Active Echo Fishing Lure Sonar Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current boat sonar systems cannot display fishing lures on underwater ultrasound images due to their small size and the use of passive reflectors would make the lure appear unnatural, repelling fish rather than attracting them.
Innovation Solution
An active echo system integrated into a fishing lure or attached to a fishing line, which includes an ultrasound transducer, signal amplifier, analog-to-digital converter, and microprocessor to detect and transmit active echo pulses back to the boat sonar system, allowing the lure to be displayed on the sonar images and enhancing detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If passive reflectors are used on the fishing lure, then the lure can be detected by the sonar system, but the lure appears unnatural and repels fish
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an active echo system as an intermediary between the lure and the sonar system. Instead of relying on passive reflection, the lure actively transmits echo pulses back to the sonar transducer, enabling detection without adding visible physical structures that would make the lure unnatural to fish.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/passive reflection system with an active electronic system. The lure contains an active echo system with a transducer that electronically generates and transmits echo pulses, substituting the passive mechanical reflection approach with an active electronic detection method.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lure is made small for natural appearance, then it attracts fish, but it cannot be displayed on sonar images
Solution Approach 1:
The active echo system acts as an intermediary that amplifies the small lure's presence on sonar images. The electronically generated echo pulses from the small lure create a detectable signal that appears larger and more visible on sonar displays, while the physical lure remains small and natural for fish attraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the acoustic parameter of the lure by introducing an active echo system that transmits pulses. This parameter change enables small lures to produce strong echo signals that are clearly visible on sonar images, decoupling the relationship between physical size and sonar visibility.
3Measurement precision
If an active echo system is integrated into the lure, then the lure can be displayed on sonar images, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the active echo system components (transducer, amplifier, microprocessor, pulser circuit) into a single integrated unit within the lure. This consolidation reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate components, while still providing full active echo functionality for sonar detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The active echo system serves multiple functions: it detects sonar signals, generates active echo pulses, amplifies signals, and interfaces with the boat sonar system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate systems, thereby managing complexity while achieving comprehensive detection capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the display of the fishing lure's position relative to fish and underwater features, improving fishing efficiency by making the lure appear natural and attractive, while providing enhanced detection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound transducer configured to detect sonar signals transmitted by the boat sonar transducer and transmit an active echo pulse, or a series of active echo pulses, back to the boat sonar transducer
Data Source
AI summary
An underwater imaging system is disclosed. A boat sonar transducer is configured to transmit and receive sonar signals and generate an image of water and surfaces using received sonar signals. An active echo system is configured to be positioned within the water to remotely communicate with the boat sonar transducer. The active echo system includes an ultrasound transducer configured to detect sonar signals transmitted by the boat sonar transducer and transmit an active echo pulse, or a series of active echo pulses, back to the boat sonar transducer. A microprocessor is configured to drive the ultrasound transducer to transmit the active echo pulse, or series of active echo pulses, back to the boat sonar transducer in response to the ultrasound transducer detecting sonar signals transmitted by the boat sonar transducer.