SAFETY CONTROLLER FOR MARINE ACCESSORY

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

Priority is claimed to US Provisional Patent Application No. 63/736,271, filed December 19, 2024, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a safety controller for a marine accessory; and more particularly relates to systems, methods and devices carried by a boat with a motor for automatically withdrawing a portion of a marine accessory out of the water.

2. Description of the Related Art

Marine accessories, such as accessory kicker motors and shallow water anchors, can be deployed from a boat into the water and can be susceptible to damage when the boat is driven while the accessory is deployed. The improvement of marine accessories is an on-going endeavor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

With the above and other related objectives in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts, as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of an example method and system for protecting a marine accessory associated with a boat with a motor, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2a is a schematic side view of an example accessory kicker motor safety controller, according to some embodiments, shown with a boat having a main motor in a deployed configuration and an accessory kicker motor in a stowed configuration with a propeller out of the water.

FIG. 2b is a schematic Side view of the accessory kicker motor safety controller of FIG. 2a, shown with the accessory kicker motor in a deployed configuration with the propeller in the water and the main motor in a retracted configuration.

FIG. 2c is a schematic side view of the accessory kicker motor safety controller of FIG. 2a, shown with the main motor in the deployed configuration and the accessory kicker motor in the deployed configuration.

FIG. 3 is a detailed schematic side view of the accessory kicker motor safety controller of FIG. 2a, shown with the main motor in the deployed configuration and the accessory kicker motor in the stowed configuration with the propeller out of the water.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the accessory kicker motor safety controller of FIG. 2a, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example method for protecting the accessory kicker motor, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example kicker motor accelerator controller, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an example accessory kicker motor safety system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an example cellular phone or remote control, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9a is a schematic side view of an example shallow water anchor safety controller, according to some embodiments, shown with a boat having a motor and a shallow water anchor in a stowed configuration with a stake out of the water in solid lines and a deployed configuration with the stake in the water in phantom lines.

FIG. 9b is a schematic side view of an example shallow water anchor safety controller, according to some embodiments, shown with a boat having a motor and a shallow water anchor in a stowed configuration with a stake out of the water in solid lines and a deployed configuration with the stake in the water in phantom lines.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an example method for protecting a shallow water anchor, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In some instances, well-known structures, processes, and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

It shall be noted that unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” “including,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively while adhering to the concepts of the present invention. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” and “an embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

Various marine accessories, such as an accessory kicker motor and/or one or more shallow water anchors, can be carried by a boat. The accessories can be stowed out of the water and deployed at least partially into the water. Such marine accessories can be overlooked when operating the motor, or main motor, of the boat; leading to damage of the marine accessory if deployed while the motor is in operation and the boat is under way. For example, a propeller of the accessory kicker motor can be drug and spun if left in the water while the boat is under way and powered by the main motor; damaging the propeller and/or the accessory kicker motor. As another example, a stake of the shallow water anchor can be drug against the sea/lake bed if left in the water while the boat is under way and powered by the motor.

A safety controller can be associated with and carried by the boat, and operatively coupled to the marine accessory and one or more sensors. The safety controller can be programmed wirelessly, e.g. via WiFi or Bluetooth, with an application (app) on a cellular phone. The sensors can sense movement and/or speed of the boat, or ignition of the engine. In addition, the sensors can sense a configuration or position of the marine accessory. The safety controller can also be coupled to an actuator of the marine accessory and an alarm. The safety controller can sense and determine the configuration of the marine accessory and the movement and/or speed of the boat, or the ignition of the engine. The safety controller can send a withdrawal signal to the actuator of the marine accessory to enable the marine accessory to withdraw the water portion from the water to the stowed configuration. In addition, the safety controller can send an alarm signal to the alarm to enable the alarm to emit an audible alarm or sound. Furthermore, the safety controller can send a kill signal to the main motor and/or a tether kill of the marine accessory to enable the motor to stop.

Referring to FIG. 1, an example method 100 and system is shown for protecting a marine accessory, such as an accessory kicker motor or a shallow water anchor, associated with a boat with a motor (e.g. a main motor), according to some embodiments. The marine accessory can have a water portion, such as a propeller or a stake, with a deployed configuration in water and a stowed configuration out of the water.

The method 100 can comprise sensing 110 a drive of the boat, or that the boat is being driven. The drive can comprise one or more of a displacement (e.g. motion or speed) of the boat or an ignition of the motor (e.g. the main motor). The method 100 can also comprise sensing 120 deployment of the water portion of the marine accessory when the water portion is in the deployed configuration.

The method 100 can comprise determining 130 that the boat is in motion or above a predetermined speed threshold, or that the motor has been started (e.g. ignition). The method 100 can also comprise determining 140 that the marine accessory is in the deployed configuration.

The method 100 can comprise sending 150 an alarm signal to an alarm to enable the alarm to emit an audible alarm or sound based on sensing the drive of the boat and sensing the deployment of the water portion of the marine accessory. The method 100 can also comprise sending 160 a withdrawal signal to the marine accessory to enable the marine accessory to withdraw the water portion from the water in the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration based on sensing the drive of the boat and sensing the deployment of the water portion of the marine accessory. The method 100 can also comprise sending 170 a kill signal to an ignition of the motor and/or a tether kill of the marine accessory configured to stop the motor and/or the marine accessory.

In one aspect, driving the boat with the water portion of the marine accessory deployed can be capable of damaging the water portion or the marine accessory. The marine accessory can comprise one or more of an accessory kicker motor or a shallow water anchor.

In another aspect, the marine accessory can be an accessory kicker motor (FIGS. 2a-3), and sensing 110 a drive of the boat can further comprise receiving a velocity or movement signal from a GPS or a GPS antenna. In another aspect, sensing 120 deployment can further comprise receiving a tilt signal from a tilt switch associated with the accessory kicker motor indicating a configuration of the accessory kicker motor in the deployed configuration or the stowed configuration. In another aspect, the method 100 can comprise sending 170 a kill signal to a tether kill of the kicker motor to kill the kicker motor. In another aspect, sending 160 the withdrawal signal can further comprise sending the withdrawal signal to a trim actuator associated with the accessory kicker motor to enable the trim actuator to trim the accessory kicker motor from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration.

The method 100 described herein can be programmed on an application (app) executed by a cellular phone or mobile device.

In another aspect, the marine accessory can be a shallow water anchor (FIGS. 9a or 9b ) comprising a stake displaced by a telescoping mechanism or an articulating mechanism. In another aspect, sensing 110 a drive of the boat can further comprise receiving an ignition signal from the motor. In another aspect, sensing 120 deployment can further comprise receiving a position signal from a position sensor associated with the shallow water anchor. In another aspect, the method 100 can comprise sending a kill signal to the motor. In another aspect, sending 160 the withdrawal signal can further comprise sending the withdrawal signal to an anchor actuator associated with the shallow water anchor to enable the anchor actuator to raise the shallow water anchor from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration.

Referring to FIGS. 2a-4, an example kicker motor safety controller (or safety controller) 200 is shown for protecting an accessory kicker motor 204 associated with a boat 208 having a main motor 212, according to some embodiments. The accessory kicker motor 204 can have a propeller 216 with a deployed configuration in water (FIG. 2b) and a stowed configuration out of the water (FIG. 2a). Driving the boat 208 with the accessory kicker motor 204 deployed with the propeller 216 in the water (FIG. 2c) can damage the propeller 216 and/or the accessory kicker motor 204.

The accessory kicker motor 204 can be a small, mounted or portable engine used to provide auxiliary power to the boat 208 or as a secondary propulsion to the boat. The accessory kicker motor 204 can be used for troll fishing. The accessory kicker motor 204 can provide or can have between 2 to 40 horsepower (hp) in one aspect, and approximately 10 hp in another aspect. The accessory kicker motor 204 can be mounted on a transom of the boat 208 on a kicker bracket so that a cavitation plate on a lower unit of the accessory kicker motor extends below the bottom the boat. The accessory kicker motor 204 can move or tilt between a stowed configuration with the propeller 216 out of the water and a deployed configuration with the propeller 216 in the water. The accessory kicker motor 204 can be coupled to a fuel source carried by the boat 208. The accessory kicker motor 204 can be equipped with power trim and tilt (e.g. via an actuator), and can be coupled to a battery carried by the boat.

The kicker motor safety controller 200 can comprise a controller housing 220 carried by the boat 208. The controller housing 220 can be a water-proof or water-resistant enclosure that can be secured to the boat 208. A printed circuit board (PCB) 224 can be located in the controller housing 220. A wire harness 228 can be electrically coupled to the PCB 224 and can extend from the controller housing 220 through a sealed aperture. The wire harness 228 can comprise wires configured to be electrically coupled to one or more of: a power source 232 (e.g. a boat battery); a global positioning system (GPS) 236 (e.g. in the controller housing 220 and associated with the PCB 224) or a GPS antenna 240 (e.g. external to the controller housing 220); a trim actuator 244 associated with the accessory kicker motor 204; an audible alarm 248; a tether kill 252 associated with the accessory kicker motor 204; or a tilt switch 256 associated with the accessory kicker motor 204.

In some embodiments, the wire harness 228 of the safety controller 200 can be electrically coupled to an external GPS antenna 240 or GPS system that is external to and separate from the controller housing 220 and the PCB 224. In some embodiments, the GPS antenna 240 can be internal to the controller housing 220 and can be carried by the PCB 224.

In some embodiments, the safety controller 200 and the PCB 224 can have a voltage reducer 260 coupled to the power source 232. The voltage reducer 260 can reduce the voltage from the 18 volts direct current (DC) (e.g. of the boat battery) to 3.3 volts DC.

In some embodiments, the safety controller 200 and the PCB 224 can have a display 264, such as an LCD display, to display the operation and/or status of the safety controller 200. In some embodiments, the safety controller 200 and the PCB 224 can have one or more indicator lights 268, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), to indicate the operation and/or the status of the safety controller 200.

In some embodiments, the safety controller 200 and the PCB 224 can have a kicker trim relay 272 coupled to the trim actuator 244, an alarm relay 276 coupled to the audible alarm 248, and/or a kicker tether kill relay 280 coupled to the tether kill 252 of the accessory kicker motor 204.

In some embodiments, the safety controller 200 and the PCB 224 can have a kicker tilt input 284 coupled to the tilt switch 256.

In some embodiments, the safety controller 200 and the PCB 224 can have a wireless controller antenna 288 electrically coupled to one or more processors 292 to enable wireless communication between the safety controller 200 (and the processors 292 thereof) and a servo antenna 612 of a kicker accelerator controller 600 and/or remote antenna 812 of a cellular phone 800 or remote control, as discussed in greater detail below. In some embodiments, the controller antenna 288 can be associated with the PCB 224 and electrically coupled to the processors 292 to enable wireless communication with the processors 292. The wireless communication can be by Bluetooth and/or Wireless Fidelity (WiFi). The antenna 288 can utilize a short-range wireless technology for exchanging data between devices over short distances using low-power radio waves (e.g. 2.4 GHz), such as Bluetooth. The antenna 288 can utilize radio waves (typically through a router using frequencies like 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) to provide network connections, allowing the kicker motor safety controller 200 and the kicker accelerator controller 600 to connect to and communicate with each other without cables.

The kicker motor safety controller 200 can have one or more processors 292 carried by the PCB 224 and electrically coupled to the wire harness 228 and a memory 296. The processors 292 can be configured to receive a configuration signal from a configuration sensor (such as a tilt signal from the tilt switch 256) indicating a configuration of the accessory kicker motor 204 in the deployed configuration (FIGS. 2b and 2c) or the stowed configuration (FIG. 2a). The processors 292 can be configured to receive a drive signal (such as a velocity or movement signal from the GPS 236 or the GPS antenna 240, or an ignition of the main motor 212). The processors 292 can be configured to determine when the water portion of the marine accessory (such as the propeller 216 of the accessory kicker motor 204) is in the deployed configuration based on the configuration signal from the configuration sensor (such as a tilt signal from the tilt switch 256). The processors 292 can be configured to determine when the boat is being driven based on a rive signal from a drive sensor, such as the velocity or movement signal exceeding a threshold (e.g. greater than 4-12 knots) indicative of the boat 208 being driven rather than trolling, and exceeding the speed capability of the accessory kicker motor 204.

The processors 292 can be configured to send a withdrawal signal to the marine accessory to enable the marine accessory to withdraw the water portion from the water in the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration based on the determination that the water portion of the marine accessory is in the deployed configuration and the boat is being driven. For example, the processors 292 can be configured to send a withdrawal signal to the trim actuator 244, based on a determination of the accessory kicker motor being in the deployed configuration from the tilt signal from the tilt switch 256, and a determination of the velocity or movement signal above the threshold, to enable the trim actuator 244 to trim (indicated at 300 in FIGS. 2c and 3) the accessory kicker motor 204 from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration. The processors 292 can be configured to send a kill signal to the tether kill 252 of the accessory kicker motor 204, based on a determination of the accessory kicker motor 204 in the deployed configuration and a determination of the velocity or movement signal above the threshold, to enable the tether kill 252 to kill (indicated at 304 in FIGS. 2c and 3) the accessory kicker motor 204.

The processors 292 can be configured to send an alarm signal to the audible alarm 248 to enable the audible alarm to emit an audible alarm or sound based on a determination that the water portion of the marine accessory is in the deployed configuration and the boat is being driven. For example, the processors 292 can be configured to send an alarm signal to the audible alarm 248, based on a determination of the accessory kicker motor 204 in the deployed configuration and a determination of the velocity or movement signal above the threshold, to enable the audible alarm 248 to emit an audible alarm or sound.

In some embodiments, the tether kill 252 of the accessory kicker motor 204 can be an electrical kill switch. In some embodiments, the tether kill 252 of the accessory kicker motor 204 can be a mechanical kill switch.

Referring to FIG. 5, a method 500 and system for protecting the accessory kicker motor 204 associated with the boat 208 with the main motor 212 is shown, according to some embodiments. The method 500 can comprise sensing 510 a speed of the boat 208. The method 500 can also comprise sensing 520 deployment of the accessory kicker motor 204 when the propeller 216 is in the deployed configuration.

The method 500 can comprise determining 530 that the speed of the boat 208 is above a predetermined speed threshold. The method 500 can also comprise determining 540 that the accessory kicker motor 204 is in the deployed configuration.

The method 500 can comprise sending 550 an alarm signal to the audible alarm 248 to enable the alarm to emit an audible alarm or sound based on sensing the speed of the boat 208 above the threshold and sensing the deployment of the accessory kicker motor 204. The method 500 can also comprise sending 560 a withdrawal signal to the accessory kicker motor 204, or trim actuator 244, to enable the trim actuator 244 to withdraw the propeller 216 from the water in the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration based on sensing the speed of the boat above the threshold and sensing the deployment of the accessory kicker motor 204. The method 500 can also comprise sending 570 a kill signal to the tether kill 252 of the accessory kicker motor 204 configured to stop the accessory kicker motor.

Referring to FIG. 6, the kicker motor safety controller 200 can be used in combination with a kicker accelerator controller 600 configured to be coupled to an accelerator 604 (FIGS. 3 and 6) of the accessory kicker motor 204. The kicker accelerator controller 600 can be remote from the kicker motor safety controller 200, such as being carried by the accessory kicker motor 204 itself. The kicker accelerator controller 600 can comprise a servo motor 608 configured to be coupled to the accelerator 604 of the accessory kicker motor 204 to enable one or more of acceleration, deceleration, maximum acceleration or idle of the accessory kicker motor 204. The kicker accelerator controller 600 can comprise a servo antenna 612 (e.g. Bluetooth and or WiFi) electrically coupled to the servo motor 608 and capable of receiving wireless signals to enable operation of the servo motor 608. The wireless signals can utilize a short-range wireless technology for exchanging data between devices over short distances using low-power radio waves (e.g. 2.4 GHz), such as Bluetooth. The kicker accelerator controller 600 can communicate, or send and receive signals, with a cellular phone 800, remote control, or other mobile handheld device, as described herein. In addition, the antenna 612 can utilize radio waves (typically through a router using frequencies like 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) to allow the kicker motor safety controller 200 and the kicker accelerator controller 600 to connect to and communicate with each other.

In some embodiments, the servo antenna 612 can receive signals from the kicker motor safety controller 200. In some embodiments, the servo antenna 612 can receive signals from a cellular phone or a remote control, as described in greater detail below.

In some embodiments, the servo motor 608 can be mechanically coupled to the accelerator 604, and can physically manipulate the accelerator 604. In some embodiments, the servo motor 608 can be electrically coupled to the accelerator 604 and can electrically control the accelerator 604.

In some embodiments, the kicker accelerator controller 600 can further comprise a housing 614 configured to be mounted to the accessory kicker motor 204; a wire harness 615 configured to be electrically coupled to the power source 232; and one or more processors 616 coupled to a memory 620. The processors 616 can be configured to receive control signals from the servo antenna 612 and send control signals to the servo motor 608. In some embodiments, the one or more processors 616 can comprise the servo antenna 612, e.g. using Bluetooth.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the kicker motor safety controller 200 and the kicker accelerator controller 600 can be at least part of a control system 700 in combination with a cellular phone 800, mobile device or remote control, according to some embodiments. The cellular phone 800 can execute an app or application software thereon. The cellular phone 800 can have a graphical user interface (GUI) to display information, prompt for input, present buttons, and receive input.

The cellular phone 800 (or the remote control) can comprise: a housing 804; a power source 808 (e.g. a battery) carried by the housing 804; a remote antenna 812 carried by the housing 804; and one or more buttons carried by the housing 804 and or displayed by the GUI. The cellular phone 800 can also comprise one or more processors 816, coupled to a memory 820, and carried by the housing 804 and coupled to the power source 808 and the remote antenna 812. The processors 816 can be configured to receive a button signal from the one or more buttons (or GUI) and encode a wireless signal based on the button signal for transmission by the remote antenna 812 to the controller antenna 288 to enable one or more control functions of the kicker motor safety controller 200, or the servo antenna 612 to enable one or more servo functions of the kicker accelerator controller 600.

In some embodiments, the buttons comprise a stow/trim kicker motor button 830 to enable the kicker motor safety controller 200 to send a signal to the trim actuator 244, based on the stow/trim kicker motor button, to enable the trim actuator 244 to trim the accessory kicker motor from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration. In some embodiments, the buttons comprise a set stow speed button 832 to receive input associated with a stow speed to enable the kicker motor safety controller 200 to send a signal to the trim actuator 244, based on the stow speed, to enable the trim actuator 244 to trim the accessory kicker motor from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration when the stow speed is reached. This allows the stow speed to be programed and the servo motor 608 and the kicker accelerator controller 600 to be configured.

In some embodiments, the buttons comprise a maximum accelerate button 834 to enable the kicker accelerator controller 600 to send a signal to the servo motor 608, based on the maximum accelerate button, to enable the servo motor to accelerate the accessory kicker motor a maximum amount.

In some embodiments, the buttons comprise an accelerate button 838 to enable the kicker accelerator controller 600 to send a signal to the servo motor 608, based on the accelerate button, to enable the servo motor to accelerate the accessory kicker motor an incremental amount.

In some embodiments, the buttons comprise a decelerate button 842 to enable the kicker accelerator controller 600 to send a signal to the servo motor 608, based on the decelerate button, to enable the servo motor to decelerate the accessory kicker motor an incremental amount.

In some embodiments, the buttons comprise an idle speed button 846 to enable the kicker accelerator controller 600 to send a signal to the servo motor 608, based on the idle speed button, to enable the servo motor to idle the accessory kicker motor an incremental amount.

In some embodiments, the buttons comprise an automatic/manual selection button 850 to enable the kicker motor safety controller to 600 to send a signal to the servo motor 608, based on the automatic/manual selection button, to enable the servo motor to accelerate and decelerate the accessory kicker motor based on manual input or an automatic setting, such as an automatic GPS speed with a fixed GPS speed with respect to a GPS input of the speed. Thus, the automatic/manual selection button 850 can enable an automatic speed mode to hold the boat at a selected GPS speed.

In some embodiments, the buttons can further comprise input fields, e.g. a proportional constant (KP), an integral constant (KI) and a derivative constant (KD), for a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller. The PID controller can be part of the app of the cellular phone 800, the processor 292 of the kicker motor safety controller 200, or the processor 616 of the kicker accelerator controller 600. The PID controller can maintain a desired output, such as speed or velocity. The PID controller can comprise a feedback-based control loop that automatically adjusts a system's output to maintain a desired target value, or setpoint, such as the automatic setting for the fixed GPS speed. It achieves this by continuously calculating an error value (the difference between the setpoint and the actual measurement of the GPS input of the speed) and applying corrections based on the KP, the KI and the KD.

