DIVING MASK COMPRISING A LI-FI COMMUNICATION MODULE

Abstract

The invention relates to a diving mask (10) comprising a telecommunication system (190) configured to allow the establishment of a one-way or two-way light communication and, more specifically, using a Li-Fi-type communication protocol. For this purpose, the telecommunication system (190) comprises a light communication module (150) comprising a light source (151) configured to emit light signals in a plurality of directions around the diving mask (10), and an electronic control card (156) in order to control the light source (151) and modulate the amplitude of the light signal according to an electronic signal encoded by said electronic control card (156). The invention also relates to an underwater communication method (200).

Claims

1. A diving mask (10) comprising: a peripheral frame (110) provided with a visor (130); a flexible skirt (120) fixed to the peripheral frame (110), said flexible skirt (120) forming, with the peripheral frame (110) and the visor (130), at least one chamber for the vision of a user of said diving mask (10), called the viewing chamber (170); a telecommunications system (190) comprising a light communication module (150) for transmitting and/or sending a digital signal, said light communication module (150) comprising an electronic control card (156) and a light source (151) configured to emit a light signal modulated according to the digital signal encoded by said electronic control card (156); characterized in that the light source (151) is configured to emit light signals in a plurality of communication directions around the diving mask (10).

2. The diving mask (10) according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral frame (110) comprises an intermediate partition which separates the viewing chamber (170) from an adjacent chamber for breathing, called the breathing chamber (180), said intermediate partition being arranged to rest above the nose of a user of the diving mask (10), so that the mouth and the nose of the user are housed in the breathing chamber (180) and the user's eyes are housed in the viewing chamber (170).

3. The diving mask (10) according to claim 2, wherein the diving mask (10) comprises a breathing tube (115) integral with the peripheral frame (110), said breathing tube (115) being in fluid communication with the breathing chamber (180).

4. The diving mask (10) according to claim 1, wherein the light source (151) of the light communication module (150) comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (1511) forming the light source (151) of said light communication module (150).

5. The diving mask (10) according to claim 4, wherein the light communication module (150) is housed in a sealed case, said case being fixedly attached to the peripheral frame (110), the light-emitting diodes (1511) of the light communication module (150) being fixed to the diving mask (10) according to a communication surface located on the periphery of the watertight case.

6. The diving mask (10) according to claim 4, wherein the light-emitting diodes (1511) of the light communication module (150) are fixed to the diving mask (10) on a communication surface located at the periphery of the peripheral frame (110) of said diving mask (10).

7. The diving mask (10) according to claim 4, wherein the light-emitting diodes (1511) are located on two side edges of the diving mask (10), the light-emitting diodes (1511) located on a first lateral edge of the diving mask (10) being configured to emit the light signal in first communication directions located on a first side of said diving mask (10); and the light-emitting diodes (1511) located on a second lateral edge of the diving mask (10) being configured to emit the light signal in second communication directions located on a second side of said diving mask (10).

8. The diving mask (10) according to claim 4, wherein the light-emitting diodes (1511) of the light communication module (150) are fixed to the diving mask (10) on a communication surface (158) located at the periphery of the breathing tube (115) of said diving mask (10).

9. The diving mask (10) according to claim 1, in which the electronic control card (156) of the light communication module (150) is configured to control all the light-emitting diodes (1511) of said light communication module (150) in a parallel and/or synchronized manner.

10. The diving mask (10) according to claim 1, wherein the telecommunications system (190) comprises a plurality of photoreceptors (152) electrically connected to the electronic control card (156) in order to demodulate a light signal received by said photoreceptors (152).

11. The diving mask (10) according to claim 10, wherein each photoreceptor (152) is located adjacent and alternately with one of the light-emitting diodes (1511) of the light communication module (150).

12. The diving mask (10) according to claim 1, in which the telecommunications system (190) comprises a microphone (157) and a loudspeaker (154) connected to the electronic control card (156) of the light communication module (150) by means of a wired link.

