Patent ID: 7036445

Claim:
A watercraft steer-by-wire control system comprising: a direction control system responsive to a directional command signal for steering a watercraft, said direction control system including a rudder position sensor to measure and transmit a rudder position signal; a helm control system responsive to a helm command signal for receiving a directional input to a helm from an operator and providing tactile feedback to an operator, said helm control system including at least one of a helm position sensor to produce and transmit a helm position signal and a torque sensor to produce and transmit a helm torque signal, said tactile feedback including at least one of: a resistive force, a reaction torque to an operator; an on center detent as a helm moves thru a center position; and variable control stops to resist helm motion beyond a selected threshold; a watercraft speed sensor for producing a watercraft speed signal; a master control unit in operable communication with said watercraft speed sensor, said helm control system, and said direction control system; said master control unit includes a position control process for generating said directional command signal in response to said watercraft speed signal, said helm torque signal and said helm position signal; said master control unit includes a torque control process for generating said helm command signal based on said helm torque signal, said helm position signal and said watercraft speed signal; and a lateral thruster in operable communication and cooperation with a rudder dynamics unit directing thrust to provide at least one of substantially lateral control and substantially yaw control to facilitate at least one of low speed and docking operations; wherein said lateral thruster is responsive to at least one of a port command and a starboard command.