Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate and intuitive control over the display of sonar image data provided by sonar systems for mobile structures. A sonar system includes a user interface and a logic device configured to receive and display multiple different sonar image data sets from multiple different types of transducer modules to a user. The logic device is configured to render a historical view selector on a display of the user interface, where the historical view selector is configured to provide for selection of a particular view time in a period of time corresponding to the first and/or second sonar image data, receive user input identifying a selected view time within the range of time, and render first and second portions of the first and second image data corresponding to the selected view time on the display of the user interface.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for detection and ranging systems and methods to improve range resolution, target separation, and reliability. A method includes selectively attenuating a signal representing a ranging system return or echo from targets so as to suppress side lobes or other undesirable artifacts appearing in the signal due to noise, interference, and/or distortion. A method may additionally or alternatively include rejecting interference events in ranging system returns by comparing a received return with that expected from a target illuminated by the ranging system, as determined by characteristics of its particular ranging sensor, and rejecting or attenuating returns or portions of returns that fail to match those characteristics in time or space.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for navigating mobile structures. The mobile structure may include a main attitude & heading reference system (AHRS) and one or more devices. The one or more devices may include a slave AHRS such as a gyroscope. Data may be transmitted from the main AHRS to the one or more devices through a network. Latency may be present in the transmission of data. As such, data from the slave AHRS may be used to determine changes in heading and/or attitude of the mobile structure to compensate for such latency. In addition, such data may be used to determine changes in wind direction and/or heading experienced by the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide water temperature and sonar imagery for users of mobile structures, including watercraft. A water temperature display system includes a water temperature sensor and a logic device configured to communicate with the water temperature sensor. The water temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of or near a surface of a body of water. The logic device is configured to render water temperatures according to a three dimensional view of an area about a mobile structure. Subsequent user input, water temperatures, and/or the rendered view may be used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide touch screen side-scan sonar adjustment for mobile structures. A side-scan sonar adjustment system includes a user interface with a touch screen display and a logic device configured to communicate with the user interface and a side-scan sonar system. The user interface is configured to receive and/or display side-scan sonar data provided by the side-scan sonar system. The logic, device is configured to determine a horizontal swipe gesture rate component performed on the touch screen display, stretch the displayed image in accordance with the swipe gesture, and snap to a new field of view in accordance with current field of view and swipe length information. The user interface and logic device may be integrated together to form a multifunction display used to power and/or supply side-scan sonar transmission signals to the side-scan sonar system.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a vehicle that may detect the presence and/or absence of an operator of the vehicle. The vehicle may determine that the operator is present and/or absent from a control area of the vehicle (e.g., an area where the operator may provide instructions for the piloting of the vehicle) and/or from the entire area of the vehicle and provide instructions responsive to the determination.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide simplified route extension and/or display for autopiloting mobile structures. A route extension system includes a user interface for a mobile structure and a logic device configured to communicate with the user interface. The user interface includes a display configured to display at least a portion of an established route for the mobile structure. The logic device is configured to receive a first user input indicating a position on a navigational chart, receive a second user input indicating the received position corresponds to an extended route for the mobile structure, determine at least one extension routeleg from an endpoint of the established route to the received position, and render at least a portion of the extended route on the display.

Abstract: Electronic navigation systems may be provided with user and/or demo profiles. Each user or demo profile may define a specific settings regarding display layout, user preferences, and various functions and features displayed or provided at an electronic navigation system. A user profile may define specific display preferences on a menu screen for a profile owner. A demo profile may define specific functions/features displayed on a screen for demonstrating use with a specific type of vehicle or a specific type of activity. Each demo profile also may store simulation data that allow the electronic navigation system to simulate the use of the navigation system with a specific type of vehicle or a specific type of activity. The electronic navigation system may allow users to create a new profile, edit an existing profile, and/or activate or deactivate an existing profile.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide casting guidance for users of mobile structures, including watercraft. A casting guidance system includes a sonar transducer assembly and a logic device configured to communicate with the sonar transducer assembly. The sonar transducer assembly is adapted to be mounted to a mobile structure and placed in a body of water. The logic device is configured to identify one or more underwater targets in sonar data received from the sonar transducer assembly, determine casting guidance parameters corresponding to the one or more identified underwater targets, and generate at least one casting guidance identifier based, at least in part, on the determined casting guidance parameters. Subsequent user input, the sonar data, and/or the casting guidance parameters may be used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to provide a fairing block that couples a sonar transducer to a hull of a mobile structure. The fairing block includes a leading edge that diverts water and bubbles in the water laterally around the fairing block and the sonar transducer. A bottom of the leading edge provides a substantially undisturbed water flow over a working face of the sonar transducer while the mobile structure is in motion. The bottom of the leading edge may include a curvilinearly chamfered surface that helps prevent cavitation along the working face of the transducer. One or more lateral cutouts are disposed behind the leading edge to expose lateral sides of the sonar transducer to the water. The lateral sides of the sonar transducer may be metallic and exposed to water by the lateral cutouts, thereby dissipating heat generated within the sonar transducer to the water.