Patent ID: 9545988
Date: 2017-01-17
CPC Classifications: B63B,B63H,G01S

Claim:
1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to: receive, at a marine electronics device on a marine vessel, user input indicating one of a desired heading or a range of headings; receive, at the marine electronics device, user input indicating a selection of at least one marine characteristic to be measured at a current location, wherein the at least one marine characteristic is a bottom hardness, a bottom composition, a transition between bottom compositions, a water temperature, or a thermocline; receive first sensor data captured at the current location and from a sensor associated with the marine vessel; determine, from the first sensor data, a first value for the selected marine characteristic at the current location, wherein the current location is a first location; transmit first instructions to an autopilot for a motor of the marine vessel to operate the motor such that the marine vessel travels according to the desired heading or range of headings; receive second sensor data captured at a second location from the sensor as the marine vessel is traveling in accordance with the instruction of the autopilot, wherein the second location is different from the first location; determine, from the second sensor data, a second value for the selected marine characteristic at the second location; compare the first value and the second value; and transmit second instructions to the autopilot to operate the marine vessel in a heading based at least in part on the comparison between the first value and the second value, wherein: