Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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FISHING INDICATOR DEVICE
This invention relates to a fishing indicator device and to
a fishing reel and/or rod including the device.
In the art of fishing, it is well understood that finding
the fish in their surrounding environment is half of the
battle and that the presentation of the bait or lure in the
correct manner i.s also of great importance. Fish of
various types are found to inhabit various underwater
environments. For example, certain fish varieties are
found in particular water depths or water temperatures.
Some fish varieties are found to inhabit rocky or reef
areas, others are found to inhabit sandy or weedy areas and
so on. Fish of all types tend to congregate around areas
that suit their needs, sometimes in large numbers.
Therefore, if a fisherman has caught a fish or had strikes
a.n a particular area, a.t would make sense to place his bait
or lure in the exact area again, and in the correct manner
so as to enhance his chances of further success.
It is well known in fishing circles that a group of
fishermen can fish almost side by side with one fisherman
out of the group, catching many fish, while the fishermen
on either side of him may not catch any even though they
were using the same bait or lure as the successful
fisherman. Many people put this down to pure luck, but
luck only plays a minor role, what you may find is that the
fisherman that caught all or most of the fish had placed
and presented his bait or lure in the correct area, in the
correct manner that suited the liking of the fish species
caught.
These certain areas as described above where fish like to
congregate due to the underwater environment of that
particular area, are rarely discernible to the fishermen
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due to water coverage, wave action, darkness or other
factors. Such productive areas could be a deep washed out
hole in the sand, it may be a gutter edge, a drop off into
deeper water, an underwater structure as in a rock or clump
of reef, or it may be as subtle as the edge of a current
flow. Whatever is the case, these productive areas may be
as little as a metre or two across, so it is important that
once one of these productive areas is found, that the
fisherman's bait or lure can be placed in that precise area
and in the same manner to increase the chance of further
success.
Furtherstill, in lure fishing, because lures of different
shapes, styles, sizes or weights have different actions,
designed to entice certain varieties of fish and these
lures vary in action at different speeds, luxe
manufacturers often designate a certain species or range of
species for which that specified lure is designed to
entice. Vrhen pulled through the water, the lure is
designed to mimic an injured or natural action of a natural
food source of the targeted species. Therefore lure speed
being crucial to achieve desired action. With the range of
lures on the market today, it is almost impossible for any
fisherman, particularly a novice fisherman to become
familiarised with the optimum speed of retrieval for alI
varied types.
At the time of this invention, to the knowledge of the
inventor, there are no devices which offer a fisherman any
assistance in these endeavours. Thus, it is very difficult
if not impossible for a fisherman to succeed in placing
their bait or lure at a desired spot repeatedly or retrieve
their lure or bait repeatedly at the optimum speed to
enhance their success.
The invention, in a first aspect, may be said to reside in
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a fishing indicator device for a fishing reel and/or
fishing rod including:
a sensor for sensing retrieval of a fishing line onto
a reel for producing a signal indicative of the retrieval
of the fishing line; '
processing means for receiving said signal and for
producing an output signal indicative of retrieval speed of
the line; and
indicating means for indicating said speed.
The first aspect of the invention may also be said to
reside in a fishing reel andlor fishing rod, including:
a sensor for sensing retrieval of a fishing line
onto a reel for producing a signal indicative of the
retrieval of the fishing line;
processing means for receiving said signal and for
producing an output signal indicative of retrieval speed of
the line; and
indicating means for indicating said speed.
Thus, in order to retrieve the line at a particular speed,
the fishing reel need only be rewound until the retrieval
speed matches that which produced the previous success or
which is that recommended by the manufacture of the lure to
ensure that the lure is retrieved at the desired rate to
produce the required characteristics to entice a fish.
Thus, by use of the fishing display device or the fishing
reel or rod according to this aspect of the invention, an
indication of retrieval speed of a lure can be obtained so
that the fisherman has an indication as to whether the
desired result has been achieved and if not corrections can
be made to produce the desired result.
Preferably the indicator means comprises a visual display
which displays the parameter. However, in other
embodiments the indicator means could be an audible
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indication which sounds if the speed of movement of the
line is outside a desired range so that if no sound is
heard, the fisherman has an indication that the speed of
retrieval is appropriate and a.f the sound is heard the
fisherman knows the speed is not correct and can change the
speed of retrieval to achieve the desired result.
In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor comprises a
magnet attached to a spool of the fishing reel or a
rotating bail arm of a fishing reel or any moving part of
the reel, and a magnetic switch means fixed to a casing
portion of the fishing reel so that each time the magnet
passes the magnetic switch means, an output pulse is
produced indicative of the movement of the spool or the
bail arm or moving part to thereby provide an output
indicative of movement of the fishing line wound onto or
off or cast off the spool, or onto the spool via the bail
arm or any moving part.
Preferably the display means comprises a liquid crystal
display producing a numeric indication of the parameter.
The invention also provides a fishing indicator device for
a fishing reel and/or fishing rod, including:
a sensor for sensing movement of a fishing line and
for producing a signal indicative of the movement of the
fishing line;
processing means for receiving said signal and for
calculating a plurality of parameters relating to movement
of the fishing line;
indicating means for indicating said parameters; and
control means for controlling said processing means to
output an output signal indicative of an appropriate one of
said parameters for display so that the control means can
be activated to use each of the parameters to be displayed
dependent upon which parameter is required by a user.
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In particular embodiments of this aspect of the invention,
' the parameter may be a speed of movement of the fishing
line indicating a rate of retrieve of the fishing line in,
for example, kilometres per hour, miles per hour, meters
per second or yards per second, a distance of travel of the
line indicating a distance of a cast in meters or yards or
feet, or a distance the line has bean dropped in water
giving a depth of water in meters, yards, feet or fathoms.
Preferably, the control means is in the form of a mode
button associated with the processing means which, upon
actuation, can select a particular mode such as the rate of
retrieve, distance of cast or depth of water.
In one embodiment of the invention, the display means is
associated with the fishing reel.
However, in other embodiments, the display means may be
associated with the fishing rod itself.
In one embodiment of the invention, the display means is
coupled to the processing means and the sensor by hard
wiring.
In other embodiments, a wireless communication device may
be used to transmit the signal from the sensor to the
processing means and/or from the processing means to the
display means.
A further aspect of the invention relates to a fishing
indicator device which provides further advantages to those
previously described.
