Rudder Position Indicator Patents (Class 340/987)
  • Patent number: 9075433
    Abstract: An information processing method for avoiding that an electronic device becomes out of control is disclosed. The method comprises: determining the controlled electronic device is in a first control mode, and determining a first display format of M objects to form a first graphic display interface; displaying the first graphic display interface; obtaining a switching instruction for instructing the controlled electronic device to switch from the current first control mode to the second control mode; determining a second display format of the M objects on the first graphic display interface to form a second graphic display interface, in response to the switching instruction; and displaying the second graphic display interface. The present invention also discloses an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignees: Beijing Lenovo Software Ltd., Lenovo (Beijing) Limited
    Inventor: Xingping Jiang
  • Patent number: 8854203
    Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus that establishes a connection between a mobile computing device and a second computing device. A notification of an initiating event is received from the second computing device. Physical movement of the mobile computing device is determined during a time period defined by the notification of the initiating event and a triggering event. An alert is output when determined physical movement is below a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Lantian Zheng, Zhi Weng
  • Patent number: 8836544
    Abstract: Multifunctional displays for a marine vessel having a propulsion system can include a sequential indicator, a first portion, a second portion and a transition portion between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion depicts changes in a characteristic of a first component of the propulsion system during a first operational mode of the propulsion system. The second portion depicts changes in a characteristic of a second component of the propulsion system during a second operational mode of the propulsion system. The transition portion depicts a change in operation of propulsion system between the first operational mode and the second operational mode. A marine vessel icon has first and second icons depicting changes in characteristics of the first and second components. The icon changes position when the operational mode of the marine vessel changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel J. Balogh
  • Patent number: 8803711
    Abstract: An indicator device on a marine vessel is configured to display motion. A controller operates the indicator device according to at least a first mode wherein the indicator device displays motion and a second mode wherein the indicator device does not display motion. The controller operates the indicator device based upon an operational characteristic of the marine vessel to thereby inform a swimmer located proximate to the marine vessel of the operational characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Publication number: 20130271301
    Abstract: A marine vessel electronic display system includes a first display station that can include a mode selector for permitting selection of a first mode of operation and a processing system causing displays in the first display station to present information related to the selected first mode of operation. The marine vessel electronic display system may include a second display station that can include a mode selector for permitting a user to select a second mode of operation different from the first mode of operation and a processing system causing a display in the second display station to present information related to the selected second mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: GARMIN SWITZERLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Darrin W. Kabel, Engelhard B. Sundoro
  • Patent number: 8358223
    Abstract: The vessel control device disclosed herein comprises a channel-mounted, spring-loaded eyebolt that trails a floating line. It also embodies a latch mechanism, a cable release device and an electrical switch. By the action of grabbing the line the man overboard victim (MOB) can stop the vessel by himself; then use the line to reboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventors: James B. Read, Abbie Ann Read
  • Patent number: 7994931
    Abstract: A wind gauge display apparatus comprising a control device and a reconfigurable display for displaying a first visual representation of a wind gauge if a wind angle is within a first range and displaying a second visual representation of the wind gauge if the wind angle is within a second range. The angles displayed on the reconfigurable display may be determined by input from a user. On the reconfigurable display, a location of a visual indicator of wind speed may be different in the first visual representation of the wind gauge than in the second visual representation of the wind gauge. The wind gauge display apparatus may also comprise a sensor for determining wind angle and wind speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Nathan L. Karstens, Brian K. Feller, Jon Josephson
  • Patent number: 7546190
    Abstract: A method for compensating a steering system exhibiting dead-zone characteristics estimates the dead-zone parameters of the steering system and establishes a dead-zone inverse function utilizing the estimated parameters. The dead-zone inverse is utilized to transform steering orders in the dead-zone. Parameters of the dead-zone inverse are continuously up-dated with the utilization of the transformed steering order, the existing dead-zone parameters, and the present heading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Jason O. Burkholder
  • Patent number: 7172473
