Ship pilot warning support system and ship pilot warning support method

Abstract

To provide a boat operator warning support system capable of preventing a boat operator from forgetting to activate a warning application that performs a predetermined warning based on position information of a small boat in an information terminal with which the small boat can communicate when the boat operator operates the small boat.SOLUTION: In a boat operator warning support system 100, a control part 15 of a small boat 10 is configured to be able to communicate with a communication part 14 of the small boat 10 based on a start of an engine 11, and is configured to perform a control of transmitting an activation signal S for activating a warning application 60 to an information terminal 20 in which the warning application 60 for performing a predetermined warning based on a position information P1 of the small boat 10 is installed via the communication part 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a ship helmsman warning support system and a ship helmsman warning support method. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Small vessels that are configured to be able to communicate with information terminals have been known in the past. Such small vessels are disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-67263.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-67263 describes a jet-powered boat (small vessel) configured to communicate with a mobile terminal (information terminal). The jet-powered boat described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-67263 is configured to instruct the mobile terminal to send a rescue signal if the operator falls overboard and requires rescue. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-67263 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Although not described in JP 2015-67263 A, a warning application that issues a predetermined warning to the operator of the jet propulsion boat based on the position information of the jet propulsion boat may be installed on a mobile terminal (information terminal) with which a conventional jet propulsion boat (small vessel) such as that described in JP 2015-67263 A can communicate. The predetermined warning based on the position information of the jet propulsion boat is intended to improve the operator's manners when operating the jet propulsion boat. However, even if the warning application is installed on the mobile terminal, the operator may forget to launch the warning application on the mobile terminal. In this case, the operator cannot issue the predetermined warning that is intended to improve the operator's manners when operating the jet propulsion boat. For this reason, there is a need for a configuration that can prevent the operator from forgetting to launch a warning application that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information of the jet propulsion boat on a mobile terminal (information terminal) with which the jet propulsion boat can communicate when operating a jet propulsion boat (small vessel).

[0006] This invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the invention is to provide a vessel operator warning support system and a vessel operator warning support method that can prevent a vessel operator from forgetting to launch a warning application that issues a specified warning based on the position information of a small vessel on an information terminal with which the small vessel can communicate when the vessel operator is operating the small vessel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a vessel operator warning support system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a small vessel including an engine, a control unit, and a communication unit, and an information terminal configured to be able to communicate with the communication unit of the small vessel and having installed thereon a warning application that issues a predetermined warning based on position information of the small vessel, wherein the control unit of the small vessel: When the warning application is not running on the information terminal, the control is configured to limit the engine output or the speed of the small vessel.

[0008] Sailing vessel warning support system according to the first aspect So , As mentioned above The control unit of the small vessel is configured to limit the engine output or the speed of the small vessel when the warning application is not running on the information terminal. Even if the warning application is installed on the information terminal, the warning application may not function when the vessel operator operates the small vessel. The warning application may not function, for example, when the information terminal is not turned on, when communication between the communication unit of the small vessel and the information terminal is not established, or when the warning application is not running. The warning application may not be running when the vessel sends a start-up signal to the information terminal to start the warning application but the warning application is not started properly on the information terminal, or when the vessel operator (intentionally or unintentionally) stops the warning application that was running on the information terminal. If the warning application does not function when the vessel operator operates the small vessel, the warning application, which is installed on the information terminal with the aim of improving the vessel operator's manners when operating the small vessel and which issues predetermined warnings based on the vessel's location information, is not effectively utilized. For this reason, there is a demand for a configuration that allows a warning application to be run on an information terminal with which the small vessel can communicate when the vessel is being steered by the vessel, and that issues a predetermined warning based on the vessel's position information. In response to this demand, the above-described configuration makes it possible to limit the engine output or the vessel's speed when the warning application is not running on the information terminal. In other words, when the warning application is not running on the information terminal, the vessel steerer can be prompted to start the warning application on the information terminal in order to release the limit on the engine output or the vessel's speed. As a result, when the vessel steers the small vessel, a warning application to be run on an information terminal with which the small vessel can communicate, that issues a predetermined warning based on the vessel's position information, can be run.

[0009] In the vessel operator warning support system according to the first aspect, the warning application is preferably an application for warning the vessel operator of at least one of the following: the vessel has exceeded the speed limit in a speed restricted area in which the speed of the vessel is restricted; and the vessel has entered a no-entry area in which the vessel is prohibited from entering.

[0010] In the ship helmsman warning support system according to the first aspect, Preferably, the control unit of the small vessel is configured to limit the engine speed so as to limit engine output when the warning application is not running on the information terminal. With this configuration, engine output can be easily limited by limiting the engine speed. As a result, when the vessel operator is operating the small vessel, the warning application that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information of the small vessel can easily be activated on the information terminal with which the small vessel can communicate.

[0011] In this case, preferably, when the control unit of the small vessel performs control to limit the engine speed, the control unit is configured to perform control to limit the engine speed and, at the same time, to notify the operator of the small vessel that control to limit the engine speed will be performed because a warning application is not launched on the information terminal.

[0012] In the ship helmsman warning support system according to the first aspect, Preferably, the control unit of the small vessel is configured to limit the maximum engine output to a value between approximately 40% and approximately 70% of the maximum output when the engine output is not limited when the warning application is not running on the information terminal. This configuration allows the engine output to be limited to a greater extent than when the maximum engine output is limited to a value greater than approximately 70% of the maximum output when the engine output is not limited. In other words, when the warning application is not running on the information terminal, the vessel operator can be more strongly urged to start the warning application on the information terminal. As a result, when the vessel operator operates the small vessel, the warning application that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information of the small vessel can be reliably functioning on the information terminal with which the small vessel can communicate.

[0013] In the above-described vessel operator warning support system according to the first aspect, the information terminal preferably includes a touch panel, and is configured to lock and unlock screen transitions on the touch panel when the touch panel receives a first operation of drawing a figure clockwise and a second operation of drawing a figure counterclockwise consecutively while a warning application is displayed on the touch panel. Here, water droplets may adhere to the information terminal when the vessel operator is operating the small vessel. In this case, while the warning application is displayed on the touch panel, the water droplets may move on the touch panel due to their own weight, wind pressure, or the like, which may result in the touch panel being mistakenly recognized as having been operated by the vessel operator. In this case, the vessel operator may unintentionally transition from the warning application screen displayed on the touch panel to another screen. Therefore, a configuration is desired that can prevent the vessel operator from unintentionally transitioning from the warning application screen displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal to another screen. In contrast, with the above configuration, the screen transition of the touch panel can be locked and unlocked only when a first operation of drawing a shape clockwise and a second operation of drawing a shape counterclockwise are consecutively performed on the touch panel while a warning application is displayed on the touch panel. It is considered unlikely that a water droplet on the touch panel will move clockwise and counterclockwise consecutively. That is, the movements of the operator's finger in the first and second operations for locking and unlocking the screen transition of the touch panel are movements that are unlikely to occur on a water droplet on the touch panel. This prevents the touch panel from being mistakenly recognized as having been operated by the operator while the warning application is displayed on the touch panel. As a result, it is possible to prevent the screen of the warning application displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal from unintentionally transitioning to another screen.

[0014] In the above-described configuration in which the information terminal, while displaying a warning application on the touch panel, locks and unlocks the screen transition of the touch panel when the touch panel receives a first operation of drawing a shape clockwise and a second operation of drawing a shape counterclockwise in succession, the information terminal is preferably configured to lock and unlock the screen transition of the touch panel when the touch panel, while displaying the warning application on the touch panel, receives a first operation of drawing a shape of a different size from the first operation in succession. With this configuration, compared to when the first operation and the second operation draw shapes of the same size, the movements of the operator's finger in the first and second operations are less likely to occur on water droplets on the touch panel, thereby further reducing the likelihood of the touch panel being mistakenly recognized as having been operated by the operator. As a result, the operator's unintentional transition of the warning application screen displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal to another screen can be further reduced.

[0015] In the above-described configuration in which the information terminal locks and unlocks the screen transition of the touch panel when the touch panel receives a first operation of drawing a shape clockwise and a second operation of drawing a shape counterclockwise in succession while displaying a warning application on the touch panel, the information terminal is preferably configured to lock and unlock the screen transition of the touch panel when the touch panel receives a first operation of drawing a circle and a second operation of drawing a circle in succession while displaying the warning application on the touch panel. With this configuration, the number of strokes required to draw the shape in the first operation and the second operation is fewer than when the first operation and the second operation draw a shape other than a circle (for example, a rectangle, a triangle, etc.), and therefore the operational burden on the operator to lock and unlock the screen transition of the touch panel can be reduced.

[0016] In the above-described configuration in which the information terminal locks and unlocks the screen transition of the touch panel when the touch panel receives a first operation of drawing a figure in a clockwise direction and a second operation of drawing a figure in a counterclockwise direction in succession while displaying a warning application on the touch panel, the information terminal is preferably configured to lock and unlock the screen transition of the touch panel when the touch panel receives a first operation and a second operation adjacent to the first operation in succession, so as to draw a figure-eight shape, while displaying the warning application on the touch panel. With this configuration, by drawing a figure-eight shape with the first operation and the second operation, the number of strokes in the shape drawn by the first operation and the second operation can be reduced to 1, and therefore the operational burden on the operator for locking and unlocking the screen transition of the touch panel can be reduced compared to when the figure-eight shape is not drawn with the first operation and the second operation.

[0017] In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention provides a method for assisting a vessel operator in warning a vessel, the method comprising: Communications Department and an information terminal in which a warning application that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information of the small vessel is installed. a step of determining whether a warning application is activated in the information terminal; and a step of limiting the engine output or the speed of the small vessel when the control unit of the small vessel determines that the warning application is not activated in the information terminal. And, it is equipped with.

[0018] Sailing vessel operator warning support method according to the second aspect So , As mentioned aboveand a step of the control unit of the small vessel performing control to limit engine output or the speed of the small vessel when it determines that the warning application is not running on the information terminal. With this configuration, similar to the vessel helmsman warning support system according to the first aspect, when the warning application is not running on the information terminal, the vessel helmsman can be prompted to start the warning application on the information terminal in order to release the limit on engine output or the speed of the small vessel. As a result, similar to the vessel helmsman warning support system according to the first aspect, when the vessel helmsman operates the small vessel, a warning application that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information of the small vessel can be operated on the information terminal with which the small vessel can communicate.

[0019] The above-described helmsman warning support method according to the second aspect preferably includes the steps of: determining whether the touch panel of the information terminal has successively received a first operation of drawing a shape clockwise and a second operation of drawing a shape counterclockwise while a warning application is displayed on the touch panel; and locking and unlocking screen transitions on the touch panel if the touch panel has successively received the first operation and the second operation while the warning application is displayed on the touch panel. With this configuration, as with the helmsman warning support system according to the first aspect, the movements of the helmsman's finger in the first and second operations for locking and unlocking screen transitions on the touch panel are movements that are unlikely to cause water droplets on the touch panel, thereby preventing the touch panel from being mistakenly recognized as having been operated by the helmsman while the warning application is displayed on the touch panel. As a result, as with the helmsman warning support system according to the first aspect, it is possible to prevent the screen of the warning application displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal from unintentionally transitioning to another screen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to provide a vessel operator warning support system and a vessel operator warning support method that can prevent a vessel operator from forgetting to launch a warning application that issues a specified warning based on the position information of the small vessel on an information terminal with which the small vessel can communicate when the vessel operator is operating the small vessel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a ship operator warning support system according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a side view of a small watercraft according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing a warning screen displayed on a touch panel of an information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention when the speed limit is exceeded in a speed limit area. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing a warning screen displayed on a touch panel of an information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention when entering a no-entry area. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control flow in a small vessel for automatically starting a warning application when a vessel operator operates the small vessel in the vessel operator warning support system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control flow in an information terminal for automatically starting a warning application when a vessel operator operates a small vessel in the vessel operator warning support system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control flow for prompting a vessel operator to start a warning application when operating a small vessel in the vessel operator warning support system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining an operation for locking or unlocking screen transitions of a warning application in the ship helmsman warning support system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control flow for locking or unlocking screen transitions of a warning application in the ship helmsman warning support system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation for locking or unlocking screen transitions of a warning application in the ship helmsman warning support system according to the first modified example of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation for locking or unlocking screen transitions of a warning application in a ship helmsman warning support system according to a second modified example of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation for locking or unlocking screen transitions of a warning application in a ship helmsman warning support system according to a third modified example of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation for locking or unlocking screen transitions of a warning application in a ship helmsman warning support system according to a fourth modified example of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a control flow for prompting a vessel helmsman to start a warning application when operating a small vessel in a vessel helmsman warning support system according to a fifth modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] A vessel helmsman warning support system 100, a small vessel 10, and a vessel helmsman warning support method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0024] (Overall configuration of the ship operator warning support system) As shown in Fig. 1, the vessel operator warning support system 100 includes a small vessel 10 and an information terminal 20. The small vessel 10 and the information terminal 20 are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

[0025] (Composition of small vessels) As shown in Figure 2, the small boat 10 is a water jet propulsion boat (personal watercraft). In other words, the small boat 10 is a personal watercraft. The small boat 10 includes an engine 11 and a jet propulsion type propulsion unit 13 that generates thrust using the driving force of the engine 11. Note that FWD and BWD in Figure 2 indicate the front and rear of the small boat 10, respectively.

[0026] The engine 11 includes a crankshaft 11a, and is configured to obtain driving force to rotate the crankshaft 11a by burning a mixture of air and fuel drawn in through an intake passage (not shown) provided with a throttle valve (not shown) in a combustion chamber.

[0027] The propulsion unit 13 is configured to be driven by the engine 11 to take in water into a waterway 12 having an opening provided on the underside of the rear of the small boat 10, and to spray the taken-in water from a nozzle 13c located at the rear end of the small boat 10. As a result, the small boat 10 propels forward.

[0028] Specifically, the propulsion unit 13 includes a drive shaft 13a, an impeller 13b, a nozzle 13c, a deflector 13d, and a reverse gate (bucket) 13e.

[0029] The drive shaft 13a extends in the front-rear direction, with its front end connected to the crankshaft 11a and its rear end disposed within the water passage 12. An impeller 13b is fixed near the rear end of the drive shaft 13a.

[0030] The impeller 13b is configured to rotate together with the drive shaft 13a to generate a flow in the water passage 12 toward the nozzle 13c.

