Active echo fishing lure

An underwater imaging system is disclosed. A boat sonar transducer is configured to transmit and receive sonar signals and generate an image of water and surfaces using received sonar signals. An active echo system is configured to be positioned within the water to remotely communicate with the boat sonar transducer. The active echo system includes an ultrasound transducer configured to detect sonar signals transmitted by the boat sonar transducer and transmit an active echo pulse, or a series of active echo pulses, back to the boat sonar transducer. A microprocessor is configured to drive the ultrasound transducer to transmit the active echo pulse, or series of active echo pulses, back to the boat sonar transducer in response to the ultrasound transducer detecting sonar signals transmitted by the boat sonar transducer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to aquatic fauna detection and, more particularly, to sonar systems used in fishing applications.

BACKGROUND

Consumer boat sonar systems are used to capture under-water ultrasound images depicting fish, schools of fish, underwater structure, and the depth of the water, among other things. The underwater ultrasound images are reconstructed based on the signal time-of-flight and phase of echo signals from an ultrasound transducer, typically attached to the bottom of the boat. The boat sonar systems typically operate in a frequency range between 100 kHz to 400 kHz, and are capable of providing underwater ultrasound images with a refresh rate of a few Hertz. However, these systems do not display lures or other fishing equipment.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a sonar tracking system that provides tracking of the lure in addition to display of aquatic fauna, underwater structure, water depth and other information.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an active echo system for a fishing lure or tracking of a fishing lure. Specifically, the present invention is capable of using the active echo system to interface with a boat sonar system and display the fishing lure on an under-water ultrasound images produced by the boat sonar system.

In one aspect, the present invention provides an underwater imaging system including a boat sonar transducer configured to be attached to an underside of a boat to transmit and receive sonar signals and generate an image of water and surfaces under the boat using received sonar signals. The underwater imaging system further includes an active echo system configured to be positioned within the water under the boat at a distance from the boat to remotely communicate with the boat sonar transducer. The active echo system includes an ultrasound transducer configured to detect sonar signals transmitted by the boat sonar transducer and transmit an active echo pulse, or a series of active echo pulses, back to the boat sonar transducer, and a microprocessor configured to drive the ultrasound transducer to transmit the active echo pulse, or series of active echo pulses, back to the boat sonar transducer in response to the ultrasound transducer detecting sonar signals transmitted by the boat sonar transducer.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a fishing lure including an active echo system for interfacing with a boat sonar system. The active echo system includes an ultrasound transducer configured to detect a signal from the boat sonar system and subsequently transmit an active echo pulse, or a series of active echo pulses, back to the boat sonar system. The active echo system further includes a signal amplifier configured to amplify the signal detected by the ultrasound transducer, an analog-to-digital converter configured to digitize the signal from the signal amplifier, and a microprocessor configured to receive the digitized signal from the analog-to-digital converter and control a pulser circuit. The pulser circuit drives the ultrasound transducer to transmit the active echo pulse, or the series of active echo pulses, back to the boat sonar system.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a fishing lure including an active echo system integrated into to the fishing lure for interfacing with a boat sonar system. The active echo system includes an ultrasound transducer configured to detect a signal from the boat sonar system and subsequently transmit an active echo pulse, or a series of active echo pulses, back to the boat sonar system. The active echo system further includes a signal amplifier configured to amplify the signal detected by the ultrasound transducer and trigger an analog trigger circuit, and a microprocessor configured to receive the signal from the analog trigger circuit and control a pulser circuit. The pulser circuit drives the ultrasound transducer to transmit the active echo pulse, or the series of active echo pulses, back to the boat sonar system.

