Sonar imaging techniques for objects in an underwater environment
AssigneeNavico Holding AS
InventorsAaron Coleman, Jeffrey W. Hanoch, Brian Maguire
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Abstract
Methods, systems, and computer program product are provided herein for generating an image that includes sonar data indicative of an object from a first transducer element, such as a circular transducer element, with sonar data indicative of an underwater environment from a second transducer element, such as a linear transducer element. Example sonar data indicative of a fish includes a fish arch.
Claims27
A method for imaging an underwater environment, the method comprising:
- receiving first sonar data based on first sonar returns from one or more first sonar beams produced by a first transducer element directed toward the underwater environment;
- receiving second sonar data based on second sonar returns from one or more second sonar beams produced by a second transducer element directed toward the underwater environment;
- determining, by a sonar signal processor, an association between at least one of the second sonar returns from the second sonar data and at least one object positioned in the underwater environment;
- processing the first sonar data and the second sonar data to form sonar image data, wherein the sonar image data is based on at least one or more of the first sonar returns from the first sonar data and one or more of the second sonar returns associated with the at least one object;
- and
- rendering the sonar image data on a display to form an image of the underwater environment.
A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein, the program code portions being configured, when said program product is run on a sonar signal processor, to:
- receive first sonar data based on first sonar returns from one or more first sonar beams produced by a first transducer element directed toward an underwater environment;
- receive second sonar data based on second sonar returns from one or more second sonar beams produced by a second transducer element directed toward the underwater environment;
- determine an association between at least one of the second sonar returns from the second sonar data and at least one object positioned in the underwater environment;
- process the first sonar data and the second sonar data to form sonar image data, wherein the sonar image data is based on at least one or more of the first sonar returns from the first sonar data and one or more of the second sonar returns associated with the at least one object;
- and
- render the sonar image data on a display to form an image of the underwater environment.
A sonar system for imaging an underwater environment, the sonar system comprising:
- a first transducer element directed toward the underwater environment and configured to produce one or more first sonar beams and receive first sonar data based on sonar returns from the one or more first sonar beams;
- a second transducer element directed toward the underwater environment and configured to produce one or more second sonar beams and receive second sonar data based on sonar returns from the one or more second sonar beams;
- a sonar signal processor configured to:
- determine an association between at least one of the second sonar returns from the second sonar data and at least one object positioned in the underwater environment;
- process the first sonar data and the second sonar data to form sonar image data, wherein the sonar image data is based on at least one or more of the first sonar returns from the first sonar data and one or more of the second sonar returns associated with the at least one object;
- and
- render the sonar image data on a display to form an image of the underwater environment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.