`
`


`
`[54] MULTI-BEAM SONAR FISH DETECTION
`APPARATUS PROVIDING REAL-TIME
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL WIRE—FRAME
`DISPLAY REPRESENTATION
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors:
`
`James W. Adams, Eufaula; Louis S.
`Loving, Clayton; David A. Betts,
`Eufaula; David P. Donnelly, Eufaula;
`Alvin Nunley, III, Eufaula, all of Ala.
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`Techsonic Industries, Inc., Lake
`Eufaula, Ala.
`
`[21] App1.No.: 720,644
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Jun. 25, 1991
`
`Int. C1.5 .............................................. G015 15/96
`[51]
`
`.. 367/111; 367/88
`[52] US. Cl. ................
`[58] Field of Search .......................... 367/111, 88, 908
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`.. 367/88
`.
`3,273,148 9/1966 Wood etal.
`
`. 367/88
`..
`4,088,979
`5/1978 Jones et a1.
`.. 367/98
`
`.
`4,873,676 10/1989 Bailey et a1.
`367/111
`4,879,697 11/1989 Lowrance ...........................
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Bass Pro Shops Catalog; Springfield, Mo. 65898—0001; '
`1990; Last page.
`Bourne, “How the Microchip Made Fish—Finders
`
`Smarter”, Fishing Tackle Retailer Magazine, Feb. 1985,
`pp. 57-61.
`
`Primary Examiner—Daniel T. Pihulic
`Attorney, Agent. or Firm—Needle & Rosenberg
`
`[57]
`
`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
`sub-
`merged 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.
`
`7 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`United States Patent
`Adams et a1.
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,184,330
`
`Feb. 2, 1993
`
`lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`USOO5184330A
`
`MICROIWOCESSO‘?
`58
`
`A/D A/D
`A/D
`X
` Z
`
`
`74
`LOG AMPLIFIER
`
`X
`
`
`
`76
`LOG AMPLIFIER
`Y
`
`78
`L06 AMPLIFIER
`Z
`
`
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 1 of 21
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`
`eeeeeeeee
`
`_..—.-u
`ooooooooo
`
`
`_.
`'
`m=._
`.
`
`
`E!!!?ll_l=g_.--------- _gagELIJElflEIIIEIIIEIIIELIQEMEIIJE
`
`
`
`Ll_|=!=l_l_l=fl!=l_lgél_l_l=.._.
`__,._—u|=l_l_l=m=fl=m=m5|ll5m5m=m=m=m
`=l_l!=ll_!=l_l_|=!!!=!!!=lll=m=-_._._._.__._._=.=I__II=MEI_I.!=II_I=M=!!!=!_l_|=!_l_lE!!!=fl!=!fl=lIl=l_l_l-:
`
`Ill=lll=Ill=|ll=5li=llIElll=lll=lll=lll=|ll=l||=|II=III=III=IIl=lll=lll=lll=lll=lllzlllElll=ill
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1993
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
`
`/6 DEGREES
`
`53 DEGREES
`
`5,184,330
`
`_________————
`
`nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
`
`
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 2 of 21
`
`

`

` !"##$
`
`%&'()*)+,)-"
`
`38
`
`MICROPPOCESSOR
`
`74
`
`76
`
`L06 AMPLIFIER
`X
`
`V LOG AMPLIFIER
`Y
`
`62
`
`64
`
`66
`
`
`
`
`'
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1993
`
`Sheet 2 of 12
`
`5,184,330
`
`F163
`
`78
`
`LOG AMPLIFIER
`Z
`
`'
`
`T/I?SWITCHE 7/1?SWITCH n
`
`WSW/TCHn
`
`XA
`
`YA
`
`ZA
`
`VRSW/TCH
`8
`x
`
`WSW/TCH
`YB
`
`48
`
`TRANSMITTER
`
`B
`
`.
`
`E
`
`i:
`
`.I
`
`s
`
`I8
`
`77R SWITCH
`28
`
`TRANSMITTER
`
`_ A
`
`
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 3 of 21
`
`