In yet an additional aspect, the present invention provides an active echo system comprising an ultrasound transducer configured to detect an ultrasound signal and subsequently transmit an ultrasound energy pulse, or a series of ultrasound energy pulses. The active echo system further includes a signal amplifier configured to amplify the ultrasound signal, an analog-to-digital converter configured to digitize the ultrasound energy signal from the signal amplifier, and a microprocessor configured to receive the ultrasound signal from the analog-to-digital converter and control a pulser circuit. The pulser circuit drives the ultrasound transducer to transmit the ultrasound energy pulse, or the series of ultrasound energy pulses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Currently, fishing lures cannot be seen, on the ultrasound images provided by boat sonar systems due to their small size. Furthermore, passive reflectors cannot be effectively used because the reflectors would change the appearance and motion of the fishing lure. These effects are highly undesirable since they make the lure “unnatural” and will repel, rather than attract, a fish.

Due to the current limitations of fishing lures, it would be desirable to have a system that enables a fishing lure to appear on the ultrasound images provided by boat sonar systems. This would display the position of the fishing lure relative to the fish and/or various other underwater features. As will be described, an active echo system may be integrated with a fishing lure or other part of the general fishing environment. For example, the active echo system may also be mounted or attached to a fishing line or the weight associated with the fishing line, such as might be secured 15-30 cm above the fishing lure. Thus, the following non-limiting examples describe an active echo system integrated with the fishing lure. However, the active echo system may likewise be mounted, positioned, or integrated in other locations and achieve the described functionality.

FIG. 1shows an underwater imaging system10including a boat sonar system14and an active echo system18. The boat sonar system14includes a boat sonar transducer22configured to transmit and receive sonar signals, an imaging module26configured to process the sonar signals received by the boat sonar transducer22and display ultrasound images on a display30. The boat sonar system14may be a stock off-the-shelf system, or a custom sonar system configured to interact with the active echo system18. In another embodiment, the imaging module26and/or the display30may be constructed using a hand held device.

The active echo system18includes an ultrasound transducer34configured to detect sonar signals and transmit an active echo pulse, or a series of active echo pulses, and a microprocessor38configured to drive the ultrasound transducer34to transmit the active echo pulse, or the series of active echo pulses.

Operation of the imaging system10will be described with reference toFIG. 1andFIG. 2. The boat sonar transducer22is typically attached to the underside of a boat42and transmits sonar signals into water46. The boat sonar transducer22receives echo sonar signals which are then processed by the imaging module26. The display30then displays underwater ultrasound images illustrating the water46and surfaces under the boat42in the water46.

The active echo system18is configured to be placed within the water46under the boat42at a distance from the boat42. The sonar signals transmitted from the boat sonar transducer22are detected by the ultrasound transducer34. Upon detection of the sonar signals from the boat sonar transducer22, the microprocessor38drives the ultrasound transducer34to transmit the active echo pulse, or the series of active echo pulses, back to the boat sonar transducer22. The boat sonar transducer22then receives the active echo pulse, or the series of active echo pulses, and the imaging module26identifies the active echo pulses, or the series of active echo pulses, within the echo sonar signals. The imaging module26then processes the relative distance from the boat42and position of the active echo system18. The display30then displays underwater ultrasound images illustrating the position of the active echo system18relative to the boat42and relative to the surfaces under the boat42in the water46.

FIG. 3shows a fishing lure50including an active echo system54integrated into the fishing lure or other fish-attracting device50. The active echo system54includes an ultrasound transducer58, a signal amplifier62, a analog-to-digital converter (ADC)66, a microprocessor70, and a pulser circuit74. In other configurations, the ultrasound transducer58may include a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements each configured to operate in the same or different frequency ranges.

FIG. 4shows the fishing lure50within the water46including the attached active echo system54interfacing with the boat sonar system14attached to the boat42. In other embodiments, the boat sonar system14may interface with a plurality of fishing lures each including the active echo system14.

In operation, the ultrasound transducer58of the active echo system54detects a signal, consisting of ultrasound pulses, sent from the boat sonar transducer22of the boat sonar system14. Upon detection of the signal from the boat sonar transducer22, the signal is amplified and digitized using the signal amplifier62and the ADC66. The signal is then received by the microprocessor70where it is processed. The microprocessor70controls the pulser circuit74, which then drives the ultrasound transducer58to transmit ultrasound energy in the form of an active echo pulse, or a series of active echo pulses, back to the boat sonar transducer22of the boat sonar system14. In other configurations, the signal from the signal amplifier62may directly trigger an analog trigger circuit and bypass the ADC66.