Thus, a further aspect of the invention may be said to
reside in a fishing indicator device, including:
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a movable member for engagement with a fishing line so
that when the fishing line moves relative to a fishing rod
or fishing reel, the movable member is moved by the moving
fishing line;
movement response means for providing an output in
response to the movable member; and
indicating means for indicating a parameter related to
movement of the fishing line in response to the output of
the movement response means.
This aspect of the invention may also be said to reside in
a fishing rod including:
a guide element for guiding a fishing line;
a movable member coupled to the guide for engagement
by the fishing line so that when the fishing line moves
relative to the guide, the movable member is.moved by the
fishing line.
In this aspect of the invention, the fishing line drives
the movable member as the fishing line moves during casting
or retrieval which in turn causes the movement response
means to provide the output to enable the parameter to be
displayed on the indicating means. This aspect of the
invention does not require the sensor to sense rotation of
the reel or a bail arm to in turn provide an indication of
the amount of line which is wound off the reel or back onto
the reel as in the earlier aspects of the invention. Thus,
since the moving means is moved by the fishing line, the
moving means will move in proportion to the movement of the
fishing line, such as in direct proportion. so a more
accurate measure of the amount of movement of the fishing
line can be obtained. In the earlier mentioned aspects of
the invention, since the amount of line wound off the reel
or onto the reel with each rotation of the reel or bail arm
changes as the diameter of the spool of line on the reel
changes, errors in the measurement of the amount of line
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wound onto the reel and off the reel do occur in view of
that change in spool diameter. This aspect of the
invention does not rely on merely monitoring movement of
the reel or bail arm but instead monitors movement of a
movable member which can be directly proportioned to the
amount of line wound on or off the fishing reel so that a
more accurate measure of the amount of line wound onto or
off the reel can be obtained to, in turn, provide a more
accurate measure of the parameter required by the
fisherman.
Preferably the movable member is a rotatable wheel which is
rotated by movement of the fishing line, the wheel carrying
a magnet.
Preferably the rotatable wheel has a circumferential groove
for accommodating the fishing line to guide the fishing
line about the circumference of the wheel so that when the
fishing line moves, the fishing line rotates the wheel.
Preferably the movement response means comprises:
a sensor fixed in a stationary position so that the
rotatable wheel can rotate relative to the sensor, the
sensor producing a sensor signal in response to rotary
movement of the wheel and the magnet each time the magnet
passes the sensor; and
processing means for receiving said sensor signal and
calculating said parameter and for outputting said output
indicative of said parameter to said indicating means.
Preferably the indicating means is a visual display for
receiving said output and displaying said parameter.
In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the output
is an electrical signal.
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In other embodiments, the movement response means comprises
a rotary member for engaging the disc and the indicating
means is a mechanical display, the output being mechanical
drive transmitted from the rotary member to the mechanical
display to cause the mechanical display to display the
parameter.
The rotary member may comprise part of the mechanical
display or may be a separate member interposed between the
20 movement response means and the mechanical display.
In other embodiments the rotary member may comprise a
chopper or shutter for interrupting a light beam and the
movement response means may include a light sensor for
providing an output each time the light beam is interrupted
by the chopper or shutter. In other embodiments, a
capacitive sensor could be used.
As in the earlier aspects of the invention, the parameter
to be displayed may be speed of movement of the fishing
line indicating a rate of retrieval of the fishing line or
a distance travelled by the line indicating the distance of
a cast or the depth to which the line has been dropped in
water.
As also described with reference to the earlier aspects of
the invention, the processor may include a mode button so
that a particular mode can be selected to display a
different parameter or a number of parameters at the one
time. The device of this aspect of the invention may also
have attachment means for attaching the device to a fishing
rod or to a fishing reel. Thus, the device may be
connected on a fishing rod or the fishing reel.
Furthermore, the device may include wireless transmission
between the sensor and the processor and/or between the
processor and the display.
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Also, according to this aspect of the invention, the device
may be formed as a fixture on the rod or a section of the
rod with the processor being arranged within the rod or
embedded within the rod or as a fixture on the reel.
The invention still further provides a fishing rod and reel
combination including:
a fishing rod having a display for displaying a
parameter concerning movement of a fishing line;
contacts on the fishing rod;
a fishing reel including a sensor for sensing movement
of a fishing line and for producing a signal indicative of
the movement of the fishing line; and
contacts on the fishing reel for engaging the contacts
on the fishing rod when the fishing reel is.coupled to the
fishing rod so that the sensor is coupled to the display.
This aspect of the invention may also be said to reside in
a fishing rod for use with a fishing reel, including a
sensor for sensing movement of a fishing line and for
producing a signal indicative of movement of the fishing
line, the fishing reel having a first set of contacts for
receiving the signal, including:
a display coupled to the rod for displaying a
parameter related to movement of the fishing line;
second contacts on the fishing rod for making
electrical contact with the first contacts on the fishing
reel so that the signal indicative of movement of the
fishing line can be supplied from the fishing reel to the
display via the first and second pair of contacts, when the
fishing reel is engaged with the fishing rod.
This aspect of the invention may also be said to reside in
a fishing reel for use with a fishing rod having display
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for displaying a parameter related to movement of the
fishing line, including:
a sensor for sensing movement of the fishing line and
for producing a signal indicative of the movement of the
fishing line;
a second pair of contacts on the fishing reel for
engaging the contacts on the fishing rod when the fishing
reel is coupled to the fishing rod so that the signal can
be supplied from the sensor on the fishing reel to the
display on the fishing rod.
Preferably the invention includes processing means which
may be including in the display on the fishing rod or in
the reel.
