FI128381B

FI128381B - Remote operation centre for monitoring a vessel

Info

Publication number: FI128381B
Application number: FI20175132A
Authority: FI
Inventors: Sauli Sipilä; Maria Kuosa
Original assignee: Rolls Royce Oy Ab
Priority date: 2017-02-15
Filing date: 2017-02-15
Publication date: 2020-04-15
Also published as: FI20175132L; WO2018150095A1

Abstract

A remote operation centre (1) for monitoring a vessel is presented. The remote operation centre (1) comprises one or more sets of lights (6, 7) secured to a surface (2) thereof. The remote operation centre (1) further comprises a driving circuit (8) configured to control the one or more sets of lights (6, 7), individually or in groups, in terms of one or more of brightness, colour and temperature based at least on one of a movement signal and one or more thrust signals indicative of a movement of the vessel and a current power state of corresponding one or more thrusters in the vessel, respectively.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a remote operation 5 centre for monitoring a vessel, or more particularly for simulating one or more operational conditions of the vessel.

BACKGROUND

Unmanned marine vessels are vessels that sail at sea without any crew on-board. Such vessels can be controlled remotely by a human or autonomously in order to replace human operators on-board with automation technologies. However, the operation of these vessels 15 may require human intervention in certain situations.

The unmanned marine vessels are controlled by human operators working at a remote operation centre which is usually located on shore. In order to enable this, a variety of sensors and cameras are arranged at the 20 marine vessel to detect and observe the ship status, operation of the various systems of the marine vessel, fault situations, the behaviour of the marine vessel and its cargo, motions of the marine vessel, the environment of the marine vessel, waves, weather condi25 tions, other sea traffic for avoidance of collisions etc. An amount of this kind of information is then gathered, processed and transferred to the remote operation centre wherein the operator can remotely monitor and control the marine vessel and solve possible 30 fault conditions.

It is desired that the operator can have as good as possible situational awareness of the vessel in order to enable good decision-making. It is desirable that 35 the remote operation centre may be able to simulate an environment on-board the vessel in order to provide the operator with a deeper and more immersive experience of controlling the vessel. Particularly, it is desirable that the remote operation centre may be able to create ambient conditions therein to inform the hu5 man operator instinctively or sub-consciously about the operational conditions of the vessel.

OBJECTIVE OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is an objective of the present disclosure to pro10 vide a remote operation centre for monitoring an unmanned marine vessel.

It is also an objective of the present disclosure in which the remote operation centre can simulate a move15 ment of the unmanned marine vessel in a particular direction .

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It is also an objective of the present disclosure in which the remote operation centre can simulate a power 20 state of the one or more thrusters of the unmanned marine vessel.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, a remote operation centre 25 is provided for monitoring a vessel. The remote operation centre comprises one or more sets of lights secured to a surface thereof, and a driving circuit configured to control the one or more sets of lights, individually or in groups, in terms of one or more of 30 brightness, colour and temperature based at least on one of a movement signal and one or more thrust signals indicative of a movement of the vessel and a current power state of corresponding one or more thrusters in the vessel, respectively.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the surface, to which the one or more sets of lights are

20175132 prh 15 -02- 2017 secured, comprises a floor of the remote operation centre .

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the remote operation centre comprises an operator chair fixed to the floor, the operator chair being positioned lying on a symmetry axis therein.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the remote operation centre further comprises a display arrangement arranged as a vertical half-cylinder formation to provide a 180-degrees panoramic view for an operator sitting in the operator chair in relation to the symmetry axis, the one or more sets of lights ex15 tending to the display arrangement.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the one or more sets of lights comprise a first set of lights and a second set of lights.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the first set of lights comprises one or more strips of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), each of the strip of LEDs comprises a plurality of individual LED lights.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the one or more strips of LEDs are laid running substantially parallel to the symmetry axis.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the first set of lights defines an array of individual LED lights arranged in a manner such that the operator chair is located either at or between a geometric centre of the said array and a back edge of the said ar35 ray.

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In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the driving circuit is configured to switch ON consecutive individual LED lights in the one or more strips of LEDs along a first direction, based on the movement 5 signal indicative of the movement of the vessel in a forward direction thereof.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the driving circuit is configured to switch ON consecutive 10 individual LED lights in the one or more strips of

LEDs along a second direction opposite to the first direction, based on the movement signal indicative of the movement of the vessel in a backward direction thereof .

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the driving circuit is configured to optionally and simultaneously switch OFF preceding individual LED lights in the same one or more strips of LEDs.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the driving circuit is configured to incrementally increase or decrease the brightness of consecutive individual LED lights in the one or more strips of LEDs 25 along a first direction, based on the movement signal indicative of the movement of the vessel in a forward direction or a backward direction thereof, respectively.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the driving circuit is configured to incrementally increase or decrease the temperature of consecutive individual LED lights in the one or more strips of LEDs along a first direction, based on the movement signal 35 indicative of the movement of the vessel in a forward direction or a backward direction thereof, respectively.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the driving circuit is configured to selectively change colour of the individual LED lights in the one or more 5 strips of LEDs, based on the movement signal indicative of the movement of the vessel in a forward direction or a backward direction thereof.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the 10 second set of lights comprises one or more strips of

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), each of the strip of LEDs comprises a plurality of individual LED lights.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the 15 one or more strips of LEDs are laid running parallel to the symmetry axis.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the second set of lights comprise a first array of indi20 vidual LED lights and a second array of individual LED lights, each of the first array and the second array located next to a left side and a right side of the array of the first set of lights, respectively.

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In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, a density of individual LED lights in the first array and the second array of the second set of lights is relatively higher compared to a density of array of individual LED lights in the first set of lights.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the driver circuit is configured to control the first array and the second array of the second set of lights corresponding to a first thruster and a second thrust35 er of the vessel, respectively.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the driving circuit is configured to discretely increase or decrease one of brightness and temperature of the individual LED lights in the one or more strips of 5 LEDs based on the one or more thrust signals indicative of the current power state of the one or more thrusters being higher or lower than a normal power state of the one or more thrusters for current operation of the vessel.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the driving circuit is configured to change colour of the one or more strips of LEDs based on the one or more thrust signals indicative of the current power state 15 of the one or more thrusters being higher or lower than a normal power state of the one or more thrusters for current operation of the vessel.

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In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the 20 driving circuit is configured to control the one or more sets of lights based on a current illumination state of the remote operation centre.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the 25 driving circuit is configured to control the overall illumination of the remote operation centre to resemble that of a navigation bridge on the vessel.

In one embodiment of the remote operation centre, the 30 driving circuit is configured to control the one or more sets of lights based on predefined operator's preferences .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of a remote operation centre (ROC) and together with the description help to explain the principles thereof. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of the remote operation centre according to one embodiment of the disclosure,

FIG. 2 is a plan view from above of the remote opera10 tion centre of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a back view in the direction III-III of FIG.

2, and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the remote operation centre of FIG. 1.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explana20 tion, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In other in25 stances, apparatuses and methods are shown in block diagram form only in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure.

Reference in this specification to one embodiment or 30 an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of the phrase in one embodiment in various places in the 35 specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Simi5 larly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments .

Moreover, although the following description contains 10 many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and/or alterations to said details are within the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, although many of the features of the present disclosure 15 are described in terms of each other, or in conjunction with each other, one skilled in the art will appreciate that many of these features can be provided independently of other features. Accordingly, this description of the present disclosure is set forth with20 out any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the present disclosure.

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FIGS. 1 to 4 show a remote operation centre 1 for remote monitoring of vessels (not shown) . For the pur25 pose of the present disclosure, the vessel, as defined herein, may generally include a marine vessel (e.g. ship or submarine) . However, in other cases, the vessel may be an aircraft (airplane or spaceship), a land-based vehicle (e.g. car or tank) or any other 30 type of vessel configured to move by a propulsion source. The vessel may be an unmanned marine vessel, i.e. the vessel may be autonomous or have an autopilot feature. It may be understood that the remote operation centre 1 is located remotely to the vessel 35 on a shore or the like, sometimes hundreds or thousands of miles away. In other examples, the remote op

