicted position and bearing of said ship'"'"'s hull based on the speed of said ship detected by said speed detection means, the bearing of said ship detected by said bearing detection means the turning speed of said ship detected by said rate of turn measuring means, and said plurality of points of the ship'"'"'s hull stored in said ship'"'"'s hull point storing means; and

an indicator for simultaneously displaying a plurality of graphical figures representing said ship'"'"'s hull respectively indicative of the future predicted position and bearing of the ship'"'"'s hull based on the coordinate-data.

16. The display system of claim 15 further comprising:

coordinate-data storing means for storing the coordinate data representing said future predicted position and bearing.

17. A display system comprising:

speed detection means for detecting speed of a ship;

bearing detection means for detecting a bearing of said ship with respect to a reference bearing;

hull point storing means for storing signals representing a plurality of points of a hull of said ship;

coordinate-data generating means for generating coordinate data representing a present position and bearing of said hull based on said speed of said ship detected by said speed detection means, said bearing of said ship detected by said bearing detection means, and said plurality of points of said hull stored in said hull point storing means; and

coordinate-data storing means for sequentially storing said coordinate data representing said present position and bearing of said hull to obtain past position and bearing of said hull; and

an indicator for simultaneously displaying a plurality of graphical figures representing said hull respectively indicative of said past position and bearing of the hull based on data stored in said coordinate-data storing means.

18. The display system of claim 17 further comprising:

storing means for successively storing speed of said ship detected by said speed detection means and bearing of said ship detected by said bearing detection means.

19. A ship maneuvering assistance system comprising:

speed detection means for detecting speed of a ship;

bearing detection means for detecting a bearing of the ship with respect to a reference bearing;

rate of turn measuring means for detecting rate of turn of the ship;

ship'"'"'s hull point storing means for storing signals representing a plurality of points of the ship'"'"'s hull;

coordinate-data generating means for generating coordinate data representing a present position and bearing of said ship'"'"'s hull based at least on the speed of said ship detected by said speed detection means, the bearing of said ship detected by said bearing detection means and said plurality of points of the ship'"'"'s hull stored in said ship'"'"'s hull point storing means, and a future predicted position and bearing of said ship'"'"'s hull based at least on said present position and bearing, and the turning speed of said ship detected by said rate of turn measuring means;

land form storing means for storing signals representing land forms such as lands or islands;

coordinate-data storing means for sequentially storing the coordinate data representing at least said present position and bearing of the ship'"'"'s hull to obtain past position and bearing of the ship'"'"'s hull and the signals representing land forms read out from said land form storing means; and

an indicator for simultaneously displaying a first graphical figure representing the ship'"'"'s hull indicative of the present position and bearing of the ship'"'"'s hull, a second graphical figure representing the ship'"'"'s hull indicative of the past position and bearing of the ship'"'"'s hull in relation to the present position and bearing of the ship'"'"'s hull, a third graphical figure representing the ship'"'"'s hull indicative of the future predicted position and bearing of the ship'"'"'s hull in relation to the present position and bearing of the ship'"'"'s hull, and a figure representing the land forms in relation to the present position and bearing of the ship'"'"'s hull based on signals stored in said land form storing means.

20. The ship maneuvering assistance system as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the speed detection means for detecting the speed of the ship comprises a GPS receiver.

21. The display system of claim 19, wherein said coordinate-data storing means further storing the coordinate data representing the future predicted position and bearing of said moving body.

22. The ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 19, wherein the speed detection means for detecting the speed of the ship comprises a Doppler sonar.

23. A navigation assistance system comprising:

speed detection means for detecting the speed of a ship;

bearing detection means for detecting a bearing of the ship with respect to a reference bearing;

rate of turn measuring means for detecting a turning speed of the ship;

ship'"'"'s hull point storing means for storing signals representing a plurality of points of the ship'"'"'s hull;

coordinate-data generating means for generating coordinate data every predetermined period of time representing a future predicted position and bearing of the ship'"'"'s hull based on the speed of said ship detected by said speed detection means, the bearing of said ship detected by said bearing detection means, the turning speed of said ship detected by said rate of turn measuring means and said plurality of points of the ship'"'"'s hull stored in said ship'"'"'s hull point storing means; and

land form storing means for storing signals representing land forms such as lands or islands; and

an indicator for simultaneously displaying graphical figures representing the ship'"'"'s hull respectively indicative of the future predicted position and bearing of the ship'"'"'s hull based on the coordinate-data, and a figure representing the land forms in relation to the future predicted position and bearing of the ship based on signals stored in said land form storing means.

