Our Boat Engine Kill Switch System for Integrating With RFID Tags or RF Reflectors Invention disclosure below was posted on 29 August 2011. It is one of five related Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) invention disclosures we posted today. We will make no changes to the invention disclosure that begins with text below the horizontal line following this paragraph except to correct misspellings, punctuation, and to update html/computer codes and links. Any updates to the invention will be posted below the horizontal line marking the end of the invention disclosure.

Purpose of Boat Engine Kill Switch Systems

Rather than repeat it, we cite the “Purpose of Boat Engine Kill Switch Systems” section of our RFID Life Jacket / PFD Used to Detect Human Presence in Boat Kill Switch Applications invention disclosure of this same date and include it here by reference.

Survey of Frequently Used Boat Engine Kill Switch Systems

Lanyard photo courtesy of The U.S. Coast Guard

The most widely used boat kill switch system (engine emergency cut-off switch system) uses a lanyard to detect boat operator presence. The boat operator attaches one end of the lanyard to their life jacket, belt, or other article of clothing, the other end is attached to the kill switch. If the boat operator falls overboard or strays from the helm, the lanyard pulls the “key” from the kill switch and the engine is killed. Some kill switches only kill the engine if it is in gear (underway).

Some boat kill switches include a toggle switch or other means by which they can be immediately reset. Others require the re-insertion of a lanyard “key” to allow restarting the engine. Lanyard kill switch systems are economical and built into most recently manufactured boats.

In 2011, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register announcing they were considering requiring all new powerboats over 3 horsepower to have emergency engine cut-off switches. USCG is also considering making the use of kill switches mandatory on boats equipped with the them. The public was invited to comment on the proposed rule.

Virtual Lifeline

MariTech Virtual Lifeline and CAST systems allow the boat operator (and others on board if they so desire) to wear a small tag instead of a lanyard. If anybody wearing one of the tags falls overboard the tag is immersed, it sends a signal to the system, an alarm sounds, and the boat stops. A rescue mode button allows the system to be quickly reset and the motor to be restarted to retrieve the person in the water. MariTech chose not to piggyback on the existing kill switch system (like Autotether does) because the failure of one system could lead to fail the other one too. By staying independent of the lanyard part of the existing kill switch system, lanyards can still be used as a back up or alternative if the Virtual Lifeline is out of service. MariTech claims their submersion technology (tag only sends signal if submersed) helps eliminate false signals. MariTech’s Virtual Lifeline wires directly into the engine ignition system and activates the kill switch circuit to stop the engine. The MariTech system is relatively easy to install. They basically unplug three wires from the back of the existing ignition switch, plug them into the Virtual Lifeline, run three lines from the Virtual Lifeline to the existing ignition switch, and mount an antenna.

Autotether

Autotether uses battery powered fobs to communicate with the system about every half second. A yellow fob is used by the boat operator. If the yellow fob looses contact (such as by submersion or distance) the engine is stopped. Autotether stops the engine by piggybacking onto of the existing kill switch. A preloaded spring pulls out the normal lanyard kill switch “key” when contact is lost with the boat operator’s fob. Passengers wear similar white fobs. If contact is lost with a white fob, an alarm is sounded. If the off button of either fob type is pushed and held for more than two seconds, the engine will be killed. Autotether stresses the fobs must be worn in a manner that allows constant communication with the system. The fobs and controller are powered by AAA batteries allowing the system to be easily and rapidly installed.

There are other systems out there, but they tend to mimic the three approaches we just discussed:

1. Lanyard operated kill switch.

2. Detect boat operator presence and piggyback on existing kill switch to kill engine by pulling out the lanyard kill switch “key” if boat operator is absent.

3. Detect boat operator presence and uses a method other than pulling out the lanyard kill switch “key” to kill the engine if boat operator is absent.

RFID boat engine kill switch systems have the potential to receive insurance discounts.

