Operation support system for small planing boats and small planing boats

Abstract

To provide a small planing boat and its operation support system that allows the driver to accurately grasp the status of the vehicle. [Solution] The small planing boat operation support system NS includes a small planing boat 1 and a wireless terminal 6. The small planing boat 1 includes a display panel 16 that displays various information about the small planing boat 1 to the driver M1, and a detection unit 5 that communicates wirelessly with the wireless terminal 6. The wireless terminal 6 is capable of wireless communication with the detection unit 5 and is mounted on an item carried on the small planing boat 1. The item carried on is, for example, crew members M2, M3 or luggage. The display panel 16 includes a wireless terminal display area DA that displays the recognition status of the wireless terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a small watercraft that glides on water and its operation support system.

Background Art

[0002] Small watercraft (PWC: Personal Water Craft) that glide on water such as the sea, lakes, and rivers are known. Patent Document 1 discloses an operation support system for supporting the operation of a small watercraft on water.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Not only the driver but also passengers and luggage are carried on a small watercraft. The driver needs to grasp the loading situation of the passengers and take prompt measures such as stopping the boat or retrieving in case of an accident such as a passenger falling into the water. However, conventionally, the driver may not be able to timely grasp the situation of the passengers, such as a passenger falling into the water from a small watercraft.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an operation support system and a small watercraft for a small watercraft that enables a driver to accurately grasp the situation of the passengers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An operation support system for a small watercraft according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a small watercraft provided with a display unit and a detection unit, and a wireless terminal that can communicate wirelessly with the detection unit and is attached to the passengers on the small watercraft. The display unit includes a display area for displaying the recognition status of the wireless terminal.

[0007] A small planing boat operation support system relating to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a small planing boat equipped with a display device and a detection unit, and a wireless terminal capable of wireless communication with the detection unit and mounted on an object on board the small planing boat, wherein the display device includes a display area for displaying information about the presence of the wireless terminal.

[0008] A small planing boat according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a small planing boat capable of wireless communication with a wireless terminal attached to an onboard load, comprising a hull, a display unit mounted on the hull and including a display area for displaying the recognition status of the wireless terminal, a detection unit disposed within the hull and performing wireless communication with the wireless terminal, and a seat on which a passenger sits, wherein the seat has a front seat on which the driver of the small planing boat sits and a rear seat on which other passengers sit, and the detection unit is disposed below the rear seat of the seat. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a small planing boat operation support system and a small planing boat that enable the driver to accurately grasp the status of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a flight support system, including a partially broken side view of a small planing boat according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of a small planing boat. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the flight support system. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the display panel on a small planing boat. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows another example of the display panel on a small planing boat. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the display hierarchy for a water drop detection indicator. [Figure 7]Figure 7 shows an example of the water drop detection display and an example of the icon. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a table showing the relationship between the icons for water fall detection and the content they display. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a water drop detection process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the small planing boat 1 and the operation support system NS according to this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 and 2 are marked with forward, backward, left, and right direction indicators. These directions correspond to the directions as seen from the perspective of the driver M1 aboard the small planing boat 1. In the embodiments described below, the small planing boat 1 is shown as a jet-propelled small planing boat that navigates the water surface by the reaction force of water being ejected backward.

[0012] [Overall structure of a small planing boat] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the navigation support system NS, including a partially broken side view of the small planing boat 1. Figure 2 is a top view of the small planing boat 1. The navigation support system NS includes the small planing boat 1 and radio terminals 6 attached to the driver and crew. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a three-person small planing boat 1 that can accommodate a driver M1 and two crew members M2 and M3. The small planing boat 1 is a straddle-type jet-propelled boat that propels itself by ejecting a stream of water backward and using the resulting reaction. The radio terminals 6 are attached to the driver M1 and crew members M2 and M3. The attachment of the radio terminal 6 to the driver M1 may be omitted. The radio terminals 6 may also be attached to cargo or other items carried on the small planing boat 1.

[0013] The small planing boat 1 comprises a hull 10, a main propulsion system 2, a controller 4, and a detection unit 5. The hull 10 is equipped with a display panel 16 as a display unit of this disclosure. The main propulsion system 2 includes an engine 21 and a jet pump 3, which are the sources of thrust. The detection unit 5 is located inside the hull 10. The wireless terminal 6 is capable of wireless communication with the detection unit 5.

[0014] The hull 10 includes a hull 11 and a deck 12 that covers the upper surface of the hull 11, and is propelled by a jet water flow. The hull 11 and the deck 12 are connected throughout the entire circumference by a gunwale line 10G. A handle 13, a seat 14, a rear floor 15, and a display panel 16 are arranged on the deck 12. The handle 13 is equipped with an accelerator 17, an operation unit 18, and a stop switch 19.

[0015] The handle 13 is operated by the driver M1 for steering the small speedboat 1. The handle 13 is attached to the front part of the deck 12. The seat 14 is arranged at a substantially central position in the front-rear and left-right directions of the deck 12. The seat 14 is a seat for a passenger to sit on. The seat 14 has a front seat 14A for the driver M1 to sit on and a rear seat 14B for passengers M2 and M3 other than the driver M1 to sit on. The seat 14 may be a two-seater including the driver M1 or a four-seater or the like. The rear floor 15 is a flat portion located behind the seat 14. The rear floor 15 is used, for example, as a luggage storage area or a platform when the driver M1 or passengers M2 and M3 ride from the water onto the seat 14. is used as.

[0016] The display panel 16 is also in front of the handle 13 and is attached near the center in the left-right direction (hull width direction) of the hull 10. The display panel 16 displays various information related to the navigation of the small speedboat 1, such as the gliding speed, engine speed, remaining fuel amount, and traveling direction of the small speedboat 1. Further, the display panel 16 of the present embodiment has a display area for displaying the recognition status of the wireless terminal 6. The display area will be described in detail later.

[0017] The accelerator 17 is a throttle lever for adjusting the output of the engine 21. The gliding speed of the small speedboat 1 is adjusted by the grip operation of the accelerator 17 by the driver M1. The operation unit 18 consists of buttons, dials, levers, etc. for performing various operations on the small speedboat 1. The operation unit 18 includes a start switch of the small speedboat 1 and a display switching button of the display panel 16, etc.

[0018] The stop switch 19 is a switch that is operated when forcibly stopping the engine 21. When the driver M1 rides on the small speedboat 1, one end of a string-like tether 101 is connected to the stop switch 19. The other end of the tether 101 is worn on the driver M1's arm or the like. When the said one end of the tether 101 comes off from the stop switch 19, the stop switch 19 operates to stop the engine 21. Therefore, when the driver M1 falls into the water or the like occurs, the small speedboat 1 can be stopped.

[0019] The main propulsion device 2 generates a driving force for gliding the small speedboat 1. The main propulsion device 2 includes, in addition to the above-mentioned engine 21 and jet pump 3, a reverse bucket 37, a battery 23, and a shift motor 25 shown in FIG. 3. The engine 21 is housed in an engine room provided inside the hull 11. The engine 21 is, for example, a water-cooled four-stroke multi-cylinder engine using gasoline as fuel, and generates a driving force for driving the jet pump 3. Fuel is supplied to the engine 21 from a fuel tank 24. The engine 21 includes a crankshaft 22 extending in the front-rear direction.

[0020] A water intake 31 and an impeller passage 32 are provided in the rear region of the hull 11. The water intake 31 opens to the bottom of the hull 10. The impeller passage 32 extends rearward from the water intake 31 and reaches the side surface of the rear end of the hull 11. The jet pump 3 pressurizes and accelerates the water taken in from the water intake 31 into the impeller passage 32 and injects it rearward in order to give a propulsive force to the small speedboat 1. The jet pump 3 is arranged behind the engine 21.

[0021] The jet pump 3 includes an impeller shaft 33, an impeller 34, a jet nozzle 35, and a reverse bucket 37. The impeller 34 is mounted on the rear end of the impeller shaft 33. The front end of the impeller shaft 33 is connected to the rear end of the crankshaft 22. The impeller 34 generates a jet of water by rotating around its axis. The driving force of the engine 21 is transmitted to the impeller 34 via the crankshaft 22 and the impeller shaft 33.

[0022] The jet nozzle 35 has an injection port 36 that ejects the jet of water generated by the impeller 34. The jet nozzle 35 is rotatable around an axis that extends vertically. By steering the handle 13, the direction of ejection of the jet of water from the injection port 36, that is, the direction of propulsion of the small planing boat 1, is changed to the left or right. The outlet of the impeller passage 32 is the injection port 36. The impeller passage 32 is a water passage for pressurizing water drawn in from the intake port 31 with the impeller 34 and ejecting it from the injection port 36.

[0023] The reverse bucket 37 is positioned to swing vertically near the nozzle 36. The reverse bucket 37 can change its attitude between an upper forward position that does not cover the nozzle 36 and a lower reverse position that covers the nozzle 36. When the reverse bucket 37 is in the forward position, the jet stream is ejected rearward, causing the hull 10 to move forward. On the other hand, when the reverse bucket 37 is in the reverse position, the jet stream is deflected forward by the reverse bucket 37, causing the hull 10 to move backward. When the position of the reverse bucket 37 is in a neutral position between the forward position and the reverse position, the movement of the hull 10 is substantially stopped.

[0024] The shift motor 25 (Figure 3) drives the reverse bucket 37. The reverse bucket 37 is changed in attitude to one of the forward position, the reverse position, or the neutral position by the shift motor 25. The shift motor 25 is driven in response to the operation of the control unit 18. The battery 23 supplies power to various electrical equipment installed on the hull 10, including the shift motor 25.

[0025] Controller 4 is a control device whose main component is a microcomputer, which includes a processor for calculations, memory such as ROM and RAM, and various input / output buses. Detection unit 5 performs wireless communication operations to the wireless terminal 6 in order to recognize whether or not the wireless terminal 6 is within the communication range. Detection unit 5 is connected to controller 4 via an input / output bus so as to be able to communicate data. The functional configuration of controller 4 and detection unit 5 will be described later based on Figure 3.

[0026] The wireless terminal 6 is a wireless transceiver that communicates directly with the detection unit 5, which is equipped on the small planing boat 1, without going through a base station. The radio waves emitted from the wireless terminal 6 are relatively weak and can be recognized by the detection unit 5, provided that the distance from the detection unit 5 is below a predetermined distance. For example, the wireless terminal 6 and the detection unit 5 communicate wirelessly using Bluetooth® or LF longwave communication. The wireless terminal 6 is a small device that can be easily attached to and detached from the passengers and cargo of the small planing boat 1. Figure 1 shows examples of wireless terminals 6, including a driver's wireless terminal 60 attached to the driver M1, a first wireless terminal 61 attached to the first crew member M2, and a second wireless terminal 62 attached to the second crew member M3.

[0027] Let me explain the position of the detection unit 5 on the hull 10. Visually, the detection unit 5 consists of a housing that incorporates communication equipment. The detection unit 5 is located below the rear seats 14B of seat 14. More specifically, the detection unit 5 is located near the midpoint between the two rear seats 14B where crew members M2 and M3 are seated, near the center of the width direction of the hull 10, and is positioned below the rear seats 14B.

