System for underwater GPS navigation
First Claim
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1. A navigation system for a diver comprising:
- a handheld computer having a graphics display screen;
a GPS receiver detachably attachable to said handheld computer for receiving GPS signals;
a first enclosure to water-tightly receive said GPS receiver;
a second enclosure to water-tightly receive said handheld computer and render at least a portion of said graphics display screen visible to said diver while underwater;
a flexible conduit connected between said first enclosure and said second enclosure, for conveying information from said GPS receiver to said handheld computer; and
a buoy having a floatation element and including a diver-down flag, said buoy to be towed by said diver and to support said first enclosure.
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Abstract
Provided is a system that allows navigation by GPS while underwater by locating the antenna above water and the display below water. In one embodiment, the GPS antenna is attached to a tow-able buoy having a diver-down flag. In another embodiment, the GPS antenna is carried by the diver and released to float to the surface when the diver wishes to navigate. A preferred embodiment uses a handheld computer to display GPS data, and can be expanded to also calculate and display depth and decompression data, and to provide for further expansion and integration to include other devices.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A navigation system for a diver comprising:
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a handheld computer having a graphics display screen;
a GPS receiver detachably attachable to said handheld computer for receiving GPS signals;
a first enclosure to water-tightly receive said GPS receiver;
a second enclosure to water-tightly receive said handheld computer and render at least a portion of said graphics display screen visible to said diver while underwater;
a flexible conduit connected between said first enclosure and said second enclosure, for conveying information from said GPS receiver to said handheld computer; and
a buoy having a floatation element and including a diver-down flag, said buoy to be towed by said diver and to support said first enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A navigation system for a diver comprising:
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an antenna to receive GPS signals;
a processing unit to convert said GPS signals into navigation data;
a pressure sensor adapted to measure depth;
an algorithm to convert said depth measurement into decompression information;
a display element to present said navigation data and said decompression information to said diver;
a first watertight enclosure to house said antenna; and
a second watertight enclosure to house said display element. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A navigation system for a diver comprising:
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a handheld computer having a graphics display screen;
a GPS receiver detachably attachable to said handheld computer for receiving GPS signals;
a first enclosure to water-tightly receive said GPS receiver;
a second enclosure to water-tightly receive said handheld computer and render at least a portion of said graphics display screen visible to said diver while underwater; and
a flexible conduit connected between said first enclosure and said second enclosure for conveying information from said GPS receiver to said handheld computer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification