MARINE VESSEL THEFT DETERRENT APPARATUS AND MARINE VESSEL INCLUDING THE SAME

• US 20100045487A1
• Filed: 08/11/2009
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Inventors: BAMBA, Takaaki
• Granted Patent: US 8,179,285 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/984
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2021/216 using electric control means
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/213 Levers or the like for controlling the engine or the transmission, e.g. single hand control levers
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/02 peculiar to engines driving vehicles; peculiar to engines driving variable pitch propellers

Abstract

A theft deterrent apparatus in a marine vessel having a propulsion device includes a key unit arranged to transmit a user authentication code, a first authentication unit disposed apart from the propulsion device, a second authentication unit, and an operation control unit disposed in the propulsion device. The first authentication unit is arranged to receive the user authentication code transmitted by the key unit, execute an authentication process on the user authentication code, and generate a unit authentication code. The second authentication unit is arranged to receive the unit authentication code generated by the first authentication unit and execute an authentication process on the unit authentication code. The operation control unit is arranged to allow operation of the propulsion device if authentication by the second authentication unit does succeed, and prohibit operation of the propulsion device if the authentication by the second authentication unit does not succeed.

Claims

1. A marine vessel theft deterrent apparatus for a marine vessel which includes a propulsion device, the theft deterrent apparatus comprising:

a key unit arranged to transmit a user authentication code;

a first authentication unit, disposed apart from the propulsion device, arranged to receive the user authentication code transmitted by the key unit, execute an authentication process on the user authentication code, and generate a unit authentication code;

a second authentication unit arranged to receive the unit authentication code generated by the first authentication unit and execute an authentication process on the unit authentication code; and

an operation control unit, disposed in the propulsion device, arranged to allow operation of the propulsion device if authentication by the second authentication unit does succeed, and prohibit operation of the propulsion device if the authentication by the second authentication unit does not succeed.

2. The marine vessel theft deterrent apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation control unit is arranged to accept the authentication result of the first authentication unit if authentication by the second authentication unit does succeed, allow operation of the propulsion device if authentication by the first authentication unit does succeed, and prohibit operation of the propulsion device if the authentication by the first authentication unit or the second authentication unit does not succeed.

3. The marine vessel theft deterrent apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second authentication unit is disposed in the propulsion device.

4. The marine vessel theft deterrent apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an operational unit, connected to the propulsion device, arranged to be operated by a user to operate the propulsion device, the operational unit including the second authentication unit and being arranged to generate an operational unit authentication code; and

a third authentication unit, disposed in the propulsion device, arranged to execute an authentication process on the operational unit authentication code generated by the operational unit;

the operation control unit being arranged to allow operation of the propulsion device if authentication by the third authentication unit does succeed and prohibit operation of the propulsion device if the authentication by the third authentication unit does not succeed.

5. The marine vessel theft deterrent apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the operation control unit is arranged to accept the authentication result of the first authentication unit if authentications by the second and third authentication units do succeed, allow operation of the propulsion device if authentication by the first authentication unit does succeed, and prohibit operation of the propulsion device if the authentication by the first authentication unit does not succeed.

6. A marine vessel comprising:

a hull;

a propulsion device installed on the hull;

a key unit arranged to transmit a user authentication code;

a first authentication unit, disposed apart from the propulsion device, arranged to receive the user authentication code transmitted by the key unit, execute an authentication process on the user authentication code, and generate a unit authentication code;

a second authentication unit arranged to receive the unit authentication code generated by the first authentication unit and execute an authentication process on the unit authentication code; and

an operation control unit, disposed in the propulsion device, arranged to allow operation of the propulsion device if authentication by the second authentication unit does succeed, and prohibit operation of the propulsion device if the authentication by the second authentication unit does not succeed.

7. The marine vessel according to claim 6, wherein the operation control unit is arranged to accept the authentication result of the first authentication unit if authentication by the second authentication unit does succeed, allow operation of the propulsion device if authentication by the first authentication unit does succeed, and prohibit operation of the propulsion device if the authentication by the first authentication unit or the second authentication unit does not succeed.

8. The marine vessel according to claim 6, wherein the second authentication unit is disposed in the propulsion device.

9. The marine vessel according to claim 6, further comprising:

an operational unit, connected to the propulsion device, arranged to be operated by a user to operate the propulsion device, the operational unit including the second authentication unit and being arranged to generate an operational unit authentication code; and

a third authentication unit, disposed in the propulsion device, arranged to execute an authentication process on the operational unit authentication code generated by the operational unit;

the operation control unit being arranged to allow operation of the propulsion device if authentication by the third authentication unit does succeed and prohibit operation of the propulsion device if the authentication by the third authentication unit does not succeed.

10. The marine vessel according to claim 9, wherein the operation control unit is arranged to accept the authentication result of the first authentication unit if authentications by the second and third authentication units do succeed, allow operation of the propulsion device if authentication by the first authentication unit does succeed, and prohibit operation of the propulsion device if the authentication by the first authentication unit does not succeed.