Watercraft

• US 9,878,769 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2016
• Issued: 01/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Inventors: Kinoshita, Yoshimasa, Akuzawa, Shu
• Primary Examiner(s): Cass, Jean Paul
• Application Number:
  US15/158,871
• Publication Number:
  US 20160264227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 701 21
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 39/061 by using trimflaps, i.e. flaps mounted on the rear of a boat, e.g. speed boat
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 49/00 Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids nautical measuring instruments G01C; radio navigation, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S
• 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 2021/216 using electric control means
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2025/028 using remote control means, e.g. wireless control; Equipment or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/21 Control means for engine or transmission, specially adapted for use on marine vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/02 Initiating means for steering , for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0011 associated with a remote control arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0206 specially adapted to water vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance

Abstract

A watercraft includes a plurality of devices, a central controller, and a display device. The central controller is programmed to execute centralized control of the devices. The display device includes a touch panel function. The display device is configured to communicate with the central controller, and to display information regarding watercraft in a Graphical User Interface (GUI) format.

Claims

1. A watercraft comprising:

a plurality of devices;

a central controller programmed to execute centralized control of the plurality of devices; and

display device that performs a touch panel function;

wherein

the display device communicates with the central controller and displays information regarding the watercraft in a Graphical User Interface format;

the plurality of devices includes an imaging device that captures an image of a region surrounding the watercraft and a plurality of engines that generate power to propel the watercraft;

the central controller includes a transmitter programmed to transmit electronic data of the image to a car navigation system installed in an automobile that is towing the watercraft;

the central controller is programmed to process the image of the region surrounding the watercraft captured by the imaging device, to synthesize a bird'"'"'s eye view showing the watercraft from above, and to transmit the electronic data of the bird'"'"'s eye view image to the car navigation system;

the display device displays software keys including a main switch and a plurality of start/stop switches on a same screen; and

the main switch turns on and off a power source that powers a device network system when the main switch is slid, and the plurality of start/stop switches start and stop the plurality of engines when the plurality of start/stop switches are tapped.

2. The watercraft according to claim 1, wherein the central controller is programmed to transmit an image showing a perimeter of the watercraft to the car navigation system.

3. The watercraft according to claim 1, wherein the central controller is programmed to transmit an image showing a region rearward of the watercraft to the car navigation system.