In some embodiments, the buttons comprise a power on/off button 854 configured to power the cellular phone 800 or the remote control on and/or off.

In some embodiments, the cellular phone 800 or the remote control can have a display 858, such as an LCD display, to display the status or function of the cellular phone 800 or the remote control, the kicker motor safety controller 200, and/or the kicker accelerator controller 600. The display 858 of the cellular phone 800 can have a graphical user interface (GUI) displaying buttons.

In some embodiments, the kicker motor safety controller 200, the kicker accelerator controller 600, and the cellular phone 800 or the remote control can be physically separate from one another and configured to be located at different locations in the boat 208.

In some embodiments, the kicker motor safety controller 200 and the kicker accelerator controller 600 can be physically separate from one another and configured to be located at different locations in the boat 208.

In some embodiments, the cellular phone can be or the system can further comprise a remote control.

Referring to FIGS. 9a and 9b, an example shallow anchor safety controller 900 for protecting a shallow water anchor 904a or 904b associated with a boat 208 with a motor 212 is shown, according to some embodiments. The shallow water anchor 904a or 904b can have an anchor portion 908 with a deployed configuration in water (shown in phantom lines) and a stowed configuration out of the water (shown in solid lines). The shallow anchor safety controller 900 can be carried by the boat 208 and electrically coupled to the shallow water anchor 904a or 904b.

The shallow water anchor 904a or 904b can have a stake 912a or 912b that is deployed from the boat 208 to engage a sea/lake bed to maintain a position of the boat, such as while fishing. The stake 912a or 912b can be deployed vertically to a depth of between 8 and 15 feet, in some aspects. Some stakes 912a can be telescoping and can extend linearly vertically. Some stakes 912b can be articulated and can pivot downwardly. Thus, the anchor portion 908 of the shallow water anchor 904a or 904b can comprise a stake 912a vertically displaced by a telescoping mechanism, or a stake 912b pivotally displaced by an articulating mechanism.

The controller 900 can comprise: a housing 916 carriable by the boat 208; a printed circuit board (PCB) (as described above) located in the housing 916; and a wire harness (as described above) coupled to the PCB and extending from the housing. The wire harness can comprise wires configured to be coupled to one or more of: a power source, e.g. 232 described above; a position sensor 920 associated with the shallow water anchor 904a or 904b; an ignition sensor 924 associated with the motor 212; an anchor actuator 928 associated with the shallow water anchor 904a or 904b; an audible alarm 248; and/or a tether kill 932 associated with the motor 212.

The controller 900 can comprise one or more processors (as described above) carried by the PCB and electrically coupled to the wire harness. The processors can be configured to receive an ignition signal from the motor 212.The processors can be configured to receive a position signal from the position sensor 920. The processors can be configured to determine when the shallow water anchor 904a or 904b is in the deployed configuration based on the position signal. The processors can be configured to send a withdrawal signal to the anchor actuator 928, based on the ignition signal and the position signal, to enable the anchor actuator 928 to raise the shallow water anchor 904a or 904b from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration. The processors can be configured to send a kill signal to the tether kill 932, based on the ignition signal, to enable the tether kill to kill the motor 212. The processors can be configured to send an alarm signal to the audible alarm 248, based on the ignition signal, to enable the audible alarm to emit an audible alarm or sound.

Referring to FIG. 10, a method 1000 and system for protecting the shallow water anchor 904a or 904b associated with the boat 208 with the main motor 212 is shown, according to some embodiments. The method 1000 can comprise sensing 1010 an ignition of the motor 212 of the boat 208. The method 1000 can also comprise sensing 1020 deployment of the shallow water anchor 904a or 904b when anchor portion 908 is in the deployed configuration.

The method 1000 can comprise determining 1030 ignition of the motor 212. The method 1000 can also comprise determining 1040 that the shallow water anchor 904a or 904b is in the deployed configuration.

The method 1000 can comprise sending 1050 an alarm signal to the audible alarm 248 to enable the alarm to emit an audible alarm or sound based on sensing the ignition of the motor 212 and sensing the deployment of the shallow water anchor 904a or 904b. The method 1000 can also comprise sending 1060 a withdrawal signal to the shallow water anchor 904a or 904b, or the anchor actuator 928, to enable the anchor actuator 928 to withdraw the anchor portion 908 from the water in the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration based on sensing the ignition of the motor 212 and sensing the deployment of the shallow water anchor 904a or 904b. The method 1000 can also comprise sending 1070 a kill signal to the motor 212 configured to stop the motor.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-10, the safety controllers 200 or 900 for protecting a marine accessory 204, 904a or 904b can be associated with a boat 208 having a motor 212. The marine accessory can have a water portion with a deployed configuration in water and a stowed configuration out of the water. The safety controller can comprise: a controller housing carriable by the boat; a printed circuit board (PCB) located in the controller housing; and a wire harness coupled to the PCB and extending from the controller housing. The wire harness can comprise wires configured to be coupled to: a power source; one or more drive sensors associated with the boat and configured to sense a drive of the boat, or send a drive signal associated with a displacement of the boat or an ignition of the motor; a configuration sensor associated with the marine accessory and configured to send a configuration signal associated with the deployed and stowed configurations of the water portion; and/or an audible alarm. The safety controller can have one or more processors carried by the PCB and electrically coupled to the wire harness and a memory. The processors configured to: determine when the water portion of the marine accessory is in the deployed configuration based on the configuration sensor; determine the drive of the boat, or when the boat is being driven, based on the drive signal from the drive sensor; send an alarm signal to the audible alarm to enable the audible alarm to emit an audible alarm or sound based on sensing the drive of the boat and sensing the deployment of the water portion of the marine accessory; and send a withdrawal signal to the marine accessory to enable the marine accessory to withdraw the water portion from the water in the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration based on sensing the drive of the boat and sensing the deployment of the water portion of the marine accessory.

The controllers described herein can be comprised of one or more digital processors and memory. The memory can be coupled to the one or more digital processors. The one or more digital processors can be general purpose processors, specialized processors such as very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits, field programmable gate array processors (FPGAs), or other types of specialized processors, as well as baseband processors used in transceivers to send, receive, and process wireless communications. The controller can comprise a single chip, or multiple chips in a single package, that provides the different processing and transceiver operations described herein. The terms “controller”, “processor”, “processors”, and “one or more processors” are used interchangeably herein.

The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Various techniques, or certain aspects or portions thereof, can take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, compact disc-read-only memory (CD-ROMs), hard drives, non-transitory computer readable storage medium, or any other machine-readable storage medium wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the various techniques. Circuitry can include hardware, firmware, program code, executable code, computer instructions, and/or software. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium can be a computer readable storage medium that does not include signal. In the case of program code execution on programmable computers, the computing device can include a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one output device. The volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements can be a random-access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), flash drive, optical drive, magnetic hard drive, solid state drive, or other medium for storing electronic data. One or more programs that can implement or utilize the various techniques described herein can use an application programming interface (API), reusable controls, and the like. Such programs can be implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. However, the program(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language, and combined with hardware implementations.

As used herein, the term processor can include general purpose processors, specialized processors such as VLSI, FPGAs, or other types of specialized processors, as well as baseband processors used in transceivers to send, receive, and process wireless communications.

It should be understood that many of the functional units described in this specification have been labeled as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a module can be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom very-large-scale integration (VLSI) circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module can also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices or the like.

In one example, multiple hardware circuits or multiple processors can be used to implement the functional units described in this specification. For example, a first hardware circuit or a first processor can be used to perform processing operations and a second hardware circuit or a second processor (e.g., a transceiver or a baseband processor) can be used to communicate with other entities. The first hardware circuit and the second hardware circuit can be incorporated into a single hardware circuit, or alternatively, the first hardware circuit and the second hardware circuit can be separate hardware circuits.

Modules can also be implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. An identified module of executable code can, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions, which can, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not be physically located together, but can comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.

Indeed, a module of executable code can be a single instruction, or many instructions, and can even be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data can be identified and illustrated herein within modules, and can be embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. The operational data can be collected as a single data set, or can be distributed over different locations including over different storage devices, and can exist, at least partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network. The modules can be passive or active, including agents operable to perform desired functions.

Reference throughout this specification to "an example" or “exemplary” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in an example" or the word “exemplary” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials can be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention can be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as defacto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of layouts, distances, network examples, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, layouts, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.