DIVE COMPUTER INCORPORATING STORED DIVE SITE INFORMATION

• US 20090018771A1
• Filed: 04/23/2008
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pelagic Pressure Systems Corp.
• Original Assignee: Pelagic Pressure Systems Corp.
• Inventors: Hollis, Robert R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,043,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/32 Decompression arrangements; Exercise equipment
• 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: G01C 17/00 Compasses; Devices for ascertaining true or magnetic north for navigation or surveying purposes using gyroscopic effect G01C19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/44 Electric circuits for command of an exposure part G03B7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 7/00 Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements G01L11/004 takes precedence; transmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements by electric , e.g., photoelectric or magnetic means G01L9/00; measuring differences of two or more pressure values G01L13/00; measuring two or more pressure values simultaneously G01L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/02 by making use of inertia forces using solid seismic massesG01P15/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/088 by monitoring a device worn by the person, e.g. a bracelet attached to the swimmer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

Dive computers in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed that store information concerning a dive site. The stored information can be accessed during the dive to provide information concerning such things as points of interest and/or hazards. One embodiment of the invention includes a processor, memory connected to the processor, a pressure transducer connected to the processor and configured to measure depth, and a display connected to the processor. In addition, the memory contains factual information concerning a dive site, and the processor is configured to display at least a portion of the stored factual information concerning the dive site via the display.

Claims

1. A dive computer, comprising:

a processor;

memory connected to the processor;

a pressure transducer connected to the processor and configured to measure depth; and

a display connected to the processor;

wherein the memory contains factual information concerning a dive site; and

wherein the processor is configured to display at least a portion of the stored factual information concerning the dive site via the display.

2. The dive computer of claim 1, wherein the memory is a removable non-volatile memory.

3. The dive computer of claim 1, wherein:

the processor is configured to obtain location information; and

the processor is configured to retrieve factual information from the memory based upon the location information obtained by the processor.

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

a GPS receiver connected to the processor;

wherein the processor obtains location information from the GPS receiver.

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

a plurality of sensors configured to provide outputs to the processor;

wherein the memory contains a stored location; and

wherein the processor obtains location information by estimating movement from the stored location using the output provided by one or more of the sensors.

6. The dive computer of claim 5, wherein the plurality of sensors includes a compass and an impeller.

7. The dive computer of claim 5, wherein the plurality of sensors includes an inertial measurement unit.

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

a display connected to the processor;

wherein the processor is configured to generate a display using retrieved information.

9. The dive computer of claim 8, wherein:

the information concerning a dive site includes at least one way point;

the retrieved information includes information concerning the location of the way point; and

the display includes directions from the obtained location to the way point.

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

a communication port connected to the processor;

wherein the communication port is configured to receive signals from external devices.

11. The dive computer of claim 10, wherein the communication port is configured to receive signals from an external device that are indicative of information concerning a dive site.

12. The dive computer of claim 10, wherein the communication port is configured to generate signals that are indicative of information recorded during a dive.

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

an output device connected to the processor;

wherein the information concerning a dive site includes information concerning potential hazards;

wherein the processor is configured to search for hazards proximate the obtained location; and

wherein the processor is configured to provide an alert using the output device in response to the detection of a hazard proximate the obtained location.

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

an input device connected to the processor;

wherein the processor is configured to store information indicative of information provided to the processor by the input device; and

wherein the processor is configured to store the obtained location information in association with the stored information indicative of information provided to the processor by the input device.

15. The dive computer of claim 14, wherein:

the input device is a camera;

the information indicative of information provided to the processor by the input device is a digital image.

16. The dive computer of claim 14, wherein:

the input device is a microphone; and

the information indicative of information provided to the processor by the input device is a digital audio recording.

17. The dive computer of claim 14, wherein:

the input device is a keypad; and

the information indicative of information provided to the processor by the input device is text.

18. The dive computer of claim 14, wherein:

the input device is a stylus; and

the information indicative of information provided to the processor by the input device is text.