Dual-mode controller

A system for operating a dual-mode controller, the system comprising:

• a controller comprising a processor, a non-transitory machine-readable memory, and a display interface;
• and
• a plurality of subsystems coupled to and in bi-directional communication with the controller, the plurality of subsystems comprising two or more of a location positioning sub-system, a satellite communication subsystem, a messaging subsystem, and an emergency rescue beacon subsystem;
• wherein, responsive to receipt of a signal from a portable computing device via a wireless communication link established between the portable computing device and the controller, the processor of the controller is operative to switch the controller from a first operational mode to a second operational mode, wherein the signal is indicative of a user interaction with the portable computing device to enter the second operational mode, wherein,
• when in the first operational mode, the display interface of the controller
• a) serves as a command entry interface for user entry of commands controlling performance of the plurality of subsystems, and
• b) provides a first number of functional operations to a user for controlling operation of the plurality of subsystems, and
• wherein, when in the second operational mode, the processor enables the portable computing device to
• a) serve as primary command entry interface for one or more of the plurality of subsystems,
• b) bi-directionally communicate, by a second processor of the portable computing device, with a portion of the one or more of the plurality of subsystems, and
• c) provide, via a second display interface of the portable computing device, a second number of functional operations to the user for controlling operation of the plurality of subsystems, whereby
• control of certain of the plurality of subsystems is enhanced by the user's familiarity with an operating system of the portable computing device.

A system comprising:

• a controller comprising a processor, a non-transitory machine-readable memory, and a display interface;
• and
• a plurality of subsystems coupled to and in bi-directional communication with the controller, the plurality of subsystems comprising two or more of a location positioning sub-system, a fishing guide subsystem, a fish finding subsystem, a depth sounding subsystem, a steering subsystem, one or more sensors, and one or more transducers;
• wherein the processor is operative to switch the controller between a first operational mode and a second operational mode responsive to receipt of a signal from a connected portable computing device indicative of a user interaction with the portable computing device to enter the second operational mode, wherein,
• when in the first operational mode, the display interface of the controller
• a) serves as a command entry interface for user entry of commands controlling performance of the plurality of subsystems, and
• b) provides a first number of functional operations to a user for controlling operation of the plurality of subsystems, and
• wherein, when in the second operational mode, the processor enables the portable computing device to
• a) serve as a primary command entry interface for one or more of the plurality of subsystems,
• b) bi-directionally communicate with a portion of subsystems the one or more of the plurality of subsystems, and
• c) provide a second number of functional operations to the user for controlling operation of the plurality of subsystems.