Underwater diving assistant apparatus

• US 5,956,291 A
• Filed: 04/17/1998
• Issued: 09/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ductech, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ductech, LLC
• Inventors: Glickman, Randolph D., Catalano, Anthony J., Nehemiah, Jerome L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pihulic, Daniel T.
• Application Number:
  US09/062,374
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 367/131, 367/134
• US Class Current: 367/131
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/26 Communication means, e.g. means for signalling the presence of diverselectric communication in general H04
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 11/00 Transmission systems employing sonic, ultrasonic or infrasonic waves

Abstract

An underwater diving assistant device. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a hand-held unit including a display screen. Messages and drawings are written on the display screen using a passive electromagnetic pen. Markings on the screen can be instantly cleared, stored or transmitted to another, similar device by placing the electromagnetic pen in proximity to a command icon on the screen. The unit includes standard dive computer functions. In one embodiment, the unit includes a digital camera and a vessel locator, and generates audible tones under various circumstances. In one embodiment, a power source of the unit is stored in a container fastened to a diver'"'"'s weight belt and is connected by a tether to the unit.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a submersible unit including a display screen, wherein the unit is watertight and pressure proof to a range of depths, including depths usually achieved by divers, including scuba divers;

a removeably coupled digitizing pen for marking information on the display screen when the digitizing pen is in proximity to the display screen; and

a microcontroller coupled to the display screen.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the unit further includes a communication subsystem coupled to the microcontroller for communicating written information while submerged to a screen of a second unit, wherein the second unit is an apparatus functionally identical to the unit.

3. The unit of claim 1, wherein the unit further comprises:

an outer shell of a durable material; and

a layer of silicon-based gel below the outer shell for protecting the unit from pressure and from moisture.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the unit further includes a memory device that stores the marked information.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display screen comprises:

a flatpanel assembly comprising,

a protective glass plate forming a surface of the unit;

a liquid crystal display (LCD) below the glass plate;

a transflector surface below the LCD; and

a lightguide below the transflector surface; and

a digitizer sensor board coupled to the flatpanel assembly.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the unit further comprises a digitizer interface coupled to the digitizer sensor board for digitizing information to be displayed on the display screen.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the unit further comprises:

an analog to digital (A/D) subsystem coupled to the microcontroller; and

a locator subsystem coupled to the A/D subsystem for locating a transmitter.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the unit further comprises a digital camera subsystem coupled to the memory device and to the microcontroller, wherein the digital camera subsystem transmits captured images to the memory device for storage.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the unit further comprises a compass sensor coupled to the A/D subsystem for transmitting a compass reading to the memory device.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the unit further comprises a pressure/temperature sensor unit coupled to the A/D subsystem for sensing a local temperature and a local pressure and for transmitting the local temperature and the local pressure to the memory device.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the unit further comprises a link over which information is downloaded to a host computer and uploaded from the host computer.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the unit comprises:

a power source; and

a power converter coupled to the power source.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power source removeably coupled to the unit through a power converter.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the power source is a portable battery, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a battery case, comprising:

an enclosure having an opening therein for inserting the battery;

a lid for covering the opening and enclosing the battery, including a sealing mechanism for protecting the battery from moisture and pressure;

a waterproof connecting mechanism for receiving an electrical coupling to the unit;

a latching device for holding the lid securely on the enclosure; and

belt loops on the enclosure for fastening the battery case to a belt worn by a person.

15. A method for performing functions underwater, comprising the steps of:

marking information on a screen of a device by moving an electromagnetic pen in proximity to the screen;

storing the information in a memory of the device; and

transmitting the information to a screen of another device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of storing includes holding the pen in proximity to a store icon on the screen.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of clearing the information from the screen by holding the pen in proximity to an icon on the screen.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

holding the pen in proximity to an icon on the screen to display information represented by the icon on the screen; and

transmitting the information to the screen of the other device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the information represented by the icon is an emergency message.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the information represented by the icon is pressure/temperature information regarding an environment of the unit.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the information represented by the icon is location information.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the information represented by the icon is information relating to a dive event, including:

time-at-depth information;

dive duration information; and

decompression information.

23. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

assigning an icon to the information to be stored;

displaying the assigned icon on the screen; and

retrieving the information by placing the pen in proximity to the assigned icon on the screen.

24. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of transmitting an audible tone from the device.

25. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of placing the pen in proximity to an icon on the screen that represents the audible tone.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the icon represents a written message to be sent to another unit and wherein the audible tone is transmitted in conjunction with sending the written message.