Abstract: A method of steering a watercraft propulsion device mounted to a transom plate and having a steering drive unit which allows the watercraft propulsion device to rotationally move about a swivel shaft. The method can include calculating a steering control amount for the steering drive unit in accordance with the degree of operator's steering wheel displacement and a predetermined steering system response performance, and operating the steering drive unit based on the calculated control physical quantity, in which the predetermined steering system response performance can be, selected from a plurality of plurality of predetermined steering system response performance options.

Abstract: In a device authentication control method and device, when a connection device is connected to a network mounted on a boat, it is determined whether or not the connection device corresponds to an authentication-free device. If the connection device does not correspond to an authentication-free device, an authenticating action is performed on the connection device. If the connection device does correspond to an authentication-free device, the connection device is exempted from the authenticating action. In this way, when a connection device does not correspond to an authentication-free device, an authenticating action is performed, but when the connection device corresponds to an authentication-free device, the connection device is exempted from an authenticating action. As a result, it is possible to handle specific connection devices as authentication-free.

Abstract: A photolithography system has at least one spatial light modulator, a scanning mechanism configured to move an exposure area relative to a target object in a scanning direction, a plurality of memories (1st to Nth memories), a data processor, and exposure controller. The exposure area is defined as a projection area of the spatial light modulator. The plurality of memories corresponds to a plurality of partial exposure areas that is defined by dividing the exposure area. The data processor successively writes exposure data into each memory in accordance with the timing of an exposure, and the exposure controller controls the plurality of light modulating elements on the basis of the relative position of the exposure area. The data processor writes newly generated exposure data into the first memory, and shifts exposure data stored in the 1st to (N?1)st memories to the 2nd to Nth memories, respectively.

Abstract: In a connection device connected to a network mounted in a boat, a protocol of a connection device connected to a network mounted in a boat is identified based on a communication ID in a certain message transmitted through the network. A device protocol is determined in accordance with the protocol of the network. Data communication in the network is performed in conformity with the device protocol. Accordingly, when the connection device is connected to the network, the connection device automatically identifies a protocol of the network and operates appropriately. Therefore, upward compatibility is maintained and usability is improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exposure device for forming circuit patterns onto a surface of an object. The exposure device includes at least one spatial light modulator which includes a plurality of reflection elements being arranged in a matrix fashion, at least one optical source which supplies exposure light to the reflection elements, and a bias voltage controller which applies a first voltage to the reflection elements, thereby setting the reflection elements to a first state and which does not apply a voltage to the reflection elements, thereby setting the reflection elements to a second state. In addition, the exposure light is delivered to the surface of the object in the first state, and the exposure light is not delivered to the surface of the object in the second state.

Abstract: A remote control device can be provided in a watercraft equipped with at least three outboard motors for operating the outboard motors by remote control. The remote control device can have a pair of shift levers and can be provided with a detection device for detecting positions of the shift levers. A remote control-side ECU can control the outboard motors 11 by signals from the detection device. The remote control-side ECU can include a plurality of ECUs corresponding to the outboard motors. The detection device can include a plurality of detection devices for the outboard motors disposed on the sides of the stern of a hull and one for the outboard motor disposed between the side outboard motors. Each of the detection devices can be connected to a respective one of the remote control-side ECUs.

Abstract: A shift cutout control system is provided that can comprise a shift mechanism, an engine electronic control unit, a remote controller, and an ignition control means. The shift mechanism can switch a rotation of a propeller shaft into one of a neutral, forward, and reverse drive state. The propeller shaft can be driven by an output power of an engine. The engine electronic control unit can control a drive state of the engine. The remote controller can transmit a control signal to the engine electronic control unit to achieve a target drive state. The ignition control means can initiate an ignition cutout in the engine when an operating position signal from a lever position detector indicates that a control lever is in a neutral position and a shift position signal from a shift position detector indicates that a shift position is not in neutral.

Abstract: A remote control unit can be used for a boat having a plurality of propulsion units to perform output adjustment and tilt/trim angle adjustment of the propulsion units. Operating levers can be capable of forward and backward rotational movement to effect shift operation and throttle operation of the propulsion units and can be respectively provided upright on a left side surface and right side surface of a body. A plurality of tilt/trim angle adjustment switches can correspond to respective propulsion units and can be provided at positions where they can be operated with fingertips of a hand resting on a palm portion of a top surface of the body with the fingertips pointing generally forward. The palm portion of the top surface can be free of switches.

Abstract: An information communication device for communicating information among a plurality of components includes a plurality of nodes, each being of a particular node type that corresponds to a particular transmission slot of a plurality of transmission slots. Each transmission slot is formed from a communication cycle that has a prescribed time period. The plurality of transmission slots are synchronized with one another. The communication cycle includes a static transmission area and a dynamic transmission area, where the static transmission area includes the plurality of transmission slots that correspond to the node types. The dynamic transmission area is adapted to transmit information. Each of the plurality of nodes includes a conflict detector that determines when a transmission conflict occurs as a result of nodes of the same node type beginning transmission using the same transmission slot.

