SONAR NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20120014220A1
• Filed: 08/07/2009
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Louis Depasqua
• Inventors: DePasqua, Louis
• Granted Patent: US 8,305,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/88
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 49/00 Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids nautical measuring instruments G01C; radio navigation, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/007 Trolling propulsion units trolling plates for slowing down B63H25/50; dynamo-electric machines of trolling units H02K
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/005 with correlation of navigation data from several sources, e.g. map or contour matching G01C21/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/02 using reflection of acoustic waves G01S15/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/06 Systems determining the position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/42 Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S15/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/86 Combinations of sonar systems with lidar systems; Combinations of sonar systems with systems not using wave reflection
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8902 Side-looking sonar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/96 for locating fish
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52 of systems according to group G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52004 Means for monitoring or calibrating short-range imaging G01S7/5205
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52053 Display arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/56 Display arrangements short-range imaging G01S7/52053
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/80 in fisheries management

Abstract

A method for pre-determining an underwater objects GPS position using a forward scan sonar unit linked to a boat trolling motor, magnetic compass and GPS receiver. This system determines the underwater objects GPS position using the objects distance, compass heading and a GPS receiver/sonar on a boat. This system will provide real time longitude and latitude positions of underwater objects seen with sonar at a distance from a boat, and will allow for precise autopilot navigation or fixed position fishing. The system can also be used to correct for GPS errors when using previously stored waypoints positions of an object. The computer determines an objects underwater GPS position using a forward scan sonar transducer and compass mounted on a 360 degree movable mechanism such as a trolling motor unit, and formulates the objects position based on the distance and heading of the object in relation to the boats current GPS position.

Claims

1. A method of determining location coordinates of an underwater object, comprising the steps of:

detecting a direction heading using a compass that is aligned with a transducer;

detecting the existence of a plurality of underwater objects;

determining a distance between at least one of the plurality of underwater objects and a current position using the transducer;

receiving a selection of one of the plurality of objects;

calculating coordinates for the at least one of the plurality of objects using the distance, the current position, and the direction heading; and

,

storing the coordinates for the at least one of the plurality of objects in a memory.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the location coordinates comprise latitude and longitude coordinates.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the location coordinates are GPS coordinates.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the sonar calculates the coordinates for the at least one of the plurality of objects.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of calculating coordinates for at least one of the plurality of objects is performed for the selected object in response to the object being selected.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

storing the coordinates for the at least one of the plurality of objects in a memory.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the coordinates are stored as a waypoint.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

receiving an identification of the selected object;

storing the identification of the selected object; and

,

associating the coordinates for the selected object with the identifier.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

integrating the compass within a trolling motor;

integrating the transducer within the trolling motor wherein the transducer will be submerged underwater when the trolling motor is in use; and

,

aligning the transducer with the compass wherein the compass transmits the direction of where the transducer is pointed as the transducer scans underwater when the transducer is in use.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of detecting the existence of a plurality of underwater objects comprises the steps of:

scanning an underwater area with a sonar beam from the transducer;

receiving a reflected sonar beam;

transmitting a reflected sonar beam signal to the sonar;

determining points representing outlines of solid objects under the water.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of determining the distance between the at least one of the plurality of underwater objects and the current position comprises calculating the distance between a plurality of the points representing the outline of the solid object under the water and the current location of the transducer.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of receiving the selection of the one of the plurality of objects comprises receiving an input from a user through a touch screen associated with the sonar indicating which object on the touch screen the user wishes to select.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of calculating coordinates for the at least one of the plurality of objects using the distance and the current position comprises the steps of:

receiving GPS coordinates for the current location;

receiving the direction heading;

calculating the GPS coordinates using the GPS coordinates for the current location, the direction heading, and the distance.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising steps for correcting coordinates of underwater objects stored in the memory, comprising the steps of:

retrieving from memory first stored coordinates for the at least one of the plurality of underwater objects;

determining new coordinates for the at least one of the plurality of underwater objects;

calculating at least one difference value between the stored coordinates and the new coordinates;

applying the at least one difference value to second stored coordinates for another of the plurality of underwater objects.

15. A trolling motor comprising:

a motor;

a propeller attached to the motor;

a controller for controlling the direction of the motor;

a compass for detecting a direction of where the trolling motor is pointed;

a transducer aligned with the compass, wherein the compass detects the direction of where the transducer is pointed as the transducer scans underwater when the transducer is in use;

a communication interface for allowing transmission of the direction to a remote device.

16. The trolling motor of claim 15 wherein the communications interface is a wireless transceiver for wirelessly transmitting the direction to a sonar.

17. The trolling motor of claim 15 further comprising:

a GPS unit for determining coordinates of a current location, wherein the communications interface allows transmission of the coordinates of the current position to the remote device.

18. The trolling motor of claim 15 wherein the communications interface allows transmission of a distance signal representing a distance between one of the plurality of underwater objects and a current position to the remote device.

19. A sonar for locating underwater objects, comprising:

a display;

a processor in communication with the display;

a memory in communication with the processor;

a communications interface for receiving direction data from a remote compass representing a direction that a transducer is pointed, and for receiving a distance signal representing a distance between one of a plurality of underwater objects and a current position of a transducer from the transducer, wherein the processor determines coordinates of the one of the plurality of underwater objects.

20. The sonar of claim 19 wherein the communications interface receives coordinates of a current location of a GPS unit.

21. The sonar of claim 20 wherein the processor determines coordinates of the one of the plurality of underwater objects using the coordinates, the direction data, and the distance signal.

22. The sonar of claim 21 wherein the coordinates are stored in the memory.

23. The sonar of claim 19 wherein the display is a touch screen display, and wherein the sonar is configured to:

receive a selection of an object displayed on the display;

receive an identification of the selected object;

store the identification of the selected object; and

,

associate calculated coordinates for the selected object with the identifier.

24. A map display device for displaying points, comprising:

a display displaying a geographic representation of a map of points, and an icon representing a pointing direction of a trolling motor to which the sonar is associated, the icon facing a first direction;

a memory in communication with the processor for storing the geographic representation of the map of points;

communications interface for receiving a new pointing direction of the trolling motor;

a processor in communication with the display, the communications interface, and the memory for receiving the new pointing direction of the trolling motor, and for causing the display to redisplay the geographic representation of the map of points and icon in relation to one another using the new direction of the trolling motor in a manner which allows a user to determine which direction the trolling motor is pointed in relation to the points.

25. The sonar of claim 24 wherein a point is selected from a group consisting of a waypoint, an out of water object, a topographical image, and an underwater object.

26. The map display device of claim 24 wherein the device is a sonar.

27. The device of claim 24 wherein the communications interface receives the new pointing direction of the trolling motor from a compass mounted on the trolling motor.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein the new pointing direction is of the trolling motor lower unit.

29. The device of claim 24 wherein the device is configured to change the orientation of the icon in relation to the geographic representation of the map of points on the display.

30. The device of claim 24 wherein the device is configured to maintain the icon in a static position on the display and change the position of the geographic representation of the points in relation to the icon on the display.