Presenting objects in a sonar image of an underwater environment

Abstract

A sonar system is provided including a display screen, a transducer assembly including at least one transducer that is configured to emit one or more sonar signals into an underwater environment and receive sonar return data reflected from one or more objects, and a sonar module configured to generate a 3D matrix based on the sonar return data including a plurality of sonar returns that are each defined by a 3D positional value, determine a group of the plurality of sonar returns associated with an object, assign a predetermined icon to the determined group, and generate and display 3D image of the sonar return data. The predetermined icon is positioned within the 3D image at a position that corresponds to the position of the determined group such that the position of the predetermined icon corresponds to the position of the object.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 15 / 098,603, filed Apr. 14, 2016, and entitled “Methods and Apparatuses for Constructing a 3D Sonar Image of Objects in an Underwater Environment,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 149,789, filed Apr. 20, 2015, and entitled “Method and Apparatuses for Constructing a 3D Sonar Image of Objects in an Underwater Environment,” the contents of each being incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]Example embodiments of the present invention relate generally to sonar systems and, more particularly, to methods and apparatuses for processing sonar returns to produce a three-dimensional (3D) image of objects in an underwater environment.BACKGROUND[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 top...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides methods, apparatuses, and computer programs for producing a 3D image of an underwater environment. The methods involve analyzing sonar returns to identify and display objects in the environment. The sonar returns are processed to create a 3D matrix with positional values. The 3D matrix is then used to create a 3D image of the underwater environment. The 3D image can include a plurality of sonar returns associated with objects in the environment. The objects can include fish, rocks, debris, and the bottom surface of the environment. The method can also include removing clusters of sonar returns that correspond to the bottom surface. The invention allows for real-time tracking of fish and other objects in the underwater environment.

Problems solved by technology

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

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