Fishing Vessel Catch Characterization and Sorting Table

Abstract

The present application discloses a portable workstation for sorting and characterizing a fishing vessel's catch which possesses a tabletop having reference markings on the top surface, a foldable leg on the proximal side of the table, a deck rail receiving slot on the distal side of the table, and a removable tabletop surface section which is received by shelf supports beneath the table.

Claims

1. A catch characterization workstation comprising a table having a tabletop having a top surface and a bottom surface, a length, a width, a height, a proximal end, a distal end, internal side walls, external side walls, a proximal end side, a distal end side, a bottom surface, at least one leg hingedly affixed to said proximal end, and at least one slot extending from the base of at least one lateral side up toward the top of said lateral side on said distal end of said workstation so as to allow said distal end to securely rest on a support.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said top surface of said tabletop possesses gradation markings.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said tabletop is comprised of a fixed tabletop section and a removable tabletop section.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said tabletop possesses platform stops beneath said removable tabletop section onto which said removable tabletop section can be placed.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said platform stops are affixed to armatures which are folded adjacent to said bottom surface of said tabletop for storage when not in use and unfolded when used to support said removable tabletop section as a shelf.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one leg is adjustable in length.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said at least one leg is adjustable in pitch.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said workstation possesses at least one of a fixed camera boom and an adjustable camera boom.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said internal side walls and external side walls are configured to receive a tote.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said totes are removably affixable to at least one of said internal side wall and said external side walls using a key/keyway system.

11. The device of claim 3, wherein said tabletop removable section is a scale.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bottom of the fishing vessel catch characterization and sorting table of the present application.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a lateral side view of the fishing vessel catch characterization and sorting table of the present application.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a lateral side view of the fishing vessel catch characterization and sorting table of the present application.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a top-down view of the fishing vessel catch characterization and sorting table of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The present application discloses a workstation for use with a high-definition camera having a camera mount positioned above a tabletop surface having gradations or reference markings within the recording field of the camera. Using images acquired by the high-definition camera, algorithms analyze the image of the catch as each fish is placed on the surface within the camera's visual field. Each fish is placed on the reference surface within the camera's visual field and within the reference markings to permit the system to calculate the size of each fish. The system can also examine the shape of the body, the shape and placement of the fins, the shape and size of the scales, and other physical features to determine the species caught, its length, and its mass. Moreover, the device of the present application can also be configured to weigh the catch placed on the table.

[0019] The system automates the data collection process and reduces the time required for catch characterization by approximately 75%. The system can accurately identify species of fish of approximately 2 inches and larger. This cannot be achieved with a CCTV camera mounted up in the rigging. This is critical because the additional time required by data collection dramatically impairs catch handling catch handling efficiency.

[0020] Species in low individual numbers (A-type system) can be characterized by setting up the tables in a measuring board configuration, to run each fish one by one under the camera. The system collects the data, and the artificial intelligence system characterizes the fish and records its data parameters in a database which can be queried to produce a catch log. In alternative embodiment, no artificial intelligence system is utilized and the recordings are processed manually by visual review by a crew member during down time or upon return to port. The compiled data from either the computer processed or manually processed recordings is then provided to fishery management.

[0021] A handful of species account for a disproportionately large share of the catch (B-type system). The crew pre-sorts those into totes and the table is converted to show and directly weigh those pre-sorted totes under the camera to process and characterize the bulk catch. In an embodiment, the tabletop possesses a fixed tabletop section and a removable tabletop section. Removing the removable tabletop section of the table surface creates an orifice through which the base of a tote may pass. The removal of the table surface exposes a lower shelf beneath the table surface onto which a scale can rest and onto which the base of the tote is received. The lower shelf surface is ideally formed by unfolding platform arms which are hingedly affixed to the table beneath its top surface and which possess features onto which the removable table surface rests to form a shelf, i.e., platform, beneath the table. Alternatively, the table surface itself forms the platform of the scale. The weight is then provided either visually to be recorded by the camera or digitally by a data feed from the scale which is recorded by the system. Alternatively, the tote can be configured to provide reference marking for size estimation. In a still further embodiment, a reference grid or other marker can be superimposed over the image and calibrated to provide measurements as well. In a further embodiment, the table surface has gradations which permit measurements to be taken and a camera to be calibrated with objects of known dimensions. In an alternative embodiment, the table surface can either be freestanding from the sides or not-freestanding but releasable from the sides wherein the table surface is affixed to a scale and can be used to directly measure the weight of the catch. In an alternative embodiment, the table possesses features to removably affix the tote to the side of the table, i.e., workstation. In a further embodiment, the side of the table possesses keys extending from the side of the table onto which totes possessing keyways can be removably affixed.

[0022] In an embodiment, the workstations are portable. The tables collapse to be stored and the camera boom folds so the crew can use the workstation when needed and it doesn't occupy valuable deck space when not in use. The camera boom may be affixed to the table or a separate boom may be utilized. Being portable, the table can also be easily moved from boat to boat as needed. The device has at least one leg to support the proximal end and a slot or keyway to receive the side rail or other feature of the boat on which the distal end rests. In an embodiment, the leg is hingedly affixed to the proximal end of the table. When the distal end rests on the side rail, the sorter can quickly discard an unwanted catch back into the water. Having only one leg also reduces manufacturing costs, reduces the volume of the device for stowage, and reduces its weight.

[0023] In a still further embodiment, the height of the table is adjustable for use on boats having different height side rails by using elements found within the arts requiring adjustable height legs, e.g., a telescoping leg. In a still further embodiment, the resting foot or feet of the device are adjustable in pitch so as to accommodate the inclination of the deck surface. Mounting the camera on a boom and positioning it above and near the table surface assists in controlling the depth of field to accommodate for a sharper image and better resolution, which also results in better calibration for size determination.

[0024] Each table is converted back and forth while processing a haul to effectively absorb the variability in catch composition from haul to haul (C-type) which maximizes processing efficiency over highly variable catch compositions.

[0025] It should be understood that the Preferred Embodiment and alternatives thereof mentioned herein are merely illustrative of the present invention. Numerous variations in the use of the present invention may be contemplated in view of the following claims without straying from the intended scope and field of the invention disclosed herein.

[0026] To one of skill in this art who has the benefits of this disclosure's teachings, other and further objects and advantages will be clear, as well as others inherent therein. The disclosures herein are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, merely to provide context with which to understand the patent claims.