FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention comes under the field of hydrographic surveying, specifically under the field of
measurement methods for water depths and shallow water bathymetric surveys in lakes, rivers,
canals as well as oceans.
5
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The background pertains to the field of measuring water depths in various water bodies. The
current methods of measuring water depths include manual lead lines, manual scales fixed to the
walls, and advanced echo sounders. These methods are not without their limitations. The echo
sounders, while automated, are costly, and may not be within reach for many sailors, surveyors,
and water management professionals. Additionally, the use of manual lead lines is timeconsuming, and their accuracy is often compromised due to the manual methods of
measurements. Similarly, the method of manual scales attached to piers of bridges or walls, while
efficient in capturing information, is limited to a single point where they are installed.
The above limitations of existing methods of measuring water depths provided the impetus for the
invention of an accurate, easy-to-use, and cost-effective method of measuring water depths. This
led to the invention of the digital lead line, which is designed to be used in various water bodies,
including lakes, rivers, canals, and shallow water bathymetry surveys of oceans.
The digital lead line comprises a digital tape wound inside a case with a sounding weight attached
to the free end of the tape. The weight is made up of lead, which is inert and doesn't react with
any possible chemicals present in the water. The tape is made of soft, water-resistant material and
is marked with graduated scales in inches, feet, centimeters, and meters. The outer cover of the
digital tape assembly is made of high-quality plastic and houses an LCD panel for display of
measurements, along with buttons for saving the data and automatically rewinding the tape.
The working of the digital lead line relies on two types of sensors, an encoder and an optical
sensor. The encoder consists of exposed pads on the rear of primary PCB and fingers on the tape
reel mechanism. The optical sensor reads the markings on the tape measure to produce the output
of the depth measurements.
The use of digital lead lines has several advantages over the existing methods of measuring water
depths. Firstly, it provides an affordable and low-cost solution for sailors and water resource
4
professionals. Secondly, it automates the existing method of using manual lead lines, reducing the
efforts of measurements and recording the measurements. Thirdly, the low-cost nature of the
digital lead line reduces the cost of projects that require analysis of any water management studies
for any river, lake, or reservoir, which would otherwise have been expensive if the conventional
methods of echo sounders were used. Additionally, the digital lead line can be used not only for
measuring the depths of lakes, rivers, canals, and shallow water bathymetry surveys of oceans,
but can also measure the water levels in the wells from the ground. This increases the utility of
the product, making it an all-encompassing solution for measuring water depths in various
contexts. Finally, the invention is fully battery operated, and the battery may be charged by solar
panels, making it an eco-friendly alternative to the existing methods of measuring water depths.
In conclusion, the digital lead line provides a comprehensive solution to the existing challenges of
measuring water depths, as it is accurate, affordable, easy-to-use, and eco-friendly. Its design
features such as the use of inert lead, water-resistant tape material, and optical sensors make it an
innovative and unique solution that could revolutionize the field of measuring water depths.
25 OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the invention is to provide an accurate, easy-to-use, and cost-effective method
of measuring water depths in various water bodies, including lakes, rivers, canals, and shallow
water bathymetry surveys of oceans. The invention aims to overcome the limitations of the
existing methods of measuring water depths, including high cost, time-consuming
measurements, and compromised accuracy due to manual methods of measurements.
Additionally, the invention aims to provide a low-cost automated alternative to the conventional
methods of echo sounders, which can reduce the cost of water management projects
significantly. The invention also aims to provide a comprehensive solution for measuring water
depths, including the ability to measure the water levels in wells from the ground. Finally, the
invention aims to be eco-friendly by being fully battery operated and can be charged by solar
panels. Overall, the objective of the invention is to provide a versatile, cost-effective, and
efficient solution for measuring water depths that can be used by sailors, surveyors, and water
5
management professionals in various contexts.
16
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for measuring water depths in various water
bodies. The invention comprises a digital lead line that is cost-effective, accurate, and easy to
use. The digital lead line consists of a digital tape wound inside a case with a sounding weight
attached to the free end of the tape. The tape is made of soft, water-resistant material and is
marked with graduated scales in inches, feet, centimeters, and meters. The outer cover of the
digital tape assembly is made of high-quality plastic and houses an LCD panel for display of
measurements, along with buttons for saving the data and automatically rewinding the tape.
The working of the digital lead line relies on two types of sensors, an encoder and an optical
sensor. The encoder consists of exposed pads on the rear of primary PCB and fingers on the tape
reel mechanism. The optical sensor reads the markings on the tape measure to produce the output
of the depth measurements.
The invention has several advantages over the existing methods of measuring water depths. It
provides an affordable and low-cost solution for sailors and water resource professionals. It
automates the existing method of using manual lead lines, reducing the efforts of measurements
and recording the measurements. The low-cost nature of the digital lead line reduces the cost of
projects that require analysis of any water management studies for any river, lake, or reservoir,
which would otherwise have been expensive if the conventional methods of echo sounders were
used. Additionally, the digital lead line can be used not only for measuring the depths of lakes,
rivers, canals, and shallow water bathymetry surveys of oceans but can also measure the water
levels in the wells from the ground.
