Handheld Marine Vessel Navigation Control Using Orientation Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional handheld devices for navigating marine vessels lack the ability to utilize the current direction or orientation of the device housing to remotely control motors, making it cumbersome to control multiple motors simultaneously, especially when the user cannot reach both the primary and secondary motors simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device equipped with a magnetometer and inertial sensor that generates control signals for marine vessel motors based on directional and orientation measurements, allowing for wireless control of propulsion, trolling, and thruster motors, enabling precise navigation and control without the need for additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional handheld devices with pushbuttons are used to remotely control motors, then motor control functionality is provided, but the device does not utilize current direction or orientation of the housing, making it cumbersome to control multiple motors simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pushbutton controls with a gesture-based control system using accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect device orientation and movement. This substitution eliminates the need for physical buttons and enables more intuitive control of multiple motors through natural hand movements and device pointing directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from discrete pushbutton presses to continuous spatial parameters including device orientation angles, pointing direction, and gesture velocity. This allows for more nuanced control of motor speed and direction by mapping physical device orientation to motor control parameters.
2Measurement precision
If a user directly steers motors using a tiller, then precise motor control is achieved, but it is not practical when the user cannot reach both the primary and secondary motors simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The handheld device serves as an intermediary control system between the user and the motors. Instead of directly touching or reaching the motors, the user controls them remotely through wireless communication, with the handheld device translating gestures and orientation into motor control commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical tiller connection with wireless electronic control. The system uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect user intent and transmits control signals wirelessly to the motors, eliminating the need for physical proximity to the motors.
3Measurement precision
If multiple motors are controlled separately, then each motor can be precisely controlled, but the operation becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The handheld device provides universal control capabilities for multiple different motor types (primary motor, secondary motors, trolling motors) through a single interface. The system can selectively control different motors based on user gestures and device orientation, enabling one device to perform multiple control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges control of multiple motors into a single handheld device interface. Instead of separate controls for each motor, the system integrates them all, allowing the user to switch between and control multiple motors from one location using unified gesture-based commands.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and precise remote control of marine vessel motors, improving navigation accuracy and reducing the complexity of operating multiple motors, allowing for easier maneuvering in tight spaces or low-speed operations.
Implementation Method 1
The handheld device may include a magnetometer, an inertial sensor, and a controller
Implementation Method 2
The handheld device may include a magnetometer, an inertial sensor, and a controller
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld device for navigating a marine vessel includes a magnetometer, and inertial sensor, and a controller. The controller is communicatively coupled to the magnetometer and the inertial sensor. The controller is configured to receive a directional measurement from the magnetometer. The controller is also configured to receive an orientation measurement from the inertial sensor. The controller is configured to generate at least one control signal for a motor of the marine vessel at least partially based on the directional measurement and the orientation measurement.