Boat Engine Kill Switch System for Integrating With RFID Tags or RF Reflectors Invention

A boat engine kill switch system of the nature of the MariTech Virtual Lifeline (a kill switch system independent of the existing kill switch system) OR of the nature of Autotether (piggybacks on the existing kill switch system and pulls out the lanyard kill switch “key” to kill the engine) that utilizes RFID tags or RF Reflectors to detect boat operator presence.

If the engine is running and the boat operator is absent, the system kills the engine.

Proper care must be taken in design of the RFID / RF Reflector boat engine kill switch system to ensure the system does not interfere with wireless, radio, cell phone, video, television, GPS / mapping, engine electronics, or other electronic systems on the vessel AND that those systems do not interfere with LJAKS. The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) deals with many issues surrounding marine electronic products.

Reference

• Emergency Shut Off Devices. ABYC-A-33. A standard for emergency engine cut-off switches.
• Installation and Use of Engine Cut-Off Switches on Recreational Vessels. United States Coast Guard Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Federal Register. June 8, 2011. Pages 33161-33166.
• Recreational Vessel Propeller Strike and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Casualty Prevention. United States Coast Guard Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Federal Register. August 26, 2011. Pages 53364-53369.
• U.S. Patent 3,786,892 Safety Cut-Off Device for Ignition Switch by George Horton. Later sold in the marketplace as the “Quick Kill”. Some say it was the first kill switch designed for recreational boats (kill switches were used much earlier in race boat applications).
• U.S. Patent 6,450,845 Passive Occupant Sensing System for a Watercraft. Richard Snyder assigned to Brunswick. Infrared sensor used to detect boat operator presence in conjunction with a kill switch system.
• U.S. Patent 7,081,028 Portable Control Device Used as a Security and Safety Component of a Marine Propulsion System. John Crane assigned to Brunswick. Portable remote control allows starting the engine and functions as an operator presence system in conjunction with a kill switch system.
• U.S. Patent 7,083,482 Marine Engine Stopping Device invented by Keith Jackson and Harry Bouge of MariTech. A Virtual Lifeline / CAST patent.
• U.S. Patent 7,109,851 Presence and Recognition System. Assigned to Teleflex. RFID tag is used for RKE (Remote Keyless Entry function) and as a vehicle kill switch. They teach of a circuit checking about every .2 seconds for its presence to conserve battery power. The tag is attached to a lanyard. The tag is physically slipped onto the kill switch and the other end of the lanyard is attached similarly to conventional lanyard kill switches.
• U.S. Patent 7,201,619 Safety Shut-Off System for a Powered Vehicle. Assigned to Autotether. One of several Autotether patents including U.S. Patent 7,448,925 and U.S. Patent 7,553,205.
• U.S. Patent 7,355,518 Cordless Lanyard System Using E-Field. Richard Staerzl assigned to Brunswick. Electronic field system placed under the operator’s seat detects changes in the electronic field between the seat and the helm to detect operator presence in conjunction with a kill switch system.
• U.S. Patent Application US 2011/0068916 Life Saving System With RFID Tag Having IP Communications Function. The RFID tags on one or more life jackets are communicating with a local smart point (such as a waterproof buoy) reads the tags in its region that are in distress and communicates their status with another location. Use of multiple smart points allows estimation of position of the people in distress.
• WO 2008/074971 Marine Safety System. Applied for by Vision Engineering Ltd. of the U.K. System of transmitters is used to identify the number of people wearing them onboard and respond if one goes overboard by pulling out the “kill-switch”, sounding an alarm, or other actions. The system is fairly similar in operation to the Autotether system. The text of the patent does mention the possibility of using passive RFID tags but does not develop their use nor does it focus only on the operator’s station. The patent does not mention integrating RFID tags with life jackets / PFDs for use with kill switches.
• RFID Proximity Kill Switch. Half Baked Bakery. auto de. August 14, 2006.
• Circle of Death Propeller Accident Invention. Propeller Guard Information Center. June 17, 2010.
• Autotether web site: www.autotether.com
• MariTech web site: www.powerboatsafety.com
• National Marine Electronics Association web site: www.nmea.org
• Travelers Offers New Boat Insurance Discount for Wireless Lanyard Safety Device. Travelers News Release. Hartford Connecticut. August 18, 2009.
• All five RFID Invention Disclosures we posted today.

It is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While some presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.

Our Claims

We (Polson Enterprises, owner of the Propeller Guard Information Center, claim the the inventions described in this invention disclosure not previously legally claimed or patented by others and now make a public disclosure of them. At this time we retain all rights to these inventions. Any changes in that position will be placed in the Updates section below.

More specifically we claim:

1. A boat engine kill switch system of the nature of the MariTech Virtual Lifeline (a kill switch system independent of the existing kill switch system) that utilizes RFID tags or RF Reflectors to detect boat operator presence.

2. A boat engine kill switch system of the nature of the Autotether system (piggybacks on the existing kill switch system and physically pulls the lanyard “key” out to kill the engine) that utilizes RFID tags or RF Reflectors to detect boat operator presence.

3. A boat engine kill switch system of the nature of the MariTech Virtual Lifeline (a kill switch system independent of the existing kill switch system) that utilizes RFID tags or RF Reflectors to detect boat operator presence similar to those described in our RFID Life Jacket / PFD Used to Detect Human Presence in Boat Kill Switch Applications invention disclosure of this same date.

4. A boat engine kill switch system of the nature of Autotether system (piggybacks on the existing kill switch system and physically pulls the lanyard “key” out to kill the engine) that utilizes RFID tags or RF Reflectors to detect boat operator presence similar to those described in our RFID Life Jacket / PFD Used to Detect Human Presence in Boat Kill Switch Applications invention disclosure of this same date.

5. A boat engine kill switch system of the nature of the MariTech Virtual Lifeline (a kill switch system independent of the existing kill switch system) that utilizes RFID tags to detect boat operator presence similar to those described in our RFID Clothing Used to Detect Human Presence in Boat Kill Switch Applications invention disclosure of this same date.

6. A boat engine kill switch system of the nature of Autotether system (piggybacks on the existing kill switch system and physically pulls the lanyard “key” out to kill the engine) that utilizes RFID tags to detect boat operator presence similar to those described in our RFID Clothing Used to Detect Human Presence in Boat Kill Switch Applications invention disclosure of this same date.

7. A boat engine kill switch system of the nature of the MariTech Virtual Lifeline (a kill switch system independent of the existing kill switch system) that utilizes RFID tags or RF Reflectors to detect boat operator presence similar to those described in our Non-Unique RFID Fob / RF Reflector Used to Detect Human Presence and/or Human Proximity and/or Human Location invention disclosure of this same date.

8. A boat engine kill switch system of the nature of the Autotether system (piggybacks on the existing kill switch system and physically pulls the lanyard “key” out to kill the engine) that utilizes RFID tags or RF Reflectors to detect boat operator presence similar to those described in our Non-Unique RFID Fob / RF Reflector Used to Detect Human Presence and/or Human Proximity and/or Human Location invention disclosure of this same date.

9. A boat engine kill switch system of the nature of the MariTech Virtual Lifeline (a kill switch system independent of the existing kill switch system) that utilizes RFID tags or RF Reflectors to detect boat operator presence similar to those described in our Implantable Non-Unique RFID Tag / RFID Chip / RF Reflector Used to Detect Human Presence and/or Human Proximity and/or Human Location invention disclosure of this same date.

10. A boat engine kill switch system of the nature of the Autotether system (piggybacks on the existing kill switch system and physically pulls the lanyard “key” out to kill the engine) that utilizes RFID tags or RF Reflectors to detect boat operator presence similar to those described in our Implantable Non-Unique RFID Tag / RFID Chip / RF Reflector Used to Detect Human Presence and/or Human Proximity and/or Human Location invention disclosure of this same date.

11. Boat engine kill switch systems described in Claims 1 through 10 that include a quick reset to allow restarting the motor after it was killed by the system.

12. Boat engine kill switch systems described in Claims 1 through 11 that sound an audio and/or visual alarm when the operator is absent.

13. Boat engine kill switch systems described in Claims 1 thought 12 that include an indicator light or other means to show the system is armed.

14. Boat engine kill switch systems described in Claims 1 thought 13 that include a test mode for verifying the system works.

15. Boat engine kill switch systems described in Claims 1 though 14 that only kill / stop the engine if the engine is running, the boat is in gear, and the operator is absent.

16. Boat engine kill switch systems described in Claims 1 though 15 capable of detecting boat operator presence with more than one RFID tag method (RFID life jackets, RFID fobs, RFID implants).

17. Boat engine kill switch systems described in Claims 1 though 16 with one or more additional sensors to help reduce false positives / false alarms / killing the engine when the operator is actually still present. Those additional sensors could detect body heat, capacitance, efield, distance to objects from the helm, or other variables. Their output and the status of RFID presence indication could be used together to make better decisions.

18. Boat engine kill switch systems described in Claims 1 though 17 that detect the presence of the boat operator’s RFID tag approximately every .2 seconds and utilize other energy saving measures as described in Teleflex’s Presence and Recognition U.S. Patent 7,109,851.

19. Boat engine kill switch systems described in Claims 1 though 18 that allow the boat operator’s RFID tag to be absent for two or more detection intervals before killing the engine to reduce false alarms.

20. Boat engine kill switch systems described in Claims 1 thought 19 in which the RFID kill switch system starts and runs itself automatically, in that when the engine is started the reader looks for an appropriate RFID tag. If it sees one at the operators station, it acquires it, continues to monitor the RFID tag for its presence, and kills the engine if the RFID tag becomes absent (operator leaves the helm or falls overboard).

21. Boat engine kill switch systems described in Claim 20 that if no RFID tag is present at starting, allow the boat to operate normally (they do not force the boat operator to go find a RFID tag to keep the engine running) and provide no kill switch protection, except possible use of the lanyard kill switch system.

22. Boat engine kill switch systems as described in Claim 21 that prove some type of alert, such as a flashing light or buzzer when the boat is started to inform the boat operator that no protection is being provided by the RFID kill switch system because no RFID tag was detected.

23. Boat engine kill switch systems described in Claims 1 through 22 in which the RFID tag is a UHF RFID laundry tag.

24 Boat engine kill switch systems described in Claims 1 through 23 that when the RFID reader acquires the RFID tag of the boat operator, an RFID writer writes a random generated numeric or alphanumeric code to that RFID tag to indicate that specific RFID tag is the operator’s tag for this session to eliminate possible confusion with other RFID tags onboard.

25. RFID tags for use in Claims 1 through 24 that contain a certain sequence in their ID / serial number to indicate they are from the group of tags assigned for use with the boat kill switch system.

26. RFID Boat Kill Switch Systems that only accept RFID tags that contain a certain sequence in their ID / serial number as being an RFID tag associated with a boat operator to reduce confusion with other RFID tags that may be onboard.

27. Non-unique RFID tags that all have the same ID / serial number for use with boat engine kill switch systems described in Claims 1 though 26.

28. RFID Boat Kill Switch Systems as described in Claims 1 through 27 that if they fail to “acquire” an RFID tag or an RF reflector within a set time after the engine is started, they quit looking for one, default to normal operation (no protection provided by the RFID boat kill switch system), and may alert the operator that no tag or reflector has been acquired and no protection is being provided.

29. RFID Boat Kill Switch Systems as described in Claims 1 through 28 that use neural networks, fuzzy logic, or other means to “learn” where the RFID tag last was and focus on looking for it in the future where it last was, or near where it last was. The system also learns where the boundaries of the region where the RFID tag normally is. This helps conserve energy and allows maximum energizing of the RFID tags.

30. Boat kill switch systems describe in Claims 1 through 29 utilized on tiller steered outboard motors.

31. Boat kill switch systems described in Claims 1 through 30 in which the vessel has two or more helms or control stations, each of which is equipped with a kill switch system for integrating with RFID tags or RF reflectors.

