Patent US4932007A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4932007A
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Fish behavior control system
Assignee: UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS SYSTEMS Inc 94 STATION STREET HINGHAM MASSACHUSETTS
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Filing: 1988-10-07
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Granted: 1990-06-05
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Expires: 2008-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A device for modifying the behavior of fish, causing them to swim along a desired path, projects sequences of sound into the water, resulting in sound wave patterns which direct the fish along the desired path. The device includes a fish detector, which detects the monitors the activities of fish, an array of sound projectors and a controller. When fish are detected the controller generates sequences of signals which are applied to the projector array. The projectors project corresponding sounds into the water, producing the sound wave patterns. The detector monitors the activities of the fish and the controller, if necessary, adjusts the sound sequences until the fish are directed along the path. When the detector no longer detects any fish, the controller stops applying signals to the projector array, preventing approaching fish from habituating to the projected sounds.
Inventors
- 👤 John Suomala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:58
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01M; A01M29/00; A01M29/16; A01K; A01K61/00; A01K61/90; G; G10; G10K; G10K15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
The method of modifying the behavior of fish comprising the steps of: A. detecting approaching fish; B. generating sounds and projecting said sounds into the water; C. monitoring the response of the fish to said projected sounds; D. i. if the fish respond as desired, continuing to project the same sounds for a predetermined period of time, or ii. if the fish do not respond as desired, altering the sounds projected until the fish do so respond and projecting these sounds for a predetermined period of time; and E. repeating steps A-D.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
The method of modifying the behavior of fish comprising the steps of: A. detecting approaching fish; B. generating sounds and projecting said sounds into the water; C. monitoring the response of the fish to said projected sounds; D. i. if the fish respond as desired, continuing to project the same sounds for a predetermined period of time, or ii. if the fish do not respond as desired, altering the sounds projected until the fish do so respond and projecting these sounds for a predetermined period of time; and E. repeating steps A-D.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said generating step further includes generating sounds following a predetermined sequence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said generating step further includes generating sounds in a random sequence.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
152 words
A fish behavior modifier device comprising: A. a fish detector for producing signals corresponding to: i. the presence of fish, and ii. the movement of the detected fish; B. a controller connected to generate control signals in response to said detector signals; and C. a sound generator connected to generate sounds in response to said control signals and project said sounds into the water, said sounds directing the fish to modify their behavior and swim along a desired route; said controller automatically and selectively (1) varying the generated control signals if after a predetermined time said fish detector detects that the fish are not moving along the desired route, said varied control signals being selected to direct the fish to move along the desired route, or (2) continuing to generate the same control signals for a predetermined time if the fish detector detects that the fish are moving along the desired route.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
152 words
A fish behavior modifier device comprising: A. a fish detector for producing signals corresponding to: i. the presence of fish, and ii. the movement of the detected fish; B. a controller connected to generate control signals in response to said detector signals; and C. a sound generator connected to generate sounds in response to said control signals and project said sounds into the water, said sounds directing the fish to modify their behavior and swim along a desired route; said controller automatically and selectively (1) varying the generated control signals if after a predetermined time said fish detector detects that the fish are not moving along the desired route, said varied control signals being selected to direct the fish to move along the desired route, or (2) continuing to generate the same control signals for a predetermined time if the fish detector detects that the fish are moving along the desired route.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 4, wherein said sound generator comprises an array of underwater sound projectors each of which is individually controlled by said controller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
The device of claim 4, wherein each of said projectors in said array is operated by: A. a pulse generator for generating pulses at a frequency directed by said control signals; B. a function generator connected to generate signals corresponding to a desired function at the directed frequency; and C. an amplifier connected to amplify the signals generated by said function generator; said pulse generator, function generator, and amplifier, each being individually controlled by said controller in order to produce at any given time sounds of a desired frequency, phase, amplitude and duration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The fish behavior modifier device of claim 4, wherein said controller stores the control signals corresponding to a directed fish movement along the desired route, said controller thereafter accessing the stored control signals and applying them to said sound generator to direct later detected fish along the desired route.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 4, wherein said controller further applies to said sound generator one or more predetermined sequences of control signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The fish behavior modifier device of claim 4, wherein said controller continues to apply the control signals corresponding to a directed fish movement to said sound generator as long as the detected fish are moving along the desired route, said controller refraining from applying the signals once the detected fish have moved a predetermined distance along the route.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fish behavior modifier device of claim 4, wherein said controller further applies to said sound generator random sequences of control signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-04 | 1993-12-04 | 1994-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-04 | 1997-12-04 | 1998-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-04 | 2001-12-04 | 2002-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |