Navico, Inc.

Example systems and methods are provided herein for generating paths for watercraft. Such systems include a memory and a processor, and the processor is configured to determine a set of condition parameters that each correspond to desired conditions for a potential navigation path, select at least one condition parameter from the set of condition parameters, and then determine and apply a constraint relaxation to the selected condition parameter(s) to form constraint relaxed condition parameter(s), each of which increases a range of input values that satisfy the corresponding desired conditions for the potential navigation path. The processor is also configured to determine a region based on an updated set of condition parameters, including the constraint relaxed condition parameter, and then to determine a navigation path within the region.

A method of operating a handheld device for controlling a watercraft motor is provided. The method comprises determining whether the handheld device is operating in an anchor mode or a heading hold mode; receiving movement data when the joystick is in a non-neutral position that includes a direction of movement; generating steering command(s), with a steering command of the steering command(s) being based on the movement data; causing motor rotation based on the steering command; detecting the joystick shifting to the neutral position, with the watercraft being at a location when the joystick shifts to the neutral position; when in the anchor mode, causing the motor to cease operation proximate to the location after the joystick has shifted to the neutral position; and, when in the heading hold mode, causing the motor to continue operating so that the watercraft travels in the new heading direction after the joystick shifts.

A sonar system is provided including a sonar assembly configured to attach to a motor assembly of a watercraft or a watercraft. The sonar assembly includes sonar transducer element(s) that transmit sonar beam(s). The sonar system includes a display, processor(s), and a steering assembly configured to cause rotation of the sonar assembly or the motor assembly. The sonar system includes a memory including computer program code that causes the processor(s) to cause the sonar transducer element(s) to emit sonar beam(s), receive sonar return data from a coverage volume of the sonar transducer element(s), generate a sonar image of the coverage volume based on the sonar return data, receive an input from a user, determine a target in the underwater environment based on the input, and cause the steering assembly to adjust the coverage volume to maintain the target within the coverage volume as the watercraft moves relative to the target.

Example systems and methods are provided herein for alerting a user on a watercraft by determining where on the watercraft the user is and providing a physical alert to efficiently and effectively notify the user. A processor is configured to determine an occurrence of one or more triggers, where each of the one or more triggers corresponds to at least one of identifying an object within an image, recognizing a system fault, detecting a triggering event, or detecting an object in a body of water. In response to the one or more triggers, the processor is configured to determine one or more locations on the watercraft in which to report the one or more triggers and then cause one or more devices at the determined one or more locations on the watercraft to perform a physical alert to notify the user.

A system is provided for imaging an underwater environment. The system includes two or more arrays of transducer elements. Each array is operated at a fixed phase shift and varies in frequency so as to beamform multiple sonar return beams of a first range of angles and a second range of angles. The arrays can be oriented to create arcs of sonar coverage extending forward from a watercraft, from each side of the watercraft, and downward of the watercraft. Accordingly, multiple 2D live sonar images can be formed. One or more of the multiple sonar return beams can be selected and used to form sonar images that anglers are used to, without requiring separate transducer elements.

A system for the enhancement of sonar data is provided comprising one or more processors, a memory, and one or more sonar transducer assemblies configured to provide sonar data. The memory includes computer program code configured to, when executed, cause the processor(s) to receive the sonar data, with the sonar data providing information representative of an underwater environment around a watercraft. The computer program code is also configured to, when executed, cause the processor(s) to perform adaptive contrast image processing to adjust a brightness level or color of the sonar data at one or more locations and to form adjusted sonar data. Adaptive contrast image processing considers a distance of a location from a sonar transducer assembly of the one or more sonar transducer assemblies, a brightness level, color, water clarity, or depth associated with a location, an object type, or an orientation or surface properties of the object.

Sonar systems and related methods are provided. A sonar system for generating one or more sonar images includes first and second transducer elements each having at least one emitting face. The sonar system also includes a sonar signal processor in electronic communication with the first and second transducer elements to cause transmission of signals from the first and second transducer elements to cause at least one first acoustic beam to be emitted from the first emitting face in a first beam direction and at least one second acoustic beam to be emitted from the second emitting face in a second beam direction. The first and second transducer elements are positioned such that a gap is formed therebetween. The gap is configured to facilitate movement of a fluid therein so as to contribute to an emission of sound power in both the first beam direction and the second beam direction.

Example devices and systems are provided herein for mounting a transducer within a hull of a watercraft. Such devices and systems include a housing with a base and at least one wall defining an interior volume, along with a mount assembly within the interior volume. The mount assembly includes a buoy, a transducer, and a pivot axle or a gimbal. The mount assembly is freely pivotable about a pivot axis of the pivot axle or about a pivot point of the gimbal such that an orientation of the mount assembly is subject to a force of gravity. The housing and the mount assembly is configured such that an emitting face of the transducer points in a direction that is parallel to the force of gravity when the housing is tilted, such as toward a floor of the water.

A marine electronic device for a watercraft is configured to present live sonar imagery of an underwater environment. The device includes a display, a processor, a memory, and a communication interface for receiving sonar return data from a sonar transducer assembly comprising multiple sonar transducer arrays. The processor generates a first live sonar image based on first sonar return data representing a first volume of the underwater environment, wherein the entire portion of the first live sonar image is continually updated in real time. The device receives user input defining a portion of the first live sonar image corresponding to a second, smaller volume within the first volume, and generates a second live sonar image based on second sonar return data that is a subset of the first sonar return data. The second live sonar image is presented on the display to provide a focused view of the underwater environment.