The invention also provides a fishing indicator device for
a fishing reel and/or fishing rod, including:
a sensor for sensing movement of a fishing line and
for producing a signal indicative of the movement of the
fishing line;
wireless transmitter means coupled to the sensor for
outputting an output signal;
receiver means for receiving the output signal from
the transmitter means; and
display means coupled to the receiver means for
displaying a parameter related to the movement of the
fishing line.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described,
by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a view of a fishing reel according to a
first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a view of a fishing rod according to yet a
further embodiment;
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Figure 3 is a view of a fishing reel according to
another embodiment of the invention;
Figures 4 and 5 are schematic block diagrams relating
to the preferred embodiments of the invention;
Figures 6 and 7 are drawings of a rod and reel
respectively according to a further embodiment of the
invention;
Figure 8 is a plan view of a device according to a
further embodiment of the invention;
Figure 9 is a side view of the device of Figure 8
mounted on a fishing rod;
Figure 10 is a view of part of the device of Figure 9;
Figure il is a view of a further embodiment;
Figure 12 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure
11 mounted on a reel;
Figures 13 to 18 show still further embodiments of the
invention formed on a fishing rod or section of a fishing
rod;
Figure 19 is a view of yet a further embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 20 is an exploded view of part of the
embodiment of Figure 19;
Figure 21 is a view of yet a further embodiment of the
invention;
Figure 22 is a view of a still further embodiment of
the invention;
Figure 23 is a view of yet another embodiment of the
invention;
Figure 24 is a diagram of the processing circuitry
according to one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 25 is a flow sheet illustrating operation of
the processor of Figure 24;
Figure 26 is a continuation of the flow sheet of
Figure 25;
Figure 27 shows one of the subroutines of the flow
sheet of Figure 26; and
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Figure 28 shows another subroutine of the flow sheet
of Figure 26.
With reference to Figure 1, a fishing reel 10 is shown
which is adapted to be attached to a fishing rod in a
manner known in the art. The fishing reel 10 is generally
of known design and therefore will not be described in full
detail other than to say that it includes a spool 12 onto
which a line 14 is wound. The spool 12 is rotatably held
within a casing 16 and can be wound by handle 18 which is
coupled to the spool 12 via a transmission 20.
The spool 12 has a magnet 30 fixed to it for rotation with
the spool 12 when the spool rotates to wind on the line 14
or wind off the line 14. The casing 16 supports a magnetic
reed switch 32 (or Hall effect device, coil or the like)
which is aligned with the magnet 30 so that every time the
spool 12 rotates, the magnet 30 passes the reed switch 32.
The reed switch 32 is connected to a processor and display
40 by hard wire connections 42. The processor and display
40 also is coupled to a reset button 44. The processor and
display 40 also have a mode button 46.
Disposed between the handle 18 and the transmission 20 is a
drag setting 50 which includes a tensioning wheel 52 for
setting a particular pressure on the drag setting. Such
drag settings are known and therefore will not be disclosed
in detail hereinafter. The drag setting 50 includes a
pressure sensing device 58 which is coupled to the
processor and display 40. The sensing device 58 could be a
pressure switch or an electronic unit such as a trim pot or
variable resistor.
Thus, when the line 14 is cast or is retrieved by winding
the handle 18, every revolution of the spool 12 will cause
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the magnet 30 to pass the switch 32 so that a pulse is
produced which is transmitted to the processor and display
40 on hard wire connection 42. Thus, the pulses will
provide a signal indicative of the speed of movement of the
line 14 and the processor and display 40 can convert that
signal into output signals representing various parameters
related to the speed of movement of the line such as a
distance travelled by the line or a rate of retrieve of the
line or the depth the line is dropped in water. The
particular parameter or mode which is displayed is set by
merely pressing the mode button 46 so that the processor
and display 40 calculates the particular parameter which is
desired by the setting of the mode button and causes that
parameter to be displayed based on the signal produced from
the stationary magnetic reed switch 32.
Furtherstill, the pressure sensing device 58 also outputs a
signal on hard wire connection 60 to the processor and
display 40 so that upon depression of the mode button to
bring up a pressure setting mode, the pressure set by the
drag setting 50 can be displayed so that a user knows that
a correct drag setting has been set by rotation of the
wheel 52.
In the embodiment of Figure 1, the processor and display 40
are mounted on or in the reel as is shown and are coupled
to the switch 32 by hard wiring.
In the embodiment of Figure 2, which only shows a fishing
rod 70, a processor and display 40' are located on the rod
70. Clearly, the magnet 30 and reed switch 32 would remain
on the reel as shown in Figure 1 as would the pressure
sensing device 58 and a wireless transmission mechanism
would be coupled to the switch 32 and pressure sensing
device 58 with the wireless transmission mechanism being
supported in or on the reel 10 so that a signal can be
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transmitted over the air for receipt by the processor and
display 40' so that the relevant data is transmitted over
the air to the processor and display 40' for display. Once
again, a mode button 46' is associated with the processor
and display 40' to select a particular parameter which is
to be displayed.
Figure 3 shows a still further embodiment a.n which the
processor and display device 40" and mode button 46" are
mounted on or in a reel 10". The reel 10" has a spool 12'
and has a rotating bail arm 72. The rotating bail arm 72
carries a magnet 74 and a magnetic reed switch 76 is fixed
stationary to the reel in registry with the magnet 74 so
that upon each rotation of the bail arm 72, the switch 76
would produce an output which is supplied to the processor
and display 40 " for displaying a parameter as in the
previous embodiments.
This embodiment could also include a pressure sensing
device 78 for measuring the pressure set by a drag setting
80 and for displaying that pressure on the processor and
display 40" to ensure that the correct pressure has been
set by the drag setting.
Figure 4 shows a block circuit diagram of the display and
processor 40 according to one embodiment of the invention.
With reference to Figure 4, reed switch 32 is connected to
a battery 101 so that every time the reed switch closes, a
pulse is supplied to a pair of one shot multivibrators 103
and 104 which produce output pulses, the pulse width of
which are set by suitable resistances and capacitance (not
shown) coupled to the multivibrators 103 and 104. The
pulse produced when the switch 32 is closed is also
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directly coupled by a line 105 to AND gate 107. The AND
gate 107 is also connected to the output of the second
vibrator 104 by line 108. i~hen signals are received on
lines 105 and 108, the AND gate 107 produces an output to a
S microprocessor 109 on line 110. The microprocessor
therefore receives input pulses corresponding to the
closures of the switch 32 which in turn correspond to each
revolution of the spool 12 or bail arm 72 or other moving
part. The microprocessor 109 is therefore able to
calculate various parameters such as a distant measurement
from the pulses received on line 110 or a rate of speed of
retrieval of a line for transmitting to a display screen
111 so that the appropriate parameter can be displayed
together with an indication of what the parameters are such
as, a retrieve meters per second measurement or a distance
measurement et cetera.
Furthermore, the pressure switch 50 is also coupled to the
microprocessor 109 so that a pressure can be calculated by
the microprocessor 109 and displayed on the display screen
111. Once again, the mode button 46 can be used to switch
between various display modes and the reset button 44 can
enable the device to be reset when a different mode
parameter of a display is required.