In summary, the invention provides a comprehensive solution to the existing challenges of
measuring water depths. It is accurate, affordable, easy-to-use, eco-friendly, and versatile. The
design features such as the use of inert lead, water-resistant tape material, and optical sensors
make it an innovative and unique solution that could revolutionize the field of measuring water
depths.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The manner in which the proposed system works is given a more particular description below,
17
briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the components, some of which is
illustrated in the appended drawing It is to be noted; however, that the appended drawing
illustrates only typical embodiments of this system and are therefore should not be considered
limiting of its scope, for the system may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Throughout the drawings, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to
the same elements and features.
The features and advantages of the present proposed system will become more apparent from
the following detailed description a long with the accompanying figures, which forms a part of
this application and in which:
Fig. 1: Illustrating the Operational Mechanics of the Digital Lead Line Device
Fig. 2: Depicting the Design Features of the Digital Lead Line Instrument
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for measuring water depths in various
water bodies, including lakes, rivers, canals, and shallow water bathymetry surveys of
oceans. The invention overcomes the limitations of the existing methods of measuring
water depths, including high cost, time-consuming measurements, and compromised
accuracy due to manual methods of measurements.
The invention comprises a digital lead line that is cost-effective, accurate, and easy to
use. The digital lead line consists of a digital tape wound inside a case with a sounding
weight attached to the free end of the tape. The tape is made of soft, water-resistant
material and is marked with graduated scales in inches, feet, centimeters, and meters.
The outer cover of the digital tape assembly is made of high-quality plastic and houses
an LCD panel for display of measurements, along with buttons for saving the data and
automatically rewinding the tape.
The working of the digital lead line relies on two types of sensors, an encoder and an
18
optical sensor. The encoder consists of exposed pads on the rear of primary PCB and
fingers on the tape reel mechanism. The optical sensor reads the markings on the tape
measure to produce the output of the depth measurements.
The sounding weight used for the digital lead lines is made up of lead. The lead
material is taken because of its inert nature and it doesn’t react with any possible
chemicals present in the water. The sounding weight will be flat shaped and will weigh
5 kg. The heavy weight is taken so that it is neither difficult in immersing the line and
nor it will create excessive pressure on the digital line assembly while lowering as well
as while pulling it back.
To use the digital lead line, the surveyor or sailor rides the boat or ship to the location
where they need to measure the depth of the river, lake, or ocean. The sounding weight
attached to the other end of the tape is then lowered into the water from the side of the
boat. As the sounding weight keeps going down, the tape is pulled from the disc. When
the sounding weight touches the water, tension is felt in the line, and the depth
measurement is displayed on the instrument. The depth value is then saved along with
the date and time, and the line is gradually lifted up. The sounding weight is detached,
and the lead line is wiped with a dry cloth. The line is then wound by the automatic
wounding function of the digital instrument. This process is repeated at different
locations to obtain multiple depth measurements.
The invention has several advantages over the existing methods of measuring water
depths. It provides an affordable and low-cost solution for sailors and water resource
professionals. It automates the existing method of using manual lead lines, reducing the
efforts of measurements and recording the measurements. The low-cost nature of the
digital lead line reduces the cost of projects that require analysis of any water
management studies for any river, lake, or reservoir, which would otherwise have been
expensive if the conventional methods of echo sounders were used. Additionally, the
digital lead line can be used not only for measuring the depths of lakes, rivers, canals,
and shallow water bathymetry surveys of oceans but can also measure the water levels
in the wells from the ground.
In summary, the invention provides a comprehensive solution to the existing
challenges of measuring water depths. It is accurate, affordable, easy-to-use, eco-
19
friendly, and versatile. The design features such as the use of inert lead, water-resistant
tape material, and optical sensors make it an innovative and unique solution that could
revolutionize the field of measuring water depths.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make
and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will
understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the
20 specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be
limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments
and methods within the scope of the invention as claimed.

WE CLAIM:
Claim 1: A water depth measuring device comprising a digital lead line for automated
measurements and a data logger for storing the measurements, providing low cost and accurate
water depth measurements, useful for sailors, water management studies, and disaster
management studies.
Claim 2: The water depth measuring device of claim 1, wherein the digital lead line provides
measurements that are as accurate as echo sounders, but at less than half the cost, making it
accessible to a wider range of users, including poor sailors.
Claim 3: A method for measuring water depth using the digital lead line of claim 1, comprising
the steps of lowering the lead line into the water, taking automated measurements, and storing
the measurements in the data logger, allowing for easy retrieval and analysis of water depth data.
Claim 4: A method for managing water resources and disaster response using the water depth
measuring device of claim 1, comprising the steps of collecting and analyzing water depth data
over time, identifying trends and potential hazards, and using the data to inform water
management decisions and disaster response planning.