Patent Publication Number: US-2006010763-A1

Title: Electronic fishing lure

Description:
REFERENCE TO COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING/TABLE APPENDIX  
      The present application includes a computer program listing appendix on compact disc. Two duplicate compact discs are provided herewith. Each compact disc contains a plurality of files of the computer program listing as follows:  
                              Converted to ASCII Files:                                 Name   Size   Created                       Lure Code V11asm.txt   23 KB   06/29/2004           Lure Code V11Hex.txt    4 KB   06/29/2004                      
 
 The computer program listing appendix is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in the present application. 
 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to fishing lures containing electronic circuitry. More specifically it relates to a fishing lure controlling lights and sound devices using control firmware in an on-board microcontroller. Even more particularly, it relates to a programmable fishing lure with a constant voltage, constant current recharging circuit.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Fishing lures employing lights and speakers are known in the art. In the simplest lures, lights and speaker are manually toggled between energized and unenergized states, for example, by a switch on the lure. That is, the lure remains in the selected state until the switch is manually manipulated to activate the opposing state. In other lures, the lights and speakers are controlled using simple timing circuits. For example, a timer circuit can provide a preset time period for energizing the lights or speakers, pulses at a predetermined rate for energizing the lights, or a predetermined oscillation for speakers. That is, the lights blink at a predetermined rate and the speaker emits a signal at a predetermined frequency. However, it is desirable to vary the frequency to make the lure more attractive to game fish and to adapt the lure to varying conditions. Unfortunately, the time period, pulses, and oscillation noted above are all determined by the hardware parameters of the timer circuit and cannot be changed without changing the hardware parameters. Therefore, to change the time period, pulses, and oscillation, it would be necessary to open the lure and replace the timer circuit or elements of the timing circuit.  
      It also is desirable to blink lights and energize a speaker in varying patterns while the fishing lure is in operation in the water. For example, blinking the lights at a series of successive frequencies that could be in the form of well-defined pattern or in a pseudo-random pattern. Unfortunately, as noted above, the hardware-based control systems noted above are not capable of producing varying patterns while the lure is in use.  
      Extending battery life and maintaining battery performance, for example, the number of times a battery can be recharged, in a fishing lure are other ongoing concerns. One important factor affecting battery life and performance is the magnitude of the current drain on the battery. In general, for a same total load, increasing the magnitude of the load current reduces battery life and diminishes battery performance. For example, the current associated with two, one watt (W) lamps simultaneously energized for thirty seconds has a greater impact on battery life and performance than the current associated with energizing each lamp for a consecutive 30 second interval, since the magnitude of the current is greater in the first case. However, to present the most attractive visual enticement for a game fish, it is desirable to increase the number of lights used in a lure. Unfortunately, as noted above, increasing the number of lights increases current draw and subsequently reduces battery life and performance. Therefore, the number of lights that can be used in a lure is constrained by battery life and performance considerations.  
      The use of rechargeable batteries in a fishing lure that can be recharged while on-board the lure has been proposed. However, the batteries proposed have been nickel metal-hydride (NiMh), nickel-cadmium (NiCad), and zinc oxide. These types of batteries are relatively bulky, which is a problem when trying to fit them in a properly sized fishing lure. Also, the relatively primitive recharging circuits proposed for the above fishing lures limit the type of power supply that can be used to recharge the batteries.  
      Thus, there has been a longfelt need for a programmable fishing lure able to execute more complex control of lights and speakers, powered by more compact and efficient rechargeable batteries, and including an on-board battery charging circuit.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In one aspect, the present invention broadly comprises an electronic fishing lure, including a programmable microcontroller, a digital switch to control said microcontroller, a constant current, constant voltage recharge circuit with a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and an audio output device. The LEDs and audio device are connected to the microcontroller and the microcontroller activates the lights and audio device according to a software program stored in the microcontroller. The present invention also includes a method for attracting fishing using a fishing lure with a programmable microcontroller.  
