US3711862A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Marine transportation analysis computation
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-04-09
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Granted: 1973-01-16
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Expires: 1991-04-09
Abstract
Abstract Digital computing apparatus employs peripheral memory equipment for storing plural record ship and voyage files. Each ship file record contains all requisite parameters, stored in a fixed format, to characterize the performance, capabilities and limitations of a corresponding vessel. Correspondingly, each voyage file record independently stores economic and physical parameters characterizing a set of commercial cargo trades (herein: ''''voyages'''') for the ship ensemble. The voyages may comprise ballast, loaded or combined ballast and loaded voyage legs. Under operator control, the records for a selected ship and voyage are called into predetermined main frame memory storage locations. The mathematical ship model is then given the maximum possible loading subject to ship, voyage and/or hybrid constraints encountered for the entire course of the voyage under stored program control. Appropriate economic performance data is generated, and normalized to facilitate performance comparison. In accordance with one aspect of my invention, a matrix data presentation is generated for computer testing of a set of ships on each of a set of voyages, as for comparison and scheduling purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 E Story
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:19
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q99/00; G06Q50/00; G06Q50/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for automatically effecting voyage analysis by means of a general purpose digital computer, comprising directing said computer through a stored program to perform the following steps, storing plural ship records, each including like-ordered ship parameters, in a ship file, storing plural voyage records, each including like-ordered voyage parameters in a voyage file, operatively selecting one of said ship records, operatively selecting one of said voyage records, and determining the cargo loading available to the ship represented by said selected ship record when engaged in the voyage represented by said selected voyage record responsive to said ship and voyage records selected from said storing means therefor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for automatically effecting voyage analysis by means of a general purpose digital computer, comprising directing said computer through a stored program to perform the following steps, storing plural ship records, each including like-ordered ship parameters, in a ship file, storing plural voyage records, each including like-ordered voyage parameters in a voyage file, operatively selecting one of said ship records, operatively selecting one of said voyage records, and determining the cargo loading available to the ship represented by said selected ship record when engaged in the voyage represented by said selected voyage record responsive to said ship and voyage records selected from said storing means therefor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said loading determining step comprises computing the available cargo loading capacity subject to differing restrictions, and selecting the minimum computed loading.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein said loading computing step includes the step of computing cargo capacity subject to draft restraints.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein said loading computing includes the step of computing cargo capacity subject to physical ship constraints.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein said loading computing includes the step of computing cargo capacity subject to freeboard zone restrictions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 2 further comprising calCulating voyage costs, computing voyage revenues, and computing surplus measured by the difference between said revenues and costs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 6 further comprising normalizing said surplus to an equivalent time charter rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1 further comprising modifying selected stored entries of said selected ship record and said selected voyage record.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as in claim 1 further comprising automatically and sequentially effecting voyage analysis for plural stored ship records in conjunction with a plurality of stored voyage records, and generating an output data presentation in coordinate matrix form.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for effecting voyage analysis computation comprising a general purpose digital computer having a stored program which enables said computer to perform the following steps, storing plural ship records, each including like-ordered ship parameters, in a ship file, storing plural voyage records, each including like-ordered voyage parameters in a voyage file, operatively selecting one of said ship records, operatively selecting one of said voyage records, and determining the cargo loading available to the ship represented by said selected ship record when engaged in the voyage represented by said selected voyage record responsive to said ship and voyage records selected from said storing means therefor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for effecting voyage analysis computation comprising a general purpose digital computer having a stored program which enables said computer to perform the following steps, storing plural ship records, each including like-ordered ship parameters, in a ship file, storing plural voyage records, each including like-ordered voyage parameters in a voyage file, operatively selecting one of said ship records, operatively selecting one of said voyage records, and determining the cargo loading available to the ship represented by said selected ship record when engaged in the voyage represented by said selected voyage record responsive to said ship and voyage records selected from said storing means therefor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said loading determining step comprises computing the available cargo loading capacity subject to differing restrictions, and selecting the minimum computed loading.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 11, wherein said loading computing step includes the step of computing cargo capacity subject to draft restraints.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said loading computing includes the step of computing cargo capacity subject to physical ship constraints.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said loading computing includes the step of computing cargo capacity subject to freeboard zone restrictions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as in claim 11 further comprising calculating voyage costs, computing voyage revenues, and computing surplus measured by the difference between said revenues and costs.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 15 further comprising normalizing said surplus to an equivalent time charter rate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 10 further comprising modifying selected stored entries of said selected ship record and said selected voyage record.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as in claim 17 further comprising automatically and sequentially effecting voyage analysis for plural stored ship records in conjunction with a plurality of stored voyage records, and generating an output data presentation in coordinate matrix form.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |