Patent Publication Number: US-2016219855-A1

Title: Fishing Rod Strike Detector

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/109,094 filed on Jan. 29, 2015. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to fishing rods and devices that detect when a fish has struck the line. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fishing rod device that affixes to a fishing rod and uses a sensor to measure movement of the rod. Movement of the rod is analyzed, and an alert is sent to the fisherman via visual, audible, and radio frequency means when the device determines a fish has struck the line. 
     It is common while fishing to support a fishing rod from a holder or similar support while allowing the lure to float freely. The user does not have to manually handle the rod and when a fish strikes the lure, the user can actively handle the rod to reel in the fish. However, there are instances when the user is not immediately present to grasp the rod when a fish strikes. If the user is not nearby, a fish may strike the line and free itself before the user is able to interact with the rod. If the user is in a position where he cannot see or hear the rod, the user may miss the strike altogether. The present invention provides a tool that affixes to a fishing rod to alert a user via wireless communication and other means when a fish has struck the line. 
     In particular, a fishing rod alert device is provided for notifying a fisherman user of a potentially struck line and a hooked fish. The device includes a combination motion sensor and transmitter with rod attachments thereon for attachment of the device to a fishing rod. The device can identify the movement of the fishing rod, which often happens when a fish bite the lure or a fish has been hooked (i.e. a fish has struck the line). Thereafter, the transmitter of the device sends a wireless signal either over a network or directly to a remote receiver, whereby the receiver can be a handheld electronic device (i.e. a smartphone or similar personal device) that is capable of receiving radio frequency signals directly from the transmitter or over a network. The handheld electronic device produces an alert based on the received signal, which may include an audio recording, vibration, or visual aid for indicating movement of the of the fishing rod. 
     The present invention transmits an alert signal to a fisherman&#39;s handheld device or equivalent when motion on their fishing rod is detected. The device affixes via rod attachments to the fishing rod and uses wireless signals rather than purely audio or visual alert notifications. Therefore, the fishermen user can be alerted when away from the rod and outside of visual or audible range thereof. The device therefore increases the potential for a user to recognize a struck line and handle the rod to reel in a fish before the fish releases from the line and escapes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following summary is intended solely for the benefit of the reader and is not intended to be limiting in any way. The present invention provides a new fishing rod alert device that can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when monitoring a fishing rod with a lure extended without being present to feel, visualize, or hear the rod move after being struck. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved fishing rod alert device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a fishing rod alert device that comprises an elongated member adapted to be placed along a rod of a fishing rod. The elongated member has a length and an arcuate cross section with a curved interior that is adapted to bear against the rod, while the device secures to the fishing rod length using a series of attachments therealong. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fishing rod alert device that further comprises an enclosed interior portion supporting a control circuit therein. The control circuit comprises a processor, a motion sensor, and a radio frequency transmitter for monitoring the motion of the device while attached to the fishing rod, and for sending wireless signals to the user&#39;s handheld electronic device. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fishing rod alert device whereby the motion sensor measures movement of the elongated member when attached to the rod. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fishing rod alert device whereby the processor receives signals from the motion sensor that correspond to the movement of the elongated member when attached to the rod. The processor analyzes the motion sensor signals and directs the radio frequency transmitter to send wireless signals to a third party receiver when the processor registers the movement of the elongated member that are determined to be a struck line. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fishing rod alert device wherein each of the attachments further comprises a pair of rounded clips and/or strips of hook and loop fasteners that surround the fishing rod and secure the rod against the curved interior of the elongated member. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fishing rod alert device wherein the processor measures the amplitude, slope, and frequency of the signals from the motion sensor to determine when a fish has struck a lure extended from the fishing rod. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fishing rod alert device wherein the radio frequency transmitter further comprises a Bluetooth module that is adapted to pair with the third party receiver. The third party receiver further comprises a Bluetooth enabled device. In this way, the radio frequency transmitter sends wireless signals directly to the third party receiver. The third party receiver may comprise a handheld electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet device. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fishing rod alert device wherein the device further comprises an audible alert in electrical connection with the processor. The processor directs the audible alert to activate an audio signal when the processor registers the movement of the elongated member based on the signals from the motion sensor. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fishing rod alert device whereby the audible alert further comprises a speaker disposed along the elongated member. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fishing rod alert device wherein the device further comprises a visual alert in electrical connection with the processor. The processor directs the visual alert to activate a visual signal when the processor registers the movement of the elongated member based on the signals from the motion sensor. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fishing rod alert device whereby the visual alert further comprises a light source disposed along the elongated member. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows an overhead perspective view of the fishing rod alert device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows an underside perspective view of the fishing rod alert device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a view of the fishing rod alert device of the present invention being secured to the length of a fishing rod. 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic of the control circuit of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the fishing rod alert device of the present invention. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for alerting a fishing user when a fishing lure extended from a fishing rod is struck. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are shown perspective views of the fishing rod alert device of the present invention. The device  11  is one that is adapted to be positioned along the length of a fishing rod and used to measure the motion thereof while a lure is placed in a body of water. When a fish interacts with the lure, the fishing line will move and the fishing rod will move commensurately therewith. This movement is registered by the device  11  and is used to determine when a fish has engaged the lure, or “struck the line.” The device  11  of the present invention is one that is adapted to provide an alert to a remote user in the form of a wireless signal, either directly to a user&#39;s handheld device or through an intermediate network. The signal received by the user allows the user to be alerted when the line is struck and immediate attention to the fishing rod is required. This allows a user to monitor activity on a fishing line without being immediately present when a fish strikes the line. 
