MANAGING DIVING ACTIVITIES BY WIRELESS DATA COMMUNICATION

Abstract

A portable diver device (100) for managing diving activities for a diver, wherein the portable diver device (100) comprises at least one data storage unit (102) storing identification data being indicative of an identity of the diver and optionally storing diving related data related to the diver, and a wireless data communications interface (104) configured for wirelessly communicating at least one of the group consisting of the identification data and the diving related data with a diving activities management apparatus (120, 130, 140), when the portable diver device (100) is in sufficient spatial vicinity of the diving activities management apparatus (120, 130, 140).

Claims

1. A portable diver device for managing diving activities for a diver, the portable diver device comprising: at least one data storage unit storing identification data being indicative of an identity of the diver and optionally storing diving related data related to the diver; and a wireless data communications interface configured for wirelessly communicating at least one of the group consisting of the identification data and the diving related data, with a diving activities management apparatus when the portable diver device is in sufficient spatial vicinity of the diving activities management apparatus.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless data communications interface is configured for wirelessly communicating the data by one of the group consisting of Near Field Communication, Radio Frequency Identification, and infrared communication.

3. The device of claim 1, configured to be wearable by or attachable to the diver.

4. The device of claim 1, configured as one of the group consisting of a tag such as an NFC tag or an RFID tag, a bracelet, a watch, and a dive computer.

5. The device of claim 1, configured to be waterproof and dive pressure resistant.

6. The device of claim 1, comprising at least one sensor configured for sensing dive related data during a dive of the diver and for storing the sensed data in the data storage unit.

7. The device of claim 6, comprising a processor configured for processing the sensed data and for presenting the result of the processing to the diver via a display of the device.

8. The device of claim 1, comprising a rechargeable accumulator being configured for supplying electric energy to the device and for being wirelessly charged with electric energy from the apparatus, in particular via the wireless data communications interface, wherein a charging procedure is initiated when the device is in sufficient spatial vicinity of the apparatus, in particular by a user carrying the device and touching the diving activities management apparatus.

9. The device of claim 8, comprising an additional substitutable accumulator being configured for supplying electric energy to the device and for being substituted when discharged.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless data communications interface is configured for enabling the wireless communication with the diving activities management apparatus only when a distance between the portable diver device and the diving activities management apparatus has fallen below a predefined threshold value, in particular has fallen below 10 cm, more particularly has fallen below 5 cm.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless data communications interface is configured for wirelessly communicating with wireless data communications interfaces of a plurality of dive route indicating markers to be arranged along a dive route so that, when a diver carrying the portable device is in sufficient spatial vicinity of, in particular touches, a corresponding one of the markers, dive route information is transmitted from the wireless data communications interface of the respective marker to the wireless data communications interface of the device; wherein the device comprises a processor configured for processing the communicated dive route information for presenting the result of the processing to the diver via a display.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the data storage unit and the wireless data communications interface are configured as an optically readable structure, in particular a barcode or a QR code, encoding the identification data and the diving related data so that an optical reader of the diving activities management apparatus is capable of optically reading at least one of the identification data and the diving related data, when the optically readable structure is in sufficient spatial vicinity of the optical reader.

13. A diving activities management apparatus for managing diving activities for a plurality of divers, the diving activities management apparatus comprising: a database storing data sets for each of the divers, wherein each data set comprises identification data being indicative of an identity of the respective diver and assigned diving related data related to the respective diver; a wireless data communications interface configured for wirelessly communicating at least one of the group consisting of the identification data and the diving related data with a plurality of portable diver devices, each assigned to a respective one of the divers, when the respective portable diver device is in sufficient spatial vicinity of the diving activities management apparatus; and a processor configured for processing the stored and the communicated data for managing the diving activities for the plurality of divers.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the wireless data communications interface is configured for wirelessly communicating the data by one of the group consisting of Near Field Communication, Radio Frequency Identification, optically reading, and infrared communication.

