Talking depth sounder

• US 4,672,590 A
• Filed: 02/13/1985
• Issued: 06/09/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Beede Electrical Instrument Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Robert K. Tendler
• Inventors: Tendler, Robert K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pihulic, Daniel T.
• Application Number:
  US06/701,136
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 367/109, 367/111, 367/116, 367/112
• US Class Current: 367/116
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/56 Display arrangements short-range imaging G01S7/52053

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for adapting an analog depth sounder for the calling out of the depth at regular time intervals. In one embodiment, a self-contained adapter module is mounted to the face of the depth sounder so as to cover the depth sounder display, with the module including a transparent plate carrying a detector array and with electronics and speaker carried at the center of the array. In this embodiment, the detectors are arranged in thin radially extending lines to permit accommodation to displays of different diameter. Alternatively, small detectors are arranged along a circle having a diameter which overlies at least a portion of the orbiting radiating element which radiates along a considerable length. This alternative array configuration also accommodates a range of display diameters. As a further alternative, to accommodate different diameter displays, the thin line detectors may be replaced with radially extending light pipes with detectors at their ends. The transparent plate with almost invisible detection apparatus permits viewing of the depth sounder display through the plate so that visual as well as audible readout may be achieved. Electronics is provided to decode the angular position of the orbiting element of the depth sounder at the time the element is actuated to provide a digital number representing depth. This number is then used in generating its speech equivalent through a standard speech synthesizer and loudspeaker. The electronics may include a number of different ROMS or different sections of a single ROM to provide for scale adjustment. Alternatively, a variable rate clock may be used to adjust for scale. Alternative embodiments include sensing the time difference between pulses of electromagnetic radiation from the depth sounder to establish depth, with the signals being available outside the depth sounder case. In each embodiment, signals which activate the speech synthesizer may be used to drive a digital display for improved filtering against spurious signals. In an additional embodiment the change in depth is assessed and the annunciation is responsive to the predetermined depth change, with rapid annunciation responsive to rapid change in depth, or to permit sensing of anchor drag when at anchor, or to give an alarm indication of rapid slope change with rapid annunciation. In this mode of operation the unit is silent when anchored at a predetermined depth, the annunciation of any depth indicating the presence of fish or other submerged bodies passing under the anchored boat or vessel.

Claims

1. In a depth sounder which senses depth of water underneath a vessel, means for verbally annunciating the sensed depth only when the depth under the vessel utilizing the depth sounder changes by more than a predetermined depth change.

2. Apparatus for converting a depth sounder having a visual indication of depth into one in which depth is periodically called out at an annunciation rate, said depth sounder having a case comprising:

means outside of said case for sensing pulses of electromagnetic radiation produced by said depth sounder for measuring depth;

means for converting the sensed electromagnetic radiation into a number representative of depth; and

means responsive to a predetermined change in depth for converting said number into a speech equivalent, whereby the annunciation rate is related to said predetermined change in depth.

3. Apparatus for converting a depth sounder having a visual indication of depth into one in which depth is periodically called out, said depth sounder having a case, comprising:

means outside of said case for sensing pulses of electromagnetic radiation produced by said depth sounder;

means for converting the sensed electromagnetic radiation into a number representative of depth; and

,

means responsive to the number being below a predetermined number indicative a predetermined depth limit for converting said first mentioned number into a speech equivalent.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said speech equivalent converting means does so at a predetermined rate.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said speech equivalent converting means does so at a rate comensurate with the rate of change of depth.