In some configurations, a time delay between the ultrasound transducer58detecting the signal from the boat sonar system14and transmitting the active echo pulse(s) may be very small, or negligible, causing the active echo pulse(s) to be superimposed with a passive reflection pulse. As a result, the boat sonar system14may detect a greatly enhanced active echo signal and display the fishing lure50as a bright spot on the display30. The time delay between detection and transmission may be configured to a predetermined value. In other configurations, the fishing lure50may be illustrated on the display30as a pre-programmed virtual pattern that may vary in time and space for easy identification of one or more fishing lures.

FIG. 5shows the fishing lure50including the active echo system54, a power source78integrated into the fishing lure, and a plurality of sensors82in communication with the active echo system54. The power source78can be configured to supply power to the active echo system54and/or the sensors82. The power source78may be a battery configured to charge wirelessly using solar energy, an induction charger, or any other wireless charging method known in the art. The sensors82can be configured to communicate pressure, temperature, depth, optical, electromagnetic, and/or audito data to the active echo system54.

In operation, the active echo system54can be configured to transmit data from the sensors82with the active echo pulse, or series of active echo pulses, back to the boat sonar system14. The boat sonar system14can then combine data from the sensors82with the active echo information to determine a location of the fishing lure50. For example, the boat sonar system14could use data from a pressure sensor to determine depth and combine that information with data from the active echo pulse, or series of active echo pulses, to determine an exact location of the fishing lure50.

FIG. 6shows the fishing lure50including the active echo system54, the plurality of sensors82, and an electrical conducting fishing line86supplying power to the active echo system54and/or the sensors82. The electrical conducting fishing line86can be constructed by integrating an electrical conductor into a standard polymeric fishing line. In addition to providing power to the active echo system54, the electrical conducting fishing line86can also be used to transmit active echo data and/or data from the sensors82back to the boat sonar system14.

FIG. 7shows the fishing lure50including the active echo system54, the power source78, and a motor system90integrated into the fishing lure50. The motor system90is configured to receive power from the power source78and is coupled to a steering member94that can be used to direct the fishing lure50to a specific location. In other embodiments, the fishing lure50may include one or more motor systems90each including a steering member94and integrated into the fishing lure50at a different location within the fishing lure50.

In operation, the display30of the boat sonar system14can illustrate the position of the fishing lure50relative to the boat42. Based on this information, a user of the fishing lure50can use a remote control (not shown) to communicate to the active echo system54to supply power, by means of the power source78, to the motor system90. Upon receiving power from the power source78, the motor system90can actuate the steering member94and direct the fishing lure50towards a location underwater determined by the user. The communication between the remote control and the active echo system54can occur over a secondary ultrasonic channel different from a primary channel used for the active echo pulse, or series of active echo pulses. In another embodiment, the directional control of the fishing lure50using the motor system90and the steering member94may be controlled autonomously using the boat sonar system14. In this embodiment, the boat sonar transducer22can be configured to communicate with the active echo system54using the secondary ultrasonic channel and direct the fishing lure50towards predetermined underwater features detected by the boat sonar system14.

FIG. 8shows the fishing lure50hooking a fish98with a hook102. Upon hooking the fish98, the active echo system54can use the ultrasound transducer58to send a series of high frequency active echo pulses, throughout an internal cavity106of the fish98. A time between the ultrasonic transducer58detecting a first high frequency echo and a second high frequency echo can be used to correlate to a size of the fish98. In the illustrated embodiment, the boat sonar system14can be configured to receive data containing the size of the fish98from the active echo system54. In this embodiment, the user, upon determining if the fish98is of a legal size, can use the boat sonar system14to instruct the active echo system54to eject the hook102from the fishing lure50, as shown inFIG. 9AandFIG. 9B.