15. (canceled)

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured for at least one of the group consisting of: determining whether each diver of a group of divers has communicated its presence, in particular after a dive, via the wireless data communications interface; determining billing data for a respective diver being indicative of an amount of money to be paid for the diver's diving activities; determining a dive protocol for a respective diver being indicative of dive parameters of the at least one dive of the diver; determining a list of dive equipment supplied to a respective diver; processing enrolment data of a diver for enrolling the diver; generating and assigning the identification data to the diver and communicating the assigned identification data to the portable diver device to be stored on the data storage unit of the portable diver device.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the wireless data communications interface comprises or consists of an optical reader capable of optically reading at least one of the identification data and the diving related data from an optically readable structure, in particular a barcode or a QR code, of a respective one of the plurality of portable diver devices when the optically readable structure is in sufficient spatial vicinity of the optical reader.

18-24. (canceled)

25-26. (canceled)

27. A method of managing diving activities for a plurality of divers, the method comprising: storing data sets for each of the divers in a database of a diving activities management apparatus, wherein each data set comprises identification data being indicative of an identity of the respective diver and assigned diving related data related to the respective diver; wirelessly communicating at least one of the group consisting of the identification data and the diving related data between a wireless data communications interface of the diving activities management apparatus and a plurality of portable diver devices each assigned to a respective one of the divers, when the respective portable diver device is in sufficient spatial vicinity of the diving activities management apparatus; and processing the stored and the communicated data by a processor of the diving activities management apparatus for managing the diving activities for the plurality of divers.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the wireless communication of data is performed by one of the group consisting of Near Field Communication, Radio Frequency Identification, and optically reading.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the method comprises using the communicated data for at least one of the group consisting of an electronic log book, research, and sharing them via a social network.

30-31. (canceled)

32. The method of claim 27 further comprising: storing identification data being indicative of an identity of the diver and storing diving related data related to the diver on a data storage unit of a portable diver device; and wirelessly communicating at least one of the group consisting of the identification data and the diving related data between a wireless data communications interface of the portable diver device and a diving activities management apparatus when the portable diver device is in sufficient spatial vicinity of the diving activities management apparatus.

Description

[0064] FIG. 1 illustrates an arrangement of portable diver devices, diving activities management apparatuses, and diving equipment appropriate for wirelessly transferring all dive related data to be communicated at a dive center according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0065] FIG. 2 illustrates schematically data stored on a data storage unit of a portable diver device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0066] FIG. 3 illustrates schematically data stored on a database of a diving activities management apparatus on a dive excursion boat of the diving center according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0067] FIG. 4 illustrates schematically the data stored on a data storage unit of a tag attached to a dive equipment according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0068] FIG. 5 illustrates schematically data stored on a database of a diving activities management apparatus in an office of the diving center according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0069] FIG. 6 to FIG. 10 illustrate portable diver devices according to different exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0070] The illustrations in the drawings are schematical. In different drawings, similar or identical elements are provided with the same reference signs.

[0071] Before exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the figures, some basic considerations will be summarized based on which exemplary embodiments of the invention have been developed.

[0072] According to an exemplary embodiment, a system to manage dive centers using NFC tags with both Windows (or any other operating system, such as IOS, Apple, Unix, Android, Blackberry) and mobile app interface is provided. Also an architecture on how to implement NFC Technology into dive loggers whether independent dive loggers or in current dive computers provided.

[0073] Conventional operations taking place in the diving centers around the world did not change much since the beginning of the industry in the late 1960s by having most of the back office work done manually on paper from registration and checking in to day to day diving operations lists to checking out and billing. While most of them are using computers to help them usually it ends up just using some of the spreadsheet programs or some software for dive center management which poorly fits their needs and being not customizable.

[0074] With the wide availability of smart phones and internet connectivity nowadays and the emergence of new technologies like the RFID and NFC that is being implemented in everyday tasks, the processes and related designed hardware according to exemplary embodiments of the invention will describe how the use of such technologies in the diving industry can increase the safety and increase the efficiency of work a lot.

[0075] Problems that a process according to an exemplary embodiment reduces or solves include: [0076] Counting divers on a boat after each dive making sure that all divers are on the boat so no diver will be left behind; [0077] Logging in the dives (for instance for legal purposes) after each dive (maximum depth reached, time in, time out, breathing mixture used, tank and equipment used); [0078] Registering and checking in new divers; [0079] Keeping record of the dive equipment (in terms of inventory, dates of maintenance, log of each piece of equipment and what has been done to it during servicing); [0080] Providing divers with electronic logbook on their mobile device instead of the traditional log book which can get lost; [0081] Checking out and billing;

[0082] System components which may be implemented according to exemplary embodiments include: [0083] Software with mobile and computer interface for the dive center management; [0084] RFID and NFC Tags using different chip types according to the need to use each chip different capability, shape of tags may be different also according to the use of each tag; such a tag may be a bracelet for the divers tag or a sticker for the equipment tag or a key chain for tanks tag; [0085] Computers, mobile phones and tablets; [0086] External RFID tag readers; [0087] Pad and styles to capture signatures; [0088] Research NFC Tag; [0089] Mobile app for the diver to use as log book;

[0090] Examples for NFC tag types which may be used by divers according to exemplary embodiments include: [0091] Just an NFC Tag, so that the diver can interact with the system according to his unique identifier; [0092] A research dive logger device which the divers buy to be her or his main input method to log dive details in any of the dive loggers whether it is the dive center logbook or the personal app log book;

[0093] FIG. 1 illustrates an arrangement 180 of portable diver devices 100, diving activities management apparatuses 120, 130, 140, and diving equipment 150 appropriate for wirelessly transferring all dive related data to be communicated at a dive center according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0094] The arrangement 180 is configured for managing diving activities for a plurality of divers and comprises the diving activities management apparatuses 120, 130, 140 and the portable diver devices 100. The diving activities management apparatuses 120, 130, 140 and the portable diver devices 100 may be communicatively coupled to one another for wireless data transfer for managing diving activities for the diver. Such data communication may be enabled exclusively when a respective one of the diving activities management apparatuses 120, 130, 140 is in sufficient spatial vicinity of a respective one of the portable diver devices 100 (i.e. less than a predefined threshold value away from the respective portable diver device 100, which threshold value is defined by the communication capability of the communicatively coupled entities). Such data communication may be disabled when the entities are not in sufficient spatial vicinity (in particular when the mutual distances are larger than the threshold value).

[0095] Diving activity management apparatus 120 is configured as a laptop and can be stored at the counter of the diving center.

[0096] Diving activity management apparatus 130 is configured as a tablet (but it may alternatively be for instance a mattress over which the divers must walk when entering the boat) and it can be used in a dive area, for instance on a boat of the dive center used for making dive excursions with divers.

[0097] Diving activity management apparatus 140 is configured as a mobile phone on which an app may be stored and executed which provides the respective software support for the management procedure.

[0098] Furthermore, three examples for portable diver devices 100 are shown, each of which being assigned to a respective one of the divers. One portable diver device 100 is configured as an NFC tag (which may be carried by a user or which may be attached to a body of the user) and has a substrate 190 (such as a piece of fabric being attachable by adhesive to the user's body) with electronics embedded therein. This portable diver device 100 may store a unique identifier unambiguously authenticating the assigned user.

[0099] Another portable diver device 100 is configured as a bracelet (which can be carried around a wrist of the user) with a flexible strip 192 and an NFC chip 194. This portable diver device 100 may comprise a dive logger logging dive related data during a dive, and a unique identifier unambiguously identifying the diver.

[0100] Yet another portable diver device 100 is configured as a dive computer in form of a wrist watch (which can also be carried around the wrist of the user). This portable diver device 100 may also comprise a dive logger logging dive related data during a dive, a provision for the computation of safe dive parameters to be displayed to the diver, and the unique identifier unambiguously identifying the diver. All devices 100 are configured to be waterproof, inert with respect to saltwater and dive pressure resistant, i.e. resistant to pressure values of for instance up to 50 bar.

[0101] Each of the mentioned portable diver devices 100 is configured for managing diving activities for an assigned diver and comprises a data storage unit 102 storing unique identification data being indicative of an identity of the assigned diver and optionally storing diving related data (these data may however also be stored in a separate memory) related to the assigned diver. Each of the mentioned portable diver devices 100 comprises a wireless data communications interface 104 configured for wirelessly communicating the identification data and the diving related data with a respective one of the diving activities management apparatuses 120, 130, 140. A data communication between one of the portable diver devices 100 and one of the diving activities management apparatuses 120, 130, 140 is automatically initiated when the respective portable diver device 100 is brought in sufficient spatial vicinity of the respective diving activities management apparatus 120. By bringing the entities 120, 130, 140/100 closer to one another, execution of an NFC-based communication protocol is activated (in a specific embodiment, the communication is only enabled by a user carrying a device 100 and touching the respectively selected destination apparatus 120, 130, 140). Upon completing a sufficient spatial approaching, a specific data transfer may be started by the diving activities management apparatus 120, 130, 140 (for instance detecting the spatial vicinity of portable diver device 100 and sending a communication message to the portable diver device 100, for instance requesting the transmission of data) or by the respective portable diver device 100 (for instance detecting the spatial vicinity of diving activities management apparatus 120, 130, 140 and sending a communication message to the diving activities management apparatus 120, 130, 140, for instance transmitting data). The user-defined approach (of even touch) action which can be used by the user to intentionally trigger the data transfer is reliable and provides a high degree of data safety, since it is up to the user to decide which apparatus 120, 130, 140 is approached (or even touched) which is a requirement to enable the data to be transferred.

[0102] While the device 100 configured as NFC tag does not comprise any sensors in the shown embodiment, the device 100 configured as bracelet and the device 100 configured as dive computer comprise sensors 106 configured for sensing pressure, temperature and other dive related data during a dive under water. The device 100 configured as dive computer furthermore comprises a processor 108 for processing the sensed data and for displaying a result of the processing on a display 110 such as an LCD display. Although the device 100 configured as bracelet may also comprise a processor 108, this processor 108 only organizes data transfer via the wireless communication interface 104 without displaying results of the processing to a user. Also the device 100 configured as NFC tag may comprise such a simple processor 108.

[0103] The device 100 configured as NFC tag may be free of an active energy supply such as a battery in the shown example, but may have in another embodiment also an energy supply in form of a battery.

[0104] In contrast to this, the devices 100 configured as bracelet and dive computer also comprise a rechargeable accumulator 112 configured for supplying components of the respective device 100 with electric energy. The rechargeable accumulator 112 is also rechargeable by a respective one of the apparatuses 120, 130, 140 via the wireless data communications interface 104. A charging procedure may be initiated automatically when the device 100 is in sufficient spatial vicinity of the apparatus 120, 130, 140 (or only when a user carrying the device 100 touches the respective diving activities management apparatus 120, 130, 140). The charging procedure and the data transfer procedure may be performed either simultaneously or independently from one another, i.e. sequentially.

[0105] In addition to the rechargeable accumulator 112, the device 100 configured as a dive computer furthermore comprises an additional substitutable accumulator 114 being configured for supplying electric energy to the device 100 and for being substituted by a user when discharged. Thus, a dual power configuration is achieved by the redundant provision of the rechargeable accumulator 112 and the substitutable accumulator 114. When one of them is empty and is temporarily incapable of supplying electric energy to the components of the device 100, the respectively other one can still work as a power source. This increases the operation safety.

[0106] The constitution of the diving activities management apparatuses 120, 130, 140 is quite similar. Each of the diving activities management apparatuses 120, 130, 140 is configured for managing diving activities for a plurality of divers and comprises a respective database 122, 132, 142 (which may be configured as a data storage unit) storing data sets for each of the divers, wherein each data set comprises at least identification data being indicative of an identity of the respective diver and assigned diving related data related to the respective diver.

[0107] Each of the diving activities management apparatuses 120, 130, 140 furthermore comprises a wireless data communications interface 124, 134, 144 configured for wirelessly communicating the identification data and/or the diving related data with a respective one of the plurality of portable diver devices 100 (each assigned to a respective one of the divers) when the above-described vicinity criterion or requirement is fulfilled.

[0108] A respective processor 126, 136, 146 of each of the diving activities management apparatuses 120, 130, 140 is configured for processing the stored and the communicated data for managing the diving activities for the plurality of divers.

[0109] More specifically, the processors 126, 136, 146 of the diving activities management apparatuses 120, 130, 140 are each configured for performing one or more of the following operations: [0110] determining whether each diver of a group of divers has communicated its presence, in particular after a dive, via the wireless data communications interface 124, 134, 144; [0111] determining billing data for a respective diver being indicative of an amount of money to be paid for the diver's diving activities; [0112] determining a dive protocol for a respective diver being indicative of dive parameters of the at least one dive of the diver; [0113] determining a list of dive equipment 150 supplied to a respective diver; [0114] processing enrolment data of a diver for enrolling the diver; [0115] generating and assigning the identification data to the diver and communicating the assigned identification data to the portable diver device 100 to be stored on the data storage unit 102 of the portable diver device 100.

[0116] At the counter, a diver may check in the dive center. By a data communication between the device 100 (which may be delivered to the diver at the counter when enrolling) and the apparatus 120, a unique identifier generated and assigned to the user is wirelessly transmitted to and stored in the data storage unit 102 of the respective device 100. The user may be requested to wear the device 100 on her or his body during the entire stay of the user at the dive center. All diver needs can be managed at the counter (such as transport, dive site requests, etc.) using the unique identifier. It is also possible at the counter to make a bill according to the user activities which a respective diver makes during her or his stay at the dive center and may be signed using the NFC identifier.

[0117] At an equipment store the history of the presence of each individual equipment piece can be tracked. The equipment may be rented using NFC identifiers. More specifically, each piece of diving equipment 150 of the equipment store (FIG. 1 shows the example of tagged dive tanks as diving equipment 150) which may be rented to a diver may be equipped with a capability of wirelessly communicating data with a device 100 when the user wishes to rent the respective piece of diving equipment 150.

[0118] Each piece of diving equipment 150 comprises a functional dive component 152 (a dive tank in the shown embodiment) providing a dive related function during a dive of the diver. A tag 158 having a wireless data communications interface 156 may be attached to the functional dive component 152. The tag 158 furthermore comprises a data storage unit 154 storing identification data being indicative of an identity of the diving equipment 150 itself and storing identification data being indicative of an identity of the diver presently possessing the piece of dive equipment 150. Necessary processing tasks of the tag 158 may be made by a processor 159. The wireless data communications interface 156 (for instance an NFC interface) is configured for wirelessly communicating the identification data (of itself and/or of the diver) with one of the diving activities management apparatuses 120, 130, 140 or a portable diver device 100, when the respective diving activities management apparatus 120, 130, 140 or the portable diver device 100 is in sufficient spatial vicinity of the diving equipment 150. For instance, for renting the diving equipment 150, it is sufficient that the diver carrying the device 100 storing her or his identification data approaches the tag 158 of the diving equipment 150 up to less than for instance 5 cm which initiates transfer of the identification data between tag 158 and device 100. The identification data of the user and the rented dive equipment 158 may then be exchanged between the tag 158 and the device 100. In case of an apparatus 120, 130 or 140 being present in sufficient close vicinity, the identification data may also be transferred to such an apparatus 120, 130 or 140 so that the rental procedure is properly documented.

[0119] A renting procedure according to another exemplary embodiment is as follows: A dive equipment 150 such as a dive tank is equipped with a tag having an NFC chip. A diver carries a device 100 with her or his ID. An apparatus 120, 130, 140, such as a tablet PC, scans the dive equipment 150 by a wireless data exchange. The apparatus 120, 130, 140 also scans the device 100 of the diver wishing to rent the dive equipment 150 by a wireless data exchange. Hence, the apparatus 120, 130, 140 can assign the identity of the diver (based on the scanned ID) to the identity of the dive equipment 150 (obtained by scanning).

[0120] In the dive area, a diver may scan himself by NFC using the device 100 as a basis for the estimation of time in and time out. Here, tank details may be put in, a Nitrox log may be filled, etc. Via the user mobile app, it is possible to transfer the dive log from the devices 100 by touching it with the mobile phone.

