Patent ID: 12223842

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the invention.

FIG.1is an illustrative schematic of a vessel or fleet management system (hereinafter referred to as “system”)100, according to one embodiment of the present arrangements and that includes an analytics system, i.e., computing devices102,118, and120, and multiple data collection systems, i.e., data collection systems110A and110B. In the embodiment shown inFIG.1, computing device102is a server and computing devices118and120are referred to as “client devices.” A network104couples server102, client devices118and120, and data collection system110A and110B, to enable communication amongst them. In certain preferred embodiments of the present arrangements, a mobile network108provides wireless communication between server102to data collections systems110A and110B.

As will be appreciated to those skilled in the art, any computing devices (e.g., server, desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet, or mobile device) may be used as server102and/or computing devices118and120and configured to perform some or all of the functions contemplated in the present teachings. Representative client devices118and120include a cellular telephone, a portable digital assistant, a tablet, a stationary computing appliance, wearable computing device, and/or an Internet of Things (“IoT”) device. In certain embodiments of the present arrangements, each or any one of server102and client devices118and/or120are a wireless machine, which is in wireless communication with network108. In this embodiment of the present arrangements, a server102facilitates interaction and data flows to and from any of client devices118and/or120. In general, server102may include one or more computers and data storage devices, and may produce programming instructions, files, or data that may be transmitted over network104to client devices118and/or120, which may be used by a user to enter a protocol, to run a protocol, including entering data, and/or analyzing data stored on server102.

Data collection system110A includes a core device112A and one or more external sensors (hereafter referred to as “external sensors”)114A. Similarly, data collection system110B includes a core device112B and one or more external sensors external sensors (hereafter also referred to as “external sensors”)114B. External sensors114A and/or114B may be any sensor that is commutatively coupled to but preferably not incorporated inside core device112A and/or112B. In other words, core device112A and112B may receive information from external sensors114A and/or114B, but external sensors114A and/or114B need not be part of core device112A and112B, respectively.

Core devices112A and112B provide a mechanism from which data collection system110A and/or110B communicate with server102. In this manner, any information received by data collection system110A and/or110B may be transmitted to server102. During an operative state of system100, core device112A is coupled to a first vessel and core device112B is coupled to a second vessel. As each vessel traverses one or more paths in a body of water, core device112A receives and transmits information relating to the first vessel to server102and core device112B receives and transmits information relating to the second vessel to the same server or a different server that is communicatively coupled to server102. Similarly, server102may transmit information (e.g., software updates, patches, programmed instructions) to data collection system112A and/or112B.

In certain embodiments of the present arrangements, system100includes a vessel network116, which communicatively couples core devices112A and/or112B to external sensors114A and/or114B, respectively. In this manner, core device112A is capable of receiving information from external sensor114A and core device112B is capable of receiving information from external sensor114B. The present teachings recognize that vessel network116may by a wired or wireless network, which may be, for example and without limitation, Ethernet cable, a cellular telephone network, a Wi-Fi network or a Wi-Max network, a Blue Tooth network, a radio frequency (e.g., RFID), infrared, and near field magnetics (e.g., Near Field Communication or “NFC”).

In one embodiment of the present arrangements, vessel network116also permits client device112A of data collection system110A to communicate with data collection system110B (i.e., core device112B and/or external sensors114B). In this manner, core device112A is capable of receiving information from data collection system110B, and transmitting the information to server102. Similarly, client device112B, of data collection system110B, is commutatively coupled to data collection system110A (i.e., core device112A and/or external sensors114A). Information received from data collection system110B may be transmitted to server102using core device112A. Thus, server102is capable of receiving information from a data collection system without being in direct communication with that data collection system. As discussed above, one example of achieving this result is by having one data collection system conveying information to another data collection system, which further conveys it to a server, which may in turn convey it to other servers, data collections systems and/or vessels.

By way of example, during operation of system100, data collection system110A of a first vessel, may receive information from data collection system110B of second vessel (e.g., when the first vessel and the second vessel are proximate to each other and network116commutatively couples core device112A to core device112B). Data collection system110B may then first transmit certain vessel information to data collection system110A, from where the certain vessel information is conveyed to server102. This allows server102to receive information from the second vessel even if the second vessel is not capable of communicating with server102(e.g., the second vessel is at sea for an extended period of time).

FIG.2Ashows internal construction blocks of a server202and/or client devices218and220, in accordance with one embodiment of the present arrangements. Server202and client devices218and220are substantially similar to their counter parts server102, and client devices118and220ofFIG.1. Each of server202and client devices218and220include a data bus222that allows for communication between modules, such as a processor224, memory226, an input device234, a display interface238, and a network interface240. The present teachings recognize that the network interface240, memory226, and processor224of each of server202and client devices218and220are configured such that a program stored in memory226may be executed by processor224to accept input and/or provide output through network interface240over a network (e.g., network108ofFIG.1) to another server/client device on a system (e.g., vessel or fleet management system100ofFIG.1).

Network interface240of each of server202and client devices218and220is used to communicate with another device on a system over a wired or wireless network, which may be, for example and without limitation, a cellular telephone network, a Wi-Fi network or a Wi-Max network or a Blue Tooth network, and then to other telephones through a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or to a satellite, or over the Internet. Memory226of devices202,218and/or220includes programming required to operate each or any one of server202and client devices218and/or220, such as an operating system or virtual machine instructions, and may include portions that store information or programming instructions obtained over a network (e.g., network104ofFIG.1), or that are input by the user.

Furthermore, processor224executes certain instructions to manage all components and/or client devices and interfaces coupled to data bus222for synchronized operations. Device interface236may be coupled to an external device such as another analytics system (e.g., server102and client devices104and/or106ofFIG.1A). In other words, one or more resources in the analytics system may be utilized. Also interfaced to data bus240are other modules such as disk drive interface232, a printer interface242, and one or more input devices234, such as touch screen, keyboard, or mouse. In one embodiment of the present arrangements, display interface238and input device234of client device118and220are physically combined as a touch screen238/234, providing the functions of display and input. Generally, a compiled and linked version or an executable version of the present invention is loaded into storage230through the disk drive interface232, the network interface240, the device interface236or other interfaces coupled to the data bus222.

In relation to server202, memory226, such as random access memory (RAM) is interfaced to the data bus222to provide processor224with the instructions and access to memory storage230for data and other instructions, applications or services. In particular, when executing stored application program instructions, such as the complied and linked version of the present invention, processor224is caused to manipulate the data to achieve results described herein. A ROM (read only memory)228, which is also connected to data bus222, is provided for storing invariant instruction sequences such as a basic input/output operation system (BIOS) for operation of display interface238and input device234, if there is any. In general, server202is coupled to a network and configured to provide one or more resources to be shared with or executed by another computing device on the network or simply as an interface to receive data and instructions from a human being.

WhileFIG.2Aillustrates one embodiment of server202and client devices218and220, it should be noted that not every module shown inFIG.2Awould have to be in server202and/or client devices218and220in order to be used in one embodiment of the present invention. Depending on the configuration of a specific server202or a specific client device218and/or220, some or all of the modules may be used and sufficient in one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now toFIG.2B, there is shown an exemplar functional block diagram of server202, according to one embodiment of the present arrangements and in which a server module244resides as software in a memory226and is executable by one or more processors224. According to one embodiment of the present arrangements, server module244is provided to memory226and executed in server202to manage various communications with one or more the data collection systems (e.g., data collection systems110A and110B ofFIG.1).

