Touchscreen Sonar Display with Parallel Zoom Axis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sonar systems require manual and time-consuming adjustments of depth information display limits to focus on specific areas, such as schools of fish or seabed profiles, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A touchscreen sonar system with a display axis and range axis that allows for quick switching and analysis of areas by activating a zoom axis parallel to the range axis, enabling enlarged sections to be displayed without manual adjustment of limits, using gestures or touch inputs for efficient data representation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of depth display limits is used to focus on specific areas, then the ability to examine different depth regions is achieved, but the time and effort required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adjusting display limitsVSAvoidtime required to adjust boundaries
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-defines multiple depth ranges (first depth range, second depth range, etc.) with predetermined upper and lower limits. When a user selects a specific depth region of interest, the system automatically activates the corresponding pre-configured depth range and adjusts the display limits without requiring manual boundary adjustment. This preliminary preparation of multiple depth ranges resolves the contradiction by eliminating the time-consuming manual adjustment process while maintaining the ability to examine different depth regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different depth ranges based on user selection. The display automatically transitions from showing one depth range to another by activating corresponding zoom axes and adjusting display limits in real-time. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond quickly to changing observation needs without manual reconfiguration, resolving the time and effort contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple depth ranges are monitored quickly by manual adjustment, then different areas can be examined, but the laborious repeated entry of values increases complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of monitoring different areasVSAvoidcomplexity of manual entry operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides a universal interface for monitoring multiple depth ranges by implementing a standardized set of depth range definitions that can be applied across different monitoring scenarios. The same mechanism for selecting and activating depth ranges works consistently whether monitoring fish schools, seabed profiles, or other features, eliminating the need for different操作流程 for different areas and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple depth ranges are pre-configured with their upper and lower limits before monitoring begins. This preliminary setup stores all necessary boundary values in advance, so when monitoring different areas, the system simply retrieves and activates the appropriate pre-saved range rather than requiring repeated manual entry. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high productivity while eliminating the laborious repeated value entry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the display shows the entire depth range, then all areas are visible, but the resolution and detail of specific areas of interest are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresolution of depth informationVSAvoiddisplay area coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the full depth range into multiple distinct depth ranges (first depth range, second depth range, etc.), each representing a specific region of interest. When a particular depth range is selected, the display focuses on that segment with high resolution while maintaining the option to switch between segments. This segmentation allows the display to show detailed information about specific areas without requiring the entire depth range to be visible simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between resolution and coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display dynamically adjusts its coverage area based on the selected depth range. When a specific depth range is activated through user selection, the display automatically zooms in to show only that range with high resolution. This dynamic adjustment of display area coverage resolves the contradiction by providing full coverage when needed at low resolution, and focused high-resolution views when specific areas are selected, eliminating the need to choose between coverage and resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Significantly reduces the effort and time required to adjust and analyze different underwater areas, achieving faster and more efficient data processing and higher data resolution with improved operational convenience.

Implementation Method 1

An echo sounder determines the depth beneath a vessel. This depth information is obtained by emitting sound waves, which are reflected by objects, and the corresponding travel time of these waves is measured.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound wave reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3152644B1Display screen, sonar, and water craft
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GMBH
  • EP3152644B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3152644B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a display screen, in particular a touch screen, comprising a dedicated computer, a display axis, and a range axis having a range lower limit, a range upper limit, and a first zoom range having a first zoom upper limit and a first zoom lower limit. The range axis and the display axis form an enclosed display area, and in particular, are orthogonally arranged relative to one another, and in particular, a functional relationship can be displayed in the display area. The invention is characterized in that the first zoom range can be displayed with an activatable first zoom axis, wherein the first zoom axis is arranged parallel to the range axis such that with an activated first zoom axis, in particular the functional relationship with respect to the first zoom axis is displayed.