`

`./012334
`56789:9;<9=2
`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 12
`
`5,184,330
`
`
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 4 of 21
`
`

`

`>?@ABCCD
`EFGHIJIKLIMB
`
`FIG 8
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 5 of 21
`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1993
`
`Sheet 4 of 12
`
`5,184,330
`
`
`
`30mm HLHRM 000
`
`

`

`NOPQRSST
`UVWXYTYZ[Y\R
`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1993
`
`Sheet 5 of 12
`
`5,184,330
`
`
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 6 of 21
`
`

`

`]^_`abbc
`defghihjkhla
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 7 of 21
`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1993
`
`Sheet 6 of 12
`
`5,184,330
`
`
`
`.......n|un...........uI...muIIIIInuunlInIIIllIEES’é?
`
`F1612
`
`

`

`mnopqrrs
`tuvwxyxz{x|q
`
`FIG/'4
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 8 of 21
`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1993
`
`Shea 7 of 12
`
`5,184,330
`
`
`
`

`

`}~€‚‚ƒ
`„…†‡ˆ‰ˆŠ‹ˆŒ
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 9 of 21
`
`TO DECRERSE-i
`
`BOTTOM BLBRM
`OEP-THBBNOE
`SENSITIUITY
`- IIIIIIIZZZ
`
`TO INOREHSE :
`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1993
`
`Sheet 8 of 12
`
`5,184,330
`
`DISPLHY SPEED
`BOTTOM HBRONESS
`BOTTOM LOCK
`
`ZOOM
`
`~
`
`'
`
`'
`
`

`

`Ž‘’’“
`”•–—˜‘’˜™š˜›‘
`
`SENSITIUITY
`HTBLOG
`DISPLHY SPEED
`BOTTOMHBRDNESS
`OTTOMLOCK
`
`ISH flLflRM
`BOTTOM RLBRM
`DEPTH RHNGE
`
`fillNGE:
`FOR SHRLLOWEB:
`FOR DEEPER:
`
`flUTO: 0N
`
`DEPTH RENEE
`sansmum
`OOTO LOO
`
`DISPLHY SPEED
`BOTTOM mom-:55
`BOTTOM LOOK
`Em}—
`FISH flLflRM
`BOTTOM FILFIFIM
`
`SET FOR:
`
`FOR SHHLLOHER:
`FOR DEEPER:
`.
`
`Om OFF
`
`.
`
`-_
`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1993
`
`Sheet 9 of 12
`
`5,184,330
`
`
`
`BOTTOM HLHFu-O 32
`
`FIG/'8
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 10 of 21
`
`

`

`œžŸ ¡¡¢
`£¤¥¦§  §¨©§ª 
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 1 1 of 21
`
`DISPLHT SPEED
`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1993
`
`Sheet 10 of 12
`
`5,184,330
`
`BOTTOM HLBBM
`DEPTH BBNOE
`SENSITIUITY
`flTH LOG
`OISPLRT SPEED
`BOTTOM MflBONESS
`BOTTOM LOOK
`
`FISH FILHHM
`
`snronm cc -<
`
`FOR MORE nsu:
`ron LESS nsu :
`
`[Em OFF
`
`~
`
`FISH flLflRM
`BOTTOM FILHRM
`DEPTH RHNOE
`
`SENSITIUITY
`
`OflTfl LOB
`
`

`

`«¬­®¯°°±
`²³´µ¶¯·¶¸¹¶·¯
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 12 of 21
`
`USE [IN/"OFF KEY TO E'R’JT
`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1993
`
`Sheet 11 of 12
`
`5,184,330
`
`D"
`
`BOTTOM HHRDNESS
`BOTTOM LOCK
`
`I.
`
`ISH HLBRM
`
`BOTTOM RLHBM
`DEPTH RHNDE
`SENSITIUITY »
`OTB LOO
`DISPLFW SPEED
`- IIIIIIIZZC
`
`Tomcnsnsa 2
`Tonacnznsaz
`
`DflTfl LOO
`TEMPERHTURE
`
`EEO
`
`HUERHGE SPEED
`22.0
`
`BBS :
`
`DEPTH
`’
`
`.
`
`I
`
`‘
`
`12.1
`
`UE-E iE-TIJF' HE'I‘ TI] RESET Tll‘v’IEFiE-
`
`