20175132 prh 15 -02- 2017 eration centre 1 may be located on a deck or some other location in the vessel itself without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The vessel may comprise a sensing arrangement associated therewith. In particular, the sensing arrangement is associated with the one or more thrusters in the vessel. The sensing arrangement comprises one or more sensors to detect a direction of movement of the ves10 sei on a real-time basis. The sensing arrangement further comprises one or more sensors to independently detect a current power state of one or more thrusters in the vessel, where the one or more thrusters provide the propulsive force for movement and change of direc15 tion of the vessel. The sensing arrangement is configured to generate a movement signal indicative of a real-time movement of the vessel and one or more thrust signals indicative of a current power state of corresponding one or more thrusters in the vessel. The 20 movement signal may further be indicative of a speed of the movement of the vessel. In one example, the vessel comprises a first thruster and a second thruster. Correspondingly, the sensing arrangement may generate two thrust signals, namely, a first thrust sig25 nal indicative of the current power state of the first thruster and a second thrust signal indicative of the current power state of the second thruster.

In one example, the said one or more sensors are radar 30 sensors. However, in other examples of the sensing arrangement, the one or more sensors may take the form of types of sensors such as, microwave or ultrasonic sensors. The functioning of the sensors, in the sensing arrangement, for determining operational condi35 tions of the vessel, like the direction and change in direction of movement of the vessel, and the current power state of the thrusters in the vessel is well known, and thus have not been described herein for the brevity of the disclosure.

The vessel may also comprise a transmission unit asso5 elated with the sensing arrangement. The transmission unit is configured to transmit, in a real-time basis, the generated signals, namely the movement signal and the one or more thrust signals to the remote operation centre 1. The transmission unit is configured to transmit the movement signal and the one or more thrust signals to the remote operation centre 1 via multi-mode wireless communication means, such as the use of satellites providing wireless channels implementing communication standards like GPRS, CDMA, 3G,

4G, to ensure the timeliness and reliability of data transmission.

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In the illustrated embodiment, the remote operation centre 1 is designed in consideration of one operator.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the remote operation centre 1 comprises multiple surfaces, including a floor 2. Hereinafter, the terms surface and floor have been interchangeably used without any limitations. The remote operation centre 1 further comprises an operator chair 3. The operator chair 3 is fixed to the floor 2. The remote operation centre 1 also comprises a display arrangement 4. The operator chair 3 may be arranged to face towards the display arrangement 4. In one example, the display arrangement 4 may be configured as a vertical half-cylinder formation to provide a 180-degrees panoramic view for the operator sitting in the operator chair 3. In one example, as illustrated, the display arrangement 4 may comprise a plurality of flat displays 5 arranged in the half35 cylinder formation. The operator chair 3 may be arranged symmetrically in relation to a vertical symmetry axis A of the display arrangement 4, i.e. the centre of the radius of the half-cylinder formation of the main display arrangement 4 lies on the symmetry axis A.

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As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the remote operation centre 1 comprises one or more sets of lights. In one embodiment, the one or more sets of lights comprise a first set of lights (generally labelled as 6) and a second set of lights (generally labelled as 7) . Dif10 ferent sets of lights may be used to simulate different operational conditions of the vessel. In one example, each of the first set of lights 6 and the second set of lights 7 comprises one or more strips of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) . For the sake of this discus15 sion, only one strip of LEDs from each of the first set of lights 6 and the second set of lights 7 has been considered; for example, the first set of lights 6 comprises a strip of LEDs 6a and the second set of lights 7 comprises a strip of LEDs 7a. However, it may 20 be understood that the first set of lights 6 may comprise other strips of LEDs, namely 6b, 6c, ..., 6n; and the second set of lights 7 may comprise other strips of LEDs, namely 7b, 7c, ..., 7n (not labelled in some of the figures for clarity).

It is to be noted that the described functionality and properties of the strip of LEDs 6a, from the first set of lights 6, and the strip of LEDs 7a, from the second set of lights 7, may be applicable to all other strips 30 of LEDs in the corresponding sets. In the illustrations, the strips of LEDs 6a have been shown with circular LED lights therein and the strips of LEDs 7a have been shown with square LED lights therein in order to distinguish between the two for the perusal of 35 the reader. However, it may be contemplated that the strip of LEDs 6a, from the first set of lights 6, and the strip of LEDs 7a, from the second set of lights 7, may have same functional properties for the purpose of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, as illustrated, each of the strip of

LEDs 6a and 7a comprise a plurality of individual LED lights. For example, the strip of LEDs 6a comprises individual LED lights 6al, 6a2, ........., 6aN; and similarly, the strip of LEDs 7a comprises individual LED lights 7al, 7a2, ........., 7aN, where N is a counting num10 ber. The number of individual LED lights in each of the strips 6a and 7a may be primarily dependent on the proper number of lights required for creating corresponding simulation using the strip, but may also be affected by various factors including, but not limited to, axial length of the floor 2, density limit of LEDs in a strip (number of LEDs per unit length), etc. In one example, the density of individual LED lights in a strip of LEDs is preferably about 120 LEDs per meter. The strips of LEDs, implemented in the present remote operation centre 1, may be programmable to independently regulate the colour, brightness and/or temperature of individual LED lights therein.

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In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the first set 25 of lights 6 defines a central array 6A of individual

LED lights such that the operator chair 3 is located either at or between a geometric centre of the central array 6A and a back edge of the central array 6A. Further, the second set of lights 7 defines a first array 30 7A of LED lights and a second array 7B of LED lights, such that each of the first array 7A and the second array 7B are located next to a left side and a right side of the central array 6A of the first set of lights 6, respectively. In the illustration of FIG. 2, a total of six strips of LEDs from the first set of lights 6 have been shown in the central array 6A; and a three strips of LEDs from the second set of lights

20175132 prh 15 -02- 2017 has been shown in each of the first array 7A and the second array 7B. The shown number of strips of LEDs in each set of lights 6,7 are exemplary only and not limiting to the disclosure in any manner.

In one example, a density of individual LED lights in the first array 7A and the second array 7B of the second set of lights 7 is relatively higher compared to a density of LED lights in the central array 6A of the 10 first set of lights. In other words, the strips of

LEDs in the second set of lights 7 are packed relatively closer together compared to the strips of LEDs in the first set of lights 6. Such an arrangement may help to visually distinguish between the first set of 15 lights 6 and the second set of lights 7 from the perspective of the operator in the remote operation centre 1.

Further, as illustrated, the strips of LEDs, e.g., 6a 20 and 7a are laid running substantially parallel to the symmetry axis A. In one example, the individual LED lights 6al, 6a2, ........., 6aN are laid along a first direction D in a manner such that the first LED light 6al is relatively closer to the operator chair 3 as 25 compared to the last LED light 6aN. It may be understood that strips of LEDs 6a, 7a are secured to the floor 2 by sticking or fastening the strips to the floor 2 from a planar backside thereof.

In one embodiment, the floor 2 may be made of a transparent or a translucent material with substantial strength and hardness, such as a plexi-glass sheets or

the like;	and	the	strips	of	LEDs	6a, 7a may be	laid
underneath	the	floor 2,	e . g	on	a sub-floor or	the
35 like. This	way	the	strips	of	LEDs	6a, 7a may not	pose

any obstruction to, or get damaged by, the operator walking on the floor 2 and may be still be visible when the corresponding LED lights are switched ON.

In an alternate embodiment, the first set of lights 6 5 and the second set of lights 7 may comprise a number of tiles which have a transparent or substantially translucent upper surface and lights provided internally thereof. In such case, the individual lights inside the tiles may be independently controlled. Such 10 implementations having array of tiles with lights therein are known in the art, e.g., the use of dance floors, and thus have not been described in detail herein. It may be understood that any other alternate arrangement of lights, including placing individual 15 lights on the surface 2 connected by wires, may be contemplated for the purpose of the present disclosure without any limitations.