[0028] By positioning the detection unit 5 in this manner, the radio terminals 61 and 62, which are attached to crew members M2 and M3 who do not hold the tether 101, will be positioned near the detection unit 5. As previously mentioned, the radio terminals 61 and 62 have a short communication range. By bringing the radio terminals 61 and 62 closer to the detection unit 5, the communication accuracy between the detection unit 5 and the radio terminals 61 and 62 can be improved. The detection unit 5 may be positioned below the front rear seat 14B, or below the rear rear seat 14B, or it may be positioned offset to the right or left from the center in the width direction. If the radio communication range of the radio terminals 61 and 62 is relatively long, the detection unit 5 may be positioned at any location on the hull 10.

[0029] The detection unit 5 is positioned above the engine 21. In other words, the detection unit 5 is located inside the hull 10, between the rear seat 14B of seat 14 and the engine 21. With this arrangement, the engine 21 does not intervene between the detection unit 5 and the wireless terminals 61 and 62 attached to the crew members M2 and M3. Therefore, wireless communication between the detection unit 5 and the wireless terminals 61 and 62 is less likely to be interfered with by noise generated by the operation of the engine 21. In addition, since the detection unit 5 is located inside the hull 10, it has the advantage of not affecting the design of the small planing boat 1.

[0030] [Configuration of the flight support system] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical functional configuration of the flight support system NS. The display panel 16 includes a wireless terminal display area DA within its display screen. The wireless terminal display area DA is a display area that displays the recognition status of the wireless terminal 6. The recognition status of the wireless terminal 6 is determined based on the state of wireless communication between the detection unit 5 and the wireless terminal 6. For example, the wireless terminal display area DA displays that a loss of wireless communication indicates that crew members M2, M3, or other onboard items have fallen into the water, and that normal wireless communication indicates that no such incident has occurred. The display modes of the wireless terminal display area DA will be described in detail later.

[0031] The small planing boat 1 includes a sensor group 26 and a buzzer 27 as a notification device, configurations not shown in Figures 1 and 2. The sensor group 26 consists of various sensors that detect the operating status and condition information of the small planing boat 1. The sensor group 26 includes, for example, a sensor that detects the rotational speed of the engine 21, a speed sensor that detects the planing speed of the small planing boat 1, a seat pressure sensor that detects the presence of a passenger in the seat 14, and a fuel sensor that detects the remaining fuel level in the fuel tank 24.

[0032] The buzzer 27 emits an alarm sound to notify the driver M1 of an abnormality or to alert them to the situation when predetermined alarm conditions occur. In addition to the wireless terminal display area DA, the buzzer 27 may also serve to notify the absence of wireless terminal 6. The absence of wireless terminal 6 can occur, for example, due to occupants M2, M3 or onboard equipment falling into the water. In this case, the driver M1 can recognize the occupants M2, M3 or onboard equipment falling into the water, etc., not only from the display on the display panel 16 but also from the alarm sound emitted by the buzzer 27.

[0033] The display panel 16 may also have a notification function equivalent to the buzzer 27 in addition to displaying information in the wireless terminal display area DA. In other words, the display panel 16 may also serve as a notification device for the absence of the wireless terminal 6. Examples of such notification functions include adding an electronic sound notification function to the display panel 16, flashing the display screen, or changing the background color.

[0034] The controller 4, when a predetermined program is executed, functionally comprises a main control unit 41, a display control unit 42, and a drive control unit 43. The main control unit 41 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the small planing boat 1. The main control unit 41 controls the operation of the small planing boat 1 based on operation information from the operation unit 18 and the stop switch 19, and detection information from the sensor group 26.

[0035] The display control unit 42 controls the display operation on the display panel 16. Based on information regarding the recognition status of the wireless terminal 6 provided by the detection unit 5, the display control unit 42 controls the water entry display operation in the wireless terminal display area DA. The drive control unit 43 controls the operation of the main propulsion system 2, including the engine 21 and the shift motor 25. Based on the operation control information and accelerator operation information provided by the main control unit 41, the drive control unit 43 operates the main propulsion system 2.

[0036] The detection unit 5 communicates wirelessly with the wireless terminal 6 to recognize the wireless terminal 6 and also notifies the controller 4 of the recognition status of the wireless terminal 6. The wireless terminal 6 is a communication device independent of the small planing boat 1 and has its own battery 6B for operation. Wireless communication between the detection unit 5 and the wireless terminal 6 may be, for example, an exchange of inquiry signals and reply signals. For example, the detection unit 5 is the master side and the wireless terminal 6 is the slave side, and the detection unit 5 transmits an inquiry signal in accordance with the period of the clock pulse. The wireless terminal 6, upon receiving the inquiry signal, transmits a reply signal. To improve communication quality, measures may be taken to include redundant bits in the transmitted signal to write error correction codes, or to randomize the transmission period to suppress interference between periods.

[0037] The detection unit 5 functionally includes a communication control unit 51, a trigger detection unit 52, and a determination unit 53. The trigger detection unit 52 and the determination unit 53 also perform some of the functions of the "communication control unit" in this disclosure. The communication control unit 51 controls wireless communication for the recognition of the wireless terminal 6. The communication control unit 51 controls the operation of outputting an inquiry signal with an identification code at each period of the clock pulse, and the operation of receiving a reply signal to said inquiry signal.

[0038] The trigger detection unit 52 detects whether the current operating status of the small planing boat 1 matches the trigger conditions, which are predetermined conditions for initiating recognition of the wireless terminal 6. The determination unit 53 performs a recognition process to recognize the wireless terminal 6. This recognition process determines whether the wireless terminal 6 is within the communication range of the detection unit 5, based on whether or not wireless communication has been established between the detection unit 5 and the wireless terminal 6. The establishment of the communication is determined when the communication control unit 51 receives a reply signal to the inquiry signal sent to the wireless terminal 6. The determination unit 53 starts the recognition process when the trigger detection unit 52 detects the predetermined trigger conditions. Specific examples of the trigger conditions will be given later.

