Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide docking assist for mobile structures. A docking assist system includes a logic device, one or more sensors, one or more actuators/controllers, and modules to interface with users, sensors, actuators, and/or other modules of a mobile structure. The logic device is adapted to receive docking assist parameters from a user interface for the mobile structure and perimeter sensor data from a perimeter ranging system mounted to the mobile structure. The logic device determines docking assist control signals based, at least in part, on the docking assist parameters and perimeter sensor data, and it then provides the docking assist control signals to a navigation control system for the mobile structure. Control signals may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide visually correlated radar imagery for mobile structures. A visually correlated radar imagery system includes a radar system, an imaging device, and a logic device configured to communicate with the radar system and imaging device. The radar system is adapted to be mounted to a mobile structure, and the imaging device may include an imager position and/or orientation sensor (IPOS). The logic device is configured to determine a horizontal field of view (FOV) of image data captured by the imaging device and to render radar data that is visually or spatially correlated to the image data based, at least in part, on the determined horizontal FOV. Subsequent user input and/or the sonar data may be used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide perimeter ranging for navigation of mobile structures. A navigation control system includes a logic device, a perimeter ranging sensor, one or more actuators/controllers, and modules to interface with users, sensors, actuators, and/or other elements of a mobile structure. The logic device is configured to receive perimeter sensor data from the perimeter ranging system. The logic device determines a range to and/or a relative velocity of a navigation hazard disposed within a monitoring perimeter of the perimeter ranging system based on the received perimeter sensor data. The logic device then generates a display view of the perimeter sensor data or determines navigation control signals based on the range and/or relative velocity of the navigation hazard. Control signals may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide graphical user interfaces for assisted and/or autonomous navigation for mobile structures. A navigation assist system includes a user interface for a mobile structure comprising a display and a logic device configured to communicate with the user interface and render a docking user interface on the display. The logic device is configured to monitor control signals for a navigation control system for the mobile structure and render the docking user interface based, at least in part, on the monitored control signals. The docking user interface includes a maneuvering guide with a mobile structure perimeter indicator, an obstruction map, and a translational thrust indicator configured to indicate a translational maneuvering thrust magnitude and direction relative to an orientation of the mobile structure perimeter indicator.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide proactive directional control for a mobile structure. A proactive directional control system may include a logic device, a memory, one or more sensors, one or more actuators/controllers, and modules to interface with users, sensors, actuators, and/or other modules of a mobile structure. The logic device is adapted to determine a steering angle disturbance estimate based on environmental conditions associated with the mobile structure, and the steering angle disturbance estimate is used to adjust a directional control signal provided to an actuator of the mobile structure. The logic device may also be adapted to receive directional data about a mobile structure and determine nominal vehicle feedback from the directional data, which may be used to adjust and/or stabilize the directional control signal provided to the actuator.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for navigating mobile structures. The mobile structure may include a main attitude & heading reference system (AHRS) and one or more devices. The one or more devices may include a slave AHRS such as a gyroscope. Data may be transmitted from the main AHRS to the one or more devices through a network. Latency may be present in the transmission of data. As such, data from the slave AHRS may be used to determine changes in heading and/or attitude of the mobile structure to compensate for such latency. In addition, such data may be used to determine changes in wind direction and/or heading experienced by the mobile structure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a vehicle that may detect the presence and/or absence of an operator of the vehicle. The vehicle may determine that the operator is present and/or absent from a control area of the vehicle (e.g., an area where the operator may provide instructions for the piloting of the vehicle) and/or from the entire area of the vehicle and provide instructions responsive to the determination.

