Device and method for enabling a mariner to select storm havens

• US 6,859,691 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2003
• Issued: 02/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David Puchkoff
• Original Assignee: David Puchkoff
• Inventors: Puchkoff, David
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US10/378,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20040153222A1
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 701/21, 701/200, 701/207, 701/208, 701/212, 701/213, 701/214, 701/225, 701/300, 392/357.01, 392/357.08
• US Class Current: 701/21
• 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: B63B 79/40 for controlling the operation of vessels, e.g. monitoring their speed, routing or maintenance schedules
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 3/00 Traffic control systems for marine craft marking of navigational route B63B22/16, B63B51/00

Abstract

A microprocessor controlled device and method utilizing an information database concerning harbor attributes and a collection of harbor maps and images, together with algorithms that determine which harbors are appropriate for shelter against certain weather conditions to guide a specific yacht to an appropriate harbor in various weather conditions; or other relevant harbor location issues that may concern a mariner. It integrates with GPS technology to determine the location of the vessel. The invention provides a convenient graphical interface allowing the user at each stage a dialog to reset the various parameters and a graphical, and narrative presentation of the various features of the selected harbors, filtered specifically to the weather conditions, the vessel perimeters, the harbor attributes and the needs and interests of a particular vessel and it'"'"'s mariner.

Claims

1. A microprocessor based system for selecting an appropriate harbor for a vessel subject to weather conditions comprising

a. a program for receiving parameters descriptive of a vessel, the vessel'"'"'s location, and weather conditions,

b. a memory under the control of said program for receiving a database of harbor parameters

c. a graphical interface under the control of said program for displaying maps of harbors corresponding to those whose harbor parameters are in the database and for allowing a user to input values of said parameters

d. an algorithm for determining from the parameters a set of appropriate harbors.

2. The microprocessor based system for selecting an appropriate harbor for a vessel subject to weather conditions of claim 1, wherein said algorithm determines the set harbors by comparing a harbor depth and tidal parameters with the vessels depth below waterline parameter, and determining from the weather condition parameters those harbors that provide shelter from the particular weather conditions.

3. A method for selecting an appropriate harbor for a vessel subject to weather conditions comprising

a. inputting into a computer interface the location of the vessel

b. inputting into the computer interface one or more parameters of the weather condition

c. inputting into the computer interface one or more parameters descriptive of the vessel

d. selecting a geographic area into which to move the vessel

e. inputting into a computer interface from the parameters of the weather conditions and the parameters descriptive of the vessel a set of appropriate harbors for the vessel

f. plotting a course from the location of the vessel to the harbor and

g. monitoring the course during the motion of the vessel to the harbor.

4. The method for selecting an appropriate harbor of claim 3 wherein the step of inputting into a computer interface the location of the vessel is accomplished by inputting latitude and longitude.

5. The method for selecting an appropriate harbor of claim 3 wherein the step of inputting into a computer interface the location of the vessel is accomplished by interfacing with a GPS device.

6. The method for selecting an appropriate harbor of claim 3 wherein the parameters of the weather condition comprise barometric readings.

7. The method for selecting an appropriate harbor of claim 3 wherein the parameters of the weather conditions include parameters forecasting the probable wind and tidal conditions over a period of time sufficient for the vessel to reach a set of harbors for the vessel and the step of inputting into a computer interface the set of appropriate harbors comprises selecting from those harbors within the reach of the vessel that satisfy predetermined appropriate criteria.

8. A software application for selecting an appropriate port for a vessel comprising

a database of information concerning harbors in a geographic area,

memory for retaining vessel parameters,

fields to receive values indicative of a geographic area, said values being determined one or more of

(a) range from a preselected point,

(b) vessel speed and time to reach a harbor,

(c) specific harbor names,

(d) latitude and longitude,

fields to receive values indicative of facilities at the harbor,

fields to receive values indicative of wind direction from which protection is required,

charts of harbors in the geographic area,

data specifying facilities in the said harbors,

a filter permitting selection by one or more field values.

9. The software application for selecting an appropriate port for a vessel of claim 8 wherein said vessel parameters include vessel speed, draft and vessel height.

10. The software application for selecting an appropriate port for a vessel of claim 8 wherein said preselected point may be obtained from a GPS device communicating with said software application.

11. The software application for selecting an appropriate port for a vessel of claim 8 further comprising fields to receive values indicative of various predefined (moderate or severe) wind conditions.

12. The software application for selecting an appropriate port for a vessel of claim 8 wherein said fields to receive values indicative of wind direction comprise a graphic display of a compass rose.

13. The software application for selecting an appropriate port for a vessel of claim 12, wherein said rose comprises at least eight compass points.

14. The software application for selecting an appropriate port for a vessel of claim 8 wherein said fields to receive values indicative of wind direction comprise fields for two to six compass point directions.

15. The software application for selecting an appropriate port for a vessel of claim 8 wherein said fields to receive values have default values.

16. The software application for selecting an appropriate port for a vessel of claim 15 wherein said default values specify a hurricane hole having restricted open water, protection from all wind directions, and holding ground at least as secure as heavy mud.

17. The software application for selecting an appropriate port for a vessel of claim 8 wherein said filter selects values of harbor depth.

18. The software application for selecting an appropriate port for a vessel of claim 17 wherein said harbor depth takes into account tide and surge effects.

19. The software application for selecting an appropriate port for a vessel of claim 8 wherein said filter selects anchorages and or moorings.

20. The software application for selecting an appropriate port for a vessel of claim 8 wherein said filter selects marina or boatyard availability.