13. An underwater light communication method (200) using an underwater communication system, said underwater communication method comprising the following steps: an acquiring step (201) of a sound signal through a microphone (157) of an underwater communication system; an encoding step (202) of the sound signal into a digital control signal of a light source (151), the encoding step being performed by an electronic control card (156) of the underwater communication system; a controlling step (203) of the light source (151) to emit a light signal in a plurality of communication directions around the underwater communication system, an amplitude of said light signal being modulated according to the digital control signal.

14. The underwater communication method according to claim 13, wherein said method comprises the following steps: a receiving step (204) of the light signal by a photodetector (152) of the underwater communication system; a decoding step (205) of the light signal into a decoded digital signal, the decoding step being performed by the electronic control card (156) of the underwater communication system; a generating step (206) of a sound signal by means of a loudspeaker (154) of the underwater communication system.

15. An underwater communication system comprising means configured to implement all the steps of the underwater communication method according to claim 13.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0054] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent, on the one hand, from the following description, and, on the other hand, from several embodiments given by way of example and not limiting with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which:

[0055] FIG. 1 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of a diving mask according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of a diving mask according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0057] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an underwater light communication method according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0058] The characteristics, the variants and the different embodiments of the invention may obviously be associated with each other, in various combinations, insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. It is, in particular, possible to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of the characteristics described below in isolation from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art.

[0059] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described may be combined with one another if there is nothing to prevent this combination from a technical point of view.

[0060] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same references.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention according to its first aspect relates to a diving mask 10 comprising (i) a peripheral frame 110 provided with a visor 130, (ii) a flexible skirt 120 fixed to the peripheral frame 110, said flexible skirt 120 forming, with the peripheral frame 110 and the visor 130, at least one chamber for the vision of a user of said diving mask 10, called the viewing chamber 170, (iii) a telecommunications system 190 comprising a light communication module 150 making it possible to transmit and/or send a digital signal, said light communication module 150 comprising an electronic control card 156 and a light source 151 configured to emit a light signal modulated according to the digital signal encoded by said electronic control card 156. The invention differs from the known prior art in that the light source 151 is configured to emit light signals in a plurality of communication directions around the diving mask 10.

[0062] According to a first possible use of the diving mask 10 in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, said diving mask 10 is suitable for dives in deep water and/or during dives of several tens of minutes, said diving mask 10 being suitable for use in combination with compressed air storage devices. According to a second possible use, the diving mask 10 in accordance with the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to swim close to the surface, in a natural environment such as the sea or natural reservoirs, or in an artificial basin, in particular in order to practice spearfishing or exploring the seabed without a scuba tank.

[0063] The diving mask 10 according to the first aspect of the invention allows its user to simultaneously keep his eyes open when he is underwater and breathe without having to take his head out of the water. For this purpose, and as illustrated in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, the diving mask 10, called integral, comprises a breathing tube 115. In these variant embodiments, the peripheral frame 110 of the diving mask 110 extends around the face of its user, in order to frame both his eyes and his airways, namely the nose and/or the mouth.

[0064] By providing a breathing tube 115, the invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to a snorkel having an open distal end relative to the peripheral frame 110, or a flexible tube connected to a source of compressed air carried by the user of the diving mask. 10.

[0065] Alternatively, the diving mask 10 in accordance with the first aspect of the invention is a mask which protects only the eyes of its user in order to allow him to keep his eyes open during his underwater excursions. In these variant embodiments, the peripheral frame 110 of the diving mask 110 extends around an upper part of the face of its user, in order to frame his eyes.

[0066] In the case of a partial diving mask 10 or an integral diving mask 10, the peripheral frame enables the visor 130 to be placed in front of the eyes of the user of said diving mask 10. In general, the visor 130 is in the form of a transparent or translucent face shield through which the user of the diving mask 10 can see.

[0067] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the peripheral frame 110 is provided with a single visor 130 which extends from one edge to the other of said peripheral frame 110, said visor 130 extending in front of the two eyes of the user. Optionally, according to a second variant embodiment not shown, the diving mask 10 may comprise two visors 130, each visor 130 extending in front of a single eye of the user. In this variant embodiment, the peripheral frame comprises a band configured to surround and hold each corresponding visor 130.

