Watercraft control method and watercraft control system
First Claim
1. A watercraft control method, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a command signal to activate an automatic cruise function;
setting a target vessel velocity of the watercraft;
obtaining an actual vessel velocity of the watercraft;
generating a command signal to perform an automatic cruising control to control a thrust of the watercraft such that a difference between the target vessel velocity and the actual vessel velocity falls in a predetermined range of values;
determining whether or not a predetermined interruption condition has been established; and
generating a command signal to perform the automatic cruise control with the thrust having a different magnitude from the thrust to be generated under normal circumstances without establishment of the interruption condition when the interruption condition has been established;
whereinwhen the interruption condition has been established, a target rotation speed of an engine of the watercraft is increased to be higher than the target rotation speed determined under the normal circumstances.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a first step of a watercraft control method, a command signal to activate an automatic cruise function is received. In a second step, a target vessel velocity of a watercraft is set. In a third step, an actual vessel velocity of the watercraft is obtained. In a fourth step, a command signal is generated that is a signal to perform an automatic cruise control to control a thrust of the watercraft such that a difference between the target vessel velocity and the actual vessel velocity falls in a predetermined range of values. In a fifth step, it is determined whether or not a predetermined interruption condition has been established. In a sixth step, a command signal is generated that is a signal to perform the automatic cruise control with the thrust having a different magnitude from the thrust to be generated under normal circumstances without establishment of the interruption condition when the interruption condition has been established.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A watercraft control method, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a command signal to activate an automatic cruise function; setting a target vessel velocity of the watercraft; obtaining an actual vessel velocity of the watercraft; generating a command signal to perform an automatic cruising control to control a thrust of the watercraft such that a difference between the target vessel velocity and the actual vessel velocity falls in a predetermined range of values; determining whether or not a predetermined interruption condition has been established; and generating a command signal to perform the automatic cruise control with the thrust having a different magnitude from the thrust to be generated under normal circumstances without establishment of the interruption condition when the interruption condition has been established;
whereinwhen the interruption condition has been established, a target rotation speed of an engine of the watercraft is increased to be higher than the target rotation speed determined under the normal circumstances. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A watercraft control method, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a command signal to activate an automatic cruise function; setting a target vessel velocity of the watercraft; obtaining an actual vessel velocity of the watercraft; generating a command signal to perform an automatic cruising control to control a thrust of the watercraft such that a difference between the target vessel velocity and the actual vessel velocity falls in a predetermined range of values; determining whether or not a predetermined interruption condition has been established; generating a command signal to perform the automatic cruise control with the thrust having a different magnitude from the thrust to be generated under normal circumstances without establishment of the interruption condition when the interruption condition has been established; and obtaining an azimuth of the watercraft;
whereinthe interruption condition is a condition indicating that an amount of change in the azimuth is greater than or equal to a predetermined value; and when the interruption condition has been established, the thrust of the watercraft is increased to be larger than the thrust to be generated under the normal circumstances.
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5. A watercraft control method, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a command signal to activate an automatic cruise function; setting a target vessel velocity of the watercraft; obtaining an actual vessel velocity of the watercraft; generating a command signal to perform an automatic cruising control to control a thrust of the watercraft such that a difference between the target vessel velocity and the actual vessel velocity falls in a predetermined range of values; determining whether or not a predetermined interruption condition has been established; generating a command signal to perform the automatic cruise control with the thrust having a different magnitude from the thrust to be generated under normal circumstances without establishment of the interruption condition when the interruption condition has been established; setting a destination of the watercraft; and obtaining a present position of the watercraft;
whereinthe interruption condition is a condition indicating that a distance between the present position and the destination falls in a predetermined first range; and when the interruption condition has been established, the thrust is decreased to be smaller than the thrust to be generated under the normal circumstances. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A watercraft control method, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a command signal to activate an automatic cruise function; setting a target vessel velocity of the watercraft; obtaining an actual vessel velocity of the watercraft; generating a command signal to perform an automatic cruising control to control a thrust of the watercraft such that a difference between the target vessel velocity and the actual vessel velocity falls in a predetermined range of values; determining whether or not a predetermined interruption condition has been established; generating a command signal to perform the automatic cruise control with the thrust having a different magnitude from the thrust to be generated under normal circumstances without establishment of the interruption condition when the interruption condition has been established; and setting a specific target vessel velocity in a specific place on a cruising route of the watercraft;
whereinthe interruption condition is a condition indicating that the watercraft has reached the specific place; and when the interruption condition has been established, the target vessel velocity is changed into the specific target vessel velocity. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A watercraft control system, comprising:
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a propulsion device mounted to a watercraft; an automatic cruise command controller configured or programmed to generate a command signal to activate an automatic cruise function; a target vessel velocity controller configured or programmed to set a target vessel velocity of the watercraft; a vessel velocity detector that detects an actual vessel velocity of the watercraft; and a controller configured or programmed to perform an automatic cruise control to control a thrust of the propulsion device such that a difference between the target vessel velocity and the actual vessel velocity falls in a predetermined range of values, determine whether or not a predetermined interruption condition has been established, and perform the automatic cruise control with the thrust having a different magnitude from the thrust to be generated under normal circumstances without establishment of the interruption condition when the interruption condition has been established;
whereinwhen the interruption condition has been established, the controller increases a target rotation speed of an engine of the watercraft to be higher than the target rotation speed determined under the normal circumstances.
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Specification