Abstract: A small motor powered boat guidance system is disclosed and includes an arrangement for sensing the vertical distance between the boat and the bottom of a body of water in which the boat is floating and for providing a visual indication of the sensed vertical distance. A first series of visible pulses and a second series of visible pulses of the same frequency as the first series of pulses are generated with the pulses of the first and second series being interleaved and with the phase difference therebetween being indicative of the vertical distance. The visual indicator also generates, simultaneous with the visual indications, electromagnetic radiation in a region of the electromagnetic spectrum remote from the visible portion of the spectrum.

Abstract: A depth finder utilizing a CPU to control the function of various components including a transducer, receiver, and a liquid crystal display, allowing a user to select between fresh and salt water operational modes as well as between English and metric display units. The CPU is controlled by a keypad and varies the rate at which stored transducer data is transferred from the receiver to the CPU such that the data is always representative of a fixed depth increment in any operational mode.

Abstract: The space ahead of a moving vehicle is irradiated in sectors (A-G) by a plurality of CW solid state radar devices mounted as an array across the front of the vehicle, such that adjacent lobes of each beam may overlap. The radar signal comprises a CW beam modulated intermittently by a slightly offset frequency to produce `pulses` which when reflected from obstacles within respective sectors (A-G) are detected by mixer diodes in one, or two adjacent radar devices after a time delay which, measured, yields a distance to the obstacle. Obstacles so detected may be displayed in two dimensions within their respective sector (A-G) on a display projected onto the windscreen.

Abstract: A first embodiment of the invention provides a display system which is adapted to be embodied in a marine vessel having marine propulsion unit which is pivotally attached thereto for trim movement about a generally horizontally extending trim axis. The display system includes a trim angle sensor for detecting the trim angle of the propulsion unit and a trim angle display, preferably including both a graphical and a digital display, for precisely displaying information regarding the detected trim angle of the propuslion unit. Other sensors for detecting various other operating and navigating conditions of the vessel can be incorporated into the display system and a single displaying device can be used for displaying trim angle information and information regarding such other detected conditions. Another embodiment of the invention provides a display system which is adapted to be embodied in a marine vessel having a marine propulsion unit including an engine.

Abstract: A depth finding-trolling system for measuring the water depth and operating a trolling motor. The depth finder and trolling motor are configured within a unitary structure having dimensions of a conventional trolling motor. The depth finder includes an automatic gain circuit and a display including one or more arrays of information operatives representing depth measurement.

Abstract: A display system in a marine vessel or other vehicle which includes various means or sensors for detecting various operating and navigating conditions of the vessel or vehicle and a single displaying device for displaying information regarding one or more of these conditions. When the display system is used in a marine vessel, the system also includes a fish detection sensor and information regarding the detection of fish is displayed on the single displaying device. The single displaying device has a fixed display which displays information regarding particular operating and navigating conditions and a variable display. The variable display has three displays: a first display of information, a second display of information and a warning display of warning information. The first and second displays can be displayed alternately by the operator.

Abstract: A wake plotter apparatus capable of displaying the bearings of a vessel and a target point in which the vessel is intended to be returned is disclosed which includes a compass sensor, a speed sensor, a displaying device and a central processing unit.

Abstract: In a sonar used to determine the characteristics of the underwater mines, the emission diagram in the vertical plane is modified to obtain two main lobes separated by a central zero value. At reception, the bearing/frequency display system shows a dark strip separated by two luminous strips. When the echo from a mine persists, in going through the dark zone, it is recognized that it pertains to a moored mine floating in the water, thus enabling moored mines to be identified and their submersion depth measured.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display depth finder using a sonar transducer is provided with a plurality of input keys interfaced to a microprocessor with each input key being dedicated to a particular function or feature usable with the depth finder. The microprocessor is utilized to control the operation of the transducer and the display of the data generated thereby in accordance with the particular function or set of functions chosen by the operator and to manipulate programming stored within the depth finder which will enable a tutorial mode comprising alphanumeric information and command key indication such that an the user may determine how the machine is to properly function.

Abstract: Images of underwater features, animate and inanimate, are produced from substantial distances in any direction around a boat, using small and easily mountable sonar devices, including three sonar transducers, two being stationary and the third being directable, the transducers being operable at various ultrasonic frequencies. Under keyboard control and using completely integrated electronic circuitry, images and echo sounding reports are generated on a graphic video display. The images include a sector-shaped image from a sector scan which covers a selected range of azimuth angles at a selected down angle.

Abstract: A method for controlling the population of marine and aquatic species in an area of water includes the development of data concerning the response of various species to stimuli in different environmental conditions, and the generation of stimuli in the control area to affect the species in that area and thus control the population. The stimuli are generally sonic waves, but other stimuli such as light, radio waves, and magnetism may also be employed in place thereof or in addition thereto. The system uses a feedback monitor and computer with data concerning species response to adapt the stimuli to changing species and conditions.

Abstract: Fish sonar signals, temperature signals, PH signals or speed signals of a boat which are emitted from a transmitter as RF signals are respectively received in a wrist watch type receiver, and are displayed on a display device attached to a case of the wrist watch type receiver, whereby each fisherman can see the state of the sea by putting on the wrist watch type receiver to his wrist.

Abstract: A sonar fish finder system is provided for a boat for determining and displaying the location of fish in the body of water surrounding the boat. The system includes an electromechanical transducer assembly for transmitting sound waves in the body of water along separate paths in different directions into separate areas of the body of water, for receiving corresponding echoes from obstructions in the paths (including echoes from any fish in the paths) and for generating electrical signals in accordance with the received echoes. Electrical transmitters connected to the transducer assembly control transmission of the sound waves and receivers, connected to the transducer assembly, receive and process the electrical signals produced thereby.

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: Apparatus and a method for displaying depth sounding data with nautical range are disclosed for use on vessels or the like, the device including a transceiver for transmitting an acoustic signal downwardly through surrounding water and for receiving echo signals, a motion sensor for determining nautical distance, a microprocessor for storing and conditioning the echo signals and distance signals and a display device for providing an XY display of underwater conditions represented by the echo signals. Range display means associated with or included in the display device and operated by the microprocessor display nautical range of a selected and preferably adjustable point on the X axis. The microprocessor includes a range memory stack, a stack manager and an internal register for storing bytes or distance data for successive vertical scans. The device also preferably includes a differential temperature sensor.

Abstract: A depthfinder has a color LCD display without a polarizer. This permits viewing of the display in bright sunlight, such as would be ordinarily used for fishing, without washing out of the display. Additionally, the provision of a LCD display without a polarizing filter permits viewing of the display even by a fisherman wearing polarized sunglasses without rainbow effects or fringing effects. A micrprocessor is employed to drive a color LCD display, the display having two primary colors red and green, which can be combined to form a yellow color. Additionally, a fourth color exists when the overlying pixel elements are in an off state, the color being black. A program memory provides multicolor display functions including zoom, numeric indications and numeric adjustments, and a vertical line of a predetermined color to separate the halves of a split screen zoom 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: Disclosed is a signal processor for an ultrasonic fish detector, in which the signal processing circuit is arranged separately from the display unit, whereas conventionally both are configured integrally, within a case with the provision of a composite converting circuit and RGB converting circuit with associated video output terminal and RGB output terminal, thereby allowing the user to configure a fish detection system by merely purchasing the fish detection signal processor made up of the signal processing circuit and a transducer and utilizing a home television set or an RGB graphics monitor oriented to personal computers.

