Smart Fishing Rod Device

Abstract

A smart fishing rod device that fits on the tip of any fishing rod. The line passes through the device, and the device senses tension on the line. A processor in the device is configured to interpret increases in tension as the presence of fish. The device can signal wirelessly to a smart device that there is a fish present. The device can also have one or more LEDs that flashes when a fish is present. The smart device can run an application (APP) that displays or signals the presence of a fish on one or more rods equipped with the device.

Claims

1. A smart fishing rod device comprising: a housing adapted to be attached to a fishing rod, the housing including: a tip that is configured to receive a fishing line; a force sensor adapted to sense tension on the line; a processor connected to the force sensor executing a stored program adapted to recognize an increase in tension on the line; a wireless communication module configured to send a wireless message to a remote device indicating said increase in tension in the fishing line.

2. The smart fishing rod device of claim 1 further comprising at least one LED mounted on the housing configured to light when the processor recognizes said increased tension on the line.

3. The smart fishing rod device of claim 2 wherein different of said smart fishing rod devices have different colored LEDs.

4. The smart fishing rod device of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication module uses BLUETOOTH.

5. The smart fishing rod device of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication module uses WiFi.

6. The smart fishing rod device of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication module uses cellular telephone.

7. The smart fishing rod device of claim 1 wherein the remote device is a handheld telephone.

8. A smart fishing rod device comprising: a housing adapted to be attached to a fishing rod, the housing including: a tip that is configured to receive a fishing line; a force sensor adapted to sense tension on the line; a wireless communication module connected to the force sensor configured to send a wireless message to a remote device indicating said increase in tension in the fishing line.

9. The smart fishing rod device of claim 8 further comprising a processor executing stored instructions from a memory between the force sensor and the wireless communication module.

10. The smart fishing rod device of claim 8 further comprising a processor executing stored instructions from a memory between the force sensor and the wireless communication module, the processor configured to determine a threshold level of force indicating a possible fish on the fishing line.

11. The smart fishing rod device of claim 8 further comprising at least one LED mounted on the housing configured to light when the processor recognizes said increased tension on the line.

12. The smart fishing rod device of claim 11 wherein different of said smart fishing rod devices have different colored LEDs.

13. The smart fishing rod device of claim 8 wherein the wireless communication module uses BLUETOOTH.

14. The smart fishing rod device of claim 8 wherein the wireless communication module uses WiFi.

15. The smart fishing rod device of claim 8 wherein the wireless communication module uses cellular telephone.

16. The smart fishing rod device of claim 8 wherein the remote device is a handheld telephone.

17. A method of providing smart fishing rod device comprising: providing a housing adapted to be attached to a fishing rod, the housing including: a tip that is configured to receive a fishing line; a force sensor adapted to sense tension on the line; a processor connected to the force sensor executing a stored program adapted to recognize an increase in tension on the line; providing a wireless communication module configured to send a wireless message to a remote device indicating said increase in tension in the fishing line.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the wireless communication module uses BLUETOOTH.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0006] Attention is now directed to several drawings that illustrate features of the present invention:

[0007] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention mounted on the tip of a fishing rod.

[0008] FIG. 2 shows the device communicating with a smartphone.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows a front and side view of an embodiment of the invention.

[0010] FIG. 4 shows an internal view of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0011] Several drawings and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to what is shown in the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] The present invention relates to a smart rod independent fishing device (SRID) which includes a removable tip that can be attached to any fishing rod. FIG. 1 shows how the device is attached. A rod 1 has typical line 2 that passes through the present invention 3 which is mounted on the end of the rod 1. The SRID device 3 has a processor 6 (which is shown external to the device in FIG. 1, but may be internal). The device 3 also has a pin or other spring-loaded mechanism that is configured so that the line 2 passes over it. The device 3 can also have a gate that closes its opening so that the line cannot come out.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows the SRID device 3 on the tip of a rod 1 communicating wirelessly with a smart device 20 such as a smartphone. Communication allows the device 3 to alert the smart device 20 to ring, beep, show a special display, or otherwise announce the presence of a fish on a particular rod 1. The SRID device 3 can also be equipped with one or more LEDs that flash or light when a fish is detected. This is particularly useful when multiple rods and bait are being used.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a front and side view of an embodiment of the present invention. The SRID device 3 has a sliding pin 5 that carries the line. While a pin is preferred, any mechanism that can move as a line takes more tension is within the scope of the present invention. The device 3 has as raised tips 7 that act as a convention rod tip to guide the line. A gate 21 can close the device so the line does not escape. A battery charging port 8 can be located anywhere on the device 3. This can be a standard universal serial bus USB charging port, or it can be a special charging port. This port 8 is typically used to charge the battery before fishing begins.