Depending on implementation, server202may be a single server or a cluster of two or more servers. Server202, according to one embodiment of the present arrangements, is implemented as cloud computing, in which there are multiple computers or servers deployed to serve as many client devices as practically possible. For illustration purpose, a representative of a single server202is shown and may correspond to server102inFIG.1. Sever202includes a network interface240to facilitate the communication between server202and other devices on a network and a local storage space230. The server module244is an executable version of one embodiment of the present intention and delivers, when executed, some or all of the features/results contemplated in the present invention.

According to one embodiment of the present arrangements, server module232comprises an administration interface submodule246, a user monitor submodule248, a rules manager submodule250, a vessel report submodule252, a local server manager submodule254, a security manager submodule256, and/or account manager submodule258. However, depending on the configuration of server module232, some or all of the submodules components may be used.

Submodules246,248,250,252,254,256, and258, when executed on processor224, allow a user of server202with administrator privileges to operate server202to perform tasks, which are generally indicated by the submodule names. Thus “administration interface” submodule246, when executed on server202, enables a system administrator to register (or add) a user and grant respective access privileges to the users. Administration interface submodule246is an entry point to server module244from which all sub-modules or the results thereof can be initiated, updated and managed. By way of example, user A, a vessel fleet manager, may be allowed to receive information related to vessel activities for vessels in a specific fleet. User A, however, does not have access to other vessels that are not under his or her management. As another example, user B, a government agency, may be able to access information relating to all vessel activities pertaining to a predetermined geographic region (see predetermined geographic region shown inFIGS.9and10). In this example, User B has access to vessel activities relating to a 11 vessels that traverse through the predetermined geographic region, including user A's fleet or any other vessel.

In one embodiment, an administrator sets up and manages one or more of the following processes:The digital maps and geographic regions available to the user;The vessel legal restrictions provided to the user;The allocation of data collection systems to vessel (e.g., core device and/or external sensor);The updating or configuration of the data collection system;The type or nature of inputs the user has access to;Times at which the user can see or use the inputs;Vessel or fleet groups the user can join; andCreating of one or more vessel or fleet groups.

Account manager submodule258, which has access to a database260or an interface to a database260, maintains records of registered users and their respective access privileges. Database260may be located on server202or client device218and/or220. In operation, account manager submodule258authenticates a user when the user logs onto server202and also determines if the user may access information stored by server202. By way of example, when a user tries to log on to server202, the user is prompted to input confidential signatures (e.g., username and password). Account manager submodule258then allows server202to the confidential signatures. If the confidential signatures are successfully verified, the user is authenticated and is provided access the vessel or fleet management system (e.g., vessel or fleet management system100ofFIG.1). In general, account manager submodule258is where an operator of system100may be able to control its users.

Security manager submodule256is configured to provide security when needed. When necessary, messages, data or files being accesses and/or shared among registered users may be encrypted thus only authorized user may access the secured messages, data or files. In certain embodiments of the present arrangements, an encryption key to a secured file is securely maintained in security submodule256and can be retrieved by the system administrator to access a secured document in case the key in a client machine is corrupted or the user or users who have the access privilege to access the secured document are no longer available. In another embodiment, the security manager submodule256is configured to initiate a secure communication session when it detects that a registered user accesses a file list remotely over an open network.

User monitor submodule248is configured to monitor the status of registered users and generally works in conjunction with account manager submodule258. In particular, user monitors submodule248is configured to manage all registered users as a single vessel or a single fleet group and individual users in a private vessel or fleet group so that unauthorized users would not get into a group they are not permitted. In addition, user monitor248is configured to push or deliver related messages, updates, and uploaded files, if there is any, to a registered user.

Local server manager submodule254, in some cases, is a collaborative communication platform that needs to collaborate with another collaborative communication platform so that users in one collaborative communication platform can communicate with users in another collaborative communication platform. In this case, a server responsible for managing a collaborative communication platform is referred to as a local server. Accordingly, local server manager submodule254is configured to enable more than one local server to communicate. Essentially, server202in this case would become a central server to coordinate the communication among the local servers.

Rules manager submodule250is used to configure various rules imposed across the system to control the type of information a user can access. For example, certain rules are provided to certain users depending on the status of the user (e.g., a vessel manager, a fleet manager, a government agency, and a non-profit), which allows the user to access certain information related to vessel activities.

A vessel report manager submodule240module is configured to record or track all information—or reports—received from and transmitted to one or more data collection system (e.g., data collection system110A and110B ofFIG.1). This information is retained for a period of time so that one or more users may access vessel during that period of time. In one embodiment of the present arrangements, certain types of information are kept for a predefined time in compliance of regulations or retention of evidences. In operation, vessel report manager submodule252works in conjunction with database260and indexes retained vessel reports for later retrieval. In another embodiment of the present arrangements, vessel report manager submodule252is configured to record all types of events that include, but may not be limited to, dates and times information was uploaded to server202and when an vessel activity information is accessed by a user.

In one embodiment of the present arrangements, server module244is, uniquely designed, implemented and configured to dynamically change the visual representation one or more vessel activities that are being carried out in one or more discrete geographic zones. An example of a collection of discrete geographic zones (which may combine to define a predetermined geographic region) are denoted by reference numeral924and shown inFIG.9. The present teachings recognize that the process of visually displaying a vessel's activities or multiple vessels' activities is not something a general computer is capable of performing by itself. A general computer must be specifically programmed or installed with a specifically designed module such as the server module244according to one embodiment of the present invention to perform this process. To this end, in certain embodiments of the present arrangements, server module244ofFIG.2Band a client module in client device (e.g., client device118and/or120ofFIG.1) include instructions to cooperatively achieve one or more of the following specialized functions: 1) identifying, using positioning data and/or time associated with one or more vessels, vessel attributes of one or more of the vessels along one or more paths; 2) computing, based vessel attributes, one or more types of vessel activities that may be occurring within each of different geographic zones; 3) grouping one or more types of vessel activities being carried out in each of the discrete geographic zones to arrive at one or more types of grouped vessel activities; 4) causing to display or displaying one or more types of grouped vessel activities that are being carried out in at least some of the discrete geographic zones; and/or 5) calculating a score for each type of the grouped vessel activities within a discrete geographic zone or calculating a score for each discrete geographic zones.

It should be pointed out that server module244inFIG.2Blists some exemplar modules according to one embodiment of the present invention and not every module in server module244has to be implemented in order to practice the present invention. The present teachings recognize that given the description herein, various combinations of the modules as well as modifications thereof, without departing the spirits of the present arrangements, may still achieve various desired functions, benefits and advantages contemplated in the present teachings.

FIG.3shows a core device312, according to one embodiment of the present arrangements and that is substantially similar to core device112A and112B ofFIG.1. Core device312includes various components contained inside a sealed waterproof enclosure344. These components may include a processor and memory320, a global-positioning system (“GPS”) receiver322, additional sensors324, a data upload radio326, an inter device radio328, a solar cell or panel342and a battery442. Core device312may be secured to a vessel using attachment points346.

Solar cell or panel340may be used to power core device312and/or recharge battery442. Furthermore, battery442may be used to supplement power to core device312when solar cell or panel340does not produce enough power, for example, when clouds prevent full sun exposure to solar cell or panel340. Software, stored and run by processor and memory320, may be used to determine which energy source to use to extend the power available to core device312.

GPS receiver322is capable of receiving information relating to the location of core device312and, in certain embodiments of the present arrangements, a time (e.g., time of day and date) associated with the location of core device312. GPS receiver322may be programmed to retrieve the location of core device312contiguously or at various intervals of time. The frequency at which GPS receiver322receives the location of core device312may be adjusted based on certain parameters, for example, the accuracy of the path of core device312travels over a period of time. If a highly accurate path is desired, GPS receiver332may receive core device312location in short increments of time (e.g., every about 1 second to about 5 seconds). Conversely, GPS322receiver may receive core device312location at greater time intervals (e.g., every about 1 minute to about 5 minutes) if a high accuracy is not required or if core device312is moving slowly. Furthermore, the time interval may be adjusted to prevent GPS receiver322from draining too much power from core device312to ensure continuous operation.

Additional sensors324collect information relating to core device312and/or the environment external to core device312. Addition sensor324may include at least one member chosen from a group including accelerometer sensor, compass sensor, gyroscope sensor, vibration sensor, humidity sensor, salinity sensor, motor load sensor, depth sensor, pressure sensor, light sensor, solar panel irradiance sensor, battery charge sensor, altimeter sensor, Automatic Identification System (“AIS”) receiver/data logger, motor-run sensor, personnel sensor, fish-hold temperature sensor, water temperature sensor, internal temperature sensor, and auxiliary detachment sensor.

Data upload radio326contained in core device312is used to communicate with a server (e.g., server102ofFIG.1) preferably in a bidirectional manner. Uploaded information from core device312to the server may include the collected from GPS receiver322and/or additional sensors324. Acknowledgement messages may also be uploaded in response to commands downloaded from the server. Downloaded messages may include commands to change the operational behavior of the device, and firmware updates intended for the device itself and/or sensor firmware updates.

Data upload radio326may be a device capable of transmitting information from core device312to the server. In one preferred embodiment of the present arrangements, data upload radio326is a cellular radio. In another preferred embodiment of the present arrangements, data upload radio is a wireless router.

In one embodiment of the present arrangements, inter-device radio328allows core device312to communicate with one or more other core devices that also have inter-device radio328. Communication between two or more core devices may be transmitted through, for example, a vessel network (e.g., vessel network116ofFIG.1). Inter-device radio328may transmit information received from GPS receiver322and/or additional sensors324to another core device. In this manner, the server is capable of receiving information relating to core device312even if core device312cannot connect with the server.

Information received from inter-device radio328, additional sensors324, GPS receiver322may be stored in processor and memory320. In one embodiment of the present arrangements, processor and memory320includes executable software that transforms information received from additional sensors and GPS into an encoded data packet(s). The transferrable data packet(s) allow core device312to transmit the information in a form that is smaller in size than the original information, which allows for faster uploading to the server (e.g., server102ofFIG.1).

Processor and memory320may also include executable software for automatically transmitting data to a server. As another example, executable software periodically connects to a terrestrial (cellular) network108to upload stored data and/or information from its memory. As yet another example, executable software uses GPS receiver322to identify locations where it has successfully connected to a cellular network (e.g., cellular network108ofFIG.1) and preferentially transmits information and/or date when it is at one of those locations of connection. As yet another example, using executable software, a server (which is executing code) receives data and/or information from a core device312and associates that data and/or information with previously obtained data and/or information from core device312. In one embodiment of the present teachings, information, which is transferred from core device312to the server, relates to at least one type of information chosen from a group comprising vessel information, information about persons pertaining to a vessel, information about equipment used on vessel, environmental information such as weather, bathymetry, tides, currents, wind speeds, and localities relating to one or more vessels.

FIG.4Ashows a data collection system410, according to one embodiment of the present teachings and that includes an external sensor414for measuring temperature. Data collection system410includes a core device412commutatively coupled, using vessel network416, to external sensor414. Data collection system410, core device412, vessel network416and external sensor414are substantially similar to their counterparts, i.e., data collection system110, core device112A and/or112B, vessel network116, external sensor114A and/or114B ofFIG.1.

External sensor414may be positioned at any location that is external to core device412. By way of example, external sensor414may be positioned on a location chosen from a group comprising engine room, deck, railing, roof, catch compartment, hold, coolers, mast, motor, gear, traps, buoys, personnel, below the waterline, above the waterline, above deck and below deck.

External sensor414includes various components contained inside a sealed waterproof enclosure428. In one embodiment of the present arrangements, the components may include a processor and memory420, a battery422, an inter-device radio424and a temperature sensor426. Temperature sensor426receives temperature information outside of external sensor414, which is then stored in processor and memory420. Inter-device radio424transmits temperature information to core device412, which is ultimately transmitted to a server (e.g., server102ofFIG.1).

External sensor414may includes more than one type of sensor. By way of example, data collection system410ofFIG.4B, includes an external sensor414with two sensors: a salinity sensor434and a pressure sensor426. Salinity sensor434is coupled to salinity sensor circuitry that measures a conductivity of a fluid in contact with salinity sensor434. Pressure sensor436measures a fluid pressure, which depends on fluid depth.

External sensor414ofFIG.4Balso includes a NFC radio430, which allows external sensor414to communicate with a NFC reader that is proximate to NFC radio430. NFC radio430may be used to identify, for example, a gear before it is deployed in a body of water.

Any sensing mechanism (e.g., a sensor) may be incorporated into external sensor414. Representative sensing mechanisms that may be part of external sensor414include at least one member chosen from a group comprising motor-run sensor, personnel sensor, fish-hold temperature sensor, water temperature sensor, accelerometer sensor, compass sensor, gyroscope sensor, motor load sensor, salinity sensor, vibration sensor, light sensor, radio frequency (“RF”) sensor, depth sensor and auxiliary detachment sensor. Furthermore, any sensor that may be incorporated in a core device may also be incorporated into external sensor414.

The present teachings offer, among other things, different methods of tracking vessel activity.FIG.5shows a method of tracking vessel activities, according to one embodiment of the present teachings. Method500includes a step502, which includes receiving data, including vessel location and/or time data associated with one or more vessels traversing one or more paths on a body of water (e.g., ocean, lake or river). Next, a step S04is carried out. Step504includes deducing, using the data (obtained from step502), vessel attributes of one or more of the vessels at certain positions and/or times along one or more of the paths. Then, the method proceeds to step506. This step involves identifying, based on the vessel attributes, one or more types of vessel activities of one or more of the vessels at certain positions and/or times along one or more of the paths. Following step506, step508is implemented and includes parsing an electronic map of the body of water and land surrounding the body of water into discrete geographic zones. Next, a step510includes grouping one or more types of vessel activities being carried out in each of the discrete geographic zones to arrive at one or more types of grouped vessel activities. Process500then proceeds to a step512, which includes causing to display or displaying one or more types of grouped vessel activities that are being carried out in at least some of the discrete geographic zones.

Returning to step502, data may be received from one or multiple sources. By way of example, data may be received from a vessel or fleet management system (e.g., vessel or fleet management system100ofFIG.1) and/or from a source that is separate from but communicatively coupled to the vessel or fleet management system (e.g., third party data for map and/or satellite imagery, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) and weather service). Regardless of where the data originated, in one preferred embodiment of the present teaching, a server (e.g., server102ofFIG.1) receives the data.

