Abstract:
Apparatus is provided for adapting an analog depth sounder for the calling out of the depth at regular time intervals. In one embodiment, a self-contained adapter module is mounted to the face of the depth sounder so as to cover the depth sounder display, with the module including a transparent plate carrying a detector array and with electronics and speaker carried at the center of the array. In this embodiment, the detectors are arranged in thin radially extending lines to permit accommodation to displays of different diameter. Alternatively, small detectors are arranged along a circle having a diameter which overlies at least a portion of the orbiting radiating element which radiates along a considerable length. This alternative array configuration also accommodates a range of display diameters. As a further alternative, to accommodate different diameter displays, the thin line detectors may be replaced with radially extending light pipes with detectors at their ends. The transparent plate with almost invisible detection apparatus permits viewing of the depth sounder display through the plate so that visual as well as audible readout may be achieved. Electronics is provided to decode the angular position of the orbiting element of the depth sounder at the time the element is actuated to provide a digital number representing depth. This number is then used in generating its speech equivalent through a standard speech synthesizer and loudspeaker. The electronics may include a number of different ROMS or different sections of a single ROM to provide for scale adjustment. Alternatively, a variable rate clock may be used to adjust for scale.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to depth sounders and more particularly to a method and apparatus for adapting a conventional analog depth sounder which displays depth in terms of the presence of electromagnetic energy at a given angle on the display to give an audible indication of depth. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There exist a number of analog depth sounders which provide a display of depth in terms of the angular position of a lighted neon bulb with respect to a zero, usually at the top of the display. These depth sounders in general incorporate a neon bulb mounted on a rotary disk in which the neon bulb is actuated by the return of sonar signals which have been projected into the water and which are reflected either by the bottom of the ocean or by fish. The disk is driven by a synchronous motor which is timed in accordance with the transmission of the signals from the transducer used with the depth sounder such that the angular position of the actuated neon bulb corresponding to the depth immediately underneath the vessel utilizing the depth sounder. A circumferential scale is conventionally provided on the display to relate angle to sensed depth. As is conventional, the depth sounder is provided with an intensity control and the operator reduces the intensity of the neon bulb to the point at which only two lines are visable, namely the zero line and the first depth line. It will be appreciated that multiple lines can be viewed on the depth sounder display when multiple bounces of the sonar signal occur. By adjustment of the intensity level, it is possible to adjust the depth sounder such that only one unambiguous indication of depth is displayed. 
     While these depth sounders are indeed a great aid to navigation, especially in narrow channels, it is oftentimes inconvenient to glance at the display while trying to navigate in a crowded channel. It will be appreciated that glancing at the depth sounder to readout the depth is not only inconvenient, but also can result in accidents due to glancing away from the scene. 
     It is therefore desirable that an audible indication of depth be provided so that the operator of the vessel need not divert his attention from the situation at hand. 
     Moreover, since depth sounders are frequently used in navigation, it is likewise desirable to provide an audible depth indication for the vessel&#39;s navigator whose attention is drawn away from the chart he is using when he must look up at the depth sounder in order to ascertain the depth of the water over which the vessel is currently passing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the subject invention a simple system is provided for adapting an analog depth sounder such that an audible indication of depth is provided on a regular basis, while at the same time permitting the depth sounder to provide the normal visual display of depth. In one embodiment the adaptation is achieved by the placing of a transparent plate over the face or bezel of the depth sounder in which the transparent plate is provided with a radially running array of photodetectors. The photodetector array is arranged over the bezel such that a zero photodetector is located radially at the same angle as the zero noted on the bezel of the depth sounder. The array is made of narrow elements or to permit viewing of the depth sounder display through the plate and around the array. Since the photodetectors are arranged radially, the plate can accommodate various sizes of depth sounder displays or bezels since it is only necessary to detect the angular displacement of the neon bulb normally utilized. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the radial array of photodetectors may be replaced with a radial array of light pipes with photodetectors at the ends of the light pipes. In one embodiment the light pipes may be formed by radially running score lines in the transparent plate. This configuration contributes to the transparency of the array because the score lines can be made exceedingly thin. Thus, very little of the neon bulb is obscured by the optical pick-off portion of the system. 
     In another embodiment, the photodetectors may be arranged about the circumference of the display looking inwardly to detect the radiation from the end of the neon bulb. In this embodiment, the detector array does not occlude the display at all so that normal visual readout is readily achieved. 
     In a still further embodiment which does not require light pipes, with small detectors they may be mounted in a ring having a diameter which would overlie at least some portion of the neon bulb. Since the bulb emits radiation over its considerable length, such an array can accommodate different size displays, assuming the detector will overlie at least a portion of the bulb. Since the detectors are small, the display can still be read through the array. 
     The transparency of the adaptation plate and the virtual transparency of the array permits adjustment of the intensity control for the depth sounder such that only one unambiguous indication of depth is achieved. Thus, the subject adaptation permits not only the audible indication of depth, but also does not impede visual readout of the depth sounder by an individual. 
     In one embodiment the output of the detector array is coupled to electronics and a speaker housed in a unit which is mounted on top of the conventional depth sounder, whereas in an alternative embodiment, the electronics and speaker are housed at the center of the array, with electrical power being applied, in one embodiment, by batteries contained within the housing. In this embodiment, no electrical connections need be made either to the depth sounder or the ship&#39;s power supply. It is therefore an exceedingly simple matter to adapt the conventional depth sounder by merely placing a completely self-contained unit directly over the depth sounder display and turning it on. 
     The electronics for reading out the array includes an array of threshold detectors, the outputs of which are lead to an angle decoder and depth code generator. It is the purpose of the angle decoder and depth code generator to sense which of the photodetectors is providing an output signal and to generate a corresponding depth code, e.g. a number equalling the sensed depth. The depth code is made compatible with the input code requirements for a standard speech synthesizer chip such as National Semiconductor Model DT1050. It is the function of the synthesizer chip to generate an audio signal coupled to a loudspeaker, which signal is the speech equivalent to the depth. The synthesizer operates to generate the audio signal corresponding to the input code which exists at its input at the time a start signal is applied to the synthesizer. 
     In a preferred embodiment, timing is provided to generate a start signal for the synthesizer unit such that an audible readout is achieved on a periodic basis. The timing unit provides a reset pulse to the angle decoder and depth decode generator either before or after readout as desired. 
     It will be appreciated that there need be no synchronization between the angle decoder and depth code generator and the depth sounder, simply because it is not critical to readout the depth at any particular instant of time with respect to the actuation of the depth sounder. 
     However, in order to achieve multiplexing it may be desirable to provide a timing signal from the depth sounder display, and this is simply accomplished by detecting the onset of the flash from the neon bulb at the zero position of the depth sounder. In this manner, the angle decoder and depth code generator can be synchronized with the depth sounder operation. This synchronization can also be established for the timing unit utilized to actuate the synthesizer. 
     Scale adjustment for the adaptation unit may be achieved through the utilization of a number of different read-only memories (ROMS) or the utilization of different sections of one ROM. Thus, the scale may be set by actuating a preselected ROM corresponding to, for instance, depth ranges of zero to fifty feet, zero to sixty feet, zero to one hundred feet, zero to one hundred and twenty feet, etcetera. 
     In one embodiment, the output of the detector array may be decoded utilizing a coincidence detector which is utilized to freeze a register which is clocked at a rate which corresponds to the periodicity of the depth sounder display. This register is reset by a decoded signal corresponding to the flash at the zero position of the depth sounder such that the register is incremented by the clock until such time as an output from the coincidence detector freezes the register. Note that a variable rate clock may be utilized to set the range of the adapter module to the range of the depth sounder. In operation, the register having been reset at zero, is clocked at a predetermined rate until such time as a flash is detected. This freezes the register. When frozen, the register output corresponds to the detector number, the angular position of the actuated neon bulb, and thus the sensed depth. The output of the frozen register may then be decoded and provided to the aforementioned synthesizer. The synthesizer may be actuated by a counted-down signal from the clock such that the output of the analog depth sounder is converted on a periodic basis to the speech equivalent of depth. 
     It will be appreciated that the neon bulb normally used generates electromagnetic radiation not only in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, but also at a wide variety of frequencies. Thus, the signal produced by the neon bulb actuation may be detected, for instance, by a capacitor array rather than a photodetector array. Since the signal utilized to actuate the neon bulb is electromagnetic in nature, an array of magnetic detectors may be substituted for the photodetectors. As such, this invention relates to the detection of any electromagnetic radiation at an angle corresponding to depth. 
     In summary, a method and apparatus are provided for adapting a depth sounder having an analog display to a talking depth sounder. The display is one having at least one element which generates electromagnetic radiation at an angular position corresponding to depth. The adaptation takes place by locating a plate having an array of electromagnetic radiation detectors thereon over the depth sounder display, with the array being arranged to sense the angular position at which the electromagnetic radiation is generated. Means are then provided for converting the sensed position of the electromagnetic radiation into the speech equivalent of a number corresponding to the depth represented by the angular position of the sensed radiation. For convenience, the plate may be made transparent or alternatively, the array may be situated so as not to completely block the display. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features of the subject invention will be better understood in connection with the detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings of which: 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic and exploded view of the subject adaptation module for utilization with a conventional analog depth sounder; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of a conventional analog depth sounder illustrating the positioning of a transparent plate carrying a radially extending array of detectors, illustrating the ability to view the depth sounder display through the adaptation module; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of ability of the subject adaptation plate to accommodate different diameter depth sounder displays; 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration and exploded view of the subject adaptation module illustrating a self-contained unit in which the housing for the electronics and speaker are located at the center of the array on the plate; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the electronics utilized to decode the array of FIGS. 1-4; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the angle decoder and depth code generator for use in the circuit of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another type of angle decoder and depth code generator for use in the circuit of FIG. 5; and, 
     FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of an array using radially running light pipes with photodetectors at the ends of the light pipes. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In order to provide a conventional depth sounder with the ability to announce depth to the operator of a vessel through the calling out of a number corresponding to depth and referring now to FIG. 1, a conventional depth sounder 10 includes a face or bezel 12 which has markings 14 corresponding to a depth scale set by a scale adjustment switch 16. Upon proper adjustment of an intensity control 18, two flashes 20 and 22 will occur at the face of the device between an inner circular plate 24 and an outer plate 26 having an aperture 28 therethrough. 
     The aperture is circular and with the inner disk forms a channel 30 through which the neon bulb providing flashes 20 and 22 is exposed. 
     As is conventional in depth sounders of the analog type, intensity control 18 may be adjusted so as to provide only a single flash 22, thereby eliminating multiple representations of depth caused by double bounce or triple bounce situations. 
     As such, disk 24, plate 26, circumferential channel 30, and indications of electromagnetic energy such as provided by the rotating neon bulb, provide for an analog display of the depth of the water beneath the vessel by virtue of the angular displacement of the indication 22 from the indication 20 which corresponds to zero depth and a zero for the system. 
     In general, a single neon bulb is mounted on a rotatable disk beneath the aforementioned display and is mounted to a synchronous motor (not shown) which synchronizes the actuation of the display with the transmitted and received sonar pulses. 
     In order to adapt a standard depth sounder of the analog type to provide for the call-out of depth at regular intervals, hereinafter referred to as &#34;a talking depth sounder&#34;, an adapter module 31 includes a transparent plate 32 which is provided with a detector array 34 extending radially at predetermined angles so as to provide, for instance, a resolution of 7.2° corresponding to one foot increments on a scale of 0-50 feet. This transparent plate and array is attached over the display, in one embodiment, by pads 36 having double sticky-back tape with a removable cover sheet. Array 34 is attached by cable 37 via connector 38 to an electronics and speaker unit 40 which is coupled to the same power supply as the depth sounder. Unit 40 has a speaker 42 from which an audible call of the depth periodically eminates. 
