Control device for small watercraft

• US 20050208844A1
• Filed: 08/02/2004
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Ito, Kazumasa, Akuzawa, Syu, Hattori, Toshiyuki, Takashima, Sumihiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,131,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 440/1
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2017/0009 Methods or devices specially adapted for preventing theft, or unauthorized use of vessels, or parts or accessories thereof, other than by using locks
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/10 Power-driven personal watercraft, e.g. water scooters water jet propulsion B63H11/00; jet steering B63H25/46; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A watercraft has an engine that is controlled by an electronic control unit and the watercraft includes a security system. The security system includes a portable transmitter unit, and also includes a mounted receiver. The portable unit is waterproof and is buoyant. The portable unit includes a housing of transparent material that allows a user to see whether water has entered the portable unit. The security system has an antenna that provides improved reception between the portable transmitter unit and the mounted receiver.

Claims

1. A watercraft comprising a hull, a seat, a control mast, an engine disposed within the hull, a controller that communicates with at least one engine parameter and that is configured to control engine operation, a security system configured to communicate with the engine controller, a receiver that communicates with the security system, and a portable transmitter that transmits at least one signal to the receiver, the portable transmitter comprising at least one sealed airtight cavity that maintains a density of the portable transmitter below the density of water, the security system determining how the engine controller controls the engine in response to a signal received from the receiver, the receiver being located in a remote location above the water level of the watercraft and adjacent to an access opening.

2. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the signal sent by the transmitter is a signal that prohibits engine operation.

3. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the signal sent by the transmitter is a signal that permits engine operation.

4. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the signal sent by the transmitter is a signal that limits engine operation.

5. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is rectangular.

6. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the transmitter includes a transmitter housing that is at least partially transparent.

7. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the receiver has an antenna that extends from the receiver.

8. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is removably mounted to the watercraft and the transmitter communicates by radio waves with the receiver.

9. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises an antenna that is formed in a substantially closed loop configuration.

10. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises an antenna that includes a connector to extend the antenna.

11. A watercraft comprising a hull, a seat, a control mast, an engine disposed within the hull, a controller that communicates with at least one engine parameter and is configured to control engine operation, a security system configured to communicate with the engine controller, a receiver that communicates with the security system, and a portable transmitter that transmits at least one signal to the receiver, the portable transmitter comprising a housing that it is at least partially transparent, the security system determining how the engine controller controls the engine in response to a signal received from the receiver, the receiver being located in a remote location above the water level of the watercraft and adjacent to an access opening.

12. The watercraft of claim 11, wherein the signal sent by the transmitter is a signal that prohibits engine operation.

13. The watercraft of claim 11, wherein the signal sent by the transmitter is a signal that permits engine operation.

14. The watercraft of claim 11, wherein the signal sent by the transmitter is a signal that limits engine operation.

15. The watercraft of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is rectangular.

16. The watercraft of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is buoyant.

17. The watercraft of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is removably mounted to the watercraft and the transmitter communicates by radio waves with the receiver.