IP Library Granted Patent US 9,499,242
Granted Patent B2
US 9,499,242 · App. 14/450,828 · Granted Nov 22, 2016

Wakeboat hull control systems and methods

Inventor: Richard L. Hartman (Twin Lakes, ID)
Assignee: Wake Touch LLC
B63B43/06B63B35/73B63B39/03B63B2035/818
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,499,242
App. No.
14/450,828
Granted
Nov 22, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Wakeboat hull control systems and methods are provided to monitor the orientation of the wakeboat hull in the surrounding water, and to automatically control wakeboat ballast components to achieve or maintain desired hull orientations. Systems and methods are provided to measure, store, and recall hull orientation. Systems and methods are also provided to enable automated action to improve the safety, automation, performance, convenience, and marketing advantage of wakeboat ballast systems.

Claims (12)

1. A wakeboat hull control method comprising:

providing a tablet computer with a user interface comprising a display;

providing at least one ballast compartment in the wakeboat;

providing processing circuitry to control the fill status of the ballast compartment, the processing circuitry being coupled to and communicating with the tablet computer; and

using the user interface of the tablet computer to selectively control the fill status of the ballast compartment.

2. The wakeboat hull control method of claim 1 wherein the tablet computer is comprised by a commercially available device.

3. The wakeboat hull control method of claim 1 wherein the tablet computer is coupled to and communicates with the processing circuitry via a wired connection.

4. The wakeboat hull control method of claim 1 further comprising coupling the tablet computer with the wakeboat.

5. The wakeboat hull control method of claim 4 further comprising coupling the tablet computer with a helm of the wakeboat.

6. The wakeboat hull control method of claim 1 further comprising replacing the tablet computer with another tablet computer.

7. The wakeboat hull control method of claim 1 wherein the providing the tablet computer comprises replacing an existing display and/or control device of the wakeboat with the tablet computer.

8. The wakeboat hull control method of claim 1 further comprising at least one switch coupled to and in communication with at least one of the tablet computer and/or the processing circuitry, the switch comprising a portion of the user interface.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 23, 2019
From: WAKETOUCH, LLC
To: SKIER'S CHOICE, INC.
Reel/Frame 050153/0500 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2019
From: HARTMAN, RICHARD L.
To: WAKETOUCH LLC
Reel/Frame 049778/0854 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 13543686 · Jul 6, 2012
Related Publication 20150025719A1 · Jan 22, 2015