Systems and methods for dive computers with remote upload capabilities

• US 10,407,143 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2016
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aqualung Corporate
• Original Assignee: Pelagic Pressure Systems Corp.
• Inventors: Hollis, Robert R., Lewis, John E., Hollis, Michael S., Pataky, Ed, Hoang, Hoan
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, John H
• Application Number:
  US15/263,276
• Publication Number:
  US 20170066515A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 702 45, 702127, 702138, 702142, 702187, 702139, 7386112, 12820511, 12820523, 3423572, 3423577, 701487
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/02 Divers' equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/26 Communication means, e.g. means for signalling the presence of diverselectric communication in general H04
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2011/021 Diving computers, i.e. portable computers specially adapted for divers, e.g. wrist worn, watertight electronic devices for detecting or calculating scuba diving parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 13/008 measuring depth of open water
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/14 Housings G01L19/0007, G01L19/0084, G01L19/0092, G01L19/04, G01L19/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/40 Data acquisition and logging for input to computer G06F3/00

Abstract

Dive computers incorporating a variety of features are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes a dive computer including a microprocessor, memory configured to store a software application, a pressure transducer configured to determine depth information, and a communications device configured to communicate with external devices, wherein the software application configures the microprocessor to create a dive log stored in memory, wherein the dive log includes recorded information including depth of submersion information recorded from the pressure transducer, and transmit the dive log using the communications device.

Claims

1. A dive computer, comprising:

a microprocessor;

memory configured to store a software application;

clock circuitry configured to measure time and date data;

a pressure transducer configured to determine depth information while the dive computer is underwater;

a communications device configured to communicate with external devices,

wherein the communications device comprises a radio frequency transmitter, a radio frequency receiver, and a radio frequency antenna; and

a waterproof housing capable of being worn on the wrist of a diver and containing at least the microprocessor, the memory, the clock circuitry, and the communications device;

wherein the software application directs the microprocessor to;

calculate dive duration data describing the length of time in which the dive computer is underwater;

create a dive log stored in memory, wherein the dive log comprises recorded information including depth of submersion information recorded from the pressure transducer, time and date data measured using the clock circuitry, and the dive duration data; and

transmit the dive log using the radio frequency transmitter of the communications device.

2. The dive computer of claim 1, further comprising:

a keypad connected to the microprocessor;

wherein the recorded information includes text data obtained using the keypad.

3. The dive computer of claim 1, further comprising:

a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver connected to the microprocessor;

wherein the recorded information includes location information obtained using the GPS receiver.

4. The dive computer of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor module connected to the microprocessor;

wherein the recorded information includes sensor information obtained using the sensor module.

5. The dive computer of claim 4, wherein the sensor information is selected from the group consisting of tank air pressure, water pressure, time elapsed, and temperature.

6. The dive computer of claim 1, further comprising:

a camera module connected to the microprocessor;

wherein the recorded information includes images obtained using the camera module.

7. The dive computer of claim 6, wherein the recorded information includes video obtained using the camera module.

8. The dive computer of claim 1, further comprising:

a microphone connected to the microprocessor;

wherein the recorded information includes audio data obtained using the microphone.

9. The dive computer of claim 1, further comprising:

a compass connected to the microprocessor;

wherein the recorded information includes heading information obtained using the compass.

10. The dive computer of claim 1, wherein:

the memory is configured to store information about a dive site;

the dive site information is selected from the group consisting of marine life common to the dive site, points of interest in the dive site, and maps of the dive site; and

the recorded information includes the dive site information.

11. The dive computer of claim 1, further comprising:

a flow measurement device connected to the microprocessor;

wherein the recorded information includes speed information obtained using the flow measurement device.

12. The dive computer of claim 1, wherein the communications device complies with the Bluetooth standard.

13. The dive computer of claim 1, wherein the communications device comprises an infrared transceiver.

14. The dive computer of claim 1, wherein the communications device communicates with external devices using at least a wireless communications protocol.

15. The dive computer of claim 1, wherein the communications device further comprises a wired connection port.

16. The dive computer of claim 1, wherein the dive computer further comprises a GPS receiver inside the waterproof housing.

17. The dive computer of claim 16, wherein the software application further directs the processor to:

record location information using the GPS receiver; and

store the recorded location information in the dive log.

18. The dive computer of claim 1, wherein the software application further directs the processor to receive configuration data via the radio frequency receiver.

19. The dive computer of claim 18, wherein the configuration data is received from a server system.

20. The dive computer of claim 18, wherein the configuration data is received from a telephone.

21. The dive computer of claim 18, wherein the software application further directs the processor to store the configuration data in non-volatile memory.

22. A method for creating a dive log, comprising:

receiving configuration data from an external device using a radio frequency receiver of a dive computer, wherein the dive computer comprises;

a microprocessor;

memory configured to store a software application;

clock circuitry configured to measure time and date data;

a pressure transducer configured to determine depth information while the dive computer is underwater;

a communications device configured to communicate with external devices,

wherein the communications device comprises a radio frequency transmitter, the radio frequency receiver, and a radio frequency antenna; and

a waterproof housing capable of being worn on the wrist of a diver and containing at least the microprocessor, the memory, the clock circuitry, and the communications device;

calculating dive duration data describing the length of time in which a dive computer is underwater using the dive computer;

creating a dive log stored in the memory using the dive computer, wherein the dive log comprises information recorded by the dive computer based upon the configuration information comprising depth of submersion information recorded from the pressure transducer, time and date data measured using the clock circuitry, and the dive duration data; and

transmitting the dive log using the dive computer.

23. A dive computer, comprising:

a microprocessor;

memory configured to store a software application;

clock circuitry configured to measure time and date data;

a pressure transducer configured to determine depth information while the dive computer is underwater;

a communications device configured to communicate with external devices,

wherein the communications device comprises a radio frequency transmitter, a radio frequency receiver, and a radio frequency antenna; and

a waterproof housing capable of being worn on the wrist of a diver and containing at least the microprocessor, the memory, the clock circuitry, and the communications device;

wherein the software application directs the microprocessor to;

receive configuration data from an external device via the radio frequency receiver;

configure the dive computer based on the received configuration data;

calculate dive duration data describing the length of time in which the dive computer is underwater;

create a dive log stored in memory, wherein the dive log comprises information recorded based on the configuration data comprising depth of submersion information recorded from the pressure transducer, time and date data measured using the clock circuitry, and the dive duration data; and

transmit the dive log using the radio frequency transmitter of the communications device.