Abstract: Various types and levels of operator assistance are performed within a unified, configurable framework. A model of the device with a model of the environment and the current state of the device and the environment are used to iteratively generate a sequence of optimal device control inputs that, when applied to a model of the device, generate an optimal device trajectory through a constraint-bounded corridor or region within the state space. This optimal trajectory and the sequence of device control inputs that generates it is used to generate a threat assessment metric. An appropriate type and level of operator assistance is generated based on this threat assessment. Operator assistance modes include warnings, decision support, operator feedback, vehicle stability control, and autonomous or semi-autonomous hazard avoidance. The responses generated by each assistance mode are mutually consistent because they are generated using the same optimal trajectory.

Abstract: A feedback method and system. The method includes identifying by a computing system, a user. A vehicular feedback software application is enabled for the user. A feedback software application in the computing system monitors a group of vehicle operation functions currently being executed by the user with respect to a vehicle. The feedback software application analyzes the group of vehicle operation functions with respect to a profile associated with the user. An analysis report is generated in response to the analysis. The analysis report is presented to the user. The computing system monitors a response to the first analysis report from the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for vessel traffic management mounted in a vessel creates vessel sailing information including a current location and an identifier of the vessel in accordance with a navigation plan to a destination of the vessel; calculates an estimated time for arriving at the destination based on a distance between the current location and the destination and a sailing speed; and calculates an estimated entry time of entering a target area within the destination based on a distance between the current location and the destination and the sailing speed. The vessel sailing information, the estimated arrival time, and the estimated entry time are transmitted to a local control center, and the sailing of the vessel is controlled using a vessel traffic condition at the target area, provided from the local control center.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a sensor system, a computer system, and a satellite transceiver. The sensor system is configured to generate data about a vessel and an environment around the vessel. The computer system is connected to the sensor system. The computer system is configured to receive the data from the sensor system, generate vessel information about the data, and send the vessel information to a remote location. The satellite transceiver is connected to the computer system. The satellite transceiver is configured to send the vessel information to and receive other information from the remote location.

Abstract: A method and a system for improving the fuel efficiency by controlling the steering system of a marine vessel. In the method the steering system is configured to acquire data related to the fuel efficiency by changing the orientations of steering devices without changing the steering angle of the marine vessel. The acquired data is modeled statistically and an optimum value can be determined from the model. The optimum value is then used for actuating the steering devices to the optimum angle.

Abstract: A vessel propulsion system includes an engine that provides a propulsive force to a vessel, a throttle valve to adjust an air amount supplied to the engine, an accelerator operation unit operated by an operator to adjust a throttle opening degree, the throttle opening degree corresponding to an operation amount of the accelerator operation unit, and a control unit programmed to vary an engine output even when the throttle opening degree is maintained at a fixed value other than an idling opening degree, the engine output corresponding to the operation amount of the accelerator operation unit as a reference output.

Abstract: The present invention applies model-based processing to a sensor output from a sensor such as a sonar, radar, or laser range finder. In particular, embodiments of the invention use a priori knowledge of a model signal return expected from a particular object to identify the location of the object relative to the sensor (and/or vice versa). In some embodiments the object is augmented with reflectors that return the sensor signal back towards the sensor so that the object can be more easily detected by the sensor. In preferred embodiments the reflectors are arranged in an a priori known pattern on the object, to help identify both the location and the orientation of the object with respect to the sensor. In the preferred embodiment, the sensor is a sonar, mounted on an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV).

Abstract: A system for controlling a marine vessel includes a processor, a propulsion system, and a directional system. The processor is disposed onboard the marine vessel and obtains a trip plan that includes designated operational settings of the marine vessel for a trip along a waterway. The propulsion system is communicatively coupled with the processor and generates propulsion to move the marine vessel according to the designated operational settings of the trip plan. The directional system is communicatively coupled with the processor and steers the marine vessel according to the designated operational settings of the trip plan. Operating the propulsion system and the directional system according to the designated operational settings of the trip plan reduces at least one of fuel consumed or emissions generated by the marine vessel relative to the marine vessel being propelled or steered according to one or more plans other than the trip plan.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic steering control apparatus, including an autopilot, which enables a ship to turn around a desired fixed point as a turning center with a desired turning radius without being affected by an extraneous factor, such as a tidal current or the like. To achieve the object, a center position, a turning radius and a turning direction for turning are initially designated by the operator, a tangent to a turning circle at an intersection of a straight line from the turning center to a position of the ship and the turning circle, and a course of the ship is controlled to approach the tangent.

Abstract: Watercraft automation and aquatic data utilization for aquatic efforts are disclosed. In one aspect, an anchor point is obtained and a watercraft position maintenance routine is actuated to control the watercraft to maintain association with the anchor point. In another aspect, prior aquatic effort data is obtained in association with an anchor point. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data is generated in association with an anchor point. In still another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized for prediction generation. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized to obtain another anchor point for a watercraft.

Abstract: A hazard assessment and strategy formulation system and method for a vessel may comprise a hazard assessment element receiving alarms and/or data for assessing the type and severity of a hazard, a plurality of models for modeling different hazards, and a strategy formulation element for formulating a strategy of tasks for responding to the type and severity of hazard represented by the hazard assessment, wherein the strategy formulation element and one or ones of the plurality of models are in communication. Tasks may be communicated for implementation, for display or for implementation and display.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a method for controlling a marine vessel having a first steerable propulsor, a corresponding first reversing device, a second steerable propulsor and a corresponding second reversing device. The method comprises receiving a first vessel control signal corresponding to a rotational movement and no translational movement command, generating at least a first actuator control signal and a second actuator control signal in response to the first vessel control signal, coupling the first actuator control signal to and controlling the first steerable propulsor and the second steerable propulsor, and coupling the second actuator control signal to and controlling the first reversing device and to the second reversing device. The method creates rotational forces on the marine vessel with substantially no translational forces on the marine vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus is described comprising at least one processor; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: organize items of raw data received from at least one sensor of a vehicle as a first data structure, organize classified data objects as a second data structure, and link at least one item of the first data structure to at least one object of the second data structure.

Abstract: The system herein disclosed automatically detects whether an engine control unit instance number of a multi-engine marine vessel needs changing. Each engine control unit is electronically paired with a respective servo controller. A vessel controller is in communication with the servo controllers. The vessel controller commands in turn each servo controller to switch on its paired engine control unit, read the instance number of its paired engine control unit, switch off its paired engine control unit, and convey the instance number back to the vessel controller. The vessel controller then compares the instance numbers of the engine control units. If at least two instance numbers of the engine control units are duplicates of each other, the vessel controller ascertains that at least one of the instance numbers of the engine control units needs to be changed and assigns a new instance number to one of the engine control units.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a marine propulsion system utilize an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that is powered by a battery, wherein the internal combustion engine and the electric motor each selectively power a marine propulsor to propel a marine vessel. A control circuit is operated to control operation of the system according to a plurality of modes including at least an electric mode wherein the electric motor powers the marine propulsor and a hybrid mode wherein the internal combustion engine powers the marine propulsor and provides power for recharging the battery. An operator-desired future performance capability of the hybrid marine propulsion system is input to the control circuit, which selects and executes the plurality of modes so as to provide the operator-desired desired future performance capability.

Abstract: A method for determining correction during steering of a point on an object towed by a towing device, the object point, toward a target position, the object being provided with a bird, including the steps of determining a target position; determining the position of the object point, determining the speed and acceleration of the object point and directions of these and thereby determining an inline direction; determining whether the inline is directed toward the target position and if it deviates from the desired direction, determining a distance vector between the object point and the target position; calculating the object point distance, speed and acceleration components at least in the lateral direction or the vertical direction; and transferring values for the components to a control system for the corresponding bird.

Abstract: A system for controlling power of a hybrid vehicle may include a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of a commanded acceleration for the hybrid vehicle and determine a potential for each of a power source, a generator, and an energy storage device to supply energy to achieve the commanded acceleration. The controller may be further configured to determine a cost associated with using each of the power source, the generator, and the energy storage device to achieve the commanded acceleration, and determine a combination of the power source, the generator, and the energy storage device that achieves the commanded acceleration at a lowest total cost. The controller may also be configured to provide a signal to at least one of the power source, the generator, and the energy storage device to achieve the commanded acceleration based on the determined combination.

