Patent ID: 7524222

Claim:
A control system for an outboard motor comprising a change element disposed in the outboard motor and configured to change an operational condition of the outboard motor, an actuator disposed in the outboard motor and configured to actuate the change element, a control device disposed in the outboard motor and configured to control the actuator, a first signal generator disposed in the outboard motor and configured to convert physical movement to a first command signal and to output the first command signal to the control device, the first signal generator being configured to be mechanically connectable to a mechanical remote control device such that physical movement of the remote control device causes physical movement of a part of the first signal generator, the control device also being configured to be connectable to an electronic remote control device having a second signal generator configured to detect movement of a remote control lever and to output a second command signal, the control device being further configured to determine whether the first signal generator is connected to the control device and whether the electronic remote control device is connected to the control device, the control device also being configured to control the actuator based upon the second command signal from the electronic remote device if the first signal generator is not connected to the control device.