Method in connection with a wrist diving computer and a wrist diving computer system

• US 8,275,311 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2008
• Issued: 09/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lindman, Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Howard
• Application Number:
  US12/327,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20100130123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,392 Days
• Field of Search: 455/40, 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/77, 455/95, 455/100, 455/120, 455/125, 455/151.2, 455/344
• US Class Current: 455/40
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/22 carried by diver
• 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

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system in connection with a wristop diving computer (1). According to the method, at least the pressure of a gas bottle (2) is measured and the pressure data is transmitted under water using a low first frequency f1 to a wristop computer (1). According to the invention, on the surface of the water a second frequency f2, higher than the first frequency f1, is used for two-way telecommunications between the gas bottle (2) and the wristop computer (1).

Claims

1. A method in connection with a wristop diving computer for use by a diver, the method including the steps of:

measuring at least the pressure of a gas-bottle;

transmitting the pressure data under water at a low first frequency f1 to the wristop computer; and

using on the surface of the water a second frequency f2 that is higher than the first frequency f1 for two-way telecommunications between the gas bottle and the wristop computer.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the frequency is selected on the basis of the ambient pressure.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the frequency is selected on the basis of resistivity data.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the frequency is selected on the basis of resistivity data.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second frequency is selected, if its presence is detected.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the low frequency f1 is damped, if high-frequency f2 traffic is detected.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the low frequency f1 is damped, if high-frequency f2 traffic is detected.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein high-frequency communication is permitted between two wristop computers.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein high-frequency communication is used between the gas bottle or the wristop computer, and a peripheral device.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the peripheral device is a computer or a mobile station.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of measuring heart rate data of the diver.

12. A wristop diving computer system configured for operation above and below the surface of a body of water, the system comprising:

a central unit;

a telecommunications element operably coupled to the central unit, the telecommunications element configured to receive a first electromagnetic frequency f1 at least when below the surface of the water; and

a telecommunications transceiver operably coupled to the central unit and configured to operate at a second frequency f2, higher than the first frequency f1, in two directions, particularly for telecommunications taking place above water.

13. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a pressure sensor coupled to the central unit, wherein the central unit is configured to change between the first and second frequencies based upon ambient pressure.

14. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a conductivity sensor coupled to the central unit, wherein the central unit is configured to change between the first and second frequencies based upon the resistivity of the communication medium.

15. The system according to claim 12 wherein the control unit is configured to detect frequency and, upon sensing the second frequency, changing from operating under the first frequency to operating under the second frequency.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the central unit is configured to dampen the low frequency f1, if high-frequency f2 traffic is detected.

17. The system according to claim 12, wherein the central unit is configured to dampen the low frequency f1, if high-frequency f2 traffic is detected.

18. The system according to claim 12, wherein the central unit is configured to permit high-frequency communication f2 between two wristop computers.

19. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a telecommunications element coupled to the gas bottle, and wherein the system is configured to provide it high-frequency communication f2 between the telecommunications element of the gas bottle or wristop computer and a peripheral device.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the peripheral device is a computer or a mobile station.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first and second frequencies further include a transmitted signal representative of heart rate data.

22. A telecommunications device for communicating the pressure within at least one gas bottle above or below the surface of a body of water, the device comprising:

a central unit;

a telecommunications element operably coupled to the central unit, the telecommunications element configured to transmitting a first frequency f1 at least when below the surface of the water; and

a telecommunications transceiver operably coupled to the central unit and configured to operate at a second frequency f2, higher than the first frequency f1, in two directions, particularly for telecommunications taking place above water.

23. The device according to claim 22, further comprising a pressure sensor coupled to the central unit, wherein the central unit is configured to change between the first and second frequencies based upon ambient pressure.

24. The device according to claim 22, further comprising a conductivity sensor coupled to the central unit, wherein the central unit is configured to change between the first and second frequencies based upon the resistivity of the communication medium.

25. The device according to claim 22, wherein the control unit is configured to detect frequency and, upon sensing the second frequency, changing from operating under the first frequency to operating under the second frequency.

26. The device according to claim 22, wherein the central unit is configured to dampen the low frequency f1, if high-frequency f2 traffic is detected.

27. The device according to claim 22, wherein the central unit is configured to permit high-frequency communication f2 between two wristop computers.

28. The device of claim 22, wherein at least one of the first and second frequencies further include a transmitted signal representative of heart rate data.