The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 12, 2006
Filed:
Oct. 23, 2003
Richard E. Staerzl, Fond du Lac, WI (US);
Richard E. Staerzl, Fond du Lac, WI (US);
Brunswick Corporation, Lake Forest, IL (US);
Abstract
A detection system and method for a marine vessel uses an infrared sensor to detect the presence of a human being or mammal in a target area near the propulsor. A visible light detector is used to determine whether or not a signal received from the infrared sensor is caused by reflected sunlight and not the actual presence of a human being or mammal. By detecting visible light, false triggering of the system in response to infrared radiation received from sunlight can be significantly reduced. Embodiments of the system can monitor gear position and engine speed in combination with signals received from the infrared sensor and visible light sensors to determine an appropriate action to take in response to the presence of infrared radiation above a preselected threshold.