In Figure 5, a wireless transmission system is used in
which the battery 101 also supplies signals to the
multivibrators 103, 104 Which in turn provides an output
pulse to an amplifying and oscillating circuit 120 which
includes a coil for wireless transmission of a signal 121.
The signal 121 is received by receiver 123 which provides a
signal to microprocessor 109 for display of information on
display screen 111 in the same manner as previously
described.
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In this embodiment, the processor and display 40 comprise
only the microprocessor 109 and display screen 111 which
are coupled with a receiver 123 so that the display 40 can
be located remote from the sensor such as on the fishing
rod or elsewhere.
The multivibrators 103 and 104 and oscillating circuit 120
which forms a transmitter can be included as part of the
reed switch mechanism 32 and included on or in the reel 10.
Figure 6 shows a rod 250 according to a further embodiment
of the invention. In this embodiment, the rod has a handle
portion 200 which has a grip section 202. The handle
portion 200 has a cutout 204 for receiving the reel shown
in Figure 7 which will be described in more detail
hereinafter. The cutout 204 may include a catch element
206 and recess 208 for securing the reel of Figure 7 in the
recess 204 and therefore to the handle portion 200.
The recess 204 includes contact elements 210 and wires 212
extend from the contacts 210 to a liquid crystal display
214 which could be mounted in or on the rod as shown or at
any other convenient location.
In Figure 7, a reel 220 is shown which may be similar to
the reels described with reference to the previous
embodiments and which includes a pressure sensor 224 and a
reed switch 226 and associated magnet 228 which is provided
on a bail arm 230 or other moving member of the reel 220.
The reel 220 has contacts 240 on an outer surface thereof
and the contacts 240 are connected to the pressure sensor
224 by wires 244 and to the reed switch 226 by wires 246.
Vrhen the reel 220 a.s coupled to the rod shown in Figure 6
in the recess 204, the contacts 240 (Figure 7) come into
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contact with the contacts 210 (Figure 6) so that an
electrical connection is made between those contacts to
thereby hard wire the switches 224 and 226 to the display
214. The display 214 may also include a processor for
processing signals received on the wires 212 or the
processor may be included in the reel 220 and signals
suitable for creating a display on the display 214
transmitted via the contacts 240, the contacts 210 and the
wires 212 to the display 214.
The rod 250 has the mode button 46' on grip 202 for easy
activation by a user's finger.
Figures 8 to 10 show a further embodiment of the invention
which does not rely on monitoring the rotation of the spool
of a fishing reel or a bail arm of a fishing reel in order
to obtain an indication of the amount of line wound onto or
off the fishing reel. If the reel or bail arm is
monitored, it is assumed that for each rotation a fixed
length of line is wound onto or off the reel. However, in
actuality, as the diameter of the spool of line on the reel
changes as the line is wound onto or off the reel, the
length of line wound onto or off the reel with each
rotation of the spool or bail araa alters slightly. Thus,
errors in the amount of line wound onto or off the reel
will occur in the earlier aspects of the invention. Figures
8 to 18 show further embodiments which are not subject to
this discrepancy in accuracy as the spool diameter of the
line on the reel changes.
With reference to Figures 8 and 9, an indicator device 300
is shown which includes a pad 302 of rubber, foam or other
resilient or soft material. A base plate 304 is fixed to
the pad 302 and the base plate 304 mounts a rotatable
measurement wheel 306 and an idler wheel 308. The
rotatable wheel 306 carries a magnet 310 and a reed switch
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312 is fixed to the base plate 304 so that the wheel 306
and therefore the magnet 310 can rotate relative to and
past the reed switch 312.
As is best shown in Figure 9, the device 300 can be fixed
to a fishing rod 320 by suitable fasteners 322 which may be
straps, clips or the like.
As is best shown in Figure 10, the wheels 306 and 308 are
provided with a groove 324a about their circumference for
accommodating a fishing line 324.
As is best shown in Figure 8, the fishing line 324 is wound
about the idler wheel 308 and also about the measurement
wheel 306 so that the line 324 engages both the wheels 308
and 306. The winding of the line about the wheels 306 and
308 as shown in Figure 8 will cause the line to engage the
wheels particularly when soma tension is applied to the
lines by a sinker or other weight at the end of the line.
The reed switch 312 is connected to a processor (not shown)
which is identical to the processor previously described in
the earlier embodiments either by hard wiring or by a
transmitter and receiver system for wireless transmission
of data signals as also previously described. As the line
324 moves during a cast, or when the line is dropped so as
to sink vertically in water, or when the line is retrieved,
the tension of the line 324 and the engagement with the
wheel 306 will cause the wheel 306 to rotate. For example,
if the line is being retrieved by being drawn in the
direction of arrow A in Figure 8 onto a reel (not shown)
the wheel 306 will rotate in the direction of arrow B (and
wheel 308 in the direction of arrow C). Rotation of the
wheel 306 in the direction of arrow B will cause the magnet
310 to pass the reed switch 312 so that the read switch 312
will sense the presence of the magnet and provide an output
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signal to the processor (not shown) as described in the
earlier embodiments. The distance of movement of the line
324 and the amount of rotation of the wheel 306 is directly
proportional at a 1:1 ratio so that for every rotation of
the wheel 306, the line 324 has moved a distance equal to
the circumference of the wheel 306 as engaged by the line
324. Therefore, each output pulse provided by the reed
switch 312 is equivalent to a distance equal to the
circumference of the wheel 306 regardless of the diameter
of the spool of line 324 which remains on the reel (not
shown).
The processor (not shown) which receives the pulses from
the reed switch 312 can therefore calculate a distance
measurement or a rate of retrieval measurement which is
very accurate and does not suffer from inaccuracies due to
the change in diameter of the spool of line on the reel as
may be the case in the earlier embodiments.
In this embodiment of the invention, the device 300 could
be formed on the rod so as to be a fixture on the rod or
could be formed as a separate part for location on the rod.
Alternatively, the fixture may be provided on a section of
a rod which can be purchased and added into or onto an
existing rod.
The device can be located in close proximity to a guide
ring on the rod or may replace a guide ring on the rod and
act as a guide for guiding the line in place of one of the
guide rings usually located on the rod.
The processor (not shown) may be included within the
section of the rod, embedded in the rod or located as
described with reference to any one of the earlier
embodiments. The display may also be located as described
with reference to any one of the earlier embodiments. As
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in the earlier embodiments, the data from the sensor 312 to
the processor and from the processor to the display may be
by wireless transmission or by hard wiring.
