BACKGROUND

Field:

The invention relates to controlling a marine vessel. In particular, the invention relates to controlling a path of the vessel by operations performed via a touch-sensitive display. Description of the Related Art:

There exist modern systems where a virtual vessel on a chart display can be moved to a desired position via a desired route in a desired orientation. A specific symbol can be drawn on the display to represent the virtual vessel. In such a system, the vessel does not necessarily start moving immediately, but a separate command may be given to actually execute the motion previously carried out with the virtual vessel.

A virtual vessel may be controlled with a conventional joystick. Another possibility is to use a mouse or a touch screen. The symbol of the virtual vessel can then be dragged and turned with the mouse or a finger. When using a mouse or a joystick, the control is indirect, i.e. the mouse or joystick is at a different location as the object. With the touch screen, a symbol in an image on the touch screen will be obscured with a hand/fingers when moving it, so it is not possible to see whether it follows your fingers or not. Fingers on the touch screen provide also an inaccurate solution for controlling the virtual vessel .

There exists a need for an alternative way for controlling a virtual vessel.

SUMMARY A solution is disclosed where moving means, for example, a miniature model of a vessel is used to indicate a path for the vessel. The captain on board of the vessel or an operator at a remote operation centre (ROC) can slide the miniature model on the surface of a touch-sensitive display where electronic navigation chart data is displayed. The slide of the miniature model on the touch-sensitive display constitutes a path, and the path can be converted into control instructions for an autopilot of the vessel.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a vessel control system comprising a touch- sensitive display configured to display electronic navigation chart data and a virtual vessel providing a virtual representation of a vessel, and a processing unit configured to detect activation of a virtual vessel moving mode, detect activation of moving means for moving the virtual vessel, the activation indicating a starting position for the virtual vessel; detect a sliding operation of the moving means on the surface of the touch-sensitive display, the sliding operation moving the moving means on the electronic navigation chart data along a virtual path; detect deactivation of the moving means, the deactivation indicating an ending position for the virtual vessel; and cause transmission of control instructions to an automatic vessel control system to move the vessel along a path corresponding to the virtual path.

In an embodiment, the moving means comprise a miniature model of the vessel, and the miniature model comprises means for activating and means for deactivating the miniature model.

In an embodiment, the moving means comprise a miniature model of the vessel, and the processing unit is configured to detect the activation of miniature model by detecting the miniature model on the touch- sensitive display; and detect the deactivation of the miniature model by detecting removal of the miniature model from the touch-sensitive display.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above described embodiments, the moving means comprise means for activating the moving means and means for deactivating the moving means, and the processing unit is configured to detect the activation of the moving means based on an activation signal from the means for activating, and the processing unit is configured to detect the deactivation of the moving means based on a deactivation signal from the means for deactivating.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above described embodiments, the moving means comprises at least two active sections enabling the touch-sensitive display to detect the moving means on the touch-sensitive display.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above described embodiments, the processing unit is configured to cause display of the path on the touch-sensitive display.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above described embodiments, the processing unit is configured to align the virtual vessel displayed on the touch-sensitive display with the moving means on the touch-sensitive display.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for controlling a vessel. The method comprises causing display of electronic navigation chart data and a virtual vessel providing a virtual representation of a vessel on a touch-sensitive display; detecting activation of a virtual vessel moving mode; detecting activation of moving means for moving the virtual vessel, the activation providing a starting position for the virtual vessel; detecting a sliding operation of the moving means on the surface of the touch-sensitive display, the sliding operation moving the moving means on the electronic navigation chart data along a virtual path; detecting deactivation of the moving means, the deactivation providing an ending position for the virtual vessel; and causing transmission of control instructions to an automatic vessel control system to move the vessel along a path corresponding to the virtual path.

In an embodiment, the moving means comprise a miniature model of the vessel, and the method further comprises receiving a signal indicating activation of the miniature model and a signal indicating deactivation of the miniature model from the miniature model .