[0068] The visor(s) 130 is (are) advantageously fixed integrally to the peripheral frame 110, optionally in a detachable manner. According to another variant embodiment, the visor(s) 130 of the diving mask 10 is (are) made from the same material and integral with the peripheral frame 110.

[0069] The peripheral frame 110 and/or the visor 130 of the diving mask according to the first aspect of the invention are advantageously made of a plastic material. Advantageously, in order to reduce production costs, the peripheral frame 110 and/or the visor 130 are made by a molding or extrusion-type manufacturing process.

[0070] In order to maintain a comfortable and sufficiently sealed bearing against the face of the user of the diving mask 10 according to the first aspect of the invention, the flexible skirt 120 of said diving mask 10 extends along the peripheral frame 110 and is designed to be pressed against the face of said user. In other words, the flexible skirt 120 is located on the side of a bearing face of the diving mask 10 against the face of its user. The flexible skirt 120 is said to be flexible because it is made of a material that is more deformable than the peripheral frame.

[0071] By way of nonlimiting example, the flexible skirt 120 may be made of silicone.

[0072] In order to be kept in place on the face of its user, the diving mask 10 in accordance with the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one removable attachment system not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, in the form of a strap connecting two opposite lateral ends of the peripheral frame 110.

[0073] Subsequently, the diving mask 110 defines at least a viewing chamber 170 delimited by the visor 130, the peripheral frame 110 and the flexible skirt 120. The viewing chamber 170 thus forms a volume of air between the diving mask 110 and the face of its user, contributing to the comfort of use of said diving mask 10. In case of a partial diving mask 10, the viewing chamber 170 is delimited by the peripheral frame 110 and extends to the middle of the face, between the user's nose and mouth.

[0074] Optionally, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the peripheral frame 110 of the diving mask 10 includes an intermediate partition 116 which separates the viewing chamber 170 from a breathing chamber 180. The breathing chamber 180 is adjacent to the viewing chamber 170. More particularly, the breathing chamber 180 is located below the viewing chamber 170: it extends to the level of the mouth and/or nostrils of the user wearing the diving mask 10. To this end, the intermediate partition 116 of the peripheral frame 110 is designed to be brought to bear on the nose of the user of the diving mask 10, while a lower end of the peripheral frame 110 extends to, or even below, the user's chin. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to accommodate the mouth and the nose of the user in the breathing chamber 180, while the eyes of the user are housed in the viewing chamber 170.

[0075] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the viewing chamber 170 is in fluid communication with the breathing chamber 180 through a valve 175 placed at the intermediate partition 116. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to limit fogging on the visor 170 during use of the diving mask 10.

[0076] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the viewing chamber 170 and the breathing chamber 180 together form a single chamber. This configuration simplifies the design of the diving mask 10 and contributes to reducing its manufacturing costs.

[0077] According to an improvement of the invention in accordance with its first aspect, the diving mask 10 may comprise a breathing tube in order to allow its user to breathe while keeping his head under water. In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the breathing tube 115 of the diving mask 10 is integral with the peripheral frame 110. According to an alternative embodiment, the breathing tube 115 is made from the same material and integral with the peripheral frame 110, said breathing tube 115 and said peripheral frame 110 forming a single piece, neither one being detachable from the other without damaging one of the two. According to an alternative embodiment, the breathing tube 115 is fixed integrally and in a detachable manner to the peripheral frame 110, using temporary fixing means, such as for example by snap-fastening.

[0078] The breathing tube 115 is in fluid communication with the breathing chamber 180 of the diving mask 10. For this purpose, the peripheral frame 110 advantageously houses at least one fluidic duct which extends from one end of the breathing tube 115 in engagement. with said peripheral frame 110, to an opening in said peripheral frame 110 located at the breathing chamber 180.

[0079] In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the breathing tube 115 takes the form of a tube, preferably housed on a top of the diving mask 10. Obviously, the invention also includes other configurations of the breathing tube 115, such as, for example, a breathing tube 115 located on a side edge of the diving mask 10, or a front connection to the diving mask 10 for a regulator such as used in diving, said front connection being located at the breathing chamber 180, near the mouth of the user of the diving mask 10 and through the peripheral frame 110 and/or the visor 130 at said breathing chamber 180.

[0080] The diving mask 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 also comprises a microphone 157 in order to allow recording the voice of the user of said diving mask 10. The microphone is advantageously placed in the breathing chamber area 180. More particularly, the microphone 157 is located near, or even opposite, the mouth of the user wearing the diving mask 10. The microphone 157 is advantageously attached to the visor 130 or to the peripheral frame 110 of the diving mask. 10. It is preferably located inside the breathing chamber 180 so as not to get wet when the diving mask 10 is submerged.

[0081] The diving mask 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 also comprises two loudspeakers 154 to allow the user of said diving mask to hear a sound transmitted by the telecommunications system 190. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the loudspeakers 154 take the form of earphones. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the loudspeakers 154 are located on the peripheral frame 110, at a lateral bearing 111 situated opposite or near the ears of the user of the diving mask 10 when he wears it.

[0082] According to the invention, the diving mask 10 comprises the telecommunications system 190 as described above in order to allow establishing an underwater communication between two or more underwater explorers. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate different configurations of the light communication module 150 of the telecommunication system 190 which will be detailed in the following paragraphs.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 1, the light communication module 150 is located on the breathing tube 115. More particularly, the light communication module 150 is located near a free end of the breathing tube 115. The light source 151 of the light communication module 150 comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes 1511 collectively forming said light source 151.

[0084] The light-emitting diodes are distributed around the breathing tube 115, along a communication surface 156 which extends longitudinally along said breathing tube 115 and circumferentially around said breathing tube 115. The communication surface 156 extends longitudinally for a distance between 10% and 50% of a longitudinal length of the breathing tube 115, said longitudinal length being defined by the distance between one end of the breathing tube 115 attached to the peripheral frame 110 and the free end of the breathing tube 115, distant from said peripheral frame 110.

[0085] The light-emitting diodes 1511 of the light communication module 150 are preferably distributed over the communication surface 156 according to a regular two-dimensional network, a distance between two adjacent light-emitting diodes 1511 being constant.

[0086] This advantageous configuration makes it possible to emit a light signal in a plurality of directions all around the diving mask 10, thus improving the chances that this light signal is received by a compatible photodetector of another diving mask 10, for example.

[0087] In addition, the light communication module 150 of the diving mask 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of photodetectors 152 located on the breathing tube 115. More particularly, the photodetectors 152 of the light communication module 150 are located near a free end of the breathing tube 115, and preferably at the communication surface 156.

[0088] The photodetectors 152 of the light communication module 150 are preferably distributed according to a regular two-dimensional network, a distance between two adjacent photodetectors 152 being constant.

[0089] Advantageously, the photodetectors are mixed with the light-emitting diodes 1511, so that a light-emitting diode 1511 is always associated with a photodetector 152. In other words, each photoreceptor 152 is located adjacent and alternately with one of the light-emitting diodes 1511 of the light communication module 151. This configuration makes it possible to improve the detection of a light signal coming from any direction around the diving mask 10, thus facilitating the establishment of a two-way communication between two diving masks 10 forming together an underwater communication system.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 2, the plurality of light-emitting diodes 1511, collectively forming said light source 151 of the light communication module 150, is located on a communication surface 156 which surrounds the visor 130 of the diving mask 10.

[0091] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the light communication module 150 of the diving mask 10 is located on the peripheral frame 110, the communication surface 156 forming a closed contour around the visor 130. According to a variant of embodiment not shown, the communication surface 156 may form an open contour on only part of the peripheral frame 110. By way of non-limiting example, the communication surface 156 may be located on each lateral edge of the peripheral frame 110 and/or on an upper edge and/or an inner edge of said peripheral frame 110.

