One-Boat Network IFTTT Control for Situational Marine Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Anglers on fishing watercraft face challenges in efficiently controlling numerous pieces of marine equipment due to changing conditions and preferences, leading to time-consuming manual adjustments and unnecessary battery drain.
Innovation Solution
A networked control system utilizing IFTTT methodologies to automate equipment operation based on predetermined modes, environmental conditions, and angler preferences, including a real-time trolling system monitor and advanced motor control, allowing for intelligent power management and situational control of marine devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If anglers manually control each piece of equipment individually, then they can make personalized decisions about equipment operation, but it consumes excessive time and reduces actual fishing time
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables equipment to automatically adjust its operation based on detected environmental conditions and pre-programmed preferences. The watercraft monitoring system continuously tracks parameters like location, weather, and equipment status, then autonomously controls equipment without requiring angler intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in making operational decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
Anglers pre-program their equipment preferences and operational parameters before fishing trips. The system stores these predetermined settings and automatically retrieves and applies them when specific conditions are met, eliminating the need for real-time manual adjustments and allowing anglers to prepare once rather than continuously during fishing.
2Ease of operation
If anglers leave equipment powered on continuously, then equipment is ready for immediate use, but battery power is drained unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts equipment power states based on real-time conditions and usage patterns. Rather than maintaining static power-on or power-off states, the monitoring system continuously evaluates whether equipment should be active, in standby, or powered down, adapting power consumption to actual operational needs while ensuring readiness when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The watercraft monitoring system continuously monitors equipment status, environmental conditions, and usage patterns, then provides feedback control by automatically adjusting power states. This closed-loop system detects when equipment is needed and activates it appropriately, preventing both unnecessary power consumption and ensuring availability when required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system automates equipment control based on environmental conditions, then equipment operation is optimized for current conditions, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The watercraft monitoring system serves multiple functions: it monitors environmental conditions, tracks equipment status, stores angler preferences, makes operational decisions, and controls various pieces of equipment. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional platform, the system achieves high adaptability without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system acts as an intermediary layer between environmental sensors and equipment controllers. Rather than creating complex direct control pathways between each sensor and each piece of equipment, the central monitoring system processes information and coordinates control actions, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling sophisticated adaptive behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of situationally controlling marine devices connected via a one boat network on a watercraft are presented. The marine devices are selected from fishfinders or other OBN devices, trolling motors, heading sensors, main propulsion engine, i-Pilot Link, shallow water anchors, AIS/MARPA, smart chargers or power monitors, downriggers, trim tabs, drift paddles, lighting, sonar and imaging transducers, chart plotters, foot pedals, handheld remote controls, and mobile marine apps. The method includes the steps of identifying at least one situational condition of at least one first marine device, identifying at least one second marine device, and triggering a situational control action for the at least one second marine device when the at least one situational condition for the at least one first marine device is met. The methods include situationally controlling a speed of a trolling motor and anchoring of the watercraft, as well as providing advanced power management thereon.