Configurable Marine Vessel Fob Control for Multi-System Commands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control fobs for marine vessels face challenges due to the high variability in vessel configurations and increasing complexity of onboard systems, leading to impracticality of a single fob solution and potential operational errors.
Innovation Solution
A customizable remote control system that allows users to configure fob functionalities based on individual vessel needs, enabling multiple fobs to have different configurations and simplifying startup and shutdown procedures through a single button press.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single standardized remote control fob is used for all marine vessels, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to different vessel configurations deteriorates and operational reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control system allows dynamic reconfiguration of button functions through programmable settings. Each button can be assigned different commands based on user preferences and vessel-specific requirements, enabling the same physical device to adapt to various operational contexts without hardware changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables modification of operational parameters through programmable command assignments. Users can customize which systems are controlled by each button press, changing the functional parameters of the remote control to match different vessel configurations and user needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pre-programmed fixed functionality is used in remote control fobs, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different vessel configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows pre-programming of button commands during a setup phase. Users can configure their preferred control assignments before operation, and once programmed, the system operates automatically with the configured settings, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control device is designed to perform multiple functions through programmable button assignments. The same physical buttons can execute different commands depending on the programmed configuration, allowing a single device to serve multiple vessel types and control requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized remote controls are created for different vessel configurations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single remote control design serves multiple vessel configurations through programmable functionality. The device incorporates a microprocessor and memory that store configurable command assignments, allowing one hardware platform to replace multiple specialized controls while maintaining adaptability to different marine applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses software-based command configurations rather than hardware variations. Different vessel control requirements are implemented through copied and modified software settings rather than creating physically different devices, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A remote control system (10) for a marine vessel (4) includes at least one fob (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) communicating with a helm transceiver module (14) on the vessel (4). The fob (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) has at least two user inputs, each associated with a different user-selectable fob command (60-66), wherein the fob (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) is configured to wirelessly transmit a fob identification and a selected fob command (60-66) in response to user selection of a user input. The helm transceiver module (14) is configured to store unique fob identifications for permitted fobs (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) and a set of system commands for each user-selectable fob command (60-66) for each fob identification, wherein the set of system commands are configurable by a user. Upon receipt of the fob identification and the selected fob command (60-66), the helm transceiver module (14) verifies that the fob identification is associated with one of the permitted fobs (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) and identifies the user-configured set of system commands associated with the selected fob command (60-66) and the fob identification. The helm transceiver module (14) then communicates instructions via a vessel network (24) based on the set of system commands to activate or deactivate devices on the marine vessel (4).