      A general object of the present invention is to provide a fishing lure able to operate onboard lights and audio devices in more complex patterns.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide a fishing lure with a rechargeable power supply having an increased charge capacity and an external means for recharging the power supply, and able to accept a wider range of recharging power voltage and current.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a fishing lure with a low-power means for activating programmable circuitry in the lure when the lure is in the water.  
      Still anther object of the present invention is to provide a fishing lure able to download control software from an external computer.  
      A still further another object of the present invention is to provide a fishing lure able to provide sophisticated light and sound patterns from a large array of lights and audio devices while minimizing current drain on an on-board battery.  
      These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of the invention in view of the drawings and claims.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing Figures in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing external features of a present invention fishing lure;  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a present invention electronic fishing lure;  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a present invention electronic fishing lure;  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of the lure in  FIG. 1 , taken along lines  4 - 4 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a pictorial representation of the PCBs shown in  FIG. 4 ; and,  
       FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are programming flow charts for a present invention apparatus or method. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify substantially identical structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed aspects.  
      Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.  
      Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.  
      This and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of the invention in view of the drawings and claims.  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing external features of a present invention fishing lure  10 . Lure  10  includes a housing  12 . Housing  12  can be in any shape known in the art and it should be understood that the present invention is not restricted to any particular shape. In one aspect, housing  12  is formed from a transparent or translucent material so as to allow lights (not shown), positioned within housing  12  to be visible outside the housing. Portions of housing  12  also may be formed from opaque material. Transparent and translucent materials may be clear (colorless) or tinted in various colors. Opaque materials can be of any color known in the art. It also should be understood that lure  10  can be any combination of transparent, translucent, opaque, clear, tinted, or colored materials. Housing  12  may be formed of any material known in the art, such as plastic. Surface  16  of lure  10  also may be scribed or configured, for example, to represent attributes considered attractive to game fish. In  FIG. 1 , surface  16  is configured to form scales  18  and eye  20 . Lure  10  includes head fastener  22 , belly fastener  24 , and tail fastener  26 . Attached to fasteners  24  and  26  are hooks  28 . It should be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other combinations and configurations of fasteners and hooks are possible, and such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. In some aspects, fasteners  22 ,  24 , and  26  perform other functions as described below.  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a present invention electronic fishing lure  10 . Lure  10  includes electronic control element  30  and rechargeable power element  32 . Power-recharging element  32  includes rechargeable battery cell  34  and circuitry  36  connected to cell  34 . Cell  34  can include a single battery cell or multiple battery cells. Further details regarding cell  34  are provided in the figures that follow. Element  32  also includes recharge contact points  38  and  40 , on external surface  42 , connected to element  36 . Contact points  38  and  40  are used to connect element  32  to an external power supply (not shown). The external power supply, in turn, provides power to recharge cell  34 . In some aspects, the contact points are fasteners on surface  42 , for example, fasteners  22  and  26 .  
      In some aspects, lure  10  includes a secondary inductor universal serial bus (USB) port  44  connected to power-recharging element  32 . Port  44  can be used to interface lure  10  with an external device (not shown) capable of supplying power to element  32 . A primary inductor USB port transfers power and/or signal data to a secondary inductor USB port using inductance (i.e., electro-magnetic energy), rather than a mechanical connection of male and female parts (for example pins). That is, the primary and secondary USB ports are placed in close proximity, but do not need to be in physical contact. Therefore, port  44  can be located inside lure  10  and a primary inductor USB port (not shown) can be placed on or near surface  42  to transfer power to port  44 . By placing port  44  inside lure  10 , the port is protected from the effects of water and other corrosive agents. Placing port  44  inside lure  10  also avoids the necessity of creating an opening in surface  42  which would require a seal and would present a possible avenue for water and other contaminants to enter lure  10 .  
