Multi-beam sonar fish detection apparatus providing real-time three-dimensional wire-frame display representation

A sonar depth sounder apparatus comprising:

• a transducer with at least two elements that produce a series of sound waves, wherein the sound waves from each element are emitted toward the bottom surface of a body of water in conically-shaped sound beams such that each conically-shaped sound beam generated from an element at least partially overlaps at least one other sound beam generated by a different element of said transducer, and wherein said elements receive corresponding echoes reflected off of objects in the path of said sound waves and generate signals corresponding to the receipt and strength of said reflected sound waves;
• means for controlling the generation of sound waves by said transducer;
• means for processing the signals generated by said transducer in response to the reflected sound waves;
• and
• a microprocessor for analyzing the processed signals and generating information regarding the contour of the bottom surface of the body of water and the location of other objects in the path of the sound beam.

A sonar depth sounder apparatus comprising:

• a transducer with at least two elements, which produce a series of sonar signals, wherein the elements emit sonar signals toward the bottom surface of a body of water;
• at least two receivers capable of receiving returned sonar signals which have been reflected back toward the transducer elements by the bottom surface of the body of water;
• a microprocessor for analyzing the returned sonar signals and generating information regarding the contour of the bottom surface of the body of water;
• a visual display for displaying the information regarding the contour of the bottom surface of the body of water;
• wherein a three-dimensional view of the bottom surface is displayed in a grid line format, wherein the grid comprises a horizontal plane of first spaced parallel surface lines and second spaced parallel surface lines perpendicular to said first spaced parallel lines projected onto the bottom surface.