Abstract: A submarine homing system includes an acoustic emitter configured to emit an acoustic signal comprising at least two narrow-band tones, each narrow-band tone having a respective predetermined center frequency. An acoustic receiver is configured to receive the acoustic signal from the acoustic emitter, and produce one or more receiver signals. A processor is operatively connected to the acoustic receiver. The processor is configured to process the receiver signals to calculate a direction between the acoustic receiver and the acoustic emitter.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a sail assist device, which includes a wind direction sensor for measuring a wind direction, a ship position acquiring module for acquiring a latitude and a longitude of the ship, and a display module for calculating a layline based on the latitude and longitude of the ship, a latitude and a longitude of a target position of the ship, and the wind direction, with the target position being a reference, and displaying a target mark indicating the target, a ship mark indicating the ship, and the layline.

Abstract: A vehicular interface may include an electromechanical interface between a hand-held electronic device and subsystems on a vehicular bus or network. In selected embodiments the interface may operate in a “master mode” when a handheld device, such as a tablet computer or smart-phone, is not inserted therein. In this mode the interface may serve as a master controller and accesses and controls various subsystems on a vehicle (such as engine control subsystems, media controllers, navigation systems, sensors and transducers) as a master controller. In one embodiment, when a tablet device is inserted into the interface, the interface may automatically switch to “slave mode” in which it acts as an adapter or interface between the tablet device and the vehicular subsystems. In this mode of operation the user's exclusive interface is through the tablet computer and the tablet computer serves as the master controller for the system.

Abstract: Protection system for ship loading provided with a cover device comprising a universal adaptable cover, a coupling and operation device comprising a ring structure that houses the elements necessary for operation of the protection system, such as the fixing device, tractor assembly responsible for handling, lowering and collapsing the protection cover and its system of monitoring of the load, which, together, allow a new approach in the protection of loading of ships.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a sensor system, a computer system, and a satellite transceiver. The sensor system is configured to monitor time, position, heading, motions, environmental conditions, and performance data for a vessel and generate data about the vessel and an environment around the vessel. The computer system is connected to the sensor system. The computer system is configured to receive the data from the sensor system, generate vessel information about the data, and send the vessel information to a remote location. The satellite transceiver is connected to the computer system. The satellite transceiver is configured to send the vessel information to and receive other information from the remote location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems for launching and retrieving underwater craft from a ship. It consists mainly of a handling cradle for launching and retrieving an underwater vehicle, comprising a frame forming a dorsal ridge and providing an interface between lifting means, a crane for example, and the underwater vehicle. This frame comprises: means for adjusting the overall buoyancy; means for automatically aligning the vehicle with the dorsal ridge formed by the frame; means for grasping the vehicle from the surface after the frame has been aligned with the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the cradle comprises an onboard video camera enabling the operator onboard the ship to ensure that the vehicle attachment and release operations are carried out correctly. The invention advantageously allows the vehicle to be launched and retrieved automatically when the vehicle is under the surface in an area where it is not subject to the effects of the swell.

Abstract: A control unit for a boat propulsion system individually controls the forward and reverse propulsion directions, the propulsion force, and the steering angle of each of a plurality of boat propulsion units so that a point of action of a first resultant force is positioned behind a point of action of a second resultant force when the control unit receives an operational command from an operation device for travel in a lateral direction of a hull. The first resultant force is a resultant force of propulsion forces generated by the first port-side propulsion unit and the first starboard-side propulsion unit. The second resultant force is a resultant force of propulsion forces generated by the second port-side propulsion unit and the second starboard-side propulsion unit.

