WO2016034919A1

WO2016034919A1 - Underwater diving communication system

Info

Publication number: WO2016034919A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/064260
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pietro Sonza Reorda; Antonella ARCARI
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-04
Filing date: 2014-09-04
Publication date: 2016-03-10
Anticipated expiration: 2017-03-04

Abstract

An underwater communication system based on electromagnetic transmission and relying on portable transmitters / receivers enabling: - Transmitting a distress signal - Receiving and visualizing a distress signal

Description

UNDERWATER DIVING COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

FIELD OF USE:

The present invention pertains generally to underwater communication systems and more particularly to an underwater communication system that uses electromagnetic propagation for sending distress signals or other simple information between two or more divers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Several underwater communication systems are known, based on sound, light, electromagnetic propagation, magnetic induction or other ways of transmission.

The invention is based on the use of low-levels electromagnetic propagation to carry simple signals between two or more underwater portable transmitters / receivers.

The invention possesses numerous benefits over known communication systems.

In particular the invention allows divers to send underwater distress signals or to quickly attract attention of other divers without the need of establishing a visual contact or of generating audible signals.

Practical examples of the flexibility possessed by the invention reside in its ability to reliably allow establishing a communication in situations when diving conditions are limiting sounds perception or visual contact between divers, such as:

- When eye contact with other divers is not possible (eg. when proceeding in line, during a decompression phase or a safety stop, or while keeping focusing on specific diving procedures, while hanging on a vertical line or while operating equipment).

- In poor visibility conditions (eg. darkness or turbid water), like it can often be found during cave diving, wrack diving or night diving activities.

- In difficult diving conditions (eg. while diving in strong currents or during deep dives).

- In any other situation when a diver requires to quickly attract attention of other divers (such as: panic, stress, physical illness, disorientation, air shortage, equipment failure situations).

Moreover, the invention is extremely simple to operate and to maintain. It can also be packaged in a compact, portable envelope (such as a wrist-watch or a clip-on device) or it can be integrated in existing diving equipment (such as tank pressure gauges, depth meters, diving computers, compasses, masks, or others).

In addition to the foregoing attributes, the invention can be based on reliable, robust and relatively inexpensive technology, making it affordable for recreational, training or professional diving activities.

It can thus be seen that the present invention provides a new, effective and simple way of establishing a communication underwater between divers. The invention hence improves the safety level of diving activities by reducing the risk of delayed or missed communication of critical information and by allowing to rapidly getting attention and / or assistance in case of emergencies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:

The accompanying description and pictures Fig.1 , Fig.2 and Fig.3 incorporated in and forming part of the specification illustrate basic functions and different applications of the invention:

Basic functions:

- Transmitting an electromagnetic signal when activated

Receiving an electromagnetic signal from an activated Underwater Communication System and making it visible to the diver through a specific light-color / sound.

Identifying the System from which the signal is originating and making it visible to the diver through a specific-color / sound.

Fig.1 Illustrates a configuration where a couple of associated Underwater Diving Communication Systems can transmit (Tx) / receive (Rx) a signal to / from a corresponding unit in the receiving range. This configuration is typical of a couple of divers where one diver makes use of the invention to attract the attention of his diving partner.

Fig.2 Illustrates a configuration where the Underwater Diving Communication System (here called <Unit A>) can transmit (Tx) a signal which is received (Rx) by all Underwater

Communication Systems in the receiving range. This configuration is typical of a group of divers where the group leader makes use of the invention to attract the attention of the other group members.

Fig.3 Illustrates a configuration where the Underwater Diving Communication System (here called <Unit A>) can receive a signal and it can identify from which transmitting Underwater Communication System the signal is originating by mean of a specific light-color / sound. This configuration is typical of a group of divers where one member of the group makes use of the invention to attract the attention of the group leader. The group leader can identify which diver sent the distress signal.

The accompanying Block Diagram in Fig.4 incorporated in and forming part of the

specification illustrates several aspects of the functioning of the invention (here called

<Unit>). DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

With reference to the drawing (Fig.5), the device can be embodied into an adjustable or an elastic bracelet. The bracelet can be translucid in order to radiating light when the device is activated.

With reference to the drawing (Fig.6), the device can also be embodied into a case which can be clipped to the scuba jacket or it can be fixed to the scuba mask or elsewhere on the diver equipment (like on the air pipes, on the air-regulator, on the air pressure gauge, on the depth meter). The case can be translucid in order to radiating light when the device is activated.

An additional device embodied similarly to what described in Fig.5 and in Fig.6 can also be fixed around the air tank as showed in the drawing (Fig.7), by mean of an adjustable bracelet, a strap or an elastic. In this embodiment, the additional device would act as a repeater of the light / sound signal received from the main transmitting device, in order to make such signal more visible / audible from behind the diver.

For all above embodiments, different colors can correspond to different transmission channels of the device and hence to different devices IDs. Such embodiment colors can also correspond to different colors of the light emitted by the device when activated.

Claims

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

1 . An object of the present invention is to provide an improved underwater communication system carrying simple signals between two or more divers.

2. Another object of the present invention is to provide such capability in a portable object capable of acting as transmitter / receiver of electromagnetic signals in the VFL spectrum.

3. Another object of the present invention is the capability to send signals to all underwater receiving units in the receiving range.

4. Another object of the present invention is the method of activation / deactivation of the transmission that is by a simple mechanical action on the transmitting unit.

5. Another object of the present invention is the activation of an audible and / or visible signal on the transmitting unit itself when a transmission is activated, allowing to identify a transmitting unit from a certain distance.

6. Another object of the present invention is to provide such portable equipment with the capability of triggering an audible and / or visible signal on one or more distant equipment (receiving units), when a transmission is activated.

7. Another object of the present invention is the capability to distinguish from which unit the signals is being sent that is through the use of different frequencies or different frequency modulations.

8. Another object of the present invention is the capability to visualize from which unit the signals is being sent through light color coding or sound.