     In one embodiment, array 34 includes a number of individual thin lineal photodetectors having a common inner contact 44 and individual outer contacts 46 and 48 coupled to connector 38. Fifty individual photodetectors yield a one foot depth resolution for depth sounders having a scale of zero to fifty. Correspondingly, sixty photodetectors give a one foot depth resolution for depth sounders having a zero to sixty scale. Of course, half the number of photodetectors may be utilized for half the resolution. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, unit 10 with plate 32 in place, indicates that because the plate is transparent and because the photodetectors may be made so thin that they can be seen around, indications 20 and 22 are readily visible through the adapter module. This has the advantage of being able to view the display in the normal manner, whereas an audible readout of depth is readily obtained. Moreover as illustrated in FIG. 3, plate 32 with radial array 34 thereon, is adaptable to displays of varying diameter. For instance, as illustrated at 50, a neon bulb orbited around in the arc illustrated will lie adjacent section 52 of array 34. A smaller display in which the neon bulb travels around in the arc designated by reference character 54, may also be accommodated by the above adaptation technique simply because of the recognition that the angular displacement of depth is the same regardless of the diameter of the display. Thus the subject adaptation module and technique may be utilized with analog depth sounder displays having a wide variety of different diameters. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, in a further embodiment the adapter module includes a plate 54 having an array of photodetectors 56 thereon, with electronics and speaker for the adapter module being located centrally as illustrated at 58. The advantage to this unit is that it is totally self-contained in that housing 58 can contain the batteries for powering the electronics. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the outer ends of the individual detectors of array are joined at the periphery as illustrated at 60 and connected to the electronics via line 62. Conveniently, the inner ends of the detectors may be connected directly to the electronics in circuit board fashion, thereby minimizing the number of leads which need be patterned onto the plate. Unit 58 is provided with an on/off volume control 64, a scale control 66, and a threshold setting control 68, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, a plate 70 includes an array 72, with the inner ends being interconnected and connected via line 74 to one terminal of a threshold detector array 76 composed of individual conventional threshold detectors which are setable either individually or in gang fashion. 
     The other ends of the individual detectors in the array are coupled to the threshold detector array 76 such that each of the lines corresponding to a different one of the photodetectors is coupled to a different threshold detector within the threshold detector array. Thus, the number of lines to the threshold detector array is identical to the number of detectors in the array. The output of the threshold detector array is coupled to an angle decoder and depth code generator 78 which decodes on which of the lines from the threshold detector array a signal appears. This corresponds to the detection of an actuated neon bulb at a given angular position. The angle decoder portion of unit 78 determines which of the detectors in the array is generating an output and converts this number to a depth code which is supplied to a synthesizer 80 which converts the code into an audible representation of the depth. One such synthesizer is National Semiconductor Model DT1050. When a code is presented to this synthesizer and a start pulse is provided, the unit generates an English language number corresponding to the input code. The output of unit 80 is coupled to a suitable loudspeaker 82 for the anunciation of depth. It will be appreciated that the synthesizer is provided with a timing unit 84 which reads out unit 80 at selected time intervals. Power for the unit is supplied by a battery 86 contained within the unit. As will be appreciated, an actuation signal may be provided by timing unit 84 to readout the synthesizer to the loudspeaker. Timing unit 84 also provides a reset signal to unit 78 to reset this unit either before or after readout of synthesizer 80. 
     Should it be desirable, the angle decoder and depth generator unit may be provided with a synchronization signal from the display of the depth sounder as indicated by dotted arrow 88, which runs from the zero position of the display to the threshold detector array 76. Threshold detector array 76 provides a signal at the beginning of the zero flash of the display as detected by the zero photodetector which signal is utilized either in unit 78 or timing unit 84 to synchronize the operation of these units with the operation of the depth sounder. 
