System and method for wirelessly linking electronic marine components
A system and method for wirelessly linking electronic marine components ( 14 ) to associated displays ( 16 ) to reduce or eliminate the need for application-specific wiring between the components ( 14 ) and the displays ( 16 ). The system includes an electronic component ( 14 ) adapted for mounting on a marine vessel ( 12 ) and operable for generating data representative of a function of the electronic component ( 14 ); a wireless transmitter ( 20 ) coupled with the electronic component ( 14 ) for wirelessly transmitting the data; a display ( 16 ) adapted for mounting on the marine vessel ( 12 ) remotely from the electronic component ( 14 ) and operable for displaying information corresponding to the data; and a wireless receiver ( 24 ) coupled with the display ( 16 ) and operable for wirelessly receiving the data from the wireless transmitter ( 20 ). The wireless transmitter ( 20 ) and the wireless receiver ( 24 ) transmit and receive the data via BlueTooth or WiFi communication protocols.
1. A system for wirelessly linking components on a marine vessel, the system comprising:
a first electronic marine component adapted for mounting on the marine vessel and operable to generate data representative of a function of the first electronic marine component, the first electronic component being selected from the group consisting of a GPS receiver,s depth sounder, a marine radio, and an autopilot;
a wireless communications element coupled with the first electronic marine component for transmitting data from the first electronic marine component to a second marine component, the wireless communication element utilizing a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of WiFi and Bluetooth; and
wherein the second marine component is selected from the group consisting of a GPS receiver, a depth sounder, a marine radio, and an autopilot.
2. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the function of the first electronic marine component includes determining the heading of the marine vessel.
3. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the wireless communications element is operable to receive data from the second marine component.
4. The system as set forth in claim 1 , further including a third electronic marine element coupled with another wireless communications element such that the other wireless communications element is operable to wirelessly transmit data from the third electronic marine element.
5. A system for wirelessly linking components on a marine vessel, the system comprising:
a plurality of electronic marine components adapted for mounting on the marine vessel, each marine component being operable to generate data representative of a function of the marine component;
a wireless communications element coupled with each of the marine components for transmitting the data from each of the marine components; and
wherein the electronic marine components are selected from the group consisting of an autopilot, a depth sounder, a marine radio, and a GPS receiver.
6. The system as set forth in claim 5 , further including a plurality of wireless communications elements such that each marine component is coupled to a corresponding wireless communications element.
7. The system as set forth in claim 6 , wherein data may be transmitted from each marine component utilizing the wireless communications elements.
8. The system as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the wireless communication element utilizes a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of WiFi and Bluetooth.
9. A method for wirelessly linking components on a marine vessel, the method comprising:
coupling a first electronic marine component with a first wireless communications element, the first electronic marine component being adapted to mount on the marine vessel;
coupling a second electronic marine component with a second wireless communications element, the second electronic marine component being adapted to mount on the marine vessel;
generating first data utilizing the first electronic marine component, the first data representative of a function of the first electronic marine component;
generating second data utilizing the second electronic marine component, the second data representative of a function of the second electronic marine component;
wirelessly transmitting the first data from the first electronic marine component utilizing the first wireless communications element;
wirelessly transmitting the second data from the second electronic marine component utilizing the second wireless communications element; and
wherein the first electronic marine component includes a GPS receiver.
10. The method as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the first electronic marine component includes a depth sounder.
11. The method as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the first electronic marine component includes an autopilot.
12. The method as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the first electronic marine component includes a marine radio.
13. The method as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the first data and second data are transmitted utilizing a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of WiFi and Bluetooth.
14. A method for wirelessly linking components on a marine vessel, the method comprising:
coupling a first electronic marine component with a first wireless communications element, the first electronic marine component being adapted to mount on the marine vessel;
coupling a second electronic marine component with a second wireless communications element, the second electronic marine component being adapted to mount on the marine vessel;
generating first data utilizing the first electronic marine component, the first data representative of a function of the first electronic marine component;
generating second data utilizing the second electronic marine component, the second data representative of a function of the second electronic marine component;
wirelessly transmitting the first data from the first electronic marine component utilizing the first wireless communications element;
wirelessly transmitting the second data from the second electronic marine component utilizing the second wireless communications element; and
wherein the first electronic marine component includes an autopilot.
15. The method as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the first electronic marine component includes a depth sounder.
16. The method as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the first electronic marine component Includes a marine radio.
17. The method as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the first data and second data are transmitted utilizing a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of WiFi and Bluetooth.