      Lure  10  includes sensory output devices to produce visual and/or audio stimuli attractive to game fish. In general, the sensory output devices are light sources or audio output devices. Lure  10  can include only a light source(s), only audio output device(s), or a combination of light source(s) and audio output device(s), connected to control element  30 . In some aspects, a light source is a light-emitting diode (LED). In some aspects, the LED is a variable-voltage (LED). That is, the light spectrum emitted by the LED is dependent on the voltage impressed upon the LED. An audio device is typically a speaker or a buzzer. However, any audio device known in the art may be used in lure  10 . In  FIG. 2 , light  46  and audio device  48  are shown. It should be understood that other combinations and numbers of lights and audio devices are possible for the claimed invention, and such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. The function and control of the lights sources and audio devices are further explained below. In some aspects, lure  10  includes multiplexing element  50 , connected to element  30  and some or all of the sensory output devices in lure  10 . In  FIG. 2 , element  50  interfaces a single output for element  30  on line  52  with light  46  and device  48 . The multiplexing element enables a single output from control element  30  to control multiple light sources or audio devices.  FIG. 2  shows one simple multiplexing configuration. However, it should be understood that other configurations are possible for the claimed invention, and such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. Further examples of multiplexing are shown below.  
      In some aspects, lure  10  includes switch  54  connected to control element  30  and to contact points  56  and  58  located on surface  42 . In some aspects, the contact points are fasteners on surface  42 , for example, fasteners  24  and  26  shown in  FIG. 1 . Switch  54  is used to activate element  30 . Switch  54  senses one resistance level when contact points  56  and  58  are exposed to air (or a material having a conductance equal to the conductance of air) and another resistance level when the contact points are exposed to water. In response to the first resistance, the switch deactivates element  30 . In response to the second resistance, the switch activates element  30 . The interaction of switch  54  and element  30  is further explained in the figures that follow.  
      In some aspects, control element  30  includes timer circuits, oscillator circuits, or combinations of hardware components, such as solid-state components (not shown). In other aspects, element  30  is a programmable microcontroller (not shown). In some aspects, the microcontroller has an arithmetic logic unit (ALU). Other aspects of the microcontroller can include multiplexers and status registers.  
      In some aspect, lure  10  includes a memory element  60  connected to control element  30 . Memory element  60  can be a separate component as shown in  FIG. 2  or can be integral to control element  30  (not shown). In some aspects, the memory element includes a non-volatile memory element  62  and a volatile memory element  64 . In some aspects, non-volatile memory element  62  is a read-only memory (ROM) element selected from the group including erasable ROM (EPROM) elements, electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM) elements, and FLASH memory elements. In some aspects element  64  is a volatile static RAM with a capacity of 64 bytes. In some aspects, element  62  is a flash memory chip. In some aspects, element  30  is a programmable microcontroller and elements  62  and  64  are integral to the programmable microcontroller (not shown). The memory element, in combination with control element  30 , forms the framework for executing the control and operational functions described below.  
      Control programs in firmware and software, included in the computer program listing appendix, is stored in memory element  60 . The programs can be factory-installed in the microcontroller. In some aspects, lure  10  includes secondary inductor USB port  66  connected to memory element  60 . Port  66  can be used to download control programs from a remote device (not shown) to memory element  60 . In some aspects, the programs are available on a storage medium, such as a compact disc, which can be loaded on a personal computer (PC) and downloaded from the PC to lure  10  using port  66 . In some aspects, the programs on the PC can be modified by the user. In some aspects, secondary inductor USB port  68  can be configured to accept both power input for power-recharging element  32  and downloads for memory element  60 . The operation of ports  66  and  68  are similar to that described for port  44  above.  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a present invention electronic fishing lure. The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 1 through 3 . In  FIG. 3 , control element  30  and memory element  32  are included in programmable microcontroller  70 . In some aspects, microcontroller  70  is a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device. In the aspect shown, microcontroller  70  is a Microchip model PIC12F629. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not restricted to any particular microcontroller and that a wide variety of microcontrollers known in the art are usable in the present invention. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)  72  and buzzer  74  are connected to microcontroller  70 . In  FIG. 3 , most of the LEDs are configured in pairs, for example, D 1  and D 2 . As described below, microcontroller  70  controls each of the respective pairs as a unit. It should be understood that other configurations of LEDs and buzzers are within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.  
      In some aspects, element  32  is constant voltage, constant current power (CVCC) circuit  76 . Circuit  76  is connected to microcontroller  70  on line  78  and ground.  FIG. 3  shows one possible configuration for circuit  76 . However, it should be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other configurations are possible, and such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. A CVCC circuit can accept power with a voltage and/or current rating outside of the input voltage and current parameters for a rechargeable device connected to the circuit. Then, the CVCC circuit can supply recharge power, compliant with the input parameters, to the device. That is, a CVCC circuit accepts a relatively wide range of input voltages and current and supplies a recharging voltage in a relatively narrow range. Hence, a CVCC circuit can effectively charge a battery while protecting the battery from damage. In contrast, typical recharging circuits (not shown), for example, trickle charge circuits, can accept only a relatively narrow range of input voltages and currents. If the input voltage is too low, a device connected to the circuit may not be effectively charged, for example, a 2V input voltage will provide limited charging of a 5.2V battery. If the input voltage and/or current are too high, the battery may be overcharged, damaging circuitry and/or the battery. In a CVCC circuit, charging current is typically allowed to increase up to a predetermined maximum and then held at that maximum until the input voltage returns zero volts.  
      Circuit  76  includes regulator  79 , which performs the self-regulating functions described above. However, it should be understood that other devices and circuit configurations can be used to provide the self-regulating function, and such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. In the aspect shown, circuit  76  accepts a voltage between approximately 3.4V and 60V and supplies a constant voltage, constant current charge of 3V to rechargeable cell  34 . Hence, a wide variety of power sources, such as batteries in a car, motorcycle, or boat, can be used to recharge lure  10 . However, it should be understood that circuit  76  can be configured to accept other ranges of input voltages, and such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. LED  80  in circuit  76  is illuminated when contact points  22  and  26  are connected to a recharge power source compliant with the requirements of circuit  76  and battery  34 . Head connector  22  and tail connector  26  act as the contact points for the recharging circuit. The head connector is connected to pin  8  of regulator  70  on line  81  and the tail connector is connected to the ground of regulator  79  on line  82 .  
      In  FIG. 3 , battery  34  is a lithium-ion cell. It should be understood that battery  34  can include more than one lithium-ion cell. Lithium-ion batteries have a higher energy density than most other types of rechargeable batteries. Thus, for their size or weight lithium-ion batteries can store more energy than other rechargeable batteries. They also operate at higher voltages than other rechargeable batteries, typically about 3.7 volts for lithium-ion vs. 1.2 volts for nickel metal-hydride (NiMH) or nickel cadmium (NiCd). This means a single lithium-ion cell can often be used rather than multiple NiMh or NiCd cells. Lithium-ion batteries also have a lower self-discharge rate than other types of rechargeable batteries. This means that once they are charged they will retain their charge for a longer time than other types of rechargeable batteries. In contrast, NiMH and NiCd batteries can lose anywhere from 1-5% of their charge per day, (depending on the storage temperature) even if they are not installed in a device. Lithium-ion batteries will retain most of their charge even after months of storage. However, it also should be understood that any type of rechargeable battery known in the art, for example, NiMH and NiCd, can be used as battery  34 , and such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.  
      In some aspects, switch  54  is a digital switch. For example, the switch is a transistor configuration (not shown). Another example is shown in  FIG. 3 , in which switch  54  (not shown) is integral to microcontroller  70 . Belly connector  24  and tail  26  act as the contact points for the switch. The belly connector is connected to pin  4  of microcontroller  70  on line  83 . The tail connector provides a reference point and is connected to the ground of regulator  79  on line  82 . When lure  10  is out of water, microcontroller  70  enters a low-power, “stand-by” mode in response to a signal from switch  54 . In this case, the lure is not in use and by entering the stand-by mode, virtually all power-consuming operations, for example, activating the LEDs, are suspended. Hence, the life of the charge on battery  34  is maximized. When lure  10  is in the water, microcontroller  70  enters an active, operational mode in response to a signal from switch  54 , and the microcontroller executes appropriate operations, such as activating the LEDs.  
      The control over microcontroller  70  operations afforded by switch  54  is applicable to recharging operations as well. For example, in some aspects, battery  34  is a lithium cell. Simultaneously recharging and tapping a lithium cell results in deterioration of battery performance and capacity. Therefore, it is desirable to insure that battery  34  does not simultaneously accept recharge power and provide power to microcontroller  70 . Typically, lure  10  is recharged after removal from the water. Switch  54  puts microcontroller in the standby mode when lure  10  is removed from the water, therefore, virtually eliminating the load on the battery and creating an ideal, unloaded state for recharging battery  54 .  
      The non-volatile memory in microcontroller  70  is used to store programs for controlling LEDs  72  and buzzer  74  in a variety of relatively sophisticated command sequences. Microcontroller  70  executes these sequences using built-in multiplexing capabilities (that is, unit  70  incorporates the multiplexing function illustrated by multiplexing element  50  in  FIG. 2 ) and by software time division of tasks. In some aspects, the control programs are firmware written in Assembly language. In some aspects, microcontroller  70  is timer driven, that is, it uses timer interrupts. In some aspects, microcontroller  70  activates LEDs  72  and buzzer  74  according to pattern Lookup data stored in non-volatile memory element  62 . By entering the stand/by mode described above, microcontroller  70  also facilitates the operation of circuit  79 . That is, in the stand/by mode, lure  10  is in the optimal mode for receiving recharging power.  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of the lure in  FIG. 1 , taken along lines  4 - 4 . The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 1 through 4 . In some aspects, lure  10  includes one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs), located within housing  12  and used for mounting and interconnecting components of lure  10 . For example, in  FIG. 4 , microcontroller  70  and circuit  76  (not shown) are mounted on PCB  81  and LEDs  72  are mounted on a PCB  82 . When LEDs  72  are mounted on a PCB, at least portions of housing  12  are constructed of a clear or translucent material, which allows light from LEDs  72  to pass through housing  12 . However, it should be understood that other portions of housing  12  could still be constructed of an opaque material.  FIG. 4  shows one particular configuration of PCBs in lure  10 , however, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to any particular number or configuration of PCBs. Using PCBs simplifies the physical configuration of lure  10 , reduces the footprint of components within lure  10 , and simplifies fabrication operations for lure  10 . As a result, time and costs for manufacturing lure  10  are reduced. As well, the use of PCBs increases the reliability of lure  10 . For example, PCBs reduce the amount of wiring required between components in lure  10 , thus reducing wiring connections, which can be a source of failure in devices, such as lure  10 , employing electronic and/or electric components.  
       FIG. 5  is a pictorial representation of the PCBs shown in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 5  shows microcontroller  70  and regulator  79  on PCB  81  and LEDs  72  on PCB  82 . LEDs  72  are shown on one side of PCB  82 , however, it should be understood that LEDs can be located on one or both sides of PCB  82 .  FIG. 5  shows one possible configuration of components in lure  10 . It should be understood that other configurations are included within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also should be understood that  FIG. 5  is not intended to show all the components mounted on PCBs  81  and  82 .  
      Returning to  FIG. 3 , one particular configuration of LEDs  72  is shown in  FIG. 3 , however, it should be understood that other configurations of LEDs are possible and that such configurations are included in the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. LEDs are responsive to the direction of input current. Using this characteristic, some LEDs in  FIG. 3  are wired to operate in pairs, for example, D 1  and D 8 . However, one LED  72 , D 22 , is wired to operate singly. Further details regarding control of LEDs  72  are provided below.  