`

`º»¼½¾¿¿À
`ÁÂÃÄžÆÅÇÈÅɾ
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 13 of 21
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HD
`liJ-UD comnnsr
`
`
`13 FEET
`‘
`(El MPH
`' L______' -
`[:1 FHHRENHEIT USE SCREEN KEY TO EKIT
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1993
`
`Sheet 12 of 12
`
`‘
`
`5,184,330
`
`CUSTOM PROGRHM
`USE SELECT TO CHOOSE CHTEOOFW
`USE"v 2 TO CHOOSE FERTURE OH FIOJUST COI'JTRRST
`
`USE OH/OFF TO HCTIUFITE
`[:1 FEflTUBE HIDE
`E] 20014
`H
`
`'
`
`_
`
`[:1 DEPTH anus:
`H
`
`[3 301101111an
`
`{:1 FISH 11mm
`
`[:3 3011014 HHRDHESS
`
`[:1 smsmunv
`
`
`
`F1623
`
`

`

`ÊËÌÍÎÏÏÐ
`ÑÒÓÔÕÎÖÕ×ØÕÙÎ
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 14 of 21
`
`2
`return is a function not only of target size but also of
`where the target is in the beam, a fish on the outer edge
`of the beam will appear smaller than if it were in the
`center of the beam. Similarly, a fish some distance from
`the transducer will appear smaller than if it were closer.
`Another deficiency of previous fish finding systems is
`that the information transfer bandwidth between system
`and user is limited by primitive display formats. The
`two~dimensional displays of previous systems only pro:
`vide a narrow slice of bottom structure information
`directly below the transducer. Therefore, slopes, chan-
`nels or drop offs located to either side of the boat are
`not detected by the previous systems which use a single,
`narrow-width beam.
`In prior art depth sounders, various methods are used
`to display the reflected sound pulses or “SOnar returns”
`as a function of depth. Rotating disk lamps or “flash-
`ers", chart recorders, and numerical digital depth read-
`outs are commonly employed to indicate the depth of a
`sonar return. These types of displays suffer from various
`disadvantages which are either inconvenient or annoy-
`ing to a user.
`One problem with many prior art apparatus is that a
`user must interpret the display to determine the bottom
`of the body of water since the display is typically a
`linear or curvilinear scale which extends to the extent of
`the capability of the apparatus. The bottom return in
`some devices such as chart recorders typically appears
`as a wide area or band on the display, but conditions
`such as thermocline and multiple returns caused by
`reflection from the boat bottom or other sources create
`additional sonar returns indicated as occurring at depths
`above or below the actual bottom, tending to make
`interpretation more difficult.
`Some prior art linear or curvilinear displays such as
`flashers are only one-dimensional, in that the linear or
`curvilinear display can only display information for a
`single transmission. A sonar return subsequent to a cur-
`rently-displayed return is erased or overwritten by new
`information. If a moving target is detected, the target
`such as a fish may disappear from the display after the
`next transmission, and the user may miss the target if the
`display has not been constantly watched.
`In order to overcome the disadvantages of a one-
`dimensional display, other prior art sonar apparatus
`employ a chart-printing device or a cathode ray tube
`(CRT) to provide a two—dimensional display which
`lowers the risk of missing targets. Some of these devices
`include scale-changing features which allow different
`depth scales to be selected and associated with the dis-
`play. However, when a scale change is made, a disconti-
`nuity at the point of the scale change makes interpreta-
`tion of the display difficult. For example, if a target is
`detected at 15 feet on a 60-foot nominal scale, and the
`scale of the display is changed to 120 foot nominal
`depth, the previously detected target at 15 feet will
`remain in the same relative position on the display, since
`the device cannot go back and “rewrite” what has pre-
`viously been written. However, new returns for the
`same target at 15 feet will appear at a different location
`on the display in the 120 foot nominal depth scale. Thus,
`the target will appear to have shifted upwardly on the
`display. Discontinuities such as these create confusion
`in display interpretation.
`Some prior art sonar apparatus include a scale expan-
`sion feature wherein the depth scale is expanded by a
`predetermined factor of two. Other prior art devices
`
`1
`
`5,184,330
`
`MULTI-BEAM SONAR FISH-DETECTION
`APPARATUS PROVIDING REAL-TIME
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL WIRE-FRAME DISPLAY
`REPRESENTATION
`
`MICROFICHE APPENDIX
`
`The software portion of the present invention is in-
`corporated herewith via a single microfiche appendix
`containing 15 frames.
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates generally to sonar appa-
`ratus for fishing, boating, and depth sounding and more
`particularly relates to a multi-beam sonar fish detection
`apparatus providing a real time three dimensional wire
`frame display representation of underwater environ-
`ment. Specifically, the present invention relates to an
`improved sonar depth sounder having improved display
`characteristics which facilitate target detection, review
`of target data from previous sonar returns, scale expan-
`sion of selected areas on the display, automatic bottom
`detection and fill-in, automatic display scale change,
`display reformatting in response to scale changes, and
`the like.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Sonar devices are frequently used by sport fisherman
`and boaters. These devices include means for generat-
`ing high-frequency sound pulses and receiver/trans—
`ducer means responsive to reflected sound pulses for
`acquiring target data such as the location of fish and
`underwater obstacles, and the depth of the bottom of
`the body of water. Typically, the sonar apparatus gen-
`erates a series of pulses of sound at periodic intervals,
`receives reflected sound pulses or echoes from under-
`water objects, and displays either a depth readout of a
`target or the location of a target on a linear or curvilin-
`ear array scaled as to depth, which is a function of the
`time elapsed between the transmission of the sound
`pulses until reception of the reflected echo.
`All fish finders consist of two main components, the
`transducer and the display head. Transducers, when
`activated by their associated transmitter circuits, send
`out ultrasonic pressure waves in an expanding pattern
`that can be simply expressed as a cone-shaped beam.
`Traditionally, sonar designers have been faced with a
`choice between wide viewing angle and high resolu-
`tion.
`
`A wide cone angle beam will cover a large viewing
`area‘and consequently aid in finding fish. However,
`there are certain disadvantages inherent in the use of
`wide cone angles. In particular, holes or drop~offs may
`be missed when the beam is wider than the hole or
`drop-off. Fish in a hole or along a drop-off will not be
`detected where the beam is wider than the hole or drop-
`off. Similarly, fish that are around submerged structure
`will be hidden unless they are above the peak of the
`structure. Also, wide beam target detection does not
`provide target placement within the beam, so that the
`user does not know where the fish is in relation to the
`boat.
`A narrow cone angle beam will provide good detail
`of fish and underwater structure. However, in order to
`provide this detail, the viewing angle may be reduced
`by one-half or more.
`Another problem found with existing fish finders is in
`determining target size. Since the strength of a sonar
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`

