Abstract:
A method and apparatus using a camera and image display for improving navigation of watercraft is presented. The system may be used by a helmsman to view regions outside his unaided sight range. Objects ahead of and behind the watercraft, both above and beneath the surface, may be detected and navigation decisions are made thereby. The same method and apparatus may be used to improve the view in backing a trailer. In any case, the images may be recorded for later viewing.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Priority is hereby claimed to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 62/180,661, filed Jun. 17, 2015, entitled BOAT/WATERCRAFT LOADING AND BOAT/WATERCRAFT/TOWED ITEM TRAILERING CAMERA SYSTEM, which describes the present invention and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to an imaging system to assist in navigation of a boat or watercraft. In particular, the system aids in aligning the watercraft to a trailer when loading, permits examining the structure or shoreline while operating a watercraft from a view that cannot be seen unaided from the operating position (helm) of the watercraft, provides a view behind a trailered watercraft—or any other trailered item—while towing and underway, permits a view to stern while facing toward the bow while operating a watercraft. 
         [0004]    Background Art 
         [0005]    There are many applications of back-up camera systems in the marketplace. These systems help solve the issues associated with backing a vehicle to attach to a trailer for towing purposes. These systems also offer the vehicle driver additional viewing area in the back or around the towing vehicle for viewing their surroundings in order to operate the vehicle safely. These systems increase the ability to operate the vehicle safely to prevent damage to the vehicle, their surroundings, or other persons. 
         [0006]    There are also systems available as either an OEM vehicle option or as an aftermarket kit to permit viewing behind a towed vehicle. These systems also increase the ability to operate the vehicle safely to prevent damage to the vehicle, their surroundings, or other persons. 
         [0007]    These systems do not offer any means to provide viewing of the trailer or surroundings during the loading of a trailered watercraft or other driven loaded item. These systems do not provide for viewing ahead of the craft while underway. 
         [0008]    These systems do not offer a means to provide viewing to the rear of a watercraft to view towed items or people or traffic behind while facing forward. These systems also do not permit recording of backward-facing video for future viewing. 
         [0009]    There is, therefore, a need for an imaging method and apparatus for providing forward and rearward imaging from a watercraft or boat. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for viewing images of surroundings about a watercraft under various circumstances. 
         [0011]    For the purposes of the instant application, the terms boat and watercraft are hereby defined as synonymous. Any craft intended to be used on the water such as a fishing boat, canoe, speed boat, pontoon boat, raft, dinghy, jet ski, barge, etc., is considered a boat or watercraft for this document, including the claims. 
         [0012]    As with all vehicles, it is required that boats and trailers be operated at times in a forward direction and at other times in a rearward direction. For the purposes of the present document, including the claims, forward is hereby defined as the usual direction of operation, especially when travelling long distances. For watercraft, forward is the direction toward the bow of a watercraft. For a trailer, forward is toward the tongue of the trailer. For an automobile, it is the usual direction faced by the driver. Rearward and backward are hereby defined as synonyms, as are rear and back. Rearward or backward is the direction opposite the forward direction. Rearward or backward is toward the stern of a watercraft, opposite the tongue of a trailer, and opposite the usual direction faced by the driver of an automobile. 
         [0013]    For the purposes of this document, camera is defined as a device for producing an image. The image produced by the camera may be pictorial, graphical, digital, or analog. It may be produced using natural or artificial light in the visible, infrared, or ultraviolet frequencies, x-rays, microwaves, radar, etc. The image may be still or exhibit motion (a video). The image may be processed to clarify, focus, zoom in or out, for edge detection, to correct for refraction, etc. 
         [0014]    In a first embodiment of the present invention, a camera is placed at the front of the watercraft. The camera is aimed to provide a video feed of a region in front of the watercraft that cannot be fully seen by the operator of the watercraft from the operational point, usually the helm of the watercraft. The image provided by the camera is displayed on an image display or screen within view of the watercraft operator. The image may be displayed on a stationary or mobile device, wired or wireless. The image is, understandably, useful when the watercraft underway. This view of the front, or bow area, of the craft can be helpful to examine the forward surroundings while navigating otherwise unseen structures such as stumps, debris, or buoys, or approaching the shoreline for docking or beaching a watercraft. 
         [0015]    Using diverse wavelengths of electromagnetic waves, objects under the water&#39;s surface may be detected, even though the camera is above the water&#39;s surface, and an image of the object or objects may be constructed to warn the helmsman. 
         [0016]    A second embodiment utilizes a camera mounted in the stern area of the watercraft. The display is, again, in view of the helmsman at his operating position. This display or screen may be the same one used for the bow-mounted camera image, where the two images are displayed simultaneously or by selection, or the image display may be independent of the screen used for the bow mounted camera image. 
         [0017]    This system of this second embodiment permits safer backing of the watercraft. It also may be used to view towed items and/or persons. This is especially useful for viewing the condition of a person or persons on a towable item such as a towable floatation tube, ring, or sled, water skis, or wakeboard. This view would allow the boat/watercraft operator to face forward for safe operation of the watercraft while glancing at the towed item and/or persons on the image display. 
         [0018]    A third embodiment of the instant invention utilizes a rear-mounted camera mounted to the stern of the watercraft when towed by another vehicle—over land or on the water. The image is then displayed in view of the operator of the towing vehicle. This system increases the safety of the vehicle and towed item to prevent damage to the vehicle, towed item, the surroundings, other vehicles, and/or persons while traveling. 
         [0019]    Any of the above embodiments may incorporate one or more dedicated image display screens. Said screens may communicate with the camera either via hardwire or wireless technology. Additionally, the image or video captured by the camera may be received and viewed on a mobile or cellular telephone using known communication methods such as Bluetooth, b/g/n wireless, etc. A cellular telephone used as the image display or screen permits the device to be easily transported to desired viewing areas. The telephone may receive image or video transmission from the bow- or stern-mounted cameras, either at the watercraft operating position (boat helm), or within the towing vehicle, or at any other location within transmission range. Any number of cellular telephones may be used to view any of the mounted cameras. For example, a boat passenger may wish or need to face forward while the boat is underway and utilize a telephone screen to watch the towed item or persons behind the boat. Additionally, while viewing the moving images on the cellular telephone screen, a phone application may be used to record the video feed. Lastly, the use of a cellular telephone for the image display device may reduce cost for the entire system. 
         [0020]    The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention, both as to its organization and method of operation together with further objectives and advantages thereto, will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood however, that the drawings and examples are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and not intended in any way as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a watercraft preparing to be loaded onto a boat trailer at a typical boat ramp. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the watercraft underway as it approaches objects in the water. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the watercraft operating while underway as it approaches objects along the shoreline; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  depicts a side elevation view of the watercraft loaded on a trailer and the trailer hitched to a towing vehicle; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side elevational view intended to show the limited sight of a vehicle operator from the vehicle&#39;s operating position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5A  shows a top plan and cutaway view of a towing vehicle cabin; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5B  depicts what may be seen by a towing vehicle driver in a vehicle&#39;s inside rearview mirror; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5C  illustrates what may be seen by a towing vehicle driver in a vehicle&#39;s passenger-side rearview mirror; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  shows a side elevation view of a watercraft fitted with the imaging system of the present invention wherein the camera is hardwired to the display screen; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  depicts a side elevation view of a watercraft fitted with the imaging system of the present invention wherein the camera and display screen communicate wirelessly; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side elevation view of a watercraft disposed onto a trailer, said trailer being hitched to a towing vehicle, the camera and image display system in wired communication; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  shows a side elevation view of a watercraft disposed onto a trailer, said trailer being hitched to a towing vehicle, the camera and image display system in wireless communication; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  depicts a watercraft towing a water skier, the imaging system of the present invention permitting the helmsman a rearward view; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  illustrates a plurality of cameras and image display devices being used on a single watercraft; 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  shows the watercraft, trailer, and towing vehicle, the imaging system of the present invention providing images from forward and rearward of the watercraft; 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  depicts a side elevation view of the watercraft with the camera hardwired to the image display device and mounted under the surface of the water for a view of submerged objects; 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  illustrates a side elevation view of the watercraft with the camera communicating with the image display device via wireless technology and mounted under the surface of the water for a view of submerged objects; 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  shows submerged objects as captured by the camera of the present invention mounted under water; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 16  shows submerged objects as captured by the camera of the present invention mounted above water. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0040]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a watercraft  100  is shown in  FIG. 1  operated by a pilot, helmsman, or operator  110  and moving in a generally forward direction  120 . The purpose illustrated in  FIG. 1  is to load the watercraft  100  onto a trailer  130 , hence making transport possible via a towing vehicle  140 . Note, however, the helmsman&#39;s  110  unaided line of sight is limited by the watercraft  100 , itself. The operator&#39;s  100  field of vision is indicated by the region  150  shown in  FIG. 1 . In order to view the region off the bow of the watercraft  100 , the helmsman must stand up or leave the operating position or helm  160 . 
         [0041]    The addition of a camera  150 , disposed in the vicinity of the bow of the watercraft  100  enables a much more complete view of the region forward of the watercraft  100 . 
         [0042]    During typical operation of a watercraft  100 , the boat operator  110  often cannot see what is directly in front of the craft as his field of vision is obstructed by the length of the watercraft  100  in front of the helm  160 . The boat operator  110  may rely on aligning the craft with a boat trailer  130  by visually aligning a boat sight point with a sight point on the boat trailer  130 . Alternatively, in the case the boat operator  110  is not alone, the helmsman  110  relies upon others. The other persons may be on the watercraft  100  and can see in front of the watercraft  100  from their viewing position, or may be on shore at the trailer  130  to offer assistance. This communication to the boat operator  110  from the other persons can sometimes be misunderstood or not heard by the boat operator  110 . The interpretation of the information by the boat operator  110  can be incorrect and result in poor operational results. In some cases there may be one or more persons assisting the boat operator, so “boat operator” is defined as a person or persons operating the boat or helping the primary operator to operate the boat, which person helping the primary operator can be just a passenger on the boat at other times. 
         [0043]    In a typical boat  100  loading situation, that is, removing the watercraft  100  from the body of water and placing it on the trailer  130 , the tow vehicle  140  backs the trailer  130  partially into the water. The boat  100  then approaches the boat trailer  130  from the water, aligning the boat  100  with the trailer  130  for proper loading. The configuration of watercraft  100 , boat trailers  130 , and boat ramps vary widely. As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the boat operator  110  often cannot see the trailer  130  during the final approach of the boat  100  to the trailer  130  in the loading process. The boat operator&#39;s  110  field of vision  150  often does not include the rear portion of the trailer  130  during this process. This inability to see where the front of the watercraft  100  is relative to the rear of the trailer  130  during the final stages of the loading process can result in misalignment of the boat  100  with the trailer  130 . The misalignment of the boat  100  and trailer  130  results in an unsuccessful load and requires at least one subsequent attempt to reload. Sometimes the misalignment can result in damage to the watercraft  100 , boat trailer  130 , or even bodily harm to surrounding persons. In any case, there is advantage to avoiding misalignment. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  depicts the watercraft  100  while underway. The rearward direction  220  is shown in this view. While underway the boat operator&#39;s  110  view in front of the bow of the watercraft  100  often is obstructed by the length of the watercraft  100 , railings  210 , cargo boxes, chairs, etc., in front of the operating position  160 . In the case an operator  110  is alone, boat safety may be compromised. In the case the boat operator  110  is not alone, the helmsman  110  often relies upon others. The other person(s) on the watercraft  100  may be disposed on the watercraft  100  such that their view off the bow is not hindered. Hence, such person(s) may warn the helmsman  110  of obstacles or objects  230  in the water ahead. This requires the passenger(s) to be attentive to the water ahead. Communication to the boat operator  110  from the other person(s) can sometimes be misunderstood or not heard by the boat operator  110 . The interpretation of the information by the helmsman  110  can be incorrect and result in poor operational results. 
         [0045]    Again, the addition of a camera  150 , disposed in the vicinity of the bow of the watercraft  100  enables a much more complete view of the region forward of the watercraft  100 , largely negating the disadvantages of operating a watercraft  100  alone or relying on one or more passengers to warn the helmsman  110  of obstacles  230  in the waters off the bow of the watercraft  100 . 
         [0046]    For identical reasons as given above, when approaching a shoreline  310  or a dock (not shown), as shown in  FIG. 3 , the boat operator&#39;s  110  view directly in front of the craft is often obstructed by the length of the watercraft  100 , railings  210 , cargo boxes, chairs, etc., in front of the operating position  160 . Just as above regarding objects  230  in the water and objects on the shore  320 , these limitations may result in poor watercraft  100  beaching. As a consequence of the boat operator&#39;s  110  limited view,  150 , there is danger to the watercraft  100 , the boat operator  110 , watercraft occupants  1120  (see  FIG. 11 ), and objects in the water  230  and objects on the shore  320  due to the boat&#39;s  100  impacting those unseen objects. Even the shoreline  320  itself can cause damage or injury to the watercraft  100 , the boat operator  110 , and watercraft occupants if the watercraft  100  impacts the shoreline  320  at too great a speed. In some cases, the shoreline  310  may be damaged as well. 
         [0047]    Again, the addition of a camera  150 , disposed in the vicinity of the bow of the watercraft  100  enables a much more complete view of the region forward of the watercraft  100 , largely negating the disadvantages of attempting to beach a watercraft  100  alone or relying on one or more passengers to aid the helmsman  110  in beaching the watercraft  100 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 4  depicts a watercraft  100  in towing mode during transport. Towing involves the trailer  130  and the towing vehicle  140 . The drawing illustrates the distance the watercraft  100  and trailer  130  extend behind the towing vehicle  140 . The forward direction  120  and the reverse or rearward direction  220 , as defined above, are illustrated by arrows in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the uncertainties of backing a long trailer may be mitigated by the addition of a camera  150  at the rear of the towed watercraft  100  or trailer  130 . Of course, the image display must be in view of the towing vehicle  140  driver  510  (see  FIG. 5A ). 
         [0050]      FIGS. 5, 5A, 5B, and 5C  help highlight the deficiencies associated with using various vehicle mirrors  510 ,  520 ,  530  and windows to see behind while towing and backing towed items. Often the watercraft  100  itself blocks the vehicle driver&#39;s  540  view of the road or surroundings behind. This inability to view what is behind the towed watercraft  100  can result in damage to the watercraft  100 , boat trailer  130 , surroundings, such as other vehicles, buildings, signposts, etc., or even persons during transport. This lack of being able to see behind is especially hindering when the item is backed. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 5 and 5A  illustrate the driver  540  inside the towing vehicle  140  in a towing vehicle operator&#39;s position. The driver  540  has visual access to a passenger-side rearview mirror  510 , a driver&#39;s side rearview mirror  520 , and an inside rearview mirror  530 , as well as the rear windshield  550 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 5B  shows what might be seen in the inside rearview mirror  530  from the towing vehicle operator&#39;s position. The region behind the towed watercraft or other item is often not visible in this inside rearview mirror  530 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 5C  depicts what might be seen in the passenger side rearview mirror  510  from the towing vehicle operator&#39;s position. The region behind the towed watercraft or other item is often not visible in this passenger side rearview mirror  510 . The view from the driver&#39;s side rearview mirror is not illustrated, notwithstanding, the region behind the towed watercraft or other item is often not visible in the driver&#39;s side rearview mirror. 
         [0054]    Based on the illustrated inability to view the rear of the towed item via the usual mirrors and rear windshield, mounting the camera  150  at or near the rear of the towed item, as shown in  FIG. 4 , provides the driver  540  a view of an important region, especially when backing the towed item. The image display device or screen  560  is shown in the vicinity of the dashboard inside the towing vehicle  140 , but said screen  560  may be disposed anywhere convenient and visible to the driver  540 . 
         [0055]    The watercraft  100  detailed in  FIG. 6  shows an example configuration of the imaging system of the present invention. The camera  150  is situated in the vicinity of the bow of the watercraft  100 . The positioning and mounting of the camera  150  will vary with different boat  100  configurations such as pontoon boat, V-bottom boat, flat bottom boat, canoe, raft, barge, etc. The positioning of the camera  150  is critical to proper operation of the camera  150  and screen  610  system. Note that the screen or image display device  610  is separate and remote from the camera  150 . The boat operator  160  must be able to view the position of the boat  100  bow accurately. Therefore the camera  150  is preferably positioned as close to the center between the port and starboard sides on the watercraft  100 , and in a horizontal position to the water or shore horizon. The mounting of the camera  150  must be sufficiently mechanically flexible to accommodate different boat  100  configurations and camera  150  orientations.  FIG. 6  details a wire  620  connecting the camera  150  and screen  610 . 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 7 , the camera  150  and screen  610  are shown connected in a wireless fashion as indicated by the transmitter  720  sending a signal from the camera to the receiver  730  by which the image or video is received and displayed on the image display  610 . The wireless connection from transmitter  720  to receiver  730  may be accomplished using numerous communication means or protocols, such as Bluetooth, b/g/n wireless, etc., across the communication spectrum. The present invention is not limited to a particular communication protocol. One advantage to the wireless mode of connecting the camera  150  and screen  610  is the ease at which the camera  150  may be repositioned, for example from the bow to the stern of the watercraft  100 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 8  depicts an example configuration of the towing vehicle  140  disposed to tow a watercraft  100  and trailer  130 . In this configuration, the camera  150  is disposed in the vicinity of the stern of the watercraft  100  or the rear of the trailer  130 . The image display device  610  is located in the cab of the towing vehicle  140  in view of the driver  540  (not shown). 
         [0058]    In this example, a wired connection between the camera  150  and the screen  610  inside the towing vehicle is used. Typically, a wiring system  810  is used to carry the signal within the towing vehicle  140  and another wiring system  820  is used to carry the signal the length of the watercraft  100  or trailer  130 . The two wiring systems  810 ,  820  are preferably connected near the trailer hitch  830  using connectors that may be easily disconnected when the trailer  130  is disconnected from the towing vehicle  140 . The two wiring systems  810 ,  820  may be permanently installed in their respective locations, or strung when needed. 
         [0059]    In  FIG. 9 , the camera  150  and image display  610  communicate wirelessly. As in  FIG. 7 , the camera  150  is associated with a transmitter  720  while the image display  610  is associated with a receiver  730 . The wireless connection from the transmitter  720  to receiver  730  may be accomplished using numerous communication means or protocols well known by those of ordinary skill. 
         [0060]    The camera  150  is mounted in the region of the stern of the watercraft  100  in  FIG. 10 . The image display  610  is disposed on the watercraft in the vicinity of the helm or operating position where the helmsman  160  may view it. This system allows viewing of the towed item, such as another boat  100 , or person  1010  or persons without requiring the helmsman  160  to turn around. This is especially useful for viewing the condition of a person  1010  or persons on a towable item such as a towable floatation tube, ring, sled, water skis  1020 , or wakeboard. 
         [0061]    In the same instance, another camera  150  may optionally be mounted to the front of the watercraft  100 . In this instance, the image display device  610  must be configured to display a plurality of images, either simultaneously or alternately, by command. Another option is to provide an image display device  610  for each camera  150  used. 
         [0062]    A plurality of cameras  150  and a plurality of cellular telephones  1110  are shown utilized on the watercraft  100  in  FIG. 11 . In this example, a passenger  1120  is monitoring one of the cellular telephones  1110 . However, each of the cellular telephones  1110  may be configured to receive images or videos from either or both of the cameras  150 . Hence, all parties with cellular telephones  1110  may view the images or videos from any camera  150 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 12  depicts the watercraft  100  mounted on the trailer  130  disposed to be towed by the towing vehicle  140 . In this figure, the image display device is a mobile or cellular telephone  1110 . This arrangement permits flexibility for the video screen placement. The cellular telephone  1110  platform provides increased processing power over a simple video screen  610 , allowing for software or applications to extend the system&#39;s usefulness. The processing power of the cellular telephone  1110  platform can also provide capability for recording images or videos provided by the cameras  150  for future playback. By using the user&#39;s own cellular telephone  1110  the system may also be less costly. 
         [0064]    For the purpose of viewing under water, in one embodiment of the present invention, the camera  150  may be disposed on the watercraft  100  under the surface  1310  of the water, as depicted in  FIG. 13  Like the configuration of  FIG. 6 , the camera  150  and the screen  610  communicate via a wired system, using wire  620  connecting the camera  150  and the screen  610 . 
         [0065]    In a second embodiment for viewing under the water&#39;s surface  1310 , the camera  150  is, again, mounted on the watercraft  100  under the surface  1310  of the water in  FIG. 14 . As in  FIG. 7 , the camera  150  and screen  610  are connected in a wireless fashion as indicated by the transmitter  720  sending a signal from the camera to the receiver  730  by which the image or video is received and displayed on the image display  610 . The wireless connection from transmitter  720  to receiver  730  may be accomplished using numerous communication means or protocols, such as Bluetooth, b/g/n wireless, etc., across the communication spectrum. The present invention is not limited to a particular communication protocol. 
         [0066]    A purpose for viewing under the water&#39;s surface  1310  is to provide awareness of submerged objects and obstacles that may damage the watercraft  100  or injure towed persons  1010 . A view above and under the water&#39;s surface  1310  is illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Typical objects of interest under water are stationary objects, such as former structures  1510  such as pier, dock, or bridge pilings. Also, floating objects, such as tree limbs or trees  1520  that are suspended under the surface and are therefore difficult to see from above the water&#39;s surface  1310 . Above the surface, the camera  150  may detect floating objects  1530 , as related above. Objects  230  above the water&#39;s surface  1310  and objects  1510 ,  1520  represent a danger to the watercraft  100 , the watercraft&#39;s operator  110 , other boat occupants  1120 , and the objects  230 ,  1510 ,  1520  if such objects are struck by the watercraft,  100 . 
         [0067]    Another embodiment of the present invention calls for the camera  150  to be mounted above the water&#39;s surface  1310 , but to be capable of capturing images under water. Such a view is shown in  FIG. 16  where, again, obstructions may include stationary objects, such as former structures  1510  such as pier, dock, or bridge pilings and floating objects, such as tree limbs or trees  1520  that are suspended under the surface. For this image, light in its visible spectrum (about 390 to 700 nanometers wavelength) may not be used solely. Other wavelengths of electromagnetic waves, such as radar, X-rays, or microwaves may be better suited to penetrate the water&#39;s surface. Hence, image processing to provide a visible, clear image for the viewer may be necessary. Also, distortion due to refraction may be present, and image processing may be required to adjust for that distortion. 
         [0068]    The above embodiments are the preferred embodiment, but this invention is not limited thereto, nor to the figures and examples given above. It is, therefore, apparent that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.