Underwater communication apparatus and communication method

• US 6,125,080 A
• Filed: 08/14/1998
• Issued: 09/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Divecomm Incorporated, Elazar Sonnenschein, Underwater Technology Center Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Divecomm Incorporated
• Inventors: Sonnenschein, Menashe, Sonnenschein, Elazar, Wulich, Dov
• Primary Examiner(s): Lobo, Ian J.
• Application Number:
  US09/134,597
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 367/132, 367/134, 367/910, 340/850
• US Class Current: 367/134
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/02 Divers' equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/26 Communication means, e.g. means for signalling the presence of diverselectric communication in general H04
• 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: H04B 11/00 Transmission systems employing sonic, ultrasonic or infrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/02 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the earth or a large mass of water thereon, e.g. earth telegraphy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 367/91 Portable sonar devices

Abstract

A personal underwater communication device which comprises: A display; A memory unit for storing a plurality of preset messages, each message being assigned a common message identification code; Means for assigning a unique identification code to each personal device; Means for selecting one of said preset messages, to be transmitted to a receiving device; Means for selecting one or more receiving devices to which a message is to be transmitted; Means for producing a string encoding said message identification code and the identification code of the transmitting device; Means for modulating said string with at least one ultrasound acoustic modulating frequency, thereby to produce a modulated signal; Means for transmitting said modulated signal in water; Means in each device for receiving transmitted ultrasound acoustic modulated signals; Means for demodulating modulated signals which are received by said device, thereby to produce a demodulated string; Means for decoding a message from said demodulated string; and Means for displaying on the display of the receiving device the received message and the identification code of the transmitting device.

Claims

1. A personal underwater communication device comprising:

a display;

a memory unit, said memory unit having a plurality of stored preset messages, each of said preset messages having a unique message identification code;

means for assigning and storing in said memory unit a unique device identification code corresponding to said device, and unique identification codes corresponding to one or more other devices;

means for selecting one of said unique identification codes corresponding to a selected other device;

means for selecting one of said preset messages to be transmitted;

means for encoding said selected message identification code and said other device identification code into a string;

means for modulating said string with an ultrasound acoustic modulating frequency to produce a modulated signal;

means for transmitting said modulated signal through water;

means for receiving a modulated signal transmitted through water;

means for demodulating said transmitted modulated signal to produce a demodulated string;

means for decoding said demodulated string to produce a demodulated message and a demodulated other device identification code; and

means for displaying on said display said decoded message and said decoded other device identification code.

2. A personal underwater communication device according to claim 1, wherein said modulating means modulates said string with a binary-FSK modulation scheme with a pair of acoustic ultrasound frequencies assigned as the receiving frequencies of said other device, a first frequency of said pair for indicating a "1" level of the string, and a second frequency of said pair for indicating a "0" level of the string.

3. A personal underwater communication device according to claim 2, further comprising means for selecting any one pair of a plurality of pairs of ultrasound frequencies which has been previously assigned to said other device.

4. A personal underwater Communication device according to claim 1, further comprising means for indicating that said receiving means has received a modulated signal.

5. A personal underwater communication device according to claim 1, wherein said modulating means modulates said string with a binary-FSK modulation scheme with diversity having at least two pairs of acoustic ultrasound frequencies, a first frequency of each pair for indicating a "1" level of said string, and a second frequency of each pair for indicating a "0" level of said string, said at least two pairs of frequencies matching said at least two pairs of frequencies assigned as the receiving frequencies of said other device.

6. A personal underwater communication device according to claim 5, wherein a diversion is provided between a lair of frequencies for indicating "1" or "0" levels of said string from the at least one additional pair of frequencies for indicating the same "1" or "0" levels of said string, said diversion between said two pairs of frequencies being about at least 10 times the difference between the frequencies for indicating "1" or "0" levels in the same pair.

7. A personal underwater communication device according to claim 6, wherein said diversion is in the range of between about 1 kHz to 200 kHz.