`

`ÚÛÜÝÞßßà
`áâãäåÞæåçèåéÞ
`
`5,184,330
`
`3
`include a scale expansion feature wherein an upper
`depth limit and a lower depth limit are keyed into the
`device, so that target data detected within these depth
`limits can be expanded to fill the display. Still other
`types of displays include prepicked scale expansion
`regions having a fixed number of fixed limit expansion
`regions.
`All of these prior art approaches to display expansion
`are subject to criticism. The predetermined factor of
`two approach, while simple, cannot be used to “zero in”
`on a selected area for expansion. The selectable upper
`and lower limit approach requires the user to enter the
`limit data via a keypad, requiring mental calculations to
`determine the appropriate areas for display expansion.
`The prepicked expansion region approach suffers when
`a target of interest lies close to a boundary between
`expansion regions, so that selection of one expansion
`region followed by movement of the target requires the
`user to re-enter the expansion selection mode and select
`another expansion region.
`Other problems exist in prior art sonar apparatus. A
`particular problem occurs in sonar apparatus having
`automatic gain control For example, previous systems
`have disclosed an apparatus wherein a microprocessor
`controls the gain of the receiver stage so that the gain of
`the receiver is automatically increased as the antici-
`pated bottom depth increases. In this apparatus, the gain
`is set at a minimum at the time of and immediately suc-
`ceeding a sonar transmission and as time increases, the
`receiver gain is increased in anticipation of weaker
`signals which correspond to greater depths.
`A particular problem with variable gain amplifier
`circuits in that changing amplifier gain often creates
`transients which if not properly handled can appear as
`target returns. Typically, additional filters or other
`signal processing circuits are required to suppress the
`transients or otherwise assure that the transients are not
`treated as a valid return signal.
`Moreover, troubleshooting of variable gain amplifiers
`is difficult in that a repair technician is required to have
`detailed information as to expected outputs for a wide
`range of input signals. This typically entails employing
`a variety of input signal settings and adjustments in
`order to isolate a particular faulty component in a vari-
`able gain amplifier.
`Another problem frequently encountered in marine
`sonar apparatus is providing a watertight enclosure to
`protect the electrical circuitry which still allows a con-
`venient user interface. Individual waterproof switches
`are expensive and are still prone to leaks in that a sepa-
`rate seal for each of a plurality of switches increases the
`probability that one or more of the switch seals will fail
`under adverse climatic conditions. Significant improve-
`ment in weatherability could be obtained by minimizing
`the number of places requiring weatherproof seals.
`Therefore a need exists for a sonar fish detection
`apparatus capable of overcoming the above-discussed
`shortcomings of traditional systems.
`'
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention
`to provide novel sonar data collection, user interfaces
`and display formats that permit the user to more accu-
`rately comprehend the underwater environment.
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a
`wide viewing angle simultaneously with detailed target
`resolution and fast bottom area coverage by providing
`multiple simultaneous sonar beams with a relatively
`small transducer.
`
`l0
`
`15
`
`20
`
`5
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4O
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`4
`It is a further object of the present invention to pro-
`vide target size normalization in both depth and lateral
`planes.
`It is a further object of the present invention to dis—
`play multiple targets and bottom contours for the user
`on a real-time basis.
`It is a further object of the present invention to distin—
`guish targets from therrnoclines and submerged struc-
`tures on a real-time basis.
`It is a further object of the present invention to pro-
`vide a built-in means for interactively training an opera—
`tor to use the sophisticated features of the invention.
`It is a further object of the present invention to
`achieve minimum beam-to-bearn acoustic interference
`through use of an optimally selected shape and material
`for the ceramic elements along with transducer and
`receiver multiplexing.
`It
`is a further object of the present invention to
`achieve minimum beam-to-beam electrical interference
`through the use of shielded cable design, circuit design
`and board layout.
`It
`is a further object of the present invention to
`achieve precise beam aiming so that the desired level of
`overlap occurs. Beam overlap eliminates dead spots in
`the coverage and allows accurate determination of tar-
`get placement by means of the ratio of sonar target
`strength present
`in two adjacent and overlapping
`beams.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention overcomes these and other
`problems in prior art sonar depth sounder apparatus and
`displays therefor by providing an improved micro-
`processor-driven sonar apparatus comprising a multi-
`ple-element transducer and a super twist liquid crystal
`display (LCD) screen for displaying sonar target data in
`either a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional depic-
`tion. Target data are digitized and stored in an address-
`able memory. When in the two-dimensional display
`mode, the apparatus includes features such as automatic
`bottom detection and display fill-in below thedetected
`bottom. Automatic display scale changing is provided
`in response to the detected bottom going off-scale, or in
`response to the detected bottom rising to within a pre-
`determined depth.
`One of the most important features of the present
`invention is the unique utilization of multiple elements
`within the transducer of a sonar depth sounder appara-
`tus. The particular processing used to evaluate the pulse
`return data becomes a more critical aspect of the appa-
`ratus if more than a single element is simultaneously
`activated within the transducer. Also, the specific phys-
`ical positioning of the individual elements within the
`transducer demands direct attention to allow for precise
`beam aiming to ensure overlap, eliminate dead spots in
`coverage and provide for three-dimensional, high-reso-
`lution imaging.
`the utilization of multiple elements
`Furthermore,
`within the transducer requires that each of the individ-
`ual elements exhibit good side lobe performance in
`order to minimize the beam-tobeam interference. The
`particular ceramic material used to manufacture each
`element as well as the specific geometric shape of each
`element are determining factors with regard to the es-
`tablishment of good side lobe performance. One other
`area of concern in the use of multiple elements is the
`overall size of the transducer since the consumer would
`be reluctant to install a transducer on his boat that was
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 15 of 21
`
`