[0031] The nozzle 13c is disposed at the most downstream position of the water passage 12 where the impeller 13b is disposed. The nozzle 13c functions as a water outlet (jet nozzle). That is, the nozzle 13c is configured to jet water to generate propulsion. The nozzle 13c is provided with a deflector 13d and a reverse gate 13e.

[0032] Deflector 13d is configured to be rotatable left and right about an axis extending up and down, i.e., deflector 13d is configured to be able to change the direction of water sprayed from nozzle 13c left and right.

[0033] The reverse gate 13e is configured to be rotatable in the vertical direction around an axis extending in the left-right direction, i.e., the reverse gate 13e is configured to be able to change the direction of water sprayed from the nozzle 13c in the front-rear direction.

[0034] 1, the small vessel 10 includes a communication unit 14. The communication unit 14 is configured to be able to communicate with the information terminal 20 via Bluetooth. The communication unit 14 is configured to be able to communicate with a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellite 41. The GNSS satellite 41 is an artificial satellite that constitutes a part of a satellite positioning system 40.

[0035] The small vessel 10 includes a control unit 15. The control unit 15 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit 15 controls the driving of the engine 11. The control unit 15 is configured to be able to acquire position information P1 of the small vessel 10 from the satellite positioning system 40 via the communication unit 14.

[0036] (Configuration of information terminal) As shown in Fig. 3, the information terminal 20 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal. That is, the information terminal 20 includes a touch panel 21. A screen of a warning application 60 and the like is displayed on the touch panel 21. As shown in Fig. 1, the information terminal 20 is attached to the small boat 10 by a bracket 16 disposed in front of a seat on which an operator 90 sits. The warning application 60 will be described in detail later.

[0037] The information terminal 20 includes a communication unit 22. The communication unit 22 is configured to be able to communicate with the small vessel 10 (the communication unit 14 thereof) via Bluetooth. The communication unit 22 is configured to be able to communicate with a GNSS satellite 41. The information terminal 20 is configured to be able to acquire position information P2 of the information terminal 20 from a satellite positioning system 40 via the communication unit 22. The communication unit 22 is configured to be able to communicate with a cloud server 30 via the Internet 50 using a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The cloud server 30 stores the latest information of a warning application 60 (see FIG. 3 ). The information terminal 20 is configured to acquire the latest information of the warning application 60 and the like from the cloud server 30 via the Internet 50.

[0038] The information terminal 20 includes a control unit 23 and a storage unit 24. The control unit 15 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The storage unit 24 stores a program used for control by the control unit 15. The storage unit 24 stores a warning application 60 (see FIG. 3) that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10. That is, the warning application 60 is installed in the information terminal 20.

[0039] (Warning application details) 3 and 4, the warning application 60 is an application for warning the operator 90 (see FIG. 1) of the small vessel 10 that the small vessel 10 has exceeded the speed limit in a speed limit area A1 and that the small vessel 10 has entered a no-entry area A2, which the small vessel 10 is prohibited from entering. The screen of the warning application 60 displays information such as map information and position information of the small vessel 10. The map information includes land, water areas, speed limit areas A1, no-entry areas A2, etc.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a state on the screen of the warning application 60 where the small vessel 10 is exceeding the speed limit in the speed limit area A1. That is, FIG. 3 shows a state where an icon 61 is displayed on the screen of the warning application 60 to warn the vessel operator 90 (see FIG. 1) that the small vessel 10 is exceeding the speed limit in the speed limit area A1. FIG. 4 shows a state on the screen of the warning application 60 where the small vessel 10 is entering a no-entry area A2. That is, FIG. 4 shows a state where an icon 62 is displayed on the screen of the warning application 60 to warn the vessel operator 90 that the small vessel 10 is entering the no-entry area A2. The warning to the vessel operator 90 may be given by voice on the information terminal 20, may be given by voice on the small vessel 10, or may be displayed by an icon, message, or the like on a display unit (not shown) of the small vessel 10.

[0041] (Control for automatically launching a warning application when a vessel operator operates a small vessel in a vessel operator warning support system) As shown in Fig. 1, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to perform control to transmit, to the information terminal 20 via the communication unit 14 (via Bluetooth), an activation signal S that activates a warning application 60 (see Fig. 3) based on the start of the engine 11. Specifically, the control unit 15 determines whether the engine 11 has been started. If the control unit 15 determines that the engine 11 has been started, it performs control to transmit, to the information terminal 20, an activation signal S that activates the warning application 60 via the communication unit 14 that is configured to be able to communicate with the information terminal 20 via Bluetooth.

[0042] The control unit 15 of the small boat 10 is configured to perform control to determine whether the engine 11 has been started based on the rotation speed of the engine 11. Specifically, the small boat 10 includes a rotation speed detection unit 17 that detects the rotation speed of the crankshaft 11a (see FIG. 2). The control unit 15 determines that the engine 11 has been started when the rotation speed of the crankshaft 11a detected by the rotation speed detection unit 17 becomes greater than a predetermined threshold value.

[0043] The information terminal 20 is configured to activate the warning application 60 (see FIG. 3 ) when the activation signal S is received and the current position of the information terminal 20 is on water. In particular, even when the activation signal S is transmitted from the small vessel 10, the information terminal 20 is configured not to activate the warning application 60 when it is determined that the information terminal 20 is on land based on the position information P2 of the information terminal 20. Specifically, the control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 determines whether or not the activation signal S has been received. If the control unit 23 determines that the activation signal S has been received, it determines whether or not the current position of the information terminal 20 is on water based on the position information P2 of the information terminal 20 acquired by the satellite positioning system 40. If the control unit 23 determines that the current position of the information terminal 20 is not on water (on land), it performs control not to activate the warning application 60.

[0044] The control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to perform control not to send the activation signal S to the information terminal 20 when it determines that the small vessel 10 is on land based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10, even if the engine 11 has been started. Specifically, when it determines that the engine 11 has been started, the control unit 15 determines whether the small vessel 10 is on water based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10 acquired by the satellite positioning system 40. Then, when it determines that the small vessel 10 is not on water (is on land), the control unit 15 performs control not to send the activation signal S that activates the warning application 60 (see FIG. 3 ) to the information terminal 20.

[0045] The control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to control the small vessel 10 not to send the start signal S to the information terminal 20 even when the engine 11 is started, if the control unit 15 determines that the small vessel 10 is on land by estimating that the propulsion unit 13 (see FIG. 2) is underwater based on the load on the engine 11. Specifically, the rotation speed of the engine 11 (the rotation speed of the crankshaft 11a) relative to the amount of intake air of the engine 11 differs greatly between when the jet propulsion unit 13 is underwater and when it is not underwater. In other words, the load on the engine 11 differs greatly between when the jet propulsion unit 13 is underwater and when it is not underwater. Therefore, the small vessel 10 is provided with an intake air amount detection unit 18 that detects the amount of intake air of the engine 11. When the control unit 15 determines that the engine 11 has started, it estimates whether the propulsion unit 13 is underwater or not based on the intake air volume of the engine 11 detected by the intake air volume detection unit 18 and the rotation speed of the engine 11 (the rotation speed of the crankshaft 11a) detected by the rotation speed detection unit 17. When the control unit 15 estimates that the propulsion unit 13 is not underwater (is on land), it performs control not to send to the information terminal 20 an activation signal S that activates the warning application 60 (see FIG. 3).

