Patents by Inventor Paul D. Salmon
Paul D. Salmon has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11347222Abstract: A system for controlling a marine vessel has a sonar depth finder which displays a chart, stored in memory, for a body of water. The chart includes an underwater feature contour that defines a boundary of an underwater feature. The sonar depth finder includes a processor to create or update the topographical chart based on sonar data from a sonar transducer assembly. The sonar data includes information on the underwater feature. The processor can display and store the topographical chart. The user may select from the underwater feature contours on the depth finder display. The depth finder can generate a route for the marine vessel that includes a path along the selected underwater feature contours. A vessel control device, in communication with the depth finder, may receive transmissions, from the depth finder, which include the generated route. The vessel control device can automatically direct the marine vessel along the route.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventors: Per Pelin, Paul D. Salmon
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Publication number: 20220073180Abstract: A control system for a trolling motor operated based upon commands generated by a wireless remote control device and a wired foot pedal is provided. The controller is interposed between the trolling motor and the wired foot pedal to add wireless controllability to the trolling motor via the wireless remote control. The controller communicates with the remote control through a bidirectional wireless communication link to receive commands and to provide status information on the operation of the motor. The remote control includes user inputs for generating commands that are sent wirelessly to the controller to control operation of the marine device. The remote control also includes a display for displaying real time status information that is received wirelessly from the controller. The controller generates control signals upon receipt of wireless communication from the remote control that simulate signals that are normally generated by the wired foot pedal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicant: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Salmon, David M. Samek
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Patent number: 11173996Abstract: A control system for a trolling motor operated based upon commands generated by a wireless remote control device and a wired foot pedal is provided. The controller is interposed between the trolling motor and the wired foot pedal to add wireless controllability to the trolling motor via the wireless remote control. The controller communicates with the remote control through a bidirectional wireless communication link to receive commands and to provide status information on the operation of the motor. The remote control includes user inputs for generating commands that are sent wirelessly to the controller to control operation of the marine device. The remote control also includes a display for displaying real time status information that is received wirelessly from the controller. The controller generates control signals upon receipt of wireless communication from the remote control that simulate signals that are normally generated by the wired foot pedal.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Salmon, David M. Samek
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Publication number: 20190283854Abstract: A control system for a trolling motor operated based upon commands generated by a wireless remote control device and a wired foot pedal is provided. The controller is interposed between the trolling motor and the wired foot pedal to add wireless controllability to the trolling motor via the wireless remote control. The controller communicates with the remote control through a bidirectional wireless communication link to receive commands and to provide status information on the operation of the motor. The remote control includes user inputs for generating commands that are sent wirelessly to the controller to control operation of the marine device. The remote control also includes a display for displaying real time status information that is received wirelessly from the controller. The controller generates control signals upon receipt of wireless communication from the remote control that simulate signals that are normally generated by the wired foot pedal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicant: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Salmon, David M. Samek
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Publication number: 20180129213Abstract: A system for controlling a marine vessel has a sonar depth finder which displays a chart, stored in memory, for a body of water. The chart includes an underwater feature contour that defines a boundary of an underwater feature. The sonar depth finder includes a processor to create or update the topographical chart based on sonar data from a sonar transducer assembly. The sonar data includes information on the underwater feature. The processor can display and store the topographical chart. The user may select from the underwater feature contours on the depth finder display. The depth finder can generate a route for the marine vessel that includes a path along the selected underwater feature contours. A vessel control device, in communication with the depth finder, may receive transmissions, from the depth finder, which include the generated route. The vessel control device can automatically direct the marine vessel along the route.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Applicant: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventors: Per Pelin, Paul D. Salmon
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Patent number: 9132900Abstract: A trolling motor control system that includes a main controller configured interface with a trolling motor is provided. The main controller is configured to control the output power and directional heading of the trolling motor. In at least one embodiment, the main controller has an electronic interface configured to establish a two-way day data connection between the main controller and an electronic GPS-equipped mapping device. This two-way connection allows the main controller to use data stored on the GPS-equipped mapping device to execute functions of the trolling motor control system. It also allows functions of the trolling motor control system to be executed via controls on the GPS-equipped mapping device.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2014Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Salmon, David C. Evers
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Publication number: 20140336854Abstract: A marine device, such as a trolling motor, a trim tab, a downrigger or a sonar device, is operated based upon commands generated by a wireless remote control device. The marine device is connected to a controller that provides commands to the marine device. The controller communicates with the remote control through a bidirectional wireless communication link to receive commands and to provide status information on the operation of the motor. The remote control includes user inputs for generating commands that are sent wirelessly to the controller to control operation of the marine device. The remote control also includes a display for displaying real time status information that is received wirelessly from the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Salmon, David M. Samek
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Publication number: 20140249698Abstract: A trolling motor control system that includes a main controller configured interface with a trolling motor is provided. The main controller is configured to control the output power and directional heading of the trolling motor. In at least one embodiment, the main controller has an electronic interface configured to establish a two-way day data connection between the main controller and an electronic GPS-equipped mapping device. This two-way connection allows the main controller to use data stored on the GPS-equipped mapping device to execute functions of the trolling motor control system. It also allows functions of the trolling motor control system to be executed via controls on the GPS-equipped mapping device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.Inventors: Paul D. Salmon, David C. Evers
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Patent number: 8761976Abstract: A trolling motor control system that includes a main controller configured interface with a trolling motor. The main controller is configured to control the output power and directional heading of the trolling motor. In at least one embodiment, the main controller has an electronic interface configured to establish a two-way day data connection between the main controller and an electronic GPS-equipped mapping device. This two-way connection allows the main controller to use data stored on the GPS-equipped mapping device to execute functions of the trolling motor control system. It also allows functions of the trolling motor control system to be executed via controls on the GPS-equipped mapping device.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Salmon, David Charles Evers
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Patent number: 8645012Abstract: A system for controlling a marine vessel that includes a sonar depth finder configured to display a chart for a body of water. The chart has depth information for the body of water, and is programmed to allow a user to select from a plurality of depths indicated on the sonar depth finder display. The sonar depth finder further is configured to generate a route for the marine vessel. The route includes a path through the body of water where each point along the path is at the desired depth. The system includes a vessel control device in communication with the sonar depth finder. The vessel control device is configured to receive transmissions from the sonar depth finder. The transmissions include the route generated by the sonar depth finder. The vessel control device is further configured to automatically direct the marine vessel along the route.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Salmon, Michael Wesley Wood, Jeffrey Earl Smith, David Charles Evers
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Publication number: 20120232719Abstract: A system for controlling a marine vessel that includes a sonar depth finder configured to display a chart for a body of water. The chart has depth information for the body of water, and is programmed to allow a user to select from a plurality of depths indicated on the sonar depth finder display. The sonar depth finder further is configured to generate a route for the marine vessel. The route includes a path through the body of water where each point along the path is at the desired depth. The system includes a vessel control device in communication with the sonar depth finder. The vessel control device is configured to receive transmissions from the sonar depth finder. The transmissions include the route generated by the sonar depth finder. The vessel control device is further configured to automatically direct the marine vessel along the route.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.Inventors: Paul D. Salmon, Michael Wesley Wood, Jeffrey Earl Smith
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Publication number: 20120015566Abstract: A trolling motor control system that includes a main controller configured interface with a trolling motor. The main controller is configured to control the output power and directional heading of the trolling motor. In at least one embodiment, the main controller has an electronic interface configured to establish a two-way day data connection between the main controller and an electronic GPS-equipped mapping device. This two-way connection allows the main controller to use data stored on the GPS-equipped mapping device to execute functions of the trolling motor control system. It also allows functions of the trolling motor control system to be executed via controls on the GPS-equipped mapping device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.Inventor: Paul D. Salmon
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Patent number: 7497748Abstract: A boat control system includes trim tabs mounted on the lower transom of a boat, with an electric trolling motor attached to each tab. A user control provides commands to control positioning of the trim tabs and operation of the motors. Steering with the motors is provided by controlling the relative speed and propeller direction of the motors. The user control includes an input for generating a return-to-center command that causes the motors to be driven at the same speed and in the same direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2007Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventor: Paul D. Salmon
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Publication number: 20090037040Abstract: A marine device, such as a trolling motor, a trim tab, a downrigger or a sonar device, is operated based upon commands generated by a wireless remote control device. The marine device is connected to a controller that provides commands to the marine device. The controller communicates with the remote control through a bidirectional wireless communication link to receive commands and to provide status information on the operation of the motor. The remote control includes user inputs for generating commands that are sent wirelessly to the controller to control operation of the marine device. The remote control also includes a display for displaying real time status information that is received wirelessly from the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2007Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: Johnson Outdoors, Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Salmon, David M. Samek
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Patent number: 7467596Abstract: A trim tab control system determines current tab position based upon a feedback signal that represents incremental motion of the actuator drive motor. Prior to power down, the current tab position is stored in non-volatile memory, and is retrieved on power up. The control system characterizes the actuator during a learning function by driving the actuator between the upper and lower limit positions and counting the number of increments. The display of tab position is based upon the current tab position count and the number of increments in a full range of motion. Automatic up and down commands cause the actuator to be driven up or down until a stop command is received or a limit position is reached.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2007Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventor: Paul D. Salmon
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Publication number: 20080176463Abstract: A boat control system includes trim tabs mounted on the lower transom of a boat, with an electric trolling motor attached to each tab. A user control provides commands to control positioning of the trim tabs and operation of the motors. Steering with the motors is provided by controlling the relative speed and propeller direction of the motors. The user control includes an input for generating a return-to-center command that causes the motors to be driven at the same speed and in the same direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Applicant: Johnson Outdoors, Inc.Inventor: Paul D. Salmon
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Publication number: 20080173227Abstract: A trim tab control system determines current tab position based upon a feedback signal that represents incremental motion of the actuator drive motor. Prior to power down, the current tab position is stored in non-volatile memory, and is retrieved on power up. The control system characterizes the actuator during a learning function by driving the actuator between the upper and lower limit positions and counting the number of increments. The display of tab position is based upon the current tab position count and the number of increments in a full range of motion. Automatic up and down commands cause the actuator to be driven up or down until a stop command is received or a limit position is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Applicant: Johnson Outdoors, Inc.Inventor: Paul D. Salmon
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Patent number: 7381108Abstract: A boat control system includes trim tabs mounted on the lower transom of a boat, with an electric trolling motor attached to each tab. The control system controls positioning of the trim tabs within a trim range and within a troll range. If a main engine ignition switch changes from off to on while the trim tabs are within the troll range, the control system automatically moves trim tabs positions out of the troll range, and disables the trolling motors.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2007Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Johnson Outdoors, Inc.Inventor: Paul D. Salmon