Systems and methods for controlling a marine vessel having a joystick with adjustable display
AssigneeBrunswick Corporation
InventorsBrian J. Poirier, Ryan C. Abellera, Todd D. Dannenberg, Mark W. Henker, Yana V. Foltice
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A joystick device for controlling propulsion and steering of a marine vessel has a handle configured to be moveable by an operator to provide propulsion and steering control commands for a marine vessel, and a housing at the base of the handle such that the handle extends out of the housing. The joystick device also has an adjustable display thereon that adjusts based on at least one of a control mode and a movement of the handle.
Claims19
A joystick device for controlling propulsion and steering of a marine vessel, the joystick device comprising:
- a handle configured to be movable by an operator to provide propulsion and steering control commands for a marine vessel;
- a housing at a base of the handle such that the handle extends out of the housing;
- an adjustable display on the joystick device, wherein the adjustable display includes at least one of an upper display on a top portion of the handle or a lower display on the housing that extends around a base of the handle;
- and
- a control unit configured to modify the adjustable display based on movement of the handle by the operator.
A marine vessel propulsion and steering control system comprising:
- a joystick device having a handle and a housing, the handle configured to be movable by an operator;
- a control unit operably connected to the joystick device that associates a movement of the handle with a control command to control propulsion and steering of a marine vessel based on a control mode;
- and
- an adjustable display on the housing of the joystick device and extending around a base of the handle, wherein the adjustable display is operated by the control unit based on the control mode.
A method of controlling a marine vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a joystick device, comprising a movable handle, a housing, and an adjustable display, and a control unit associated with the joystick device, the joystick device and control unit configured to cooperate to receive control commands to control propulsion and steering of a marine vessel;
- wherein the adjustable display includes an illuminable ring;
- determining a control mode for the joystick device with the control unit;
- detecting a movement of the handle by an operator, and
- illuminating at least a portion of the illuminable ring on the joystick device with the control unit in response to the movement of the handle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.