Navigation system and method for a snorkeler

• US 7,782,253 B1
• Filed: 10/23/2007
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard Ivan Brown
• Original Assignee: Richard Ivan Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Richard Ivan
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza; Thomas H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mull; Fred H
• Application Number:
  US11/977,055
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.06, 128/201.11, 128/201.27, 128/204.18
• US Class Current: 342/357.52
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/205 with air supply by suction from diver, e.g. snorkels B63C11/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/26 Communication means, e.g. means for signalling the presence of diverselectric communication in general H04
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/35 Constructional details or hardware or software details of the signal processing chain

Abstract

A navigation system and method is provided for use by a snorkeler. A navigational antenna (31) is fixedly coupled to the snorkeler in a manner that positions the antenna above the waterline when his head is face down at the waterline. The antenna communicates with a display (41) to provide the snorkeler with navigational information. A GPS signal receiving antenna is employed in the illustrative embodiment and is attached to the breathing tube (23) of the diver'"'"'s snorkel (20). The navigational signals received by the antenna are conveyed to a handheld GPS receiver (40) via a GPS re-transmitting antenna. An externally operable pushbutton (56) allows the snorkeler to switch between multiple screens to guide him through the snorkeling site and provide him with information relative to his immediate location.

Claims

1. A swimmer'"'"'s snorkel that includes a GPS antenna.

2. The snorkel of claim 1 wherein the GPS antenna is attachable to the snorkel.

3. The snorkel of claim 1 wherein the GPS antenna is positioned above the waterline when the head of a user is face down at the waterline.

4. The snorkel of claim 1 wherein the GPS antenna is part of a GPS signal re-radiator.

5. A swimmer'"'"'s snorkel that includes a GPS signal re-radiator.

6. The snorkel of claim 5 wherein the GPS signal re-radiator includes a GPS antenna attachable to the snorkel.

7. The snorkel of claim 6 wherein the GPS antenna is positioned above the waterline when the head of a user is face down at the waterline.

8. The snorkel of claim 5 wherein the GPS signal re-radiator communicates with a navigational display device.

9. A method for guiding a snorkeler around a snorkeling site, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a swimmer'"'"'s snorkel that includes a GPS antenna;

(b) coupling the snorkel to the head of the snorkeler in a manner that positions the antenna above the waterline when the head of the snorkeler is face down at the waterline; and

(c) providing a display to present navigational information to the snorkeler.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of providing the display with at least one graphical map of the snorkeling site.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of providing the display with a path for a user to follow.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of providing the display with multiple screens.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of providing at least one of the multiple screens with an image of a fish native to the snorkeling site.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of providing at least one of the multiple screens with information descriptive of the snorkeler'"'"'s immediate location within the snorkeling site.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of allowing the snorkeler to select which of the multiple screens is displayed.

16. A swimmer'"'"'s snorkel that includes a GPS antenna wherein the GPS antenna communicates with a navigational display device.

17. The snorkel of claim 16 wherein the GPS antenna is attachable to the snorkel.