Abstract: Autopilot systems and related techniques are provided to improve the ability of mobile structures to maintain a desired reference path (e.g., to keep a desired track and/or to follow a desired contour). In various embodiments, a high quality turn rate signal and GPS based signals are used to generate high bandwidth cross track/contour errors and other associated signals. An adaptive controller uses the generated cross track/contour signals to provide robust track keeping and/or contour following in the directional control of a mobile structure. Techniques are also provided for systems and methods to provide directional control for mobile structures.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide visually correlated radar imagery for mobile structures. A visually correlated radar imagery system includes a radar system, an imaging device, and a logic device configured to communicate with the radar system and imaging device. The radar system is adapted to be mounted to a mobile structure, and the imaging device may include an imager position and/or orientation sensor (IPOS). The logic device is configured to determine a horizontal field of view (FOV) of image data captured by the imaging device and to render radar data that is visually or spatially correlated to the image data based, at least in part, on the determined horizontal FOV. Subsequent user input and/or the sonar data may be used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide docking assist for mobile structures. A docking assist system includes a logic device, one or more sensors, one or more actuators/controllers, and modules to interface with users, sensors, actuators, and/or other modules of a mobile structure. The logic device is adapted to receive docking assist parameters from a user interface for the mobile structure and perimeter sensor data from a perimeter ranging system mounted to the mobile structure. The logic device determines docking assist control signals based, at least in part, on the docking assist parameters and perimeter sensor data, and it then provides the docking assist control signals to a navigation control system for the mobile structure. Control signals may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide perimeter ranging for navigation of mobile structures. A navigation control system includes a logic device, a perimeter ranging sensor, one or more actuators/controllers, and modules to interface with users, sensors, actuators, and/or other elements of a mobile structure. The logic device is configured to receive perimeter sensor data from the perimeter ranging system. The logic device determines a range to and/or a relative velocity of a navigation hazard disposed within a monitoring perimeter of the perimeter ranging system based on the received perimeter sensor data. The logic device then generates a display view of the perimeter sensor data or determines navigation control signals based on the range and/or relative velocity of the navigation hazard. Control signals may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide automatic and substantially continuous calibration for compasses mounted to moving structures. A compass calibration system may include a logic device configured to receive one or more sensor signals and determine a corrected magnetic field based, at least in part, on a measured local magnetic field. The logic device may be configured to receive the measured local magnetic field comprising a series of magnetic measurements associated with a mobile structure; determine a valid portion of a toroidal shape of the series of magnetic measurements that is available for further processing; and determine the corrected magnetic field based, at least in part, on calibration parameters derived from at least the valid portion of the toroidal shape.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate, low lag, and reliable autopilot autorelease in a hydraulic steering system for mobile structures. A hydraulic steering system includes a logic device configured to communicate with an autopilot pump controller, a control surface reference sensor, an orientation sensor, and/or a gyroscope. Control and sensor signals provided by the pump controller and/or the various sensors are used to selectively enable and/or disable an autopilot release signal. The autopilot release signal enables or disables the autopilot pump controller and/or an autopilot pump, or controls the autopilot pump controller to enable or disable the autopilot pump.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for navigating mobile structures. The mobile structure may include a main attitude & heading reference system (AHRS) and one or more devices. The one or more devices may include a slave AHRS such as a gyroscope. Data may be transmitted from the main AHRS to the one or more devices through a network. Latency may be present in the transmission of data. As such, data from the slave AHRS may be used to determine changes in heading and/or attitude of the mobile structure to compensate for such latency. In addition, such data may be used to determine changes in wind direction and/or heading experienced by the mobile structure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a vehicle that may detect the presence and/or absence of an operator of the vehicle. The vehicle may determine that the operator is present and/or absent from a control area of the vehicle (e.g., an area where the operator may provide instructions for the piloting of the vehicle) and/or from the entire area of the vehicle and provide instructions responsive to the determination.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide proactive directional control for a mobile structure. A proactive directional control system may include a logic device, a memory, one or more sensors, one or more actuators/controllers, and modules to interface with users, sensors, actuators, and/or other modules of a mobile structure. The logic device is adapted to determine a steering angle disturbance estimate based on environmental conditions associated with the mobile structure, and the steering angle disturbance estimate is used adjust a directional control signal provided to an actuator of the mobile structure. The logic device may also be adapted to receive directional data about a mobile structure and determine nominal vehicle feedback from the directional data, which may be used to adjust and/or stabilize the directional control signal provided to the actuator.

Abstract: Autopilot systems and related techniques are provided to improve the ability of mobile structures to maintain a desired reference path (e.g., to keep a desired track and/or to follow a desired contour). In various embodiments, a high quality turn rate signal and GPS based signals are used to generate high bandwidth cross track/contour errors and other associated signals. An adaptive controller uses the generated cross track/contour signals to provide robust track keeping and/or contour following in the directional control of a mobile structure. Techniques are also provided for systems and methods to provide directional control for mobile structures.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide automatic and substantially continuous calibration for compasses mounted to moving structures. A compass calibration system may include a logic device configured to receive one or more sensor signals and determine a corrected magnetic field based, at least in part, on a measured local magnetic field. The logic device may be configured to receive the measured local magnetic field comprising a series of magnetic measurements associated with a mobile structure; determine a valid portion of a toroidal shape of the series of magnetic measurements that is available for further processing; and determine the corrected magnetic field based, at least in part, on calibration parameters derived from at least the valid portion of the toroidal shape.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate, low lag, and reliable autopilot autorelease in a hydraulic steering system for mobile structures. A hydraulic steering system includes a logic device configured to communicate with an autopilot pump controller, a control surface reference sensor, an orientation sensor, and/or a gyroscope. Control and sensor signals provided by the pump controller and/or the various sensors are used to selectively enable and/or disable an autopilot release signal. The autopilot release signal enables or disables the autopilot pump controller and/or an autopilot pump, or controls the autopilot pump controller to enable or disable the autopilot pump.

Abstract: Electronic or computer-implemented systems and methods for allowing an investment advisor or user to evaluate one or more financial products offered by one or more providers of financial products, involving electronic configuration of a set of required and a set of preferred questions and corresponding appropriate answers for each of the questions in these sets, electronic configuration of weights for each of the questions in the set of preferred questions, electronically provided responses to at least some of the questions, electronic comparison of the appropriate answers and the responses, electronic calculation of preferred, required and combined scores, and electronic presentation of the combined scores to the investment advisor or user. Electronic or computer-implemented systems and methods for the generation of requests for proposals and reports based upon the scores obtained.