Luminous Array Patents (Class 367/111)
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Patent number: 11947007Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a location of an object within a sonar beam zone are detailed herein. A system for presenting marine data includes at least one sonar transducer associated with a watercraft, a display, processor(s), and a memory including a computer program code. The sonar transducer emits sonar beams into an underwater environment defining a beam shape. The program code, when executed, causes, on the display, presentation of a chart and a representation of the watercraft; and determines, based on the beam shape corresponding to the sonar transducer, a sonar beam zone corresponding to a sonar coverage of the underwater environment of the body of water. The program code further receives sonar return data and determines a position of an object within the sonar beam zone, and causes, on the display, presentation of the sonar beam zone and an indication of the object within the sonar beam zone.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: NAVICO, INC.Inventor: Mathew J. Hooper
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Patent number: 11885918Abstract: A sonar array system comprises a plurality of sonar arrays and a sonar signal processor. Each sonar array is configured to receive transmit electronic signals and transmit corresponding sonar beams in a forward direction and a downward direction. Each sonar array includes a plurality of groups of sonar transducer elements, with each group including at least a first sonar transducer element and a second sonar transducer element. The sonar signal processor is configured to communicate a plurality of transmit electronic signals to the sonar arrays. The transmit electronic signals include a first transmit electronic signal including a periodic waveform having a first phase and a second transmit electronic signal including a periodic waveform having a second phase. A distribution of power between the sonar beams transmitted in the forward direction and in the downward direction varies according to a difference in the first phase and the second phase.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.Inventors: Aaron R. Coleman, Brian T. Maguire
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Patent number: 11762090Abstract: A transducer system for locating fish in water beneath ice. A cable coupled with a transducer housing both physically suspends the housing at a selected depth and a selected angular orientation and conveys sonar data to a display unit on the surface. First and second transducers are mounted in the housing and generate the sonar data. The transducers are mounted so as to have different relative angular orientations.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Inventor: Troy D. Simonton
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Patent number: 11635515Abstract: The flasher-type multi-frequency fish finder includes a wideband ultrasonic transducer, a display-rotating disk, a motor and a control device. The plurality of display LEDs are composed of the first, second and third display LEDs. The control device has a signal-separating and obtaining part and a light-emission signal-producing part. The signal-separating and obtaining part separates the reflected signal and obtains the first reflected signal corresponding to the high frequency, the second reflected signal corresponding to the medium frequency, and the third reflected signal corresponding to the low frequency. The light-emission signal-producing part generates first, second and third light-emission signals based on the first, second and third reflection signals, respectively. The first, second and third annular-display regions are concentrically set on the display surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2022Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: HONDA ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenji Nagareda, Shuichi Sano, Kazuki Higuchi
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Patent number: 10564283Abstract: A wireless water regimen detecting device includes a fish finder module, a data communication module connected to the fish finder module and a WIFI module connected to the data communication module, which are arranged within a housing. The wireless water regimen detecting device utilizes the wireless communication way of WIFI to make the display terminal of the fish finder module not be limited to the wireless receiving terminal which is especially prepared for it, but can use existing intelligent terminals with a WIFI wireless communication function, such as smart phone, tablet PC, notebook computer or other portable mobile devices, to display. Sweb operating mode of monopoly serial communication port can be utilized, thus the user can carry on related operation on the webpage of the display terminal by visiting the web server to obtain detecting information of the fish finder module. Much convenience is provided to the user.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: VEXILAR, INC.Inventor: Xiujun Wu
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Patent number: 10545235Abstract: A sonar mapping system that includes a sonar transducer assembly configured for mounting on a watercraft, and a display configured to show a topographical chart of a body of water. The sonar mapping system further includes a processor coupled to the sonar transducer assembly and display. The processor is configured to create the topographical chart in real time, and to update the topographical chart in real time, based on sonar data provided by the sonar transducer assembly. The processor is configured to render the created or updated topographical chart on the display. The sonar mapping system has memory accessible by the processor and configured to store the topographical chart rendered by the processor, and to store the sonar data provided by the sonar transducer assembly. The sonar data includes information indicative of vegetation present on a lakebed, seabed, or riverbed surface, the information being displayed on the topographical chart.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventors: Per Pelin, Scott Allen Harrington
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Patent number: 10481259Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a computer-implemented method for tracking one or more targets on a sonar image. The method may include displaying the sonar image on a computer screen, receiving a command to track the one or more targets on the sonar image, storing the locations of the one or more targets relative to a vessel and displaying a symbol around a respective one of the one or more targets.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: NAVICO HOLDING ASInventor: Robert Langford-Wood
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Patent number: 10284804Abstract: An image module comprising: (a) an imaging device that graphically or pictorially captures images of underwater sea life (b) a module housing including one or more components that processing an image generated by the imaging device; wherein the image module is discrete from a marine display and is capable of being connected to the marine display so that the graphic or pictorial images of underwater seal life captured by the imaging device are displayed.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Jon David Marshall, Steven Ronald Hanson, Rocky Joseph Holmes
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Patent number: 9846225Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising an ultrasonic sensor (2), which has a membrane (5) for emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic waves, and comprising a stiffening unit (15) for attachment to a trim element (27) of the motor vehicle and for stiffening the trim element (27), wherein the stiffening unit (15) has a through-opening (17) for the membrane (5) of the ultrasonic sensor (2), wherein the stiffening unit (15) is formed from at least two separate stiffening elements (18 to 21) for attachment to a trim element (27).Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignees: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH, Volkswagen AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hans- Wilhelm Wehling, Joerg Weyland, Natalie Weber
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Patent number: 9800983Abstract: A sound system of a vehicle includes a plurality of microphones disposed in a cabin of the vehicle, a plurality of speakers disposed in the cabin of the vehicle, and a sound processor operable to process microphone output signals of the microphones to determine a voice signal of a speaking occupant in the vehicle at or near one of the microphones. The sound processor generates a processor output signal that is provided to at least some of the speakers. Responsive to the processor output signal, the at least some of the speakers generate sound representative of the voice signal of the speaking occupant to direct the sound towards other occupants in the vehicle, while one or more speakers at or near the seat occupied by the speaking occupant do not generate sound representative of the voice signal of the speaking occupant.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Sylvie Wacquant, Michael Biemer
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Patent number: 9720084Abstract: Various implementations directed to a depth display using sonar data are provided. In one implementation, a marine electronics device may include a sonar signal processor and a memory having a plurality of program instructions which, when executed by the sonar signal processor, cause the processor to receive sonar data from a transducer array disposed on a vessel, where the sonar data corresponds to a marine environment proximate to the vessel. The memory may also have program instructions which, when executed by the sonar signal processor, cause the processor to generate point cloud data based on the received sonar data. The memory may further have program instructions which, when executed by the sonar signal processor, cause the processor to generate a depth display based on the point cloud data, where the depth display includes a depth line representing an underwater floor of the marine environment.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Navico Holding ASInventors: Ronald Horner, Albert Griffin, Alan Proctor
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Patent number: 9632175Abstract: A target object detection device is provided. The device includes a signal processor, a display unit, and a controller. The signal processor receives a reception signal generated based on an echo of an ultrasonic wave from a target object and generates echo data corresponding to a distance from a transmission source of the ultrasonic wave to the target object every time the ultrasonic wave is transmitted. The display unit has a display screen with a first side and a second side that is turnable in an axial direction perpendicular to the display screen, and displays an image on the display screen based on the echo data. The controller sets a range with respect to time at which the ultrasonic wave is transmitted, and outputs the echo data corresponding to the ultrasonic wave within the time range according to turning of the display screen.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Nakamichi, Yu Goto, Masaaki Matsubara, Norihiro Nishimoto
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Patent number: 9628592Abstract: A wireless water regimen detecting device includes a fish finder module, a data communication module connected to the fish finder module and a WIFI module connected to the data communication module. The present invention utilizes the wireless communication way of WIFI to make the display terminal of the fish finder module not be limited to the wireless receiving terminal which is especially prepared for it, but can use existing intelligent terminals with a WIFI wireless communication function, such as smart phone, tablet PC, notebook computer or other portable mobile devices, to display. The present invention further utilizes the Sweb operating mode of monopoly serial communication port, thus the user can carry on related operation on the webpage of the display terminal by visiting the web server to obtain detecting information of the fish finder module. The present invention provides much convenience for user.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Vexilar, Inc.Inventor: Xiujun Wu
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Patent number: 9626951Abstract: There is provided a mounting system for a fish finding device to a watercraft which has a support for supporting a fish finding device on a watercraft. The support has a top, a bottom and a peripheral side wall which form a receptacle housing for a battery. Mounting means are positioned at the top of the support to receive a fish finder. Securing means are provided on the bottom of the support for mounting the support to a surface on a watercraft. Mounting means are provided for detachably securing a transducer to a watercraft.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Inventors: Alexander J. Caldwell, Wade G. Van Pelt
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Patent number: 9198408Abstract: This disclosure provides a moving body display device, which includes a position calculating module for acquiring a positioning signal of a target moving body and calculating a position of the moving body, a behavior calculating module for calculating a positional change of the moving body based on the positioning signal, and a position storage module for storing a position where the positional change is detected when the positional change that satisfies a determination condition set is detected.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: FURUNO ELECTRIC COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Masashi Imasaka, Eisuke Sekine
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Publication number: 20150009781Abstract: A flasher type fish sonar includes a front case in which a display window is formed in front, a rotary disc opposite to the display window rotated by a motor, an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting ultrasonic waves in the water by a control portion and for receiving reflected signals in the water, a display signal transmitting portion for transmitting reflected signals received by the ultrasonic transducer and display data forming formed by the control portion and for transmitting the same to the rotary disc, a display control portion attached to the rotary disc, a fish sonar display portion displayed by light emitting diodes attached near an edge of the rotary disc, and a letter illustration numeral display portion displayed by light emitting diodes inside of center portion of the rotary disc.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Shuichi Sano, Yoshiki Katayama
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Patent number: 8761691Abstract: A method of providing a user interface according to a user characteristic and a mobile terminal using the same are provided. The mobile terminal includes: a display unit for displaying data on a screen thereof with different screen sizes corresponding to a horizontal mode and a vertical mode; an input unit for providing different input key arrangements corresponding to the vertical mode, a left hand horizontal mode, and a right hand horizontal mode; a detection unit for detecting a mode conversion between the horizontal mode and the vertical mode and a mode conversion between the left hand horizontal mode and the right hand horizontal mode; and a controller for controlling to display data to correspond to a screen size corresponding to the detected mode and to provide a corresponding input key arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Young Sik Park
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Patent number: 8406083Abstract: A flasher sonar device includes a flasher that produces light output pulses along a flasher ring display based upon sonar returns. A user interface selects between a normal mode and a zoom mode. When the normal mode is selected, a controller drives the flasher to display a normal range. When the zoom mode is selected, the controller divides the normal range into a first range and a second range, compresses the first range into a compressed range, enlarges the second range into an enlarged range, and drives the flasher to display the enlarged range interleaved with the compressed range.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventors: David A. Betts, David E. Malphurs, Christopher E. Arney, Christopher James Bennett, Scott Allen Harrington
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Patent number: 7950424Abstract: A device for controlling the filling of a receptacle with liquid by a drink vending machine. The device includes visual marking device for marking the liquid fill level in the receptacle, a device for emitting a signal towards the receptacle, a device for receiving an incident signal and which receives the incident signal returning from the receptacle and a controlling device configured for commanding the stoppage of filling on the basis of a variation of the incident signal. The receiving device includes a series of photoelectric receivers and at least one variable which is a displacement of a light incident signal measured by the receivers. The visual marking, emitter and receiver are displaceable en masse so as to make it possible to modify the marking of the level of fill in the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2010Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Matthieu Ozanne, Alexandre Kollep, Ralph Piguet, Grégoire Terrien, Xavier Greppin
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Publication number: 20100290315Abstract: An identification unit including a memory unit operable to store an identification that distinguishes the identification unit from other identically constructed identification units, an ultrasonic receiver, a radiation transmitter, a radiation receiver and a control unit operable to carry out an ultrasound propagation time measurement depending on a synchronization signal received by the radiation receiver and operable to transmit a result with the aid of the radiation transmitter. At least one of a luminous unit and an optical signaling unit is driven via the radiation unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: UCTec Beteiligungsgesellschaft AGInventors: Stephan Eisen, Hanspeter Fischer
