Method for responding to a missing marine propulsion device
First Claim
1. A method for responding to a missing marine propulsion device, comprising the steps of:
- providing a communication system comprising a receiver;
providing an engine control system including a microprocessor which is configured to control the operation of an engine of said marine propulsion device, said microprocessor being connected in signal communication with said receiver;
receiving a message from a remote source relating to said marine propulsion device;
determining if said message relates to a missing status of said marine propulsion device;
causing said marine propulsion device, in response to said message relating to said missing status of said marine propulsion device, to malfunction in a preselected manner; and
wherein said engine control system disables itself in response to said message.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A missing outboard motor system provides a microprocessor of the outboard motor with the ability to disable or cause a malfunction of the engine of the outboard motor. This disabling of the outboard motor engine can be programmed to occur upon the detection of tampering relating to a communication system. A global positioning satellite system can be provided to monitor the current position of the outboard motor and report that current position to a remote source, such as a monitoring station. The malfunction that can be caused with regard to the engine can be minor and temporary, but severe enough to induce a thief or co-conspirator to attempt to have the outboard motor repaired. This will assist in relocating the outboard motor and capturing the thief.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for responding to a missing marine propulsion device, comprising the steps of:
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providing a communication system comprising a receiver; providing an engine control system including a microprocessor which is configured to control the operation of an engine of said marine propulsion device, said microprocessor being connected in signal communication with said receiver; receiving a message from a remote source relating to said marine propulsion device; determining if said message relates to a missing status of said marine propulsion device; causing said marine propulsion device, in response to said message relating to said missing status of said marine propulsion device, to malfunction in a preselected manner; and wherein said engine control system disables itself in response to said message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for responding to a missing marine propulsion device, comprising the steps of:
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providing a communication system comprising a transmitter and a receiver; providing an engine control system including a microprocessor which is configured to control the operation of an engine of said marine propulsion device, said microprocessor being connected in signal communication with said communication system; receiving a message from a remote source relating to said marine propulsion device; determining if said message relates to a missing status of said marine propulsion device; causing said marine propulsion device, in response to said message relating to said missing status of said marine propulsion device, to malfunction in a preselected manner; and wherein said engine control system disables itself in response to said message. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for responding to a missing marine propulsion device, comprising the steps of:
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providing a communication system comprising a transmitter and a receiver; providing an engine control system including a microprocessor which is configured to control the operation of an engine of said marine propulsion device, said microprocessor being connected in signal communication with said receiver; receiving a message from a remote source relating to said marine propulsion device; determining if said message relates to a missing status of said marine propulsion device; causing said marine propulsion device, in response to said message relating to said missing status of said marine propulsion device, to malfunction in a preselected manner; providing a global position satellite system receiver; receiving a current position of said marine propulsion device; transmitting said current position to said remote source; and wherein said engine control system disables itself in response to said message. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification