WIRELESS SUBMERSIBLE GAUGE HAVING UNDERWATER COMMUNICATION INTERFACE FOR SMART DEVICES

Abstract

A small watertight electronic module is provided that wirelessly connects to a smart device, e.g., a wearable device such as a smartwatch, a Smartphone, etc., and that wirelessly connects to underwater diving equipment and/or accessories, e.g. a SCUBA tank pressure transmitter, skin temperature sensor, heart rate monitor, pressure sensor, navigation buoy, etc. The module is positioned in close proximity to the smart device and utilizes a terrestrial communications protocol, e.g., Bluetooth, WLAN, Ant+, etc. for connection thereto. In an embodiment, the module also utilizes an underwater communications protocol, e.g. VLF, ultrasonic, etc., for connection to the underwater diving equipment and/or accessories. A display is provided in certain embodiments to display information, e.g. SCUBA tank air pressure, to the user.

Claims

1. A wireless submersible gauge, comprising: an underwater communication interface for receiving information from a diving sensor; a terrestrial communication interface for transmitting the information received by the underwater communications interface from the diving sensor to a smart device; and a display for displaying the information received by the underwater communications interface from the diving sensor to a user.

2. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 1, further comprising a memory configured to store the information received from the diving sensor during a dive, and upon completion of the dive to provide the information stored therein to the terrestrial communication interface for transmitting the information to the smart device.

3. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 1, wherein the diving sensor is one of a SCUBA tank pressure transmitter, a skin temperature sensor, a heart rate monitor, a navigation buoy, or a depth sensor.

4. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 1, wherein the terrestrial communication interface uses a terrestrial communications protocol for transmitting the information received by the underwater communications interface from the diving sensor to the smart device.

5. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 4, wherein the terrestrial communication protocol is at least one of Bluetooth, WLAN, or Ant+.

6. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 1, wherein the underwater communication interface uses an underwater communications protocol for receiving information from the diving sensor.

7. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 6, wherein the underwater communications protocol is at least one of very low frequency (VLF) or ultrasonic.

8. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 1, wherein the underwater communication interface for receiving information from the diving sensor is further configured for transmitting pairing information to the diving sensor.

9. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 1, wherein the terrestrial communication interface for transmitting the information to the smart device is further configured for receiving pairing information from the smart device.

10. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 1, further comprising an attachment configured to position the wireless submersible gauge in close proximity to the smart device to enable the terrestrial communication interface to transmit the information to the smart device during a dive.

11. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 10, wherein the attachment is configured to attach on a wrist strap of the smart device.

12. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 10, wherein the attachment is configured to be interposed between the smart device and a wrist strap.

13. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 1, further comprising a wrist strap configured to attach to the smart device, and wherein the underwater communication interface, the terrestrial communication interface, and the display are integrated into the wrist strap.

14. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 1, further comprising a waterproof case configured to enclose the smart device, and wherein the underwater communication interface, the terrestrial communication interface, and the display are integrated as part thereof.

15. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a user interface or an activation sensor.

16. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) that includes a microcontroller and memory, a battery, a pressure sensor, the terrestrial communication interface, a first antenna for the terrestrial communication interface, the underwater communication interface, and a second antenna for the underwater communication interface.

17. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 16, wherein the microcontroller is configured to buffer the information in the memory during a dive and to transmit the information to the smart device after the dive is completed.

18. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 16, wherein the microcontroller is configured to display the information on the display during a dive and to send the information to the smart device after the dive to enable the smart device to add the information to a logbook of the smart device.

19. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 16, further comprising wet contacts configured to enable charging of the battery.

20. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 19, wherein the wet contacts are further configured to indicate submersion for a dive to activate the wireless submersible gauge for operation.

21. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 1, further comprising an underwater app installed on the smart device configured to visualize the information on a smart device display.

22. A water submersible gauge communications system, comprising: a diving sensor configured to transmit information using an underwater communication protocol; a wireless submersible gauge including an underwater communication interface for receiving information from the diving sensor, a terrestrial communication interface for transmitting the information received by the underwater communications interface from the diving sensor using a terrestrial communication protocol, and a display for displaying the information received by the underwater communications interface from the diving sensor to a user; and a smart device configured to receive the information using the terrestrial communications protocol.

23. The water submersible gauge communications system of claim 22, wherein the wireless submersible gauge further includes a display configured to display the information to the user.