Figure 11 shows a different embodiment of the invention in
which like reference numerals indicate like parts to those
previously described.
In this embodiment, the two wheels 306 and 308 are provided
so that the line 324 passes directly between them and so
the line 324 is effectively sandwiched and therefore forced
into engagement with the wheel 306. As the line moves, the
wheel 306 will be rotated as in the earlier embodiment so
that as the magnet 310 passes the reed switch 312, output
pulses will be produced for supply to the microprocessor.
25
Figure 12 shows the device of Figure 11 mounted on a
portion of a reel instead of being mounted on the rod as is
the case in Figure 9.
The device 300 could be located on other parts of the reel
330 such as the rear of the reel with the line being fed
through the device 300 in the same manner as describe with
reference to Figure 11 or Figures 13 to 18.
Figure 13 shows a further embodiment wherein the rod 320 is
provided with upper and lower integral flanges 350 (only
the upper flange being shown in Figure 13). A single wheel
352 is mounted for rotation between the flanges 350 and the
wheel 352 carries a magnet 354. A reed switch 356 is
located on the rod 320 inwardly of the wheel 352 and the
line 324 is guided about the wheel 352 so that the wheel
352 is rotated as the line 324 moves.
Figure 14 shows an embodiment similar to Figure 13 except
two upper and lower flange portions 350a and 350b are
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provided. The flange portions 350b mount the wheel 352
which carries the magnet 354 and the flange portions 350a
mount an idler wheel 360. The line 324 is wound about the
wheels 352 and 360 generally in the same manner as
described with reference to Figure 8. Once again, a reed
switch 356 is arranged on the rod 320 inwardly of the wheel
352.
Figure 15 shows an arrangement where two idler wheels 360
are provided with the wheel 352 arranged between two idler
wheels. In this embodiment, a single slightly enlarged
pair of flanges 350 is provided for mounting the wheels 352
and 360.
Figure 16 shows an embodiment where a pair of wheels 352
and 358 are arranged in a similar configuration to that
described with reference to Figure 11. The wheels are
mounted between upper and lower flanges 350 (only the upper
flange being shown). In this embodiment, a biasing
mechanism such as a spring assembly 368 is provided for
biasing the wheels 352 and 358 towards one another so as to
tightly squeeze the line 324 therebetween to ensure
engagement of the line 324 with the wheel 352 so that the
wheel 352 is rotated as the line 324 moves.
Figure 17 shows an embodiment using a single wheel 352 with
the line 324 being wound completely about the periphery of
the wheel 352 for a full 360°.
Figure 18 shows a further embodiment which, unlike the
embodiments previously described which disclose an
electronic system in which electric signals are produced by
the magnet 354 and reed switch 356 which are in turn
applied to a microprocessor and then to a liquid crystal or
other electronic display, utilises a mechanical display
400. The mechanical display 400 includes cylinders or
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drums 401 on which numerals are arranged and which are
rotated by a mechanical gear system or the like so as to
display a distance measurement.
In this embodiment of the invention, the line 324 is wound
about wheel 370 in the same manner as previously described,
for example, with reference to Figure 13. However, wheel
arrangements as described with reference to the other
embodiments could also be utilised if desired. Instead of
the wheel 370 being provided with a magnet, the wheel 370
is provided with teeth 372. The teeth 372 mesh with a gear
wheel 374 which has teeth schematically shown by reference
numeral 378. The gear wheel 374 may be an existing gear
within the display 400 or may be a separate gear interposed
between the gear 370 and the mechanical display 400. As
the wheel 370 is rotated, the teeth 372 mesh with the teeth
378 to drive the gear 374 to in turn drive the mechanical
display 400 so as to display a distance measurement or
possibly a speed measurement.
The device 300 may be mounted so that it is on top of the
rod 320 as shown in Figure 9 when the rod is in normal use
or beneath the rod dependent upon the location of the reel.
However, obviously it is desired that the display always be
arranged on top of the rod so that it is easily visible
when the rod is in normal use.
With reference to Figure 19, a still further embodiment of
the invention is shown. This embodiment of the invention
comprises a housing 400 which supports a rotatable wheel
402. The housing 400 has a pair of housing halves 403 and
404 which are pivotally mounted to a backing plate 405 on
pivot pins 406. The backing plate 405 is provided with a
slot 407 and cutouts 409. The cutouts 409 enable slip
connection with projections (not shown) on a coupling
bracket 410 in a known manner to enable the backing plate
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405 to be connected to the bracket 410. The bracket 410
connects to a fishing rod (not shown in Figure 19) by
passing an appropriate screw or bolt through aligned holes
411 in lugs 512 and 414 so as to cause the lugs 512 and 414
to clamp about a fishing rod.
As shown in Figure 19, a display unit 412 is mounted on a
base plate 413. The base plate 413 includes contacts 413a
which electrically connect with contacts (not shown) on
unit 412 when the unit 412 is slid into engagement with the
base plate 413. The display 412 can then include the
liquid crystal display for displaying the required
parameter, together with the processing circuitry for
processing the signal indicative of movement of the fishing
line. The unit 412 may be formed in two halves which can
be coupled together by screws, bolts or ultrasonic welding
or the like.
The processor and display unit 412 is provided for
displaying the parameters as previously described. The
base plate 413 can couple onto one of the bolts (not shown)
which passes through the holes 411 in lugs 512 or 414 so
that the display unit 422 and base plate 413 can be pivoted
relative to the rod from a generally flat retracted
position to an upwardly inclined position to provide for
better viewing. The bolt (not shown) which passes through
one of the aligned pairs of holes 411 of lugs 512 or 414
passes through boss 415 which is provided with a central
hole 416 so that the bolt will pass through the aligned
holes 411 in the lugs 512 or 414 and the hole 416 to
thereby couple the display 412 and base 413 to the rod for
pivotal movement from the retracted position to the
upwardly inclined position.
As shown in Figure 19, the display 412 may include a mode
button 417 and reset button 419. The reset button 419
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merely resets the display to a zero value for a new reading
and the mode button 417 enables a particular parameter such
as line retrieval speed, line distance, depth of water or
the like to be displayed by simply pressing the mode button
417 so that, in turn, each parameter will be displayed in
turn. Thus, the mode button merely causes the processor to
process the input signal in a manner to provide the
particular parameter which is required and then causes that
parameter to be displayed on the liquid crystal display
within the display 412. One of the parameters which is
displayed may be a bite indicator in which, if the mode
button is pressed to place the processor and display into
that mode will cause an alarm (not shown) to sound or a
light (not shown) to flash as soon as the line moves to in
turn rotate the wheel to cause an output from the unit 430.
Any movement of the line in this mode being taken as
indicating a bite. Thus, after the line is cast and when
the rod is merely being held awaiting a bite, the mode
button can be depressed to place the processor and display
412 into the bite indicator mode so that the alarm or light
will flash as soon as the line is pulled.
As is clearly shown in Figure 19, the housing halves 403
and 404 of the housing 400 are provided with slots 418 so
that the fishing line 420 can pass through one of the slots
418 wrapped completely around the wheel 402 and exit the
other slot 418 (not shown in Figure 19).
As is best shown in Figure 20, the backing plate 405 is
provided with a shaft 420 which has a groove 421 adjacent
its outermost end. Wheel 402 is provided with a central
opening 402a and i.s also provided with a magnet 507. A
bearing 422 is force fitted into the opening 402a and the
bearing 422 is located on the shaft 420. A circlip 423
locates in the groove 421 to secure the bearing 422 and
therefore the wheel 402 onto the shaft 420.
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The housing halves 402 and 403 define a central opening 425
which receives the wheel 402 and in which the wheel 402 can
freely rotate as is more clearly shown in Figure 19. The
housing halves 402 and 403 are secured to the backing plate
405 by the pivot pins 406 which have screw threaded ends
406a which screw into screw threaded holes 427 in the
backing plate 405. Spacer washers 428 may be provided to
space the housing halves 402 and 403 from the backing plate
if desired. The two housing halves 402 and 403 have a snap
clasp 419a arranged between their upper portions so that
the two halves 402 and 403 can pivot into an open position
in the direction of arrows J in Figure 20 so that the
fishing line 420 (shown in Figure 19) can be located
through one of the slots 418 wrapped completely around the
circumference of the wheel 402 in groove 402b of the wheel
and out through the other slot 418. The two housing halves
402 and 403 can then be closed by pivoting them in the
direction opposite arrows J so that they turn to the
position shown in Figures 19 and 20 and lock together by
means of the clasp 419a. The clasp 419a may merely be a
snap lock arrangement or alternatively could comprise
magnets for retaining the two halves 402 and 403 in the
closed position.
The slot 407 of the backing plate 405 receives sensor unit
430 which is configured in a shape corresponding to the
slot 407. The sensor element 430 includes a reed switch,
an appropriate output line (not shown) and, as will be
apparent from Figures 19 and 20, when the unit 430 is
located in the slot 407, the reed switch will be positioned
in proximity to the magnet 507 so that each time the magnet
507 passes the unit 430, the reed switch can produce an
output signal which can be passed via output wire (not
shown) to the display 412 shown in Figure 19.
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Figure 21 shows another embodiment of the invention in
which a pair of housing halves 432 and 433 are coupleable
together to support wheel 442 which is similar to the wheel
402 previously described except that it has a permanent
axle 443 connected thereto. The wheel 442 seats in a
circular cutout 444 in housing part 433 and the axle 443 is
supported in a first bearing 435 which locates in hole 446
of housing 433 and a second bearing 437 which locates in
hole 438 in housing 432. Thus, the wheel 442 is supported
by its axle 443 in the bearings 437 and 435.
A bolt 439 may pass through the bearing 437 and screw into
a screw thread in the axle 433. The housing half 433 is
maintained in place adjacent housing half 432 by a fixing
bracket which is the same as the bracket 410 shown in
Figure 19.
The housing half 432 is provided with a cutout slot 450
which is substantially identical to the slot 407 in Figures
19 and 20 for receiving the unit 430 which is the same as
unit 430 previously described. The unit 430 is connected
by a wire 439 (shown in Figure 21) to the base plate 413
which is in contact with display 412 via contacts 413a
previously described.
The upper portion 451 of the housing halves 432 and 433 may
be provided with slots or cutouts 452 to enable the housing
halves 432 and 433 to couple with a coupling bracket which
is the same as the coupling bracket 410 described in Figure
19.
In the embodiments of Figures 19, 20 and 21, the housings
described effectively form guide elements for guiding the
fishing line 420 relative to a fishing rod (not shown).
The housings may replace a conventional guide ring coupled
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to the fishing rod or may be in addition to the usual guide
rings which are connected to the fishing rod.
Figure 22 shows yet a further embodiment of the invention
in which a housing 460 is configured for coupling with a
rod 462 in a similar manner to the manner in which
conventional guide rings are coupled to the rod 462. The
housing 460 has a pair of legs 463 which are provided with
foot members 464. The foot members 464 can be bound to the
rod 462 by a cord (not shown) in a similar manner to the
manner in which guide rings are bound to a fishing rod.
The housing 460 has a pair of housing plates 465 and 466
which define between them a space 467. The plate 465 is
provided with a U-shaped cutout 468 for receiving sensor
unit 430 which is the same as the sensor unit 430
previously described. Figure 22 shows the sensor unit 430
connected by its wire 439 to base plate 413 and display 412
(Figure 19).
The plates 465 and 466 include aligned openings 470 (only
one shown) for receiving wheel 402 or 442 as described in
Figures 19 to 21. The bearings for supporting the wheel
402, 442 are omitted from Figure 22 for ease of
illustration.
The plates 465 and 466 also have a pair of aligned openings
471 and 472 and idler rollers 473 and 474 are arranged
between the aligned openings 471 and 472 respectively. A
cover plate 480 of generally inverted U-shaped
- configuration is provided with a pair of arms 481 which
have slots 482. The cover plate 480 also has front and
rear walls 483 and 484 and aligned openings 485 are
provided in the walls 483 and 484. After the rollers 473
and 474 are located between the plates 465 and 466, bolts
can pass through the aligned.openings 485 and 483 and the
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corresponding holes 471, 472 and rollers 473 and 474 to
thereby secure the cover plate 480 to the housing 460 and
also secure the rollers 473 and 474 in place.
A fishing line (not shown) can pass through the slot 482,
underneath roller 473, over wheel 402, 442, underneath
wheel 474 and out through the opposed slot 482.
Thus, the fishing line is guided to wrap partly around the
wheel 402, 442 so that when the fishing line moves, the
wheel 402, 442 is rotated to cause magnet 507 to pass unit
430 to provide an output signal to the base plate 413 and
display 412 as previously disclosed.