[0015] FIG. 3 also shows that the device is equipped with a processor 6. This can be any controller, or microprocessor known in the art. Either internal or external to this processor 6 is memory that can contain stored computer instructions for the processor to execute and can store data. The processor can be connected to a communication module.

[0016] FIG. 4 shows one example of the internal structure of an embodiment of the present invention. The pin 5 is spring-loaded with one or more light springs 11. The springs can press down on a weight or pressure sensor 9. The sensor 9 is controlled by the processor 6 (which as stated above may be entirely internal to the device 3). A battery 10 powers the sensor, processor and a communication module 12. The battery can be a miniature battery known in the art. It can also be a telephone battery. The battery can optionally be charged through the charging port 8 as previously described. In other embodiments, the battery is not recharged, but simply replaced periodically. A preferred charging port is a miniature USB port known in the art. It should be noted that while the preferred technique is to use a processor that executes instructions stored in memory, any processor or processing technique can be used including an analog processor or a hardwired analog circuit. In a simpler embodiment, the sensor can be directly connected to the communication module with no processor to simply send a signal to a remote station or handheld device when the sensor senses an increase in tension on the fishing line.

[0017] The communication module 12 can communicate either using short-range communications such as that know under the name BLUETOOTH, or it can communication using techniques such as WiFi, or even cellular telephone or infrared light communication. In an alternate embodiment, the SRID device contains a micro-cellular telephone. The method of communication can use any protocol or any communication technique. A preferred protocol is known as Internet Protocol or IP. This can be used with short-range communication like BLUETOOTH or WiFi or with cellular techniques, or for communication over the Internet. Any protocol is within the scope of the present invention. Also any physical wireless technique is within the scope of the present invention with low power Radio Frequency (RF) techniques being preferred. If a radio wireless technique is used, a small RF antenna (not shown) connects to the communication module 12. The communication can be directly with a smart device, or it can be into routers, switches, hubs or into any network including the Internet.

[0018] FIG. 4 also shows optional LEDs 22. These LEDs are under control of the processor 6 and can be used to visually signal when a fish is putting tension on the line. Different devices 3 can be equipped with different colored LEDs 22 to distinguish between different rods or bait. One embodiment of the present invention has only the LEDs and no wireless communication. This version achieves minimum battery usage.

[0019] The SRID device has a housing that can be waterproof and secure to ensure that a fisherman will never sling or throw the device off when casting or placing a rod in a rod holder. The processor and communication module is very light weight and can be configured to execute applications (apps) that can be downloaded to it wirelessly or programmed in through the USB port. Also, the processor and communication module use minimum battery power to assure hours of use between charges or battery change outs.

[0020] An application (app) can be downloadable to a smartphone or other handheld device to receive the signal from the SRID device and display and/or alarm when tension has increased on the fishing line. A single smartphone, can pair using BLUETOOTH with several different fishing rods, and signal which rod has seen an increase in tension. In some embodiments, the SRID device can sense the amount of tension increase and transmit that as well as the simple fact that tension has increased. The remote smartphone can display different colors or other indicators of the amount of tension changes in a given fishing line.

[0021] The device solves the problem of unattended fishing rods, and can be used night or day.

[0022] Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. One with skill in the art will realize that numerous changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes and variations is within the scope of the present invention.