Remote controlled boat system

• US 9,969,478 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2015
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ben Mazin
• Original Assignee: Ben Mazin
• Inventors: Mazin, Ben
• Primary Examiner(s): Sample, Jonathan L
• Application Number:
  US14/822,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20170045887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2035/008 remotely controlled
• 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 25/04 automatic, e.g. reacting to compass
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0044 by providing the operator with a computer generated representation of the environment of the vehicle, e.g. virtual reality, maps maps used for automatic navigation G05D1/0274; flight directors G01C23/005

Abstract

The invention generally relates to a remote controlled boat system. In certain embodiments, the system includes a boat having a first central processing unit operably coupled to a communication unit and a first global positioning unit operably coupled to the first central processing unit. The system also includes at least one controller configured to control the boat via remote communication with the first central processing unit via the communication unit of the boat, the controller including a second central processing unit operably coupled to a second global positioning unit.

Claims

1. A remote controlled boat system, the system comprising:

a boat comprising a first central processing unit operably coupled to a communication unit and a first global positioning unit operably coupled to the first central processing unit; and

at least one controller configured to control the boat via remote communication with the boat, the controller comprising a second central processing unit operably coupled to a second global positioning unit

wherein the boat is configured to operate in one of a plurality of remotely controlled operating modes based, at least in part, on input from an operator via the at least one controller, the operating modes comprising;

a first operating mode in which the first central processing unit executes one or more instructions received from the controller via the communication unit to navigate the boat

a second operating mode in which the first central processing unit executes one or more instructions received from the controller via the communication unit to maintain a location of the boat utilizing coordinates the first central processing unit receives from the first global positioning unit; and

a third operating mode in which the first central processing unit executes one or more instructions received from the controller via the communication unit to navigate the boat to a location of the controller utilizing coordinates received from the first global positioning unit and coordinates from the second global positioning unit transmitted from the controller to the first central processing unit via the communication unit;

wherein the boat is further configured to operate in a locally controlled operating mode, the boat comprising a local control unit onboard including at least one of a throttle controller and a steering controller for receiving physical input from an operator to control at least one of a speed and a direction of the boat, respectively, in response to operator input; and

wherein the boat comprises couplings on a portion thereof and a pair of shoulder straps connected to the couplings to thereby form a back-pack arrangement allowing for the boat to be secured to and transported on a back of an operator.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the boat comprises one or more handles configured such that a person can hold onto the boat while the boat is moving.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the boat comprises one or more hook-ups configured to couple with a tow line for towing a person or object while the boat is moving.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the object is selected from the group consisting of a surf board, a second boat, and scuba tanks.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the boat is a submersible boat configured to travel beneath a water surface and the submersible boat further comprises an antenna that remains above the water surface.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the boat comprises a propulsion unit.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the propulsion unit comprises a gas motor or an electrically powered motor.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein boat comprises a storage compartment.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein communication between the controller and the boat is encrypted.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the boat comprises an ultrasound sensor.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the ultrasound sensor is configured for obstacle avoidance.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the boat comprises a camera that transmits a video signal to a display screen of the controller.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the camera is mounted in an optically clear portion beneath the boat.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the camera is mounted on top of the boat.

15. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of controllers, each configured to control the boat via remote communication with the first central processing unit via the communication unit of the boat, wherein the first central processing unit implements a priority function that determines which of the plurality of controllers has priority to remotely control the boat.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to be worn by an operator.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to be worn on a wrist of the operator.

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises a display screen.

19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first central processing unit is configured to use machine vision for automatic obstacle avoidance.

20. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first global positioning unit comprises a marine map.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the first global positioning unit transmits information from the marine map to the first central processing unit to allow automatic navigation of the boat with obstacle avoidance.

22. The system according to claim 20, wherein the boat is configured to being self-righting.

23. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second global positioning unit comprises a marine map.