Patent Description:
The following U. Patents and Applications provide background information and are described below.

<CIT> discloses a keyless marine access and engine control system. The system is caused to change from a dormant state to an enabled state when a sequence of actuation signals entered through a keypad matches data representing either one of two access sequences stored in the system's memory. When the system is in its enabled state, the system responds only to signals representing a keypad actuation exceeding a first predetermined time interval. These signals are used to crank, choke, and stop a marine vehicle engine. The secondary access sequence can be changed by a person who knows either the primary access sequence or the secondary access sequence, while the primary access sequence can be changed only by a person having knowledge of the present primary access sequence. In order to reprogram either access sequence, a programming button must be actuated for a predetermined time interval exceeding the first time interval. The system can be used with either a single or dual engine installation.

<CIT> discloses a method for starting a marine internal combustion engine that is independent of a continued signal received from a starting switch. If the operator of the marine vessel momentarily depresses a starting switch, a predetermined procedure is followed by a microprocessor which does not require continued involvement of the marine vessel operator. Various parameters are checked during the starting sequence and various actuators are activated to assure a safe and reliable starting procedure.

<CIT> discloses an engine control system for a marine propulsion system that uses a portable control device that is configured to emit first and second signals that are receivable by first and second sensors. The first signal relates to the starting of the engine of the marine propulsion system by the operator. The second signal relates to the presence of the operator, wearing the portable control device, within a prescribed zone surrounding the second sensor near the helm position.

<CIT> discloses a monitoring system that detects the presence or absence of a marine vessel operator within a defined zone near the helm of a marine vessel. The detection is accomplished through the use of a provision of an e-field and the detection of e-field strength by a receiving antenna system. When the operator is in the proper helm position, the e-field strength is diminished by the presence of a portion of the operator's body within the e-field zone.

<CIT> discloses a control system and method for deterring theft of a marine vessel. A security control circuit receives a transponder identification code from a transponder. The engine control circuit has a status that is based on a comparison of a stored identification code with the transponder identification code. The status of the engine control circuit is locked if the stored identification code does not match the transponder identification code and the status of the engine control circuit is unlocked if the stored identification code does match the transponder identification code. The security control circuit determines an arbitrated lock status of the control system based on a conjunctive analysis of the locked and unlocked statuses of a plurality of engine control circuits connected to a network bus, and indicates the arbitrated lock status to an operator of the marine vessel.

<CIT> discloses a system and a method of locating a key fob with respect to a vehicle, including: detecting short-range wireless signals communicated between the key fob and a plurality of nodes at the vehicle using an IEEE <NUM> protocol; calculating the distance of the key fob relative to each of the nodes attached to the vehicle based on the detected short-range wireless signal; and determining the location of the key fob based on the distance of the key fob relative to each of the nodes.

<CIT> discloses a key fob with RSSI, while <CIT> discloses a method and a system for priming vehicle access based on wireless key velocity.

The invention provides a remote control system in accordance with claim <NUM>.

The invention also provides a method of remotely controlling systems on a marine vessel in accordance with claim <NUM>.

Existing remote control systems utilizing fobs employ pre-set functionality and generally require users to actively provide instructions via the fob to instruct and remotely control actions for systems and devices on the marine vessel. For example, typical fobs for marine vessels have buttons for controlling predefined functions, such as lock and unlock buttons. The inventors have recognized that one of the challenges for developing remote control systems for accessing marine vessels is that the configuration of marine vessels is highly variable. Moreover, the inventors have recognized that marine vessels incorporate an increasing number of onboard systems, making marine vessels more complicated to operate and more prone to error. For example, systems may not be fully shut down as part of a shutdown procedure on the marine vessel-e.g., when an operator leaves a marine vessel, systems may be accidentally left on that drain the battery of the marine vessel or are otherwise problematic. Conversely, systems may be left off that should have been turned on, such as security systems or automatic bilge pump systems, thus leaving the unattended marine vessel vulnerable. Similarly, upon starting a marine vessel, systems may require particular startup procedures that may not be properly executed and may lead to confusion, long start times, and/or system malfunctions. Accordingly, the inventors have recognized that automatic start procedures that occur when a user approaches a marine vessel are desirable. Moreover, the inventors have recognized that the low volume of each marine vessel variant makes creating unique fobs for each variant impractical, and thus a configurable system is desired that can be tailored to each marine vessel and/or to each fob assigned to a user.