[0046] (Control flow for automatically launching a warning application when a vessel operator operates a small vessel in a vessel operator warning support system) 5, in step S11, the control unit 15 of the small boat 10 determines whether the engine 11 has been started based on the rotation speed of the engine 11. If the control unit 15 of the small boat 10 determines that the engine 11 has been started, the process proceeds to step S12. If the control unit 15 of the small boat 10 determines that the engine 11 has not been started, the process returns to step S11.

[0047] Next, in step S12, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 determines whether or not the small vessel 10 is on the water based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10 and the load on the engine 11. If the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 determines that the small vessel 10 is on the water, the process proceeds to step S13. If the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 determines that the small vessel 10 is not on the water (is on land), the process returns to step S11.

[0048] Next, in step S13, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 performs control to send an activation signal S to the information terminal 20 via the communication unit 14 to activate the warning application 60. Then, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 returns to step S11.

[0049] 6, in step S21, the control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 determines whether or not it has received a startup signal S for starting the warning application 60. If the control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 determines that it has received the startup signal S, it proceeds to step S22. If the control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 determines that it has not received the startup signal S, it returns to step S21.

[0050] Next, in step S22, the control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 determines whether the current position of the information terminal 20 is on water. If the control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 determines that the current position of the information terminal 20 is on water, the control unit 23 proceeds to step S23. If the control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 determines that the current position of the information terminal 20 is not on water, the control unit 23 returns to step S21.

[0051] Next, in step S23, the control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 performs control to start up the warning application 60. Then, the control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 returns to step S21.

[0052] (Control for prompting a vessel operator to launch a warning application when operating a small vessel in a vessel operator warning support system) As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 15 of the small boat 10 is configured to perform control to limit the output of the engine 11 when a warning application 60 (see FIG. 3) is not running on the information terminal 20. Specifically, the control unit 15 of the small boat 10 is configured to perform control to limit the rotation speed of the engine 11 so as to limit the output of the engine 11 when the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20. Specifically, the control unit 15 of the small boat 10 determines whether the warning application 60 is running on the information terminal 20. For example, the control unit 15 of the small boat 10 transmits a signal to the information terminal 20 to confirm that the warning application 60 is running, and determines whether the warning application 60 is running on the information terminal 20 based on information returned from the information terminal 20. Then, the control unit 15 of the small boat 10 performs control to limit the rotation speed of the engine 11 when the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20.

[0053] When the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 performs control to limit the rotation speed of the engine 11, the control unit 15 simultaneously performs control to limit the rotation speed of the engine 11 and notify the vessel operator 90 that control to limit the rotation speed of the engine 11 will be performed because the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20. The notification to the vessel operator 90 may be performed by displaying an icon, message, etc. on the touch panel 21 of the information terminal 20, or by audio at the information terminal 20, or by displaying an icon, message, etc. on a display unit (not shown) of the small vessel 10, or by audio at the small vessel 10.

[0054] In addition, when the warning application 60 is not activated on the information terminal 20, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to control the maximum output of the engine 11 (maximum rotation speed of the engine 11) to a value between approximately 40% and approximately 70% of the maximum output when the output of the engine 11 (rotation speed of the engine 11) is not limited.

[0055] (Control flow for prompting the operator to activate a warning application when operating a small vessel in a operator warning support system) 7, in step S31, the control unit 15 of the small boat 10 determines whether the warning application 60 is running on the information terminal 20. If the control unit 15 of the small boat 10 determines that the warning application 60 is running on the information terminal 20, the control unit 15 returns to step S31. If the control unit 15 of the small boat 10 determines that the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20, the control unit 15 proceeds to step S32.

[0056] Next, in step S32, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 performs control to limit the output of the engine 11 (the rotation speed of the engine 11). Specifically, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 performs control to limit the maximum output of the engine 11 (the maximum rotation speed of the engine 11) to a value between approximately 40% and approximately 70% of the maximum output when the output of the engine 11 (the rotation speed of the engine 11) is not limited. Then, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 returns to step S31.

[0057] (Control to lock or unlock screen transitions of warning applications in the operator warning support system) 8, information terminal 20 is configured to lock and unlock screen transitions on touch panel 21 when touch panel 21 receives a first operation 71 for drawing a shape clockwise and a second operation 72 for drawing a shape counterclockwise in succession while warning application 60 is displayed on touch panel 21. Specifically, while warning application 60 is displayed on touch panel 21, control unit 23 of information terminal 20 determines whether touch panel 21 has received a first operation 71 for drawing a shape clockwise and a second operation 72 for drawing a shape counterclockwise in succession. If control unit 23 of information terminal 20 determines that first operation 71 and second operation 72 have been received in succession, it locks and unlocks screen transitions on touch panel 21. The control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 determines that the first operation 71 and the second operation 72 have been received consecutively, for example, if the operator 90 performs the second operation 72 in less than one second after the first operation 71 without removing his / her finger from the screen.

[0058] The information terminal 20 is configured to lock and unlock screen transitions on the touch panel 21 when the touch panel 21 receives a first operation 71 and a second operation 72 successively, the first operation 71 drawing a shape that is different in size from the first operation 71, while the warning application 60 is displayed on the touch panel 21. The information terminal 20 is also configured to lock and unlock screen transitions on the touch panel 21 when the touch panel 21 receives a first operation 71 drawing a circle and a second operation 72 drawing a circle successively, while the warning application 60 is displayed on the touch panel 21. The information terminal 20 is configured so that the second operation 72 drawing a shape counterclockwise draws a smaller shape than the first operation 71 drawing a shape clockwise. The information terminal 20 is also configured so that the second operation 72 drawing a shape counterclockwise draws a concentric circle with the first operation 71 drawing a shape clockwise.

[0059] (Control flow for locking or unlocking the screen transition of the warning application in the ship operator warning support system) As shown in FIG. 9 , in step S41, while the warning application 60 is being displayed on the touch panel 21 of the information terminal 20, the control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 determines whether the touch panel 21 has consecutively accepted a first operation 71 for drawing a shape in a clockwise direction and a second operation 72 for drawing a shape in a counterclockwise direction. If the control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 determines that the touch panel 21 has consecutively accepted the first operation 71 and the second operation 72, the process proceeds to step S42. If the control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 determines that the touch panel 21 has not consecutively accepted the first operation 71 and the second operation 72, the process returns to step S41. The first operation 71 and the second operation 72 are operations for drawing shapes of different sizes. The first operation 71 and the second operation 72 are both operations for drawing circles.

[0060] Next, in step S42, the control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 locks and unlocks the screen transition of the touch panel 21. Then, the control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 returns to step S41.