     The device  11  of the present invention is an elongated member that comprises a length  15 , a first end  21 , and a second end  22 . The cross section of the member is preferably one having an arcuate shape with a curved lower surface  16 . The curved lower surface  16  extends along the underside of the member  11  along its entire length  15 , and is designed to receive a portion of the fishing rod thereagainst. The rounded rod of the fishing rod bears against the curved lower surface  16 , whereby the device secures therearound. One or more sets of attachments  40  are used to secure the device  11  to the fishing rod along the length  15  of the device  11 . In this manner, the device  11  is affixed to the rod of the fishing rod and can register displacement of the rod and/or flexion thereof when a lure is struck. The device  11  may comprises a rigid material that does not flex with the rod, or one of flexible construction to flex with the rod along the length  15  of the device  11 . 
     Along the upper surface  17  of the device  11  is a housing  100  with an enclosed interior portion supporting a control circuit therein. The control circuit is an electrical assembly that controls the operation of the device, monitors the motion of the device, and transmits wireless signals to a third party receiver. In particular, the control circuit comprises a processor, a motion sensor, and a radio frequency transmitter. Motion of the device is registered by the motion sensor, which sends signals to the processor. The processor analyzes the motion signals and sends a wireless alert using the radio frequency transmitter when the motion is determined to be a struck line. In addition to the wireless signal, the device  11  may also include an audible and visual alert along the upper surface  15  when a struck line is detected. Specifically, a speaker  35  and light source  36  may additionally alert the user when the line of the fishing rod is struck. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a view of the fishing rod alert device  11  being secured to the rod  201  of a fishing rod  200 . The fishing rod alert device  11  comprises an elongated length and a rounded lower surface  16  that accepts the rounded fishing rod  201  therein. The attachments  40  secure around the rod  201  and affix the device  11  thereto along the length of the rod  201 . Once in place, the motion sensor measures movement of the elongated member  11 , which corresponds to movement of the rod  201  along its length and at the tip  204  of the rod. Movement is caused by a fish striking the lure  203 , which causes vibrations along the line  202 . The processor of the fishing rod alert device  11  receives signals from the motion sensor that correspond to the movement of the device  11  when attached to the rod  201 . The processor then directs the radio frequency transmitter to send wireless signals to a third party receiver when the processor registers the movement of the device  11  based on the signals from the motion sensor. Therefore, when the lure  203  is struck and the line  202  moves the rod  201 , movement of the rod  201  is registered by the motion sensor and analyzed by the processor to determine if the amplitude, frequency, and slope of the movements correspond to what could be determined as a fish striking the lure  203 . The user can then grasp the handle  206  of the fishing rod  200  and reel in the fish on the lure  203  using the fishing reel  205 . 
     In one embodiment provided in  FIG. 2 , each of the sets of attachments  40  that affix the device  11  to the fishing rod further comprises a pair of rounded clips  41  that surround a portion of the rod of a fishing rod and secure the rod against the curved interior  16  of the device  11 . The clips  41  comprises rounded members that secure around the rounded rod and ensure the rod is maintained against the rounded interior  16  of the device  11 . Multiple sets of clips along the device  11  secure the device  11  to the fishing rod along its length. In addition or in lieu of the clips  41 , strips of hook and loop fastener material  45  may be provided to secure around the fishing rod and secure the rod to the device. The strips of hook and loop fastener material  45  are sets of attachments along the device that are adapted to surround the rod of a fishing rod and secure the rod against the curved interior of the elongated member. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a view of the control circuit  100  of the present invention. The control circuit comprises a processor  101 , a motion sensor  102 , and a radio frequency transmitter  103 . The processor  101  is preferably a microprocessor or equivalent digital device, which receives signals from the motion sensor  102  and directs the radio frequency transmitter  103  to send wireless signals to a third party receiver. The motion sensor  102  comprises one or more sensors that are capable of measuring motion along the length of the fishing rod alert device  11 . These may include three-axis accelerometers or similar sensors that can develop an electric signal based on movement at the position of the sensor. Movement of the device  11  is used to measure movement of the rod, which in turn is used to determine when a fish has struck the line. Use of one or more sensors improves accuracy. 
