Watercraft automation and aquatic effort data utilization

• US 9,394,040 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2015
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Grace, Ted V., Grace, Ryan T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marc, Mcdieunel
• Application Number:
  US14/643,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20150346729A1
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 701/21, 701/300, 340/995.19, 440/6, 440/53, 114/144.RE
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 83/02 Expanding fish-hook assembly
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 85/00 Artificial bait for fishing
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 85/02 with means for concealing or protecting hooks, e.g. to prevent entanglement with weeds
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 91/08 Trolling devices
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 93/02 with signalling devices
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 97/00 Accessories for angling fish stringers A01K65/00; landing-nets or landing-spoons for fishing A01K77/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2201/18 Sonar
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2211/02 Oceanography
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2213/02 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. the Global Positioning System GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 51/00 Marking of navigation route
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 79/15 for monitoring environmental variables, e.g. wave height or weather data
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 79/40 for controlling the operation of vessels, e.g. monitoring their speed, routing or maintenance schedules
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/007 Trolling propulsion units trolling plates for slowing down B63H25/50; dynamo-electric machines of trolling units H02K
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2021/216 using electric control means
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2025/045 making use of satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. the Global Positioning System [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2025/425 Propulsive elements, other than jets, substantially used for steering or dynamic anchoring only, with means for retracting, or otherwise moving to a rest position outside the water flow around the hull
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/21 Control means for engine or transmission, specially adapted for use on marine vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/04 automatic, e.g. reacting to compass
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/005 with correlation of navigation data from several sources, e.g. map or contour matching G01C21/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 : Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 : Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0206 : specially adapted to water vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 3/00 : Control of position or direction G05D1/00 takes precedence; numerical control to execute positioning G05B19/18
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 : Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/02 : Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only apparatus forming part of taximeters G07B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/80 : in fisheries management

Abstract

Watercraft automation and aquatic data utilization for aquatic efforts are utilized for fishing and network communication. In one aspect, a control mechanism for a trolling device has an interface for establishing a network connection between the control mechanism and an electronic GPS mapping computer having an electronic display for displaying data. In an aspect, the control mechanism is configured to receive control instructions from the electronic GPS mapping computer to execute speed or direction.

Claims

1. A trolling motor control system for a trolling motor, the system comprising:

a control mechanism for associating with the trolling motor, the control mechanism configured to control at least one member of a group consisting of;

a speed of the trolling motor and a direction of the trolling motor,

wherein the control mechanism includes an interface for establishing a network connection between the control mechanism and an electronic GPS mapping computer having an electronic display for displaying data,

wherein the control mechanism is configured to receive control instructions from the electronic GPS mapping computer to cause the trolling motor to execute the speed or the direction in accordance with a prior stored tour of the electronic GPS mapping computer.

2. The trolling motor control system of claim 1, wherein the interface includes at least one member of a group consisting of:

a wireless network interface and a wired network interface.

3. The trolling motor control system of claim 1, further comprising a remote for controlling the control mechanism.

4. The trolling motor control system of claim 1, wherein the electronic GPS-equipped mapping computer is a depth finder.

5. The trolling motor control system of claim 1, wherein the prior stored tour includes instructions to cause the trolling motor to keep a watercraft at an anchor point.

6. The trolling motor control system of claim 1, wherein the prior stored tour includes instructions to cause the trolling motor to at least partially compensate for drift.

7. The trolling motor control system of claim 1, wherein the prior stored tour includes instructions to follow a path.

8. The trolling motor control system of claim 7, wherein the path includes at least one anchor point.

9. A method of controlling a trolling motor on a watercraft, the method comprising:

providing a control mechanism associated with the trolling motor, the control mechanism configured to control at least one member of a group consisting of;

a speed of the trolling motor and a direction of the trolling motor;

establishing a network connection between an interface of the control mechanism and an electronic GPS mapping computer having an electronic display for displaying data; and

configuring the control mechanism to receive control instructions from the electronic GPS mapping computer to cause the trolling motor to execute a speed or direction in accordance with a prior stored tour of the electronic GPS mapping computer.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the interface includes at least one member of a group consisting of:

a wireless network interface and a wired network interface.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising controlling the control mechanism via a remote.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the electronic GPS-equipped mapping computer is a depth finder.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the prior stored tour includes instructions to cause the trolling motor to keep a watercraft at an anchor point.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the prior stored tour includes instructions to cause the trolling motor to at least partially compensate for drift.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the prior stored tour includes instructions to follow a path.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the path includes at least one anchor point.

17. A trolling device configured to be used on a boat, the trolling motor comprising:

a trolling motor; and

a control mechanism associated with the trolling motor to control at least one member of a group consisting of;

a speed of the trolling motor and a direction of the trolling motor,

wherein the control mechanism includes an interface for establishing a network connection between the control mechanism and an electronic GPS mapping computer having an electronic display for displaying data,

wherein the control mechanism is configured to receive control instructions from the electronic GPS mapping computer to cause the trolling motor to execute the speed or the direction in accordance with a prior stored tour of the electronic GPS mapping computer.

18. The trolling device of claim 17, wherein the interface includes at least one member of a group consisting of:

a wireless network interface and a wired network interface.

19. The trolling device of claim 17, further comprising a remote for controlling the control mechanism.

20. The trolling device of claim 19, wherein the electronic GPS-equipped mapping computer is a depth finder.