[0061] (Effects of the structure of the embodiment) In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the communication unit 14 of the small vessel 10 based on the start of the engine 11, and is configured to control the transmission of an activation signal S to the information terminal 20, on which the warning application 60 that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10 is installed, via the communication unit 14, to activate the warning application 60. This makes it possible to transmit the activation signal S to the information terminal 20, on which the warning application 60 that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10 is installed, when the engine 11 of the small vessel 10 is started. In other words, even if the warning application 60 is not activated in the information terminal 20 when the engine 11 of the small vessel 10 is started, the warning application 60 can be activated in the information terminal 20. As a result, when the vessel operator 90 operates the small vessel 10, it is possible to prevent the vessel operator 90 from forgetting to activate the warning application 60 that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10 in the information terminal 20 with which the small vessel 10 can communicate.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the warning application 60 is an application for warning the operator 90 of the small vessel 10 that the small vessel 10 has exceeded the speed limit in the speed limited area A1 in which the speed of the small vessel 10 is limited, and that the small vessel 10 has entered the no-entry area A2 in which entry of the small vessel 10 is prohibited. This makes it possible to prevent the operator 90 from forgetting to start the application for warning the operator 90 of the small vessel 10 that the small vessel 10 has exceeded the speed limit in the speed limited area A1 and that the small vessel 10 has entered the no-entry area A2 when operating the small vessel 10.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to perform control to determine whether or not the engine 11 has been started based on the rotation speed of the engine 11. This makes it possible to reliably determine whether or not the engine 11 has actually been started based on the rotation speed of the engine 11, unlike, for example, determining whether or not the engine 11 has been started based on the pressing of a switch to start the engine 11. As a result, when the engine 11 has not been started, it is possible to prevent the start signal S for starting the warning application 60 from being sent to the information terminal 20.

[0065] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the information terminal 20 is configured to activate the warning application 60 when the activation signal S is received and the current position of the information terminal 20 is on water. As a result, even when the activation signal S is transmitted from the small vessel 10, the information terminal 20 can prevent the warning application 60 from being activated in the information terminal 20 when the current position of the information terminal 20 is on land. That is, even when the activation signal S is transmitted from the small vessel 10, the information terminal 20 can prevent the warning application 60 from being activated in the information terminal 20 when the vessel operator 90 is not operating the small vessel 10. As a result, it is possible to prevent the warning application 60 from being activated in the information terminal 20 when there is no need to activate the warning application 60 in the information terminal 20.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the information terminal 20 is configured to be able to acquire the position information P2 of the information terminal 20 from the satellite positioning system 40. The information terminal 20 is configured not to activate the warning application 60 when it determines that the information terminal 20 is on land based on the position information P2 of the information terminal 20, even if an activation signal S is transmitted from the small vessel 10. This allows the information terminal 20 to easily determine whether or not the information terminal 20 is on land based on the position information P2 of the information terminal 20 acquired by the satellite positioning system 40. That is, the information terminal 20 can easily determine whether or not to activate the warning application 60. As a result, it is possible to easily prevent the warning application 60 from being activated in the information terminal 20 when there is no need to activate the warning application 60 in the information terminal 20. Furthermore, since the information terminal 20 (especially a portable information terminal 20) is often equipped with the functionality of the satellite positioning system 40 (GPS, etc.), in such cases, it is not necessary to newly install software for the satellite positioning system 40 in the information terminal 20.

[0067] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to be able to acquire the position information P1 of the small vessel 10 from the satellite positioning system 40. The control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to control not to send the activation signal S to the information terminal 20 when it is determined that the small vessel 10 is on land based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10, even if the engine 11 is started. This allows the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 to easily determine whether or not the small vessel 10 is on land based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10 acquired by the satellite positioning system 40. That is, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 can easily determine whether or not to send the activation signal S to the information terminal 20 to activate the warning application 60. As a result, it is possible to easily prevent the warning application 60 from being activated in the information terminal 20 when it is not necessary to activate the warning application 60 in the information terminal 20.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the small vessel 10 includes a jet propulsion type propulsion unit 13 that generates thrust using the driving force of the engine 11. The control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to control not to send an activation signal S to the information terminal 20 when it determines that the small vessel 10 is on land by estimating that the propulsion unit 13 is underwater based on the load on the engine 11, even if the engine 11 has been started. This allows the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 to easily determine whether or not the small vessel 10 is on land by estimating that the jet propulsion type propulsion unit 13 is underwater based on the load on the engine 11. That is, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 can easily determine whether or not to send an activation signal S to the information terminal 20 to activate the warning application 60. As a result, it is possible to easily prevent the warning application 60 from being activated on the information terminal 20 when it is not necessary to activate the warning application 60 on the information terminal 20.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 15 of the small boat 10 is configured to perform control to transmit the start signal S to the information terminal 20 via Bluetooth via the communication unit 14 based on the start of the engine 11. This makes it possible to easily transmit the start signal S from the communication unit 14 of the small boat 10 to the information terminal 20 via Bluetooth, which is optimal for short-range communication.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to perform control to limit the output of the engine 11 when the warning application 60 is not activated on the information terminal 20. Here, even if the warning application 60 is installed on the information terminal 20, the warning application 60 may not function when the vessel operator 90 operates the small vessel 10. The warning application 60 may not function, for example, when the information terminal 20 is not powered on, when communication between the communication unit 14 of the small vessel 10 and the information terminal 20 is not established, when the warning application 60 is not activated, etc. The warning application 60 may not be activated when the small vessel 10 transmits an activation signal S to the information terminal 20 to activate the warning application 60, but the warning application 60 is not activated properly on the information terminal 20, or when the vessel operator 90 (intentionally or unintentionally) stops the warning application 60 that was activated on the information terminal 20, etc. If the warning application 60 does not function when the helmsman 90 operates the small vessel 10, the warning application 60, which is installed on the information terminal 20 for the purpose of improving the helmsman's manners when operating the small vessel 10 and issues a predetermined warning based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10, will not be effectively utilized when the helmsman 90 operates the small vessel 10. For this reason, a configuration is desired that can reliably enable the warning application 60, which issues a predetermined warning based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10, to function in the information terminal 20 with which the small vessel 10 can communicate when the helmsman 90 operates the small vessel 10. In order to solve this problem, the above-described configuration was devised. This makes it possible to limit the output of the engine 11 when the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20. In other words, when the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20, the helmsman 90 can be prompted to start the warning application 60 on the information terminal 20 in order to release the limit on the output of the engine 11.As a result, when the vessel operator 90 operates the small vessel 10, the warning application 60 that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10 can be reliably functioned on the information terminal 20 with which the small vessel 10 can communicate.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to perform control to limit the rotation speed of the engine 11 so as to limit the output of the engine 11 when the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20. This makes it possible to easily limit the output of the engine 11 by limiting the rotation speed of the engine 11. As a result, when the vessel operator 90 operates the small vessel 10, the warning application 60 that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10 can easily function on the information terminal 20 with which the small vessel 10 can communicate.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, when the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to perform control to limit the maximum output of the engine 11 to a value between approximately 40% and approximately 70% of the maximum output when the output of the engine 11 is not limited. This allows the output of the engine 11 to be more significantly limited compared to when the maximum output of the engine 11 is limited to a value greater than approximately 70% of the maximum output when the output of the engine 11 is not limited. In other words, when the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20, the vessel operator 90 can be more strongly urged to start the warning application 60 on the information terminal 20. As a result, when the vessel operator 90 operates the small vessel 10, the warning application 60 that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10 can be reliably operated on the information terminal 20 with which the small vessel 10 can communicate.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the information terminal 20 includes a touch panel 21. The information terminal 20 is configured to lock and unlock the screen transition of the touch panel 21 when the touch panel 21 receives a first operation 71 for drawing a figure clockwise and a second operation 72 for drawing a figure counterclockwise in succession while the warning application 60 is displayed on the touch panel 21. Hereinafter, when the operator 90 is operating the small vessel 10, water droplets may adhere to the information terminal 20. In this case, while the warning application 60 is displayed on the touch panel 21, the water droplets may move on the touch panel 21 due to their own weight or wind pressure, causing the touch panel 21 to be mistakenly perceived as having been operated by the operator 90. In this case, the screen of the warning application 60 displayed on the touch panel 21 may be unintentionally transitioned to another screen by the operator 90. For this reason, a configuration is desired that can suppress the unintentional transition of the screen of the warning application 60 displayed on the touch panel 21 of the information terminal 20 to another screen by the operator 90. To solve these problems, we devised the above configuration. This allows the screen transitions of the touch panel 21 to be locked and unlocked only when a first operation 71, which draws a shape clockwise, and a second operation 72, which draws a shape counterclockwise, are performed consecutively on the touch panel 21 while the warning application 60 is displayed on the touch panel 21. It is considered that consecutive movements of drawing a shape clockwise and a counterclockwise shape are unlikely to occur on a water droplet attached to the touch panel 21. In other words, the finger movements of the operator 90 in the first operation 71 and the second operation 72 for locking and unlocking the screen transitions of the touch panel 21 are unlikely to occur on a water droplet attached to the touch panel, thus preventing the touch panel 21 from being mistakenly recognized as being operated by the operator 90 while the warning application 60 is displayed on the touch panel 21. As a result, it is possible to prevent the screen of the warning application 60 displayed on the touch panel 21 of the information terminal 20 from unintentionally transitioning to another screen by the operator 90.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the information terminal 20 is configured to lock and unlock the screen transition of the touch panel 21 when the touch panel 21 receives a first operation 71 and a second operation 72 which draws a figure of a different size from the first operation 71 in succession while the warning application 60 is displayed on the touch panel 21. As a result, compared to the case where figures of the same size are drawn in the first operation 71 and the second operation 72, the movement of the operator's finger in the first operation 71 and the second operation 72 is less likely to occur on the water droplet on the touch panel 21, thus further suppressing the misrecognition that the touch panel 21 has been operated by the operator 90. Consequently, it is possible to further suppress the operator's unintentional transition of the warning application 60 screen displayed on the touch panel 21 of the information terminal 20 to another screen.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the information terminal 20 is configured to lock and unlock the screen transitions of the touch panel 21 when the touch panel 21 receives a first operation 71 for drawing a circle and a second operation 72 for drawing a circle in succession while the warning application 60 is displayed on the touch panel 21. As a result, the number of strokes required for the shapes drawn in the first operation 71 and the second operation 72 is reduced compared to when the first operation 71 and the second operation 72 draw shapes other than circles (for example, squares, triangles, etc.), thus reducing the operational burden on the operator 90 for locking and unlocking the screen transitions of the touch panel 21.

[0076] (Effects of the method of the embodiment) The method of this embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0077] In the present embodiment, as described above, when the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 determines that the engine 11 of the small vessel 10 has been started, the control unit 15 performs control to transmit, via the communication unit 14, an activation signal S to activate the warning application 60 to the information terminal 20 that is configured to be able to communicate with the communication unit 14 of the small vessel 10 and has installed thereon a warning application 60 that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, when the engine 11 of the small vessel 10 is started, even if the warning application 60 is not already activated on the information terminal 20, the warning application 60 can be activated on the information terminal 20. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, when the vessel operator 90 operates the small vessel 10, it is possible to prevent the vessel operator 90 from forgetting to activate the warning application 60 that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10 on the information terminal 20 with which the small vessel 10 can communicate.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, step S13 of controlling the transmission of the activation signal S is a step of transmitting the activation signal S that activates the warning application 60 for warning the operator 90 of the small vessel 10 that the small vessel 10 has exceeded the speed limit in the speed limited area A1 in which the speed of the small vessel 10 is limited, and that the small vessel 10 has entered the no-entry area A2 in which entry of the small vessel 10 is prohibited. This makes it possible to prevent the operator 90 from forgetting to activate the warning application 60 for warning the operator 90 of the small vessel 10 that the small vessel 10 has exceeded the speed limit in the speed limited area A1 and that the small vessel 10 has entered the no-entry area A2, when operating the small vessel 10, similar to the structure of the above embodiment.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, step S11 of determining whether the engine 11 has been started is a step in which the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 determines whether the engine 11 has been started based on the rotation speed of the engine 11. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, unlike a case in which whether the engine 11 has been started is determined based on the pressing of a switch to start the engine 11, it is possible to reliably determine whether the engine 11 has actually been started based on the rotation speed of the engine 11. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, it is possible to prevent the start signal S for starting the warning application 60 from being sent to the information terminal 20 when the engine 11 has not been started.

[0080] Furthermore, as described above, the present embodiment includes step S21 in which the information terminal 20 determines whether or not it has received the activation signal S, step S22 in which the information terminal 20 determines whether or not the current position of the information terminal 20 is on water when it has received the activation signal S, and step S23 in which the information terminal 20 activates the warning application 60 when it has determined that the current position of the information terminal 20 is on water. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, the information terminal 20 can prevent the warning application 60 from being activated in the information terminal 20 when the vessel operator 90 is not operating the small vessel 10, even when the activation signal S is transmitted from the small vessel 10. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, the information terminal 20 can prevent the warning application 60 from being activated in the information terminal 20 when there is no need to activate the warning application 60 in the information terminal 20.

[0081] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as described above, step S23 of activating the warning application 60 is a step in which the information terminal 20 does not activate the warning application 60 if the information terminal 20 determines that the information terminal 20 is on land based on the position information P2 of the information terminal 20, even when an activation signal S is transmitted from the small vessel 10. This allows the information terminal 20 to easily determine whether to activate the warning application 60, similar to the structure of the above embodiment. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, it is possible to easily prevent the information terminal 20 from activating the warning application 60 when there is no need to activate the warning application 60. Furthermore, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, the information terminal 20 (especially a portable information terminal 20) often has a satellite positioning system 40 (GPS, etc.) function. In this case, it is not necessary to newly install software for the satellite positioning system 40 in the information terminal 20.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, step S13 of performing control to transmit the activation signal S is a step in which the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 performs control not to transmit the activation signal S to the information terminal 20 when it determines that the small vessel 10 is on land based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10, even if the engine 11 has been started. This allows the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 to easily determine whether or not to transmit the activation signal S to the information terminal 20 to activate the warning application 60, similar to the structure of the above embodiment. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, it is possible to easily prevent the warning application 60 from being activated in the information terminal 20 when there is no need to activate the warning application 60 in the information terminal 20.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, step S13 of controlling to transmit the activation signal S is a step of controlling not to transmit the activation signal S to the information terminal 20 when the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 determines that the small vessel 10 is on land by estimating that the propulsion unit 13 is underwater based on the load on the engine 11, even if the engine 11 has been started. This allows the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 to easily determine whether or not to transmit the activation signal S to the information terminal 20 to activate the warning application 60, similar to the structure of the above embodiment. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, it is possible to easily prevent the warning application 60 from being activated on the information terminal 20 when there is no need to activate the warning application 60 on the information terminal 20.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, step S13 of controlling the transmission of the activation signal S is a step in which, when the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 determines that the engine 11 has started, the control unit 15 controls the transmission of the activation signal S to the information terminal 20 by Bluetooth via the communication unit 14. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, the activation signal S can be easily transmitted from the communication unit 14 of the small vessel 10 to the information terminal 20 by Bluetooth, which is optimal for short-range communication.

[0085] Furthermore, as described above, this embodiment includes step S31 of determining whether the warning application 60 is running on the information terminal 20, and step S32 in which the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 performs control to limit the output of the engine 11 when it determines that the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, when the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20, the vessel operator 90 can be prompted to start the warning application 60 on the information terminal 20 in order to release the limit on the output of the engine 11. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, when the vessel operator 90 operates the small vessel 10, the warning application 60 that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10 can be operated on the information terminal 20 with which the small vessel 10 can communicate.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, step S32 of performing control to limit the output of the engine 11 is a step in which the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 performs control to limit the rotation speed of the engine 11 if the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20. Thus, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, the output of the engine 11 can be easily limited by limiting the rotation speed of the engine 11. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, when the vessel operator 90 operates the small vessel 10, the warning application 60 that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10 can easily function on the information terminal 20 with which the small vessel 10 can communicate.

[0087] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as described above, step S32 in which control is performed to limit the output of the engine 11 is a step in which the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10, when the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20, controls to limit the maximum output of the engine 11 to a value between approximately 40% and approximately 70% of the maximum output when the output of the engine 11 is not limited. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, when the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20, the vessel helmsman 90 can be more strongly urged to start the warning application 60 on the information terminal 20. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, when the vessel helmsman 90 operates the small vessel 10, the warning application 60 that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10 can be reliably operated on the information terminal 20 with which the small vessel 10 can communicate.

[0088] Furthermore, as described above, this embodiment includes step S41 of determining whether the touch panel 21 of the information terminal 20 has successively accepted a first operation 71 of drawing a figure in a clockwise direction and a second operation 72 of drawing a figure in a counterclockwise direction while the warning application 60 is being displayed on the touch panel 21, and step S42 of locking and unlocking screen transitions on the touch panel 21 if the touch panel 21 has successively accepted the first operation 71 and the second operation 72 while the warning application 60 is being displayed on the touch panel 21. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, the movements of the finger of the vessel operator 90 in the first operation 71 and the second operation 72 for locking and unlocking screen transitions on the touch panel 21 are movements that are unlikely to cause water droplets adhering to the touch panel 21, and therefore it is possible to prevent the touch panel 21 from being erroneously recognized as having been operated by the vessel operator 90 while the warning application 60 is being displayed on the touch panel 21. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, it is possible to prevent the screen of the warning application 60 displayed on the touch panel 21 of the information terminal 20 from unintentionally transitioning to another screen by the operator 90.

[0089] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as described above, step S42 of locking and unlocking screen transitions on the touch panel 21 is a step of locking and unlocking screen transitions on the touch panel 21 when the information terminal 20, while displaying the warning application 60 on the touch panel 21, successively accepts a first operation 71 and a second operation 72 in which a shape different in size from the first operation 71 is drawn. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, compared to when the first operation 71 and the second operation 72 draw shapes of the same size, the movements of the fingers of the helmsman 90 in the first operation 71 and the second operation 72 are less likely to occur on water droplets on the touch panel 21, thereby further reducing the likelihood of the touch panel 21 being mistakenly recognized as having been operated by the helmsman 90. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the likelihood of the helmsman 90 unintentionally transitioning the screen of the warning application 60 displayed on the touch panel 21 of the information terminal 20 to another screen.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, step S42 of locking and unlocking screen transitions on the touch panel 21 is a step of locking and unlocking screen transitions on the touch panel 21 when the touch panel 21 receives a first operation 71 for drawing a circle and a second operation 72 for drawing a circle in succession while the information terminal 20 is displaying the warning application 60 on the touch panel 21. As a result, similar to the structure of the above embodiment, the number of strokes required to draw the figure in the first operation 71 and the second operation 72 is fewer than when the first operation 71 and the second operation 72 draw a figure other than a circle (for example, a rectangle, a triangle, etc.), and therefore the operational burden on the vessel operator 90 for locking and unlocking screen transitions on the touch panel 21 can be reduced.

[0091] [Variations] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications (variations) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0092] For example, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the second operation 72 of drawing a shape counterclockwise is configured to draw a smaller shape than the first operation 71 of drawing a shape clockwise, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in the information terminal 220 of the first modified example shown in Fig. 10, the second operation 272 of drawing a shape counterclockwise may be configured to draw a larger shape than the first operation 271 of drawing a shape clockwise.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the second operation 72, which draws a figure counterclockwise, is configured to draw a concentric circle with the first operation 71, which draws a figure clockwise. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in a second modified example shown in FIG. 11 , the information terminal 320 may be configured to lock and unlock screen transitions on the touch panel 21 when, while the warning application 60 is displayed on the touch panel 21, the information terminal 320 receives a first operation 371 and a second operation 372 successively, such that the touch panel 21 draws a figure eight. That is, the step of locking and unlocking screen transitions on the touch panel 21 may be a step of locking and unlocking screen transitions on the touch panel 21 when, while the warning application 60 is displayed on the touch panel 21, the information terminal 20 receives a first operation 371 and a second operation 372 successively, such that the touch panel 21 draws a figure eight. In this case, by drawing a figure-eight shape with the first operation 371 and the second operation 372, the number of strokes in the shape drawn in the first operation 371 and the second operation 372 can be reduced to 1, thereby reducing the operational burden on the operator 90 to lock and unlock the screen transitions on the touch panel 21 compared to when no figure-eight shape is drawn with the first operation 371 and the second operation 372.

[0094] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which information terminal 20 is configured to lock and unlock screen transitions on touch panel 21 when touch panel 21 receives a first operation 71 for drawing a circle and a second operation 72 for drawing a circle in succession while warning application 60 is being displayed on touch panel 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in a third modified example shown in Fig. 12 , information terminal 420 may be configured to lock and unlock screen transitions on touch panel 21 when touch panel 21 receives a first operation 471 for drawing a triangle and a second operation 472 for drawing a triangle in succession while warning application 60 is being displayed on touch panel 21. Alternatively, as in a fourth modified example shown in Fig. 13 , information terminal 520 may be configured to lock and unlock screen transitions on touch panel 21 when touch panel 21 receives a first operation 571 for drawing a rectangle and a second operation 572 for drawing a rectangle in succession while warning application 60 is being displayed on touch panel 21.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which information terminal 20 is configured to lock and unlock screen transitions on touch panel 21 when touch panel 21 receives, in succession, a first operation 71 and a second operation 72 that draws a shape that is different in size from first operation 71 while warning application 60 is being displayed on touch panel 21, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the information terminal may be configured to lock and unlock screen transitions on the touch panel when, in succession, the touch panel receives, in succession, a first operation and a second operation that draws a shape that is approximately the same size as the first operation while a warning application is being displayed on the touch panel.

