Humminbird Granted Patent for Side Imaging Technology

[Joby @ Humminbird]

Guys we wanted to let you know.




For More Information:
Steve Roth
(402) 437-6400
[email protected]

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.

[Wannabe...]

Uh oh. Look out Lowrance, they's comin' with the law on their side now.

Wannabe...

Get a rope.

[luvin.fishin]

Well Joby.. What's this gonna' mean for the average consumer out here? Lower prices? LOL :D

[Don G]

Maybe a Stimulus Package from Lowrance..

[gabowman]

So Joby, what kind of problems is this gonna cause Lowarnce with their new technology?!?

[CatFan]

After reading the patent, I'm a little surprised. It's incredibly broad, and attempts to cover the combination of sonar and GPS in one unit. Much like firing a shotgun into a flock of birds to try to cover every possible thing they can think of. It also includes the word "hassles", which I've never seen in a patent before.

The key claim that they work the hardest towards establishing is the mounting of the transducer to the boat instead of using a towed transducer. That's really the only place I see any novelty. I'd say it would be pretty hard to make that stand in court, but you never know what a judge can be convinced of.

[rnvinc]

If I'm not mistaken...there is some kind of terminology in the patent process that states .....something like.....any patent idea can been duplicated in part as long as a certain % of the original idea is changed .....

[Cane Pole]

If I'm not mistaken...there is some kind of terminology in the patent process that states .....something like.....any patent idea can been duplicated in part as long as a certain % of the original idea is changed .....

They don't own the SI technology PER SE. The own how they implemented the technology.

Form, fit, and function. These parameters are described in any patent. MOAO

It costs a lot of money to get a patent, but it take lots more to protect it. Almost impossible to protect from China, Russia, etc.

[rnvinc]

They don't own the SI technology PER SE. The own how they implemented the technology.

Form, fit, and function. These parameters are described in any patent. MOAO

It costs a lot of money to get a patent, but it take lots more to protect it. Almost impossible to protect from China, Russia, etc.

I think this also goes along with what I've heard about..."What does this patent do in regards to Lowrance's SI technology....

Nothing will happen to Lowrance's SI technology as long as they keep enough of their idea different from HB's SI technology....as per US Patent Office guidelines...

[mduncan62]

If Lowrance was at risk then HB would have never gotten a patent, because the Bowfin people would have shut HB down. Good for HB, but not really a big deal for the normal man, or woman.