GB2523842A

GB2523842A - Automatic Bluetooth controlled marine engine kill switch with distress activation

Info

Publication number: GB2523842A
Application number: GB1404110.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Stannard Anderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-03-08
Filing date: 2014-03-08
Publication date: 2015-09-09
Also published as: GB201404110D0

Abstract

An engine immobiliser for a marine engine where the engines kill switch circuitry is controlled by a unit that is activated wirelessly by a Bluetooth (RTM) enabled mobile device that is paired with the control unit, when the control unit fails to detect the presence of the mobile device which is carried/worn by a user, the engine is immobilised by the kill switch circuitry. After a predetermined time period, to prevent false emergencies, one or more distressed signals are activated. The mobile device is preferably a mobile phone with Bluetooth (RTM) capabilities. The distress signal may be an audible or visible alarm e.g. the vessels horn sounding, lights flashing, and / or the sending of a radio message or activation of a search and rescue transponder. The device preferably has an override switch that allows the device to be started without the presence of the paired device.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Applicacion Nc,. (lB 1404110.7 RTM Date: 3 May 2014 The following terms are registered trade marks and should he rcad as such wherever they occur in this document: Bluetooth Inlelleclual Property Office is an operaling name of the Pateni Office www.ipo.gov.uk Automatic Bluetooth Controlled Marine Engine Kill Switch with Distress Activation

1. Field of Invention

[001] The present invention relates Bluetooth enabled mobile phone devices and the compatibility with marine engine control apparatus, immobilising the engine when the Bluetooth connection to the mobile device has been lost. The engine control apparatus provides a signal drive to facilitate output to vessel lighting, horn, SART, VHF DSC subsystems by either direct interface or NMEA2000 network.

2. Description of the related art

[002] Boats are fitted with a Kill Cord, often refereed to as a Dead Mans Switch'. It's a simple device that physically connects the boats helmsman to an engine switch. If the driver falls overboard the switch is made and the engine is immobilised stopping the boat in the water. However these cords are often forgotten about or more so, ignored. This has led to many cases of people being thrown overboard from their vessels and being left to drown with no distress alert being raised.

[003] Mobile phones are Bluetooth enabled devices and are commonplace in everyday life and are inherently carried on ones person. Bluetooth systems are capable of auto detecting the presence of a mobile device and providing an action once a connection has been established.

3. Summary of the invention

[004] The presented invention provides an automatic wireless engine kill switch for marine engines.

[005] The user is required to have their mobile phone on their person and have the Bluetooth facility turned on.

[006] The invention utilises the Bluetooth signal transmitted by the users mobile phone to enable the invention control module [007] The invention consist of a control unit which interfaces, via direct connection or NMEA2000 network, with the vessels; marine engine, VHF DSC Radio, Radar, Horn, Lighting and electrical supply systems.

[008] The control unit has direct connection to the marine engines existing Kill Circuit' and electrical power is sourced from the engines ignition power supplies.

[009] The control unit is Bluetooth enabled with a small Bluetooth transmitter/receiver device. The Bluetooth device is pre-coded with a unique passcode that is embedded at manufacture.

[010] The invention is initialised when the ignition is turn on. With power available a Red LED indicates that the invention is ON' and Blue LED illuminates to indicate no mobile device is connected.

[011] The user then searches for Bluetooth devices with their mobile phone. The engine control switch name shall be displayed in the list.

[012] The user then pairs the device from their phone using the unique password associated with the control unit [009] printed to the external body of the invention.

[013] The control unit recognises the paired device and the devices MAC address is saved to memory. The Blue LED on the control device extinguishes, as there is now a connected device.

[014] Now whenever power (ignition turned on) is applied to the invention it will auto connect to the paired device. Making the invention no longer require user input when stepping aboard their vessel.

[015] To pair a new device the old mobile device must have its Bluetooth turned off. The invention will fail to auto connect to the device MAC address in its memory and the Blue LED will illuminate. A new device can now be paired by steps [010] to [012].

[016] Once pairing has been established the invention arms its self and continually monitors for the presence of the mobile device once every 2 seconds1 2 seconds as to save the mobile devices battery utilising Bluetooth Sniff Subrating techniques.

[017] If the invention no longer detects the paired mobile device the control unit will search again for the paired device.

[018] If the control unit is still unsuccessful in its search it will assume the user has fallen overboard, thus being out of range for the Bluetooth signal and immobilise the engine utilising the engines existing kill circuit-stopping the vessel.

[019] A timer circuit initialises with a tone sounder. The user has seconds to either; restart the engine, operate the override control on the invention or remove power from the engine to prevent false emergency message transmissions [020 below].

[020] If [0191 is not carried out within 30 seconds the control module will initiate a state of distress and requirement for aid by sending an output drive signal to; flash the vessels navigation/mast lights at a Morse Code SOS rate. The vessels horn sounds 5 short blasts in a loop. The invention also provides an output drive to the vessels VHF DSC radio, Radar SART system for transmission of a distress signal.

[021] A guarded override switch connected to the invention allows for the engine to start/run without the presence of a paired device and to cancel all distress signals prior to their messages being sent.

[022] The override switch removes the power source to the control module thus preventing it from operating the engine kill circuits and providing output drives to sub systems.

3. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments [023] Figure. 1 shows the integration of components connected to and controlled by the central control module.

[024] Figure.2 is an example of the control unit (1) and how it could be laid out for user interface. The control could also become an integral part of the marine engine control unit. LED indication of power being applied (3) and LED indication (2) of a paired device.

Audible buzzer (6) and a location for the pass code (4) used in pairing. The override switch (5) is central as to allow immediate access.

[025] Figure. 3 is a flow diagram of the system response.