GB2397471A

GB2397471A - WLAN and vessel monitoring in a harbour

Info

Publication number: GB2397471A
Application number: GB0321777A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Ronald Stock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-03
Filing date: 2003-09-17
Publication date: 2004-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-17
Also published as: GB0300068D0; GB2397471B; GB0321777D0

Abstract

The on board device provides control and monitoring and anti-theft capability that is specifically designed for open or exposed moorings. As the security infrastructure is designed to work in a passive way, the control server triggers the alarm automatically. The facility is activated when tampering is implied by cutting all power to the vessel or is moved outside the range of the network access point. The device can monitor or control analogue and digital facilities on the vessel and is accessible for remote control to the owner from anywhere an Internet access can be achieved. Marina or Harbour based broadband computer systems business link with improved security with remote monitoring and control. The device utilises a wireless local area network and broadband Internet access in the marina. This can be accessed from a remote location (boat) without the need for hard wired connectivity. The solution provides the marina or harbour authority with Local Area Network connection using standard community networking wireless (WiFi) equipment to the vessel and thus provides access directly to their customers within the locality of the marina or harbour.

Description

1 239747

Description

Wireless Onboard Local Area Network Device & Vessel Monitoring in a Harbour, Marina or Mooring.

Background

Recent home and small business advanced Internet access products are of great value also to the mariner for business or maritime information particularly in terms of the weather forecast or latest information for the mariner. Currently, this information is gathered prior to boarding the vessel and consequently suffers from the ramifications of low bandwidths and expensive systems. This innovation of existing technology provides up to the minute information and hill broadband access to the Internet for the user, overcoming the problems of hard wired connection from the vessel computer systems to the land based computer networks.

For the business person, working from home is now a viable option with the advent of the Internet and broadband access. Working from the boat in the marina has many benefits for the business person and can provide a relaxed environnnent as well as many other beneficial aspects. Using this originally office or home based equipment provide the harbour authority with a cost effective solution and one that can generate revenue to offset the implementation.

The leisure aspects have in the past been restricted by the gap between the vessel and the land as cable connection is impracticable. The benefits of connecting the vessel using this method, present a vast array of solutions for the vessel owner or user that could never be achieved in a cost effective and performance viable way, prior to this solution.

Description

This innovation uses a world-wide communications IEEE 802. Ib standard for wireless communication of TCP/IP packet data transmitted from a hard wired Local Area Network (Fig 1,2). This standard is deliberately chosen to accommodate international vessel movements and comply with the same functionality anywhere in the world.

Connected either by wireless or hard wired link to the pontoon (Fig 1,3). The facility produces a wireless connection from the Access Point (Fig 1, 4) on the pontoon or land base to the User Point (Fig 1,S) on the vessel. This has a limited range of 400m of the Access Point (Fig 1,4) which is in addition to the advantages of LAN access within the range limits is also used to accommodate an alarm for unauthorized vessel movement when the vessel is moved outside the range. This wireless connection is capable of up to 22Mbps LAN access for each user.

This innovation provides a high bandwidth for local area network access for anyone in the range of the Access Point (Fig 1, 4) including visitors with the already available technology fitted on the vessel (Fig 1, 6) The originally designed security standards are the same as that of the office environment. There are two main access methods described in the following two paragraphs (1) The User Point. (2) The on-board device.

(1) The User Point (Figl,5) or the on-board computer system is enabled and connected to the Local Area Network (LAN) via a wireless interface card placed in the computer. The LAN is linked to the Internet (Fig I) via a standard Internet Gateway and consequently provides all the facilities the intern brings to the vessel within the area of coverage. The illustrations (Fig 1) shows how a visiting or resident vessel moored (Fig 1,6 or 7) within the coverage area. Indicating the ease of wireless connection. Any digital service can be used for the user on the vessel, all standard office based f cilities can be accommodated such as telephone, Email, tax, voice messaging.

(2) The on-board device brings a communication link to the vessel, this provides added services from the marina to the boat owner for security and monitoring. The device is also designed to be activated by the vessel owner or manager remotely to control on-board needs. The illustration in Fig 2 indicates the functional structure of the device with its inherent ability to stop communicating with the host compute (Fig I, 1) when the vessel moves outside the range of the wireless LAN. Thus providing an alarm trigger on the host computer (Fig 1,1) for the attention of the right people. The sensors (Fig 2,9,10,8A) are connected to the device data set where the host computer can read these perimeters automatically and alert the appropriate people via email, mobile phone, pager or siren on the host computer (Fig 1,1) The sensors in the illustration includes a float switch to indicate a failure in the hull integrity of the vessel. The device in (Fig 2) also drives the control of certain facilities in the vessel using a number of relays (Fig 2, 8) in a switch array (Fig 2,3). The unit is powered by the main auxiliary battery on the vessel (Fig2, 1 1) and an integral battery sensor (Fig 2,10) indicates a low voltage on the main supply. The control panel (Fig 3) is connected to the main device via three CATS network cables and utilises the spare cables for LED signals and timer switch control.

Examples of use:

Navigational aids and weather inf.orrnation can be accessed vie the onboard PC (Fig2, 17) and browser (Fig2, 17A) A visitor can gain access to information on local amenities such as restaurants and marina or harbour facilities by connecting to the device on board and using a standard Internet browser or email services (Fig2, 1 7A) Mooring allocations and Visitor birthing booking can be made using a facility on the host computer (Figl, 1) Personal CCTV ini'orrnation can be presented for access to the marine birth holder (Fig2, l 4) I-larbour authority Virtual Private Network for customer business interaction (Figl, 1) Any 802. l lb digital standard services can be accessed aboard the vessel via this innovation of standard technology (Figl,2) Vessel Device À Security area with a small active device on-board (Fig 2) triggers the optional host computer (Fig I, I) when a vessel leaves the area Monitoring of water leaks can be achieved from the on-board device (Fig 2) Driving the relay set from a web browser anywhere (Fig 2) Monitoring of main battery banks voltage levels (Fig 2) À The device can be used to accommodate the connectivity of computers directly connected via a cable on the vessel or as a stand alone monitoring device while in the marina. 'lithe device will work alongside any (WiFi) user point on the vessel at the same time References: Figl Community Networking I The host computer or server to monitor each device in the marina or harbour for an alarm status. The computer is also used for outgoing Internet access and hosts the local advertising pages for the marina services.

2 Local Area network and wireless access point connection.

3 Main Pontoon or mooring 4 Wireless device (Access Point) commercial off the shelf device for wireless connectivity (Optional) User Points, this is a commercial off the shelf wireless device that can connect to the Acess Points for LAN connectivity 6 The vessel. Typically only has one mains cable to connect to shore.

7 Typical example of a mooring for a vessel The community networking facility must be in place before the device can operate.

Fig2 On Board Device I Controlling Central Processor for Internet Protocol (IP) message conversion to serial conversion. Use as a monitor to trigger an event to the host computer ion the local area network via the wireless LAN connection 2 Wireless bridge, a transparent device that converts from CATS hardware connection to (WiFi) protocol for IP packet switching on a radio frequency (802.1 lb or g) 3 Relay bank controlled by a single hexadecimal value through the CPU (1).

4 The Shore Power connection for the vessel, (optional) is used to supply mains power to the vessel battery charger in the event alarm indicating the auxiliary battery power has fallen below a set level.

Main relay (optional) controlled by the relay bank (3) to turn on the mains power via a command by the vessel owner or manager from any Internet browser.

6 The vessel batter charger (optional) 7 A timer override switch located in the control panel for use when the vessel owner arrives at the vessel and requires access to the Internet via a PC or laptop computer or wishes to configure the device.

8 Relay controller that accepts text commands (Telnet) to control the input ports (8A) and control the output ports respectfully.

9 Float switch sensor to detect the water ingress level inside the vessel. This triggers the status of an input port and overrides the tinner PSU 12 for immediate response of the server (fig I, I) to set an alarm status.

Batter sensor to detect the voltage level for the main supply battery. This triggers the status on an input port to accommodate either an alarm status or battery charger control.

11 the man 12 volts supply line to the auxiliary battery 12 Timer & Power Supply Unit the timer is used to periodically test the sensors and reduce the power consumption to a minimums The timer control circuits can be configured by remote access or direct LAN connection.

13 Sensor to determine an intruder (optional) the sensor detects the body heat form an intruder and activates the optional web camera to record the intrusion. Sets a status for the input port and overrides the timer PSU for immediate alarm update on the main server (Figl, l) 14 IP LAN Camera (Optional) device to record the environment on intrusion trigger. The device can be controlled by an output relay (3) to provide visual confirmation of the vessel condition. This information can be accessed from anywhere and by anyone with permission of the vessel owner or manager.

IP Phone (Optional) connected to the device via the LAN and control panel. Provides vessel to vessel communication on the LAN and access to the international telephone network.

16 Control panel that connect to the device to accommodate a ergonomic connection for the vessel LAN and Telephone.

17 Optional on board computer to access either the Internet or configure the device. The integral browser (I 7A) is ceded to access all configuration pages and controls for the device.

18 A small Network Hub to accommodate the internal device LAN connectivity. The device has waterproof cbaling for external connection.

l 9 Waterproof case to prevent any condensation or water ingress into the device. The device can be located below in the bilge area or in electrical cabinets. There is no need to display or provide physical access to the unit once installed. The control panel provides all the necessary access and configuration requirements. Physical access is only required for implementation and maintenance.

Claims

- CLAIMS 4 1. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device that

utilises wireless local Area Network (LAN) communications to periodically monitor the status of; the vessel battery, water ingress, localised vessel mooring location, vessel LAN hub for onboard computer system connectivity, LAN Telephone Voice Over IP (VoIP) connection or drive or respond to any switching on board the vessel. Further World Wide Web or Email communications using the Internet can be achieved via the community network facility within the marina or harbour.
2. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim i wherein unattended wireless network in the harbour or marina is used to communicate with the vessel owner or manager to monitor or control the device from any location with Internet access capability.
3. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim 2 wherein unattended control of specific vessel functions or controls can be remotely managed from any location with Internet access capability.
4. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim I wherein unattended alarm status for the marina or harbour services are alerted first to attend to the alarm condition.
5. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the vessel owner or manager is alerted to the alarm condition by any typical communication means, pager, text message, voice message or email.
6. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim I wherein unattended active monitoring (Location alarm) is made by the device when closed down (Power failure) or moved outside the wireless LAN area.
7. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim I utilises a periodic timing control power supply to reduce the power consumption from the vessel auxiliary battery bank.
8. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim 1 utilises a voltage monitor to establish a voltage level setting that triggers a battery charge condition
9. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim I or Claim 3 utilises a relay bank to control vessel switching from a remote Internet based access point.
I 0. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim I or Claim 6 when the vessel is moved outside of the marina or harbour environment or outside the range of the transmission area (400m). The monitoring device becomes a "passive" anti-theft device in the sense that when the vessel moves outside the range, a host computer trigger is activated as the onboard device is not found by the host computer periodic checks.
11. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim I wherein further communications to the Internet also means an Intranet or private network to the marina or harbour customers when moored at the site that can be utilised by the marina or harbour authority for local advertising to the birth holder.
12. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim I wherein further communications to the Internet means an enhanced service for the marina or harbour authority by providing Broadband Internet access from onboard the vessel.
13. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein farther communications to the Internet means improved control ofthe marina birthing management information.
14. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim I wherein further communications telephone systems is utilised using an Internet Protocol (IP) based telephone for vessel to vessel communications or access to the national or international telephone system.
15. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim I wherein the access to the Internet from the Marina or Harbour is not dependent on any other wireless communication device.
16. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim I wherein a Local Area Network (LAN) hub is provided for the vessel with provision for further vessel workstation connectivity.
17. An on-board vessel monitoring & communications device as claimed in Claim I wherein the device will work with any 802.1 lb standard community networking facility.