Abstract:
A fishing reel with an integrated barometer sensor, a temperature sensor, and a weight sensor forming a sensorized fishing reel to enhance the fishing experience of an angler is disclosed. The sensorized fishing reel includes; an exterior housing supporting a display and enclosing the barometer sensor, the temperature sensor, the weight sensor as well as a controller. The controller selectively interacts with each sensor to obtain sensory readings provided by each sensor, and delivers the obtained sensory readings to the angler via the display.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/614,695 entitled REEL MECHANISM WITH LINE TENSION/FISH WEIGHT INDICATOR filed Jul. 7, 2003 now abandoned which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/843,525 entitled REEL MECHANISM WITH LINE TENSION/FISH WEIGHT INDICATOR filed Apr. 27, 2001 which issued into U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,222 on Jul. 8, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to a fishing reel. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to a fishing reel, which incorporates at least an apparatus for sensing barometric pressure, temperature, weight of an object, and a display device to selectively present a measurement indicative of: barometric pressure; or temperature of, for example, a body of water; or weight of, for example, of a landed fish. 
   2. Background 
   Fishing reels for sport fishing are known in the art and are available in a variety of styles such as bait casting reels, spin casting reels, spinning reels, fly fishing reels, etc. Such reels are available with a wide variety of features which enhance the fishing experience. For example, most reels provide an adjustable drag mechanism whereby an angler may set a force level so that the reel will resist forces below the drag force but will allow fishing line to payout when forces exceeding the drag force are encountered. Thus reducing the likelihood that a large fish will break the fishing line or damage the reel. 
   Generally speaking, it would be desirable for a fisherman to determine specific environmental conditions, and of potentially greater importance, changes in environmental conditions over time or location, which may affect the fishing strategy employed by the fisherman, and to determine the weight of a landed fish without having to carry additional sensory devices. 
   For example, it is not necessarily known why fish feed more during times of changing barometric pressure. However, experienced fishermen have reported that more fish were caught when the barometric pressure was relatively steady (but typically not above 30.40 inches or so), rising steadily, or fluctuating rapidly (such as when rain storms come and go). Reportedly, when a weather front is approaching (falling barometer), fish are not as likely to bite. The same thing is true when a weather front is clearing, but not as drastic. But immediately following the passing of the front, as the barometer rises, the fish feed very aggressively and will continue to feed until the barometer begins to fall. 
   Standalone measurement devices such as fish scales, hand held barometers, and temperature measure devices are known in the art. However, market pressures continue to push for competitive products that enhance the fishing experience of anglers in a more efficient and ergonomically convenient manner. Minimizing the number of auxiliary devices carried by an angler, and minimizing the encroachment into the angler&#39;s fishing time needed for operating those auxiliary devices is likely to enhance the angler&#39;s fishing experience. As such, challenges remain and a need persists for improvements in devices and methods for collecting and displaying data pertinent to anglers for promoting successful fishing experiences, to which the present invention is directed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention preferable provides a sensorized fishing reel including, an exterior housing supporting a display and enclosing an electronic scale as well as a controller. The electronic scale communicates with the controller to determining a weight of a fish, and the controller communicates with the display to reveal the determined weight of said fish. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the sensorized fishing reel further includes a barometric pressure measuring circuit and a temperature measurement circuit each enclosed by the exterior housing and each communicating with the controller. The barometric pressure measuring circuit acquires barometric pressure readings at a predetermined acquisition rate, the temperature measurement circuit acquires temperature readings at a directed rate, and the controller determines respective barometric pressure values and temperature values for presentation to an angler on the display. 
   Acquisition of the temperature readings is provided by an attachable thermal-couple that includes at least: a thermal-couple input jack at a proximal end; and a thermal probe at a distal end. The thermal-couple input jack engages a thermal-couple input receptacle supported by the exterior housing and electrically linked to the temperature measurement circuit, and the thermal probe: senses a temperature of an environment; generates a signal indicative of the temperature of that environment; and provides the signal to the temperature measurement circuit. 
   In another preferred embodiment, a thermal-couple input jack of a thermal-couple is inserted into a thermal-couple receptacle provided by a sensorized fishing reel; a thermal probe portion of the thermal-couple is inserted into a fluid; a signal indicative of a temperature of the fluid is generated by the thermal probe portion; the signal is converted into a temperature value by a controller confined within an exterior housing of the sensorized fishing reel and communicates with the thermal-couple receptacle; and the generated temperature value is stored by the controller in a memory portion of the controller. 