[0121] Reference is now made to a drawing in FIG. 1 relating to the dive area. Apparatus 130 may be on board of a boat 181 on which divers presently make a dive trip. Underwater, the divers (not shown) dive along a dive route which is defined by a sequence of markers 179. Each of the markers 179 has an NFC chip with a corresponding wireless data communications interface 177. A wireless data communications interface 104 of a device 100 carried by a diver during the dive is configured for wirelessly communicating with the wireless data communications interfaces 177 of the plurality of dive route indicating markers 179 arranged along the dive route so that, when a diver carrying the portable device 100 is in sufficient spatial vicinity of, in particular touches, a corresponding one of the markers 179, dive route information is transmitted under water from the wireless data communications interface 177 of the respective marker 179 to the wireless data communications interface 104 of the device 100. The communicated data may be indicative of a position of the respective marker 179 along the dive route. Processor 108 of the device 100 is configured for processing the communicated dive route information for presenting the result of the processing to the diver via a display 110. Thus, a map corresponding to the dive route showing all the markers 177 and the present position of the diver may be displayed in real-time to the diver during the dive.

[0122] In the following, a further example of the device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment will be explained. FIG. 1 shows another device 100, here configured as a bracelet. The data storage unit 102 and the wireless data communications interface 104 of this device 100 are configured as an optically readable structure 189, more precisely a one-dimensional barcode encoding the identification data and the diving related data. Hence, an optical reader 191 (forming part of the wireless communication interface 134) of the diving activities management apparatus 130 (wherein the optically reader 191 is here configured as a camera of the tablet PC in combination with a processor thereof and an optical reading software) is capable of optically reading the identification data and/or the diving related data from the one-dimensional barcode, when the optically readable structure 189 is in sufficient spatial vicinity of the optical reader 191 so that the optical reading procedure can be carried out. For example, when a group of divers returns from a dive excursion, each of the divers carrying the device 100 with a user specific optically readable structure 189 approach the apparatus 130 and scan the optically readable structure 189 by the optical reader 191. The apparatus 130 can hence determine whether all divers returned safely.

[0123] In the shown example of FIG. 1, the device 100 carrying the optically readable structure 189 stores the data on a permanently printed physical structure. However, it is also possible to flexibly generate the optically readable structure 189 electronically by a processor of a dive computer as an example for another device 100 to display it on a display 110 thereof.

[0124] FIG. 2 illustrates schematically the data stored on a data storage unit 102 of a portable diver device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0125] At least one of the following data items concerning the user A may be stored in the data storage unit 102 of the device 100: [0126] the unique identifier of user A (User ID A) [0127] dive data for each dive (1, 2, . . . ) such as temperature (T), pressure (p), timing data (t) (Dive Data A) [0128] a list of rented dive equipment in the possession of user A, i.e. dive tank I, mouthpiece III, headup display VII (Dive Equipment A) [0129] billing data for the rental of dive equipment, fees for diving, and a fee for the provision of the tag or other device 100 to user A (Billing Data A)

[0130] FIG. 3 illustrates schematically the data stored on a database 132 of a diving activities management apparatus 130 on a dive excursion boat of the diving center according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0131] At least one of the following data items concerning many users A, B, . . . may be stored in the data storage unit 132 of the apparatus 130: [0132] dive related data for each dive (1, 2, . . . ) including date and time, number of divers, identity of divers, etc. (Dives) [0133] a dive logbook for each diver A, B, . . . including the corresponding data (T, p, t, . . . ) for each dive (1, 2)

[0134] FIG. 4 illustrates schematically the data stored on a data storage unit 154 of a tag 158 attached to a dive equipment 150 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0135] At least one of the following data items concerning the rental procedure of the dive equipment 150 by user A may be stored: [0136] the unique identifier of the dive equipment 150 (Dive Tank I) [0137] the unique identifier of user A (User ID A) who rented the dive equipment 150 [0138] date of rent

[0139] At least one of the following data items concerning the entire dive equipment of the dive center may be stored in a database 122, 132 or 142 of an apparatus 120, 130 or 140: [0140] an inventory of each and every dive equipment such as dive tanks (I, II, III), mouthpieces (I, II, III), head-up displays (I, II, III), etc. (Inventory) [0141] a list of dive equipment rented to specific users, for instance indicating that user A is in possession of dive tank I (Rented Dive Equipment)

[0142] FIG. 5 illustrates schematically the data stored on a database 122 of a diving activities management apparatus 120 in an office of the diving center according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0143] At least one of the following data items concerning many users A, B, . . . may be stored in the data storage unit 122 of the apparatus 120: [0144] a list of the unique identifiers for the various users A, B, . . . (User ID) [0145] enrolment data (such as name, date of birth, date of enrolment, diving skill level, etc.) for the various users A, B, . . . [0146] other data, for instance as described above (Dive, Dive Data, Billing Data, Logbook, Inventory, etc.)

