Remote fish logging unit

Abstract

A portable recording device, namely a remote logging unit, for electronically recording relevant information related to fishing conditions, and the like. The recording device has sensors for detecting environmental conditions and/or for measuring physical data on a specimen caught. The device also includes input mechanisms, such as a touch screen, for manually entering information, and a display for reviewing information stored in the device's memory. The recording device may be connectable to a personal computer for creating a personal log of the user's activities and/or for loading additional information into the device. The device may transfer recorded data to a central repository, for example using a transmitter/receiver for sending a data signal to a network server which maintains a database of information related to fishing conditions at a number of locations. The network server may receive and compile information from a number of remote units at various locations, thereby providing a system for sharing such information. A remote unit may contact the server from a remote location and request information on fishing conditions for a selected location.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable data-gathering device for electronically recording information related to fishing conditions at a remote location, said device comprising: 
 a set of sensors for measuring physical properties related to fishing conditions at the remote location; and    a storage device connected to said set of sensors for electronically storing data relating to said physical properties measured by said set of sensors.    
     
     
         2 . The device of    claim 1   , further comprising circuitry for sending a signal comprising said data to a central repository.  
     
     
         3 . A portable data-gathering device for electronically recording data related to conditions at a remote location, said device comprising: 
 an environmental sensor for measuring data relating to environmental conditions at a remote location to which said device is taken;    a measuring device for measuring physical data relating to a specimen encountered at the remote location;    a global positioning system for determining a longitude and latitude of the remote location;    processor circuitry for receiving said environmental, physical, and longitude and latitude data from said sensor, said measuring device, and said global positioning system; and    memory circuitry for electronically storing said environmental, physical, and longitude and latitude data received by said processor.    
     
     
         4 . The device of    claim 3   , wherein said measuring device includes a scale for measuring the weight of the specimen.  
     
     
         5 . The device of    claim 3   , wherein said measuring device includes a retractable cable for measuring the length of the specimen.  
     
     
         6 . The device of    claim 3   , wherein said environmental sensor includes a retractable probe for measuring water conditions at the remote location.  
     
     
         7 . The device of    claim 6   , wherein said retractable probe includes a temperature sensor.  
     
     
         8 . The device of    claim 3   , wherein said environmental sensor includes a sensor for measuring atmospheric conditions at the location.  
     
     
         9 . The device of    claim 8   , wherein said sensor for measuring atmospheric conditions includes a barometer.  
     
     
         10 . The device of    claim 8   , wherein said sensor for measuring atmospheric conditions includes a temperature sensor for measuring air temperature.  
     
     
         11 . The device of    claim 3   , further comprising: 
 an input mechanism on the case for manually providing additional information related to selected conditions at the remote location; and    wherein said processor circuitry is adapted to receive said additional information, and said memory circuitry is adapted to electronically store said additional information along with said environmental and physical data.    
     
     
         12 . The device of    claim 3   , further comprising a transmitter for sending a signal comprising said environmental and specimen data to a central data storage facility.  
     
     
         13 . The device of    claim 3   , further comprising a water proof floating case.  
     
     
         14 . A remote device for exchanging information related to fishing conditions with a central repository, said device comprising: 
 a transmitter for sending a first signal to a central repository, said first signal including location data identifying a selected location;    a receiver for receiving a second signal from the central repository, said second signal comprising information related to fishing conditions at the selected location;    memory circuitry for storing said information; and    a display for viewing said information.    
     
     
         15 . The device of    claim 14   , further comprising: 
 an input mechanism for recording data related to fishing conditions at a remote location to which said device is taken; and    a transmitter for sending a third signal to the central repository, said third signal comprising said data recorded at the remote location.    
     
     
         16 . A system for exchanging information related to fishing conditions between a portable recording device and a central repository, said system comprising: 
 a portable recording device for eectronically storing information related to fishing conditions obtained at a remote location to which said portable recording device is taken;    a central repository including processor and memory circuitry for compiling a retrievable archive of information previously stored in said portable recording device; and    an interface for enabling communications between said portable recording device and said central repository.    
     
     
         17 . The system of    claim 16   , wherein: 
 said central repository comprises a personal computer;    said interface comprises a cable connectable between a data port in said portable recording device and said personal computer; and    said personal computer includes circuitry for recovering said information from said portable recording device, and for adding said information to its retrievable archive.    
     
     
         18 . The system of    claim 16   , wherein: 
 said interface comprises a transmitter in said portable recording device for sending a signal comprising said information; and    said central repository comprises a network server.    
     
     
         19 . A system for exchanging data on fishing conditions between a remote location and a network server, said system comprising: 
 a remote unit including sensors for electronically recording data related to fishing conditions at a remote location to which the remote unit is taken, memory circuitry for temporarily storing said data; and a transmitter for sending a data signal comprising said recorded data to a communications system coupled to said network server; and    a network server including memory circuitry for storing said recorded data sent from said remote unit, and processor circuitry for adding said measured data to a database of previously compiled data on fishing conditions.    
     
     
         20 . The system of    claim 19   , wherein: 
 said remote unit includes a transmitter for sending an inquiry signal comprising a selected location, a receiver for receiving a data signal comprising previously compiled data on fishing conditions at the selected location, and a display for reviewing said previously compiled data;    said network server includes processor circuitry for extracting said previously compiled data from said database.    
     
     
         21 . A system for compiling data on conditions at a plurality of fishing locations, said system comprising: 
 a plurality of portable recording devices adapted to be taken to remote fishing locations, each remote unit including an input mechanism for recording data on fishing conditions at each respective location, and including a transmitter for sending a signal comprising said data; and    a network server adapted to receive said data from said remote units, said server including processor circuitry for collecting said data from said remote units, and including memory circuitry for storing said data, thereby accumulating a database on fishing conditions at a variety of remote fishing locations.    
     
     
         22 . A method of exchanging information between a portable recording device and a central repository, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a portable recording device including an input mechanism, memory circuitry and a transmitter/receiver;    providing a central repository comprising memory circuitry, and processor circuitry for storing a database of relevant information on a variety of locations in the memory circuitry;    taking the portable recording device to a remote location;    electronically recording data at the remote location with the input mechanism of the portable recording device;    storing the data in the memory circuitry of the portable recording device;    sending a signal from the transmitter/receiver of the portable recording device, the signal comprising the data stored in the memory circuitry;    receiving the data comprising the signal at the central repository; and    adding the data to the database of previously compiled information stored in the memory circuitry of the central repository.    
     
     
         23 . The method of    claim 22   , wherein said step of electronically recording data comprises the steps of: 
 a catching a fish;    electronically recording physical data descriptive of the fish; and    electronically recording data on environmental conditions at the remote location.    
     
     
         24 . The method of    claim 23   , wherein said step of electronically recording physical data comprises the steps of: 
 electronically measuring the weight of the fish; and    measuring the length of the fish.    
     
     
         25 . A method of electronically recording information related to fishing conditions at a remote location, said method comprising: 
 providing a remote fish logging device including an input mechanism and memory circuitry;    taking the remote fish logging device to a remote location;    electronically recording data related to fish caught at the remote location with the remote fish logging device; and    transferring the recorded data to a mass memory storage device external of the remote fish logging device.    
     
     
         26 . The method of    claim 25   , wherein said step of electronically recording data comprises the steps of: 
 electronically recording species data on the fish;    electronically measuring specimen data on the fish; and    comparing the specimen data with species data stored in the memory circuitry of the remote fish logging device to decide whether to keep the fish.    
     
     
         27 . The method of    claim 26   , wherein said step of electronically recording comprises the additional steps of: 
 electronically measuring data on environmental conditions at the location with the remote fish logging device; and    storing the specimen and environmental data in the memory circuitry of the remote fish logging device.    
     
     
         28 . The method of    claim 25   , wherein said transferring step comprises sending a signal from a transmitter in the remote fish logging unit, the signal comprising the data.  
     
     
         29 . The method of    claim 25   , comprising the additional steps of: 
 transferring a request for data on fishing conditions for a selected location from the remote fish logging device to a network server;    extracting compiled data on fishing conditions for the selected location from a database stored in the network server; and    transferring the compiled data to the remote fish logging device.    
     
     
         30 . The method of    claim 29   , wherein said step of transferring a request comprises the step of sending an inquiry signal from a transmitter in the remote fish logging device, the inquiry signal comprising the selected location.  
     
     
         31 . The method of    claim 30   , wherein said step of transferring the compiled data comprises the steps of: 
 sending a data signal from the network server, the data signal comprising the compiled data; and    receiving the data signal with a receiver in the remote fish logging device.