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide touch screen sonar adjustment for mobile structures. A sonar adjustment system includes a user interface with a touch screen display and a logic device configured to communicate with the user interface and a sonar system. The user interface is configured to receive and/or display sonar data provided by the sonar system. The logic device is configured to determine a stimulus or scroll rate component and a sample scale component of a pinch gesture performed on the touch screen display, adjust a rate and/or a sample scale factor for the touch screen display and/or for the sonar system, and render the sonar data according to the adjusted rate and/or sample scale factor. The user interface and logic device may be integrated together to form a multifunction display used to power and/or supply sonar transmission signals to the sonar system.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide dynamic threshold sonar systems for mobile structures. A dynamic threshold sonar system may include sonar equipment configured to capturing sonar data by receiving and converting acoustic returns into arrays of time differentiated sonar data samples, and a processor communicatively coupled to the sonar receiver. The processor may be configured to receive the sonar data samples and determine noise characteristics of the sonar data. The processor may determine a threshold for surface detection based on the noise characteristics and detect a surface, and determine a distance to the surface, based on a comparison of the sonar data to the threshold that has been determined based on the same sonar data.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide waypoint sharing with respect to sonar imagery for mobile structures. A waypoint sharing system includes a portable electronic device with a display, a communications module, and a logic device configured to receive a waypoint database from a sonar system user interface or a waypoint server over a wireless communication link, receive user input to adjust at least a portion of the waypoint database, and provide the adjusted waypoint database to the sonar system user interface or the waypoint server over the wireless communication link. The sonar system user interface is configured to provide a waypoint database to the portable electronic device or the waypoint server over the wireless communication ink, receive the adjusted waypoint database from the device or the server over the wireless communication link, and render at least a portion of the adjusted waypoint database on a display.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to generate image data based on avoidance areas for mobile targets and/or mobile structures. A collision avoidance system includes a logic device configured to communicate with a ranging sensor and/or a speed, position, and/or orientation sensor (SPOS) mounted to a mobile structure. The logic device may be configured to determine a projected course for a mobile target detected by the ranging sensor. The system may determine one or more avoidance areas based, at least in part, on the projected course for the mobile target and a speed, position, and/or orientation of the mobile structure detected by the SPOS. The system may generate image data based, at least in part, on the projected course, the one or more avoidance areas, and the detected orientation and/or position.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to generate navigational imagery to help users pilot and/or otherwise operate mobile structures. A pilot display system includes one or more logic devices configured to communicate with various sensors, such as a ranging sensor and a speed, position, and/or orientation sensor (SPOS) mounted to a mobile structure, and one or more user interfaces, which may include one or more displays. At least one user interface is in proximity to a mobile structure and/or a user of a mobile structure and is configured to receive user input and provide user feedback with respect to a mobile structure. The logic devices are configured to render a reference icon on a display substantially statically relative to the display, to receive user selection of a target icon, and to render a target dialog substantially statically relative to the selected target icon.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide networkable sonar systems for mobile structures. A networkable sonar system includes a transducer module and associated sonar electronics and optionally orientation and/or position sensors and/or other sensors disposed substantially within the housing of a sonar transducer assembly, which is coupled to one or more user interfaces and/or other sonar systems over an Ethernet connection. The sonar transducer assembly may be configured to support and protect the transducer module and the sonar electronics and sensors, to physically and/or adjustably couple to a mobile structure, and/or to provide a simplified interface to other systems coupled to the mobile structure. Resulting sonar data and/or imagery may be transmitted over the Ethernet connection and displayed to a user and/or used to adjust various operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide coordinated route distribution for one or more mobile structures. A coordinated route distribution system includes a route generator and/or distribution server and various route retrievers, each of which are used in conjunction with operation of corresponding coordinated mobile structures to retrieve routes from the route generator and/or distribution server. The route retriever includes and/or is configured to communicate with a logic device, a memory, one or more sensors, one or more actuators/controllers, and modules to interface with users, sensors, actuators, and/or other modules of a mobile structure. The logic device is adapted to receive the routes and/or directional data corresponding to the mobile structure and adjust a directional control signal provided to an actuator of the mobile structure accordingly.