Abstract: Interdependencies between pairs/groups of individual systems are evaluated in determining the composition of a universal system of interdependent systems. Data tables reflecting the interdependencies are contained in a central database resident in a server's memory. Plural/multiple computers are connected to the server, each computer having running thereon at least one simulation program, each simulation program being associated with at least one individual system and being characterized by individual time steps. In each individual time step, the simulation program updates (reads data from and writes data to) the central database, and displays updated information. In each universal time step (characterizing the simulation of the universal system), all simulation programs are temporally coordinated so that each simulation program's individual time step takes place once; no universal time step is perfected until every individual time step has completed its updating of pertinent data in the central database.

Abstract: An automatic stabilization unit for watercraft such as boats, yachts and the like. In order to ensure stabilization of the watercraft with a high level of movement comfort at the same time over the entire speed range and in all water conditions, an electronic regulator is provided which stabilizes the water attitude of the watercraft during movement, while moving straight ahead and turning, as a function of the movement-situation-dependent rotation rates and longitudinal accelerations and/or lateral accelerations and/or vertical accelerations, using the actuating elements which are normally available in the watercraft, thus preventing or reducing to a minimum any stress on, damage to or danger to the boat, its occupants and the surrounding are thereof.

Abstract: A programmable automatic docking system for a marine vessel, wherein the programmable automatic docking system includes a set of starboard side transducers and a set of port side transducers to detect and transmit real-time distance, position and velocity information of the marine vessel in relation to an external object, A programmable processor control unit receives the real-time distance, position and velocity information to control a set of propulsion elements to automatically control the marine vessels direct path of travel toward an external object and maintain the marine vessel at a pre-selected distance once the pre-selected distance is reached.

Abstract: A digital mapping display and related system for fishing, and other applications.

Abstract: A method of checking a toe angle of at least one port rudder (1) and at least one starboard rudder (2) of a ship, which are electronically adjusted via a control device, such that different toe angles are set for the at least one port rudder (1) and the at least one starboard rudder (2) and from which an optimal toe angle is determined, in real time, for each of the at least one port rudder (1) and the at least one starboard rudder (2).

Abstract: A watercraft propulsion device includes an engine, a drive shaft, a propeller shaft, a rotational speed detector, and a controller. The drive shaft transmits power from the engine. The propeller shaft is rotationally driven by power transmitted from the drive shaft. The rotational speed detector detects an engine rotational speed. The controller executes a suppression control to suppress the engine rotational speed when a change rate of the engine rotational speed is equal to or larger than a prescribed value.

Abstract: A method for rudder roll stabilization having two-feedback-path nonlinear dynamic compensation (NDC) is described. The high-order, Nyquist-stable control system having NDC hereof is absolutely stable and will provide a 20%-40% improvement in performance over existing roll reduction designs when lower performance steering mechanisms are employed, and is superior to linear controllers. That is, the present invention will be effective rudder roll stabilization in commercial vessels having slower rudders as well as in vessels having steering machines representing the best performance currently available, such as military systems. Since no ship hardware modifications are required, the present roll control technology will be able to be economically implemented.

Abstract: An unmanned maritime vehicle includes a hull, a propulsion system carried by the hull, vehicle sensors carried by the hull, a wireless transceiver carried by the hull, and a controller coupled to the wireless transceiver, the vehicle sensors, and the propulsion system. The controller is configured to implement an inference engine and a knowledge base to define an expert system generating a recommended water navigational action based upon a set of water navigational rules and inputs from the vehicle sensors.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of a system for operating a vessel is provided herein. An illustrative system can include a plurality of power sources for operating the vessel. The power sources can include a battery bank and an AC power source. The system can also include an auxiliary device disposed on the vessel, wherein the auxiliary device comprises an electrical rotating source. Energy can be harvested from the electrical rotating source and transferred to the DC power source, a load of the vessel, or both. The illustrative system can also include a power management system that can include a processor; a data storage in communication with the processor; and a plurality of computer instructions stored on the data storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ship, in particular a cargo ship, having a power supply system. The invention relates in particular to a ship having a plurality of diesel electric systems for providing electrical power that are disposed within the ship, wherein a plurality of diesel electric systems are each associated with a common opening for removing the diesel electric systems. The invention further relates to a power supply system for a ship and to a method for controlling the power supply system of a ship.