8. A personal underwater communication device according to claim 5, wherein said receiving means comprises a hydrophone for sensing an acoustic modulated ultrasound signal, a pre-amplifier for amplifying said sensed modulated ultrasound signal, a frequency shifter for passing only frequencies which are assigned to said device, converting means for converting said passed frequencies to low frequency components, and a low pass filtering means for passing only said low frequency components.

9. A personal underwater communication device according to claim 8, wherein said demodulating means comprises an analog to digital converter means for separately converting each passed low frequency component to a digital value, a first circuitry for adding digital values resulting from frequencies indicating a "1" level, and a second circuitry for adding digital values resulting from frequencies indicating a "0" level, and a logic means for comparing the results from said first and said second circuitry means to determine whether a or "0" bit is received.

10. A personal underwater communication device according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting emergency (SOS) signals, means for receiving emergency (SOS) signals, and means for indicating that an emergency (SOS) signal has been received.

11. A personal underwater communication device according to claim 10, wherein said emergency signal transmitting means comprises means for producing a string encoding an emergency message and said device identification code, and means for modulating said string with at least one ultrasound acoustic modulating frequency characteristic of emergency situations to produce a modulated emergency signal.

12. A personal underwater communication device according to claim 10, wherein said emergency (SOS) signal receiving means comprises means for receiving ultrasound acoustic modulated emergency signals in at least one frequency which is characteristic of emergency situations, and means for demodulating said received modulated emergency signals to produce a demodulated emergency string.

27. A personal underwater communication device according to claim 1, wherein said preset messages comprise general messages for transmission, an acknowledgment of receipt message, an SOS message, instructive messages for the user of the device, and other messages as needed.

28. A personal underwater communication device according to claim 27, wherein said acknowledgement message is sent automatically by said receiving device to said transmitting device upon receipt of a message.

29. An underwater communication device according to claim 1, wherein said signals are used for controlling an Automatic Underwater Vehicle (AUV) or a Remote Underwater Vehicle (ROV).

30. An underwater communication device according to claim 1, further comprising means for loading and/or replacing said preset messages by an external device.

31. An underwater communication device according to claim 1, further comprising buttons for operating said device.

32. An underwater communication device according to claim 31, wherein said buttons are piezoelectric buttons.

33. An underwater communication device according to claim 1, further comprising an ON-OFF switch for activating said device.

34. An underwater communication device according to claim 33, wherein said ON-OFF switch is a water-activated switch.

35. An underwater communication device according to claim 27, wherein said preset messages further comprise a message for instructing a receiving device to transmit an emergency (SOS) message.

36. An underwater communication device according to claim 35, further comprising means for initiating a transmission of said emergency (SOS) message upon receipt of a message instructing to said device to transmit said emergency (SOS) message.

37. An underwater communication device according to claim 1, wherein said display is an LCD display.

38. An underwater communication device according to claim 37, wherein said LCD display is an alpha numeric display.

13. An underwater communication network system comprising a plurality of personal underwater communication devices, wherein each device comprises:

a display;

a memory unit for storing a plurality of preset messages each having a unique message identification code;

means for assigning and storing in said memory unit a unique device identification code for each of said plurality of personal underwater communication devices;

means for selecting one of said plurality of preset messages for transmission;

mean for selecting a receiving device to receive said transmission of said one of said plurality of preset messages;

means for encoding said unique message identification code for said one of said plurality of preset messages and said unique device identification code of said receiving device into a string;

means for modulating said string with a modulating frequency to produce an ultrasound acoustic modulated signal;

means for transmitting said modulated signal in water;

means for receiving a modulated signal;

means for demodulating said received ultrasound acoustic modulated signal to produce a demodulated string;

means for decoding said demodulated string to produce said unique message identification code for said one of said plurality of preset messages and said unique device identification code of said receiving device; and

means for displaying on said display said decoded one of said plurality of preset messages and said unique device identification code of said receiving device.

14. An underwater communication network system according to claim 13, further comprising a relay apparatus.

15. An underwater communication network system according to claim 13, further comprising a base station.

16. An underwater communication network system according to claim 14, wherein said relay apparatus is an acoustic-to-acoustic repeater apparatus comprising means for receiving an underwater ultrasound acoustic modulated signal, means for amplifying said modulated signal and means for re-transmitting said amplified modulated signal.

17. An underwater communication network system according to claim 14, wherein said relay apparatus is a non-acoustic-to-acoustic apparatus comprising means for receiving a message transmitted by wire or wireless means from an out-of-water source, means for converting said message to an ultrasound acoustic modulated signal, and means for transmitting said modulated signal to an underwater personal device or to another relay apparatus.

18. An underwater network system according to claim 17, wherein said relay apparatus further comprises means for receiving an ultrasound acoustic modulated signal sent by an underwater personal device, means for converting said signal to an electromagnetic signal, and means for transmitting said electromagnetic signal to an out of water address.

19. An underwater network system according to claim 15, wherein said base station comprises means for receiving a message from any out-of-water source, and means for transmitting said message to an underwater personal device or relay apparatus, and means for receiving a message from an underwater personal device or relay apparatus, and means for transmitting said message to an out-of-water device.

20. An underwater network system according to claim 14, wherein said relay apparatus is a floating apparatus.

21. A method of communicating between underwater devices comprising the steps of:

assigning to a transmitting device an identification code;

assigning to a receiving device at least two pairs of acoustic ultrasound frequencies, a first frequency of each pair for indicating a "1" level, and a second frequency of each pair for indicating a "0" level;

encoding, at said transmitting device, a binary string comprising a message and said transmitting device identification code;

modulating said string with said at least two pairs of acoustic ultrasound frequencies, said frequencies being identical to said at least two pairs of frequencies assigned to said receiving device, to produce a modulated signal;

tuning said transmitting device to receive signals in said at least two pairs of frequencies assigned to said receiving device;

transmitting said modulated signal to said receiving device;

receiving said modulated signal at said receiving device;

demodulating said received modulated signal to produce a string;

decoding said string to produce a decoded message and a decoded identification code of said transmitting device;

displaying said decoded message and said decoded identification code;

encoding a binary string containing an acknowledgment message and a receiving device identification code;

modulating said string with at least two pairs of acoustic ultrasound frequencies, said frequencies being identical to said at least two pairs of frequencies assigned to said transmitting device to produce a modulated acknowledgment signal; and

transmitting said modulated acknowledgment signal to said transmitting device.

22. A method for transmitting underwater messages according to claim 21, wherein said receiving means is a hydrophone.

23. A method for transmitting underwater messages according to claim 21, wherein said transmitting device and said receiving devices are both a transmitting device and a receiving device.

24. A method for transmitting underwater messages according to claim 21, wherein said modulation of said string at said transmitting device is Binary-FSK modulation and said demodulation at said receiving device is Binary-FSK demodulation.

25. A method for transmitting underwater messages according to claim 21, wherein said modulation of said string at said transmitting device is Binary-FSK modulation with diversity and said demodulation at said receiving device is Binary-FSK demodulation with diversity.

26. A method for transmitting underwater messages according to claim 21, wherein each pair of frequencies is separated from another pair of frequencies by a frequency of between about 1 kHz to 200 kHz.

39. A personal underwater communication device for transmitting a user selected textual message for reception by a user selected receiving device, and for receiving and displaying a textual message from another underwater communication device, said communication device comprising:

a display for displaying a textual message received from the another underwater communication device;

a processor for providing an output to said display, said processor including memory within which is stored a plurality of textual messages and a unique message identification code for each of said stored plurality of textual messages, and a plurality of unique device identification codes for each of a plurality of other underwater communication devices, including unique device identification codes for the user selected receiving device and the another underwater communication device; and

a hydrophone for transmitting and receiving, by said device, a transmitted acoustic signal and a received acoustic signal;

said processor modulating one of said stored plurality of message identification codes that corresponds to the user selected textual message and communicating said modulated message identification code to said hydrophone for transmission thereby as the transmitted acoustic signal for receipt by the user selected receiving device;

said processor demodulating the received acoustic signal transmitted by the another underwater communication device for receipt by said device, the received acoustic signal including one of said stored plurality of message identification codes corresponding to a textual message selected by a user of the another underwater communication device, said processor causing the textual message selected by the user of the another underwater communication device to be displayed by said display.