Data received from a vessel or fleet management system, according to one embodiment of the present arrangements, may be from one or more data collection systems (e.g., data collection system110A or110B ofFIG.1) and/or from one or more client devices (e.g., client device118or120ofFIG.1). Data received from one or more data collection systems may be received from a core device (e.g., core devices112A and/or112B ofFIG.1) and/or external sensors (e.g., external sensors114A and/or114B ofFIG.1). The core device may provide data from a GPS receiver (e.g., GPS receiver322) that relates to the vessel's position (e.g., a position of the vessel at particular, known time) and/or time (e.g., a time at a particular, known location), which may inform the server about the position of the vessel. The core device may also have additional sensors (e.g., additional sensors324ofFIG.3). As describe above in relation toFIG.3, data may be received from at least one sensor chose from a group comprising accelerometer sensor, compass sensor, gyroscope sensor, vibration sensor, humidity sensor, salinity sensor, motor load sensor, depth sensor, pressure sensor, light sensor, solar panel irradiance sensor, battery charge sensor, altimeter sensor, Automatic Identification System (“AIS”) receiver/data logger, motor-run sensor, personnel sensor, fish-hold temperature sensor, water temperature sensor, internal temperature sensor, and auxiliary detachment sensor. The data is preferably received from a core device or sensors, as described above, in a secure manner (e.g., encrypted data).

Data received from a GPS receiver, in one embodiment of the present teachings, is the velocity of the vessel, which may be associated with a given time and/or a given location. By way of example, the GPS receiver may transmit data to the memory on the core device in the following format—“2016-01-01 15:00:00 5.04 meters/second,” which means at 3:00 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2016 the vessel velocity was 5.04 meters/second.

The server receives acceleration data, in one embodiment of the present teachings, from the accelerometer sensor. The acceleration data may be associated with a given time and/or location. By way of example, the server may receive data from the accelerometer sensor in the following format—“2016-01-01 15:00:00 X: 2.34 m/s2, Y: 0 m/s2, Z: 9.8 m/s2,” which means on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the acceleration of the core device was 2.34 meters/second2in the X direction (relative to the device), 0 meters/second2in the Y direction, and 9.6 meters/second2in the Z direction. By way of another example, the server may receive data from an accelerometer sensor in the following format—“2016-01-01 15:00:00 X: 0 meters/second2, Y: 0 meters/second2, Z: −9.8 metes/second2,” which means on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the vessel may have been capsized, because the acceleration due to gravity is directed towards the top of the sensor.

In another embodiment of the present teachings, the server receives geographic heading data for a particular time and/or location from a compass sensor. The geographic heading data may be in the format of “2016 01-01 15:00:00 180,” means on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3 p.m. on the core device was heading 180° (i.e., South) relative to magnetic north.

The present teachings allow the server to receive data relating to angular velocity from the gyroscope sensor at a particular time and/or location, which may be in the format of “2016 01-01 15:00:00 10.3 degree/second.” In other words, on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the core device was angular velocity was 10.3 degrees/second.

In certain embodiment of the present teachings, the server receives measurements relating to the vibration of the core device at a given time and/or location from a vibration sensor. The vibration sensor may measure the occurrence of vibration, vibration intensity and/or vibration frequency. By way of example the server may receive data in the form of “2016-01-01 15:00:00 10 Hertz” which means that on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the core device was vibrating at 10 Hertz.

In one embodiment of the present teachings, the server receives absolute and/or relative humidity data from a humidity sensor for a given location and/or time. The humidity sensor measures the amount of water vapor in the air inside the core device and/or the air surrounding the core device. By way of example the server may receive absolute and/or relative humidity data in the form of “2016-01-01 15:00:00 78%,” which means that on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the air inside and/or surrounding the core device was an absolute and/or relative humidity of 78%.

In another embodiment of the present teachings, the server receives salinity data from a salinity sensor for a given time and/or location. The salinity sensor measures the salt concentration in a fluid. By way of example, the server may receive salinity data in the form of “2016-01-01 15:00:00 35.5 PSU,” which means that on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the salinity of the fluid in and/or surrounding the core device was 35.5 practical salinity unites (“PSU”).

The server receives motor load data, according to one embodiment of the present teachings, from motor load sensor, which may measure a electrical current, voltage, rpm, and/or horsepower at a given time and/or location. By way of example, the server may receive motor load data in the form of “2016-01-01 15:00:00 5 Amps 12 Volts,” which means that on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the load on the motor is measured at 5 Amps and 12 Volts.

In one embodiment of the present teachings, the server receives depth data from a depth sensor for a given time and/or location. The depth sensor measures the distance between the core device and a solid surface (e.g., the ocean floor). By way of example, the server may receive depth data in the form of “2016-01-01 15:00:00 34 meters,” which means that on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the depth of the fluid between the core device and the ocean floor is 34 meters.

In another embodiment of the present teachings, for a given time and/or location the server receives light data from a light sensor, which measure the presence of and/or the strength of a light received by core device. By way of example, the server may receive light data in the form of “2016-01-01 15:00:00 1,000 lux” which means that on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the strength of the light is 1,000 lumens/meter2(“lux”).

In yet another embodiment of the present teachings, the server receives data from a solar panel irradiance sensor for a given time and/or location. The solar panel irradiance sensor measures the solar irradiance on a planar surface. By way of example, the server may receive solar irradiance data in the form of “2016-01-01 15:00:00 12 Watts/meters2,” which means that on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the strength of the light is 12 Watts/meters2.

The server receives battery charge data, according to one embodiment of the present teachings, from a battery sensor, which measures the voltage and/or % charge of the battery at a given time and/or location. By way of example, the server may receive battery charge data in the form of “2016-01-01 15:00:00 3.221 Volts,” which means that on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the load on the motor is measured at 3.221 Volts.

According to one embodiment of the present teachings, the server receives data from an altimeter sensor for a given time and/or location. The altimeter sensor measures the altitude of the core device. The server may receive altitude data in the form of “2016-01-01 15:00:00 1.6 meters,” which means that on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the altitude of the core device is 1.6 meters.

In another embodiment of the present teachings, the server may receive data from an AIS receiver/data logger for a given time and/or location. The AIS receiver/data logger measures the presence, contents, intensity and/or location of AIS signal. By way of example, the server may receive AIS receiver/data logger in the form of “2016-01-01 11:30:00 !AIVDM, 1,1,A,13HOI:0P0000VOHLCnHQKwvL05Ip,0*23,” which means that on Jan. 1, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time (“UTC”). User ID 227006760 is at 49.4755767° N, 0.1313800° W and has a rate-of-turn of −128°/min.

In another embodiment of the present teachings, the server receives data from a fish-hold temperature sensor for a given time and/or location. The fish-hold temperature sensor measures the temperature within one or more holds where fish or other catch is stored. The server may receive altitude data in the form of “2016-01-01 15:00:00 2.3° Celcius,” which means that on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the temperature in the fish-hold is 2.3° Celcius.

In yet another embodiment of the present teachings, the server receives data from a water temperature sensor for a given time and/or location. The water temperature sensor measures the temperature of the water surrounding the core device (e.g., the water temperature surrounding the vessel on which the core device is attached). The server may receive water temperature data in the form of “2016-01-01 15:00:00 23° Celcius,” which means that on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the temperature in the water surrounding the core device is 23° Celcius.

According to yet another embodiment of the present teachings, the server receives data from an internal temperature sensor for a given time and/or location. The internal temperature sensor measures the temperature inside the core device. The server may receive internal temperature data in the form of “2016-01-01 15:00:00 65° Celcius,” which means that on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the internal temperature of the core device is 65° Celcius.

The server receives auxiliary detachment data for a particular time and/or location, according to one embodiment of the present teachings, from a gear deployment sensor. The gear deployment sensor determines when auxiliary equipment (e.g., fishing gear) is in/out of the water or is deployed on/off a vessel or location. By way of example, the server may receive gear deployment data in the form of “2016-01-01 15:00:00 Entered Water; 2016-01-01 17:00:00 Exited Water,” which means that on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. the gear entered the water and at 5:00 p.m. the gear exited the water.

The server may receive data from the GPS receiver and/or additional sensor discussed above using the core device's data upload radio (e.g., data upload radio326ofFIG.3). In another embodiment of the present arrangements, the GPS receiver and/or additional sensor data may be transmitted to another core device (e.g., core device112B ofFIG.1) and then transmitted to the server using the data upload radio on that core device.

The data collection system's external sensors (e.g., external sensors1114A and/or114B) may also transmit data to the core device, and ultimately, to the server. As described in relation toFIG.4, data may be received from at least one sensor chose from a group comprising motor-run sensor, personnel sensor, fish-hold temperature sensor, water temperature sensor, accelerometer sensor, compass sensor, gyroscope sensor, motor load sensor, salinity sensor, vibration sensor, light sensor, RF sensor, depth sensor, and auxiliary detachment sensor. The server receives data from an external sensor in a format that is substantially similar to the data the server receives from an equivalent sensor in the core device. By way of example, the data received by an external water temperature sensor is in substantially the same format as the data received from a water temperature sensor located in the core device. Preferably, the data received from external and internal sensors is secure (e.g., encrypted data).

The external sensors may include sensors that are not in the core device. By way of example, an external sensor may include a personnel sensor. For a particular time and/or location, the personnel sensor may identify a person on the vessel, determine the presence of the person and/or determine time when a person enters and/or exists the vessel. By way of example, the server may receive data in the form of “2016-01-01 15:00:00 Person 1234 Boarded Vessel,” which means that on Jan. 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. a person with identification number 1234 boarded the vessel.

The external sensors, using the external sensor's inter-device radio (e.g., inter-device radio424ofFIG.4A), transmit sensor data to the core device and/or another core device (e.g., core device112B ofFIG.1). A vessel network (e.g., vessel network116ofFIG.1) provides a network between which the external sensors communicate with either core device.

In addition to data received from the data collection system (e.g., data from the core device and external sensors), the server may also receive data may from one or more client devices. By way of example, the server may receive data related to a vessel or a fleet of vessels that a user, using the client device, manages. Data associated with a vessel may be chosen form a group comprising known vessel locations, vessel size, vessel personnel capacity, vessel cargo capacity, vessel target species, vessel onboard gear, vessel engine size, vessel fuel take size, vessel infractions, vessel license, vessel legal restrictions and previous vessel trips. The user inputs the vessel related data into the client device, for example, when core device is installed on a vessel, and the server receives the data through a network (e.g., network104ofFIG.1).

Known vessel locations, according to one embodiment of the present teachings, are known geographic locations (e.g., docks or fueling stations) that a user inputs at the time a core device is installed. Vessel size relates to the length, tonnage, and/or draft of the vessel. Vessel personnel related to the number of people that are allowed on a particular type of boat. Vessel engine type relates to the size, type, brand, fuel type, efficiency, and/or power of the motor(s) on a particular vessel. Vessel cargo capacity relate to the amount of aquatic species (e.g., fish) the vessel can carry in any given trip. Vessel target species relates to the type(s) of aquatic species the vessel is designed to harvest and/or will harvest. The vessel onboard gear relates to the type(s) of gear (e.g., trawl net) present on the vessel, the type of gear used on a particular vessel type, and/or the gear typically used by the vessel's operators. The vessel license refers to the type(s) of aquatic species the vessel is licensed to harvest (e.g., the vessel can only harvest cod) and/or particular location(s) the vessel is licensed to harvest one or more aquatic species (e.g., the vessel can only harvest a species at a location that is more than five miles from shore). Vessel legal restrictions relate to seasonal harvesting restrictions, spatial restrictions, time restrictions, and/or species restrictions implemented by local, regional or federal agencies. Vessel infractions relates to prior vessel infraction for violating rules implemented by local, regional or federal agencies.

As discussed above, in one embodiment of the present teachings, data may also be received from a source that is separate from but commutatively coupled to the vessel or fleet management system. Data received may be any data that informs on vessel location and/or time data. By way of example, data received from a source separate from the vessel or fleet management system may be a data type chosen from a group comprising vessel elevation, depth of water, water surface temperature, chlorophyll content, ocean color, wave height, weather, wind speed, air temperature, cloud cover, sun rise, sun set, and tides.

FIG.6shows a visual representation of bathymetry data600that may be received by the vessel or fleet management system to determine water depth. The bathymetry data may be received from a third party such as, for example, the NOAA. Bathymetric data600may be received relative to a particular known region and/or location (e.g., harbor, coastline, geographic region, municipality, nation, or body of water) that a vessel and/or vessels are located. As shown inFIG.6, according to one embodiment of the present arrangements, bathymetry data600includes a first depth602of 20 meters, a second depth604of 40 meters, and a third depth606of 60 meters for a particular region. Bathymetry data600shows a sloping area (e.g., an ocean floor) that slopes (i.e., the water becomes deeper) as a vessel move radially outward from an origin, which, for example, may be a location on land.

The deducing step504includes deducing vessel attributes, using one or more data types from step502, at a certain position and/or time along the vessel's path. By way of example, vessel attributes may be chosen from a group including the position and/or orientation relative to certain predefined locations, regulatory requirements at a location proximate to the vessel, geographic information and/or environmental conditions at a location proximate to the vessel, vessel velocity and/or acceleration, vessel turn angle and geometry of the vessel path.

In one embodiment of the present teachings, vessel position and/or orientation relative to a known predefined location may be deduced by receiving data relating to a certain predefined location (e.g., receiving a map data of a coastline) and vessel location data (e.g., receiving vessel position from the core device GPS). Using the map data of the coastline and the position of the vessel, the server can deduce the vessel position relative to the coastline. By way of example, the server may deduce that the vessel is 100 meters from the coastline.

The server deduces the vessel attribute of velocity, in one embodiment of the present teachings, by receiving data relating to a vessel's location at a particular time and receiving data relating to the vessel's location immediately preceding the first time. By way of example, the server may receive the vessel's current location and time from the GPS receiver. The server also receives, from memory, the vessel's previously measured location at a previous time. The server may deduce the vessel velocity by dividing the time it took the vessel to travel between the two locations by the distance between the two locations.

The server deduces the vessel attribute of acceleration, in one embodiment of the present teachings, by receiving data relating to a vessel's velocity at a particular time and/or location and receiving data relating to the vessel's velocity immediately preceding the first time and/or location. By way of example, the server may receive the vessel's current velocity and time and/or location from the GPS receiver. The server also receives, from memory, the vessel's previously measured velocity at a previous time and/or location. From this data, the server may deduce the vessel acceleration by dividing the difference in velocity between the two times and/or locations by the difference in time between the two velocity measurements (i.e., a=((v2−vt)/(t2−t1)).

In one embodiment of the present teachings, the server deduces the vessel attribute of turn angle (hereinafter also referred to as “heading variance) by receiving data relating to the vessels heading at a particular time and/or location and receiving data relating to the vessel heading at a prior time and/or location. By way of example, the server may receive a heading measurement from a compass sensor located on the vessel's core device. In addition, the server may receive, from memory, the vessel's measured heading immediately preceding the heading measurement from the compass sensor. From these data sets, the server may deduce the heading variance by determining the change in angle between the two heading measurements. Turn angle may also be presented as a percentage, which represents the percent change in heading between two points.

