Personal sonar system

Abstract

The sonar device includes a sonar transducer, a noise filter, a microprocessor and an output device. The system warns the user when a hazardous objects is detected or when signals from companions decrease. The portable sonar device can be built into various watersport devices including scuba diving equipment, surfboards and windsurfboards.

1 . A sonar device having: 
 a transmitter that emits sonar signals;    a receiver that receives sonar signals and emits electrical signals;    a memory that stores ambient noise for a body of water;    a database of signals representing a plurality of identifiable types of fish;    an electronic filter that removes ambient noise from the electrical signals;    a GPS receiver that provides location data for the sonar device;    a microprocessor that interprets filtered electrical signals and compares the filtered electrical signals to the database of signals representing the plurality of identifiable types of fish; and    an output device that emits a signal that includes the location data when the filtered electrical signal corresponds to at least one of the signals representing the identifiable types of fish.    
   
   
       2 . The sonar device of  claim 1 , wherein the ambient noise for a body of water stored in memory is replaced with a second ambient noise for a second body of water.  
   
   
       3 . The sonar device of  claim 1  wherein the sonar device further comprises: 
 a solar panel for providing electrical power to the sonar device.    
   
   
       4 . The sonar device of  claim 1  wherein a depth signal is an input to the microprocessor.  
   
   
       5 . The sonar device of  claim 1  wherein the electronic filter includes an ambient signal which is recorded by the user.  
   
   
       6 . The sonar device of  claim 1  wherein the electronic filter includes a recording of ambient signals in a body of water.  
   
   
       7 . The sonar device of  claim 1  wherein some components of the sonar device are mounted within a waterproof housing.  
   
   
       8 . The sonar device of  claim 1  wherein the transmitter and the receiver are mounted on an external surface of a boat.  
   
   
       9 . A sonar device having: 
 a transmitter that emits sonar signals;    a receiver that receives sonar signals and emits electrical signals;    a memory that stores ambient noise for a body of water;    a database of signals representing a plurality of fish;    an electronic filter that removes ambient noise from the electrical signals;    a GPS receiver that provides location data for the sonar device;    a microprocessor that includes a neural network for interpreting the electrical signals and comparing the filtered electrical signals to the database of signals representing the plurality of fish; and    an output device that emits a signal that includes the location data when the filtered electrical signal corresponds to at least one of the signals representing the identifiable types of fish.    
   
   
       10 . The sonar device of  claim 9 , wherein the ambient noise for a body of water stored in memory is replaced with a second ambient noise for a second body of water.  
   
   
       11 . The sonar device of  claim 9  wherein the sonar device further comprises: 
 a solar panel for providing electrical power to the sonar device.    
   
   
       12 . The sonar device of  claim 9  wherein a depth signal is an input to the microprocessor.  
   
   
       13 . The sonar device of  claim 9  wherein the electronic filter includes an ambient signal which is recorded by the user.  
   
   
       14 . The sonar device of  claim 9  wherein the electronic filter includes a computer program that records an ambient signal while the sonar device is in a body of water.  
   
   
       15 . The sonar device of  claim 9  wherein some components of the sonar device are mounted within a waterproof housing.  
   
   
       16 . A sonar device having: 
 a transmitter that emits sonar signals;    a receiver that receives sonar signals and emits electrical signals;    a database of signals representing a plurality of identifiable types of fish;    an electronic filter that removes ambient noise from the electrical signals;    a GPS receiver that provides location data for the sonar device;    a microprocessor that interprets filtered electrical signals and compares the filtered electrical signals to the database of signals representing the plurality of identifiable types of fish; and    an output device that emits a signal that includes the location data when the filtered electrical signal corresponds to at least one of the signals representing the identifiable types of fish.    
   
   
       17 . The sonar device of  claim 16  wherein the sonar device further comprises: 
 a solar panel for providing electrical power to the sonar device.    
   
   
       18 . The sonar device of  claim 16  wherein a depth signal is an input to the microprocessor.  
   
   
       19 . The sonar device of  claim 16  wherein the electronic filter includes an ambient signal which is recorded by the user.  
   
   
       20 . The sonar device of  claim 16  wherein some components of the sonar device are mounted within a waterproof housing.