      As noted supra, to present the most attractive visual enticement for a game fish, it is desirable to increase the number of lights used in a lure. However, simultaneously activating a large number of lights increases instantaneous current draw on the battery, which has a limited charge. Unfortunately, battery life and performance decrease in proportion to the instantaneous current draw on a battery. Therefore, to increase the sensory output of lure  10 , while minimizing instantaneous current draw on a battery  34 , lure  10  uses a unique scheme for limiting the number of sensory output devices active at any one point in time. In the aspect shown in  FIG. 3 , to control LEDs  72  and buzzer  74 , pin  7  of microcontroller  70  toggles between a high and a low state on line  84 . That is, pin  7  alternates between ground potential and a voltage required to activate the LEDs and buzzer. In a coordinated fashion, pins  2 ,  3 ,  5 , and  6  toggle between the same high and low states on lines  85  through  88 , respectively. For example, line  84  goes low, line  85  goes high, and lines  86 ,  87 , and  88  go low. Then, D 1  and D 8  are activated, since these diodes are oriented to conduct current from pin  6  to pin  7 . On the other hand, D 2  and D 9  are oriented to block current from pin  6  to pin  7  and are not activated. The remaining diodes and the buzzer are not activated since no current is flowing from pins  3 ,  5 , or  6 . As another example, line  84  goes high, line  85  goes low, and lines  86 ,  87 , and  88  go high. Then, D 2  and D 9  are activated. The remaining diodes and the buzzer are not activated since the voltage potential at each terminal of the remaining diodes is equal. In like manner, lines  84  through  88  toggle between high and low states to activate the remaining LEDs and buzzer.  
      As shown above, the toggling of pins  2 ,  3 ,  5 - 7  can be controlled so that only one pair of diodes or the buzzer is activated at any point in time. This addresses the concerns regarding the magnitude of the instantaneous current draw on the battery. That is, instantaneous current draw is limited to the draw associated with one pair of diodes or the buzzer. However, blinking LEDs or an intermittently operating buzzer may not provide the desired sensory output to attract game fish. Therefore, the microcontroller is programmed to toggle pins  2 ,  3 ,  5 - 7  at a frequency high enough so that the resulting flicker of LEDs  72  is not discernable to the naked eye. That is, the LEDs appear to be continuously illuminated. To present a “continuous” light, an LED is typically toggled at a frequency of at least 30 hertz. However, it should be understood that other frequencies can be used, and such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. In a similar manner, buzzer  74  can be toggled to produce a “continuous” audio signal.  
      The present invention includes a wide variety of control sequences for the LEDs and buzzers and is not limited to any particular control sequence for the LEDs and buzzers. For example, pins  2 ,  3 ,  5 - 7  can be controlled to produce visible flickering or blinking of some or all of the LEDs. The LEDs can be made to blink in different patterns composed of variable numbers of LEDs. For example, the LEDs can be activated to present a “ripple” of light. The patterns can be periodic in nature or pseudo-random. In those aspects with variable voltage LEDs, control programs can vary the voltage to the LEDs to produce particular colors and color patterns. Programs specifically designed to produce lighting and audio patterns for particular game fish can be factory-loaded in microcontroller  70  or downloaded through USB port  66 .  
      In some aspects, lure  10  includes one or more secondary inductor USB ports as described for  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 3 , secondary inductor USB port  68  is configured to provide power to circuit  76  on lines  89  and  90  and serial data input to microcontroller  70  on lines  92  and  93 . As described supra, lines  92  and  93  can be used to download control programs, for example, programs specifically designed to produce lighting and audio patterns for particular game fish.  
      The present invention is not limited to any particular number or configuration of LEDs. In some aspects (not shown), LEDs are attached to the interior surface of the housing (reference indicator  12  in  FIG. 1 ). In some aspects, for example, as described for  FIGS. 4 and 5 , LEDs are mounted on a PCB. In a same lure (not shown), one or more LEDs can be attached to the housing and one or more other LEDs can be mounted on PCBs. The present invention also is not limited to any particular type of light source. For example, some aspects (not shown) use LED-driven light cables, that is, LEDs packaged in long medical grade tubes. In  FIG. 5 , the LEDs are in a linear configuration. However, in some aspects (not shown), smaller LEDs, for example, 0603 size, are configured in groups within the housing to cover all or most of the surface area of a present invention lure to accomplish inverse camouflage, characteristic of some popular bait, such as calamari or small squid. LEDs can also be placed onto platforms (not shown) on the surface (reference designator  16  in  FIG. 1 ) of lure  10  to simulate the color-changing eyes characteristic of an artificial shrimp lure.  
       FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are programming flow charts for a present invention apparatus or method.  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  illustrate the basic framework, flow, decision-making, and logic of the present invention firmware stored in memory element  60 .  
      Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other aspects of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.