     The radio frequency transmitter  103  is one that is adapted to communicate with a third party receiver. The transmitter  103  sends out radio frequency signals that are decoded by the third party receiver. The transmitter  103  may send signals directly to a user&#39;s handheld device in the form of a Bluetooth connection, or alternatively the transmitter  103  may be connected to a wireless network and send signals over the network to a third party server or router, which in turn sends signals to the third party receiver. Therefore, in one embodiment, direct communication with a third party receiver is accomplished using a radio frequency transmitter that comprises a Bluetooth module. The Bluetooth module is one that is adapted to pair with the third party receiver, whereby the third party receiver further comprises a Bluetooth enabled device. In one exemplary embodiment, the third party receiver is an electronic handheld device such as a smartphone, tablet, PDA, or similar device. In other embodiments, the signals are transmitted over a wireless network and routed to the user&#39;s handheld device. In this latter embodiment, the radio frequency transmitter comprises a wireless network antenna rather than a Bluetooth module. 
     In addition to sending wireless signals to a third party receiver, the fishing rod alert device  11  may also include visual and audible alerts. In particular, an audible alert in the form of a speaker may be provided, which is in electrical connection with the processor. The processor directs the audible alert to activate an audio signal when the processor registers the movement of the elongated member based on the signals from the motion sensor. Additionally, the fishing rod alert device  11  may include a visual alert in the form of a light source, which is in electrical connection with the processor. The processor directs the visual alert to activate a visual signal when the processor registers the movement of the elongated member based on the signals from the motion sensor. These alternative alerts supplement the wireless notification provided by the radio frequency transmitter. 
     For a fisherman user with several lines in the water, one or more devices may be deployed simultaneously. To this end, each device can be identified by the third party receiver based on a code that is unique to a specific device. In this manner, the user can monitor one or more devices (i.e. one or more fishing rods), and be alerted to exactly which rod is being struck by the radio frequency transmission. This lets the user know which rod is struck in the event there are multiple lines in use. 
     Overall, the present invention provides a fish strike notification system in which a fishing rod alert device is coupled with a third party receiver (i.e. a handheld device, etc.), which alerts a fisherman user of a struck line or hooked fish. It is not uncommon to have several lines in the water while fishing, or alternatively to leave a fishing area momentarily while a line is in the water. The present invention provides a means to notify a distant user that a fishing line has been struck and that action is necessary. 
     The fishing rod alert device maintains its affixed connection along the length of the fishing rod and monitors movement thereof for possible strikes on the fishing line. The attachments secure the device to the fishing rod, while additional hook-and-loop strips along the underside of the device may supplement the attachment to the rod. The device can identify movement on the end or along the length of the fishing rod, which often happens when a fish has been hooked. Upon identification of such movement, the transmitter sends a signal to a remote third party receiver, whereby the receiver may be one that is connected to the transmitter over a network or one that receives direct radio signals from the transmitter. Additional alerts can be present on the device, including local audio and visual alerts that energize when the device registers movement of the fishing rod. 
     The third party receiver is one that can be connected to the transmitter over a network and receive digital signals therefrom. Alternatively, the receiver may receive direct radio signals from the transmitter without an intermediate network. The third party receiver activates when a signal is received, and provides an alert for the user that may include audio, visual, or vibratory notifications. The sensitivity of the device can be adjusted for wind or wave action, whereby several continuous movements of the fishing rod may be necessary to trigger an actionable event. In particular, the processor may be programmed with a sensitivity level to only activate when certain motion signals are received that form a pattern or a recognizable strike on the fishing line. The sensitivity level can be set via an input on the device, or alternatively the third party receiver may be able to communicate with the processor to set a given sensitivity level. On the device  11  may be a sensitivity knob  39  that can be used by the user to manually adjust the sensitivity level across a given spectrum. The sensitivity level establishes a motion threshold, whereby the processor directs the radio frequency transmitter to send wireless signals to the third party receiver when the processor registers signals from the motion sensor above the threshold of the sensitivity level. In this way, the user can tailor the device to send a signal only after a given threshold of motion or vibration is reached. 
     It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.