   These and various other features and advantages, which characterize the present invention, will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  provides a partial cutaway back side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present inventive fishing reel. 
       FIG. 2  provides a partial cutaway back side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the inventive fishing reel of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  provides a partial cutaway back side elevational view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the inventive fishing reel of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  provides an elevational view of a thermal-couple attachment of the inventive fishing reel of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  provides a partial cutaway back side elevational view of an additional alternate preferred embodiment of the inventive fishing reel of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  provides a partial cutaway front side elevational view of the inventive fishing reel of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  provides a functional block diagram of a preferred circuit for use with the inventive fishing reel of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  provides a partial cutaway front side elevational view of the inventive fishing reel of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 9  provides a partial cutaway front side elevational view of the inventive fishing reel of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 10  provides a flow chart of a method of using the inventive fishing reel of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is important to understand that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction illustrated and the steps described herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Additionally, the term “sensorized fishing reel” as used herein below shall mean: a fishing reel, preferably for sport fishing, which includes integrated sensory devices and supporting electronics for collecting and displaying data pertinent to anglers, such as barometric pressure, water temperature, and weight of a fish. While the term “landed fish,” as used herein below shall have the meaning of: a fish extracted from a body of water and under complete control of an angler. 
   Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views, a preferred embodiment of the inventive sensorized fishing reel  100  with a mechanism to measure a weight of a fish is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 1  shows the sensorized fishing reel  100  which includes: an exterior housing  102 ; a crank handle  104  located adjacent the exterior housing  102  for rewinding fishing line; a weight suspension portion, such as a coil spring mechanism  106 , of a force transfer mechanism adjacent the crank handle  104 . In a preferred embodiment, the coil spring mechanism  106  provides a retractable weigh line  108  supporting a weigh hook  110  for weighing landed fish. During a weighing process of a landed fish, compensation for an amount of force needed to uncoil and suspend the retractable weigh line  108  with the weigh hook  110  from the sensorized fishing reel  100  is made by a fish weighing portion of a control program executed by a controller (shown in  FIG. 7 ), which is enclosed within the exterior housing  102 . 
   The sensorized fishing reel  100  shown by  FIG. 1  further includes a thermal-couple input receptacle  112  supported by the exterior housing  102 , the thermal-couple input receptacle  112  cooperates with a thermal-couple (shown by  FIG. 5 ) to provide a temperature measurement circuit (shown in  FIG. 7 ), a signal indicative of a temperature of a fluid of interest, such as the temperature of a portion of a lake; and a thermal-couple input receptacle cover  114  supported by the exterior housing  102 , and hinged adjacent the thermal-couple input receptacle  112 . The thermal-couple input receptacle cover  114  seals the thermal-couple input receptacle  112  from exposure to the elements, when the thermal-couple input receptacle  112  is in nonuse. 
     FIG. 2  shows that a preferred embodiment of the sensorized fishing reel  100  further includes an electronic scale  116 . The electronic scale  116  includes a force transfer mechanism  118  that interacts with a force sensor  120 . Preferably, the force transfer mechanism  118  includes a coupling  122 , which interacts with the weight suspension portion (such as the coil spring mechanism  106  of  FIG. 1 ), to transfer the force encountered in a first direction (shown by a force vector  124 ) by a suspended landed fish, into an induced force applied in a second direction (shown by a force vector  125 ) and applied to the force sensor  120 .  FIG. 2  further reveals a barometric pressure measurement circuit  126  (to be disclosed in greater detail during the discussion of  FIG. 7 ) secured within the exterior housing  102 . 
     FIG. 3  illustrates an alternate preferred embodiment of the sensorized fishing reel  100 . In the illustrated alternate preferred embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the weight suspension portion of the force transfer mechanism  118  takes the form of a detachable ridged post  128 , which supports the weigh hook  110 . Empirical data has shown that the use of the ridged post  128  and the weigh hook  110  combination improves the repeatability of a measured weight when compared to the repeatability of a measured weight obtained through use of another alternate embodiment shown by  FIG. 4 , as discussed in greater detail below. 
     FIG. 4  depicts another alternate preferred embodiment of the sensorized fishing reel  100 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the weight suspension portion of the force transfer mechanism  118  takes the form of a cleat  130 . Rather than an angler having to suspend a landed fish from the weigh hook  110 , of either the embodiment of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 3 , the angler merely wraps the fishing line  132  around the cleat  130 , which suspends the fish from the cleat  130  by the fishing line  132 . It is noted however, that use of a loop of the fishing line  132  around the cleat  130  allows the angler to adjust the angle at which the weight of the fish addresses the force transfer mechanism  118 , which could result in an inaccurate weight measurement. Use of the ridged post  128 , of  FIG. 3 , prevent this change in angle, thereby improving the repeatability of the measured weight of the fish. 
   Preferably, the force sensor  120  of  FIG. 2 , incorporates a component such as a force sense resister, which provides a change in resistance in response to a compressive load; or a piezoelectric load cell, which upon sensing a compressive load, provides a voltage output. The response output of the force sensor  120  is initially used to commence the landed fish weighing process, which will be covered in greater detail during the discussion of  FIG. 7 . 
     FIG. 5  shows a thermal-couple  134  that included at least a thermal-couple input jack  136  at a proximal end of a conductor  138 , and a thermal probe  140  at a distal end of the conductor  138 . The thermal-couple input jack  136  communicates with the thermal-couple input receptacle  112  of  FIG. 1 , while the thermal probe  140  communicates with a fluid, preferably a body of water of interest to an angler, during a fluid temperature measurement process. In a preferred embodiment, the conductor  138  of the thermal-couple  134  is sized to accommodate an anglers desire to acquire temperature readings at various depths of the body of water of interest. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7  are best viewed in combination. Turning first to  FIG. 6 , the sensorized fishing reel  100  shown by  FIG. 6  further includes: a display  142 , for use in visually reporting information pertinent to an angler that may include the weight of a landed fish, barometric pressure readings, or water temperature readings; a display activation switch  144 , for use in activating and selecting a data type to be revealed by the display  142 ; a barometer switch  146 , for use in activating the barometric pressure measurement circuit  126  of  FIG. 2 ; and a temperature switch  148 , for use in activating a temperature measurement circuit  150  of  FIG. 7 . 
   Referring next to  FIG. 7 . The sensorized fishing reel  100  shows the barometric pressure measurement circuit  126 , the temperature measurement circuit  150 , and the electronic scale  116  each communicating with a controller  154 . The controller  154 , includes a memory portion (MEM)  156  and a clock portion  158 .  FIG. 7  further shows that the controller  154  communicates with a display driver  160 , which translates acquired information stored in the MEM  156 , and supplies the translation to the display  142 . Regarding the barometric pressure measurement circuit  126 , a surface mount capacitive silicon absolute pressure sensor, such as the KP120 by Infineon Technologies, AG of Munich, Germany has been found useful as the barometric pressure measurement circuit  126 . 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , during operation of the sensorized fishing reel  100 , an angler may optionally depress the barometer switch  146  to commence barometric pressure readings. Having depressed the barometer switch  146 , the controller  154  signals the barometric pressure measurement circuit  126  to acquire an initial barometric pressure reading. The barometric pressure measurement circuit  126  acquires a current reading of the barometric pressure, and reports the current reading to the controller  154 . In a preferred embodiment, the controller  154  stores the current reading of the barometric pressure in the MEM  156  and executes a barometric pressure acquisition routine (not shown separately). 
   Referencing the clock portion  158 , the barometric pressure acquisition routine will cause the controller  154  to activate the barometric pressure measurement circuit  126  to acquire an additional barometric pressure reading following a predetermined period of time. That is, a predetermined period of time from the acquisition of the first barometric pressure reading. For example, 15 minutes may be the predetermined period of time. In other words, at each subsequent 15 minute time interval, an additional barometric pressure reading will be made and stored in the MEM  156 . Preferably, at anytime following the acquisition of at least two barometric pressure readings, the angler may selectively view either the most recently acquired barometric pressure value reading, or a graphical representation of all of the then acquired barometric pressure readings (as shown by  FIG. 8 ). For example, by depressing the display activation switch  144 , a predetermined number of times, the angler may view either the current reading or the graphical representation. In a preferred embodiment, the MEM  156  will store a predetermined number of the most recently acquired barometric pressure readings, for example, the last 20 readings. 
   Alternatively, after plugging in the thermal-couple input jack  136  of the thermal-couple  134  (each of  FIG. 5 ) into the thermal-couple input receptacle  112  (of  FIG. 1 ) of the sensorized fishing reel  100  the angler may optionally depress the temperature switch  148  to commence temperature readings, preferably of a body of water of interest to the angler. Following depression of the temperature switch  148  by the angler, the controller  154  waits for a signal generated by the thermal probe  140 . Upon detection of the signal, the controller  154  translates the signal into a temperature value, and stores the determined temperature in the MEM  156 . 
   Preferably, at anytime following the acquisition of at least two temperature values, the angler may view either the most recently acquired temperature value, or a graphical representation of all temperature values acquired to that point (as shown by  FIG. 9 ). By depressing the display activation switch  144 , a predetermined number of times, the angler may view either the current reading or the graphical representation. In a preferred embodiment, the MEM  156  will store a predetermined number of the most recently acquired barometric pressure readings, for example, the last 20 readings. It is noted that, preferably, by depressing the display activation switch  144  a predetermined number of times, the display  142  will query the angler whether the angler wishes to discontinue data collection and shut down the sensory electronics of the sensorized fishing reel  100 . If the angler wishes to discontinue data collection the angler may do so by simultaneously pressing the barometer switch  146 , and the temperature switch  148 . Upon shutting down the sensory electronics of the sensorized fishing reel  100 , any data stored in the MEM  156  is erased. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 6 , and  7 , operation of the electronic scale  116  occurs as follows. Upon landing a fish, the angler suspends the fish from the weight suspension portion (i.e., either:  106  of  FIG. 1 ;  128  of  FIG. 3 ; or  130  of  FIG. 4 ) of the force transfer mechanism  118  of  FIG. 2 , and depresses the display activation switch  144  a predetermined number of times until the display  142  reveals a message such as, “WEIGH FISH.” The landed fish imparts a force on the weight suspension portion ( 106 ,  128 ,  130 ) preferably in a direction indicated by the force vector  124 . The weight suspension portion ( 106 ,  128 ,  130 ) interacts with the coupling  122 , of  FIG. 2 , of the force transfer mechanism  118 . The force transfer mechanism  118  translates the force imparted on the coupling  122  by a suspended landed fish, into an induced force applied in a second direction identified by the force vector  125  of  FIG. 2 . The force sensor  120  responds to the induced force by generating a voltage output. In a preferred embodiment, the controller  154  determines the weight of the fish based on the voltage level provided by a piezoelectric component of the force sensor  120 , i.e., the higher the voltage level—the heavier the fish. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the controller  154  determines the weight of the fish based on the amount of resistance provided by a force sense resistor component of the force sensor  120 , i.e., the higher the resistance encountered—the heavier the fish. 
   Upon determining the weight of the fish, the controller  154  transfers the data to the display driver  160 , and preferably the display driver  160  cooperates with the display  142  to provide a viewing of the weight of the fish for the angler, such as shown by  FIG. 6 . Additionally, the controller  154  further stores the fish weight data in the MEM  156 . In a preferred embodiment, fish weight data is stored in a fish history file of the MEM  156 . The fish history file tracks the number of fish weighed, the largest fish weighed, the smallest fish weighed, and the average of all fish weighed. Upon removal of the fish from the weight suspension portion ( 106 ,  128 ,  130 ), the force sensor discontinues generation of the voltage output, and the controller  154  halts execution of the fish weigh portion of the control program, and turns the display  142  off. 
   Preferably, once at least one fish has been individually weighed, the angler may view the contents of the fish history file by depressing the display activation switch  144  a predetermined number of times until the display  142  reveals a message such as, “FISH WEIGHT DATA.” The angler then simultaneously depresses both the barometer switch  146 , and the temperature switch  148 , which causes the controller  154  to retrieve the data contents of the fish history file, and provide the data to the display  142  for viewing by the angler. 
