Underwater detecting apparatus, depth measuring apparatus and display apparatus

• US 6,595,315 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2000
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Furuno Electric Co, Ltd
• Original Assignee: Furuno Electric Co, Ltd
• Inventors: Nagano, Hiroshi, Makino, Itsuo, Obuchi, Makoto, Fujimoto, Hiroyasu
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Khanh
• Application Number:
  US09/662,627
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 181/108, 181/110, 181/118, 181/120, 181/124, 367/95-101, 367/103, 367/105, 367/106, 367/107-115
• US Class Current: 181/124
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/08 Systems for measuring distance only indirect measurement G01S15/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/96 for locating fish
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/6218 providing two-dimensional coordinated display of distance and direction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/6272 producing cursor lines and indicia by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/64 Luminous indications G01S7/62 takes precedence ; short-range imaging G01S7/52076

Abstract

A screen on which water depth information obtained from an echo signal is historically displayed and a screen on which fish school detection information obtained from an echo signal is displayed, are displayed side by side on a display screen of a display instrument or either one is displayed by switching. Thus, a large amount of information is displayed on a limited space of a small display instrument efficiently and effectively and to be easy to see. Further, when a water depth value becomes a set value of an alarm water depth mark or less, an alarm is displayed on the display screen of the display instrument, and an alarm is given by sound. At the same time as this, the brilliance of the display screen is raised to the maximum brilliance to make the screen brighter, so that the contents of the alarm are made easy to see. Thus, quick measures can be taken in an emergency. Moreover, after a mode is set to a help mode by a mode switch, when any one of keys in an operation portion is pushed, guidance of the function, operation procedure, and the like of the pushed key is displayed on a display portion. Thus, the guidance as to the key can be displayed by a simple operation in a help mode.

Claims

1. An underwater detecting apparatus comprising:

a transducer for emitting an ultrasonic signal into the water from a fixed place on a ship and for receiving echo signals; and

an indicator for displaying underwater information, wherein the indicator displays a first screen on which water depth information obtained based on the echo signals is historically displayed and a second screen on which fish school detection information obtained based on the echo signals is displayed, wherein the historically displayed information includes at least 15 minutes of prior information, and wherein said first and second screens are simultaneously displayed on said indicator.

2. An underwater detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second screens are displayed side by side on the display instrument.

3. An underwater detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second screens are switched and either one of them is displayed.

4. An underwater detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a water depth is measured by using ultrasonic signals of two frequencies used for fish school detection.

5. An underwater detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein on the first screen, the water depth information over a past time period is scrolled, and display contents are renewed in an area unit of 1/n of all display area, wherein n is an arbitrary number greater than 1.

6. An underwater detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first screen is divided in two, water depth information over a past time period is displayed on one display screen, latest water depth information including a present measured depth is displayed on the other screen, and display contents on the one display screen is scrolled in an area unit of 1/n of all display area of the one screen, wherein n is an arbitrary number greater than 1.

7. An underwater detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a frequency of an ultrasonic wave is automatically switched to a high frequency or a low frequency in accordance with a water depth.

8. An underwater detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a change in water depth up to now is calculated on the basis of past water depth data, and a result is displayed with a mark on the first screen.

9. An underwater detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a draft value is to be set on the first or second screen, when the draft value is set, an oscillation line is not moved but a water depth scale is shifted upward.

10. An underwater detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water depth information historically displayed comprise 24 hours of historical data.

11. An underwater detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water depth information historically displayed is displayed in a table format.

12. An underwater detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water depth information historically displayed is displayed in a graphic form when a contour mode is selected and a table form when a text mode is selected.

13. The underwater detecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the historical water depth information is based on plural detection signals obtained in a definite period.

14. An underwater detecting apparatus comprising:

a transducer for emitting an ultrasonic signal into the water from a fixed place on a ship and for receiving echo signals; and

an indicator for displaying underwater information, wherein the indicator displays a first screen on which water depth information including a seabed line obtained based on an echo signal received by said transducer is historically displayed and a second screen on which fish school detection information obtained based on an echo signal received by said transducer is displayed, wherein said first and second screens are simultaneously displayed on said indicator.

15. The underwater detecting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the historical water depth information is based on plural detection signals obtained in a definite period.