24. A wireless submersible gauge, comprising: an underwater communication interface for receiving information from a diving sensor; a microcontroller configured to buffer the information in a memory during a dive; a terrestrial communication interface for transmitting the information received by the underwater communications interface from the diving sensor using a terrestrial communication protocol to a smart device; and wherein the microcontroller is further configured to transmit the information to the smart device after the dive is completed via the terrestrial communication interface.

25. The wireless submersible gauge of claim 24, further comprising a display, and wherein the microcontroller is further configured to display the information on the display during a dive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a simplified system level communications block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a wireless submersible gauge constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention configured to attach to a submersible smartwatch;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention configured to house a non-waterproof smartwatch;

[0033] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention configured to attach to a wristband of a submersible smartwatch;

[0034] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention configured to attach to a wristband of a submersible smartwatch; and

[0035] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention configured to integrate with a waterproof smartphone case configured to allow use of the smartphone as an underwater camera.

[0036] While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Turning now to the drawings, there are illustrated embodiments of the present invention configured to operate with various smart devices, e.g., smartwatches and smartphones, and various underwater sensors commonly used during swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, free diving, etc. However, it should be noted that while various embodiments and operating environments and activities are described, such are provided in order to aid in the understanding of the present invention. Therefore, the following description should be taken by way of example and not by way of limitation. Indeed, various other embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description, and the full scope of same is reserved.

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified communications block diagram of the water submersible gauge (WSG) communications system 100 of an embodiment to the present invention. As illustrated, this WSG communication system 100 utilizes a water submersible gauge (WSG) module 102 as the communications interface between the underwater sensors and accessories 104, such as a tank pressure transmitter 106, a heart rate sensor 108, a skin temperature sensor 110, a lamp/DPV battery status sensor 112, pressure sensor 166 for determining depth, terrestrial positioning buoys 168 providing GPS or other position information via ultrasonic or other long range communications protocols, etc. Such terrestrial positioning buoys 168 that provide GPS or other position information via ultrasonic or other long-range communications protocols may be as described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 17/825,161, entitled Dive Computer Integrated Navigation System, filed May 26, 2022, (hereinafter the '161 Application) and assigned to the assignee of present application, the teachings and disclosure of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference thereto. The WSG communication system 100 also includes a smart device 114, such as a smartwatch, smartphone, or other smart device.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication link between the underwater sensors and accessories 104 and the WSG 102 may utilize a low frequency underwater communications link 116 or other underwater communications technology, e.g., ultrasonic with a longer range as discussed above and in the '161 Application, or a combination of each of these communications technologies depending on which sensors are used.

[0040] As known in the art, such an underwater low frequency communications link 116 typically has a range of up to approximately three meters depending on the frequency, etc. This distance is acceptable since the underwater sensors and accessories 104 are typically located on or closely associated with the swimmer or diver, as is the traditional dive computer that typically would be worn or carried by the swimmer or diver and would display the information directly communicated thereto for the diver's benefit. Also as is known in the art, such underwear ultrasonic communications link typically has a range of hundreds of meters. This distance is particularly good for information that is provided by remotely located devices, e.g., navigation buoys such as described in the '161 Application used in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] However, as discussed above, current smart devices 114 do not typically include any communications interface that would allow reception of information from the underwater communication link 116 (low frequency or ultrasonic). Instead, such smart devices 114 typically only include terrestrial based communications interfaces that, as discussed above, only have a very short range of a couple of centimeters underwater.

[0042] In order to relay the information from the underwater sensors and accessories 104 to the smart device 114, the WSG 102 utilizes a terrestrial communications link 118 in order to provide the information to the smart device 114. As discussed above, various terrestrial communications links 118 may be utilized in the system 100 of the present invention despite the extremely limited range of only two to three centimeters of transmit range under water because the WSG 102 may be located within such distance of the smart device 114.

[0043] In other words, embodiments of the present invention are enabled by meeting the different transmission distance limitations underwater, to wit, physically positioned within approximately three meters of the underwater sensors using low frequency communications, the hundreds of meters of the underwater sensors using ultrasonic communications, of such sensors and accessories 104, and within two to three centimeters of the smart device 114. In this way, the WSG 102 can receive information transmitted by the underwater sensors and accessories 104 utilizing the underwater low frequency and/or ultrasonic communication link 116 for which such devices were designed and relay such information utilizing the terrestrial communication link 118 for which the smart device 114 was designed. Indeed, particular embodiments of such a system will be discussed more fully below with regard to FIGS. 3-7.