    Abstract: A rudder position indicator apparatus includes a cam mounted on a steering linkage of a watercraft. The steering linkage is or an outdrive. When the rudder or an outdrive is in a straight position, the cam activates a micro switch, which in turn, supplies a ground for an indicator light to illuminate. The indicator light can be located on a dash of the watercraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Timothy W. Mehnert
  • Patent number: 6658332
    Abstract: An anti-terrorist ship control system includes satellites that automatically take control of a waterborne vessel when the vessel's position or speed deviate from planned tracks or when the vessel transmits a distress signal or when the vessel stops reporting its status to the satellites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: John L. Rogitz
  • Patent number: 6549831
    Abstract: The rudder angle indicator system utilizes a low cost potentiometer coupled to the rudder to provide a signal proportional to rudder angle. A stepper motor positions, in open loop arrangement, the dial of a rudder angle indicator, such as a large three-faced rudder angle display, in accordance with the potentiometer signal. An active sector tab and sensor are utilized to provide a signal in accordance with when the indicator is in the active sector of the display so as to minimize the search for the indicator zero index tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Eldon John Thompson
  • Patent number: 6392592
    Abstract: A car locator system includes a hand held locator which receives information with regard to the location of a vehicle and then stores that information for display on the hand held locator. The hand held locator could be a key fob having buttons to command operation to the vehicle. When a command signal is transmitted to the vehicle, the vehicle then transmits its position location to the hand held location for storage. In this way, an operator will be able to have an indication of the location of the vehicle. The vehicle can communicate with GPS satellites to determine its location, or may communicate with ground based local transmitters. The ground based local transmitters can be programmed to provide an indication of the location of the vehicle within a parking lot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Susan Johnson, Tejas Desai
  • Patent number: 6201483
    Abstract: A steering position indicator system for a boat provides the boat operator with a signal to indicate when the boat's steering control means is centered with respect to the boat's centerline. The system employs a proximity sensor mounted on the hull or transom of the boat and a sensor actuator mounted to a steering linkage bar extending between left and right steerable outdrive units or rudders. The proximity sensor and sensor actuator are positioned relative to one another such that the sensor detects the actuator and closes a circuit only when the outdrive units are centered with respect to the boat's centerline. The indicator includes a light or buzzer and is mounted adjacent a helm position of the boat and alerts the boat operator when the sensor detects the sensor actuator. The proximity sensor may be optical, magnetic, or inductance. A switch allows the boat operator to select either an audible or a visible signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Fritz Ziehm
  • Patent number: 4912465
    Abstract: A position indicator useful in determining the position of a rudder on a boat consists of apparatus and circuitry for causing a plurality of lights to light in such a way that all are on in a first color when the rudder is in a full port position, all are on in a second color when the rudder is in a full starboard position, and between full port and full starboard the lights change color and turn on and off into combinations indicative of the position of the rudder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Kreuter Marine Corporation
    Inventor: Gary M. Greer
  • Patent number: 4739236
    Abstract: There is disclosed a portable system to control and monitor the basic maneuvering functions of marine vessels: The control and monitoring functions are contained on a hand held, small and lightweight consul which can be plugged into multi-pin sockets which are wired from various remote places of the ship to a central electronics logic and control module matrix. Switches on the portable helm control the electronic module matrix which powers servo motors mechanically linked to: engines' throttle controls, shift forward-neutral-reverse controls, and steering apparatus. Feedback loops monitor the positions of these maneuvering functions. Monitored on the portable helm are: rudder angle, engines' idle status, forward, neutral and reverse status of each drive trian, power on, and engines' synchronization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Russel H. Keyes
    Inventor: Richard W. Burkenpas
  • Patent number: 4634978
    Abstract: A system for accurately measuring the direction in which a magnetometer is to be set has a simple construction and is little affected by iron structures on a hull. The system has a magnetometer which includes an excitation source, a magnetic core, an excitation AC winding and an output winding which are both wound around the magnetic core. The output winding is composed of two series connected coils which are wound around the magnetic core and have an equal number of turns. The measuring system applies an alternating current to the core having an amplitude large enough to saturate the magnetic core, and obtains an output from the output winding corresponding to the angle formed between the geomagnetic field direction and an imaginary line obtained by interconnecting the point of connection of the two coils and the central point of the magnetic core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Saura Keiki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Yoshiteru Watanabe