Systems and methods for providing non-visual feedback when a marine propulsion device of a marine vessel returns to center

A method for providing non-visual feedback when a steerable component of a marine vessel returns to center, the method comprising:

• determining that a rotational position of a steerable component about a steering axis has reached a centered position,
• wherein the steerable component is coupled to the marine vessel and configured to rotate about the steering axis to affect a direction of movement of the marine vessel;
• and
• in response to determining that the rotational position of the steerable component about the steering axis has reached the centered position, causing a feedback device to provide non-visual feedback via a steering input device to which the feedback device is coupled,
• wherein the feedback device comprises a variable resistance device configured to apply a variable resistance force to the steering input device that resists movement of the steering input device, and
• wherein the non-visual feedback includes increased resistance to steering inputs provided via the steering input device.

A system for providing non-visual feedback when a steerable component of a marine vessel returns to center, the system comprising:

• a steerable component coupled to the marine vessel and configured to rotate about a steering axis to affect a direction of movement of the marine vessel;
• a steering input device;
• a feedback device coupled to the steering input device;
• and
• one or more hardware processors configured to:
• determine whether one or more criteria are satisfied,
• wherein the one or more criteria includes at least one of the following:
• a speed criteria associated with a speed threshold;
• and
• a steering angle criteria associated with a steering angle threshold;
• compare
• (a) a speed over ground of the marine vessel to the speed threshold, and determine that the speed criteria is satisfied in response to determining that the speed over ground of the marine vessel is less than the speed threshold;
• or
• (b) a steering angle of the steerable component to the steering angle threshold, and determine that the steering criteria is satisfied in response to determining that the steering angle is less than the steering angle threshold;
• determine that the one or more criteria are satisfied based on:
• (i) the speed criteria being satisfied;
• (ii) the steering angle criteria being satisfied;
• or
• (iii) the speed criteria being satisfied and the steering angle criteria being satisfied;
• in response to determining that the one or more criteria are satisfied, determine whether the rotational position of the steerable component about the steering axis has reached the centered position;
• determine that a rotational position of the steerable component about the steering axis has reached a centered position;
• and
• in response to determining that the rotational position of the steerable component about the steering axis has reached the centered position, cause the feedback device to provide non-visual feedback via the steering input device.

A method for providing non-visual feedback when a steerable component of a marine vessel returns to center, the method comprising:

• determining whether one or more criteria are satisfied,
• wherein the one or more criteria includes at least one of the following:
• a speed criteria associated with a speed threshold;
• and
• a steering angle criteria associated with a steering angle threshold;
• comparing
• (a) a speed over ground of the marine vessel to the speed threshold, and determine that the speed criteria is satisfied in response to determining that the speed over ground of the marine vessel is less than the speed threshold;
• or
• (b) a steering angle of a steerable component to the steering angle threshold, and determine that the steering criteria is satisfied in response to determining that the steering angle is less than the steering angle threshold,
• wherein the steerable component is coupled to the marine vessel and configured to rotate about a steering axis to affect a direction of movement of the marine vessel;
• determining that the one or more criteria are satisfied based on:
• (i) the speed criteria being satisfied;
• (ii) the steering angle criteria being satisfied;
• or
• (iii) the speed criteria being satisfied and the steering angle criteria being satisfied;
• in response to determining that the one or more criteria are satisfied, determining whether the rotational position of the steerable component about the steering axis has reached the centered position;
• determining that a rotational position of the steerable component about the steering axis has reached a centered position;
• and
• in response to determining that the rotational position of the steerable component about the steering axis has reached the centered position, causing a feedback device to provide non-visual feedback via a steering input device to which the feedback device is coupled.