`

`êëìíîïïð
`ñòóôõîðõö÷õøî
`
`Page 16 of 21
`
`RAY-1006
`
`6
`spond to a selected one of a plurality of depth scales.
`The retrieved target signals may be displayed in one of
`three different display formats, referred to herein as
`three-quarter (2) view, front view and traditional two-
`dimensional view. The display is responsive to simulta-
`neously display a plurality of retrieved target signals
`corresponding to a plurality of prior sonar signal re-
`turns.
`‘
`All data displayed on the screen in any one of the
`selected display screen modes is associated with a par-
`ticular selected depth scale. A different display scale
`may be selected either manually or automatically by
`automatic bottom tracking means. The present inven-
`tion further comprises scale changing means responsive
`to a scale reselection to reformat all displayed informa-
`tion to associate the entire display screen with the new
`depth scale. In particular, the apparatus of the preferred
`embodiment is responsive to detect the bottom of the
`body of water, and automatically select a deeper scale
`when the detected bottom goes “off scale". The entire
`display screen is then reformatted to reflect the new,
`deeper scale.
`'
`In the preferred embodiment, when the detected
`bottom rises to within a predetermined depth, the next
`shallower scale is selected, and the entire display is
`reformatted to reflect the new, shallower depth scale.
`When in the two-dimensional mode, the present in-
`vention further comprises display bottom fill-in means
`responsive to the detected bottom to fill in or “paint”
`areas of the display below the detected bottom. This
`eliminates ambiguities in the display resulting from mul-
`tiple echoes or thermoclines which sometime make
`display interpretation more difficult.
`The present invention also comprises means for se-
`lecting a predetermined portion of displayed target data
`for expanded display or “zoom”. The selectable portion
`corresponds to a variably positionable “zoom” or ex-
`pansion region, which may be positioned by the opera-
`tor at varying depths to select an area of interest for
`display expansion. Upon selecting the zoom mode, the
`display expands only the portion of target data within
`the zoom region depths, and reformats the entire dis-
`play screen to correspond to the depth range of the
`zoom region. In addition, while in the zoom mode, an
`operator can move the expanded region shallower or
`deeper.
`the addressable
`Still more particularly described,
`memory employed in the disclosed embodiment stores
`target return data for the entire operable range of the
`apparatus. For example, in one disclosed embodiment
`the operable range is 120 feet of depth; target data for
`every three inches of depth down to 120 feet are stored
`in memory. In this disclosed embodiment, six different
`depth scales may be selected for viewing this data (10
`feet, 20 feet, 40 feet, 60 feet, 80 feet and 120 feet). When
`a particular depth range or scale is selected, the portion
`of stored data corresponding to target data within the
`selected depth range is displayed. Accordingly, and
`although a user may be viewing data at a 20 foot depth
`scale or may be viewing an area of interest in the zoom
`mode, sonar returns for targets as deep as 120 feet are
`being stored in memory, and can be recalled from mem-
`ory and displayed in response to selection by the opera-
`tor of the 120 foot depth scale or upon leaving the zoom
`mode. Therefore, the present invention minimizes the
`likelihood of missing targets.
`
`5,184,330
`
`5
`inordinately large or bulky. Therefore to conserve
`space, an operating frequency of 455 KHz has been
`chosen for the elements to take advantage of the princi-
`ple that elements are physically smaller at higher fre-
`quencies for a given beam pattern. The industry stan-
`dard for operating frequency within the sports fishing
`market is 200 KHz.
`
`5
`
`In the preferred embodiment, the transducer means
`includes six ceramic elements. The present invention
`utilizes a carrier which allows the individual elements 10
`to be laid in at angles instead of flat. In the preferred
`embodiment of the present invention, the individual
`elements are electronically connected and micro-
`processor controlled such that two transmitter channels
`and three receiver channels are utilized to generate, 15
`transmit and receive the various sonar pulses emitted
`from the multiple elements within the transducer.
`The present multiplexed transmit and receive cycle
`mentioned above wherein two transmitters and three
`receivers are used eliminates the need for four addi- 20
`tional
`transmit circuits and three additional receive
`circuits as would be required to directly electrically
`connect and control six individual elements. By reduc-
`ing the amount of circuitry required to adequately con-
`nect the multiple elements, the size of the electronic 25
`head of the apparatus maintains its compactness so that
`it may easily fit on the dash of a boat. Such a configura-
`tion allows the depth sounder apparatus to process
`more than six times the amount of sonar data than the
`normal single element depthfinders, without having to 30
`house and maintain six times the electronics. Further-
`more, since the present invention includes the develop-
`ment of algorithms and processing techniques which
`allow the use of a single microprocessor system, addi-
`tional microprocessors with all
`the related hardware 35
`such as memory devices, address latches, etc., are not
`required even though multiple elements are generating
`sonar data for processing.
`Of particular significance in the present invention is
`the feature of total display reformatting or rescaling in 40
`response to a scale change or selection of a display
`expansion mode. Even prior displayed target data from
`prior sonar returns is updated or reformatted to relate to
`the new depth scale, thereby eliminating discontinuities
`in the display. Target data from such prior returns is 45
`recalled from memory and rescaled, and the entire
`screen is changed to correspond to the new depth scale.
`A variably positionable zoom or expansion region is
`provided which allows selection of an area of interest,
`for range expansion and closer inspection. Additionally, 50
`an improved switch construction minimizes the number
`of weathertight seals and reduces the probability of
`leaks due to inclement weather.
`More particularly described, the present invention
`comprises a sonar echo ranging depth sounder appara- 55
`tus including sonar pulse generating means and trans—
`ducer means responsive to reflected sonar pulses for
`acquiring target data representative of reflected sonar
`pulses. An addressable memory stores a plurality of
`reflected target signals in a plurality of addressable 60
`locations. A control circuit, a programmed microcom-
`puter in the preferred embodiment,
`is responsive to
`store target signals from the memory for display.
`A super twist liquid crystal display (LCD) screen
`comprising a matrix of addressable picture elements 65
`(“pixels”) is responsive to retrieved target signals pro-
`vided by the control circuit to display the retrieved
`target signals at locations on the display which corre-
`
`