In an embodiment, the moving means comprise a miniature model of the vessel, and the method further comprises detecting the activation of miniature model by detecting the miniature model on the touch- sensitive display; and detecting the deactivation of the miniature model by detecting removal of the miniature model from the touch-sensitive display.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above described embodiments, the moving means comprise means for activating the moving means and means for deactivating the moving means, and the method further comprises detecting the activation of the moving means based on an activation signal from the means for activating, and detecting the deactivation of the moving means based on a deactivation signal from the means.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above described embodiments, the method further comprises detecting the moving means on the touch-sensitive display via at least two active sections enabling the touch-sensitive display to detect the moving means on the touch-sensitive display . In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above described embodiments, the method further comprises causing display of the path on the touch-sensitive display.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above described embodiments, the method further comprises aligning the virtual vessel displayed on the touch-sensitive display with the moving means on the touch-sensitive display.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising program code instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform the method of the second aspect.

In an embodiment, the computer program is embodied on a computer-readable medium.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable medium comprising a computer program comprising program code instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform the method of the second aspect.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing unit and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory stores program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing unit, cause the apparatus to cause display of electronic navigation chart data and a virtual vessel providing a virtual representation of a vessel on a touch- sensitive display; detect activation of a virtual vessel moving mode; detect activation of moving means for moving the virtual vessel, the activation providing a starting position for the virtual vessel; detect a sliding operation of the moving means on the surface of the touch-sensitive display, the sliding operation moving the moving means on the electronic navigation chart data along a virtual path; detect deactivation of the moving means, the deactivation providing an ending position for the virtual vessel; and cause transmission of control instructions to an automatic vessel control system to move the vessel along a path corresponding to the virtual path.

At least some of the embodiments provide a more natural and a more intuitive way of controlling a vessel than the existing techniques.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for controlling a vessel in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary view on a touch-sensitive display.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary view disclosing possible control directions of a virtual vessel.

FIG. 2C illustrates an exemplary view disclosing possible control directions of a virtual vessel .

FIG. 2D illustrates an exemplary view illustrating a path of a virtual vessel on a touch- sensitive display.

FIG. 3 is an example block diagram of a vessel control system in accordance with an example embodiment .

Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present example may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of the example and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for controlling a vessel in accordance with an example embodiment.

At 100 display of electronic navigation chart data and a virtual vessel providing a virtual representation of a vessel is caused on a touch- sensitive display. The touch-sensitive display may be arranged, for example, on board of the vessel or at a remote operation centre (ROC) controlling the vessel.

At 102 activation of a virtual vessel moving mode is detected. An operator of the touch-sensitive display activates the virtual vessel moving mode, for example, by pressing a button, selecting it with a mouse from a menu, or pressing a virtual button on the touch screen.

At 104 activation of moving means for moving the virtual vessel is detected, the activation providing a starting position for the virtual vessel. The moving means refer, for example, to a miniature model of the vessel used to indicate a path for the vessel. The activation may be detected, for example, be detecting a press of a button arranged in the moving means. Thus, the press of the button may act as a signal indicating activation of the miniature model. In another example, the moving means, i.e. the miniature model, may stand on a small frame and springs keep it elevated above the touch-sensitive display so that in an elevated position, it will not be detected by the touch-sensitive display. When the miniature model is pressed down onto the surface of the touch-sensitive display, this provides the activation indication. Further, in one example, the virtual vessel displayed on the touch-sensitive display may be aligned with the moving means on the touch-sensitive display. Thus, the operator does not have to place the moving means into a specific location (for example, the current location of the virtual vessel) . Instead, the moving means may be placed at any location on the touch-sensitive display and the virtual vessel is automatically aligned with the moving means to this location.

In an embodiment, the activation of the virtual vessel mode and the action of the moving means may be combined into a single activation. In other words, activation of the virtual vessel mode may at the same time comprise activation of the moving means, or activation of the moving means may at the same time comprise activation of the virtual vessel mode.

At 106 a sliding operation of the moving means is detected on the surface of the touch- sensitive display. During the sliding operation, the moving means move on the electronic navigation chart data along a path determined by a person operating the moving means . The moving means may be detected on the touch-sensitive display via at least two active sections of the moving means enabling the touch- sensitive display to detect the miniature model on the touch-sensitive display. The at least two active sections would thus produce the same effects on the touch-sensitive display as using, for example, two fingers simultaneously on the touch-sensitive display During the sliding operation, the path may also be displayed on the touch-sensitive display.

At 108 deactivation of the moving means is detected. The deactivation provides an ending position for the virtual vessel. For example, the deactivation may be detected when the operator presses a button arranged in the moving means again or releases the button that was pressed down when moving means were activated. Thus, the press of the button or a release of the button acts as a signal indicating deactivation of the miniature model. In another example, the operator may let the miniature model be elevated by the springs, thus detaching the miniature model from the surface of the touch-sensitive display and providing the deactivation indication. In another example, the operator of the touch-sensitive display may deactivate the virtual vessel moving mode, for example, by pressing a button, selecting it with a mouse from a menu, or pressing a virtual button on the touch screen. The deactivation of the virtual vessel mode may then act as a deactivation of the moving means. In another example, the deactivation of the moving means may be detected when the operator releases his/her grip of the moving means.

At 110 transmission of control instructions is caused to an automatic vessel control system to move the vessel along the path. The automatic control system, i.e. the autopilot of the vessel, may then automatically move the real vessel along the path of the virtual vessel to the desired destination. In an example, prior to transmission of the control instructions to the automatic vessel control system, a separate approval may be needed from the operator. If the operator is happy with the path and the destination of the virtual vessel drawn on the touch- sensitive display, the operator may accept the path, for example, by pressing a specific button, selecting it with a mouse from a menu, or pressing a virtual button on the touch-sensitive display.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary view on a touch-sensitive display 200. The touch-sensitive display 200 displays electronic navigation chart data 202 providing a navigation view for a vessel. The vessel is represented on the touch-sensitive display 200 by a virtual vessel 204. The virtual vessel 204 may have dimensions that are in the right scale compared to the electronic navigation chart data displayed on the touch-sensitive display 200 to reflect the true vessel size on the chart. Moving means 206 for moving the virtual vessel 204 may be placed on the touch-sensitive display 200. The moving means 206 refers, for example, to a miniature model of the vessel or to any other physical object suitable for this purpose.

FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrate exemplary views disclosing possible control directions of the virtual vessel 204 using the miniature model 206. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, an operator may move the miniature model 206 on the touch-sensitive screen 200 towards any direction 208. As a result, the virtual vessel 204 can be moved in the same way as with a joystick in the existing systems. Although FIG. 2B discloses only four main moving directions, the operator moving the miniature model 206 is allowed to move the miniature model 206 towards any direction.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2C, the operator may rotate or twist 210 the miniature model 206 on the touch-sensitive screen 200. As a result, the virtual vessel 204 can be rotated in the same way as with a joystick in the existing systems.

FIG. 2D illustrates an exemplary view illustrating a path of a virtual vessel 204 on a touch-sensitive display. There are several ways to draw the path of the virtual vessel 204 on the screen. A dashed line 212 or a set of dashed lines can be used to illustrate the path. Another possibility is to draw the virtual vessel 204 with dashed lines along the path, as illustrated in FIG. 2D. A filled version 214 of the virtual vessel 204 may illustrate the starting location .

FIG. 3 is a more detailed schematic block diagram of a vessel control system 300. It should also be appreciated that at least some of the components described below may be optional and thus in an example embodiment may include more, less or different components than those described in connection with the example embodiment of FIG. 3. As such, among other examples, the vessel control system 300 could be any computer device or devices, such as any suitable servers, workstations, personal computers, laptop computers or a system comprising several separate subsystems .

The illustrated vessel control system 300 includes a controller or a processor 302 (for example, a signal processor, microprocessor, ASIC, or other control and processing logic circuitry) for performing such tasks as signal coding, data processing, input/output processing, power control, and/or other functions. An operating system 322 controls the allocation and usage of the components of the vessel control system 300.

The illustrated vessel control system 300 includes one or more memory components, for example, a non-removable memory 306 and/or removable memory 304. The non-removable memory 306 may include RAM, ROM, flash memory, a hard disk, or other well-known memory storage technologies. The removable memory 304 may include flash memory (such as one or more removable flash drives) or smart cards. The one or more memory components may be used for storing data and/or code for running the operating system 322. Example of data may include text, images, sound files, image data, video data, or other data sets to be sent to and/or received from one or more network servers, other devices or marine vessels via one or more wired or wireless networks.