Figure 23 is an illustration of an embodiment a.n which
wireless transmission is used from the unit 430 to the
display unit 412. The unit 430 may be included with a
transmitter unit and the display 412 may include a receiver
unit so that over the air transmission of radio waves from
the unit 430 will be detected by the receiver a.n the unit
412 so that the output signals produced by the magnet 407
passing the unit 430 are supplied to the unit 412 for
processing by the processor in the unit 412 and for display
of the required parameter.
Figure 24 shows in more detail the processing circuitry of
the earlier embodiments and, in particular, the processing
circuitry within the housing 412 of the embodiments of
Figures 19 to 23.
Figure 24 shows the wheel 402 of the earlier embodiments,
including the magnet 507 in engagement with line 420. As
the wheel 402 is rotated, the wheel passes sensor 430 as
previously described. The sensor 430 includes two reed
switches 651 and 652. The two read switches enable the
direction of rotation of the wheel 402 to be determined
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dependent upon which of the reed switches is activated
first. If the wheel 402 is rotating clockwise, the reed
switch 651 will activate first then followed by the reed
switch 652. If the wheel 402 is rotating in the opposite
direction, the reed switch 652 will activate first then
closely followed by the reed switch 651. Thus, a
determination can be made as to whether the line 420 is
moving out or being wound in.
The sensor unit 430 has three outputs which are connected
to inputs 621, 622 and 623 of a processor 600. The input
621 is coupled to the reed switch 651 and the input 623 is
coupled to the reed switch 652. The input 622 is a common
from both reed switches as shown. Thus, when the reed
switch 651 closes, a pulse is received on input 621 and
when reed switch 652 closes, a pulse is received on input
623. If the pulse is received at input 621 within a
predetermined time interval prior to the receipt of a pulse
on input 623, the processor knows that the wheel 402 is
rotating in a clockwise direction. If the opposite occurs,
the processor 600 knows that the wheel 402 is rotating in
an anti-clockwise direction. The predetermined time
interval is such that within normal use of the device, the
time is shorter than the time it would take for the magnet
507 to move the large distance from, for example, the reed
switch 651 in an anti-clockwise direction to the reed
switch 652 so that the sequence of closing of the switches
651 and 652 is indicative of the direction of movement of
the wheel 402.
In the embodiment shown, the coupling of the unit 430 to
the inputs 621 to 623 is by hard wire. However, in other
embodiments as previously described, the coupling could be
by wireless transmission.
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The mode button 417 is connected to input 601, a light
switch 631 is connected to an input 602 and the reset
button 419 is connected to input 603. If the light switch
631 is depressed, the input received by the processor 600
causes a light 633 which is connected to output 605 of the
processor 600 to be illuminated. An alarm 632 is coupled
to output 604 of the processor 600 and could be used to
indicate an alarm function showing that undesired speed of
line retrieval is taking place or that a bite has occurred
or some other function of the processor. Similarly, the
light 633 could be automatically illuminated to indicate
the function previously described instead of the audible
alarm 632.
Input 606 is a common for the switches 417, 631, 419 and
the alarm 632 and light 633.
The processor 600 is connected to display 630 via bus 657
so that data from the processor can be displayed on a
liquid crystal display 630.
An oscillator circuit 610 is coupled to input 607, 609 and
614. The oscillator 610 includes capacitors 611, 612 and a
crystal oscillator 613 for providing time impulses to the
processor 600.
A battery 617 is connected to power supply terminals 615
and 616.
An all clear button 634 is connected between input 619 and
common 618.
As previously described, the mode button 417 selects the
appropriate mode for the processor to display required
information as will be described in more detail with
reference to Figures 25 to 28. The reset button resets the
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display 630 to zero when needed (for example if a line
breaks and the user is left with residual reading on the
display 630).
S The all clear button 634 is preferably provided on the
underside of the housing 412 which can be accessible via
the base plate 413 (Figure 19) and can be used to change
data in the processor 600.
An input 608 is provided for providing input signals from
an ancillary device (not shown) such as weight scales or
the like:
Figures 25 to 28 show a flow chart illustrating operation
of the processor 600.
At step 701, power is supplied to the processor 600. At
step 702, a RAM in the processor 600 is cleared. At step
703 all the LCD segments of the display 630 are turned on
and at step 704 a delay of 2 seconds takes place while all
segments of the display 630 are turned on and at step 705,
all of the segments of the display 630 are turned off.
This merely indicates that all segments of the display 630
are functioning correctly. At step 706, the wheel size of
the wheel 402 is displayed and at step 707 a delay of 2
seconds occurs while the wheel size is displayed. At step
708, all segments of the display 630 are turned off. The
display at step 706 merely enables the user to ensure that
the wheel size data programmed into the processor 600 is
correct for the wheel 402 which is actually being used.
Thus, if a user needs to replace a wheel 402, the user can
ensure that the correct sized wheel 402 is obtained, or if
the processing circuitry is being obtained separate from
the wheel 402, the processing circuitry can be adjusted if
necessary to ensure that the processor 600 is programmed
with the correct wheel diameter so that a correct distance
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measurement is obtained for each pulse received by the
processor 600 which is indicative of the wheel diameter of
the wheel 402.
At step 709, the display 630 shows data to be set ie km/hr,
miles/hr etc. At step 710, the processor checks for
operation of the mode button 417 or reset button 419. If
the mode button 417 is depressed at this time, the
processor can change at step 711 to display data in miles
per hour. If this occurs, the processor will go back to
step 709 and then to step 710. By continued pushing of the
mode button 417, the processor can switch between
displaying data in kilometres per hour or miles per hour
until the appropriate units are being displayed for the
Z5 user's requirement. The user can than depress the reset
button 419 and the program will move to step 712 where the
data required for calculations is dependent on whether the
kilometre per hour or miles per hour function set at steps
709 or 711 has been selected so that the appropriate data
for calculating in kilometres per hour or miles per hour is
set in the processor 600 for the calculation purposes.
The process then moves to step 713 which displays
distance/depth and metres symbol. The process then moves
to step 714 for depression of the mode button 417 or reset
button 419. If the mode button 417 is pressed, the process
moves to step 715 which will change the distance depth
measurement from metres to yards or feet by continued
pressing of the mode button 417. V,~hen the correct unit is
being displayed for the user's purpose, the user can
depress the reset button 419 and the program will move to
step 716 which will cause the required data to be supplied
to the random access memory of the processor 600 for
calculations in metres, yards or feet, dependent upon which
has been selected at steps 713 and 715.
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At step 717, timers and counters are initialised and the
display 430 is set to zero. The processor 600 is now
awaiting data from the sensor unit 430. At step 718, the
processor is awaiting inputs from the unit 430 at inputs
621 and 623. If no inputs are obtained, the program will
simply remain at this step until inputs are received. When
the inputs are received, the program moves to step 719
which determines whether the reed switch 651 or reed switch
652 is closed first so that the processor knows which way
the wheel 402 is spinning and therefore knows whether the
line 420 is being cast out or drawn in. The program
preferably automatically goes into a mode whereby a
distance measurement will be obtained by steps 720 to 730
as will be described in more detail hereinafter when the
line is cast out and will then switch to a retrieval mode
after the line has been cast out, unless the mode button
417 is depressed to place the processor 600 in a mode only
which will give a distance measurement for line out during
casting or line in during rewinding of the line. Thus,
assuming that the line is cast out, the wheel 402 will
rotate in an appropriate direction indicating that the line
is being cast out and the process will move to step 720
where a revolutions counter in the processor 600 is
incremented for each pulse which is received at the input
621 (for example). The process then moves to step 721
which is a distance processing subroutine which is
described in more detail in Figure 27.
At step 722 of Figure 27, the data in the rev counter at
step 720 is obtained and in step 723, that data is
converted to a binary coded decimal number. At step 724,
the processor checks which desired data has been selected
at step 713 or 715 for display in metres, yards or feet etc
and dependent upon which unit was selected, the process
then moves to step 725 or step 726 or step 727 where the
pulse count number which is indicative of the wheel
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diameter 402 is multiplied by the appropriate factor for
displaying in yards, feet or metres. At step 728, the
distance measurement which is obtained by multiplying the
pulse count by the appropriate factor is stored. The
process than moves to step 730 in Figure 26 where the
distance value stored at step 728 is displayed on display
630.
The process then returns to step 718 for processing of the
next pulse. Thus, as the line is cast out and the distance
increases and the number of pulses increases, the display
of the step 730 will be updated with the increasing
distance as the line moves. Vrhen the line stops, a final
display will be indicated thereby providing an indication
of the distance of the cast or, alternatively, if the line
is merely dropped over the edge of a bank, the depth at
which the line has been dropped in the water.
Normally, the fisherman will then leave the line resting
for a short time and, assuming that the fisherman is using
a lure and wishes to draw in the lure so the lure moves
through the water mimicking the natural action of a food
source, the wheel 402 will begin to rotate in the opposite
direction to that which occurred when the line was cast
out. The reed switches 651 an 652 will then close in the
opposite sequence and at step 718, the pulses will be
detected. At step 719, the program will realise that the
pulses are being received from the reed switches 651 and
652 a.n the opposite sequence and will therefore move to
step 731 which will initialise the retrieval speed counter
in the processor 600. At step 732, the retrieval timer
will start and at step 733, the processor 600 will check to
determine whether the mode button has placed the device in
only distance mode or in the retrieval mode. If the mode
button 417 has placed the processor 600 only in distance
mode, the process moves to step 734 where the rev counter
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at step 720 is decremented. The process then moves to sub-
routine 721 for the calculation of distance measurements so
that the decreasing distance from that which was originally
cast is displayed on the display 630 as the line is wound
in.
If the mode button 417 places the device in the retrieval
mode, the processor moves from step 733 to step 735 where
the retrieval speed counter is incremented. At step 736,
the rev counter 720 is decremented indicative of the draw
of the line as per step 734. At step 737, the program
determines whether the retrieval timer set at step 732 has
expired. If not, the process returns to step 733 and
continues through step 734 or step 735, 736 until the timer
has expired. When the timer has expired, the processor
moves to a velocity subroutine at step 740 which is shown
in more detail in Figure 28.
With reference to Figure 28, at step 741, the count from
the retrieval speed counter which was started at step 731
is obtained and the data is converted to a binary coded
decimal number at step 742.
At step 743, the processor 600 checks as to whether data is
to be displayed in kilometres per hour or miles per hour or
the like and, depending upon which unit was selected at
step 709 and 711, the process then moves to step 744 or
step 745 to multiply the data received at step 742 by the
appropriate factor for display in miles per hour or
kilometres per hour. The process then moves to step 746
where the multiplied data is stored.
The program then returns to Figure 26 where the process at
step 750 causes the speed data to be displayed on the
display 630. Thus, the display shows the retrieval speed
of the line in miles per hour or kilometres per hour or
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whatever other unit is programmed into the processor and
selected by the user.
At step 751, the program checks as to whether inputs are
still being received from the sensor unit 430 and, if so,
the program returns to step 719 for continued operation.
If no inputs are obtained, the process moves to step 721 so
that distance data can be displayed as per subroutine 721.
Thus, when the user is retrieving the line and dragging in
the lure or bait etc, the retrieval speed will be
continuously displayed so the user can determine that the
line is being drawn in at the desired speed and, if not,
the user can adjust the winding speed of the reel attached
to the fishing rod to ensure that the desired retrieval
speed is obtained. Once the user stops drawing in the
line, the program will revert to subroutine 721 where the
distance will be displayed indicating the distance of line
which is still out compared to that which was originally
cast .
If the user decides to simply recast the line and again
retrieve the line, this will be determined at step 718 and
719 and the program will revert to the appropriate step 720
or step 731 depending on whether the line is being cast out
or retrieved.
Apart from the functions previously described, the
microprocessor and display 40, 412 may also include the
following features:
an inbuilt light or glowing screen so that the display
screen can be viewed at night;
maximum speed memory mode, average speed memory mode,
maximum distance/depth memory mode;
spool loading mode to tell a user how much line has
been loaded onto a reel;
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a time and date and alarm function (i.e. conventional
clock function for display of time on the display screen;
stop watch timer function;
a temperature measurement function;
a tide chart function;
a barometric pressure function;
a compass function;
a global positioning system;
a memory log system (i.e. position or type of fish
caught);
a moon phase chart;
an input terminal for connecting a weight device or
temperature probe; and
a strike alarm function mode.
Thus, the microprocessor and display 40, 412 may act as a
conventional watch or other display device for displaying a
variety of conventional pieces of data which may be of
assistance to a fisherman.
Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the
invention may readily be effected by persons skilled within
the art, it is to be understood that this invention is not
limited to the particular embodiments described by way of
example hereinabove.