40. A personal underwater communication device as recited by claim 39, wherein said processor comprises:

a modulator comprising a binary-frequency-shift-keying (B-FSK) modulator for modulating said message identification code corresponding to said user selected textual message using a modulation frequency unique to the user selected receiving device, and a digital-to-analog converter for converting the B-FSK modulated message identification code to a modulated analog signal;

said underwater communication device further comprising a power amplifier coupled to said processor for amplifying the modulated analog signal, and coupled to said hydrophone for transmission of the amplified modulated signal as an acoustic signal.

41. A personal underwater communication device as recited by claim 39, wherein said processor comprises:

a frequency detector for detecting a frequency unique to said device in the received acoustic signal;

an analog-to-digital converter for converting the received acoustic signal to a B-FSK modulated message identification code corresponding to a textual message selected by the user of the another underwater communication device; and

a B-FSK demodulator for demodulating the message identification code using said frequency unique to said device;

said processor causing the textual message selected by the user of the another underwater communication device to be displayed in said display of said device.

42. A personal underwater communication device as recited by claim 39, wherein the received acoustic signal includes the unique device identification code for the another underwater communication device, and wherein said processor automatically communicates an acknowledgment of reception of the received acoustic signal to the another underwater communication device.

43. An underwater communication network comprising a plurality of underwater communication devices for transmitting a textual message to at least one user selected other underwater communication device and for receiving and displaying a textual message from at least one other underwater communication device, wherein each said underwater communication device comprises:

a display for displaying a textual message received from the at least one other underwater communication device;

an input device;

a processor for receiving input from said input device and for providing an output to said display, said processor including memory within which is stored a plurality of textual messages and a unique message identification code for each of said stored plurality of textual messages, and a plurality of unique device identification codes for each of the plurality of underwater communication devices in said network, a user of said device selecting, using said input device, one of said stored plurality of textual messages for transmission and at least one of the plurality of underwater communication devices as a receiving device to receive said transmission; and

a hydrophone for transmitting and receiving an acoustic signal;

said processor modulating the message identification code corresponding to said user selected one of said stored plurality of textual messages, and communicating said modulated one of said stored plurality of message identification codes to said hydrophone for transmission thereby as a transmitted acoustic signal for receipt by the user selected receiving device;

said processor demodulating a received acoustic signal transmitted by at least one other underwater communication device for receipt by said device, the received acoustic signal including one of said stored plurality of message identification codes corresponding to a textual message selected by a user of the at least one other underwater communication device, said processor causing the textual message selected by the user of the at least one other underwater communication device to be displayed by said display.

44. A personal electronic underwater communication device for transmitting a textual message to a user selected electronic underwater communication device and for receiving and displaying a textual message from another electronic underwater communication device, said underwater communication device comprising:

a display for displaying a textual message received from the another electronic underwater communication device;

a processor for providing an output to said display, said processor including memory within which is stored a plurality of textual messages and a unique message identification code for each of said stored plurality of textual messages, and a plurality of unique device identification codes for each of a plurality of other electronic underwater communication devices, including unique device identification codes for the user selected receiving device and the another electronic underwater communication device; and

a hydrophone for transmitting and receiving by said device, a transmitted acoustic signal and a received acoustic signal;

said processor modulating one of said stored plurality of message identification codes that corresponds to the user selected textual message and communicating said modulated message identification code to said hydrophone for transmission thereby as the transmitted acoustic signal for receipt by the user selected receiving device;

said processor demodulating the received acoustic signal transmitted by the another electronic underwater communication device for receipt by said device, the received acoustic signal including one of said stored plurality of message identification codes corresponding to a textual message selected by a user of the another electronic underwater communication device, said processor causing the textual message selected by the user of the another electronic underwater communication device to be displayed by said display.

45. A personal electronic underwater communication device as recited by claim 44, wherein the received acoustic signal includes the unique device identification code for the another electronic underwater communication device, and wherein said processor automatically communicates an acknowledgment of reception of the received acoustic signal to the another electronic underwater communication device.