[0039] [Specific examples of displays in the display panel] Figure 4 shows an example of the display on the display screen 7 shown on the display panel 16 of the small planing boat 1. The display control unit 42 of the controller 4 controls the display state on the display screen 7. The display screen 7 illustrated in Figure 4 includes a speed display area 71, an engine speed display area 72, a fuel level display area 73, a shift display area 74, a heading display area 75, a trim angle display area 76, and a water overflow detection display area 77 as a display area of ​​this disclosure. The water overflow detection display area 77 is an example of the wireless terminal display area DA shown in Figure 3.

[0040] The speed display area 71 digitally displays the planing speed of the small planing boat 1. The engine speed display area 72 displays the engine speed of the engine 21 in bar graph format. The fuel level display area 73 displays the remaining amount of fuel stored in the fuel tank 24 in bar graph format. The shift display area 74 displays the direction of travel of the small planing boat 1 using a simplified symbol. The heading display area 75 displays the heading of travel of the small planing boat 1. The trim angle display area 76 displays the vertical tilt angle of the bow of the hull 10. The overboard detection display area 77 displays information regarding overboard overboard overboard, specifically for items on board the small planing boat 1 to which the wireless terminal 6 is attached, using icons.

[0041] Figure 5 shows the display screen 7A of the display panel 16, which represents another display example. The display content of display screen 7A is the same as that of display screen 7 in Figure 4. However, display screen 7A differs from display screen 7 in that the display format of the speed display area 71, engine speed display area 72, and fuel level display area 73 is in the form of an analog meter. The water fall detection display area 77 is set inside the circular display of the engine speed display area 72. Display screens 7 and 7A in Figures 4 and 5 are merely examples, and the display screen of the display panel 16 can be set by appropriately combining analog displays, digital displays, icon displays, video displays, etc.

[0042] In the examples shown in Figures 4 and 5, a water overflow detection display area 77 is provided on the display screens 7 and 7A as an example of displaying the recognition status of the wireless terminal 6. This allows the driver M1 to visually confirm on the display panel 16 whether the passengers M2 and M3, or luggage, to whom the wireless terminal 6 is attached, have fallen into the water from the small planing boat 1, or whether they have not fallen in. When operating the small planing boat 1, the driver M1 is usually facing forward, and the engine noise and the sound of the water flow from the jet pump 3 are also present, so the driver M1 may not notice if passengers M2 and M3 in the rear seat 14B have fallen into the water. By providing a water overflow detection display area 77 on the display panel 16, which is easily visible to the driver M1, the driver M1 can more easily notice if passengers M2 and M3 have fallen into the water. If a buzzer 27 sounds when water overflow is indicated, it will be even easier to notice if water overflow occurs.

[0043] The display of the recognition status of the wireless terminal 6 indicates whether communication is established or not between the wireless terminal 6, which is attached to some onboard device, and the detection unit 5 inside the hull 10, and does not necessarily have to indicate whether or not a fall into the water has occurred. For example, it may simply indicate that the wireless terminal 6 is within the communication range of the detection unit 5, or that wireless communication between the detection unit 5 and the wireless terminal 6 is effective. These displays allow the driver M1 to at least confirm on the display panel 16 whether the wireless terminal 6 is properly attached to crew members M2 and M3, and whether the wireless terminal 6 is malfunctioning or has a dead battery.

[0044] When displaying information regarding falling into the water as described in this embodiment, the display area 77 can be configured to show either a falling-in indication or a non-falling-in indication. The falling-in indication shows that the onboard equipment, including the crew members M2 and M3, has fallen into the water from the small planing boat 1. The non-falling-in indication shows that the situation is other than falling into the water. Even with such a binary display, the driver M1 can confirm on the display panel 16 whether the onboard equipment has fallen into the water from the small planing boat 1 or whether the onboard equipment has not fallen into the water.

[0045] The aforementioned overwatering indicator is not particularly limited as long as it can succinctly express the occurrence of overwatering. Various examples can be given for the display of situations other than overwatering in the aforementioned non-overwatering indicator. For example, examples of displays of situations other than overwatering include: (1) an indication that the wireless terminal 6 is present, (2) an indication of the identification number of the recognized wireless terminal 6, (3) an indication that the wireless terminal 6 has not been recognized but has not overwatered, (4) an indication of the remaining battery level 6B of the wireless terminal 6, (5) an indication of a wireless communication error, (6) an indication of a malfunction of the wireless communication equipment, and (7) an indication of the boarding position of crew members M2 and M3 who are wearing the wireless terminal 6.

[0046] Display mode (1) is a mode that indicates in some form that the wireless terminal 6 is effectively within the communication range of the detection unit 5. Display mode (2) is an example of display mode (1). Display mode (3) is a display that indicates that water detection processing for the wireless terminal 6 is not possible for any reason. Display mode (4) is a display of the remaining battery level of the battery 6B or that the battery is dead. Display mode (5) is a display of a communication error caused by misrecognition of wireless communication data, malfunction of data transmission and reception, noise superposition, etc. Display mode (6) is a display that indicates a malfunction of the detection unit 5 or the wireless terminal 6. Display mode (7) is a display that indicates that the wireless terminal 6 is outside the communication range of the detection unit 5 because occupants M2 and M3 are not properly seated in the rear seat 14B of the seat 14. In the display of display mode (7), the detection result of the seat pressure sensor incorporated in the seat 14 may also be referenced.

[0047] The aforementioned non-waterfall indicators can be broadly divided into the following two categories: (A) and (B). (A) Display indicating that wireless communication between the detection unit 5 and the wireless terminal 6 is established and no water has fallen in. (B) Situation in which wireless communication between detection unit 5 and wireless terminal 6 is not established.

[0048] Category (A) indicates that water drowning detection is continuing normally. Display modes (1) and (2) above are displays of Category (A). In display mode (4), battery level indicators other than "battery low" can be treated as alternative indicators that water drowning detection is being performed normally. Category (B) indicates that water drowning detection is not being performed normally. Reasons for displaying Category (B) include the wireless terminal 6 not being attached to the device in the first place, or wireless communication being unsuccessful due to communication problems or equipment failure. Category (B) generally boils down to wireless communication errors as shown in display mode (5) above. Display modes (3), (6) and (7) are displays of Category (B) as specific examples of communication errors. In display mode (4), the "battery low" indicator is also a display of Category (B).

[0049] It is desirable to distinguish between the above categories (A) and (B) and display the information in the water-fall detection display area 77. In this case, the driver M1 can distinguish between the presence of an object falling into the water, the state where water-fall detection is enabled but no water-fall detection has been detected, and the OFF state where water-fall detection has not been performed. For example, the driver M1 can distinguish between water-fall and a dead or insufficient battery in the wireless terminal 6, or a wireless communication error due to a malfunction in the wireless terminal 6.

[0050] Figure 6 shows an example of the display hierarchy for the water-fall detection display on the display panel 16. Figure 6 shows the first-level screen DP1 and the second-level screen DP2 of the display panel 16, which are selected when registering the wireless terminal 6. Registering the wireless terminal 6 means configuring the wireless terminal 6 to enable wireless communication with the detection unit 5 of the small planing boat 1.

[0051] The first-level screen DP1 of display hierarchy 1 is the display mode selection screen for display panel 16. If "Settings" is selected from the selection elements of the first-level screen DP1, the display on display panel 16 transitions to the second-level screen DP2 of display hierarchy 2. If "Water Drop Detection" is selected from the selection elements of the second-level screen DP2, the display on display panel 16 transitions to display hierarchy 3. The registration process for the wireless terminal 6 can be performed in display hierarchy 3.

[0052] Figure 7 shows examples of the water-fall detection display in display hierarchy 3, specifically the hierarchy screen DP31 for display hierarchy 3-1 and the hierarchy screen DP32 for display hierarchy 3-2. Hierarchy screen DP31 is an example that indicates that the registration of two wireless terminals 6, "Terminal 1" and "Terminal 2," has been successfully completed and that water-fall detection is possible. "Terminal 1" and "Terminal 2" are, for example, the first wireless terminal 61 and the second wireless terminal 62 shown in Figure 1. Hierarchy screen DP31 includes an identification number display field 78 and an icon display field 79.

[0053] The identification number display field 78 displays the identification number of the wireless terminal 6 recognized by the detection unit 5. On the hierarchical screen DP31, "Terminal 1" with identification number 123F and "Terminal 2" with identification number 00A3 are recognized. The icon display field 79 displays an icon representing the recognition status of the wireless terminal 6. When the wireless terminal 6 is not registered, the identification number display field 78 for "Terminal 1" and "Terminal 2" displays a default value such as "0000", and the icon display field 79 is left blank.

[0054] On the right side of the hierarchical screen DP31, the icons displayed in the icon display area 79 are shown as a legend. The icon group includes the battery level indicator icon AN and the water drop detection icon BN. One of these icons will be displayed in the water drop detection display area 77. The battery level indicator icon AN includes icons A1 to A4 that show the battery level in stages. Icon A1 indicates that the battery 6B of the wireless terminal 6 is fully charged. Icons A2, A3, and A4 indicate that the remaining charge of battery 6B is 3 / 4, 2 / 4, and 1 / 4 of a full charge, respectively.

[0055] On the hierarchical screen DP31, icon A1 is displayed in the icon display area 79 for "Terminal 1" and "Terminal 2," indicating that battery 6B is fully charged. The remaining charge icon AN also indicates that water detection can be performed normally for "Terminal 1" and "Terminal 2." The remaining charge icon AN is also an example of the display for category (A) mentioned above. Icons A2 to A4 indicate to the driver M1 that battery 6B is less than fully charged. In particular, the display of icon A4 suggests to the driver M1 the possibility of a false detection due to insufficient battery charge and prompts them to charge or replace battery 6B.

[0056] The water-fall detection icon BN includes the water-fall display icon B1 and the water-fall detection OFF icon B2. The water-fall display icon B1 indicates that, while water-fall detection is functioning correctly, a water-fall has occurred due to a loss of wireless communication between the wireless terminal 6 of "Terminal 1" or "Terminal 2" and the detection unit 5. The water-fall detection OFF icon B2 indicates that wireless communication between the detection unit 5 and the wireless terminal 6 is not established. The water-fall detection OFF icon B2 is an example of the display in category (B) described above. For example, the water-fall detection OFF icon B2 is displayed in the icon display area 79 when the battery 6B is depleted, when a wireless communication error occurs, or when the wireless terminal 6 is not attached to the onboard equipment. In the hierarchical screen DP32 of display hierarchy 3-2, an example is shown where the water-fall detection OFF icon B2 is displayed for "Terminal 2".

[0057] Figure 8 is a table showing the relationship between the icons displayed in the icon display area 79 and their content for either "Terminal 1" or "Terminal 2" wireless terminal 6. The display examples here are also the display examples in the water fall detection display area 77 in the display screens 7 and 7A of Figures 4 and 5. Display example 1 is the case where "Terminal 1" = icon A1 and "Terminal 2" = icon A4. In this case, the driver M1 recognizes that "Terminal 1" is operating normally with a fully charged battery 6B, and that "Terminal 2" has a low battery level and may be experiencing false detection.