Abstract: An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) uses a model of propulsive efficiency to achieve high values of propulsive efficiency over a range of forward velocities, giving a lowered energy drain on the battery. Externally monitored information, such as that on flow velocity, is conveyed to an apparatus residing in the vehicle's control unit, which in turn signals the locomotive unit to adopt kinematics, such as fin frequency and amplitude, associated with optimal propulsion efficiency. In an embodiment, the model of propulsive efficiency is generated from a multilayer perception neural network model using data from aquatic species, such as undulatory fin propulsion in the knifefish (Xenomystus nigri), and a sensitivity analysis is used to lower the number of required inputs. Power savings could protract vehicle operational life and/or provide more power to other functions, such as communications.

Abstract: A system for providing information to at least one passenger onboard a mobile platform (such as a train, marine vessel, aircraft or automobile) is provided. The system includes a display device that displays the information. The system also includes a source of user input coupled to the display device that enables the at least one passenger to request the information. The information includes at least galley information. The system further includes a galley control module that generates galley data that includes at least one food service item available onboard the mobile platform, and a graphical user interface module that displays the at least one food service item available onboard the mobile platform to enable the at least one passenger to select at least one of the at least one food service item.

Abstract: A digital mapping display and related system for fishing, and other applications are provided.

Abstract: According to typical practice of the present invention, a vehicle is remotely controlled and is travelable both in water and on land. The vehicle has two liquid-containment components that are situated generally one above the other. Pumping devices bring about transfer of cargo liquid (e.g., fuel or water) from either component to the other component. In accordance with the liquid transfer, the vehicle turns over, about its longitudinal axis, between two generally opposite buoyant positions, each of which is stable and viable for marine navigation. When the flow of the liquid sufficiently shifts weight from one component to the other, the vehicle inverts; that is, the emptying component flips from the bottom to the top, and the filling component flips from the top to the bottom. One of the buoyant positions of the vehicle is characterized by wheels for amphibiously transitioning the vehicle from water travel to land travel.

Abstract: A method for determining the cumulative lateral slip of a towboat or combination barge tow/towboat. The method comprises providing two positional sensor instruments mounted at either end of a combination barge tow, each positional sensor capable of determining its geographical location from radio transmissions from, e.g., GPS satellites. The velocities of each positional sensor, both parallel and lateral (perpendicular) to the bearing of the barge tow, are determined. The cumulative sum of the absolute differences of the lateral velocities of the two positional sensors over time is calculated, stored and displayed by a microcomputer.

Abstract: A method and system to optimize underwater operations utilizing a radio frequency identification (RFID) arrangement. The RFID arrangement includes a plurality of RFID tags positioned on an underwater surface, with each of the plurality of tags coded with unique information related to each tag's location on the underwater surface. The RFID system also includes an RFID reader/interrogator attached to an underwater explorer. When the underwater explorer is within a reading range of a tag, the reader/interrogator reads the unique tag information. The tag information is used to optimize underwater operations performed by the explorer, which may be a diver or a water vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dumping material onto an underwater bottom or installation, such as a pipeline. The device comprises a vessel, provided with a fall pipe through which the material is dumped on the underwater bottom; a steering device adapted to control the motion of the fall pipe relative to the underwater bottom; first monitoring means adapted to monitor the state of the underwater bottom; second monitoring means adapted to monitor the position of the steering device; and computing means adapted to compute, control signals for moving the steering device. The invention also relates to a method for dumping material onto an underwater bottom or installation.

Abstract: A watercraft propulsion device includes an engine, a drive shaft, a propeller shaft, a rotational speed detector, and a controller. The drive shaft transmits power from the engine. The propeller shaft is rotationally driven by power transmitted from the drive shaft. The rotational speed detector detects an engine rotational speed. The controller executes a suppression control to suppress the engine rotational speed when a change rate of the engine rotational speed is equal to or larger than a prescribed value.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle including an engine comprising a turbocharger including a compressor and a turbine. The engine further includes a bypass path configured to selectively route gas from downstream of the compressor to upstream of the turbine. In one embodiment, the method comprises selectively increasing gas flow to the engine by adjusting gas flow through the bypass path from downstream of the compressor to upstream of the turbine. In this manner, the performance of the engine may be adjusted for various operating conditions.