Upon recognition of the foregoing problems and challenges, and based on experimentation and research in the relevant field, the present inventor has developed the disclosed remote control system for marine vessels that allows customization of commands associated with a fob signal to better fit the need of each vessel and the desires of each individual. Furthermore, the inventor has developed a system that simplifies the startup and shutdown procedures for vessel systems where multiple shutdown and startup procedures can be automatically be executed as a user approaches or leaves a marine vessel.

In one embodiment, the remote control system detects a fob signal and determines an operator distance based on the fob signal. The remote control system then generates a system command based on the operator distance in order to control one or more devices on the marine vessel. To provide one example, the remote control system may be configured to start one or more vessel systems as an operator approaches a marine vessel and reaches the threshold distance, and may similarly be configured to turn off one or more vessel systems as the operator leaves a marine vessel. In one embodiment, the controllers configured to compare the operator distance with one or more threshold distances and to generate the system commands as the operator reaches each of the one or more threshold distances. The controller may also be configured to determine an operator direction with respect to the marine vessel based on the fob signal, and to generate the at least one system command based further on the operator direction. As described herein, the controllable devices controlled by the remote control system may include any of various vessel systems, such as battery switches, vessel lights, propulsion systems, seat position, radio presets, environmental control devices or systems, or the like. Accordingly, the remote control system may automatically execute startup and shutdown routines as an operator approaches or walks away from their marine vessel.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the remote control system may be configured to accommodate multiple different operators, each with a unique fob configured for each operator, wherein the system is customizably configured to carry out each individual's desired instructions associated with that fob. Accordingly, each user may configure the proximity-based functionality differently based on their individual preference and/or individual needs. In one embodiment, each fob permitted by the remote control system is associated with a set of system commands, wherein each system command in the set of system commands is associated with a command distance. Thus, the customized commands associated with each fob may be executed when that user carrying their fob approaches or leaves the marine vessel.

<FIG> and <FIG> depict embodiments of a remote control system <NUM> operating within a vessel control system <NUM>. The remote control system <NUM> includes one or more fobs <NUM>, <NUM> that wirelessly communicate with a helm transceiver <NUM>. The helm transceiver communicates with a controller <NUM>, such as a command control module (CCM) or helm control module (HCM) or a dedicated control module for providing remote control functionality. The controller <NUM> is programmable and includes a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the remote control system <NUM> is a radio communication system including a helm transceiver <NUM> in radio communication with one operator fob <NUM> carried by an operator of the marine vessel. The remote control system may also be in communication with one or more subordinate fobs <NUM> worn by other drivers, passengers or individuals on or around the marine vessel, where the subordinate fobs are also in communication with the helm transceiver <NUM>. The remote control system <NUM> further includes a remote control module <NUM>, which is a set of software instructions stored on and executable by controller <NUM> in order to detect permitted fobs and carry out remote control instructions accordingly. In one embodiment, remote control <NUM> includes instructions executable to determine an operator distance or operator direction based on fob signals received by one or more fobs, and to carry out system activation and deactivation functionality based on the operator distance and/or operator direction. Various embodiments of the remote control system <NUM> and system functionality are described herein.

In certain embodiments, the remote control system <NUM> may be configured for performing startup and shutdown procedures for vessel systems, or to otherwise enable or disable operation of one or more systems on the marine vessel. In certain embodiments, the remote control system <NUM> may only be active when a marine vessel is docked or moored, or otherwise appropriately situated for startup or shutdown. When the remote control system is active, the helm transceiver <NUM> continuously operates to detect and identify whether one or more fobs <NUM>, <NUM> are present within a communication zone around the marine vessel. For example, the helm transceiver may be configured to continually emit a "polling" signal and await responses from one or more fobs <NUM>, <NUM> configured to respond to such polling signals from the helm transceiver <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the helm transceiver <NUM> is configured to emit a polling signal of sufficient strength such that any corresponding fobs <NUM>, <NUM> within a predetermined zone of the marine vessel, a communication zone, will receive the polling signal and transmit a response signal identifying the respective fob. In one embodiment, each responding fob <NUM>, <NUM> transmits a fob signal that includes a fob identification uniquely associated therewith such that the helm transceiver can identify the responding fob <NUM>, <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the fob identification also identifies a fob-type, such as a passenger fob or a driver fob.

The controller <NUM> is then configured to determine an operator distance based on the received fob signal and generate system commands to control operation of one or more devices within the marine vessel. The controller is configured to compare the operator distance with one or more threshold distances and to generate system commands when the operator reaches each of the one or more threshold distances. According to the invention, the controller <NUM> is further configured to determine the direction that the operator is traveling with respect to the marine vessel. For example, the operator direction may be determined based on the change in the operator distance over time. The controller <NUM> may then determine appropriate system commands based further on the operator direction, such as whether the operator is approaching the marine vessel <NUM>, and thus heading toward the marine vessel, or is leaving the marine vessel <NUM> and thus is heading away.

In various embodiments and examples, the remotely controlled systems and devices may include starting and stopping one or more propulsion devices <NUM>, locking or unlocking one or more door locks <NUM>, turning on or off vessel lights <NUM> (which may include cabin lights, dock lights, underwater lights, etc.), turning on or off a radio <NUM> or other entertainment device, adjusting a seat position at the helm, activating an air handling or environmental control system to control a cabin temperature and/or humidity, activating or disabling a security system <NUM> or the like. Additionally, the controller <NUM> may be configured to control one or more battery switches <NUM> providing power to various devices and systems within the larger system <NUM>, which may be controlled as an initial step when the operator is approaching or a final step when the operator is leaving.

The vessel control system <NUM> may include one or more control devices incorporated in the vessel network, such as a digital switching system <NUM> comprising multiple digital switching nodes to control various devices to enable and disable the vessel. For example, the digital switching system <NUM> may include networked digital switch interfaces, each configured to control one or more connected devices in a particular way in response to receipt of a command from the controller <NUM>. For example, the digital switching system <NUM> may be a CZone Control and Monitoring system, by Power Products, LLC of Menomonee Falls, WI. In one embodiment shown in <FIG> the digital switching system <NUM> receives instructions from the controller <NUM> via the vessel network <NUM>, and then communicates instructions to various controlled devices or systems (e.g., vessel lights <NUM>, door locks <NUM>, battery switches <NUM>, security system <NUM>) via a second vessel network <NUM>', such as a separate CAN bus.

In one embodiment, the helm transceiver <NUM> of the remote control system <NUM> may be placed within the helm area <NUM> of a marine vessel. The helm transceiver <NUM> receives radio signals from a wireless operator fob <NUM> and/or from one or more subordinate fobs <NUM>. In many embodiments, the helm transceiver may also be configured to transmit radio signals to the fobs <NUM>, <NUM>. The helm transceiver <NUM> may be permanently mounted to the helm area <NUM> such as mounted in or behind the dashboard near the steering wheel <NUM> and/or throttle/shift lever <NUM>. The helm transceiver <NUM> is connected to a power source, such as to <NUM> volt DC power provided by a battery associated with the propulsion device <NUM>. The helm transceiver <NUM> further communicates with one or more controllers <NUM> to indicate whether radio signals are being received from the operator fob <NUM> and/or subordinate fob(s) <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the helm transceiver <NUM> and fob(s) <NUM>, <NUM> may communicate to determine an operator distance between the respective fob and the helm transceiver <NUM>, and in such embodiments, the helm transceiver <NUM> may further communicate the operator distance to the respective controller <NUM> for use by the remote control module <NUM>.

The wireless operator fob <NUM> and subordinate fob(s) <NUM> are each an electrical device carried or worn by the operator or others on the vessel which transmits radio signals to the helm transceiver <NUM>. The wireless fobs are battery-driven, such as containing a replaceable or rechargeable battery. The helm transceiver <NUM> and wireless fobs <NUM>, <NUM> may communicate by any of various wireless protocols. In certain embodiments, the helm transceiver <NUM> and wireless fobs <NUM>, <NUM> may be RFID devices. In one embodiment, the wireless fobs <NUM>, <NUM> may contain a passive or active RFID tag, and the helm transceiver <NUM> may be an active or passive reader. In certain embodiments, the transceiver <NUM> and fobs <NUM>, <NUM> are active devices that communicate by any of various wireless standards, including Bluetooth standards or <NUM> WLAN.

<FIG> depicts operation of one embodiment of the remote control system <NUM>. For ease of illustration, the fob <NUM> and transceiver <NUM> are shown in close proximity to one another; however, it will be understood that the fob <NUM> and transceiver <NUM> communicate at larger distances, such as up to hundreds of feet or more. The helm transceiver <NUM> transmits a radio signal to the wireless operator fob <NUM> worn by the operator <NUM>. The wireless operator fob <NUM> receives the radio transmission from the helm transceiver <NUM> and communicates a responsive signal thereto. In one exemplary embodiment, the helm transceiver <NUM> may continually "poll" the wireless operator fob <NUM>, such as at a polling rate of once per second. In certain embodiments, the helm transceiver <NUM> may only generate the inquiry signal to poll the wireless operator fob <NUM> when certain conditions are met, such as when the vessel is docked, when the propulsion devices are off, and/or when the gear system <NUM> is in a neutral position. The wireless operator fob <NUM> receives the signal and returns a fob signal to the helm transceiver <NUM> indicating that the polling signal was received, and thereby the operator fob <NUM> (and accordingly the operator <NUM>) is detected. Such information is then provided to the remote control module <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the fob signal includes a fob identification, such as a unique code identifying the fob within the system <NUM>.

Likewise, the subordinate fobs <NUM> may also be polled, which may be polled simultaneously with the operator fob using the same polling signal. In one embodiment, the transceiver <NUM> is configured to receive responses from multiple fobs and to identify and/or select an operator fob <NUM>, which will be the controlling fob for activating and deactivating the devices on the marine vessel. In certain embodiments, one or more different fob-types may be present, and only certain fobs may communicate as potential operator fobs. Where multiple fobs respond to a polling signal, for example, the controller <NUM> may be configured to identify one of the fobs as the operator fob <NUM> and the remaining fobs as subordinate fobs <NUM>. The operator and subordinate fob assignments may be based, for example, on a priority list of fob identifications where each fob configured within the system (which may all be operator-fob types approved for performance as an operator fob, referred to herein as the "permitted fobs") is ranked in an order of priority as to which fob should be selected the dominant position of operator fob <NUM>. In other embodiments, the controller <NUM> may be configured to select the first fob detected as the operator fob <NUM>, and all later detected fobs as subordinate fobs. In still other embodiments, different methods may be utilized for selecting the operator and subordinate fob roles. For example, as described in more detail with respect to <FIG>, a subordinate fob may become an operator fob if the prior-assigned operator fob gets more than a threshold distance away from the helm transceiver, or otherwise leaves a predefined area within the communication zone, while one or more subordinate fobs <NUM> remain on or close to the marine vessel <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the helm transceiver <NUM> and wireless operator fob <NUM> may be configured to determine a distance therebetween, which is referred to herein as the operator distance. The remote control system <NUM> may likewise determine a distance between the one or more subordinate fobs <NUM> and the helm transceiver <NUM>. In one embodiment, the wireless operator fob <NUM> determines the distance to the helm transceiver <NUM> based on the helm transceiver signal. In one such embodiment, the helm transceiver <NUM> determines the operator distance based on the time it receives the responsive signal from the operator fob <NUM> compared to the time it transmitted its inquiry signal to the operator fob <NUM>. In other embodiments, the operator fob <NUM> may be configured to determine the operator distance-which may be a 'time-of-flight" determination or may be determined based on a measured signal strength of the received inquiry signal-and transmit that operator distance value to the helm transceiver <NUM>. In still other examples, the operator distance may be determined based on the radio signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the fob signal received at the helm transceiver <NUM>. The RSSI may be used to estimate the distance between the operator and the helm transceiver, or the operator and the vessel.

