Tracking system for underwater equipment

• US 8,553,501 B1
• Filed: 11/02/2010
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ross Cota
• Original Assignee: Ross Cota
• Inventors: Cota, Ross
• Primary Examiner(s): BREIER, KRYSTINE E
• Application Number:
  US12/938,023
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 367/7, 367/131, 367/134, 431/00, 431/02, 431/03
• US Class Current: 367/131
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 69/00 Stationary catching devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/38 specially adapted for water-covered areas G01V1/28 takes precedence

Abstract

A system for tracking underwater equipment is disclosed which includes a buoy and an underwater animal trap connected to the buoy. A position sensing unit is mounted to the buoy, wherein the position sensing unit includes a satellite signal receiver which computes location data in response to receiving signals from multiple satellites, and a transmitter which transmits the location data. A tracking device can be used to display the location data received from the position sensing unit, allowing the position of the buoy and associated underwater animal trap to be tracked. A method of tracking an underwater animal trap is disclosed which includes coupling a position sensing unit to a buoy, and tracking the location of the buoy with a tracking unit. The buoy is coupled to an underwater animal trap, and the position sensing unit computes buoy location data in response to receiving signals from multiple satellites.

Claims

1. A system for tracking underwater equipment comprising:

a buoy;

an underwater animal trap mechanically coupled to the buoy; and

a position sensing unit attached to the buoy, wherein the position sensing unit comprises;

a satellite signal receiver, wherein the satellite signal receiver computes location data in response to receiving signals from multiple satellites;

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the location data;

a secondary buoy coupled to the underwater animal trap;

a secondary position sensing unit coupled to the secondary buoy, wherein the secondary position sensing unit comprises;

a secondary satellite signal receiver, wherein the secondary satellite signal receiver computes secondary location data in response to receiving signals from multiple satellites; and

a secondary transmitter, wherein the secondary transmitter transmits the secondary location data; and

means for using the second buoy in the event of malfunction or loss of the buoy.

2. The system for tracking underwater equipment of claim 1, further including a tracking device, wherein the tracking device displays the location data in response to receiving the location data.

3. The system for tracking underwater equipment of claim 2, wherein the transmitter is a transponder and the transponder transmits the location data in response to receiving a transmission request signal from the tracking device.

4. The system for tracking underwater equipment of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is a transponder and the transponder transmits a sonar signal in response to receiving a transmission request signal.

5. The system for tracking underwater equipment of claim 1, wherein the tracking device displays the secondary location data in response to receiving the secondary location data.

6. The system for tracking underwater equipment of claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits an identification code unique to the position sensing unit.

7. The system for tracking underwater equipment of claim 2, further including a temperature sensor coupled to the underwater animal trap, wherein the temperature sensor measures temperature of water in the vicinity of the underwater animal trap and sends temperature data to the tracking device.

8. The system for tracking underwater equipment of claim 2, wherein communication between the transmitter and the tracking device is secure.

9. A method of tracking an underwater animal trap comprising:

coupling a position sensing unit to a buoy, wherein the buoy is coupled to an underwater animal trap, and wherein the position sensing unit computes buoy location data in response to receiving signals from multiple satellites;

tracking the location of the buoy with a tracking unit, in response to the tracking unit receiving buoy location data from the position sensing unit;

coupling a secondary position sensing unit to a secondary buoy, wherein the secondary buoy is coupled to the underwater animal trap, and wherein the secondary position sensing unit computes secondary buoy location data in response to receiving signals from multiple satellites; and

tracking the location of the secondary buoy with the tracking unit, in response to malfunction or loss of the buoy, wherein the tracking unit receives secondary buoy location data from the secondary position sensing unit.

10. The method of tracking an underwater animal trap of claim 9, further including transmitting a request for location data from the tracking unit to the position sensing unit.

11. The method of tracking an underwater animal trap of claim 9, further including coupling a temperature sensor to the underwater animal trap, wherein the temperature sensor measures temperature of water in the vicinity of the underwater animal trap and sends temperature data to the tracking unit.

12. The method of tracking an underwater animal trap of claim 11, further comprising moving the underwater animal trap in response to temperature data that is not conducive to the animal to be trapped.