[0058] Display Example 2 is the case where "Terminal 1" = Icon B1 and "Terminal 2" = Icon B2. In this case, driver M1 recognizes that the device equipped with the wireless terminal 6 of "Terminal 1" has fallen into the water, and that water detection has not been performed for "Terminal 2". Display Example 3 is the case where "Terminal 1" = Icon A3 and "Terminal 2" = Icon B1. In this case, driver M1 recognizes that the battery level of "Terminal 1" has decreased to 1 / 2 but is still operating normally, and that the device equipped with the wireless terminal 6 of "Terminal 2" has fallen into the water. Display Example 4 is the case where "Terminal 1" = No icon displayed and "Terminal 2" = Icon A2. In this case, driver M1 recognizes that "Terminal 1" is not registered, and that the battery level of "Terminal 2" has decreased to 3 / 4 but is still operating normally.

[0059] The control unit 18 can hide the water drop display in the water drop detection display area 77 (icon display area 79) of the display panel 16, as shown in Figure 8. For example, as shown in display examples 2 and 3, after recognizing that an object has fallen into the water, the water drop display in the water drop detection display area 77 may become bothersome. In such cases, the driver M1 can operate the control unit 18 to hide the water drop display in the water drop detection display area 77.

[0060] [Waterfall detection flow] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the water-fall detection process performed by the controller 4 and detection unit 5 shown in Figure 1. The controller 4 waits for the start key included in the control unit 18 of the small planing boat 1 to be turned ON (step S1). When the start key is turned ON (YES in step S1), all parts of the small planing boat 1 are activated, and the detection unit 5 is also activated (step S2).

[0061] When the detection unit 5 is activated, the wireless terminal recognition mode is started (step S3). In wireless terminal recognition mode, the pairing process between the detection unit 5 and the wireless terminal 6 is performed. Specifically, the communication control unit 51 of the detection unit 5 outputs an inquiry signal with a unique ID code attached, and the wireless terminal 6, upon receiving the inquiry signal, outputs a reply signal with the ID code superimposed. When the communication control unit 51 receives the reply signal, it means that the wireless terminal 6 has been recognized. If the communication control unit 51 does not receive the reply signal, a pairing process error occurs, and the wireless terminal 6 cannot be recognized.

[0062] If the wireless terminal 6 is recognized (YES in step S4), the trigger detection unit 52 enters a state of waiting for the recognition trigger, which is the condition for starting recognition for water drop detection (step S5). When the trigger detection unit 52 detects the recognition trigger (YES in step S5), the determination unit 53 determines that it is in water drop detection ON mode, which starts detecting water drop in the mounted object to which the wireless terminal 6 is attached (step S6). Alternatively, step S4 may be omitted, and the system may wait for the detection of the recognition trigger while in the wireless terminal recognition mode. Alternatively, step S5 may precede step S4. That is, it may be determined whether or not the wireless terminal 6 can be recognized after the recognition trigger has been detected.

[0063] The recognition trigger can be set based on various conditions related to the operation of the small planing boat 1. Preferably, the recognition trigger can be the small planing boat 1 reaching a predetermined state of travel. A simplified example of a predetermined state of travel is when the planing speed of the small planing boat 1 exceeds a predetermined threshold, or when the small planing boat 1 starts to travel. If the process of detecting overboard cargo is started before the small planing boat 1 is traveling, it may be recognized as overboard even if, for example, crew members M2 and M3 forget to carry their wireless terminals 61 and 62. By starting overboard detection upon detection of the recognition trigger, the above problem can be avoided.

[0064] The predetermined driving state that serves as the recognition trigger may be detected based on the state information of the engine 21. Based on the state information of the engine 21, the driving state of the small planing boat 1 can be evaluated directly. The trigger detection unit 52 can acquire engine state information from the drive control unit 43 of the controller 4. The drive control unit 43 acquires various detection data related to the engine state information from the sensor group 26.

[0065] The engine status information may include, for example, information such as the start of engine 21, the release of neutral on the reverse bucket 37, or the engine speed exceeding a threshold. The start of engine 21 is nothing more than the launch standby state of the small planing boat 1 and can be used as a recognition trigger. The start of engine 21 can be determined from the operation information of the start switch on the control unit 18. The release of neutral on the reverse bucket 37 means the start of forward or reverse movement of the small planing boat 1. The information of the release of neutral can be obtained from the operating status of the shift motor 25. Since the engine speed and the travel speed of the small planing boat 1 are closely related, it is easy to use as a recognition trigger.

[0066] When the system enters the water drop detection ON mode in step S6, it is sequentially checked whether a shutdown command to forcibly stop the mode has been given from the operation unit 18 (step S7) and whether water has been detected (step S8). If the determination unit 53 determines that there is no shutdown instruction (YES in step S7) and water has not been detected (NO in step S8), the display control unit 42 of the controller 4 displays an icon indicating that water drop detection is in progress in the water drop detection display area 77 of the display panel 16 (step S9). The displayed icon is, for example, the remaining battery level indicator icon AN, which corresponds to the remaining battery level of the wireless terminal 6's battery 6B, as illustrated in Figure 7.

[0067] If the determination unit 53 determines that the object to which the wireless terminal 6 is attached has fallen into the water due to a loss of wireless communication between the detection unit 5 and the wireless terminal 6 (YES in step S8), the display control unit 42 displays a water-fall indicator in the water-fall detection display area 77 (step S11). The displayed icon is, for example, icon B1 shown in Figure 7.

