Monitoring system

• US 6,487,983 B1
• Filed: 06/04/2001
• Issued: 12/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CPAC Systems AB (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: Nira Automotive AB
• Inventors: Dahlgren, Mats, Jönsson, Nils
• Primary Examiner(s): AVILA, STEPHEN P
• Application Number:
  US09/806,830
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 114/144.R, 440/84, 440/85, 440/86, 440/87, 440/1, 440/2
• US Class Current: 114/144.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2201/16 Radio
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2201/26 signalling anomalies, e.g. rupture of connection
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2203/00 Communication means
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/0011 enabling persons in the water to control the propulsion or manoeuvring means of the boat
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

The monitoring system includes a central unit for sending and receiving wireless information concerning events and conditions on a boat or components arranged on the boat. A portable remote manoeuvre unit is equipped to send wireless instructions to the central unit and to receive wireless information from the central unit. The portable manoeuvering unit includes a manoeuvering device and a gear changing device for sending wireless instructions to change the gears of the boat, to adjust the throttle controls of the boat and to control its steering.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for boats, comprising:

a central unit installed on the boat, said central unit being equipped to send wireless information concerning events and conditions on the boat and/or components arranged on the boat and to receive wireless instructions to control the components arranged on the boat, said central unit being coupled to manoeuvering apparatus on the boat having an engine with gears, a throttle control and a steering device;

a portable manoeuvre unit remote from said boat is equipped to send wireless instructions to the central unit installed on the boat and to receive wireless information from the central unit, the portable manoeuvre unit including a manoeuvering device and a gear changing device, the portable manoeuvre unit having means to send wireless instructions to change the gears between forward, neutral and reverse, to adjust the throttle control, and to control the steering device of the boat thereby to manoeuvre the boat.

2. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the portable manoeuvre unit has an acoustic signal emitter for emitting a sound at predetermined intervals and which sound must be cancelled thereby affording an acknowledgement that all is well with an individual who cancels the sound.

3. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring system is provided with GSM-functions, which send said information via SMS.

4. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein a digital serial bus forming a CAN-network is disposed in the boat and said central unit is connected to the CAN-network.

5. A monitoring system according to claim 4 including a diesel engine on the boat and having a control system of an EDC type on the boat, said control system being connected to the CAN-network.

6. A monitoring system according to claim 1, including a burglar alarm on the boat and a start-lock for the engine on the boat, said portable manoeuvre unit being equipped to receive information from the burglar alarm.

7. A monitoring system according to claim 1, including a starter for the engine on the boat and controlled by said portable manoeuvre unit to start the engine, said portable manoeuvre unit having wireless reception for receiving information about the conditions of the engine including at least one of engine temperature, oil level, battery voltage and operating time.

8. A monitoring system according to claim 1 wherein the portable manoeuvre unit, through wireless controls, controls one of position lights, a capstan, and a bilge-pump on the boat.

9. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the portable manoeuvre unit includes means responsive to immersion in water to automatically stop an engine on the boat or activate an alarm signal.

10. A monitoring system according to claim 1, including a wireless land-based alarm center for receiving from the central unit information concerning events and conditions on the boat and/or components arranged on the boat, and information about the position of the boat or the distance of the boat from the alarm center.