`

`ùúûüýþþ
`  ý ý
`
`RAY-1006
`
`Page 17 of 21
`
`8
`multiple elements of the transducer to accurately iden-
`tify the size of a fish, regardless of where the fish is
`located within the area of coverage. Precise aiming of
`the various beams produced by the individual elements
`so that the paths of the beams overlap allows accurate
`fish placement within the area of coverage by using the
`ratio of sonar target strength present in two adjacent
`and overlapping beams. The overlapping beams config-
`uration also assures that there exists no dead spots in the
`desired area of coverage. .
`'
`FIG. 2 illustrates the various components of the sonar
`depth sounder system of the present invention. The
`electronic head unit 10 of the system is mountable on
`the dash of the boats by means of a gimbal bracket and
`includes the microprocessor and display screen for the
`system. As indicated by FIG. 2, power is supplied to the
`electronic head unit 10 via electric cable 12. The power
`supply cable 12 has a positive lead 14 and negative lead
`16 designed to be used with a standard 12 volt DC
`electrical system (not shown). The sonar depth sounder
`of the present invention uses a transducer 18 which, due
`to its multi—element configuration, allows for the unique
`three dimensional viewing feature provided by the pres-
`ent invention. The sonar signals sent through the trans-
`ducer 18 is carried to the electronic head unit 10 via
`cable 20 with the sonar signal being constantly updated
`at a rate of up to 4 times per second to give an accurate
`view of the bottom surface of the body of water as well
`as objects located beneath the surface of the water. The
`specifics of the transducer will be discussed in greater
`detail below. Additional external devices connectable
`to the electronic head unit 10 for use in the sonar system
`of the present invention include a trolling speed indica-
`tor 22 for providing accurate speed readings of all lev-
`els, as well as distance back in the display screens, as
`well as a temperature probe 24 for providing surface
`water temperature readings, both of which may be
`displayed on the screen.
`The sonar transmitter/receiver circuitry of the pres-
`ent invention consists of two transmit circuits, three
`receive circuits and a transducer with six ceramic ele—
`ments. By multiplexing these circuits, acoustic beam
`interaction can be minimized and four transmitters and
`three receivers can be eliminated.
`FIG. 3 illustrates the particular transmit and receive
`circuitry used in the preferred embodiment of the pres-
`ent invention to connect the six individual elements 26,
`28, 30, 32, 34, 36 within transducer 18 to the micro-
`processor 38 within electric head unit 10.
`The six ceramic elements of the preferred embodi-
`ment are divided into two groups. Elements 26, 30 and
`34 are included in the A signal/transmission group and
`are connected to Transmitter A, item 40 in FIG. 3,
`through transmit/receive switches 42, 44 and 46 respec-
`tively. Elements 28, 32 and 36 are included in the B
`signal/transmission group and are connected to Trans-
`mitter B, item 48 in FIG. 3, through transmit/receive
`switches 50, 52 and 54 respectively.
`The Group A elements 26, 30 and 34 are simulta-
`neously energized by Transmitter A 40 while the ele-
`ments of Group B are simultaneously energized by
`Transmitter B 48. The groups of elements, A and B, are
`energized one group at a time for a period of approxi-
`mately 10—100 microseconds. There is an inter-transmit
`cycle of approximately 50 milliseconds in the preferred
`embodiment of the present invention.
`In addition to the two transmit channels above, the
`preferred embodiment of the present invention includes
`
`7
`
`5,184,330
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a side view and back view of the
`area of coverage of the sonar signals of the preferred
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 illustrates the individual hardware compo-
`nents of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a blocked electrical schematic of the sonar
`portion of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 illustrates the ground connection of the indi-
`vidual elements within the transducer of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 5 illustrates the electrical connection of the
`individual elements within the transducer of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 6 is an expanded structural view of the trans-
`ducer of the present invention;
`FIG. 7 illustrates the control panel of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 8 illustrates the on-screen display of the present
`invention;
`' FIG. 9 depicts an actual on-screen display of the
`present invention in operation;
`FIG. 10 illustrates the three-quarter view of the pres-
`ent inventibn;
`FIG. 11 illustrates the straight-on view of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 12 illustrates the side view of the present inven—
`tron;
`FIG. 13 illustrates a reverse angle view of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 14 illustrates the portion normally blocked by
`the reverse angle view of FIG. 13;
`FIG. 15 illustrates the fish location capability of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 16 depicts the menu of the select system of the
`present invention to adjust the sensitivity;
`FIG. 17 depicts the menu of the select system of the
`present invention to adjust the depth range;
`FIG. 18 depicts the menu of the select system of the
`present invention to adjust the bottom alarm;
`FIG. 19 depicts the menu of the select system of the
`present invention to adjust the fish alarm;
`FIG. 20 depicts the menu of the select system of the
`present invention to adjust the bottom hardness;
`FIG. 2] depicts the menu of the select system of the
`present invention to adjust the display speed;
`FIG. 22 illustrates the data log format of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 23 illustrates the custom program format of the
`present invention;
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`The preferred embodiment of the present invention is
`now described with reference to the figures wherein
`like numerals represent like components throughout.
`The overall area of coverage of the sonar depth
`sounder of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1.
`The depth sounder uses