32. Boat kill switch systems described in Claims 1 though 31 in which the RFID reader(s) are designed, located, and aimed to detect the presence of the boat operator while preventing activating any other RFID tags designed for use with this system (system does not activate stowed RFID life jackets, or RFID life jackets worn by others, or RFID clothing worn by others, or RFID fobs other than those worn by the boat operator, or RFID implants in other than the boat operator).

33. Boat kill switch systems described in Claims 1 though LJAKS as described in Claims 1 though 32 that alert the boat operator when they are about to go out of of range (engine would be shut off) and/or are about to loose contact with the presence system due to orientation of the RFID tag (engine would be shut off). This alert could be a beeping sound and alert the boat operator they need to move closer to the helm or reorient the RFID tag.

34. An alert / alarm as described in Claim 33 triggered by a certain low signal strength of the signals returned from the RFID tag(s) or RF reflector(s) to the Human Presence Detection System portion of the Boat Kill Switch System.

35. Boat kill switch systems described in Claims 1 through 34 that allow a manual start of the protection system (a push button or other switch is used once underway to begin the protection). Prior to that time the operator would be free to move around the boat AND/OR move the boat from the dock without the system being engaged.

36. Boat kill switch systems described in Claims 1 through 35 that automatically turn themselves off if the boat drops below a given speed (such as 5 miles per hour) or a given RPM then automatically re-engage if the speed picks up again. This would allow docking or other close quarters maneuvering without the system being engaged.

37. Boat kill switch systems described in Claims 1 through 36 that utilize custom oversized washable UHF RFID tags in life jackets or clothing to increase power received by the RFID tag when boat operators turn to the side, turn around, or move to maximum allowed distances from the helm.

38. A boat utilizing any of the boat kill switch systems described in Claim 1 through 38.

39. A Personal Watercraft (PWC) utilizing any of the kill switch systems described in Claims 1 through 38.

40. Use of any of the systems described in Claim 1 through 39.

END OF INVENTION DISCLOSURE

Updates

8 February 2014 – this morning we discovered U.S. Patent Application 2013-0041525 (discussed below) was officially classified as abandoned on 3 June 2013. The examiner earlier sent them a notice of non-final rejection citing some patents against their claims (U.S. Patent 5,808,372, Schwegler et al., and U.S. Patent 7,936,094 Roissi et al.) The examiner pretty much rolled elements from both those patents together and said they would have covered the inventors nine claims.

The examiner said:

“Concerning claims 6-9, the examiner takes official notice that the use of a helmet, a life jacket, a hardhat, or a high visibility vest is extremely well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art to serve as the host for the remote transmitter and controller.”

The inventor never responded and the patent application was abandoned. It is common for examiners to strike down all the claims. Patent attorneys then fight them on a few of them and write others around the objections. In this instance, the inventor just defaulted. The inventor may have thought that any patent that was capable of being issued would not be worth their future investment in legal fees. As for me, I think the examiner could have been challenged on the life jacket as a host, as no one was doing it. Hopefully someone will commercialize the life jacket application soon.

28 September 2013 – this evening we discovered U.S. Patent Application 2013-0041525 “Safety Device Electronic Ignition Interlock System” invented by Michael D. Tomberlin. Published February 14, 2013. (filed August 9, 2011). This patent application shares several thoughts with our approach. They pair safety devices (such as a life jacket) with an ignition. If the safety device gets out of range the engine stops. We have not yet taken the time to study it extremely closely, but encourage anyone developing devices of this nature to read it. It does not appear to have been yet issued as a patent. We do notice he filed a couple weeks in front of our public disclosure. His filing date and our public disclosure date are both prior to the March 16, 2013 first to file provisions, so we will send in some of our earlier documents to USPTO and see what happens.

Effective 29 August 2012 – We (Polson Enterprises and the Propeller Guard Information Center) now place all parts of the invention described above not previously patented by others in the public domain for use by all who wish to manufacture or use them. The world is certainly welcome to patent improvements to this invention but the basic concepts not previously patented by others are now open to all.

Comments

We encourage public comments about this invention disclosure, please leave them on the Summary Page of the Five RFID Invention Disclosures we made today.