Intelligent boat lift system

Abstract

System and method of controlling a platform adapted for movement relative to a boat. At least one criterion is selected to use in determining a response to movement of the platform or the boat. A position of the platform relative to the boat is identified. It is detected that the platform or boat. A response is determined in response to movement of the platform or boat. The response is initiated.

1 . A method of controlling a platform adapted for movement relative to a boat that includes a drive mechanism for moving the platform, comprising:
 selecting at least one criterion to use in determining a response to movement of the platform,   identifying a first position of the platform relative to the boat;   detecting that the platform has moved from the first position,   determining the response to movement of the platform, and   initiating the response.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting the at least one criterion comprises:
 setting the at least one criterion to a predetermined amount of time that the platform can be away from the first position.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of determining the response comprises:
 outputting a notification when the platform has been outside of the first position for a time period exceeding the predetermined amount of time.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting comprises:
 selecting a minimum distance of platform movement for which the response will be initiated.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step of determining the response comprises:
 electing to move the platform to first position if the platform has moved an amount greater than or equal to the minimum distance.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of initiating the response comprises:
 instructing the drive mechanism to move the platform to the first position.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of the selecting the at least one criterion comprises:
 selecting a predetermined number of times to instruct the drive mechanism to move the platform to the first position prior to initiating the response.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of determining the response comprises:
 outputting a notification when a number of times that the drive mechanism has been instructed to move the platform to the first position exceeds the predetermined number.   
     
     
         9 . A method of controlling a platform adapted for movement relative to a boat that, comprising:
 identifying a position of the platform relative to the boat,   selecting at least one criterion to use in determination of a response to movement of the boat while the platform is in the first position,   detecting movement of the boat, and   outputting a notification in response to movement of the boat while the platform is in the first position.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of detecting movement comprises:
 determining that the boat is moving in one of a substantially forward direction and a substantially reverse direction.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of outputting comprises:
 determining that the boat is moving in a substantially reverse direction, and   outputting the notification such that it is greater in intensity and duration than if it were determined that the boat is moving in a substantially forward direction.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of outputting comprises:
 outputting a plurality of periodic audio notifications, wherein the audio notifications are separated from each other, in time, by a time (T).   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 determining the boat's velocity; and   varying T in inverse proportion to the boat's velocity.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein T increases in proportion to a decrease in velocity of the boat. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 moving the platform to another position in response to detection of movement of the boat.   
     
     
         16 . A system for controlling a platform adapted for movement relative to a boat that includes a boat power supply, the system comprising:
 a drive system coupled at least in part to the platform and to the boat, wherein the drive system moves the platform between a first position and a second position; and   a local power source coupled at least in part with the drive system to allow for platform operation independent of the boat power supply; and   a controller coupled at least in part with the drive system and the local power source such that the controller manages the local power source.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is adapted to determine when a predetermined amount of boat power is available to recharge the local power source. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the local power source includes a local battery coupled at least in part with the controller and the drive system includes a motor coupled at least in part with the controller. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the boat power supply is coupled to the controller inductively. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is adapted to monitor system inputs to determine when to stop supplying power to the drive system. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the controller is adapted to prevent a continuous drain on at least one of: (a) the local power source, and (b) the boat power. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a battery charger coupled at least in part with the controller and the local power source to recharge the local power source from the boat power supply. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is adapted to use boat power as the primary power for the drive system and use the local power source as a back-up power source. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one safety sensor adapted to send a stop signal to the controller upon sensing an obstruction between the sensor and the platform frame. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , in which the at least one safety sensor is disposed around an outer perimeter of the boat. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is adapted to determine when an obstruction prevents the platform from raising or lowering for a preset period of time and wherein the controller is adapted to stop a motor of the drive system when the preset period of time is reached. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the controller is manually programmable to set at least one of: (a) a platform endpoint, (b) a platform speed, (c) a deceleration rate when approaching the platform endpoint, and (d) an acceleration rate when moving from a platform endpoint. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the controller is adapted to prevent the drawing of vehicle power when the boat is not running. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the controller is adapted to initiate recharging of the local power source upon a determination that a vehicle engine is operational and an alternator output is at or above a preselected level. 
     
     
         30 . A system for motorizing a platform relative to a boat, the system comprising:
 a drive system coupled at least in part to the platform and the boat, the drive system moves the platform between a first position a second position;   a controller coupled at least in part with the drive system to control platform operation; and   a safety mechanism coupled at least in part with the controller to sense the presence of an obstruction between the platform and the boat to signal the controller upon sensing the obstruction.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30  in which the safety mechanism comprises at least one safety sensor adapted to send a stop signal to the controller upon sensing an obstruction between the sensor and the platform, wherein the at least one safety sensor is disposed between the platform and the boat. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the safety sensor comprises a multi-segmented single pole switch having a plurality of sensor segments coupled by electrical connections, wherein the sensor segments are positioned to sense obstructions to the platform moving to the first position or the second position. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the platform stop signal is sent to the controller in response to any one of the sensor segments being contacted when the platform is moving. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 30  wherein the controller is adapted to move the platform at least one of a predetermined distance or for a predetermined time in a direction opposite from the obstruction upon sensing of the obstruction. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 30  further comprising a platform position sensor adapted to detect movement and position of the platform and to relay this information to the controller. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35  further comprising:
 a pivot assembly between the platform and the boat, wherein the pivot assembly is adapted to provide pivotal movement of the platform relative to the boat. 
 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the platform position sensor is mounted such that one portion is attached to one of the platform and the boat, and another portion is attached is attached to the pivot assembly. 
     
     
         38 . A method of controlling operation of a platform relative to a boat, comprising:
 coupling a drive system at least in part to the platform and the vehicle, the drive system adapted to move the platform between a first position and a second position;   coupling a controller at least in part with the drive system;   sensing a position of the platform;   receiving a platform movement command at the controller;   initiating movement of the platform at preselected speeds based on the command received;   determining the length of time that the movement command is continuously received; and   directing the drive system to move the platform at a relatively slow speed for a first predetermined time period and to move the platform at a relatively faster speed for a second predetermined time period after the first predetermined initial time period has ended.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the step of directing further comprises:
 directing the drive system to move the platform at a relatively slow speed for a third predetermined time period after the second predetermined time period has ended.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the relatively faster speed is a full speed for movement of the platform until the platform reaches a stop position. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising moving the platform to at least one of the first position and second position if the length that the movement command is continuously received exceeds a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising sensing the presence of an obstruction between the platform and the boat and sending a platform stop signal to the controller upon sensing the obstruction. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42  further comprising signaling the drive system to move the platform a preselected amount toward the first position upon the controller receiving the platform stop signal. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 39  further comprising providing the controller with control algorithms for platform operation based on received system inputs and user-selectable settings.