Abstract: A vehicle speed display device includes a plurality of speed sensors of different types for detecting the speed V of a vehicle by different detection methods. A selector mechanism accesses error maps associated with each of the speed sensors that reflects inaccuracies characteristic of the associated speed sensors under various conditions, such as at various speed and/or at various acceleration levels. The selector selects a speed value associated with a minimum error value for the current moving state conditions and the selected speed value is displayed to an operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: A boat control system can include a propulsion unit controller, a port outboard motor, and a starboard outboard motor. The propulsion unit controller can includes an electronic throttle valve control section, an electronic shift control section, an electronic steering control section, a target control value calculating section, and a GPS receiver. The target control value calculating section can be adapted to calculate engine revolutions and steering angles corresponding to target values of the port outboard motor and the starboard outboard motor based on target values preset by an operator and values detected by the GPS receiver.

Abstract: A multiple node network includes a plurality of terminal nodes. A management node manages the terminal nodes. A bus connects the respective terminal nodes and the management node to one another. The respective terminal nodes and the management node communicate with each other using a frame that includes at least an identifier field and a data field. The data field has a discriminative number. Each terminal node transfers the frame to the management node. A contention between the terminal nodes is arbitrated by comparing the respective identifier fields of the terminal nodes. When the arbitration fails, each terminal node repeatedly transfers the frame to the management node after a delay time that is unique for the particular terminal node and that is calculated based upon the discriminative number in the data field.

Abstract: A watercraft is controllable by either a main station or a substation. A main-side remote control device is disposed in the main station. A sub-side remote control device is disposed in the substation. An outboard motor for generating propulsion force is controlled by the main-side remote control device or the sub-side remote control device. The sub-side remote control device is connected to the main-side remote control device by wiring, and the main-side remote control device is connected to the outboard motor by a network.

Abstract: A boat can include batteries, a generator, a remote control unit provided in a hull, and an outboard motor controlled through the remote control unit so as to generate thrust. The batteries and the generator can be connected to the remote control unit and the outboard motor via power supply cables. The remote control unit and the outboard motor can be connected via drive by wire controller area network (“DBW CAN”) cables . At least two systems of power supply cables and at least two systems of DBW CAN cables can also be provided.

Abstract: An exposure-data generating apparatus comprises a first memory, a second memory, and an exposure data memory. The first memory stores drawing data in bitmap format as first data that is used for an exposure. The second memory stores second data whose data unit in a column direction is converted to a resolution unit of information of each cell based on the first data. The exposure data memory stores exposure data that is raster data obtained by a burst transfer of third data at every column unit. The second data is rearranged and converted to the third data, where an arrangement of data of each cell of the second data in the column direction is changed to a row direction. The cell constitutes a display element of a Digital Micro-mirror Device that performs the exposure based on said exposure data.

Abstract: A method for setting screens of plural inboard indicators connected to an inboard network via a communication line includes connecting a terminal to the inboard network. The method also includes loading the terminal with data from the plural indicators and setting the screens of the indicators in the terminal. Additionally, the method includes sending screen setting data from the terminal to the respective indicators via the communication line after setting the screens of the indicators.

Abstract: In a multi-exposure drawing method for drawing a pattern on a drawing surface, using an exposure unit including a plurality of optical modulation elements arranged in a matrix manner, the unit is continuously and relatively moved at a constant velocity with respect to the drawing surface in an array-direction defined by a matrix-arrangement of the modulation elements. Optical modulation elements, spaced at a regular interval in an alignment of optical modulation elements along the array-direction, are successively and selectively driven based on a same bit datum, to thereby modulate a light beam made incident thereon, whenever the exposure unit is moved by a distance corresponding to the regular interval, resulting in the production of a pixel dot on the drawing surface in a multi-exposure manner by the modulated light beams.

Abstract: An engine condition indicating device for a boat automatically adjusts the indication range of condition data values of different engines to the range of an indicating section to provide an appropriately positioned indication for each engine. The engine condition indicating device indicates a condition data value such as a detected engine oil pressure as an indication object at a predetermined position in an indication area of an indicating section. Indication information, which includes a condition value determined in association with the indication area as an indication object for the engine, is preset. The condition data value transmitted from the engine as an indication object is processed based on the indication information to cause the indication object to be displayed at a predetermined position in the indication area of the indicating section.

Abstract: An ECU for a main remote control has a termination resistance having a first terminal connected to a high level signal line CANof a CAN cable and a second terminal connected to an external terminal of a connector. The CAN cable also has a low level signal line CAN connected to an external terminal of a connector. A power wire VCC is divided at its midportion, and respectively connected to external terminals of the connector. When a connector is connected, the termination resistance is connected between the high level signal line CANand the low level signal line CAN of the CAN cable by a jumper line, and power is supplied through a jumper line. When the connector is disconnected, the termination resistance is not connected and the ECU for a main remote control does not operate since no power is supplied thereto.

Abstract: In a steering device for a small watercraft that has at least two outboard motors which propulsive directions and propulsive forces are individually controllable. The steering device can have a steering wheel that can be inclined relative to an axis of a steering shaft in any directions including a fore to aft direction and a transverse direction. A control unit that controls shift units and throttle units of the outboard motors so that a hull moves toward a side that is directed by the inclination of the steering wheel.