[0044] Before discussing any particular embodiment of the system 100 of the present invention, however, attention is directed to FIG. 2, which illustrates a simplified block diagram of the WSG module 102. As may be seen, the WSG module 102 utilizes a microcomputer 120 that may be powered by a battery 122. As is appreciated by those skilled in the art from the present description, such battery 122 may be a dedicated replaceable battery, or may be rechargeable in various embodiments. Such recharging may be accomplished via wet contacts, inductive charging, etc. In order to preserve battery life, the WSG 102 may utilize a simple user interface or an activation sensor 124 that may turn on the WSG 102 at the start of a dive and turn off the WSG 102 once the dive has been completed and the user is no longer in the water and submerged. In one embodiment the activation sensor 124 includes a pressure sensor capable of measuring the depth underwater for communication of that depth information to the smart device 114 (see FIG. 1), or to the display 130 discussed more fully below.

[0045] The WSG module 102 also includes an underwater, low frequency and/or ultrasonic, receiver 126 that is/are configured to receive the information from the underwater sensors and accessories 104 shown in FIG. 1. Such receiver 126 may be configured to utilize a particular underwater communication protocol for a particular manufacturer or may include multiple or multi-band receivers that are/is capable of receiving underwater transmissions from the sensors and accessories from various manufacturers. Receiver effectiveness may also be enhanced in an embodiment by providing multiple orthogonal antennas for the receiver or receivers. This receiver 126 may also have transmit capabilities in order to allow any required paring or handshaking with the underwater sensors and accessories 104.

[0046] The WSG 102 also includes a terrestrial communication link receiver 128, so as to communicate with the smart device using the terrestrial communications protocol compatible therewith. As with the receiver 126, the terrestrial communication transmitter 128 may be configured to communicate using a particular terrestrial communications protocol or may include multiple or a multi-band transmitter to allow compatibility with various manufacturers of smart devices that may utilize different terrestrial communications protocols for communication therewith. Indeed, as with the receiver 126, the terrestrial communication transmitter 128 may also include a receiver in order to participate in any handshake or other pairing requirements of the devices to which it will communicate.

[0047] As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the WSG module 102 also includes memory 121. The memory 121 may be used to store or buffer the underwater data for later transmission to the smart device after the immersion is completed. Such is particularly useful when adding such underwater information to the smart device after the dive to complete the logbook on the smart device.

[0048] Also as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the WSG module 102 also includes memory 121 and a display 130. This display 130 is optional for the WSG module 102, particularly in systems that do not utilize a tank pressure transmitter 106 (see FIG. 1), or in systems where the smart device complies with the regulatory requirements for monitoring and certification, e.g., EN250. However, in embodiments to be used with smart devices that do not comply with such regulatory requirements, the display 130 may be utilized as the primary tank pressure display for the overall system with a WSG module 102 and does comply with such regulatory requirements as part of the system.

[0049] With an understanding now of the overall WSG system 100 and the configuration of the WSG module 102 itself, attention is directed to FIG. 3, which illustrates one embodiment of a physical implementation of the system 100 of the present invention. Depicted therein is a water submersible smartwatch 132 and its wristband 134. In this embodiment, the WSG module 102 includes a smartwatch connection interface 136 and a wristband connection interface 138.

[0050] In such an embodiment, the WSG module 102 may utilize the smartwatch connection interface 136 to connect to the smartwatch 132 as if it were the end of the wristband 134 configured to mate therewith. In other words, the connection to the smartwatch 132 mimics the connection that the wristband would occupy if it were directly connected to the smartwatch 132 body. On the opposite end of the WSG module 102 the wristband connection interface 138 appears to the wristband 134 as the connection interface provided on the smartwatch 132. In other words, to the wristband 134, the wristband connection interface 138 mimics the connection interface on the body of the smartwatch 132 to which it is typically attached. In this way, the WSG module 102 may simply be inserted between the smartwatch 132 and the end of the band 134 such that no additional or different equipment need be purchased or acquired in order to integrate the WSG module 102 with the smartwatch 132.

