US 6,382,122 B1 · Method for initializing a marine vessel control system

Abstract

An auto detect system is provided for a marine vessel in which the various associations and relationships between marine propulsion devices, gauges, sensors, and other components are quickly and easily determined. The system performs a method which automatically determines the number of marine propulsion devices on the marine vessel and, where needed, prompts the boat builder or marine vessel outfitter to enter various commands to identify particular marine propulsion devices with reference to their location on the marine vessel and to identify certain other components, such as gauges, with reference to both their location at a particular helm station and their association with a particular marine propulsion device.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for initializing a marine vessel control system, comprising the steps of:

providing a microprocessor connected in signal communication with a communication bus of said marine vessel control system;
automatically determining the number of individual marine propulsion devices connected to said communication bus associated with said marine vessel;
and
identifying each of said individual marine propulsion devices when it is determined that more than one of said individual marine propulsion devices are associated with said marine vessel.

1 more element

A method for initializing a marine vessel control system, comprising the steps of:

determining the number of individual marine propulsion devices associated with said marine vessel by interrogating a signal on a communication bus to determine if more than one of said individual marine propulsion devices is transmitting a signal on said communication bus;
identifying each of said individual marine propulsion devices when it is determined that more than one of said individual marine propulsion devices are associated with said marine vessel;
prompting an operator to identify the physical location of each of said individual marine propulsion devices on said marine vessel when it is determined that more than one of said individual marine propulsion devices are associated with said marine vessel;
and
identifying each of said individual marine propulsion devices in terms of said physical location of each of said individual marine propulsion devices on said marine vessel.

2 more elements

A method for initializing a marine vessel control system, comprising the steps of:

determining the number of individual marine propulsion devices associated with said marine vessel by interrogating a signal on a communication bus to determine if more than one of said individual marine propulsion devices is transmitting a signal on said communication bus;
identifying each of said individual marine propulsion devices when it is determined that more than one of said individual marine propulsion devices are associated with said marine vessel;
determining the number of control stations associated with said marine vessel;
identifying each of said control stations when it is determined that more than one of said control stations are associated with said marine vessel;
prompting an operator to identify the physical location of each of said individual marine propulsion devices on said marine vessel when it is determined that more than one of said individual marine propulsion devices are associated with said marine vessel;
identifying each of said individual marine propulsion devices in terms of said physical location of each of said individual marine propulsion devices on said marine vessel;
determining the number of individual associated with said marine vessel;
and
identifying each of said individual in terms of its relationship with an associated one of said individual marine propulsion devices on said marine vessel when more than one of said individual are associated with said marine vessel.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for initializing a marine vessel control system

Life of this patent

Method for initializing a marine vessel control system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20