20175132 prh 15 -02- 2017

In a further alternate embodiment, the first set of 20 lights 6 and the second set of lights 7 may be placed on the floor on an area starting from the bottom edge of the display arrangement 4 and extending 15-20 centimetres from the bottom edge. This is an area where nobody would in practice walk on, and this would pro25 vide a low-cost solution without a particular need to protect the first and second sets of lights 6, 7.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the strips of LEDs 6a, 7a may extend to the display ar30 rangement 4. The strips of LEDs 6a, 7a may specifically run parallel to sides panels of the flat displays 5 of the display arrangement 4. This arrangement may create an ambience around the display arrangement 4 right in front of the operator for simulating one or 35 more operational conditions of the vessel, and thereby create an overall and more pronounced simulation effect in the remote operation centre 1.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the remote operation centre 1 further comprises a driving circuit 8 configured to control the one or more sets of lights

6, 7. In the exemplary illustrations of FIGS. 1-2, the driver circuit 8 is shown in the form of a box which is in connection with the one or more sets of lights

6, 7. The driver circuit 8 may be electrically coupled with each of the strips of LEDs in the first set of 10 lights 6 and the second set of lights 7. Specifically,

the to lig]	driver circuit	8 may regulate the LED lights in the sond set of lights 7.	power first	supplied
the ats	individual 6 and the set	set	of
15 FIG	. 4	illustrates	an exemplary schematic of	the	re-

20175132 prh 15 -02- 2017 mote operation centre 1. As illustrated, the driver circuit 8, in one example, may comprise a receiver 9 configured to receive the generated signals, namely, the movement signal and the one or more thrust sig20 nais. The receiver 9 may be in signal communication with the transmission unit in the vessel to receive the movement signal and the one or more thrust signals, via one or more standard communication channels as discussed earlier. The receiver may further be con25 figured to decode signals from the transmitter on a real-time basis. In other examples, the receiver 9 may be a standalone component, not a part of the driving circuit 8 but in connection therewith.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the driving circuit 8 is configured to control the one or more sets of lights 6, 7 individually or in groups in terms of one or more of brightness, colour and temperature based at least on one of the movement signal and one or more thrust signals indicative of the movement of the vessel and a current power state of corresponding one or more thrusters in the vessel, respectively.

20175132 prh 15 -02- 2017

In one example, the driver circuit 8 is configured to independently control the first array 7A and the second array 7B of the second set of lights 7 corresponding to the first thrust signal and the second thrust 5 signal, respectively.

For this purpose, the driving circuit 8 may include at least one processor for example, a processor 10, and at least one memory for example, a memory 11. The 10 memory 11 is capable of storing machine executable instructions, and the processor 10 is capable of executing the stored machine executable instructions. The memory 11 may be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices, one or more non-volatile memory devic15 es, and/or a combination of one or more volatile memory devices and non-volatile memory devices. The processor 10 may be embodied in a number of different ways. In an embodiment, the processor 10 may be embodied as one or more of various processing devices, such 20 as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated 25 circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. In an example embodiment, the processor 10 is an Arduino based or a similar processing unit. In at 30 least one example embodiment, the processor 10 utilizes computer program code perform one or more actions responsible for controlling the one or more sets of lights 6,7.

In one embodiment, the driving circuit 8 is configured to switch ON consecutive individual LED lights 6al, then 6a2, then 6a3 and so on up to 6aN in the strip of

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LEDs 6a, based on the movement signal indicative of the movement of the vessel in a forward direction thereof. Referring to FIG. 2, the driving circuit 8 may light up the consecutive individual LED lights 5 along the first direction D from the perspective of the operator sitting on the operator chair 3. In other cases, the driving circuit 8 is configured to switch

ON consecutive individual LED lights 6aN, then 6a (N1), then 6a(N-2) and so on up to 6al (i.e. along a 10 second direction opposite to the first direction D) in the strip of LEDs 6a, based on the movement signal indicative of the movement of the vessel in a backward direction thereof.

The driving circuit 8 may further be configured to optionally and simultaneously switch OFF preceding individual LED lights in the same strip of LEDs 6a as it switches on the individual LED lights along the first direction or the second direction. That is, as the 20 driving circuit 8 switches ON the LED light 6a2, it may simultaneously switch OFF the LED light 6al when moving along the first direction. It may be contemplated that, in some examples, switching ON and OFF the LED light may comprise increasing and decreasing 25 its brightness to a programmed level, respectively.