Likewise, the helm transceiver and/or the controller <NUM> may be configured to determine an operator direction based on the fob signal received over time. Namely, as the operator carrying the operator fob <NUM> moves closer to the helm transceiver <NUM>, the signal strength, or RSSI, increases. Likewise, as the operator carrying the fob <NUM> moves further away from the helm transceiver <NUM>, the RSSI decreases. Thus, an operator direction differentiating between the operator moving toward the marine vessel and the operator moving away from the marine vessel is determined based on the change in RSSI over time. In one embodiment, the system <NUM> may be configured to determine the operator direction based on a filtered or average RSSI over time, or based on a filtered or average change in RSSI over time. Thereby, errors due to noise or temporary disruptions or interference with the fob signal can be reduced. To provide one example, the operator direction may be based on a rolling average of the change in RSSI.

The remote control system <NUM> may be configured such that each fob <NUM>, <NUM> is associated with a set of system commands that control operation of devices on the marine vessel accordingly when that fob is active, such as selected as the operator fob <NUM>. Each set of system commands may be configurable by the user. In certain embodiments, each system command in the set of system commands may be associated with a threshold distance or one of a predefined set of threshold distances, which is the distance at which the system command is actuated. Alternatively or additionally, each system command may be associated with an operator direction, where certain system commands are generated when the operator is moving towards the marine vessel, and others are generated when the operator is moving away from the marine vessel.

<FIG> illustrates one example, where an operator <NUM> carrying an operator fob <NUM> is moving toward the marine vessel <NUM>. Thus, the operator distance DO between the operator fob <NUM> and the helm transceiver <NUM> is decreasing over time. As the operator distance DO crosses one or more threshold distances R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM>, various system commands are generated. In the example, when the operator <NUM> crosses the threshold radius R<NUM>, a system command to turn on battery switches is generated. As the operator <NUM> keeps moving towards the marine vessel <NUM>, the distance DO is continually monitored. When DO reaches the next threshold distance R<NUM>, a system command to turn on dock lights is generated. Then, when the operator distance DO reaches the next threshold R<NUM>, the engines <NUM> of the one or more propulsion devices <NUM> are started. As will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art, the example of <FIG> merely illustrates exemplary system commands that may be effectuated at various threshold distances, and such examples are not limiting. Any of the various system commands may be generated at any number of thresholds. Likewise, various fobs may be associated with various system commands.

In the example shown, the remote control system <NUM> is incorporated and in communication with the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> stores and executes the remote control module <NUM>, including executing logic to determine which fobs <NUM>, <NUM> are detected and their distances and/or directions, and to generate system commands accordingly to activate or deactivate devices on the vessel system <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is programmable and includes a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the remote control module <NUM> is stored on the storage system <NUM> and executable on the processor <NUM> of the controller <NUM>. Accordingly, the helm transceiver <NUM> communicates with the controller <NUM> to effectuate the remote control system <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may communicate with one or more control modules for the respective propulsion devices <NUM> incorporated within the system <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the controller <NUM> communicates with an engine control module (ECM) <NUM> for each propulsion device <NUM>. Thereby, the controller <NUM> can instruct each ECM <NUM> in order to effectuate certain control actions, for example, starting or shutting down the engine <NUM>.

Only one propulsion device <NUM> is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>; however, it will be known to a person having ordinary skill in the art that any number of one or more propulsion devices may be incorporated within the system <NUM>. In various embodiments, the propulsion devices <NUM> may be an outboard motor, an inboard motor, a sterndrive, or any other propulsion device available for propelling a marine vessel <NUM>. Similarly, the propulsion device <NUM> may incorporate an internal combustion engine or may be an electric-powered propulsion device, such as an electric motor.

The controller can be located anywhere on the marine vessel <NUM>, and/or located remotely from the marine vessel <NUM>. The controller <NUM> communicates with various components of the system <NUM> via the vessel network <NUM> comprising wired or wireless links, as will be explained further hereinbelow. A person having ordinary skill in the art viewing this disclosure will understand that the remote control module <NUM>, and the methods disclosed and discussed herein, can be carried out by various control elements within the system <NUM>, and may be carried out by a single control module or by several separate control modules that are communicatively connected.

The controller <NUM> may be a computing system that includes a processing system, storage system, software, and input/output (I/O) interfaces for communicating with devices such as those shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The processing system loads and executes software from the storage system <NUM>, such as software programmed with the remote control module <NUM>. When executed by controller <NUM>, the remote control module <NUM> directs the processing system <NUM> to operate as described below in further detail to execute the remote control method. The computing system may include one or more application modules and one or more processors, which may be communicatively connected. The processing system can comprise a microprocessor (e.g., processor <NUM>) and other circuitry that retrieves and executes software from the storage system. The processing system can be implemented within a single processing device but can also be distributed across multiple processing devices or sub-systems that cooperate in existing program instructions. Non-limiting examples of the processing system include general-purpose central processing units, applications specific processors, and logic devices. The storage system <NUM> can comprise any storage media readable by the processing system and capable of storing software.

In this example, the controller <NUM> communicates with one or more components of the system <NUM> via a vessel network <NUM>, which can be a wired or wireless link. The controller <NUM> is capable of monitoring and controlling one or more operational characteristics of the system <NUM> and its various subsystems by sending and receiving control signals via the vessel network <NUM>. In one example, the vessel network <NUM> is a controller area network (CAN) bus, such as a CAN Kingdom network, but other types of communication links could be used. It should be noted that the extent of connections of the vessel network <NUM> shown herein is for schematic purposes only, and the vessel network <NUM> may provide communication between the controller <NUM> and each of the sensors, devices, etc., or control devices therefor, although not every connection is shown in the drawing for purposes of clarity.

As mentioned, the central control module may receive, either directly or indirectly, inputs from several different sensors and/or input devices aboard or coupled to the marine vessel <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may receive a steering input from a joystick <NUM> and/or a steering wheel <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may receive an input from one or more vessel speed sensors <NUM>. The vessel speed sensor <NUM> may be, for example, a pitot tube sensor 56a, a paddlewheel type sensor 56b, or any other speed sensor appropriate for sensing the actual speed of the marine vessel. Alternatively or additionally, the vessel speed may be obtained by taking readings from a GPS device <NUM>, which calculates speed by determining how far the marine vessel <NUM> has traveled in a given amount of time. Similarly, the controller <NUM> may receive input from a position determination device, such as GPS <NUM>, continuously tracking and providing global position information describing the current location of the marine vessel. The propulsion device <NUM> is provided with an engine speed sensor <NUM>, such as but not limited to a tachometer, which determines a speed of the engine <NUM> in rotations per minute (RPM). The engine speed can be used along with other measured or known values to approximate a vessel speed (i.e., to calculate a pseudo vessel speed). The system <NUM> may further include and vessel attitude sensor <NUM> sensing the orientation of the vessel with respect to an inertial frame of reference. For example, the vessel attitude sensor <NUM> may be an internal measurement unit (IMU) comprising a gyroscope, such as a three-axis gyroscope, to detect vessel orientation information. Alternatively or additionally, the attitude sensor <NUM> may include a magnetometer or may include any other type of position or inertial measurement unit, such as a combination accelerometer and/or gyroscope with a magnetometer.