FIG. 9Ashows the fishing lure50including the active echo system54, the power source78, and a hook ejection system110integrated into the fishing lure50and coupled to the hook102. The hook ejection system110includes a solenoid actuator114in communication with the active echo system54and coupled to an actuating member118. The actuating member118is attached to the fishing lure50using a first spring122. The hook102is arranged within a channel126of the fishing lure50and is abutted against a second spring130within the fishing lure50. The hook includes a notch136that engages the actuating member118.

In operation, the solenoid actuator114is by default in a first position, shown inFIG. 9A, where the actuating member118engages the notch136in the hook102thereby securing the hook102within the channel126of the fishing lure50. Upon receiving instructions to eject the hook102from the boat sonar system14, the active eco system54can instruct the solenoid actuator114to move to a second position, shown inFIG. 9B. When the solenoid actuator144is moving toward the second position, the actuating member118disengages the notch136in the hook102thereby ejecting the hook102from the channel126of the fishing lure50. The instructions between the boat sonar system14and the active echo system54pertaining to the hook ejection system110may be communicated over the secondary ultrasonic channel, described above.

FIG. 10shows a plurality of active echo systems18within the water46interfacing with the boat sonar system14attached to the boat42as the boat42travels from a first location (A) to a second location (B). By moving the boat sonar system14over the plurality of active echo systems18, the boat sonar14can use each active echo system18as a reference point, allowing better localization of the sonar data. This can enable the boat sonar system14to utilize synthetic aperture imaging and produce underwater ultrasound images with enhanced resolution.

FIG. 11shows a plurality of floating ultrasonic transducers140interfacing with the fishing lure50including the active echo system54. The plurality of floating ultrasonic transducers140are in wireless communication with a central display144. The central display144may be constructed to be a hand held device. These floating ultrasonic transducers can be integrated in a robotically controlled floating object, similar to Sphero, by goshero.com. In a typical operation, plastic fins can be added to these robotic objects to facilitate its motion in water. The same tablet device can control more than one robotic unit, and can program different trajectories from simple line path to any sophisticated shape.

In operation, a position of each floating ultrasonic transducer140can be localized in 2-D space using GPS, camera triangularization, or any other known localization method known in the art. The plurality of floating ultrasonic transducers140, when considered together, can then be used to localize the active echo system54and wirelessly communicate the location of the active echo system54to the central display144using Bluetooth®, WiFi, or any other wireless communication technique known in the art. Upon receiving the location of the active echo system54, the central display144can display the location of the fishing lure50relative to the plurality of floating ultrasonic transducers140, other surfaces in the water46.

A computing device can be programmed to execute the steps of the method of the present invention. A computing device for use with the present invention can be loaded with a non-transitory computer readable medium configured to execute activities associated with the present invention. The computing device can be incorporated into the sonar system. Alternately, the computing device can be networked to a server or other computing device configured to execute activities associated with the system. The computing device can also be networked to the sonar either wired or wirelessly in order to obtain the information from the sonar for processing. The information from the sonar can also be input into the computing device manually or using magnetic, optical, or other computer readable medium.

As used herein, a non-transitory computer readable medium can be any article of manufacture that contains data that can be read by a computer. Such computer readable media includes but is not limited to magnetic media, such as a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, reel-to-reel tape, cartridge tape, cassette tape or cards; optical media such as CD-ROM and writeable compact disc; magneto-optical media in disc, tape or card form; and paper media, such as punched cards and paper tape. The computer readable medium contains code such that the method described herein can be executed.

Thus, while the invention has been described above in connection with particular embodiments and examples, the invention is not necessarily so limited, and that numerous other embodiments, examples, uses, modifications and departures from the embodiments, examples and uses are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. The entire disclosure of each patent and publication cited herein is incorporated by reference, as if each such patent or publication were individually incorporated by reference herein.