Abstract: An apparatus for properly aligning a cathode-ray tube projection unit before a viewing screen includes a pair of ultrasonic rangefinders and a cooperating pair of light emitting diode (LED) reader units. One ultrasonic rangefinder and one reader unit are connected to each of two opposite sides of the projection unit. Each rangefinder is directed toward the viewing screen to sense the distance between the viewing screen and the side of the projection unit to which the rangefinder is connected. The cooperating LED reader unit then indicates whether that side is too close to, too far away from or a proper operating distance from the viewing screen.

Abstract: A computer system is proposed for finding and displaying the depth and depth related values of an object in an aquatic environment in which and LCD display is subdivided into segments each representing a fraction of the total depth range in which the system is operating as well as a fraction of the transit time for the transmission of pulses within the depth range. Each segment is addressed and activated in response to the presence of a receiver output in the microprocessor for a given number of consecutive time-scans, thus providing a quasi-analog visual display of depth on the array of the segmented scale.

Abstract: An ultrasonic detection circuit for detecting obstacles behind a backing motor vehicle, and an ultrasonic communication circuit are automatically switched such that the ultrasonic detection circuit is operable only when the communication circuit is not in use. Furthermore, the ultrasonic detection circuit may be operated only when the motor vehicle is in one or more particular operating conditions. The system comprises a rear ultrasonic transducer used for both the detection circuit and for the communication circuit so that detection of obstacles behind the vehicle and communication with another motor vehicle behind the vehicle are possible, and a front ultrasonic transducer used for only the communication circuit so that communication with another motor vehicle ahead of the vehicle is also possible.

Abstract: A distance measurement system for measuring distance to an object by emitting light to the object and measuring the intensity of light reflected from the object.

Abstract: An automotive rear safety checking apparatus which comprises a plurality of obstacle detectors mounted on the rear part of the automobile for radiating ultrasonic wave on the watching areas smaller in width than the width of the automobile respectively and detecting the ultrasonic wave reflected from an obstacle. The ultrasonic wave is radiated from the obstacle detectors in time division. Pulse signals in the number associated with the distance between the obstacle detector and the obstacle are generated in response to the detection of the ultrasonic wave reflected from the obstacle, so that the relative positions of the automobile and the obstacle, are indicated two-dimensionally in accordance with the pulse signal.

Abstract: A proximity indicator, for example to indicate a safe height of release of a lifeboat, uses pulsed sonar to trigger a bistable circuit into a set state by the transmitted pulses and a reset state by received pulses which exceed a predetermined level. Red and green LEDs are energized when the bistable is set and reset respectively so that green predominates when a safe height is reached.

Abstract: In an apparatus for guiding or controlling a vessel over the center of an unmarked channel, a pair of ultrasonic transducers are mounted athwartship on the hull of the vessel and directed downwardly to transmit ultrasonic pulses and to receive corresponding pulses reflected from the floor of the body of water. Time durations between transmitted and corresponding received pulses are measured to determine floor or channel depth below the port and starboard sides of the vessel. The depths are digitally encoded and supplied to a comparator which generates a signal indicating whether deeper water is port or starboard of the vessel. The comparator signal is supplied to a display to instruct the navigator whether to steer port, starboard or to maintain course to guide the vessel over the center of the channel. The comparator signal may be also supplied to a rudder servo to automatically steer over the channel center. A digital filter is provided to eliminate any spurious readings obtained by the transducers.

Abstract: A direction indicator giving a visual indication of the direction of origin of incident sounds having frequencies in a predetermined frequency range, is disclosed herein. The direction indicator embodies at least three sound detectors, each having an active filter passing electrical signals in a predetermined frequency range and a light emitting diode giving a visual indication of the intensity of the sound in the predetermined range received by the associated sound detector. Two of the sound detectors are disposed to preferentially receive sounds from opposite directions, and the third sound detector is disposed to receive sounds originating from a third direction normal to the directions of the first two. In the preferred embodiment, the direction indicator is an emergency vehicle direction indicator for use in an automobile giving the operator a visual indication of the direction of an emergency vehicle sounding its siren.