Patent ID: 7561886
Filing Date: 2009-07-14
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A method for determining the position of a marine vessel relative to a fixed structure, comprising the steps of: providing a first position sensor attached to said marine vessel; providing a second position sensor attached to said marine vessel; providing a first fixed reference device which is stationary; providing a second fixed reference device which is stationary; determining a first relative position between said first position sensor and said first and second fixed reference devices; determining a second relative position between said second position sensor and said first and second fixed reference devices; determining a position of said marine vessel relative to said first and second fixed reference devices as a function of said first and second relative positions; transmitting an initiation signal from said first position sensor to said first fixed reference device; transmitting a response signal from said first fixed reference device to said first position sensor in response to receiving said initiation signal; receiving said response signal by said first position sensor; and computing a distance between said first position sensor and said first fixed reference device as a function of the elapsed time between said initiation transmitting step and said response signal receiving step.