     It will however be appreciated that such timing is unnecessary since the subject adapter module merely converts angular position of the flash to an audible representation of the depth represented by the flash. Timing is therefore not particularly critical unless multiplexing is desirable. 
     For instance, timing unit 84 may actuate the synthesizer once every five seconds, with the synthesizer reading out the output of unit 78 at five second intervals. Since the glow of the neon bulb is relatively persistent, a relatively constant output is provided which can be detected by the threshold detector and decoded by unit 78. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, in one embodiment angle decoder and depth code generator 78 includes an angle decoding unit 90, the output of which is a detector number corresponding to the detector which is providing an output due to the actuation of a neon bulb at the angular position immediately therebeneath. One embodiment of angle decode unit 90 will be described in connection with FIG. 7. In another embodiment, the angle decode unit includes suitable sample and hold circuits and logic which recognize the presence of signals from predetermined threshold detectors and generate predetermined codes responsive thereto. These codes identify the illuminated detector and are provided to the depth code generator for the generator of a synthesizer-compatible code. Timing for the angle decoder may be provided by timing unit 84. Note that angle decoder 90 may be configured to maintain its output until such time as there is a change of input. As to the depth code generator portion of unit 78 encircled in dotted box 92, in one embodiment this generator includes a series of read-only memories (ROMS) 94 which convert the detector number to a code compatible with synthesizer 80. Each ROM or section of ROM may be actuated by a ROM enable unit 96 through a scale set switch 98 to actuate the particular ROM or section of ROM corresponding to the range to which the depth sounder is set. 
     It is the function of the ROM to provide a lookup table for converting the detector number to a digital code representing the depth to be called out. For instance, if the depth is 8 feet, the digital code 00001000 would be readout to Model DT1050. Nine feet, on the other hand, would result in a code of 00001001 being readout from the ROM. In fact in the above model synthesizer, codes of 1 to 20 proceed in the usual binary fashion. 
     It is the purpose of timing unit 84 to provide a reset pulse to each of the ROMs immediately either before or after a readout pulse is delivered to synthesizer 80. 
     In operation, angle decoder 90 provides a number at its output corresponding to the illuminated detector. This number is maintained and does not change unless a different detector is illuminated. Thus, there is a constant detector number to be converted periodically by generator 92. Generator 92 is periodically reset, preferably just before readout of the synthesizer 80, so that updated information is read into the synthesizer. As will be seen, timing is not critical and there is no necessary synchronization with the depth sounder. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, angle decoding may be accomplished on a synchronous basis such that a certain amount of multiplexing may be achieved through the timing provided over line 100 from array 72. In FIG. 7, the output of the array is provided to a threshold detector 102, which is then coupled to a coincidence detector 104 which provides a freeze pulse over line 106 at any time that an individual detector of the array has an output associated therewith. The output of the freeze pulse is applied to a register 108 which is clocked by a clock 110. Register 108 is reset via a signal delivered over line 112, which is generated by a threshold detector 114 coupled to the zero photodetector element of array 72. The output of register 108 is decoded at 92, the output of which is applied to synthesizer 80. 
     Clock 110 is a variable rate clock which may be adjusted to the scale of the depth sounder. Synthesizer 80 is actuated by a counted-down signal from clock 110 provided by count down unit 120. 
     In operation, when the neon bulb reaches the zero angle, the output from this detector is detected at 114 which resets register 108. Thereafter, during the cycle of the depth sounder in which the bulb rotates 360° back to its original position, register 108 is clocked at a predetermined rate. If, during this cycle any one of the individual detectors of the detector array provides an output signal, it is detected by coincidence detector 104, which freezes register 108 at the particular number it has been counted up to. This number corresponds to the angle at which the flash from the neon bulb occurred, which in turn corresponds to a predetermined depth. The frozen register is readout to a decode unit 109 which converts the register count to a number code acceptable to synthesizer 80. Alternatively, if the output of the register is a binary number representing the register count, the register can be directly read into the synthesizer. It will be appreciated that angle decode unit 90 recycles once every revolution of the disk carrying the neon bulb, the decoded output of register 108 being utilized to actuate synthesizer 80 in timed relationship to the synchronization provided by the display. 
     Clock 110 is a variable rate clock which may be adjusted conventionally such that the number called out matches the depth which can be visually ascertained by looking at the display. In other words, clock 110 frequency may be adjusted until the announced depth matches that which is readable on the display. Thus, there need be no pretuning of the clock to the particular depth sounder. Note also that in this embodiment, multiple ROMs need not be used for scale adjustment. 
     What has therefore been provided is an adapter module which adapts any analog depth sounder to be a talking device in which depth is called out on a regular periodic basis. Synchronization need not be provided, or if it is provided, is provided very simply without access to the interior of the depth sounder or its electronics. 
     In operation, the adapter and module may merely be pasted over the face of the depth sounder, turned on, and simply adjusted by first adjusting the intensity knob of the depth sounder to provide only one non-zero indication of depth. Thereafter, the scale of the adapter module is either set or experimentally found. Depending on the neon bulb utilized, the threshold circuits may be set in gang fashion or adjusted individually. Moreover, adaptive thresholding may be provided to adapt for ambient light conditions. 
     Referring now to FIG. 8, in order to reduce the expense in the manufacture of the detector array, it is possible to provide transparent plate 32 with radially extending light pipes, with the light pipes lead to an array of detectors. It is the purpose of this embodiment to limit the size of the detectors and therefore the overall cost of the configuration. As illustrated in FIG. 8, light pipes 150 run radially as did the photodetectors in the previous embodiments. Detectors 152 are mounted at one end or the other of the corresponding light pipes, with the outputs of the detectors being coupled via connector 38 and cable 37 to the appropriate processing circuitry. As such, the light pipes and the detectors form the array. 
     One way of forming light pipes in an inexpensive manner is to score the transparent plate or etch it in such a fashion that light occurring along a given radial line is transmitted from the point of intercept to the end of the line via the columnation provided by the light pipe structure. Since detectors can be mounted at the periphery of the display either linearly or along a circumference, the spacing between the detectors is not particularly critical. Additionally, extremely small photodetectors may be utilized due to the rather large magnitude signal provided by the neon bulb. As illustrated, the detectors are located around the circumference of the array. Alternatively, because the detectors may be made exceedingly small, they may be mounted at the interior ends of the light pipes from whence the outputs may be connected directly to a printed circuit board carried at the center of plate 32. 
     It will be appreciated that the utilization of scribe lines for light pipes or light pipes themselves permits the viewing of the depth sounder display through the transparent plate. Moreover, the scribe lines can be made exceedingly thin, both improving resolution and decreasing cross-talk between light pipes. Alternatively, light pipes or other light channeling structures can be formed either on or in the transparent plate with suitable cladding or coatings to prevent cross-talk. Note that by suitable slanted end-slice configurations, light from the neon bulb can be made to enter the light pipe from a range of positions along the length of the pipe. Alternatively, the light pipe can be flattened on the underneath side to admit light. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the detectors may be coated with a red transmissive material to eliminate the effects of sunlight impinging on the module. 
     Since the detectors can be made exceedingly small, they would not block much light from the neon bulb, and since the bulb emits radiation over a considerable length, light pipes need not be used. Rather, as illustrated, a detector 154 may be mounted along a radius 156 at a point midway along bulb envelope 158. The locus of the detectors defines a circle 160 which overlies at least a portion of the bulb for a range of display diameters. The result is that a ring of detectors at a given distance from the center of the display would accommodate different diameter display assuming at least a portion of the bulb underlies the detector. 
     If desirable, for all embodiments adaptive thresholding circuitry may be provided to adjust the thresholds of the threshold detectors coupled to the outputs of the detectors so that the depth sounder may be utilized in bright sunlight. 
     Having above indicated a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will occur to those skilled in the art that modifications and alternatives can be practiced within the spirit of the invention. It is accordingly intended to define the scope of the invention only as indicated in the following claims.