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Patent number: 7710825Abstract: A system for use with a boat to provide underwater sonar images includes a left side scan sonar transducer for transmitting left side scan sonar pulses and for receiving left side scan sonar return signals and a right side scan sonar transducer for transmitting right side scan sonar pulses and for receiving right side scan sonar return signals. The system further includes signal processing circuitry for processing the left and right side scan sonar return signals to produce side scan image data and a digital processor for providing signals to a display based upon the side scan image data to produce a display image on the display showing boat location, a water column between the boat and bottom, and an underwater image comprising at least one of a left side underwater image and a right side underwater image.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventors: David A. Betts, Robert W. Derrow, David J. Howells
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Publication number: 20090141590Abstract: A flasher sonar device includes a flasher that produces light output pulses along a flasher ring display based upon sonar returns. A user interface selects between a normal mode and a zoom mode. When the normal mode is selected, a controller drives the flasher to display a normal range. When the zoom mode is selected, the controller divides the normal range into a first range and a second range, compresses the first range into a compressed range, enlarges the second range into an enlarged range, and drives the flasher to display the enlarged range interleaved with the compressed range.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: Johnson OutdoorsInventors: David A. Betts, David E. Malphurs, Christopher E. Arney, Christopher James Bennett, Scott Allen Harrington
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Publication number: 20090141588Abstract: A sonar device includes a light source, a rotatable element, a motor for rotating the rotatable element, and a display. A light guide mounted on the rotatable element has an inlet end aligned with the light source and an outlet end aligned with the display. Light emitted from the light source enters the inlet end of the light guide, is directed from the inlet end to the outlet end in a beam, and is emitted out the outlet end of the light guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: Johnson OutdoorsInventors: David A. Betts, David E. Malphurs, David McLeod
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Patent number: 7450470Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing signals for controlling a display to produce an image in an imaging system employing a plurality of transducers. First and second beam signals are produced in response to delayed channel signals associated with respective transducers, the delayed channel signals representing real and imaginary components of time domain signals associated with respective transducers suitably delayed to focus a receive beam pattern of the transducers at a beam angle, each of the first and second beam signals including separate real and imaginary component representations. The real and imaginary components of the first and second beam signals are combined to produce a composite beam signal, the composite beam signal including separate real and imaginary component representations.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Imagenex Technology Corp.Inventor: Douglas James Wilson
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Patent number: 7447116Abstract: A system, method and program product for tracking the depth of small objects in which a transmitter is connected to a fishing line. The transmitter includes a sensor for measuring water pressure and transmits the pressure measurements to a receiver at a location remote from said transmitter. A signal processing unit is connected to the receiver and converts the transmitted pressure measurements into depth measurements. A display displays the depth measurements in real time showing the depth of the transmitter. The signal processing unit may include a wireless system for transmitting the depth measurement to a wireless display device associated with the fishing line to which the transmitter is connected.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Ionetrics, IncInventor: Timothy W. Bratcher
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Patent number: 7203131Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) for a sonar depth-finding device includes a matrix of pixels, each pixel having a first dimension and a second dimension greater than the first dimension such that a ratio of the second dimension to the first dimension is approximately an integer value greater than one. Pixels in the matrix are configured to be operatively associated by the sonar depth-finding device to define a substantially square combined pixel.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2004Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventor: Darrell J. Watt
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Patent number: 7161872Abstract: A fish depth monitor is a device that can display first water depth data that indicates the location of terminal tackle that is engaged on fishing line reeled out from a spool, and second water depth data that indicates the location of the bottom of a fishing location transmitted from a fish finder, and includes a case, first and second reception portions, a display unit, and a control unit. The first and second reception portions receive the first water depth data from an electric driven reel and the second water depth data from the fish finder. The control unit graphically displays the received first and second water depth data in positions that correspond to the water depth on the display unit. It is possible to intuitively determine the positional relationship between the location of the terminal tackle and the location of the bottom.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Hiroaki Kuriyama, Yuzo Kawabe, Hirokazu Hirayama, Kazuhito Yamamoto, Masakazu Nomura, Hiroyasu Fujimoto, Yasushi Fukuda, Hiroyuki Hamato, Koichi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 7113449Abstract: A lure depth analyzer includes a digital processor, a lure analyzer data structure, a user interface having a display and user inputs to input and display variables relating to fishing lures. The database relates specific lures to running depth, length of line, and other variables such as line type, speed, and addition weights added to the line. The angler is interactively led through the user interface to provide known information and angler selections. The display returns information necessary for the angler to cast or troll a lure at a particular depth.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2004Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Inventor: Scott R. Fairbairn
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Patent number: 7057972Abstract: A flasher type fish sonar includes a case, a circuit board mounted in the case, and a motor attached to the circuit board and including a rotary shaft. A light conducting disk is fixed to the rotary shaft and includes a projecting portion for mounting the light conducting disk, a luminous portion and a light conducting portion for conducting light to the luminous portion. A shadow disk is fixed to the luminous portion and includes a slit through which light passes from the luminous portion. A front display disk is provided in front of the shadow disk. A luminous element is connected with the circuit board opposite to the light conducting portion. A fish sonar circuit inputs signals of a surface of a body of water, fish, and a bottom of the water, and a piezoelectric vibrator is connected to the fish sonar.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2005Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Honda Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuya Noda, Yoshikazu Muramatsu
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Patent number: 6791902Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Techsonic Industries, Inc.Inventors: Mark Steiner, Wendell Wilson, Patrick Spivey, Jared Rudd, Darrell Watt, Marti Elnicki
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Patent number: 6771562Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Techsonic Industries, Inc.Inventors: David A. Betts, Christopher James Bennett, Douglas W. Rasmussen
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Publication number: 20040105343Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2002Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventors: David A. Betts, Douglas Warren Rasmussen
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Patent number: 6628569Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2002Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Techsonic Industries, Inc.Inventors: Mark Steiner, Nicole Dermikaelian Convault, Darrell Watt
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Patent number: 6595315Abstract: A screen on which water depth information obtained from an echo signal is historically displayed and a screen on which fish school detection information obtained from an echo signal is displayed, are displayed side by side on a display screen of a display instrument or either one is displayed by switching. Thus, a large amount of information is displayed on a limited space of a small display instrument efficiently and effectively and to be easy to see. Further, when a water depth value becomes a set value of an alarm water depth mark or less, an alarm is displayed on the display screen of the display instrument, and an alarm is given by sound. At the same time as this, the brilliance of the display screen is raised to the maximum brilliance to make the screen brighter, so that the contents of the alarm are made easy to see. Thus, quick measures can be taken in an emergency.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2000Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Furuno Electric Company, LimitedInventors: Hiroyasu Fujimoto, Hiroshi Nagano, Makoto Obuchi, Itsuo Makino
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Patent number: 6466891Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides. a sonar operator with the most likely range to a target of interest. The system generates and displays a contour based on ship's parameters, target parameters, environmental data, and operator parameters. The sonar operator can vary many of the parameters in “what if” scenarios so as to generate groups of contours for preselected probabilities of detection. Contours can be used to show the actions that should be taken to ensure a favorable outcome.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: G. Clifford Carter, Harold J. Teller
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Publication number: 20010026499Abstract: An underwater detection apparatus comprises a transducer, a transmitter capable of generating transmitting signals of a plurality of respective frequencies and for generating a transmitting signal, a broadband trap circuit for transferring the transmitting signal fed from the transmitter to the transducer and for passing an echo signal fed from the transducer, a preamplifier for amplifying the echo signal fed from the broadband trap circuit, a mixer for converting an output of the preamplifier into a signal of a specific frequency, a filter for selectively passing the signal of only the specific frequency-band output from the mixer, a main amplifier for amplifying an output of the filter, an A/D converter for converting an output of the main amplifier into a digital form, and a display circuit for displaying the digitized output of the A/D converter on a monitor, wherein the preamplifier is of a low-gain type.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2001Publication date: October 4, 2001Applicant: Furuno Electric Company, LimitedInventor: Mitsuhiro Inouchi
