Abstract: A portable fish finder device with a housing that defines a wrap cavity for receiving a signal cable that communicates between a depth finder device and a transducer attached to the water craft. A skirt connected to the housing moves between a first position covering the wrap cavity and a second position uncovering the cavity for winding or unwinding the signal cable. The depth finder device pivotally mounts to the housing to move between a storage position with a display screen received in a recess of the housing and an extended position for viewing the display. The cable winds into the wrap cavity for storage and unwinds when the housing is disposed on a portion of a water craft for use of the depth finder with the transducer communicating signals in a body of water for detecting underwater articles.

Abstract: A buoy to shore fish finding system has a buoyant station with a sonar transmitter, a sonar receiver, a sonar to electric signal transducer and a radio transmitter all controlled by a microprocessor. The system shore station has a radio receiver and signal display controlled by a shore station microprocessor. The buoyant station microprocessor is programmed to generate sync pulses and to transmit both the sync pulses and transduced sonar echo returns to the shore station while the shore station microprocessor is programmed to display only echo signals received after a sync pulse. The shore station is detachably secured to the arm of the fisherman or to his fishing rod.

Abstract: A buoy to shore fish finding system has a buoyant station having a sonar transmitter, a sonar receiver, a sonar to electric signal transducer and a radio transmitter all controlled by a microprocessor. A shore station has a radio receiver and signal display controlled by a shore station microprocessor. The buoyant station microprocessor is programmed to generate sync pulses and to transmit both the sync pulses and tranduced sonar echo returns to the shore station while the shore station microprocessor is programmed to display only echo signals received after a sync pulse.

Abstract: A fishing system buoy has a watertight bulbous shell housing an electronic load and with a center of mass located within a lower half of the shell. The load includes sonar operatively coupled via a microprocessor with a radio transmitter that has an upright antenna located in an upper half of the shell. The shell has a keel with an eyelet for tethering a fishing line to the shell. The buoy functions both as a fishing bobber and communications relay station for obtaining and transmitting images of fish swimming beneath the bobber.

Abstract: A fishfinder device (10) with an integrated controller (11) for simplified operation, in which a control switch (20) causes a display (14) to present in a looping sequence an identifier (64) associated with each of a plurality of operational features (74) for selecting operational features to enable, disable or modify by operating a selection button (22, 24) during presentation of the identifier associated with the operational feature, the fishfinder device (10) including a transducer (62) for periodically transmitting an acoustic wave beam (63) and for receiving return signals of the acoustic wave beam reflected from detected underwater articles (65) and a display (14) for displaying images representative of the detected underwater articles (65, 67, 69) based on the return signals from the transmissions of acoustic wave beams, while the controller (18) provides the plurality of operational features (74) for the fishfinder device (10). A method of operating the fishfinder device (10) is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for scanning a body of water for fish and other underwater articles with a sonar depth finder of a type having a transducer that can transmit an acoustic wave and receive sonar returns on both a narrow acoustic wave beam mode and on a wide acoustic wave beam mode, in which the sonar depth finder repetitively determines the approximate depth of the body of water by repetitively transmitting in the wide beam mode and receiving and displaying the sonar returns from each transmission initially in the wide beam mode and then in the narrow beam mode, with the duration of receiving in the narrow acoustic wave beam mode being a function of the determined depth from a prior transmission.

Abstract: A cable bundle connector for simultaneously attaching or detaching a plurality of cables having cable connectors and wires extending therefrom to operational devices, comprising a housing body with two pairs of opposing sides that defame an interior cavity for receiving a plurality of cables for being connected to an operational device. A cable receiver defines a plurality of sleeves, each configured for receiving a cable connector of one of the plurality of cables. One side defines a slot through which a portion of the cable passes into the connector. Fasteners secure the cable receiver to an open end of the housing. The cable connectors being received in the sleeves with the wires extending outwardly of the housing body are readily connected simultaneously to an operational device.

Abstract: An underwater video camera housing body includes a hollow interior for positioning a camera therein. The front end of the body is configured to receive a transparent member in a watertight relationship thereto. A weight is positioned in the interior of the housing body which is sufficient to overcome the buoyancy of the water, so that the housing can readily sink in water. An opening in the body communicates with the interior of the body. A plug member is inserted into the opening, the plug member containing therein strain-relieving means for the video cable. The plug is filled with a potting material to waterproof the entry of the cable into the housing.

Abstract: A sonar depth sounder system is provided in which a plurality of elements are combined to form a sonar transducer capable of generating a plurality of narrow overlapping beams and receiving sonar echoes. The sonar return information is filtered, amplified through a log converter, digitized and then analyzed by a high-speed microprocessor. This analysis stage combines information obtained from each one of the plurality of sound beams generated by the transducers, determines correct target location and size, distinguishes fish from other targets such as thermoclines or structure based on heuristic algorithms and provides an output data set for display. Representations of three-dimensional submerged structures are presented in a variety of formats to the user, including utilizing a grid line display of the contour of the bottom surface and location lines from displayed fish above the surface to grid lines on the bottom surface display.

Abstract: An improved microprocessor-controlled sonar depth sounder, which is automatically operative to detect and lock to the bottom of a body of water, fill in the display below the detected bottom, change display scales in response to the detected bottom going off-scale, and reformat the entire display in response to a scale change. A memory is provided for storing target data up to the operable depth limits of the device, thereby allowing display reversing and display expansion or "zoom" of a predetermined portion of the display selected by a zoom cursor. The zoom or cursor is variably positionable at different depths. The device employs an improved variable sensitivity amplifier. Also disclosed is an improved water-resistant switch construction for marine electronic equipment.

Abstract: An improved microprocessor-controlled sonar depth sounder, which is automatically operative to detect and lock to the bottom of a body of water, fill in the display below the detected bottom, change display scales in response to the detected bottom going off-scale, and reformat the entire display in response to a scale change. A memory is provided for storing target data up to the operable depth limits of the device, thereby allowing display reversing and display expansion or "zoom" of a predetermined portion of the display selected by a zoom cursor. The zoom or cursor is variably positionable at different depths. The device employs an improved variable sensitivity amplifier. Also disclosed is an improved water-resistant switch construction for marine electronic equipment.

Abstract: A chart recorder useful in a marine depth sounder or in other applications. Chart paper for the recorder is loaded into a paper cartridge, which is insertable in the recorder. The paper cartridge supports a roll of chart paper, a takeup spindle for winding the paper, and a viewing surface across which the paper travels after data marks are recorded on the paper. An internally-driven roller within the recorder frictionally engages the takeup spindle when the cartridge is in place, so as to move the chart paper at a selected linear speed. The drive roll is operated by an electric motor and a multiple-stage compound reduction gear arrangement, all entirely contained within the drive roller.The paper marking stylus of the recorder makes full-time contact with a stylus engaging surface throughout each revolution of the stylus drive belt. An inductive sensing device is located between sides of the drive belt, and senses a magnet carried on the outside of the belt.