I In another embodiment of the present teachings, the server deduces the geometry, or shape, of a vessel path. As will be discussed in greater detail below in relation toFIG.8, the server breaks up a vessel path into one or more vessel segment representations. Each segment representation shares similar vessel attributes (e.g., similar headings or velocity).

The server may also deduce regulatory requirements, geographic information and/or environmental conditions at a location proximate to and/or within a certain radius of a vessel.

The server, in one embodiment of the present teachings, receives data relating to the vessel's location and data relating to regulatory requirements (e.g., type of species the vessels is or is not licensed to harvest, geographic locations the vessel type is permitted to harvest, and/or time in which harvesting is permitted), geographic information (e.g., water depth, topography below the water, type of marine ecosystem habitat), and/or environmental conditions (e.g., weather conditions, tides, chlorophyll content, currents and wave height). By way of example, the server may deduce that the topography of the ocean floor is flat in the location proximate to and/or within a certain radius of the vessel. In another example, the server may deduce that the vessel based on the vessel location, the vessel is not permitted to harvest a particular type of species (e.g., blue fin tuna fish). In yet another example, the server may deduce that weather is 70 degrees with no wind in the location proximate to and/or within a certain radius of the vessel.

In another embodiment of the present teachings, bathymetry data, received from a third party, and the vessel's location, received from a GPS receiver (e.g., GPS receiver323ofFIG.3) on the vessel, may be used to deduce the water depth proximate to and/or within a certain radius of the vessel.FIG.7shows bathymetry data700having a first depth702, a second depth704, and a third depth706, which are substantially similar to their counterparts inFIG.6, i.e., first depth602, second depth604, and third depth606.FIG.7also shows a vessel location708received, for example, by a GPS receiver. From the bathometry data700and vessel location706, a server (e.g., server102ofFIG.1) may be used to deduce the depth of the water proximate to vessel location706. By way of example, the server may determine that vessel location708is half way between first depth702and second depth704. Thus, the server may deduce that the water depth of vessel location708is 30 meters, (i.e., half way between 20 meters and 40 meters).

In one embodiment, step506of the present teachings identifies one or more types of vessel activities along one or more vessel paths. A vessel activity includes at least one activity chose from a group comprising driving, gear-disposition (e.g., gear-setting and/or gear-retrieval), fishing, drifting, and idling. Driving activities may include but are not limited to steaming, transiting, and sailing. Gear-disposition activities may include but are not limited to gear setting, gear pulling, and gear searching. Fishing activities may include, but are not limited to activity related to harvesting a marine species such as bottom trawling, dredging, gillnetting, jigging, long lining, trolling, and trapping or potting. Drifting activities may include, but are not limited to trans-shipping (e.g., moving cargo from one boat to another).

Idling activities may include, but are not limited to refueling, anchoring, recreational activities (e.g., snorkeling and diving), docking, parking, buying and selling goods.

During step506, at each location and/or time along one or more vessel paths, the server may identify a vessel activity using one or more of the vessel attributes from step504. By way of example, the server, in one embodiment of the present teachings, identifies one or more vessel activities by using a hidden markov model (hereinafter also referred to as “HM model”). In another embodiment of the present teachings, the server identifies one or more vessel activities by deducing a one or more vessel attribute and/or vessel attribute patterns along the vessel path and then matching each vessel attribute or vessel attribute pattern to a vessel activity. In yet another embodiment of the present teachings, the server identifies one or more vessel activities using a statistical algorithm.

When using a statistical algorithm to identify a vessel activity, the server receives all the vessel attributes for a location and/or time and identifies an activity with the highest probability of occurring based on those vessel attributes. By way of example, a vessel activity for a location and/or time may be identified as driving if the velocity of the vessel is greater than about 5 meters/second and the vessel acceleration is less than about 1 meter/second2.

The vessel activity of idling for a location and/or time, in one example, is identified if:The vessel location is within about 200 meters of a shoreline;The vessel has an instantaneous speed of less than about 1 meters/second; andThe vessel has remained within a radius of about 10 meters from preceding measured vessel locations for duration of about 10 minutes or more.

The vessel activity of drifting, in another example, is identified if:The vessel velocity is less than about 2 meters/second; andThe vessel heading is within about 15° of the direction of the water current proximate to the vessel location.

The vessel activity of gear-disposition, in yet another example, is identified if:The vessel has velocity that is less than about 0.5 meters/secondPreviously measured velocity is less than about 0.5 meters/second for a duration that is greater than about 5 minutes and less than about 20 minutes;The vessel's change in heading is less than about 10% of previously measured heading measurement; andThe vessel velocity of the next vessel location and/or time is greater than about 2 meters/s.

The vessel activity of fishing, in yet another example, is identified if:The vessel velocity is less than about 2.5 meters/second;The vessel's gear deployment sensor transmitted that gear has been deployed (e.g., “2016-01-01 15:00:00 Entered Water).”

In one embodiment of the present teachings, the statistical algorithm used may vary depending on the vessel type. In one embodiment of the present teachings, the vessel size and/or the vessel engine size of the vessel being analyzed may change the vessel attributes values that are used in the statistical algorithm to determine the vessel activities. In identifying the activity of driving, by way of example, a vessel with a small engine (e.g., 10 horsepower) may only be able travel at low velocities. The statistical algorithm for this vessel type may, therefore, be designed to more accurately identify a lower velocity threshold value (e.g., greater than about 3 meters/second but less than about 5 meters/second). A boat with a larger engine (e.g., 50 horsepower), on the other hand, may be capable of higher velocities. The statistical algorithm for this vessel type may be designed to more accurately identify a higher velocity threshold value (e.g., greater than about 5 meters/second).

In another embodiment of the present teachings, a server uses an HM model to determine the probability of an activity occurring or not occurring based on one or more of the vessel attributes at a particular location and/or time. In building the HM Model, a human expert may first identify an activity at one or more vessel locations and/or times. By way of example, the expert may identify an activity by examining one or more of the vessel attributes at a particular vessel location and/or time. Specifically, the expert may examine at least one of vessel attribute values, discernible patterns of vessel attributes or identify a dominant or sub-dominant vessel attributes and then based on such knowledge of vessel attributes, identify probability of one or more vessel activities. In another example, the expert may have knowledge regarding a particular vessel activity because the expert knew when and/or where certain activities took place during the path of the vessel (e.g., the expert was in communication with the vessel or was on the vessel), and then develop a correlation between the known activity or activities and the various vessel attributes identified in step504. The correlation allows the HM model to provide information regarding the probability of occurrence of certain vessel activities based on the identified vessel attributes.

The expert with knowledge of vessel activities and/or vessel attributes classifies those vessel activities and/or attributes for at least some of the vessel locations and/or times and provides them to a server module to create the HM model. With the HM model in place, new or subsequent vessel attributes for a particular vessel location and/or time received at the server are entered into the HM model. The HM model then analyzes one or more of such new or subsequent vessel attributes at various vessel locations and/or times and assigns a probability of occurrence (reported in percentage value that is relative to the occurrence of all other possible vessel activities).

By way of example, the gear-disposition activity, such gear deployment, may be associated with three vessel attributes, i.e., depth of the water, time of day, and speed of the vessel. An expert determines whether gear deployment is occurring or not occurring for certain vessel locations and/or times by examining values of these vessel attributes. Information regarding gear deployment and values of the vessel attributes (e.g., depth of the water, time of day, and speed of the vessel) are input into the HM model to build a correlation between vessel attributes and vessel activities. For at least some new vessel locations and/or times, new values are fed into the HM model to arrive at a probability of occurrence of gear deployment.

As mentioned above, in another embodiment of the present teachings, the server may identify one or more vessel activities by matching or developing a correlation for a vessel attribute and/or vessel attribute pattern to a vessel activity. Stated in another way, the server first deduces one or more vessel attributes and/or vessel attribute patterns along one or more locations and/or times of the vessel path. Then the server matches one or more of the vessel attributes or vessel attributes patterns to a vessel activity. In one embodiment of the present teachings, one or more of the vessel attributes or vessel attribute patterns is deduced for a single location and/or time. In another embodiment of the present teachings, one or more of the vessel attributes or vessel attribute patterns is deduced for a group of locations and/or time. Thus, the identified vessel activity (from the deduced vessel attributes or vessel attribute patterns) may be for a single location and/or time or a collection of vessel locations and/or times (hereafter also referred to as a “sub-path”).

To deduce one or more vessel attributes and/or vessel attribute patterns along a vessel path, the server, by way of example, identifies one or more vessel sub-paths, each of which may include a collection of one or more segment representations. Each segment representation includes start time position data and end time position data. Furthermore, each segment representation may include one or more vessel attributes.FIG.8shows a map800with multiple segment representations810. In addition, map800provides a longitude802and latitude804to locate a vessel path806in space and one or more vessel datum808, each of which provide vessel location information and/or time along vessel path806. Each segment representation810includes two datum808, i.e., a start vessel location data and an end vessel location data. Preferably, segment representation810connects two datum808chronologically adjacent to each other (i.e., there is no vessel data, measured by time, between two vessel datum that create a segment representation810). One or more vessel attributes may also be deduced from each segment representation810and vessel datum808within each segment representation810. For example, vessel heading, vessel velocity and a duration of time it took for the vessel to travel the length of segment representation810may be determined.

Segment representations810that have similar quantifiable and/or qualifiable vessel attributes an/or vessel attribute patterns are collected form one or more vessel sub-paths. In the embodiment shown inFIG.8, multiple segment representations810that have quantifiable or qualifiable patterns of variance in heading are grouped together to form vessel sub-paths. By way of example, a first heading sub-path812includes three segment representations810. Each segment representation810has a heading value that is substantially the same (i.e., each vessel path segment180is positioned at about 90 degrees). An addition, a heading variance—or heading change—between each segment is similar (e.g., the heading variance is less than about 2 degrees). Thus, three segment representations808are grouped together to form first heading sub-path812.

A second heading sub-path814includes five segment representations808. Each segment representation808has a different heading, however, the heading variance between each vessel path segment is substantially similar (e.g., the heading variance is about 3 degree). In this manner, second heading sub-path814appears as a uniform curve. Third heading sub-path816includes twelve section representations808, with each segment representation808having a different heading and heading variance. As shown inFIG.8, vessel path806in third heading sub-section816is not uniform. A fourth heading sub-path818, which includes five segment representations808, provides a vessel path with an identifiable zig-zag pattern. The first, third and fifth vessel path segments808have substantially similar heading and heading variance and the second and fourth vessel path segment have a substantially similar heading and heading variance.

In one embodiment of the present teachings, first heading sub-path812, second heading sub-path814, third heading sub-path816, and fourth heading sub-path818correspond to a known vessel activity. By way of example, vessel path806in first heading sub-path812may be identified with driving and in second heading sub-path814, vessel path806may be identified with drifting. Vessel path806in third heading sub-path816, on the other hand, may be identified with gear-disposition and in fourth heading sub-path818vessel path806may have a path associated with fishing.

In another embodiment of the present teachings, one or more attributes of a heading sub-path may be used to identify a vessel activity. By way of example, each datum806and segment representation810within first heading sub-path812may be used to deduce one or more vessel attributes such as vessel heading, vessel velocity and duration of time it took for the vessel to travel the length of the first heading sub-path812may be determined. From this information, known vessel activities may be identified.

In one embodiment, a step508of the present teachings includes parsing a map into one or more discrete geographic zones. Each discrete geographic zone defines a boundary around a water region and/or a land region that is located within the electronic map. Furthermore, some of the discrete geographic zones include at least a portion of one or more of the paths of one or more vessels. As shown inFIG.9, a map900includes both land920and a body of water922. In this embodiment of the present teachings, body of water922is parsed into one or more discrete geographic zones924. In addition, map900further includes vessel path906, first heading sub-path912, second heading sub-path914, third heading sub-path916, and forth heading sub-path918, which are substantially similar to their counterparts inFIG.8, i.e., vessel path806, first heading sub-path812, second heading sub-path814, third heading sub-path816, and forth heading sub-path818). Vessel path906passes through at least a portion of one or more discrete geographic zones924.

FIG.10shows a map1000having multiple vessel paths—i.e., a first vessel path1006, a second vessel path1030, and a third vessel path1032—traversing through a body of water1022. Map1000, includes a first vessel path1006, first heading sub-path1012, second heading sub-path1014, third heading sub-path1016, and forth heading sub-path1018, land1020, a body of water1022, and a discrete geographic zone1024which are substantially similar to their counterparts inFIG.9(i.e., vessel path906, first heading sub-path912, second heading section914, third heading sub-path916, and forth heading sub-path918, land920, a body of water922, and discrete geographic zone924ofFIG.9). First vessel path1006, second vessel path1030, and third vessel path1032may be from the same or different vessels. In one embodiment of the present teachings, when vessel paths are from a single vessel, one or more vessel activities may be identified during multiple vessel paths or trips. In this manner, information relating to the vessel's vessel activities can be analyzed over a period time for a particular geographic zone. As will be discussed in greater detail below, vessel activities may inform in which discrete geographic zones1024the vessel performs certain vessel activities (e.g., fishing) during multiple vessel paths.

In another embodiment of the present teachings, first vessel path1006, second vessel path1030, and third vessel path1032are vessel paths from multiple vessels. Map1000provides information relating to vessel activities within the geography of map1000. In this manner and as will be described in greater detail below, map1000shows in what geographic zones1024, multiple vessels perform certain vessel activities (e.g., gear-disposition).

FIG.11shows a discrete geographic zone1124, according to one embodiment of the present teachings and that has multiple vessel paths. Discrete geographic zone1124, first vessel path1106, first heading sub-path1112, second heading sub-path1114, second vessel path1130, third vessel path1132ofFIG.11are substantially similar to their counterparts inFIG.10, i.e., discrete geographic zone1024, first vessel path1006, first heading sub-path1012, second heading sub-path1014, second vessel path1030and third vessel path1032.

As discussed above, each vessel path may also be associated with one or more vessel activities. According toFIG.11, first vessel path1106, includes a first vessel path portion1106A and a second vessel path portion1106B. First vessel path portion1106A is located within first heading section1112and, as discussed in relation toFIG.8, is associated with the vessel activity of driving. Second vessel path portion110B is located with second heading section1114, and is associated with the vessel activity of drifting.

Similarly, second vessel path1130and third vessel path1132that passes through discrete geographic zone1124are each associated with a vessel activity. In this exemplar embodiment, second vessel path1130in discrete geographic zone1124is associated with the vessel activity of driving. Third vessel path1132in discrete geographic zone1124is associated with the vessel activity of fishing. The vessel activity of second vessel path1130and third vessel path1132may be determined using any of the exemplar methods described in relation to step506.