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Patent number: 6198692Abstract: A fish finder having two 1D transducer arrays vertically arranged on a ship's hull. Each 1D transducer array provides a beam having a narrow width on a plane parallel to a plane in the transducer arrangement direction, and a fan-like beam on a plane crossing the plane. Ultrasonics are transmitted toward and received from the target on the first plane, by using the fan beam of the first 1D transducer array, and received from the second plane perpendicular to the first plane by using the fan beam of the second 1D transducer array. While the beam direction of the first 1D transducer array is gradually changed, that of the second 1D transducer array is rapidly changed so that information concerning the 3D space below the water surface is obtained. The obtained information is subjected to ray tracing processing for 3D displaying of an image on a 2D screen. This arrangement enables quicker detection of fish schools.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: Japan Radio Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chogo Sekine
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Patent number: 6128576Abstract: In the obstruction detection apparatus incorporated in a vehicle (11), ultrasonic wave transmitter/receiver (16 to 19 171) for changing a combination of transmitting of ultrasonic waves and of receiving of reflected ultrasonic waves, a CPU (20) calculates a distance between the vehicle (11) and an obstruction and stores data corresponding to the calculated distance into the distance table (23), and the LC display device (27) displays the obstruction on display bars of a lattice shape corresponding to the data stored in the distance table (23), and a buzzer (26) sounds an alarm for a driver.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1998Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yukio Nishimoto, Daisuke Hara
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Patent number: 6009044Abstract: Two digital reflectional signals of different depth ranges are displayed on two divided pictures in a display, whereby the conditions of the water and the bottom in the lake or pond can be detected. Therefore, the fish sonar is suitable for fishing for black bass.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1999Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Honda Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigefumi Goto, Yoshiyuki Asakura, Yoshinobu Okubo, Kenji Moriyama, Yoshikazu Maramatsu
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Patent number: 5999490Abstract: Reflected digital signals of a surface of the water, fish and a bottom are displayed by a usual scale on a half portion of the display board, reflected digital signals of fish and a bottom are reversely read from the second buffer function and are displayed at an enlarged scale on a second half portion of the display board, whereby the surface of the water is displayed on the upper portion of the display board and the bottom of the water is displayed on the lower portion of the display board and the flasher display is very easy to understand and fish inhabiting near the bottom and the bottom are displayed on an enlarged scale.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1999Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Honda Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshio Shimauchi, Tetsuya Yamamoto, Yoshikazu Muramatsu
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Patent number: 5973997Abstract: An ultrasonic wave having a narrow directive angle and an ultrasonic wave having a wide directive angle are transmitted in water by two ultrasonic transducers, echo signals to the ultrasonic waves having the narrow and wide angles are displayed by the two luminous elements in unity in a flasher display, whereby the condition of fishes in the water can be seen widely.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Honda Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuya Yamamoto, Yoshio Shimauchi, Yoshikazu Muramatsu
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Patent number: 5926438Abstract: A hand-held LCD game machine is used as a hand-held LCD fish finder, in addition to its original game functions. Instead of a typical ROM game cassette, another device, which includes a cassette portion, a main body, and a float sensor having an ultrasonic transmitter, is inserted into the LCD game machine, so that the topography of the water bottom and the fish in water are displayed on a LCD panel by means of a program ROM having a memory to display the same based on an echo signal issued and received through the ultrasonic transmitter.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1998Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: Tose Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shigeru Saito
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Patent number: 5805528Abstract: An underwater detection system for displaying underwater conditions over a large area around a ship comprises a linear array type transducer, a transducer training mechanism for rotating the transducer stepwise in a horizontal plane, a receiver which forms a receiving beam for scanning a fan-like vertical cross-sectional area by giving specified time delays or phase differences to echo signals received by the transducer, an image memory for storing echo signal data picked up by the receiving beam in addresses defined by horizontal directions relative to the ship and depths, a sampling circuit for reading out data of one vertical line after another in a downward direction from the image memory and determining a bottom depth in each vertical line, a seabed data memory for storing bottom depths, a PPI image generator for producing a fractional PPI image depicting the bottom based on bottom depth data read from the seabed data memory, and an indicator for presenting search results in the form of a plan view coverType: GrantFiled: March 5, 1996Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tokihiko Hamada, Yoshinari Yoshida, Yuzuru Hiraoka, Genzi Mori, Hiroyasu Fujimoto, Yoshiki Tominaga, Tatsuo Hayashi
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Patent number: 5675552Abstract: A sonar apparatus using a phased array technique for steering an acoustical beam for scanning an underwater area. The sonar apparatus includes a scanning transducer having multiple elements for transmitting and steering the acoustical beam and receiving its reflection from an object, an electronic control circuit for generating steering information and computing a relative location of the object, and an input/output section for displaying the relative location to a user. The control circuit includes a software level/align control for compensating for mis-leveling or mis-alignment during installation, a scan control capable of selecting a scan center direction and a scan width in one degree increments, a forward gain control for optimizing the sensitivity of the sonar apparatus in a forward looking scan, and a combination of a time variable gain control and an autorange control for minimizing the reflection of sidelobes of the acoustical beam.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1995Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: Interphase Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Charles L. Hicks, James Carl Bartz
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Patent number: 5594707Abstract: A receiver converts an echo received by a transducer to a supersonic echo signal, and a controller measures the depth of obstacles depending on a timing for receiving the supersonic echo signal, obtains an echo level according to quantity of the supersonic echo signal, and determines the condition of the bottom depending on echo levels of a series of supersonic echo signals. A display unit provides a result of detection at a position of corresponding depth scale on a first display area for providing graphic displays of the obstacles as well as the bottom with a depth scale with a gradation or a pattern type corresponding to the echo level. Graphic displays of the echo level are also provided at a position corresponding to depth on a second display area having graphic displays corresponding to depth scale in the first display area.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1995Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Uniden CorporationInventors: Minoru Goto, Satoru Watanabe, Minoru Aoki, Shuji Konishi, Koji Kato
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Patent number: 5537380Abstract: A sonar system includes an interactive sonar viewing apparatus for facilitating operator selection of a variety of features. The interactive sonar viewing apparatus can include a screen display for displaying a graphical representation of characterization data representative of the predetermined signal characteristics of each of the transducers. The characterization data can include data representative of the predetermined orientation and predetermined cone angle of each of the transducers. Based upon the graphical representation of the characterization data, the operator can select the specific transducers to be activated. Thus, the operator can selectively reconfigure the sonar system. Alternatively, the interactive sonar viewing apparatus can include a screen display which displays a graphical representation of orientation data representative of a number of display frames.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1995Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Assignee: Lowrance Electronics, Inc.Inventors: John W. Sprankle, Jr., Jeffrey M. McCollum
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Patent number: 5327398Abstract: A fishfinder having a real time or A-scope display with a numerical readout indicating the diameter of the transducer beam on the bottom of the water body. Further, an indicia indicating the position of the boat and downwardly diverging lines corresponding to the transducer beam are overlaid on the display.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1993Date of Patent: July 5, 1994Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Keith L. Wansley, Jeffrey O. Fellows
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Patent number: 5260912Abstract: A side-looking fish finding apparatus transmits a sonar pulse approximately horizontally into a body of water, and then monitors echoes from the pulse. The time interval between successive sonar pulses is varied in a random manner in order to permit two or more similar units to be used in close proximity to each other without significantly interfering with each other. An individual echo is treated as the detection of a fish if it has a magnitude above a predetermined threshold, if it has a length within a predetermined range bounded by upper and lower limits, if it is preceded by a leading space interval free of other echoes and having a predetermined duration, if it is followed by a trailing space interval free of other echoes and having a predetermined duration, the duration of the trailing space interval being less than the duration of the leading space interval, and if an equivalent echo is received in response to each of the next four successive sonar pulses.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1993Date of Patent: November 9, 1993Assignee: Computrol, Inc.Inventor: Mark W. Latham
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Patent number: 5184330Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1991Date of Patent: February 2, 1993Assignee: Techsonic Industries, Inc.Inventors: James W. Adams, Louis S. Loving, David A. Betts, David P. Donnelly, Alvin Nunley, III
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Patent number: 5159579Abstract: When a signal from a calling device is received by a remote-located fishfinder, the fishfinder emits supersonic waves to a body of water below it and receives reflected waves from a fish shoal as an analog signal. Fish shoal information is expressed by the varying amplitude of the voltage of the signal. The analog signal is converted to Morse code form and sent to the calling device. The Morse signal received by the calling device is converted to the fishfinding information to be displayed. In the transmission procedure in the system of the present invention, analog signals of fish-shoal information are successively converted from analog to digital form. The signals are also converted to respective fish-shoal pulse signals divided on the basis of a given periodical synchronizing pulse and added. The fish-shoal information data are then sampled at predetermined intervals for a plurality of unit signal amplitudes determined along the time base. The data are ordered with bit units and stored in the memory.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1991Date of Patent: October 27, 1992Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha RyokuseishaInventors: Akira Nagashima, Katsumasa Kajiwara, Toshiro Akane