Patent Approved for Humminbird Side Imaging Technology

[Doug Vahrenberg]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Patent Approved for Humminbird’s Innovative
Side Imaging® Fishfinder Technology

EUFAULA, Ala. (Jan. 26, 2010) – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted U.S. Patent No. 7,652,952 to Johnson Outdoors Inc. for the Humminbird® Side Imaging® technology. The approved patent protects Humminbird’s Side Imaging sonar systems from unauthorized copying.

“Our Side Imaging sonar technology is one of the most heralded innovations in the marine electronics industry in decades,” said Kelly Grindle, Group Vice President of Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics & Watercraft. “It is a game changer for anglers who demand the best equipment available to help locate and catch more fish.”

Humminbird first introduced Side Imaging sonar in 2005 in two of its 900-Series fishfinder models. Spurred by consumer demand, Humminbird expanded its offering of Side Imaging models to its 700-, 800-, and 1100-Series™ product lines.

Side Imaging sonar produces dramatically detailed and recognizable images of underwater objects and the bottom. These images allow anglers to pinpoint habitat, structure and drop-offs, which are prime holding areas for fish. With a coverage area of up to 480 feet side-to-side, anglers can search more water in less time to find the most promising areas to fish.

“Humminbird has created an entirely new sonar category in Side Imaging technology, and we have been thorough in our product development and patent process to assure that our technology is sound,” said Grindle. “We continue our efforts to enhance Side Imaging technology and will offer more features in the near future.”

For more information visit humminbird.com, contact Humminbird, 678 Humminbird Lane, Eufaula, AL 36027, or call 800-633-1468.

Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. consists of the Humminbird®, Geonav®, Minn Kota® and Cannon® brands. Humminbird is a leading innovator and manufacturer of fishfinders, fishfinder/GPS combo units, chartplotters, marine radios and digital depth gauges. Geonav is a manufacturer of high-quality, easy-to-use marine electronics products. Minn Kota is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as offering a complete line of battery chargers, Trim Tabs and marine accessories. Cannon is the leader in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and accessories.

[sagair]

Got to hand it to you mate you are sure earning your sponsorship from Hummingbird.

[battler1]

Cant be that good how many NMEA AWARDS has it won ? NONE.


Joe





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Patent Approved for Humminbird’s Innovative


Side Imaging® Fishfinder Technology





EUFAULA, Ala. (Jan. 26, 2010) – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted U.S. Patent No. 7,652,952 to Johnson Outdoors Inc. for the Humminbird® Side Imaging® technology. The approved patent protects Humminbird’s Side Imaging sonar systems from unauthorized copying.

“Our Side Imaging sonar technology is one of the most heralded innovations in the marine electronics industry in decades,” said Kelly Grindle, Group Vice President of Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics & Watercraft. “It is a game changer for anglers who demand the best equipment available to help locate and catch more fish.”

Humminbird first introduced Side Imaging sonar in 2005 in two of its 900-Series fishfinder models. Spurred by consumer demand, Humminbird expanded its offering of Side Imaging models to its 700-, 800-, and 1100-Series™ product lines.

Side Imaging sonar produces dramatically detailed and recognizable images of underwater objects and the bottom. These images allow anglers to pinpoint habitat, structure and drop-offs, which are prime holding areas for fish. With a coverage area of up to 480 feet side-to-side, anglers can search more water in less time to find the most promising areas to fish.

“Humminbird has created an entirely new sonar category in Side Imaging technology, and we have been thorough in our product development and patent process to assure that our technology is sound,” said Grindle. “We continue our efforts to enhance Side Imaging technology and will offer more features in the near future.”

For more information visit humminbird.com, contact Humminbird, 678 Humminbird Lane, Eufaula, AL 36027, or call 800-633-1468.

Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. consists of the Humminbird®, Geonav®, Minn Kota® and Cannon® brands. Humminbird is a leading innovator and manufacturer of fishfinders, fishfinder/GPS combo units, chartplotters, marine radios and digital depth gauges. Geonav is a manufacturer of high-quality, easy-to-use marine electronics products. Minn Kota is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as offering a complete line of battery chargers, Trim Tabs and marine accessories. Cannon is the leader in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and accessories.

[leelee]

Now that is so ironic.

I think that there was another company who first created the technology but saw fit for it to not be introduced for general recreational use (still bet they are kicking themselves for doing so) until its units older units were out of circualtion and the upgraded new units could handle the technology and humminbird basically decided to get in first. Hats off to humminbird for doing what they have, but they can hardly claim "Our Side Imaging sonar technology is one of the most heralded innovations in the marine electronics industry in decades" as this technology is not new at all.

Just another great piece of American marketing, pretty much along the same lines as some of their outboard claims ;D . A lot if it is just marketing hype

As for a patent well gee I hope the navy don't get wind of this as they have been using this technology for 20+ years now and I am pretty sure that humminbird woudl have had to "COPY" the technology some how;D

Thanks for the great laugh though as it has made my day.

Cheers

Lee

[bushbeachboy]

Does this mean that the recently-introduced Lowrance side imaging will no longer be available?

[Scott Mitchell]

Does this mean that the recently-introduced Lowrance side imaging will no longer be available?


LOWRANCE AFFIRMS CONTINUED COMMITMENT FOR DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPORT OF STRUCTURESCAN™ SONAR IMAGING TECHNOLOGY

Side-scanning and DownScan Imaging™ software and module add-on solution for HDS displays offers anglers and boaters a unique full-picture view of the underwater world.

Tulsa, Okla. – Lowrance, a world-leading brand in marine electronics since 1957 and GPS navigational systems since 1992, re-affirmed today that the LSS-1 StructureScan™ sonar imaging module option – compatible with HDS fishfinder/chartplotter multifunction displays – will continue to be sold, distributed and fully supported worldwide.

The announcement is a direct response to today’s patent infringement lawsuit filed against Navico, Inc., by Johnson Outdoors. Lowrance publicly announced the 2009 availability of LSS-1 StructureScan™ sonar imaging on February 20, 2009, at the Bassmaster® Classic Expo, held in Shreveport, La. Additional details – including the DownScan Imaging™ feature of StructureScan™ sonar imaging for Lowrance HDS displays – were revealed publicly on July 15, 2009, at the International Convention of Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), held in Orlando, Fla.

Following the on-time shipment of LSS-1 StructureScan™ sonar imaging in November 2009, excitement of LSS-1 StructureScan™ sonar imaging continues to grow as media and dealer demonstrations at marine-industry events have revealed the unique “full picture” view and other unique features that this add-on module provides for owners of Lowrance HDS multifunction displays.

The LSS-1 StructureScan™ sonar imaging is based on Navico’s known and reliable sonar technology, yet it also features additional new technology not available from others, in a unique add-on module configuration.
“We are confident,” said Louis Chemi, COO for Navico Americas, “in the uniqueness and value of Lowrance LSS-1 StructureScan™ sonar imaging. We also wish to assure our customers that the worldwide sale and distribution of StructureScan™ sonar imaging will absolutely continue as planned with full Lowrance support for years to come. Navico will vigorously defend the recent legal proceedings initiated by Johnson Outdoors.”
For more information on Lowrance StructureScan™ sonar imaging, Lowrance HDS multifunction displays, or the entire Lowrance line of marine electronics, please visit www.lowrance.com (http://www.lowrance.com/).

-30-
About Lowrance:

The Lowrance® brand is wholly owned by Navico, Inc., a privately held, international marine electronics company. Navico is currently the world’s largest marine electronics company, and is the parent company to five well-established marine electronics brands: B&G®, Eagle®, Lowrance, Northstar and Simrad®. www.navico.com (http://www.navico.com/)

Helpful Scotto

[bushbeachboy]

Thanks mate. I hope they are successful in their defence. I have only ever owned one Humminbird product (Matrix 27) and that is one very dissapointing piece of equipment.

[Lucky_Phill]

That side scan stuff is peanuts compared to this:-

http://www.wassp.com/

all IMO only though.......... :) :)


Cheers LP.
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[Chris Ryan]

That WASSP stuff is cool......betcha its exe as though

[Lucky_Phill]

28K without monitor.

really for commercial purposes, but if ya had a small lotto win.... :)
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[STUIE63]

looks expensive though Phil