Boat Control System with Obscured Area Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat control systems lack high maneuverability due to reliance on limited visual information from the pilot, leading to delayed responses to obstacles or events like a skier falling, especially in situations where the pilot's view is obstructed or when detecting people near the motors.
Innovation Solution
A control system incorporating a display unit with cameras providing images of obscured areas, coupled with image processing techniques to automatically adjust boat speed and direction, enhancing pilot perception and enabling assisted docking or maintaining anchorage positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pilot relies on limited visual information while steering the boat, then the control system is simple, but the maneuverability and response time to obstacles or events are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cameras as intermediary devices that capture visual information from areas not visible to the pilot (bow, stern, transom). These cameras act as mediators between the physical environment and the pilot's perception, providing real-time images to a display unit. This allows the pilot to see obscured areas without physically moving to those locations, thereby improving maneuverability and obstacle detection while maintaining a relatively simple control system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for the pilot to physically move or manually inspect different areas of the boat with an optical/electronic system. Instead of the pilot mechanically positioning themselves to view the bow or stern, cameras capture images that are electronically transmitted to the display unit. This substitution of mechanical movement with optical sensing and electronic display improves response time and maneuverability without significantly increasing system complexity.
2Reliability
If the pilot shifts glance from bow to stern to detect events, then the detection is possible, but the response time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous visual monitoring of multiple areas (bow, stern, transom) through cameras that simultaneously capture images from all these locations. The display unit presents these images continuously to the pilot, eliminating the need for the pilot to periodically shift their glance between different areas. This continuous monitoring of all critical areas ensures that events such as obstacles or people in the water are detected immediately without delay, while the pilot maintains a steady position at the control station.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to visual information by providing real-time, continuous video feeds from multiple locations. Instead of the pilot sequentially observing different areas in space (shifting glance from bow to stern), the system presents simultaneous spatial information from all areas on the display unit. This dimensional transformation from sequential spatial observation to parallel temporal observation eliminates response time delays while maintaining comprehensive detection capability.
3Reliability
If the pilot inspects the transom carefully to detect people near motors, then safety is improved, but the operation becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera positioned to view the transom area as an intermediary device. This camera continuously captures images of the transom and surrounding water area, providing visual information about people or objects near the motors without requiring the pilot to leave the control station and manually inspect the area. The camera acts as a mediator that brings the transom view to the pilot's field of vision through the display unit, thereby improving safety while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the transom area through the camera system. Instead of the pilot directly observing the transom (which would require physical movement and complex operation), the system creates an optical copy or image representation of the transom area and displays it on the display unit. This copy allows the pilot to inspect the transom area safely and easily from the control station, improving both safety and ease of operation without adding significant complexity to the system.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for boats includes a direction control system of a propulsion unit having a directional control member, and an acceleration/deceleration control system of the propulsion unit having an acceleration/deceleration control member. The directional control member activates a directional unit that generates directional control signals, which set an orientation of the propulsion unit, and the acceleration/deceleration control member activates an acceleration/deceleration unit that generates acceleration/deceleration control signals, which set at least a number of revolutions of the propulsion unit. The control system further includes a display unit provided with a screen, and a camera having a control system that provides images of areas or zones that cannot be observed by an operator of the control system while steering the boat, so as to enable driving the acceleration/deceleration unit and/or the directional unit according to a content of those images.