The vessel control system 300 can support one or more input devices 310 and one or more output devices 318. Examples of the input devices 310 may include, but are not limited to, a touch-sensitive display 200 (i.e., capable of capturing finger tap inputs, finger gesture inputs, multi-finger tap inputs, multi-finger gesture inputs, or keystroke inputs from a virtual keyboard or keypad) , a microphone 314 (i.e., capable of capturing voice input), and a physical keyboard 316. Examples of the output devices 318 may include, but are not limited to a speaker 320 and the touch-sensitive display 206. Other possible output devices (not shown) can include piezoelectric or other haptic output devices. Some devices can serve more than one input/output function.

The vessel control system 300 can further include one or more input/output interfaces 308. The illustrated components are not required or all- inclusive, as any of the components shown can be deleted and other components can be added.

Aspects of any of the embodiments described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other embodiments described to form further embodiments without losing the effect sought. Aspects of any of the embodiments described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other embodiments described to form further embodiments without losing the effect sought .

The term 'comprising' is used herein to mean including the method, blocks or elements identified, but that such blocks or elements do not comprise an exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additional blocks or elements.

The exemplary embodiments can include, for example, any suitable servers, workstations, personal computers, laptop computers, other devices, and the like, capable of performing the processes of the exemplary embodiments. The devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments can communicate with each other using any suitable protocol and can be implemented using one or more programmed computer systems or devices.

One or more interface mechanisms can be used with the exemplary embodiments, including, for example, Internet access, telecommunications in any suitable form (e.g., voice, modem, and the like), wireless communications media, and the like. For example, employed communications networks or links can include one or more satellite communications networks, wireless communications networks, cellular communications networks, 3G communications networks, 4G communications networks, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTNs) , Packet Data Networks (PDNs) , the Internet, intranets, a combination thereof, and the like .

It is to be understood that the exemplary embodiments are for exemplary purposes, as many variations of the specific hardware used to implement the exemplary embodiments are possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the hardware and/or software art(s) . For example, the functionality of one or more of the components of the exemplary embodiments can be implemented via one or more hardware and/or software devices.

The exemplary embodiments can store information relating to various processes described herein. This information can be stored in one or more memories, such as a hard disk, optical disk, magneto- optical disk, RAM, and the like. One or more databases can store the information used to implement the exemplary embodiments of the present inventions. The databases can be organized using data structures (e.g., records, tables, arrays, fields, graphs, trees, lists, and the like) included in one or more memories or storage devices listed herein. The processes described with respect to the exemplary embodiments can include appropriate data structures for storing data collected and/or generated by the processes of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments in one or more databases.

All or a portion of the exemplary embodiments can be conveniently implemented using one or more general purpose processors, microprocessors, digital signal processors, micro-controllers, and the like, programmed according to the teachings of the exemplary embodiments of the present inventions, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the computer and/or software art(s) . Appropriate software can be readily prepared by programmers of ordinary skill based on the teachings of the exemplary embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the software art. In addition, the exemplary embodiments can be implemented by the preparation of application-specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the electrical art(s) . Thus, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and/or software.

Stored on any one or on a combination of computer readable media, the exemplary embodiments of the present inventions can include software for controlling the components of the exemplary embodiments, for driving the components of the exemplary embodiments, for enabling the components of the exemplary embodiments to interact with a human user, and the like. Such software can include, but is not limited to, device drivers, firmware, operating systems, development tools, applications software, and the like. Such computer readable media further can include the computer program product of an embodiment of the present inventions for performing all or a portion (if processing is distributed) of the processing performed in implementing the inventions. Computer code devices of the exemplary embodiments of the present inventions can include any suitable interpretable or executable code mechanism.

As stated above, the components of the exemplary embodiments can include computer readable medium or memories for holding instructions programmed according to the teachings of the present inventions and for holding data structures, tables, records, and/or other data described herein. Computer readable medium can include any suitable medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium can take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and the like. Non-volatile media can include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, and the like. Volatile media can include dynamic memories, and the like.

While the present inventions have been de ^¬ scribed in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments, and implementations, the present inventions are not so limited, but rather cover various modifications, and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of prospective claims.