AU2018253498B1

AU2018253498B1 - Pot Monitoring Device

Info

Publication number: AU2018253498B1
Application number: AU2018253498A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dean Nigel Wing
Original assignee: Crab Nabber Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Crab Nabber Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2017-12-11
Filing date: 2018-10-23
Publication date: 2019-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2038-10-23

Abstract

Abstract A pot monitoring device comprising a waterproof housing (12) mountable within a pot (11) and a sensor provided within the housing (12) to sense when 5 the pot (11) has been removed from the water. A network transmitter is provided within the housing (12) such that the network transmitter is activated to transmit an alert signal via a communication network (15) to a remote monitoring device (13) to indicate that the pot (11) has been removed from the water.

Description

Invention title:

“Pot monitoring device”

Applicant:

Dean Nigel Wing

Associated provisional applications:

Number 2017904965 filed on 11 December 2018

The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:

2018253498 23 Oct 2018 “Pot Monitoring Device”

Field of the Invention [001] The present invention relates to a device for monitoring crayfish pots.

Background to the Invention [002] Fishing for crayfish generally involves lowering a pot to the ocean floor and leaving the pot in place for a period of time. Crayfish are attracted to bait left in the pot and then become trapped, such that they can be retrieved by later pulling up the pot.

[003] A common problem with such fishing is that third parties may pull the pot before the owner can return and remove any crayfish that have been caught. While such actions are generally illegal, it can be extremely difficult to police the illegal pulling of pots. In the case of commercial fishing operations, the expenses involved in operating a large vessel can mean significant financial losses will result from this unauthorised pulling of crayfish pots.

[004] The present invention relates to a pot monitoring device which is aimed at providing a deterrent against third parties pulling crayfish pots.

Summary of the Invention [005] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a pot monitoring device comprising:

a waterproof housing mountable within a crayfish pot;

a sensor provided within the housing to sense when the pot has been removed from the water; and a network transmitter provided within the housing;

2018253498 23 Oct 2018 wherein the network transmitter is activated to transmit an alert signal via a communication network to a remote monitoring device to indicate that the pot has been removed from the water.

[006] In one embodiment, the sensor comprises a GPS module which detects removal from the water by detection of a GPS signal.

[007] Preferably the alert signal includes location information determined from the GPS module.

[008] Preferably the network transmitter transmits the alert signal via a mobile phone network and the remote monitoring device comprise a mobile phone having suitable application software installed.

[009] Preferably the housing includes a battery for supplying power to the transmitter and wherein the battery is rechargeable.

[010] Preferably the housing includes a wireless charging device.

[011] Preferably the pot monitoring device includes a receive module to receive information from a transmit module provided in further pot monitoring devices such that the pot monitoring device may send the alert signal when it is determined that one of the further pot monitoring devices has been removed from the water.

[012] Preferably the pot monitoring device is provided with an antenna provided with a float connected to the pot monitoring device by a cable in order to receive signals from the further pot monitoring devices.

[013] In one embodiment, the housing includes a camera in communication with the sensor such that the camera is provided to capture images in a region around the housing when the housing is removed from the water.

[014] In a further embodiment, the sensor comprises a pressure sensor provided to sense changes in water pressure associated with removal of the housing from the water.

2018253498 23 Oct 2018

Brief Description of the Drawings [015] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings in which:

[016] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a pot monitoring device in accordance with the present invention secured within a crayfish pot;

[017] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the pot monitoring device of Figure 1 in communication with a mobile phone via a phone network;

[018] Figure 3a is an upper perspective view of the pot monitoring device of Figure 1 showing the first and second housing portions separated;

[019] Figure 3b is a view showing internal components of the pot monitoring device;

[020] Figure 4a is a view of the crayfish pot and pot monitoring device of Figure 1 in use underwater; and [021] Figure 4b is a view of the internal components of a second embodiment of a pot monitoring device in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [022] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a pot monitoring device 10 comprising a waterproof housing 12. The housing 12 is provided to be secured within a pot for catching marine animals, such as a crayfish pot 11, and is sufficiently waterproof such that the housing 12 can withstand conditions expected at the depths to which crayfish pots are to be used. The housing 12 is to be fixed within the crayfish pot 11 by an appropriate fastening mechanism. The housing 12 is preferably releasably attached such that the housing 12 may be removed for replacement and/or recharging as required.

[023] In the embodiment shown, the housing 12 comprises first and second housing portions 14 and 15. The first and second housing portions 14 and 15 are securable together to define a waterproof internal cavity.

[024] The housing 12 includes a sensor therein provided for sensing when the housing 12, and therefore the associated crayfish pot 11, has been pulled

2018253498 23 Oct 2018 out of the water. In one embodiment, the function of the sensor is performed by a GPS module 26 provided within the housing 12. The GPS module 26 senses that the housing 12 has been removed from the water by detection of a GPS signal. While under the water, the GPS module 26 will not be able to detect a GPS signal. Once removed from the water, the GPS module 26 will be able to detect a GPS signal to determine the location of the housing 12, thereby providing an indication that the housing 12 has been removed from the water by pulling of the pot 11.

[025] The pot monitoring device 10 includes a circuit board 16 provided within the internal cavity of the housing 12. The GPS module 26 is provided on the circuit board 16.

[026] In an alternative embodiment, the sensor may comprise a pressure sensor provided to detect a change in water pressure which would be associated with the housing 12 moving upwardly through the water.

[027] The housing 12 also includes a network transmitter located within the internal cavity provided within the housing 12. The network transmitter comprises a network transmit module 26 provided on the circuit board 16. The network transmit module 26 is in communication with the sensor and is provided to transmit an alert signal via a communication network 15 when the housing 12 is removed from the water. The network transmit module 26 thereby sends a signal to a remote monitoring device alerting the owner of the pot 11 that the pot 11 has been pulled.

[028] The communication network 15 preferably comprises a mobile phone network and the remote monitoring device may therefore comprise a mobile phone 13 having suitable application software installed. The network transmit module 26 may therefore comprise a GPRS chip and the circuit board 16 is provided also with a SIM card in a SIM card module 20.

[029] The housing 12 is provided with an internal battery 22 to provide power to the internal components of the pot monitoring device 10. The battery 22 is preferably rechargeable. The battery is preferably rechargeable wirelessly by a wireless charge device 24 located within the housing 12.

2018253498 23 Oct 2018 [030] In a further embodiment, the pot monitoring device 10 is provided to receive information from further pot monitoring devices 10. In this arrangement, the pot monitoring device 10 includes an antenna unit 32 provided on a float 33 connected to the housing 12 via a cable 34 in use. The antenna unit 32 may receive information transmitted from further pot monitoring devices 10 and transmit information to the communication network 15.

[031] The pot monitoring device 10 includes a receive module 28 provided on the circuit board 16. The further pot monitoring devices 10 may include a modified circuit board 16’ which includes only the GPS module 26 and a transmit module 30. The transmit module 30 is provided to send information to the receive module 28. The further pot monitoring devices 10 therefore may detect when the housing 12 has been removed from the water and send a signal to the first pot monitoring device 10, which receives the signal via the receive module 28 and then transmits the alert signal to the remote monitoring device via the communication network 15. In this way, only one pot monitoring device 10 requires the ability to transmit the alert signal and the further pot monitoring devices 10 may use a more simplified construction.

[032] The housing 12 may be provided with a camera. The camera is mounted within the housing 12 such that a lens of the camera is directed outwardly through an opening in an outer surface of the housing 12. The camera is provided to capture images outwardly through the opening 16 and transmit such captured images along with the alert signal to the remote monitoring device.

[033] In use, the pot monitoring device 10 is secured within a crayfish pot 11 which is lowered to the ocean bed. Should the crayfish pot be pulled by an unauthorised person, the sensor within the pot monitoring device 10 determines that the crayfish pot 11 has been removed from the water and transmits an alert signal to the mobile phone of the owner. The alert signal may include location information from the GPS module 26. The camera may also capture images as the crayfish pot 11 is pulled from the water which are

2018253498 23 Oct 2018 also transmitted to the mobile phone of the owner. The pictures can be used in order to potentially identify the unauthorised person pulling the crayfish pot.

[034] While the pot monitoring device 10 is out of the water, it will continue to transmit further location information so that the location of the pot 11 may be tracked.

[035] It is expected that pot monitoring devices 10 may not be required in every crayfish pot. Having the pot monitoring device 10 installed in only some of the crayfish pots is expected to provide a reasonable deterrent against unauthorised pulling of the pots, as the unauthorised persons will not be aware which pots have the pot monitoring device 10 and which do not.

[036] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

2018253498 23 Oct 2018

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

5 1. A pot monitoring device comprising:

a waterproof housing mountable within a crayfish pot;

a sensor provided within the housing to sense when the pot has been removed from the water; and a network transmitter provided within the housing;

10 wherein the network transmitter is activated to transmit an alert signal via a communication network to a remote monitoring device to indicate that the pot has been removed from the water.
2. A pot monitoring device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a GPS module which detects removal from the water by detection

15 of a GPS signal.
3. A pot monitoring device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the alert signal includes location information determined from the GPS module.
4. A pot monitoring device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the network transmitter transmits the alert signal via a mobile

20 phone network and the remote monitoring device comprise a mobile phone having suitable application software installed.
5. A pot monitoring device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing includes a battery for supplying power to the transmitter and wherein the battery is rechargeable.

25
6. A pot monitoring device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the housing includes a wireless charging device.
7. A pot monitoring device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pot monitoring device includes a receive module to receive information from a transmit module provided in further pot monitoring

2018253498 23 Oct 2018 devices such that the pot monitoring device may send the alert signal when it is determined that one of the further pot monitoring devices has been removed from the water.
8. A pot monitoring device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the pot

5 monitoring device is provided with an antenna provided with a float connected to the pot monitoring device by a cable in order to receive signals from the further pot monitoring devices.
9. A pot monitoring device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing includes a camera in communication with the
10 sensor such that the camera is provided to capture images in a region around the housing when the housing is removed from the water.

10. A pot monitoring device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor provided to sense changes in water pressure associated with removal of the housing from the water.