24. The display system of claim 23, further comprising coordinate-data storing means for storing the coordinate data representing said future predicted position and bearing.

25. A navigation assistance system comprising:

speed detection means for detecting a speed of a ship;

bearing detection means for detecting a bearing of said ship with respect to a reference bearing;

storing means for successively storing said speed output from said speed detection means and said bearing output from said bearing detection means;

hull point storing means for storing signals representing a plurality of points of a hull of said ship;

coordinate-data generating means for generating coordinate data representing a present position and bearing of said hull based on said speed and said bearing of said ship output from said storing means, and a plurality of points of said hull stored in said hull point storing means; and

coordinate-data storing means for sequentially storing said coordinate data representing said present position and bearing of said hull to obtain past position and bearing of said hull; and

an indicator for simultaneously displaying a plurality of graphical figures representing said hull respectively indicative of said past position and bearing of said hull based on data stored in said coordinate-data storing means.

26. A display system comprising:

speed detection means for detecting speed of a ship;

bearing detection means for detecting a bearing of the ship with respect to a reference bearing;

rate of turn measuring means for detecting turning speed of the ship;

coordinate-data generating means for generating coordinate data representing a present position and bearing of said ship based at least on the speed of said ship detected by said speed detection means, the bearing of said ship detected by said bearing detection means and a future predicted position and bearing of said ship based at least on said present position and bearing, and the turning speed of said ship detected by said rate of turn measuring means;

coordinate-data storing means for sequentially storing the coordinate data representing at least the present position and bearing of said ship to obtain past position and bearing;

radar signal supply means for supplying radar image signals representative of an environment through which said ship maneuvers; and

an indicator for simultaneously displaying a first graphical figure representing a shape of said ship indicative of the present position and bearing of the ship, a second graphical figure representing the shape of said ship indicative of the past position and bearing in relation to the present position and bearing of the ship, a third graphical figure representing the shape of said ship indicative of the future predicted position and bearing in relation to the present position and bearing of the ship, and a radar image in accordance with the radar image signals supplied from said radar signal supply means, a size of said first, second, and third graphical figures being scaled approximately to a display of said radar image.

27. The display system of claim 26 further comprising:

storing means for successively storing speed of said ship detected by said speed detection means and bearing of said ship detected by said bearing detection means.

28. The display system of claim 26, wherein said coordinate-data storing means further storing the coordinate data representing the future predicted position and bearing of said moving body.

29. The display system of claim 26, wherein the speed detection means for detecting the speed of the ship comprises a Doppler sonar.

30. The display system of claim 26, wherein the speed detection means for detecting the speed of the ship comprises a GPS receiver.

31. A display system comprising:

speed detection means for detecting speed of a ship;

bearing detection means for detecting a bearing of the ship with respect to a reference bearing;

rate of turn measuring means for detecting turning speed of the ship;

coordinate-data generating means for generating coordinate data every predetermined period of time representing a future predicted position and bearing of said ship based on the speed of said ship detected by said speed detection means, and the bearing of said ship detected by said bearing detection means and the turning speed of said ship detected by said rate of turn measuring means;

radar signal supply means for supplying radar image signals representative of an environment through which said ship maneuvers; and

an indicator for simultaneously displaying a plurality of graphical figures representing a shape of said ship respectively indicative of the future predicted position and bearing of the ship based on the coordinate data, and a radar image in accordance with the radar image signals supplied from said radar signal supply means, a size of said plurality of graphical figures being scaled approximately to a display of said radar image.

32. A display system of claim 31, wherein said graphical figures represent an approximation of the shape of a hull of said ship.

33. The display system of claim 31, further comprising:

coordinate-data storing means for storing the coordinate data representing said future predicted position and bearing.

34. A display system comprising:

speed detection means for detecting speed of a ship;

bearing detection means for detecting a bearing of said ship with respect to a reference bearing;

hull point storing means for storing signals representing a plurality of points of a hull of said shin;

coordinate-data generating means for generating coordinate data representing a present position and bearing of said hull based on the speed of said ship detected by said speed detection means, said bearing of said ship detected by said bearing detection means, and said plurality of points of said hull stored in said hull point storing means;

coordinate-data storing means for sequentially storing said coordinate data representing said present position and bearing of said hull to obtain past position and bearing of said hull;

radar signal supply means for supplying radar image signals; and

an indicator for simultaneously displaying a plurality of graphical figures representing said hull respectively indicative of said past position and bearing of said hull based on data stored in said coordinate-data storing means, and a radar image in accordance with the radar image signals supplied from said radar signal supply means.

35. The display system of claim 34 further comprising:

storing means for successively storing speed of said ship detected by said speed detection means and bearing of said ship detected by said bearing detection means.

36. A display system comprising:

position detection means for detecting a present position of a moving body;

bearing detection means for detecting a bearing of the moving body with respect to a reference bearing;

rate of turn measuring means for detecting a turning speed of the moving body;

coordinate-data generating means for generating coordinate data representing a present position and bearing of said moving body based at least on the position of the moving body detected by said position detection means and the bearing of said moving body detected by said bearing detection means, and a future predicted position and bearing based at least on said present position and bearing and the turning speed of said moving body detected by said rate of turn measuring means;

coordinate data-storing means for sequentially storing the coordinate data representing at least the present position and bearing of said moving body to obtain past position and bearing of said moving body;

environment image generating means for generating an image representative of an environment through which said moving body maneuvers; and

an indicator for simultaneously displaying a first graphical figure representing a shape of said moving body indicative of the present position and bearing of the moving body, a second graphical figure representing the shape of said moving body indicative of the past position and bearing of the moving body in relation to the present position and bearing of the moving body, and a third graphical figure representing the shape of said moving body indicative of the future predicted position and bearing of the moving body in relation to the present position and bearing of the moving body, and said generated images, a size of said first second, and third graphical figures being scaled approximately to a display of said generated image.

37. The display system of claim 36, wherein said position detection means includes a Global Positioning System receiver.

38. A display system of claim 36, wherein said first, second, and third graphical figures represent an approximation of the shape of a hull of said moving body.

39. A display system of claim 38, wherein said environment image generating means comprises:

a land form generating means for generating land forms representative of an environment through which said moving body maneuvers.

40. A ship maneuvering assistance system comprising:

measuring means for measuring movements of a ship;

generating means for generating signals representing a present position and bearing of said ship, a past position and bearing of said ship, and a future predicted position and bearing of said ship based on said movements measured by said measuring means;

environment image generating means for generating an image representative of an environment through which said moving ship maneuvers; and

an indicator for simultaneously displaying a first graphical figure representing an approximation of a shape of a hull of said ship and indicative of said present position and bearing of said ship, a second graphical figure representing the approximation of said shape of the hull of said ship and indicative of said past position and bearing of said ship in relation to said present position and bearing of said ship, and a third graphical figure representing the approximation of said shape of the hull of said ship and indicative of said future predicted position and bearing of said ship in relation to said present position and bearing of said ship, and said generated image, a size of said first, second, and third graphical figures being scaled approximately to a display of said generate image.

41. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 40, wherein said first, second and third graphical figures further indicate pointing direction of a bow of said ship at said present position and bearing, past position and bearing, and future predicted position and bearing, respectively.

42. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 40, wherein said measuring means further includes,

speed detection means for detecting speed of said ship, and

bearing detection means for detecting said bearing of said ship with respect to a reference bearing, and wherein

said movements of said ship are measured by said speed detection means and said bearing detection means.

43. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 40, wherein said environment image generating means comprises:

land form storing means for storing signals representing land forms representative of an environment through which said ship maneuvers; and

wherein

said indicator also simultaneously displays said land forms in relation to said present, past, and future predicted positions and bearings of said ship, said first, second, and third graphical figures being superimposed with and scaled to said displayed land forms.

44. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 40, wherein said environment image generating means comprises:

radar signal supply means for supplying radar image signals representative of an environment through which said ship maneuvers; and

wherein

said indicator also simultaneously displays said radar image in relation to said present, past, and future predicted positions and bearings of said ship, said first, second, and third graphical figures being superimposed with and scaled to said displayed radar image.

45. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 40, wherein said measuring means further includes,

rate of turn measuring means for detecting a turning speed of said ship to measure rotational movements of said ship.

46. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 45, wherein said measuring means comprises,

first calculating means for calculating directional relationship of at least two separate points of said ship based on said rotational movements of said ship.

47. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 46, wherein said generating means comprises,

second calculating means for calculating said directional relationship at said present position, said directional relationship at said past position of said ship, and said directional relationship at said future predicted position of said ship.

48. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 44, wherein said graphical figures further indicate said directional relationship.

49. A ship maneuvering assistance system comprising

rotational movement detecting means for detecting a rotational movement of a ship;

directional relationship establishing means for establishing a directional relationship of at least two separate points of said ship based on a detected said rotational movement of said ship;

position and bearing calculating means for calculating a present position and bearing of said ship, and at least one future position and bearing of said ship based on said present position and bearing and said detected rotational movement of said ship;

environment image generating means for generating an image representative of an environment through which said ship maneuvers;

an indicator for simultaneously displaying said present and future positions, said directional relationship at respective positions calculated by said position and bearing calculating means, and said generated image.

50. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 49, wherein said indicator displays said directional relationship using a graphical figure representing a shape of said ship.

51. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 49, further comprising:

speed detection means for detecting speed of said ship; and

bearing detection means for detecting said bearing of said ship with respect to a reference bearing;

wherein

said directional movements are measured by said speed detection means and said bearing detection means.

52. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 49, wherein

said rotational movement detecting means detects a turning speed of said ship.

53. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 49, further comprising:

ship'"'"'s hull point storing means for storing said at least two separate points of said ship.

54. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 49, wherein said environment image generating means comprises:

land form storing means for storing signals representing land forms; and

wherein

said indicator also simultaneously displays said land forms in relation to said present position and directional relationship and said at least one future position and directional relationship of said ship.

55. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 49, wherein said environment image generating means comprises:

radar signal supply means for supplying radar image signals; and

wherein

said indicator also simultaneously displays a radar image based on said radar images signals in relation to said present position and directional relationship and said at least one future position and directional relationship of said ship.

56. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 49, wherein

said position and bearing calculating means calculates at least one past position and bearing of said ship and wherein,

said indicator displays said past position and said directional relationship at said past position.

57. A ship maneuvering assistance system comprising:

direction detecting means for detecting a moving direction of a ship;

rotation detecting means for detecting a rotational movement of said ship;

speed detection means for detecting a moving velocity of said ship;

environment image generating means for generating an image representative of an environment through which said moving body maneuvers; and

an indicator displaying a first area being swept by said ship and a second area presumed to be a future area swept by said ship in relation to said first area based on said detected moving direction, said detected rotational movement, and said detected moving velocity of said ship, and said generated image, a size of said first and second areas being scaled approximately to a display of said generated image.

58. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 57, wherein

said rotation detecting means detects a rotating direction and a rotating speed of said ship.

59. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 57, further comprising:

position detecting means for detecting a position of said ship with respect to the surface of the earth.

60. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 59, wherein said environment image generating means comprises:

land form storing means for storing signals representing land forms representative of an environment through which said ship maneuvers; and

wherein

said indicator also simultaneously displays said land forms in relation to said first area and said second area based on said position of said ship, said first and second areas being superimposed with and scaled to said displayed land forms.

61. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 57, wherein said environment image generating means comprises:

radar signal supply means for supplying radar image signals representative of an environment through which said ship maneuvers; and

wherein

said indicator also simultaneously displays a radar image based on said radar image signals in relation to said first area and said second area, said first and second areas being superimposed with and scaled to said displayed radar image.

62. A ship maneuvering assistance system of claim 57, wherein said indicator displays said first and second area by figures representing an approximation of a shape of a hull of said ship.

63. A body maneuvering assistance system comprising:

sensors which output signals indicating movements of a body, a signal generator generating signals representing at least a future predicted position and bearing of said body based on outputs of said sensors;

an image generator generating an image representative of an environment through which said body maneuvers; and

an indicator displaying at least a graphical figure representing an approximation of a shape of said body and indicative of said future predicted position and bearing of said body in relation to a present position of said body, and said generated image, a size of said graphical figure being scaled approximately to a display of said generated image.

64. A body maneuvering assistance system of claim 63, wherein

said signal generator further generates signals representing a present position and bearing of said body based on outputs of said sensors, and

said indicator further displays a second graphical figure representing the approximation of the shape of said body and indicative of said present position and bearing of said body.

65. A body maneuvering assistance system of claim 64, wherein said sensors include,

a velocity detecting unit which detects a velocity of a body,

a bearing detecting unit which detects a bearing of said body with respect to a reference bearing, and

a rate of turn establishing unit which establishes a turning speed of said body and wherein said signal generator includes,

a coordinate-data generator which generates coordinate data representing said present position and bearing of said moving body based at least on said detected velocity and said detected bearing, and which generates said future predicted position and bearing of said body based at least on said present position of said body and said turning speed of said body.

66. A body maneuvering assistance system of claim 63, wherein

said body is a ship;

and

said indicator displays said graphical figure in a shape of a hull of a ship.

67. A body maneuvering assistance system of claim 63, wherein said sensors include at least one velocity detecting unit which detects a velocity of said body.

68. A body maneuvering assistance system of claim 63, wherein said sensors include at least one Global Positioning System which detects a position of said body.

69. A body maneuvering assistance system comprising:

measuring means for measuring positions of a body;

generating means for generating signals representing at least a future predicted position and bearing of said body based on outputs of said measuring means;

image forming means for forming an image representative of an environment through which said body maneuvers; and

an indicator displaying at least a graphical figure representing an approximation of a shape of said body and indicative of said future predicted position and bearing of said body in relation to a present position of said body, and said formed image, a size of said graphical figure being scaled approximately to a display of said generated image.

70. A body maneuvering assistance system of claim 69, wherein

said generating means further generates signals representing a present position and bearing of said body based on outputs of said measuring means, and

said indicator further displays a second graphical figure representing the approximation of the shape of said body and indicative of said present position and bearing of said body.

71. A body maneuvering assistance system of claim 70, wherein said measuring means includes,

a velocity detecting unit which detects a velocity of said body,

a bearing detecting unit which detects a bearing of said body with respect to a reference bearing, and

a rate of turn establishing unit which establishes a turning speed of said body, and wherein said generating means includes,

a coordinate-data generator which generates coordinate data representing said present position and bearing of said moving body based at least on said detected velocity and said detected bearing, and which generates said future predicted position and bearing of said body based at least on said present position of said body and said turning speed of said body.

72. A body maneuvering assistance system of claim 69, wherein

said body is a ship, and

said indicator displays said graphical figure in a shape of a hull of a ship.

73. A body maneuvering assistance system of claim 69, wherein said measuring means includes at least one velocity detecting unit which detects a velocity of said body.

74. A body maneuvering assistance system of claim 69, wherein said measuring means includes at least one Global Positioning System which detects a position of said body.

75. A display system of claim 69, wherein said image forming means comprises:

a land form generating means for generating land forms representative of an environment through which said body maneuvers.

76. A method of assisting maneuvering of a body, comprising:

a) measuring signals indicating movements of said body;

b) generating signals representing at least a future predicted position and bearing of said body based on said measured signals;

c) forming an image representative of an environment through which said body maneuvers; and

d) displaying at least a graphical figure representing an approximation of a shape of said body and indicative of said future predicted position and bearing of said body in relation to a present position of said body, and said formed image, a size of said graphical figures being scaled approximately to a display of said formed image.

77. The method of claim 76, further comprising:

e) generating signals representing a present position and bearing of said body based on said measured signals, and

f) displaying a second graphical figure representing the approximation of the shape of said body and indicative of said present position and bearing of said body.

78. A method of assisting maneuvering of a body, comprising:

a) measuring signals indicating positions of said body;

b) generating signals representing at least a future predicted position and bearing of said body based on said measured signals;

c) forming an image representative of an environment through which said body maneuvers; and

d) displaying at least a graphical figure representing an approximation of a shape of said body and indicative of said future predicted position and bearing of said body in relation to a present position of said body, and said formed image, a size of said graphical figure being scaled approximately to a display of said formed image.

79. The method of claim 78, further comprising:

e) generating signals representing a present position and bearing of said body based on said measured signals, and

f) displaying a second graphical figure representing the approximation of the shape of said body and indicative of said present position and bearing of said body.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein said step a) includes the substeps of,

a1) detecting a velocity of said body,

a2) detecting a bearing of said body with respect to a reference bearing, and

a3) establishing a turning speed of said body, and wherein said step b) includes the substeps of,

b1) generating coordinate data representing said present position and bearing of said moving body based at least on said detected velocity and said detected bearing, and generating said future predicted position and bearing of said body based at least on said present position of said body and said turning speed of said body.

81. The method of claim 78, wherein said step d) includes the substep of,

d1) displaying said graphical figure in a shape of a hull of a ship.

82. The method of claim 78, wherein said step a) includes the substep of,

a1) detecting a velocity of said body.

83. The method of claim 78, wherein said step a) includes the substep of,

a1) detecting a position of said body by using a Global Positioning System.