[0147] FIG. 6 to FIG. 10 illustrate portable diver devices 100 according to different exemplary embodiments of the invention. FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show bracelets as embodiments of devices 100 worn around a wrist 600 of a user. FIG. 9 shows a device 100 embodied as an NFC tag on a chain 900. FIG. 10 shows a device 100 embodied as an NFC tag on a key chain 1000.

[0148] In the following, a complete procedure as may be carried out by exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained:

[0149] In a first stage, divers may arrive to check in and may carry a normal passport or an electronic passport for identification. An NFC reader of a mobile phone or computer or an attachable NFC sender may capture data from the passport directly into the system, without the need of manual filling of forms. This saves time, cuts paper costs and is convenient for divers.

[0150] In a second stage, it may be determined whether the enrolling diver is a new member of the diving center. If yes, the system may assign a unique identifier that gets transferred to the diver personal given NFC tag which will act as personal signature to any interaction of the system. If no, a for instance disposable NFC tag may be used for every visit, so that the ID may be assigned to a new diver NFC tag. Alternatively, the user may already have a personal NFC tag, then the tag may be scanned directly into the system to check in to use the stored data.

[0151] In a third stage, the diver tag may be used as follows: it may be used as a personal signature when diving, so in terms of safety no diver will be left behind. It may be used to calculate the number of dives according to diver signatures so as to be able to accurately calculate the bill. It is possible to assign specific equipment to each diver according to an equipment tag. On each boat, there may be a tablet with NFC capability, so that divers can interact with the system on the boat tablet (or a mobile phone of a dive guide). Hence, it is possible to get connected directly using mobile data or data which can be downloaded directly into the system at the dive base, when the dive guide comes back.

[0152] It is also possible to configure the NFC tag as a more advanced research NFC tag. When configured as a bracelet, it may have an elastic strip for instance of silicon material. Furthermore, it may have an NFC chip providing pressure sensing, time sensing and temperature sensing. A data storage unit is provided to store data. A Bluetooth module may be provided to transfer dive logs. An NFC chip may be provided carrying the unique identifier for a specific diver (for instance, a dive log can also be transferred using NFC). Furthermore, a battery may be foreseen.

[0153] It is also possible to equip the device with one or more buttons which can be pushed by a diver. By pushing the button, it is possible for the user to bookmark an event (such as a gas change, a change of the partial oxygen pressure, or any other interesting event that happens) during the dive which can be defined later.

[0154] Using a research tag, a diver can use it independently to log his dive directly into his phone eliminating the need of paper logbook and can send his dive to be analyzed and help diving medicine research or share dive logs between dive buddies or use the tag to sign his dive buddy electronic logbook.

[0155] Many different kinds of NFC tags may be implemented according to exemplary embodiments. It is possible to use the above-mentioned research tags, a disposable diver NFC tag (having only an NFC chip), a tank tag, a diving equipment tag, or a box tag. NFC tags usable for exemplary embodiment of the invention may have different types of NFC chips, for instance 1K chip, NTAG 203 chip, Ultralight, Ultralight C, NTAG203, Mifare 1 k, Desfire 4 k, Topaz 512, NTAG 210, NTAG 213, etc. Different shapes of such NFC tags are possible, such as mounted on a bracelet, as an NFC sticker, as an NFC card, as a keychain, etc.

[0156] Coming back to the above described research tag, it is possible that it starts recording the dive once under certain depth for instance 0.5 m. It locks values every two seconds and has a time in and time out looking capability.

[0157] A diver mobile app may act as a log book. It is possible to use GPS in the mobile app to pinpoint the dive site. It is possible to share such data with other users, for instance on social media.

[0158] It should be noted that the term comprising does not exclude other elements or steps and the a or an does not exclude a plurality. Also elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined.

[0159] It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0160] Implementation of the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments shown in the figures and described above. Instead, a multiplicity of variants are possible which use the solutions shown and the principle according to the invention even in the case of fundamentally different embodiments.