[0096] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which information terminal 20 is configured to lock and unlock screen transitions on touch panel 21 when touch panel 21 receives a first operation 71 of drawing a shape clockwise and a second operation 72 of drawing a shape counterclockwise in succession while warning application 60 is being displayed on touch panel 21, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the information terminal may be configured to lock and unlock screen transitions on the touch panel when the touch panel receives an operation other than the first operation and the second operation while the warning application is being displayed on the touch panel.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to limit the maximum output of the engine 11 to a value between approximately 40% and approximately 70% of the maximum output when the output of the engine 11 is not limited when the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control unit of the small vessel may be configured to limit the maximum output of the engine to a value less than approximately 40% of the maximum output when the output of the engine is not limited when the warning application is not running on the information terminal.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to perform control to limit the output of the engine 11 when the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control unit of the small vessel may be configured not to perform control to limit the output of the engine even when the warning application is not running on the information terminal.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to control transmission of the start signal S to the information terminal 20 via Bluetooth through the communication unit 14 based on the start of the engine 11, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control unit of the small vessel may be configured to control transmission of the start signal to the information terminal via the communication unit using a communication standard other than Bluetooth based on the start of the engine.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to control the small vessel 10 not to send the activation signal S to the information terminal 20 if the control unit 15 determines that the small vessel 10 is on land by estimating that the propulsion unit 13 is underwater based on the load on the engine 11, even when the engine 11 is started. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control unit of the small vessel may be configured to control the small vessel 10 to send the activation signal to the information terminal when the engine is started, even when the control unit determines that the small vessel is on land by estimating that the propulsion unit is underwater based on the load on the engine. Furthermore, the control unit of the small vessel may be configured to send information regarding the load on the engine to the information terminal, and the information terminal may determine whether the small vessel is on land based on the information regarding the load on the engine.

[0101] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to control not to send the activation signal S to the information terminal 20 when it determines that the small vessel 10 is on land based on the position information P1 of the small vessel 10, even when the engine 11 has been started. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control unit of the small vessel may be configured to control to send the activation signal to the information terminal when the engine has been started, even when it determines that the small vessel is on land based on the position information of the small vessel. Furthermore, the control unit of the small vessel may be configured to send the position information of the small vessel to the information terminal, and the information terminal may determine whether the small vessel is on land based on the position information of the small vessel.

[0102] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the information terminal 20 is configured not to activate the warning application 60 when it determines that the information terminal 20 is on land based on the position information P2 of the information terminal 20 even when an activation signal S is transmitted from the small vessel 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the information terminal may be configured to activate the warning application when an activation signal is transmitted from the small vessel, even when it determines that the information terminal is on land based on the position information of the information terminal.

[0103] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the control unit 15 of the small vessel 10 is configured to perform control to limit the output of the engine 11 when the warning application 60 is not running on the information terminal 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as shown in a fifth modified example in Figure 14, the control unit of the small vessel may be configured to perform control to limit the speed of the small vessel when the warning application is not running on the information terminal (step S632). Furthermore, the control unit of the small vessel may be configured not to perform control to limit the engine output, the speed of the small vessel, etc. when the warning application is not running on the information terminal.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the control unit 15 of the small boat 10 is configured to perform control to determine whether the engine 11 has been started based on the rotation speed of the engine 11, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control unit of the small boat may be configured to perform control to determine whether the engine has been started based on information other than the rotation speed of the engine.

[0105] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the warning application 60 is an application for warning the operator 90 of the small vessel 10 that the small vessel 10 has exceeded the speed limit in the speed limit area A1 and that the small vessel 10 has entered a no-entry area A2 where entry of the small vessel 10 is prohibited, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the warning application may be an application for warning the operator of the small vessel that the small vessel has exceeded the speed limit in a speed limit area or that the small vessel has entered a no-entry area where entry of small vessels is prohibited.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the small vessel 10 is a water jet propulsion boat (personal watercraft), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the small vessel may be a pleasure boat or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 10 Small vessels 11 Engine 12 Promotion Department 14 Communications Department 15 Control Unit 20, 220, 320, 420, 520 Information terminal 21 Touch Panel 40 Satellite Positioning System 60 Warning Application 71, 271, 371, 471, 571 First operation 72, 272, 372, 472, 572 Second operation 100 Pilot warning support system A1 Speed ​​Limit Area A2 No entry area P1 (Small vessel) position information P2 (information terminal) location information S start signal

Claims

1. A small vessel including an engine, control unit and communication unit, an information terminal configured to be able to communicate with the communication unit of the small vessel and having installed thereon a warning application that issues a predetermined warning based on the position information of the small vessel; A vessel operator warning support system, wherein the control unit of the small vessel is configured to perform control to limit the engine output or the speed of the small vessel when the warning application is not launched on the information terminal.

2. The operator warning support system according to claim 1, wherein the warning application is an application for warning the operator of the small vessel that the small vessel has exceeded the speed limit in a speed-restricted area where the speed of the small vessel is restricted, and that the small vessel has entered a no-entry area where the entry of the small vessel is prohibited.

3. 2. The vessel operator warning support system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit of the vessel is configured to perform control to limit the engine rotation speed so as to limit the engine output when the warning application is not launched on the information terminal.

4. The operator warning support system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit of the small vessel is configured to, when performing control to limit the rotational speed of the engine, perform control to limit the rotational speed of the engine and at the same time perform control to notify the operator of the small vessel that the engine rotational speed will be limited because the warning application is not running on the information terminal.

5. The operator warning support system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit of the small vessel is configured to control the maximum output of the engine to a value of approximately 40% or more and approximately 70% or less of the maximum output when the engine output is not limited, if the warning application is not activated on the information terminal.

6. 2. The ship operator warning support system according to claim 1, wherein the information terminal includes a touch panel, and is configured to lock and unlock screen transitions of the touch panel when the touch panel receives a first operation of drawing a figure clockwise and a second operation of drawing a figure counterclockwise in succession while the warning application is displayed on the touch panel.

7. 7. The ship operator warning support system according to claim 6, wherein the information terminal is configured to lock and unlock screen transitions of the touch panel when the touch panel receives the first operation and the second operation of drawing a figure of a different size from the first operation in succession while the warning application is being displayed on the touch panel.

8. 7. The ship operator warning support system according to claim 6, wherein the information terminal is configured to lock and unlock screen transitions of the touch panel when the touch panel receives the first operation of drawing a circle and the second operation of drawing a circle in succession while the warning application is displayed on the touch panel.

9. 7. The ship operator warning support system according to claim 6, wherein the information terminal is configured to lock and unlock screen transitions on the touch panel when, while the warning application is displayed on the touch panel, the touch panel receives the first operation and the second operation adjacent to the first operation in succession, so as to draw a figure-eight shape.

10. a step of determining whether a warning application is running on an information terminal that is configured to be able to communicate with the communication unit of the small vessel, which includes an engine, a control unit, and a communication unit, and that has installed thereon a warning application that issues a predetermined warning based on position information of the small vessel; A method for assisting a vessel operator in warning, comprising a step in which the control unit of the vessel performs control to limit the engine output or the speed of the vessel when it determines that the warning application is not running on the information terminal.

11. determining whether or not the touch panel has successively received a first operation of drawing a figure in a clockwise direction and a second operation of drawing a figure in a counterclockwise direction while the warning application is being displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal; 11. The ship operator warning support method according to claim 10, further comprising: a step of locking and unlocking screen transitions of the touch panel when the touch panel receives the first operation and the second operation in succession while the warning application is being displayed on the touch panel.

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