LOCATION SYSTEM FOR MARITIME BEACON AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

Abstract

A maritime beacon includes a controller and multiple communications systems including a bidirectional communications transceiver and a broadcast alert signal generator. The beacon uses the bidirectional communications transceiver to communicate with a remote computer and the broadcast alert signal generator to communicate with recovery vessels in the vicinity. This may allow the local broadcast alert signal generator to be remotely controlled to better facilitate recovery of the beacon and associated assets.

Claims

1. A maritime beacon comprising: a controller; a bidirectional communications transceiver in communication with the controller; a broadcast alert signal generator in communication with the controller; wherein the controller is configured: to communicate with a remote computer via the bidirectional communications transceiver to transmit notifications to, and to receive configuration commands from, the remote computer; and to control the operation of the broadcast alert signal generator based on the received configuration commands.

2. The beacon of claim 1, wherein the broadcast alert signal generator comprises a broadcast antenna configured to broadcast location information.

3. The beacon of claim 2 wherein the configuration commands are configured to control one or more of: when the broadcast antenna is activated; when the broadcast antenna is deactivated; and the rate of recurrence of broadcasting location information.

4. The beacon according to claim 1 wherein the bidirectional communication transceiver is configured to transmit information to a remote device in response to the maritime beacon resurfacing after having been underwater.

5. The beacon according to claim 1 wherein the beacon is configured to detect when it reaches the surface using a surface detector.

6. The beacon according to claim 1 wherein the broadcast alert signal generator is configured to generate audiovisual alerts signals.

7. The beacon according to claim 1 wherein the configuration commands are configured to control the broadcast alert signal generator to emit signals in a particular pattern.

8. The beacon according to claim 1 wherein the bidirectional communications transceiver is configured to use satellite communications.

9. The beacon according to claim 2 wherein the broadcast antenna is configured to transmit automatic identification system (AIS) information.

10. The beacon according to claim 2 wherein the broadcast antenna is configured to broadcast radio waves.

11. The beacon according to claim 2 wherein the broadcast antenna is configured to be activated in a predetermined default mode in response to determining that the bidirectional communications transceiver is unresponsive.

12. The beacon according to claim 1 wherein the beacon comprises a location system for determining a location of the beacon based on signals received from a satellite-based positioning system.

13. The beacon according to claim 1 wherein the beacon comprises a battery or a power source connector configured to connect to an external power source.

14. The beacon according to claim 1 wherein the beacon comprises a renewable power source.

15. The beacon according to claim 1, wherein the beacon is configured to transmit an ID to the remote computer via the bidirectional communications transceiver.

16. The beacon according to claim 1, wherein the beacon is configured to transmit location information to the remote computer via the bidirectional communications transceiver.

17. The beacon according to claim 1, wherein the beacon is a submersible beacon.

18. A method for operating a maritime beacon having a bidirectional communications transceiver and a broadcast alert signal generator, the method comprising: receiving configuration commands via the bidirectional communications transceiver; and controlling the operation of the broadcast alert signal generator based on the received configuration commands.

19. A system comprising: one or more beacons according to claim 1; and a remote computer, wherein the remote computer is configured to receive information from a said bidirectional communications transceiver and to transmit configuration commands to a said beacon.

20. A communications computer comprising: a controller; a bidirectional communications transceiver in communication with the controller; wherein the controller is configured: to communicate with a maritime beacon via the bidirectional communications transceiver to receive notifications from, and to transmit configuration commands to, the maritime beacon; and to control the operation of a broadcast alert signal generator of the maritime beacon using the transmitted configuration commands.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0104] Various objects, features and advantages of the disclosed technology will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of various embodiments of the technology. Similar reference numerals indicate similar components.

[0105] FIG. 1a is a schematic view showing the various components of a beacon.

[0106] FIG. 1b is a side view of the beacon of FIG. 1a attached to a submerged underwater asset.

[0107] FIG. 1c is a side view of the beacon when it has resurfaced and is in communication with location and communications satellites.

[0108] FIG. 1d is a view from the remote computer of the received information from the resurfaced beacon and from other vessels in the vicinity.

[0109] FIG. 1e is a side view of the resurfaced beacon when it has received configuration commands from the remote computer and is broadcasting signals to facilitate recovery by a vessel in the vicinity.

[0110] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the process used by an embodiment of a beacon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Introduction

[0111] Existing beacons may have one, two or three communications means. Typically this is a Light, GPS and a Radio Communication choice. Light Source (Xenon or LED) and/or GPS Radio and/or other Radio (VHF or Iridium). However these communication means may operate independently of each other.

[0112] One issue around beacons is that submersible beacons may have an unplanned resurface when there is no authorized vessel in the vicinity. This may be a problem particularly when the asset may have been submerged in very deep ocean water for several years before coming to the surface.

[0113] The data collection project of the asset could be invalidated and time and money lost if the asset is not received. This can happen if the beacon runs out of power before a vessel can arrive to retrieve the beacon and/or the asset to which the beacon is attached or otherwise associated. In addition, beacons configured to emit broadcast signals may be identified by third-party vessels which leads to a risk that valuable beacons and/or assets can be stolen if they simply broadcast their location widely when the owner's vessel is not in the vicinity. Therefore, the inventors have realized that there is a need for a beacon which can control how information is broadcast. This may help ensure that power is conserved and that information is only broadcast when there is a friendly vessel in the vicinity.

[0114] The following description includes embodiments of submersible beacons (7,300 m) that can be communicated with by more than one radio means when it is back at the surface so they have a choice on which to employ. This helps ensure that if one communication method becomes defective others are available when trying to recover these expensive and important assets.

[0115] Various aspects of the technology will now be described with reference to the figures. For the purposes of illustration, components depicted in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed on highlighting the various contributions of the components to the functionality of various aspects of the technology. A number of possible alternative features are introduced during the course of this description. It is to be understood that, according to the knowledge and judgment of persons skilled in the art, such alternative features may be substituted in various combinations to arrive at different embodiments of the technology.

Maritime Beacon Example

[0116] FIG. 1a depicts an embodiment of a maritime beacon 100 comprising:

[0117] a controller 155;

[0118] a bidirectional communications transceiver 151 in communication with the controller;

[0119] a broadcast alert signal generator 153 in communication with the controller;

[0120] wherein the controller is configured to receive configuration commands via the bidirectional communications transceiver and to control the operation of the broadcast alert signal generator based on the received configuration commands.

[0121] In this case, the maritime beacon also includes a receiver 152 for communicating with global positioning satellites such as GPS. The beacon may be powered by an onboard battery 154 in this case. The beacon may also be connected to an external asset (e.g. by a pressure-rated pluggable electrical connector) so that it can be powered by the asset while it is connected to the asset. When the beacon is released from the asset to float to the surface or when the beacon and asset stay intact and float to the surface together, the respective power source will power the beacon until the beacon is recovered. It will be appreciated that other embodiments may be powered differently. It will be appreciated that the bidirectional communications transceiver and broadcast alert signal generator are configured to communicate wirelessly.

[0122] In this case, the beacon also includes one or more sensors 159 for determining whether the beacon is underwater or whether it is at the surface. In this case, the beacon is not configured to be able to transmit information unless the beacon is at or near the surface. Therefore, energy would be wasted if the transceivers 151, 152 and/or the broadcast alert generator were activated deep underwater. Therefore, in this embodiment, the beacon is configured to determine when the beacon has resurfaced and to enable activation of the transceivers 151, 152 and/or the broadcast alert generator in response to that determination.

[0123] The controller 155 in this case includes a processor (e.g. a central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit or ASIC or a multicore processor). The controller in this case also comprise memory 156 (e.g. flash memory, a hard-drive, volatile memory). The controller in this case is configured to run computer program code 157 (e.g. stored on the memory 156) configured to allow a controller 155 to adjust the configuration of the beacon based on a predetermined program and/or commands based on information received from the sensors and/or one or more of the communications transceivers/antennae. The computer program code may be stored on a non-transitory medium such as a CD, DVD, USB or Cloud-based services.

[0124] In this case, as shown in FIG. 1b, the beacon 100 is initially attached to an underwater asset 190 such as a Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle (ROV), an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), and/or scientific equipment. Underwater assets and the associated beacon may be configured to be underwater for extended periods of time (e.g. several years) in remote locations.

[0125] The beacon 100 and/or asset 190 and beacon combination may be configured to resurface in response to predetermined conditions. For example, if the asset malfunctions, power goes below a predetermined threshold, or after a predetermined period of time the beacon may resurface to allow the asset to be recovered.

[0126] In this case, the beacon 100 is configured to be released from the asset 190 and float to the surface 191 as shown in FIG. 1c. The beacon is configured to detect when it reaches the surface using a surface detector 159 (e.g. a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, or a conductivity measuring device). As noted above, in other cases, the beacon and asset would float to the surface together.

[0127] In response to resurfacing, the beacon determines its location. The location information in this case is derived by an on-board GPS 152. That is, the beacon comprises a location system for determining the beacon location based on signals 192a received from a satellite-based 192 positioning system (e.g. GPS).

[0128] In this case, the on-board GPS 152 is configured to be activated in response to resurfacing and to interact with GPS satellites 192 to determine its position. This determined position is sent to the controller 155 and then transmitted through the bidirectional communication transceiver 151. In this case, the bidirectional communication transceiver 151 is configured to transmit 193a the information via a communications satellite 193 (e.g. Iridium) to a remote device. In this case, the beacon controller also stores an ID which is transmitted via the bidirectional communication transceiver 151. In this case, the bidirectional communication transceiver 151 is configured to transmit information to a remote device in response to the maritime beacon resurfacing.

[0129] Before resurfacing, the beacon in this case remains asleep in a low power or off mode while submerged in the depths of the ocean. Upon detecting that it has reached the surface, it initiates communications to tell the owner or user that it has surfaced and where it is. Now that the bidirectional communications link 193a,b,c is available, the owner can send it instructions on what to do about turning on, in this case, the broadcast alert generator 153 (which may include a radio signal generator (e.g. AIS) and/or a flasher (Audiovisual)) and the rate of recurrence or schedule to save power. The owner or user may not be in close proximity of the beacon at the time it initiated contact so it may need time to get to the general location and then turn on the other location means when close, so that it can be picked up, processed and redeployed.

[0130] In this case, the transmitted information 193a includes location information derived from the global positioning system and the beacon ID which is transmitted to a remote computer 180 via a subsystem and gateway 186. Since the owner or user may have more than one device deployed in the ocean, it may be important to be able to identify which one has resurfaced (e.g. in case they need special ships, personnel or equipment to meet it). In other embodiments, the beacon may simply provide a notification upon resurfacing. If the user has a limited number of beacons and they know the location of their assets, this may be enough to mount a recovery operation. That is, the notification may not include data relating to the identity or the location of the beacon.

[0131] The remote computer 180 receives the transmitted information and can identify the beacon (and possibly an asset associated with the beacon) from the ID, its location from the GPS determination, and a time of resurfacing (e.g. based on the time of receipt of the transmission or from information encoded into the transmission).

[0132] As shown in FIG. 1d, this information may be displayed on the remote computer. In this embodiment, the information is displayed graphically, showing the coast 185, the position of the newly resurfaced beacon and its ID 183. The graphic display also shows the position of vessels in the area, some of which 182a-d may be under the control of the owner or user, and some of which 181 may not. In addition, it will be appreciated that vessels which have the capability of recovering the beacon and/or asset may be distinguished from those which do not have this capability. The graphic display also provides a measure of the range 184 of the beacons broadcast signal generator. This provides a visual indication that there are no vessels within range of the broadcast signal generator.

[0133] Using this information at the remote computer 180, a determination can be made whether there are any appropriate vehicles in the vicinity which can recover the beacon and/or associated asset. This may be performed automatically by the remote computer using the current or recent positions of appropriate vehicles within the area of the location transmitted by the resurfaced beacon. Appropriate vehicles in this case may include vessels or ships owned or controlled by the same company at sea and/or vessels owned or controlled by the company at a nearby launching site (e.g. port). It may also include airborne vehicles such as unmanned aerial vehicles and/or helicopters.

[0134] The remote computer may then control the device by sending a transmission to the bidirectional communications transceiver 151 which includes configuration commands. For example, if there are vessels in the area, the configuration commands may include a command to turn on the broadcast alert signal generator. In this case, the broadcast alert signal generator comprises a broadcast antenna configured to broadcast location information.

[0135] In contrast, if it is determined that there are no appropriate vessels in the vicinity of the beacon, the remote device may be configured to delay activating the broadcast alert signal generator. This can be achieved in a number of ways: [0136] 1. The remote computer may transmit configuration commands specifying a delay period after which the broadcast alert signal generator is activated; [0137] 2. The remote computer may delay transmitting configuration commands (but may transmit a message received confirmation); or [0138] 3. The remote computer may transmit configuration commands specifying that the broadcast alert signal generator is deactivated until further configuration commands are received.

[0139] In this case, there are no vessels in the area so the remote computer sends a message received confirmation 193b but delays transmitting configuration commands until the recovery vessel are within range. By not activating the broadcast alert signal generator energy may be conserved. As noted above, in this case, the beacon is powered by an on-board battery 154 so the energy reserves are limited. In addition, not activating the broadcast alert signal generator reduces the likelihood that another vessel 181 can identify the beacon and/or associated asset.

[0140] In this case, the beacon 100 is configured to activate the broadcast alert signal generator 153 in a predetermined default mode in response to determining that bidirectional communications via the bidirectional communications transceiver 151 is unresponsive. In this case, the beacon 100 is configured to wait a pre-determined period of time (e.g. 5 minutes-1 hour). If the message received confirmation is not received from the remote computer, the beacon is configured to determine that the bidirectional communications is unresponsive. Likewise, if the bidirectional communications transceiver 151 itself has malfunctioned (e.g. detected using onboard self-diagnostics), the beacon may be configured to enter a predetermined default mode.

[0141] In this case, the beacon default mode comprises emitting a broadcast alert signal at a predetermined rate of recurrence (or cycling rate). This predetermined rate of recurrence may decrease with time to prolong battery life in the event that the beacon is not recovered promptly.

[0142] In normal operation, as shown in FIG. 1c, the beacon is configured to receive the message received confirmation 193b and the broadcast alert signal generator 153 is not activated.

[0143] After a period of time, when a vessel 182d is within range 184 of the broadcast alert signal, the remote computer is configured to send configuration commands 193c as shown in FIG. 1e. These configuration commands 193c are configured to activate the broadcast alert signal generator 153.

[0144] In this case, the broadcast alert signal generator 153 is a broadcast antenna configured to transmit automatic identification system (AIS) information. The beacon in this case is also configured to transmit the beacon ID on the private bidirectional channel 193a and on the broadcast 194 (AIS). It will be appreciated that, in other embodiments the ID may not be transmitted in the broadcast. Similarly, the location information may not be encoded within the broadcast. That is, in some embodiments, the beacon may be located using the direction from which the radio information is received (e.g. using a phased array antenna detector).

[0145] It will be appreciated that the beacon may have more than one ID. For example, it may have a first ID for use with the bidirectional communication system, e.g. an IMEI# (International Mobile Equipment Identity Number) which is the unique ID of the Iridium transceiver. The broadcast antenna (e.g. AIS) may have its own unique ID related to its specific operation. These separate IDs would be associated together by the beacon and/or the remote computer. In addition, the system may allow the user to give the device a user-friendly name like Dave #1, Atlantic Ocean or OSB6 which would be associated with one or more of the device IDs so the owner/user would see a familiar name pop up on the screen.

[0146] In other embodiments the broadcast alert signal generator is configured to generate audiovisual alerts signals. For example, the broadcast alert signal generator may comprise lights (e.g. an LED array) and/or speakers instead of or in addition to the broadcast radio antenna.

[0147] In other embodiments, the beacon may be configured to connect to an external power source (e.g. within a connected asset) and/or use a renewable power source (e.g. solar, wave and/or wind power generator).

[0148] The configuration commands may be configured to control the broadcast alert signal generator to emit signals in a particular pattern.

[0149] It will be appreciated that the remote computer may also be in communications with the vessel 182d which is recovering the beacon so that the vessel can have information on the configuration commands provided to the beacon so that the vessel can configure its detectors to the signals which are being emitted by the broadcast signal generator.

Process Steps

[0150] It will be appreciated that the beacon may stay deeply submerged on, for example, the ocean floor possibly for extended periods of time. During this time it may be powered by internal batteries and/or a host device (e.g. a connected asset). The process of one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments some of the steps shown in FIG. 2 may be omitted or carried out in a different order. For example, some embodiments may not have a self diagnosis program or carry out a self diagnosis first upon resurfacing or after attempting to send information to the remote computer and in response to not receiving a confirmation message.

[0151] It will be appreciated that periodically the beacon may determine 260 whether or not it is at the surface.

[0152] The beacon comes to surface by itself (e.g. unintentionally or unknowingly) or intentionally (e.g. according to a predetermined program or in response to release by a user or owner). The release resurfacing of the beacon may be planned or unplanned.

[0153] Once the beacon detects that it is at the surface a communication process is initiated. In this case, this involves that beacon getting 261 Location Data from a Satellite System (GPS). At this stage, the broadcast alert signal generator may be maintained in an unactivated mode. For example, there may be no Lights, broadcast (e.g. AIS) or bidirectional communications yet.

[0154] Then the beacon may be configured to transmit 262 information from the beacon. This may include the determined location data (and possibly ID Information) using the bidirectional communications transceiver (e.g. Iridium). Again the broadcast alert signal generator may be maintained in an unactivated mode.

[0155] The information transmitted by the bidirectional communications transceiver is received by a Bidirectional Radio Communications remote computer. In response the remote computer may transmit back: [0156] An acknowledgement 264; and/or [0157] Instructions for the controller depending on modeE.g. a Default Automatic mode or Manual Override by Crew/Remote Computer.

[0158] The beacon is now in communication with the remote computer and will follow the various modes it is instructed to follow.

[0159] If the beacon does not receive the confirmation message or acknowledgement 264 or otherwise determines that bidirectional communications may not be possible (e.g. by self diagnosing a defect with the beacon which would prevent bidirectional communications 263), the beacon may be configured to initiate a broadcast signal in a default mode 268. If the self-diagnosis detects a fault with the broadcast antenna, the beacon may be configured to notify the remote computer via the bidirectional communications transceiver.

[0160] It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be configured to conduct one cycle of GPS acquisition then one cycle of Iridium TX/RX or other bidirectional communication cycle (TX is transmitting messages out and RX is a mailbox check to see if any messages are coming to the device 265a). The location information may be used to generate location information for broadcasting using the broadcast antenna (e.g. AIS) or any other location dependent components associated with beacon.

[0161] Following the Iridium TX/RX or other bidirectional communications (e.g. if there are new configuration commands), the beacon may be configured to reboot and begins cycles of the newly configured behavior.

[0162] As noted above, the beacon may be configured to perform a cycle to ensure that the beacon is operating according to the program currently defined by the remote computer and that the remote computer has current status information from the beacon. In every cycle information may be broadcast by the broadcast antenna (e.g. AIS, if enabled by the remote computer) and the GPS updated.

[0163] Every x cycles the bidirectional transceiver may poll 265b the remote computer to determine whether there have been new configuration commands issued by the remote computer (e.g. this may include checking the Iridium Mailbox Check). x may be, for example, 1 (i.e. every cycle) or between 10-100. Increasing x can reduce the power consumption due to activating the bidirectional transceiver.

[0164] Every y cycles, the bidirectional transceiver may be configured to transmit 269 information to the remote computer (e.g. updated location information). y may be, for example, 1 (i.e. every cycle) or between 10-100. Increasing y can reduce the power consumption due to activating the bidirectional transceiver.

[0165] It will be appreciated that the broadcast antenna may be disabled automatically 267 after z total cycles elapse. z may be predetermined or set by sending configuration commands to the beacon. z may be between 5 and 100.

[0166] For example, the duration of an AIS cycle is allocated to 6 minutes as per the firmware specification. This includes the dynamic as well as static data transmissions. Dynamic data (position, bearing) is updated every 30 seconds if moving faster than 2 knots, every 3 minutes otherwise. That is, each the cycle may repeat every 10 seconds to 5 minutes. Static Data is sent in two parts every 6 minutes.

[0167] The rate of recurrence of the cycle may be predetermined or set by sending configuration commands to the beacon. The rate of recurrence of the cycle may be dependent on the proximity of the recovery vessel (e.g. the rate of recurrence of the cycle may increase as the vessel approaches the location of the beacon) and/or the amount of the power available to the beacon (e.g. the rate of recurrence of the cycle may decrease as the amount of available power remaining decreases).

[0168] Although the present technology has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments and preferred uses thereof, it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full, intended scope of the disclosure as understood by those skilled in the art.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0169] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/664,391 filed Apr. 30, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.