Therefore, the switching ON/OFF the LEDs may include regulating their brightness. In some examples, the driving circuit 8 may not completely switch OFF the individual LED lights but may only discretely decrease 30 the brightness of such lights, thereby simulating a kind of directional arrow with low brightness at tailend and higher brightness at head-end along a portion of the strip of LEDs 6, with such directional arrow representing the direction of the movement of the ves35 sei as indicated by the movement signal.

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In another embodiment, the driving circuit 8 is configured to discretely and incrementally increase the brightness of consecutive individual LED lights in the strip of LEDs 6a along the first direction D based on 5 the movement signal indicative of the movement of the vessel in a forward direction. Similarly, the driving circuit 8 is configured to discretely and incrementally decrease the brightness of consecutive individual LED lights in the strip of LEDs 6a along the first di10 rection D (or in other words, increase the brightness along the second direction) based on the movement signal indicative of the movement of the vessel in a backward direction thereof.

In another embodiment, the driving circuit 8 is configured to discretely and incrementally increase the temperature of consecutive individual LED lights (e.g., up to intense RED) in the strip of LEDs 6a along the first direction D based on the movement sig20 nal indicative of the movement of the vessel in a forward direction. Similarly, the driving circuit 8 is configured to discretely and incrementally decrease the temperature of consecutive individual LED lights (e.g., up to dim RED) in the strip of LEDs 6a along 25 the first direction D (or in other words, increase the temperature along the second direction) based on the movement signal indicative of the movement of the vessel in a backward direction thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the driving circuit 8 is configured to selectively change colour of the individual LED lights in the strip of LEDs 6a based on the movement signal indicative of the movement of the vessel in a forward direction or a backward direction 35 thereof. For example, the driving circuit 8 may light up the strip of LEDs 6a in GREEN colour to indicate the movement of the vessel in a forward direction, and

20175132 prh 15 -02- 2017 in RED colour to indicate the movement of the vessel in a backward direction. These colour configurations are exemplary only and shall not be considered limiting to the disclosure.

In an embodiment, the rate of selectively switching ON or OFF, or increasing or decreasing the brightness or temperature of the consecutive LED, or changing the colours of array of lights, may depend on the speed of 10 the vessel as indicated by the movement signal. For instance, for each one unit of movement of the vessel in a given time, the next consecutive LED light may be switched ON/OFF, or in other words, its brightness, colour or temperature changed in relation to the given 15 time, as pre-programmed in the driver circuit 8 along with the implemented unit of measurement of the speed of the vessel. This arrangement may provide the operator with a sense of speed of movement of the vessel while sitting in the remote operation centre 1.

Further, for simulating the current power state of the one or more thrusters in the vessel, the driving circuit 8 is configured to selectively change one of brightness, colour and temperature of the individual 25 LED lights in the strip of LEDs 7a of the second set of lights 7 based on the one or more thrust signals.

As discussed, the driver circuit 8 is configured to independently control the first array 7A and the second array 7B of the second set of lights 7 correspond30 ing to the first thrust signal and the second thrust signal, respectively.

Taking the example of the first array 7A, the driver circuit 8 is configured to selectively change the col35 our of LED light in the strip 7a of the first array 7A among others; for example, to GREEN colour in case the first thruster is running with the current power state

20175132 prh 15 -02- 2017 being 'low load' , to YELLOW colour in case the first thruster is running with the current power state being 'medium load' , and to RED colour in case the first thruster is running with the current power state being 5 'high load'. In other example, the driver circuit 8 is configured to selectively change the temperature of LED light in the strip 7a of the first array 7A among others; for example, from dim RED to intense RED with increasing load on the first thruster.

In one or more examples, the driving circuit 8 is configured to control the one or more sets of lights 6,7 based on a current movement mode of the vessel. For example, if the vessel is in mooring mode, the driving 15 circuit 8 may light the LED lights to move in direct proportion to the movement of the vessel. That is, in one example, for each one unit of movement of the vessel, one consecutive LED light may be switched ON/OFF, as configured. It may be understood that the mooring 20 mode, as described herein, is defined as the movement phase of the vessel when approaching a harbour, i.e. when it is still moving, but moving slowly towards the harbour. In another example, if the vessel is in sea/cruise mode, the driving circuit 8 may light the 25 LED lights to move with some reduction relative to the movement of the vessel. That is, for example, one consecutive LED light may be switched ON/OFF with more than one unit, say 10 units, of movement of the vessel in such case.

In one or more examples, the driving circuit 8 is configured to control the one or more sets of lights 6,7 based on a current illumination state of the remote operation centre 1. Typically, the driving circuit 8 35 may keep the brightness of the LED lights in the one or more sets of lights 6,7 to be barely observable over the current illumination state of the remote op21

20175132 prh 15 -02- 2017 eration centre 1. This is achieved by measuring a current illumination state of the remote operation centre 1 by suitable instruments and adjusting the lower level of the brightness of the LED lights in the one or 5 more sets of lights 6,7 to be slightly greater than the brightness required to be visible as per the current illumination state. In other words, the brightness of the LED lights should automatically adapt to the general illumination of the remote operation cen10 tre 1. It may be understood that this is done so that the one or more sets of lights 6,7 may not pose as a distraction to the operator for focusing on the display arrangement 4, while still being able to subconsciously convey the desired information to the op15 erator related to the operational conditions of the vessel.

In one example, the overall illumination of the remote operation centre 1 should resemble that of the naviga20 tion bridge on the vessel, taking the time of day at the vessel's location, for instance, into account.

This provides the operator with even more intuitive and deeper simulation experience for monitoring the vessel remotely from the remote operation centre 1.

In one or more examples, the driving circuit 8 is configured to control the one or more sets of lights 6,7 based on predefined operator's preferences. For example, the present system may include means to identify 30 different operators, such as by the current logged-in profile of the operator, or by using techniques, such as facial or voice recognition, etc. Further, the present system may build a library of operator preferences, such as the preferred mode (e.g., switching 35 ON/OFF, colour control, brightness control, etc.) for simulating the direction of movement of the vessel and store such preferences in a memory. As the current op

20175132 prh 15 -02- 2017 erator is identified, the present system may load these operator preferences and configure the driver circuit 8 to use the defined modes for simulating the one or more operational conditions of the vessel.

The remote operation centre 1 of the present disclosure can simulate one or more operational conditions on-board the vessel in order to provide the operator with a deeper and more immersive experience and pro10 vide the operator with a sense of being at a navigation bridge of the vessel. The remote operation centre creates effect of the motion of the lights to indicate the corresponding movement of the vessel in a particular direction. The remote operation centre further 15 simulates the vibrations caused by the operation of the thrusters, when manoeuvring the vessel, with corresponding effects of LED lights in the remote operation centre 1, the idea being to indicate tough weather conditions (like strong winds and waves). There20 fore, the present disclosure provides the operator sitting on the operator chair 3 in the remote operation centre 1 with substantially real experience as if the operator is on-board the vessel.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously 30 many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art 35 to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

20175132 prh 15 -02- 2017

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not 5 limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages.

It will be understood that the above description is 10 given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although various embodiments have been 15 described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this specifica20 tion.

Thus, although the disclosure has been the described in conjunction with a certain type of the remote operation centre, it should be understood that the disclo25 sure is not limited to any certain type. While the present disclosures have been described in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments, and implementations, the present disclosures are not so limited, but rather cover various modifications, and equivalent 30 arrangements, which fall within the purview of prospective claims .

Claims

20175132 prh 30 -01- 2020

A remote control center (1) for monitoring a seagoing vessel, characterized in that the remote control center comprises:

5 one or more sets of lights (6, 7) attached to its surface (2); and a control circuit (8) configured to control said one or more light sets (6, 7), individually or in groups, with respect to one or more brightness periods, colors and temperatures based on at least one motion signal and one or more thrust signals indicative of vessel motion, respectively. and the current power state of the one or more corresponding propellers on board;

15 wherein the surface (2) comprises the floor of the control center.

A remote control center according to claim 1, characterized in that the remote control center comprises

20 a floor-mounted user chair positioned on an axis of symmetry extending therein.

The remote control center according to claim 2, characterized in that the remote control center further comprises a display arrangement arranged in a vertical semi-cylindrical configuration to provide a 180 degree panoramic view to the user sitting in the user's chair relative to the axis of symmetry, if

30 sa one or more sets of lights extend into the display arrangement.

Remote control center according to Claim 1, characterized in that the one or more light series

35 comprises a first set of lights and a second set of lights.

20175132 prh 30 -01- 2020

A remote control center according to claim 4, characterized in that the first set of light comprises one or more strips of light emitting diodes (LEDs), each LED strip comprising a plurality of individual light emitting diodes.

5 full LED lights.

Remote control center according to claims 2 and 5, characterized in that the one or more LED strips are arranged to extend substantially integrally.

10 parallel to the axis of symmetry.

A remote control center according to claim 6, characterized in that the first set of lights defines a central group of individual LED lights which is

15 arranged so that the user's chair is located either between or at the geometric center of said group and the rear edge of said group.

A remote control center according to claim 7, characterized in that the control circuit is configured to turn ON successive individual LEDs in one or more LED strips in the first direction based on a movement signal indicating the movement of the vessel in its direction of travel.

A remote control center according to claim 8, characterized in that the control circuit is configured to turn ON successive individual LEDs in one or more LED strips in the first direction.

30 nan in the opposite second direction based on a motion signal indicating the movement of the vessel in its reversing direction.

Remote control center according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the control circuit is configured to selectively and simultaneously switch OFF.

20175132 prh 30 -01- 2020

OFF the previous single LEDs on the same one or more LED strips.

A remote control center according to claim 6,

5 characterized in that the control circuit is configured to gradually increase or decrease the brightness of successive individual LEDs in one or more LED strips in the first direction based on a motion signal indicating the movement of the vessel corresponding to 10 resp. in its direction of travel or in the direction of reversal.

A remote control center according to claim 6, characterized in that the control circuit is configured to gradually increase or decrease successive

15 the temperature of the individual LEDs in one or more LED strips in the first direction based on a motion signal indicating the movement of the vessel in its direction of travel or direction of reversal, respectively.

20

Remote control center according to claim 6, characterized in that the control circuit is configured to selectively change the color of the individual LEDs in one or more LED strips based on a movement signal indicating the movement of the vessel in its direction of travel or reversal.

Remote control center according to claim 4, characterized in that the second light set comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs)

30 strips, each LED strip comprising a plurality of individual LEDs.

Remote control center according to Claims 2 and 14, characterized in that the one or more LEDs

The strip 35 is arranged to extend parallel to the axis of symmetry.

20175132 prh 30 -01- 2020

Remote control center according to claims 7 and 14, characterized in that the second set of lights defines a first group of individual LEDs and a second group of 5 individual LEDs, each first group and the second group being located next to the left and right sides of the center group of the first set of lights, respectively.

10

A remote control center according to claim 16, characterized in that the density of the individual LEDs in the first group and the second group of the second light set is relatively higher compared to the density of the individual LEDs in the middle group of the first light set.

A remote control center according to claim 16, characterized in that the control circuit is configured to control the first group of second light series and the second group.

20 groups corresponding to the ship's first propeller and second propeller, respectively.

Remote control center according to Claim 14, characterized in that the control circuit is configured

25 increase or decrease independently of each other the brightness and temperature of the individual LEDs in one or more LED strips based on one or more thrust signals indicative of the current power of one or more propellers greater than or less than the normal power condition of the one or more propellers of the vessel; current operations.

A remote control center according to claim 14, characterized in that the control circuit is configured to change the color of the one or more LED strips to one or more thrust signals of the base support indicating an instantaneous power state of one or more propellers greater than or less than that of the one or more propellers. the normal power state of the vessel at its moment5 for this operation.

A remote control center according to claim 1, characterized in that the control circuit is configured to control one or more light sets on the remote control center.

10 based on its current lighting status.

The remote control center according to claim 1, characterized in that the control circuit is configured to control the overall illumination of the remote control center.

15 that it resembles the overall lighting of the ship's navigating bridge.

The remote control center according to claim 1, characterized in that the control circuit is configured

20 to control one or more sets of lights based on predetermined user preferences.