A gear system <NUM> and gear state sensor <NUM> can also be provided for the propulsion device <NUM>. For example, the gear state sensor <NUM> may provide an output indicating whether the gear system <NUM> (which may take any of various forms known in the art, such as a dog clutch) is in a forward gear state, a neutral state, or a reverse gear state. In certain embodiments, the outputs of the gear state sensor <NUM> and/or the engine speed sensor <NUM> may be provided directly to the controller <NUM>. In other embodiments, the gear state and engine speed information may be provided to an intermediary control device, such as an engine control module, which may then make such information available to the controller <NUM>.

Other inputs to the system <NUM> can come from operator input devices such as a throttle/shift lever <NUM>, a steering wheel <NUM>, a keypad (not shown), and a touchscreen <NUM>. The throttle/shift lever <NUM> allows the operator of the marine vessel to choose to operate the vessel in neutral, forward, or reverse, as is known, and the gear system <NUM> is positioned accordingly. The keypad can be used to initiate or exit any number of control or operation modes (such as to activate and deactivate the remote control system <NUM>) or to make selections while operating within one of the selected modes.

In certain in embodiments, the control system <NUM> includes one or more control devices positioned on the vessel network <NUM> and configured to receive instructions from the controller <NUM> and carry out the instructions accordingly (e.g., to control the battery switches <NUM>, door locks <NUM>, vessel lights <NUM>, radio <NUM>, or propulsion device <NUM> accordingly). With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the controller <NUM> may communicate with the ECM <NUM> in order to start or shut down the one or more engines <NUM>. Similarly, the control system <NUM> may include a digital switching system <NUM>, as is describe above.

<FIG> and <FIG> depict exemplary embodiments of methods and functionality performed by the remote control system. The remote control method <NUM> depicted in <FIG> depicts exemplary steps for fob detection and system command generation accordingly. The steps at <FIG> may be repeated every time a fob signal is received, such as in response to polling by the helm transceiver <NUM>. Thereby, appropriate system commands will be updated based on the operator distance and operator direction. A fob is detected at step <NUM>, such as by receiving a fob signal from the operator fob <NUM> containing the fob ID associated therewith. An operator distance is determined at step <NUM>, such as based on the RSSI or by other methods as described above.

The operator distance is compared to previously determined distances at step <NUM> to identify the operator direction. For example, the operator distance may be compared to an averaged or filtered value of previous distance measurements, or a change in operator distance may be determined and compared to previous changes in distance measurements or a filtered value of previous changes. Similarly, the operator distance determined at step <NUM> may be a filtered value, such as an average of three or more distance estimations. Thereby, the system can better avoid reacting to erroneous measurements resulting from interference or temporary obstruction of the fob signal, etc. The operator distance is compared to thresholds at step <NUM>, where the thresholds are distances at which system commands are to be effectuated. When a distance threshold is crossed, step <NUM> is executed to select a system command from the set of system commands associated with the detected fob. The selected system command may also be based on the operator direction, as described above. The selected system command is then communicated on the vessel network at step <NUM> so as to effectuate control of the one or more devices on the network (e.g., battery switches <NUM>, vessel lights <NUM>, or engines <NUM> as shown in <FIG>).

<FIG> depicts another embodiment of method steps that may be executed by the remote control system <NUM> when two or more fobs are detected. When a second fob is detected at step <NUM>, instructions are executed at step <NUM> to select one of the two detected fobs as an operator fob and the other as a subordinate fob. For example, the fob selected as the operator fob <NUM> may be the first fob detected by the transceiver <NUM>. Alternatively, the operator fob role may be selected based on a priority list of permitted fobs, such as stored in the controller <NUM> and accessible by the remote control module <NUM>. For example, the priority list of permitted fobs may rank all permitted fobs configured in the system <NUM> in a prioritized list, and the detected fob with the highest priority rank in the list may be selected as the operator fob. A person having ordinary skill in the art will understand in view of this disclosure that additional methods or logic may be executed in order to select and manage the operator and subordinate fob roles.

The remote control module <NUM> may be configured to manage the two fobs such that if the fob assigned as the operator fob leaves the vessel and/or is no longer communicating with the helm transceiver <NUM>, then one of the remaining fobs may be selected as the operator fob for remote control purposes. Additionally, the system may be configured such that the shutdown procedures associated with the initial operator fob may not be executed if one or more subordinate fobs remain on the marine vessel. In certain scenarios and embodiments, it may be undesirable to shut down the marine vessel-e.g., automatically turn off propulsion devices, lock doors, and/or turn off lights-when an assigned operator leaves a marine vessel if other people remain on the marine vessel. Accordingly, the remote control may execute steps, one embodiment of which is exemplified at <FIG>, to handoff the operator fob role to a subordinate fob under certain conditions.

In the example, instructions are executed at step <NUM> to determine whether an operator fob is within a threshold distance. For example, the threshold distance may be associated with the size of the marine vessel, such as to determine whether the operator fob remains on the marine vessel. In another example, the threshold distance may be one of the thresholds associated with one or more system commands. In still another example, the threshold distance may be slightly less than the threshold distance for certain system commands, such as a system command to turn off engines or turn off vessel lights.

If the operator fob remains within the threshold distance at step <NUM>, then the system commands continue to be controlled based on the operator fob, represented at step <NUM>. Once the operator fob crosses the threshold distance at step <NUM>, instructions may be executed to determine whether the operator direction is moving away at step <NUM>. If not, then the remote control system <NUM> may be configured to assume that the operator is not leaving the marine vessel and to continue to effectuate system commands based on the current operator fob. However, if the operator fob is moving away, then the one or more subordinate fobs may also be assessed at step <NUM> to determine if they are also moving away-e.g., everyone is leaving the marine vessel. If a subordinate fob remains on the marine vessel and is not moving away at step <NUM> then a new operator fob may be selected at step <NUM> from those one or more subordinate fobs <NUM> that remain on the marine vessel (e.g., are within the threshold distance) and are not moving away. Handoff instructions may be generated at step <NUM> to handoff the operator fob roll to the newly selected fob. For example, certain system commands may be generated or intentionally ignored to reconcile differences between the set of commands associated with the newly-selected operator fob and those associated with the previously-assigned operator fob.

In certain embodiments, the controller <NUM> may be configured to respond to certain system commands from a subordinate fob <NUM> in addition to those from the operator fob <NUM>. For example, the controller may be configured to select and communicate a subordinate system command from the set of system commands associated with a subordinate fob <NUM> when that subordinate command does not conflict with the set of system commands for the operator fob <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A remote control system (<NUM>) for a marine vessel (<NUM>), the remote control system (<NUM>) comprising:
a helm transceiver (<NUM>) positioned on the marine vessel (<NUM>) and configured to communicate with one or more fobs (<NUM>, <NUM>);
at least one operator fob (<NUM>) configured to wirelessly transmit a fob signal to the helm transceiver (<NUM>) on the marine vessel (<NUM>), wherein the fob signal communicates a fob identification associated with the operator fob (<NUM>) to the helm transceiver (<NUM>);
a controller (<NUM>) in communication with the helm transceiver (<NUM>) and being configured to:
store a set of system commands for each fob identification in a list of permitted fob identifications, wherein each system command in the set of system commands is associated with one of a plurality of threshold distances and an operator direction;
receive the fob signal transmitted by the operator fob (<NUM>);
determine an operator distance based on the fob signal;
compare the operator distance with one or more of the plurality of threshold distances;
determine the operator direction with respect to the marine vessel (<NUM>) based on the fob signal from the operator fob (<NUM>); and
generate a system command based on the comparison, the operator direction, and the fob identification so as to control operation of one or more devices on the marine vessel (<NUM>).