Garmin has been granted a patent for a marine sonar display device that transmits sonar beams in multiple directions, generating real-time sonar images. The device identifies gaps between sonar wedges and displays corresponding imagery, enhancing underwater visibility for marine vessels. GlobalData’s report on Garmin gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

According to GlobalData’s company profile on Garmin, Fitness trackers was a key innovation area identified from patents. Garmin's grant share as of July 2024 was 73%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Marine sonar display device for real-time underwater imaging

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Garmin Ltd

The patent US12032105B2 describes a marine sonar display device designed to enhance underwater imaging capabilities. The device features a display for visualizing sonar images, a non-transitory memory for storing sonar data over time, and a processing element that coordinates the display and memory functions. The processing element transmits electronic signals containing multiple frequency components to a frequency-steered sonar element located beneath a marine vessel. This sonar element sends out arrays of sonar beams in two distinct directions: one towards the front of the vessel, creating a first sonar wedge, and another directly below, forming a second sonar wedge. The device captures reflections from these beams, processes the data into sonar image slices, and identifies gaps between the two sonar wedges for improved visualization.

The processing element is further configured to manage the display of sonar image slices in real-time, filling any identified gaps with relevant sonar data slices. It can determine the frequency components of received signals, associating them with specific angular directions to enhance the accuracy of the sonar imagery. The device also allows for the division of gaps into equal slices, enabling a scrolling presentation of historical sonar image slices. This innovative approach aims to provide a comprehensive view of underwater environments, facilitating better navigation and exploration for marine vessels.

To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on Garmin, buy the report here.

Data Insights

From

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.

GlobalData

GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.