METHOD OF CONTROLLING WATER NAVIGATION SYSTEM Russian patent published in 2013 - IPC G01C21/00 

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: flash time chart is programmed on a navigation device. The time of nightfall, when main light flashes are turned on, is determined. Presence of main light flashes at night is determined and none are present, backup colour flashes are turned on. Flash charts of multiple devices for navigation are synchronised through a radio link. Accumulator charging and discharge voltage and current as well as current through light-emitting diodes (LED) are measured. Current through LEDs is reduced if accumulator voltage drops below the standard value. Current coordinates are determined through a satellite navigation system. The measured current coordinates, parameters of the flash charts, operating modes main/backup, master/slave, as well as presence of a pulsed flash modulation mode are transmitted through a radio link to a control centre. Parameters of a new flash chart, a command to turn on or off the pulsed flash modulation mode and a command to stop flashes in case of inadmissible change of current coordinates with respect to given coordinates are transmitted through the radio link. Also, the navigation device records the current time, determines the light power of the LEDs, programs the level of ambient illumination when night falls and the day breaks, measures ambient illumination, the light power of LEDs on the inner side and the outer side of the cap of the navigation device and at a certain distance therefrom, measures the accumulator charging current from each external power source and calculates the input of each power source in the accumulator charge. Audio and video capturing of the environment is carried out and intrusion is detected at the navigation device. Presence of an oil spill is analysed, parameters of the weather and water environment are measured and presence of hazardous gases is analysed. Moisture inside the navigation device and presence of water therein is measured. Accelerations acting on the navigation device are measured at three orthogonal coordinates. The measured accelerations are used to determine the inclination angle of the navigation device, detect collision with ships or movement thereof under ice or emergence from under ice, the sea disturbance value and the sea level. Radar reflectors are mounted on the navigation device. Hydroacoustic signals are measured at three orthogonal coordinates, after which said measurements are compared with reference values to classify the signal sources. The direction and range to the signal source is determined. All the measured and processed information is transmitted through a radio link to the control centre, as well as the value of the current time, presence of night/day modes, the drop in LED current when accumulator voltage drops and switching off LED current when accumulator voltage drops below the standard value, and presence of main and backup light flashes at night, presence of synchronisation of internal/external flashes and presence of intrusion. Information from the navigation device is received and stored at the control centre. Said information is displayed on a display screen in form of a map with indication of locations of navigation devices, the operating mode of which is displayed with a colour or blinking of images, or tables indicating the status of the navigation device. Information on the display is updated periodically or in a given mode or through a request at a specific date and time. For each navigation device, its name, number, type of equipment, colour, parameters of the flash time chart, operation in time, the current time, given coordinates and linear shift of current coordinates from given coordinates are indicated. A graph of changes of voltage, accumulator charging and discharge current, LED current and light power of LEDs is indicated for a given time interval. LED efficiency is calculated from the ratio of light power to current. Residual accumulator capacitance is calculated from the ratio of the sum of charging and discharge current. Efficiency of external power sources is determined from the amount of charge coming from said power sources to the accumulator. The containment of the navigation devices is determined from presence of moisture and water therein. Degree of degradation of LEDs is determined from the drop in light power inside the cap of the navigation device. Transparency of the cap is determined from the ratio of light power of LEDs on the outer surface of the cap and the inner surface. Transparency of the atmosphere, presence and degree of fog are determined from the ratio of light power at a distance from the navigation device and on the outer surface of the cap. Values calculated for the given time interval are also displayed in form of graphs. The life of accumulators and LEDs is predicted. Instructions to replace equipment at the navigation devices are given. In case of a fault in the navigation system, all information is analysed in order to locate the faulty navigation device and then a specific unit in the faulty device. Information on the weather and water environment around the navigation devices is transmitted to upper-lying control systems. Coordinates and operating modes of said devices are transmitted in order to notify sailors on accidents at navigation devices. Information on fixed objects is also transmitted through hydroacoustic signals. Commands for measuring the current time and the current ambient illumination level when night falls and when day breaks are also transmitted from the control centre to a selected navigation device. Depending on transparency of the atmosphere, a command is transmitted to measure LED current of the main and backup light sources, as well as a command for audio and video capturing of the environment and transmission thereof to the control centre, turning on and off the siren upon intrusion of the navigation device, commands for forced turning on or off the main or backup light sources, commands for measuring time or periodicity of transmitting information from navigation devices and a command for unscheduled transmission of information to the control centre. A list of telephone numbers is also created within each navigation device, through which communication between the navigation device and telephones with given numbers takes place. Different telephone numbers are assigned different access levels for receiving information and issuing control commands. If necessary, control centres alter the list of telephone numbers and their access level.

EFFECT: broader functional capabilities and higher reliability of navigation.