Importance

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Abstract

An automatic timing measurement system that provides a measure of time of passage of a watercraft through a water course. Algorithms based on inertial or other estimates augmented by GPS speed/position measurements and/or image processing techniques on images provided by one or more cameras are used to track position of a watercraft. The position estimates and image processing techniques are used to allow the locations of water courses to be mapped and memorized. Algorithms are then used to allow the system to automatically detect passage of a watercraft through mapped courses for the purpose of measuring and reporting time of passage of said watercraft past key points in said course, and for modifying the behavior of the speed control portion of the apparatus if necessary at certain points in the mapped course. A measure of accuracy of driver steering can be provided along with the ability to automatically steer the watercraft through the course if “steer-by-wire” mechanism is available. GPS speed control is augmented with a secondary velocity measurement device that measures speed over water resulting in an optional user selectable real-time compensation for water current. Furthermore, GPS is used as the key input to produce boat speed-based pull-up profiles.

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First Claim