Method, system, and device for graphically presenting water temperature data

• US 6,934,657 B1
• Filed: 11/13/2002
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Carlson, Michael E., Brunk, Scott J., Walters, Thomas H., Kabel, Darrin W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sun, Xiuqin
• Application Number:
  US10/293,633
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 702/130, 181/124, 340/584, 340/426.16
• US Class Current: 702/130
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/02 Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/022 for recording

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods are provided for monitoring water temperature. One method includes receiving water temperature data and graphically presenting the data. The data is presented having the water temperature data graphically differentiated to indicate when the water temperature data crosses a threshold temperature.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring water temperature, comprising:

receiving water temperature data;

graphically presenting the water temperature wherein the water temperature data is graphically differentiated to indicate when the water temperature data crosses a threshold temperature, wherein graphically presenting the water temperature data includes displaying a scrolling line including data points, wherein each data point in the scrolling line represents a temperature sample; and

displaying the scrolling line in a first format when the water temperature is in a first relation to the threshold temperature and displaying the scrolling line in a second format when the water temperature is in a second relation to the threshold temperature.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving water temperature data includes receiving water temperature data from a source selected from the group of a transducer equipped with an electronic thermometer and a transmission of data signals conforming to the standards of the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further includes recording the water temperature data and displaying a water temperature history.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first format includes a solid line format and wherein the second format includes a broken line format.

5. A method for graphically presenting a water temperature log, comprising:

setting one or more temperature thresholds;

recording a water temperature over time;

displaying a string of data points, wherein each data point includes information on the recorded water temperature at a particular time; and

graphically presenting a correlation between the one or more temperature thresholds and the recorded water temperature by altering a display format for the string of data points.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein setting one or more temperature thresholds includes setting an upper temperature threshold.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein setting one or more temperature thresholds includes setting a lower temperature threshold.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein setting one or more temperature thresholds includes setting both an upper and a lower temperature threshold.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein displaying a string of data points includes displaying a string of data points which represent a track log.

10. A computer readable medium having a set of computer readable instructions, the set of computer readable instructions comprising instructions for:

defining one or more temperature thresholds;

maintaining a track log;

recording a water temperature over time;

displaying a correlation between the one or more defined temperature thresholds and the recorded water temperature by altering a display format of the track log when the recorded water temperature crosses one or more of the defined temperature thresholds.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein recording the water temperature over time includes recording the water temperature over time and location.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further includes displaying the track log having a number of location data points, wherein displaying the track log includes displaying the water temperature recorded at each of the location data points.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein displaying a correlation between the one or more defined temperature thresholds and the recorded water temperature includes altering the display format of the track log when the recorded water temperature crosses one or more of the defined temperature thresholds.

14. A marine device, comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory is operable to store one or more water temperature thresholds;

at least one input capable of receiving water temperature input data; and

a display operable to graphically present a number of data points along a track, each data point having an associated water temperature, wherein the number of data points graphically differentiate when the associated water temperature crosses the one or more water temperature thresholds by altering a display format for the data points.

15. The marine device of claim 14, wherein the display is a color display which graphically presents the number of data points in a number of colors, wherein a given color represents a certain correlation to the one or more water temperature thresholds according to a selectable set of criteria.

16. The marine device of claim 15, wherein a first color is used to graphically differentiate when the water temperature associated with a data point is below a water temperature threshold and a second color is used to graphically differentiate when the water temperature associated with a data point is above the water temperature threshold.

17. The marine device of claim 16, wherein in a second criteria a water temperature alarm is in an active state when the water temperature associated with a data point is below a water temperature threshold, and wherein the first color is chosen to visually signify the active state of the water temperature alarm.

18. The marine device of claim 16, wherein in a first criteria a water temperature alarm is in an active state when the water temperature associated with a data point is above a water temperature threshold, and wherein the second color is chosen to visually signify the active state of the water temperature alarm.

19. The marine device of claim 15, wherein in a third criteria at least two water temperature thresholds are defined, wherein the at least two water temperature thresholds include an upper temperature threshold and a lower temperature threshold.

20. The marine device of claim 19, wherein a first color is used to graphically differentiate when the water temperature associated with a data point is above the upper temperature threshold, and wherein a second color is used to graphically differentiate when the water temperature associated with a data point is between the upper temperature threshold and the lower temperature threshold.

21. The marine device of claim 20, wherein a third color is used to graphically differentiate when the water temperature associated with a data point is below the lower temperature threshold.

22. The marine device of claim 19, wherein a water temperature alarm is in a non-active state when the water temperature associated with a data point is between the upper temperature threshold and the lower temperature threshold.

23. A marine system, comprising:

a first marine device, the first marine device including;

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory is operable to store one or more water temperature thresholds;

at least one input capable of receiving water temperature input data; and

a display operable to graphically present a number of data points along a track, each data point having an associated water temperature, wherein the number of data points graphically differentiate when the associated water temperature crosses the one or more water temperature thresholds by altering a display format for the data points; and

a second marine device operably coupled with the first marine device, the second marine device having a thermometer component.

24. The marine system of claim 23, wherein the first marine device includes a chartplotter.

25. The marine system of claim 23, wherein the marine system further includes a sounder operably coupled with the first and the second marine devices such that the marine system is sonar capable.

26. The marine system of claim 23, wherein the second marine device includes a transducer.

27. The marine system of claim 23, wherein the system further includes at least one transceiver component operable to wirelessly transmit and receive data, including the graphically presented number of data points, with a remote electronic device.

28. The marine system of claim 23, wherein the number of data points include water temperature log data points.

29. The marine system of claim 28, wherein water temperature log data points present water temperature history and trend information in a graphical fashion.

30. The marine system of claim 28, wherein the water temperature log data points include water temperature data log points for a number of selected depths.

31. The marine system of claim 23, wherein the first marine device includes a GPS capable device.

32. The marine system of claim 23, wherein the number of data points include track log data points.

33. A method for monitoring water temperature, comprising:

receiving water temperature data; and

graphically presenting the water temperature as a scrolling line including data points, wherein each data point in the scrolling line represents a temperature sample, wherein the scrolling line is solid when the water temperature is in a first relation to a threshold temperature, and wherein the scrolling line is broken when the water temperature is in a second relation to the threshold temperature.

34. A method for monitoring water temperature, comprising:

receiving water temperature data; and

graphically presenting the water temperature as a scrolling line including data points, wherein each data point in the scrolling line represents a temperature sample, wherein the scrolling line is displayed in a first color when the water temperature is in a first relation to a threshold temperature, and wherein the scrolling line is displayed in a second color when the water temperature is in a second relation to the threshold temperature.

35. A method for monitoring water temperature, comprising:

receiving water temperature data; and

graphically presenting the water temperature as a plurality data points along a track, wherein each data point represents a temperature sample, wherein the data points are displayed in a position representative of a location of the corresponding temperature sample, wherein the data points are displayed in a first color when the water temperature is in a first relation to a threshold temperature, and wherein the data points are displayed in a second color when the water temperature is in a second relation to the threshold temperature.

36. A computer readable medium having a set of computer readable instructions, the set of computer readable instructions comprising instructions for:

defining one or more temperature thresholds;

maintaining a track log;

recording a water temperature over time and location relative to the track log;

displaying the track log; and

altering a display format of the track log when the recorded water temperature crosses one or more of the defined temperature thresholds.

37. A marine device, comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory is operable to store one or more water temperature thresholds;

at least one input capable of receiving water temperature data; and

a display operable to graphically present the water temperature as a scrolling line including data points, wherein each data point in the scrolling line represents a temperature sample, wherein the scrolling line is solid when the water temperature is in a first relation to a threshold temperature, and wherein the scrolling line is broken when the water temperature is in a second relation to the threshold temperate.

38. A marine device, comprising;

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory is operable to store one or more water temperature thresholds;

at least one input capable of receiving water temperature data; and

a display operable to graphically present the water temperature as a scrolling line including data points, wherein each data point in the scrolling line represents a temperature sample, wherein the scrolling line is displayed in a first color when the water temperature is in a first relation to a threshold temperature, and wherein the scrolling line is displayed in a second color when the water temperature is in a second relation to the threshold temperature.

39. A marine device, comprising:

a GPS receiver for receiving satellite signals from a plurality of satellites;

a processor coupled with the GPS receiver for calculating a location of the device as a function of the satellite signals;

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory is operable to store one or more water temperature thresholds, and wherein the memory is operable to maintain a track log;

at least one input capable of receiving water temperature data; and

a display operable to display the track log having a number of location data points relating to the water temperature, and wherein the display format of the track log is altered when the recorded water temperature crosses one or more of the temperature thresholds.

40. A computer readable medium having a set of computer readable instructions, the set of computer readable instructions comprising instructions for defining one or more temperature thresholds;

maintaining a track log;

recording a water temperature relative to location of the track log;

displaying the track log; and

altering a display format of the track log when the recorded water temperature crosses one or more of the defined temperature thresholds.