Unlock instant, AI-driven research and patent intelligence for your innovation.

Systems and associated methods for updating stored 3D sonar data

Inactive Publication Date: 2016-09-08
NAVICO HLDG
View PDF51 Cites 15 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides sonar systems, transducer assemblies, methods, and associated systems for updating stored 3D sonar data. The sonar systems may include a sonar signal processor that processes sonar return data from a transducer array to generate live 3D mesh data. The live 3D mesh data may be used to update stored 3D mesh data, which may be stored either locally or in a remote server. The position of the watercraft when the sonar return data is received may be determined and used to update the stored 3D mesh data. The technical effects of this invention include improved sonar imaging and more accurate positioning of the watercraft.

Problems solved by technology

Applicant has identified a number of deficiencies and problems associated with conventional sonar systems and other associated systems.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Systems and associated methods for updating stored 3D sonar data
  • Systems and associated methods for updating stored 3D sonar data
  • Systems and associated methods for updating stored 3D sonar data

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example application

of Sidescan Imaging

[0127]In some embodiments, the embodiments of the sidescan transducer arrays (e.g., sidescan transducer arrays 46, 48, 80, and 92), may additionally or alternatively be used for sidescan imaging. Sidescan imaging may be generated by transmitting sidescan sonar pulses with at least one element of a sidescan transducer array and receiving sidescan sonar returns with at least one element of a sidescan transducer array. With reference to the embodiment of FIG. 6, at least one of the sidescan transducer elements of each array may be configured to transmit sonar pulses which echo from objects in the underwater environment (e.g., the floor of the body of water, fish, objects, etc.) in a manner similar to the above-described embodiments. In some embodiments, the transmitted sonar pulses from a sidescan sonar element will define a fan-shaped beam on one side of the boat (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B). At least one sidescan transducer element may then receive the sonar...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

Provided are a method, apparatus, and computer program product for updating stored 3D mesh data from live 3D mesh data. The method may include processing, by a sonar signal processor, first sonar return data and second sonar return data from first and second transducer elements of at least one transducer array to generate live 3D mesh data. The method may include determining a position associated with the live 3D mesh data that corresponds to the position of the watercraft when the first sonar return data and the second sonar return data was received, and may include updating a stored 3D mesh data with at least a portion of the live 3D mesh data based on the position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 128,635, which is entitled “Systems and Associated Methods for Producing a 3D Sonar Image” and was filed Mar. 5, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to sonar systems and, more particularly, to sonar systems, assemblies, and associated methods for updating stored 3D data.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Sonar (SOund Navigation And Ranging) has long been used to detect waterborne or underwater objects. For example, sonar devices may be used to determine depth and bottom topography, detect fish, locate wreckage, etc. In this regard, due to the extreme limits to visibility underwater, sonar is typically the most accurate way to locate objects underwater. Sonar transducer elements, or simply transducers, may convert electrical energy into...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
IPC IPC(8): G01S15/89
CPCG01S15/89G01S7/54G01S15/876G01S7/521G01S15/003G01S15/8902G01S7/56G01S7/6245G01S7/524G01S7/526G01S7/629
Inventor PROCTOR, ALAN LEEPARKS, DAVID AUSTINHORNER, RONALD JOEHUNT, MATTHEW DAVID
Owner NAVICO HLDG