Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – With particular coupling link
Reexamination Certificate
1997-07-21
2001-04-24
Pope, Daryl (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
With particular coupling link
C340S573200, C340S870030, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222449
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a system for electronically recording and exchanging information between a remote location and a central location, and more particularly to a remote logging device for electronically recording data relating to fishing conditions at a remote location and to a system for exchanging relevant information between such a remote device and a central repository.
BACKGROUND
In order to maximize their enjoyment and success at their sport, recreational fishing enthusiasts often would like to have information regarding fishing conditions in an area, especially before setting out on a fishing trip. For example, fishermen may consider trying something new, such as going to a new location, but may be reluctant to do so because of their inexperience with and lack of information regarding the new location. Thus, they may want to know, for example, at what locations fish are more actively biting, what species are likely to be encountered in an area, what bait is attracting more fish, at what depths fish are being caught, what environmental conditions may enhance the likelihood of a successful outing, and the like.
Often, however, only limited information is available and only in limited quantities or distribution. For example, word-of-mouth may provide some insight into fishing conditions in an area. However, such information may also involve “fish stories” with little accuracy or predictive value.
To improve the accuracy of information, some sports fishing enthusiasts may keep a personal log of their fishing activities. For example, they may maintain written records of their past experiences and successes to provide them with some insight into future conditions at locations where they have fished before. However, such written records may omit useful details or may include inaccurate information, particularly if the records are written after an outing. Past experiences in an area also may not always predict future encounters, particularly as conditions change with time. Further, because most logs are personal in nature, they may not be widely shared with others. Thus, individual fishermen, while having the benefit of their own logs, generally may not have the combined insight available if they could pool their knowledge and experiences with other fishing enthusiasts.
Accordingly, it is believed that a system for more accurately recording and sharing relevant information on fishing conditions, species populations, and/or natural resource demographic information would be useful.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a system for electronically recording and/or collecting relevant information on fishing, hunting and other conditions at a number of locations, and to a method of exchanging information between an individual and a central repository storing such information.
In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a remote fish logging unit is provided for electronically recording information on fishing conditions at a particular location. The remote unit is a portable data gathering device that users may take along to a location where they fish. The remote unit includes a set of sensors for measuring relevant physical properties or environmental conditions, a storage device for temporarily storing data measured by the sensors, and a display, together allowing the user to measure, store, and/or review data of relevant conditions at the location when a fish or other specimen is caught. For example, the device may include a scale for weighing the fish, a retractable cable for measuring the length of the fish, atmospheric sensors for measuring air temperature and pressure, water sensors for measuring water temperature and pH, and a global positioning system (GPS) for providing an accurate longitude and latitude of the location. The remote unit may also include manual input mechanisms, such as a touch screen, an arrow pad, or keypad, for providing additional information related to the conditions of the catch.
The remote unit includes a central processor which receives signals from the sensors and measuring devices proportional to the properties being measured, converts the signals into corresponding data values, and temporarily stores the data in the remote unit's memory. As individual fish are caught, the remote unit may be operated in a concurrent mode to record each catch. The processor may be directed to store data measured by the sensors related to the physical properties of the fish and/or the environmental conditions at the time. The processor may also store the time, date and geographic location of the catch. Additional information related to the fishing conditions may be entered manually and stored along with the corresponding measured data. Alternatively, a summary of information related to a number of fish caught may be entered at one time, for example at the end of a day's fishing, by operating the remote unit in a batch mode.
Once data is recorded using the remote unit, it may be temporarily stored in the unit's memory and may be recovered later to create a personal log of the user's fishing activities, for example using a personal computer. Alternatively, the remote unit may be used to exchange information with a central repository, such as a network server, either through a connection with a personal computer or from its remote data-gathering location.
To accomplish remote data exchanging, the remote unit may include a transmitter which sends a signal including the data stored in the unit's memory. The signal is received by a base station or is otherwise relayed to a network server. The network server includes a processor which adds the data from the signal to a database on fishing conditions previously received from other remote units and stored in the server's memory. The information may be sorted in a variety of ways, such as by geographic location, allowing particular data to be extracted by subscribers to the network.
The remote unit may also be used to access data from the network server directly from its remote location. The transmitter in the remote unit may send a signal including a selected location for which the user wants information, for example his present location. The signal may be relayed to the network server, which extracts information for the selected location from its database. A signal then may be sent back to the remote unit including the extracted data, and a receiver in the remote unit may receive the signal. The processor may temporarily store the data from the signal in memory, allowing the user to review the information on the remote unit's display.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a device for electronically collecting and recording data on fishing, hunting or other conditions at a remote location.
It is also an object to provide a system for storing and sharing information related to fishing conditions accumulated from individual fishing or hunting experiences.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for tracking and/or managing migrational natural resources such as fish and game.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5136285 (1992-08-01), Okuyama
patent: 5461365 (1995-10-01), Schlager et al.
patent: 5778882 (1998-07-01), Raymond et al.
patent: 6052693 (2000-04-01), Smith et al.
patent: 6057758 (2000-05-01), Dempsey et al.
Howrey Simon Arnold & White , LLP
Pope Daryl
LandOfFree
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