[0068] In response to this, if the wireless terminal 6 cannot be recognized in step S4 (NO in step S4), the determination unit 53 determines that the water-drop detection OFF mode of category (B) is active (step S10) and sends the determination result to the controller 4. Upon receiving the determination result, the display control unit 42 of the controller 4 displays the water-drop detection OFF icon B2 in the water-drop detection display area 77 of the display panel 16 (step S12). In step S5, if the trigger detection unit 52 has not detected a recognition trigger (NO in step S5), and in step S7, if a shutdown command is given (NO in step S7), the water-drop detection OFF icon B2 is also displayed in the water-drop detection display area 77 (step S12). After step S12, the process returns to step S4.

[0069] [Summary of this disclosure] The specific embodiments described above include disclosures having the following configurations.

[0070] A small planing boat operation support system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a small planing boat equipped with a display unit and a detection unit, and a wireless terminal capable of wireless communication with the detection unit and mounted on an object on board the small planing boat, wherein the display unit includes a display area for displaying the recognition status of the wireless terminal.

[0071] According to the first embodiment, the driver can constantly check the recognition status of the wireless terminal attached to the onboard equipment on the display unit. For example, if the display area shows that the wireless terminal is not being recognized, the driver can understand that there may be some kind of abnormality in the onboard equipment.

[0072] The operation support system for a small planing boat according to the second embodiment includes, in the operation support system according to the first embodiment, a display of the recognition status including a water overflow indicator indicating that the onboard item has fallen from the small planing boat, and a non-water overflow indicator indicating that the situation is other than that of the water overflow.

[0073] According to the second embodiment, the driver can confirm on the display whether the passenger has fallen into the water from the small planing boat or whether the passenger has not fallen into the water.

[0074] The operation support system for a small planing boat according to the third embodiment is the operation support system according to the second embodiment, wherein the non-submersion indicator includes an error in the wireless communication between the detection unit and the wireless terminal.

[0075] According to the third embodiment, the operator can confirm on the display that wireless communication between the small planing boat and the wireless terminal is not working. In other words, the operator can distinguish between a wireless communication error, such as a communication error due to the absence of a wireless terminal on board, and falling into the water.

[0076] A fourth embodiment of the operation support system for a small planing boat is an operation support system of the second embodiment, wherein the wireless terminal has a battery that serves as the power source, and the non-submersion indicator includes an indicator of the remaining battery level.

[0077] According to the fourth embodiment, the driver can check the remaining battery level of the wireless terminal on the display unit. In other words, the driver can distinguish between a wireless communication error due to the wireless terminal running out of battery or having insufficient battery power and the vehicle falling into the water.

[0078] The fifth embodiment of the operation support system for a small planing boat is an operation support system of the second or third embodiment in which the small planing boat further includes an operating unit, the operating unit is capable of turning off the waterfall indicator.

[0079] According to the fifth embodiment, the driver can, at their own discretion, hide the water drop indicator on the display unit. For example, if the driver finds the water drop indicator on the display unit bothersome after realizing that an object has fallen into the water, the driver can operate the control unit to hide the water drop indicator.

[0080] The operation support system for a small planing boat according to the sixth embodiment is an operation support system according to any of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the detection unit includes a communication control unit, and the communication control unit starts a recognition process for recognizing the wireless terminal after detecting a predetermined recognition start condition.

[0081] According to the sixth aspect, unnecessary recognition processing by the wireless terminal can be suppressed by setting recognition initiation conditions.

[0082] The seventh embodiment of the small planing boat operation support system is the sixth embodiment of the operation support system, wherein the recognition start condition is that the small planing boat reaches a predetermined driving state.

[0083] According to the seventh embodiment, the recognition process of the wireless terminal is initiated when the boat reaches a predetermined sailing state. Examples of the predetermined sailing state include when the boat's planing speed exceeds a threshold, or when the boat starts sailing. If the recognition process is initiated before the boat is sailing, unnecessary recognition processing will occur, such as when a passenger forgets to carry the wireless terminal, resulting in a display of "overboard" or other errors. Such problems can be avoided by setting the recognition start conditions as described above.

[0084] The eighth aspect of the operation support system for a small planing boat is the seventh aspect of the operation support system, wherein the small planing boat includes an engine that is a source of propulsion, and the predetermined running state is detected based on the state information of the engine.

[0085] According to the eighth aspect, the predetermined driving state is detected based on engine status information, so the driving state can be easily understood.

[0086] The operation support system for a small planing boat according to the ninth embodiment is an operation support system according to the eighth embodiment, wherein the engine status information includes information such as engine startup, release of neutral from reverse bucket, or exceedance of an engine speed threshold.

[0087] According to the ninth embodiment, engine status information can be obtained by attaching a simple sensor to the small planing boat.

[0088] The operation support system for a small planing boat according to the tenth embodiment is an operation support system according to any of the first to ninth embodiments, wherein the small planing boat includes seats on which passengers sit, The seat has a front seat where the driver sits and a rear seat where other passengers sit, the wireless terminal is attached to the passenger, and the detection unit is located below the rear seat of the seat.

[0089] According to the tenth embodiment, the detection unit is positioned below the rear seat where the occupant is seated. This brings the distance between the wireless terminal held by the occupant and the detection unit closer. Consequently, the communication accuracy between the detection unit and the wireless terminal can be improved.

[0090] An operation support system for a small planing boat according to the eleventh embodiment comprises a small planing boat equipped with a display device and a detection unit, and a wireless terminal that is capable of wireless communication with the detection unit and is attached to an object carried on the small planing boat, wherein the display device includes a display area for displaying information about the presence of the wireless terminal.

[0091] According to the eleventh embodiment, the operator can constantly confirm on the display unit that a wireless terminal attached to the payload is present on the small planing boat. For example, if the presence of a wireless terminal is displayed in the display area, the operator can understand that the payload is present on the small planing boat.

[0092] The operation support system for a small planing boat according to the 12th embodiment further comprises a notification device that notifies non-existence information indicating the absence of the wireless terminal, in addition to the operation support system according to the 11th embodiment.

[0093] According to the 12th embodiment, the driver can recognize the absence of the wireless terminal not only by the display on the display unit but also by the absence information emitted by the notification device.

[0094] In the operation support system for a small planing boat according to the 13th embodiment, the display device also serves as the notification device in the operation support system according to the 12th embodiment.

[0095] According to the 13th embodiment, the presence or absence of a wireless terminal attached to the onboard equipment can be transmitted to the driver from a common display device.

[0096] A small planing boat according to the 14th embodiment is a small planing boat capable of wireless communication with a wireless terminal attached to an onboard cargo, comprising a hull, a display unit mounted on the hull and including a display area for displaying the recognition status of the wireless terminal, a detection unit disposed inside the hull and performing wireless communication with the wireless terminal, and seats on which passengers sit, wherein the seats have a front seat on which the driver of the small planing boat sits and a rear seat on which other passengers sit, and the detection unit is disposed below the rear seat of the seats.

[0097] According to the 14th embodiment, the detection unit is positioned below the rear seat where the crew sits. This brings the distance between the wireless terminal held by the crew and the detection unit closer. Consequently, the communication accuracy between the detection unit and the wireless terminal can be improved. Furthermore, since the detection unit is located inside the hull, it does not affect the design of the small planing boat.

[0098] The small planing boat according to the 15th embodiment is a small planing boat according to the 14th embodiment, further comprising an engine that serves as a source of propulsion, and the detection unit is positioned above the engine.

[0099] According to the 15th embodiment, wireless communication between the detection unit and the wireless terminal is less likely to be interrupted by noise caused by engine operation, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0100] 1. Small Planing Boat 10 hull 14 sheets 14A, 14B Front seats, rear seats 16 Display Panel (Display Unit) 18 Control section 21 Engine 27. Buzzer (notification device) 3 Jet pump 37 Reverse Bucket 4 controllers 5 detection units 51 Communication Control Unit 52 Trigger detection unit 53 Judgment section 6 Wireless terminals 61, 62 First wireless terminal, second wireless terminal 6B battery 7, 7A display screen NS Flight Support System M1 Driver M2, M3 crew DA Wireless Terminal Display Area (Display area for showing recognition status)

Claims

1. A small planing boat equipped with a display unit and a detection unit, The detection unit is capable of wireless communication with a wireless terminal that is attached to an object mounted on the small planing boat, The aforementioned display unit includes a display area for displaying the recognition status of the wireless terminal, and is part of a small planing boat operation support system.

2. In the operation support system for a small planing boat according to claim 1, The aforementioned recognition status display includes a water overflow indicator indicating that the onboard object has fallen from the small planing boat, and a non-water overflow indicator indicating that the situation is other than that of a water overflow, in the operation support system for a small planing boat.

3. In the operation support system for a small planing boat according to claim 2, The aforementioned non-submersion indicator is a small planing boat operation support system that includes errors in wireless communication between the detection unit and the wireless terminal.

4. In the small planing boat operation support system according to claim 2, The aforementioned wireless terminal has a battery that serves as its power source. The aforementioned non-submersion indicator is a small planing boat operation support system that includes a battery level indicator.

5. In the small planing boat operation support system according to claim 2 or 3, The aforementioned small planing boat further includes an operating section, The aforementioned control unit is a small planing boat operation support system that allows operation to disable the waterfall indicator.

6. In the operation support system for a small planing boat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The aforementioned detection unit includes a communication control unit, A small planing boat operation support system, wherein the communication control unit starts recognition processing for recognizing the wireless terminal after detecting predetermined recognition start conditions.

7. In the operation support system for a small planing boat according to claim 6, The aforementioned recognition initiation condition is that the small planing boat reaches a predetermined state of motion, in a small planing boat operation support system.

8. In the operation support system for a small planing boat according to claim 7, The aforementioned small planing boat includes an engine that serves as the source of propulsion, The aforementioned predetermined driving conditions are detected based on the engine status information, and this is an operational support system for a small planing boat.

9. In the operation support system for a small planing boat according to claim 8, An operational support system for a small planing boat, wherein the engine status information includes information such as engine startup, release of neutral from reverse bucket, or exceedance of an engine speed threshold.

10. In the operation support system for a small planing boat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The aforementioned small planing boat includes seats in which passengers sit, The aforementioned seat has a front seat where the driver sits and a rear seat where passengers other than the driver sit. The aforementioned wireless terminal is attached to the crew member, The detection unit is located below the rear seat of the seat and is part of a small planing boat operation support system.

11. A small planing boat equipped with a display device and a detection unit, The detection unit is capable of wireless communication with a wireless terminal that is attached to an object mounted on the small planing boat, The aforementioned display device is part of a small planing boat operation support system, which includes a display area for displaying information about the presence of the wireless terminal.

12. In the operation support system for a small planing boat according to claim 11, A small planing boat operation support system further comprising a notification device that notifies non-existence information indicating the absence of the aforementioned wireless terminal.

13. In the operation support system for a small planing boat according to claim 12, The aforementioned display device also serves as the aforementioned notification device and is part of a small planing boat operation support system.

14. A small planing boat capable of wireless communication with a wireless terminal attached to its onboard equipment, The hull and, A display unit mounted on the hull of the ship, including a display area for displaying the recognition status of the wireless terminal, A detection unit located inside the ship's hull and performing wireless communication with the wireless terminal, Equipped with seats for passengers to sit in, The aforementioned seat has a front seat where the driver of the small planing boat sits, and a rear seat where other crew members sit. The detection unit is located below the rear seat of the seat, in a small planing boat.

15. In the small planing boat according to claim 14, It is further equipped with an engine that serves as the source of propulsion, The detection unit is located above the engine in a small planing boat.

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