A grouping vessel activities step510includes grouping vessel activities carried out within a discrete geographic zone to create one or more grouped vessel activities.FIG.12shows an electronic table1200, according to one embodiment of the present teachings and that includes one or more discrete geographic zones1202, one or more grouped vessel activities1210within each discrete geographic zone, and a vessel activity quantity1220for each grouped vessel activity. By way of example, electronic table1200includes discrete geographic zone1124ofFIG.11and the vessel activities that occurred within it. Within discrete geographic zone1124, there were two driving activities (e.g., first vessel path portion1106B and second vessel path1130ofFIG.1), one drifting activity (e.g., second vessel path portion110B ofFIG.11), and one fishing activity (e.g., third vessel path1132ofFIG.11). While electronic table1200shows just one discrete geographic zone (i.e., discrete geographic zone1124ofFIG.11), electronic table1200may include some or all of the geographic zones on a map (e.g., map900ofFIG.9and/or map1000ofFIG.10).

In another embodiment of the present teachings, a vessel activity score1240is calculated for each grouped vessel activity that is carried out in a discrete geographic zone. In this embodiment, a numerical value (hereafter also referred to as a “activity weight”)1230is assigned to each grouped vessel activity. Certain vessel activities may receive a higher activity weight if the vessel activity is determined to be an important activity within a certain geographic area. By way of example, if a government agency concerned about overfishing on an offshore reef, the government agency may place a higher activity weight on the vessel activity of fishing (e.g., an activity weight of 4) and a lower vessel weight on the vessel activity of driving (e.g., an activity weight of 1) and/or drifting (e.g., an activity weight of 2).

Vessel activity score1240for each vessel activity is calculated by multiplying vessel activity quantity1220by activity weight1230. In the exemplar electronic table1200, the activity score for fishing (hereinafter also referred to as a “fishing pressure score”) in discrete geographic zone1124is calculated by multiplying the vessel activity quantity for fishing (i.e., 2) by the activity weight for fishing (i.e., 4). Thus, the fishing pressure score is 8 (i.e., 2*4=8). Using the same calculation, driving has an activity score of 2 (i.e., 2*1=2), and drifting has an activity score of 1 (i.e., 1*1=1).

In yet another embodiment of the present teachings, a score1250(hereinafter also referred to as “geographic zone score”) is calculated for each discrete geographic zone. The geographic zone score is a numerical value that incorporates all vessel activity scores within a discrete geographic zone. A geographic zone score1250, by way of example, is the sum of vessel activity scores within a discrete geographic zone divided the sum by the total quantity of activities carried out in the discrete geographic zone. Continuing with the example above, the vessel activity scores (e.g., the fishing activity score of 8, the drifting activity score of 2, and the driving activity score of 1) within discrete geographic zone1124are added together for a value of 8 (e.g., 8+2+1=11). Next, the total quantity of activities carried out in discrete geographic zone1124is determined. As shown in electronic table1200, discrete geographic zone1124includes 5 vessel activities (e.g., 2 fishing activities, 1 drifting activity, and 1 driving activity). Finally, the sum of vessel activity scores is divided by the total quantity of activities carried out in the discrete geographic zone generates a value of 2.2 (i.e., 11/5=2.2). Thus, discrete geographic zone1124has a geographic zone score of 2.2. A geographic zone score for each discrete geographic zone may be calculated in a similar manner.

In one embodiment, step512of the present teachings displays or causes to display one or more of the grouped vessel activities of step510. The grouped vessel activities may be displayed in a table format, such as electronic table1200ofFIG.12. In a preferred embodiment of the present teachings, the grouped vessel activities are displayed on a map that includes one or more discrete geographic zones (e.g., discrete geographic zones922ofFIG.9). Each discrete geographic zone may display the entire grouped vessel activities identified in the discrete geographic zone or a single grouped vessel activity—e.g., the grouped vessel activity with the highest vessel activity quantity.

The present teachings recognize that the map and/or table may be displayed on any display interface (e.g. display interface236ofFIG.2) of server (e.g., server102ofFIG.1) or a client device (e.g., client device118and/or120). Furthermore, the server may also transmit information to a computing device that is separate from but commutatively coupled to the vessel or fleet management system. The display interface may be on board a vessel or off board the vessel.

In another embodiment of the present teachings, the server displays or causes to be displayed one or more vessel paths of one or more vessels (e.g., first vessel path1006, second vessel path1030and/or third vessel path1032ofFIG.10), one or more vessel activity quantities1220, one or more vessel activity scores1240, and/or geographic zone score1250.

FIG.13, by way of example, shows a displayed map1300that includes multiple discrete geographic zones, each of which has a geographic zone score. Displayed map1300is substantially similar to map1000ofFIG.10. Displayed map1300includes distinct geographic zones1324, which are substantially similar to discrete geographic zones1124ofFIG.11. The geographic zone score for each discrete geographic zone1324may be retrieved from an electronic table (e.g., electronic table1200ofFIG.12) and displayed in each corresponding discrete geographic zone1324.

In another embodiment of the present teachings, the quantity of one or more vessel activities carried out in each discrete geographic zone1424may be displayed on a display interface. Preferably, the vessel activity quantity is retrieved from an electronic table (e.g., electronic table1200ofFIG.12). By way of example, to display a map of fishing activities within map1300, the quantity of fishing activities from each discrete geographic zone is retrieved from electronic table1200and the quantity is displayed on a corresponding discrete geographic zone of map1300.

In another aspect of the present teachings, the numerical value in each discrete geographic zone is represented by a unique color on the display interface. The display color may be determined, for example, by using an electronic lookup table. The lookup table provides one or more ranges of values (e.g., 0-0.9, 1-1.9, 2-2.9, and 3-3.9) and corresponding display colors for each range of values (e.g., 0-0.9-Green, 1-1.9-Blue, 2-2.9-Yellow, and 3-3.9-Red). In this manner, the map provides a visual representation showing the intensity of a vessel activity in each discrete geographic zone.

FIG.14shows a displayed map1400, according to another embodiment of the present teaching, which shows multiple vessel paths over a given period of time. Vessel paths may be from multiple paths of a single vessel over a period of time or vessel paths of two or more vessels of a period of time. Displayed map1400includes a land mass1420, a body of water1422, a first vessel path1406, a second vessel path1430, and a third vessel path1432.

In another embodiment of the present teachings, the server may display or cause to display sub-paths (e.g., sub-paths812,814,816, and818ofFIG.8) of one or more of the vessel paths in geographic region. Each sub-path may be displayed directly on a geographic map and/or each sub-path have a color component that corresponds to a particular vessel activity. In this manner, a user may visually see which portions of a path a certain vessel activity occurred.

In yet another embodiment of the present teachings, the method of tracking vessel activities may be used to identify the location of gear that a vessel left or lost in the water. The server may receive data from an auxiliary detachment sensor that includes the time and date the gear entered the water and data from the GPS receiver that identifies the location of the vessel when the gear entered the water. Furthermore, the server may receive water current and/velocity data at or near the location of the vessel when the gear was disposed or placed in the water. Using a statistical algorithm, the server may identify the location of the lost or left gear. By way of example, the server may determine a duration of time that has elapsed between when the gear left the vessel and the current time. Using the water current velocity and direction along with the elapsed time interval, the server may determine or estimate the distance and direction the lost or left gear may have traveled. Thus the server can identify or estimate the current location of the gear.

Although illustrative embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, other modifications, changes, and substitutions are intended. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure, as set forth in the following claims.