[0092] According to another variant embodiment not shown, the light communication module 150 of the diving mask 10 is located on the visor 130 of the diving mask, the communication surface 156 forming a closed contour at a peripheral zone of said visor. 130. The communication surface 156 may form an open contour on only a part of the peripheral zone of the visor 130. By way of non-limiting example, the communication surface 156 may be located on each lateral edge of the visor 130 and/or on an upper edge and/or an inner edge of said visor 130.

[0093] The light-emitting diodes 1511 of the light communication module 150 are preferably distributed over the communication surface 156 according to a regular two-dimensional network, a distance between two adjacent light-emitting diodes 1511 being constant.

[0094] This advantageous configuration makes it possible to emit a light signal in a plurality of directions all around the diving mask 10, thus improving the chances that this light signal is received by a compatible photodetector of another diving mask 10, for example.

[0095] In addition, the light communication module 150 of the diving mask 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises a plurality of photodetectors 152 located on the communication surface 156. The photodetectors 152 of the light communication module 150 are preferably distributed according to a regular two-dimensional network, a distance between two adjacent photodetectors 152 being constant. Advantageously, the photodetectors are mixed with the light-emitting diodes 1511, so that a light-emitting diode 1511 is always associated with a photodetector 152. In other words, each photoreceptor 152 is located adjacent and alternately with one of the light-emitting diodes 1511 of the light communication module 151. This configuration makes it possible to improve the detection of a light signal coming from any direction around the diving mask 10, thus facilitating the establishment of a bidirectional communication between two diving masks 10 forming together an underwater communication system.

[0096] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the loudspeakers 154, the microphone 157, the light source 151 and the photodetector 152 are electrically connected, preferably by a wire link, to the electronic control card 156 in order to allow a two-way light communication to be established, as described above.

[0097] In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic control card 156 of the light communication module 150 is configured to control all the light-emitting diodes 1511 in parallel and/or in a synchronized manner: thus the telecommunication system 190 of the diving mask 10 sends, in a plurality of communication directions around said diving mask 10, a light signal which carries the same information: that which has been encoded by the electronic control card 156.

[0098] Finally, the telecommunication system 190 of the diving mask 10 may advantageously comprise an energy source not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which may, for example, take the form of a battery attached to the diving mask 10.

[0099] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an underwater light communication method 200 according to the second aspect of the invention. Such an underwater light communication method 200 may advantageously be implemented by the diving mask 10 in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, and as illustrated above with regard to FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular. The underwater light communication method 200 comprises the following steps: [0100] an acquiring step 201 of a sound signal by means of the microphone 157 of the telecommunications system 190; [0101] an encoding step 202 of the sound signal into a digital signal for controlling the light source 151, the encoding step being carried out by the electronic control card 156 of the telecommunications system 190; [0102] a controlling step 203 of the light source 151 to emit a light signal in a plurality of communication directions around the telecommunications system 190, an amplitude of the light signal being modulated according to the digital control signal, and preferably according to a LiFi communication protocol; [0103] a receiving step 204 of the light signal by the photodetector 152 of the telecommunications system 190; [0104] a decoding step 205 of the light signal into a decoded digital signal, the decoding step being carried out by the electronic control card 156 of the telecommunications system 190; [0105] a generating step 206 of a sound signal by means of one or more loudspeakers 154 of the telecommunications system 190.

[0106] In summary, the invention relates to a diving mask 10 comprising a telecommunications system 190 configured to allow the establishment of a one-way or two-way light communication, and, more particularly, according to a communication protocol of the LiFi type. To this end, the telecommunications system 190 comprises a light communication module 150 including a light source 151 configured to emit light signals in a plurality of directions around the diving mask 10, and an electronic control card 156 for controlling said light source 151 and for modulating the amplitude of said light signal according to an electronic signal encoded by said electronic control card 156.

[0107] Obviously, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications may be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, shapes, variants and embodiments of the invention may be associated with one another in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above may be combined with one another.