     FIG. 8  depicts a proportional graphical representation  162  of barometric pressure readings of a preferred embodiment, provided by the display  142 . The data displayed are generated from a plurality of barometric pressure readings, collected over time at a predetermined rate. Preferably, the representation is a proportional graphical representation of the barometric pressure readings, rather than an actual representation of the barometric pressure readings, because knowledge of a change in barometric pressure and the direction of the change in barometric pressure are data of greater use to an angler than is the actual barometric pressure. 
     FIG. 9  illustrates a proportional graphical representation  164  of water temperature readings of a preferred embodiment, provided by the display  142 . The data displayed are generated from a plurality of water temperature readings, collected over time, typically at a random rate. Preferably, the representation is a proportional graphical representation of the water temperature readings, rather than an actual representation of the water temperature readings, because knowledge of a change in the temperature of the water and the direction of the change in water temperature are of at least equal use to an angler as the actual water temperature. For example, the profile of the graphical representation  164  of water temperature readings may aid the angler in identifying location of springs in spring fed lakes, or at what depth fish are likely to be present. 
     FIG. 10  depicts a process  200  for using a sensorized fishing reel, such as  100 , commences at start process step  202  and proceeds to presses step  204 . At process step  204  an angler inserts a thermal-couple jack, such as  136 , of a thermal-couple, such as  134 , into a thermal-couple receptacle, such as  112 , of the sensorized fishing reel. At process step  206 , a thermal probe, such as  140 , of a thermal-couple is inserted into a body of water of interest to the angler to sense the temperature of the water. The thermal-couple responds to the temperature of the water by sending a signal indicative of the temperature of the water to a controller, such as  154 , for processing. The controller: processes the signal by determining a temperature value based on the signal; stores the temperature value in a temperature value table of a memory portion, such as  156 , of the controller; and provides the temperature value to a display, such as  142 , for viewing by the angler. 
   At process step  208 , the angler depresses a barometer switch, such as  146 , to initiate activation of a barometric pressure measurement circuit, such as  126 , by the controller. At process step  210 , the barometric pressure measurement circuit samples the then current barometric pressure and provides a barometric pressure measurement reading to the controller. The controller: processes the barometric pressure measurement reading by determining a barometric pressure value based on said reading; stores the barometric pressure value in a barometric pressure value table of the memory portion of the controller; and provides the barometric pressure value to the display for viewing by the angler. 
   Preferably, at process step  212 , upon landing a fish, the angler depresses a display activation switch, such as  144 , a predetermined number of times until the display reveals a message such as, “WEIGH FISH,” and suspends the fish from a weight suspension portion (i.e., either:  106 ;  128 ; or  130 ) of a force transfer mechanism, such as  118 . At process step  214 , the force transfer mechanism translates the force imparted on the force transfer mechanism by a suspended landed fish, into an induced force applied to a force sensor, such as  120 . In a preferred embodiment, the force sensor responds to the induced force by generating a voltage output using a piezoelectric component. The controller determines the weight of the fish based on the voltage level provided by the force sensor. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the force sensor responds to the induced force by generating a change in resistance using a force sense resistor component. The controller determines the weight of the fish based on the change in resistance level provided by the force sensor. 
   Upon determining the weight of the fish, the controller transfers the data to a display driver, such as  160 , and preferably the display driver cooperates with the display to provide a viewing of the weight of the fish for the angler. Additionally, the controller further stores the fish weight data in the memory portion of the controller. Upon removal of the fish from the weight suspension portion, the force sensor discontinues generation of the voltage output, and the controller halts execution of the fish weigh portion of the control program, and turns the display off. The process  200  concludes at end process step  216 . It is noted that following process step  214  and prior to end process step  216 , the angler may elect to have the sensorized fishing reel show a representation of the temperature value on the display supported by an exterior housing, such as  102 , and communicating with the controller; or else elect to have the sensorized fishing reel show a representation of the weight value of the fish on the display; or else elect to have the sensorized fishing reel show a representation of the barometric pressure value on the display. 
   Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, an ability to capture and store species specific best time to fish data relative to a lunar calendar, solar calendar, or both would be a modification, or change of the type apparent to one skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment of the inventive device is described hereinabove and depicted in the accompanying figures as incorporated in a spin cast reel, the invention is not so limited. The inventive device is equally suitable for use in bait cast fishing reels and spinning reels, as well as any other type of reel.