Abstract: A swimming hoop ring is provided for detecting safety of children. In one embodiment, a swimming hoop ring includes a ring made of plastic, wherein the ring is being worn by a child; a top GPS receiver on a top surface of the ring, wherein the top GPS receiver is used to detect location of the ring when the top surface of the ring surfaces onto water; a bottom GPS receiver on a bottom surface of the ring, wherein the bottom GPS server can be used to detect location of the ring when the top GPS receiver fails to operate as the top surface of the ring is flipped upside down into the water; a rf transmitter included in the ring, wherein the rf transmitter can be used to transmit rescue signals; a propeller included in the ring to steer the ring in certain directions; and a weight detector included in the ring to detect if there is a sudden drop of weight of the ring to indicate the child is being unsafe.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system that provides desired watercraft velocity over land. The coupled algorithms correct engine speed and torque using inertia based measurements, GPS, and tachometer measurements, and the corrections are augmented and enhanced by velocity/speed and torque/speed relationships that are dynamically and adaptively programmed with real-time data collected during replicated operations of the watercraft in specified conditions.

Abstract: This description provides tools and techniques for virtualizing embedded systems. Systems are described for embedding into a vehicle, with the systems including subsystems and centralized physical platforms that include computing resources operating on behalf of the subsystems. Systems may also include shared bus systems that place the centralized physical platforms and the subsystems in communication with one another. The centralized physical platforms may also include virtualization layers for operating virtual machines, with the virtual machines being associated respectively with the subsystems.

Abstract: A marine vessel propulsion device includes an engine, a jet propulsion unit, and a reverse gate. The jet propulsion unit includes a jet port arranged to jet water toward a rear of a hull. The reverse gate is arranged to be capable of being changed in opening degree between a fully closed position of covering an entirety of the jet port and a fully opened position of not covering the jet port at all. The reverse gate is arranged to be moved, between the fully closed position and the fully opened position, to a first partially closed position of only partially covering the jet port and a second partially closed position of only partially covering the jet port and being closer to the fully opened position than the first partially closed position.

Abstract: A marine vessel steering apparatus includes a steering mechanism arranged to be operable by an operator, a steering unit arranged to turn a pivoting unit mounted pivotally on a marine vessel, a detecting unit arranged to detect if an actual pivoting angle, the turning angle of the pivoting unit, becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined angle, a locking unit arranged to lock the turning of the steering mechanism, and a control unit. The control unit is programmed to set a target pivoting angle based on the turning state of the steering mechanism and to drive the steering unit to make the actual pivoting angle equal to the target pivoting angle. The control unit is also programmed, when the detecting unit detects that the actual pivoting angle becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined angle, to drive the locking unit to lock the turning of the steering mechanism.

Abstract: A system for controlling a marine vessel having first and second waterjets, corresponding first and second steering nozzles and corresponding first and second reversing buckets. The system comprises a speed control device for providing a first vessel control signal that corresponds to a speed to be provided to the marine vessel, a processor configured to receive the first vessel control signal and that is configured to provide at least one first actuator control signal coupled to the first and second waterjets, and at least one second actuator control signal coupled to the first and second steering nozzles and the first and to second reversing buckets. The system any of improves upon turns provided by conventional waterjet propulsion systems, improves upon slowing down or stopping marine vessels as is done by conventional waterjet propulsion systems, and improves upon the controllability of the waterjet propulsed marine vessel at low vessel speeds.

Abstract: A navigation assistance system equipped with an environment-regulated-marine-zone detection device that includes a movement tracking device that tracks the movement of a ship based on input data; a first computation device that computes an arrival distance and a arrival time until arriving at an environment regulated marine zone or a departure distance and a departure time until departing from an environment regulated marine zone based on data transmitted from the movement tracking device, as well as data about the environment regulated marine zone in a built-in database of the first computation device or data about the environment regulated marine zone in a built-in database of another external device. The detection device also includes a display device that displays the arrival distance and the arrival time or the departure distance and the departure time based on the data transmitted from the first computation device.