[0051] While such connection interfaces provide the greatest flexibility in mating with various different smartwatch/wristband combinations, an alternative embodiment may utilize a fixed connection to a wristband section instead of providing a wristband connection interface 138.

[0052] In either configuration, and while the embodiment of the WSG module 102 illustrated in FIG. 3 does not specifically illustrate a separate display 130, such may be incorporated on the face of the WSG module 102 to display, at least, the tank pressure information.

[0053] While the embodiment of FIG. 3 is particularly suited to a water submersible smartwatch 132, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 is particularly well suited to non-submersible smartwatches 140. When utilized with such a non-submersible smartwatch 140, the WSG module 102 may be included as part of a waterproof housing 142 sized and configured to contain the non-submersible smartwatch 140 therein. Such a waterproof housing 142 would also include the user interface buttons 144 and crown 146, etc. that are provided on the non-submersible smartwatch 140 housing so that the user could continue to operate the non-submersible smartwatch 140 in its normal manner.

[0054] In certain embodiments, the WSG module 102 may include a battery access 148, wet recharging contacts 150, and/or an area for inductive charging 152. In certain embodiments, the wet recharging contacts 150 are used to activate the module for the underwater operation. In an embodiment the wet contacts provide a simple user interface to enable the Bluetooth communication for pairing, etc. Such an embodiment provides an energy savings that prevents battery depletion that would otherwise occur if the module would be constantly receiving Bluetooth requests or sending advertising messages. In an embodiment, the wet contacts may also provide a user interface that starts and stops memory-based recording of the module.

[0055] As illustrated in this FIG. 4, an activation pressure sensor 154 is also illustrated and may be used in an embodiment to activate the module for underwater operation. The antennas for each of the underwater and terrestrial communication links may also be embodied in the WSG module 102 housing and/or the watchband 156 provided in this embodiment.

[0056] With reference now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated yet another embodiment of the WSG module 102 having a simplified housing through which the watchband 134 of the water submersible smartwatch 132 may be positioned. As illustrated, the WSG module 102 is preferably positioned within close proximity of the body of the water submersible smartwatch 132, although if the WSG module 102 were to slide to a different position on the watchband 134, the underwater communication distance would still be within the normal range for communication underwater.

[0057] If, however, the WSG module 102 such as show in FIG. 6 were to include a display 130 for the tank pressure information, accurate positioning for easy viewing by the diver becomes more important. In such embodiments, the WSG module 102 may include clips 158 that may securely position the WSG module 102 at a known position on the wristband 134 of the water submersible smartwatch 132. While the embodiment of FIG. 6 illustrates clips 158 that are particularly well suited to interface with the ocean band of the Apple Watch Ultra, the configuration and operation of alternative clips may be provided to interface with other wristbands in other embodiments.

[0058] While FIGS. 3-6 illustrate various embodiments of the WSG system 100 of the present invention as interfacing with smartwatches, the embodiment of FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein the WSG module 102 is provided to interface with a smartphone 160. In the illustrated embodiment, the WSG module 102 is incorporated with a waterproof smartphone case 162 that is particularly configured to allow operation of the smartphone 160 as an underwater camera. In such configuration, the display 130 of the WSG module 102 is positioned on the back side viewing window 164 of the case 162 that is most likely observed by the user while taking pictures underwater.

[0059] The WSG module 102 can be located inside or outside of the window 164. In certain embodiments, the WSG module 102 is powered by the waterproof smartphone case 162 battery, the smartphone 160 battery, or its own internal battery, and may share user interface functionality with the buttons provided by the waterproof smartphone case 162. While the case 162 is illustrated as providing the underwater camera functionality as discussed above, such functionality is not required in all embodiments, and instead the case 162 may simply be a waterproof smartphone case with the WSG module 102 functionality integrated therein.

[0060] In any of the embodiments discussed above, or in embodiments wherein the WSG module 102 interfaces with other types of smart devices, a diving app may be provided for the smart device for displaying the relayed information as well as utilizing same for calculation of various diving parameters that may be of use to a diver while underwater. Further, the information provided from the underwater sensors and accessories 104 via the WSG module 102 may be integrated in apps or operating modes already resident on the smart device or provided by third party developers to provide additional and more enhanced information and/or calculations for use underwater.

[0061] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0062] The use of the terms a and an and the and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms comprising, having, including, and containing are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning including, but not limited to,) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0063] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.