Inter-diver signaling device and process

Abstract

Taps on a beam-interrupt button of an underwater signaling transceiver are encoded as binary frequency shift-key modulated Golay codes, which are transmitted via 56-58 kHz compression waves generated by a ring-shaped electromechanical transducer. Light emitting diodes flash to signal the content of received signals and provide monitoring of the distance between divers. All components of the transceiver—except outer portions of input/output leads and a suction cup for attaching to the transceiver to a diver's mask—are completely encased in transparent plastic. The input/output leads allow an internal battery to be recharged, provide access to the internal processor for programming and data retrieval, and monitor whether the transceiver is submerged so that the transceiver can operate in an underwater mode or an above-water mode. Transceivers only communicate with other transceivers which use the same communication channel. Transceivers monitor their separation distances and flash a warning signal when nearing an out-of-range condition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of communication between a first underwater signaling device worn by a first diver and a second underwater signaling device worn by a second diver, comprising the steps of:
 said first diver tapping a beam-interrupt button on said first underwater signaling device,   said first underwater signaling device interpreting said tapping and sending out a first compression wave communication signal corresponding to said tapping,   said second underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said first compression wave communication signal, generating a first human-detectable reception signal detectable by said second diver corresponding to said tapping, and sending out a compression wave confirmation signal for said first underwater signaling device,   said first underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said compression wave confirmation signal, and generating a second human-detectable reception signal detectable by said first diver signifying reception of said confirmation signal, and   said first underwater signaling device determining a separation distance between said first underwater signaling device and said second underwater signaling device based on an intensity of said compression wave confirmation signal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said generating of said first human-detectable reception signal detectable by said second diver is a flashing a reception light signal visible to said second diver, and said generating of said second human-detectable reception signal detectable by said first diver is a flashing a confirmation light signal visible to said first diver. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said generating of said first human-detectable reception signal detectable by said second diver is an emitting of an audible signal to said second diver, and said generating of said second human-detectable reception signal detectable by said first diver is a flashing a confirmation light signal visible to said first diver. 
     
     
         4 . A method of communication between a first underwater signaling device worn by a first diver and a second underwater signaling device worn by a second diver, comprising the steps of:
 said first diver tapping a beam-interrupt button on said first underwater signaling device,   said first underwater signaling device interpreting said tapping and sending out a first compression wave communication signal at an initial time corresponding to said tapping,   said second underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said first compression wave communication signal, generating a first human-detectable reception signal detectable by said second diver corresponding to said tapping, and sending out a compression wave confirmation signal for said first underwater signaling device,   said first underwater signaling device receiving at a final time and interpreting said compression wave confirmation signal, and generating a second human-detectable reception signal detectable by said first diver signifying reception of said confirmation signal, and   said first underwater signaling device determining a round-trip communication time being based on a round-trip elapsed time between said initial time and said final time.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said generating of said first human-detectable reception signal detectable by said second diver is a flashing a reception light signal visible to said second diver, and said generating of said second human-detectable reception signal detectable by said first diver is a flashing a confirmation light signal visible to said first diver. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said generating of said first human-detectable reception signal detectable by said second diver is an emitting of an audible signal to said second diver, and said generating of said second human-detectable reception signal detectable by said first diver is a flashing a confirmation light signal visible to said first diver. 
     
     
         7 . A method of communication between a first underwater signaling device worn by a first diver and a second underwater signaling device worn by a second diver, comprising the steps of:
 said first diver tapping a beam-interrupt button on said first underwater signaling device,   said first underwater signaling device interpreting said tapping and sending out a first compression wave communication signal corresponding to said tapping,   said second underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said first compression wave communication signal, producing an audible tone for said second diver corresponding to said tapping, and sending out a compression wave confirmation signal for said first underwater signaling device, and   said first underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said compression wave confirmation signal.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said audible tone is produced by parametric downmixing. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said parametric downmixing is produced by transmitting a first ultrasonic tone followed, within a time shorter than a characteristic ringing time of a transducer in said first underwater signaling device, by a second ultrasonic tone, a difference in frequencies between said first and second ultrasonic tones being in the human audible range. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said second underwater signaling device upon said receiving and interpreting of said first compression wave communication signal, flashes a reception light signal visible to said second diver corresponding to said tapping. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said first underwater signaling device upon said receiving and interpreting of said compression wave confirmation signal, and flashes a confirmation light signal visible to said first diver signifying said reception of said confirmation signal. 
     
     
         12 . A method of communication between a first underwater signaling device worn by a first diver and a second underwater signaling device worn by a second diver, comprising the steps of:
 said first diver tapping a beam-interrupt button on said first underwater signaling device,   said first underwater signaling device interpreting said tapping and sending out a first compression wave communication signal corresponding to said tapping,   said second underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said first compression wave communication signal, generating a first human-detectable reception signal detectable by said second diver corresponding to said tapping, and sending out a compression wave confirmation signal for said first underwater signaling device,   said first underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said compression wave confirmation signal, and generating a second human-detectable reception signal detectable by said first diver signifying reception of said confirmation signal,   said first underwater signaling device sending out a first compression wave ranging signal at an initial time,   said second underwater signaling device detecting said first ranging signal and sending out a return compression wave ranging signal, and   said first underwater signaling device detecting said return ranging signal at a final time, a round-trip communication time being based on a round-trip elapsed time between said initial time and said final time.   
     
     
         13 . The method of communication of  claim 12  wherein said generating of said first human-detectable reception signal detectable by said second diver is a flashing of a reception light signal visible to said second diver, and said generating of said second human-detectable reception signal detectable by said first diver is a flashing of a confirmation light signal visible to said first diver. 
     
     
         14 . The method of communication of  claim 12  further including the step of said first underwater signaling device failing to receive said compression wave confirmation signal within said round-trip communication time and producing a warning signal detectable by said first diver. 
     
     
         15 . The method of communication of  claim 14  wherein said producing of said warning signal detectable by said first diver is a flashing of a warning light signal visible to said first diver. 
     
     
         16 . The method of communication of  claim 12  wherein said first underwater signaling device in said interpreting of said tapping differentiates between a long tap and a short tap. 
     
     
         17 . The method of communication of  claim 12  wherein said first underwater signaling device in said interpreting of said tapping differentiates between one tap and two taps. 
     
     
         18 . The method of communication of  claim 12  wherein said first underwater signaling device in said interpreting of said tapping differentiates between one tap, two taps and three taps. 
     
     
         19 . The method of communication of  claim 12  further including the step of said first underwater signaling device generating a separation-distance signal detectable by said first diver reflecting a separation distance. 
     
     
         20 . The method of communication of  claim 19  wherein said generating of said separation-distance signal detectable by said first diver is a flashing of a separation-distance light signal visible to said first diver. 
     
     
         21 . The method of communication of  claim 19  wherein a light detector in said beam-interrupt button measures ambient light, and a brightness of said flashing of said confirmation light signal is adjusted to increase with brightness of said ambient light. 
     
     
         22 . A method of communication between a first underwater signaling device worn by a first diver and a second underwater signaling device worn by a second diver, comprising the steps of:
 said first underwater signaling device determining whether it is submerged by measuring a first impedance across first electrical leads exposed to the environment,   said second underwater signaling device determining whether it is submerged by measuring a second impedance across second electrical leads exposed to the environment,   while said first underwater signaling device is submerged, said first diver tapping a beam-interrupt button on said first underwater signaling device, said first underwater signaling device interpreting said tapping and sending out a first compression wave signal corresponding to said tapping,   while said second underwater signaling device is submerged, said second underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said first compression wave signal, generating a reception signal detectable by said second diver corresponding to said tapping, and sending out a compression wave confirmation signal for said first underwater signaling device,   while said first underwater signaling device is submerged, said first underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said compression wave confirmation signal, and generating a confirmation signal detectable by said first diver signifying reception of said confirmation signal,   while said first underwater signaling device is not submerged, said first underwater signaling device flashing a power-level light signal indicating a level of charge of a first battery in said first underwater signaling device, and   while said second underwater signaling device is not submerged, said second underwater signaling device flashing a power-level light signal indicating a level of charge of a second battery in said second underwater signaling device.   
     
     
         23 . The method of communication of  claim 22  wherein said generating of said reception signal detectable by said second diver is a flashing of a reception light signal visible to said second diver, and said generating a confirmation signal detectable by said first diver is a flashing of a confirmation light signal visible to said first diver. 
     
     
         24 . The method of communication of  claim 22  further including the steps of, while said second underwater signaling device is submerged, said second underwater signaling device entering a low-power mode of operation after a time-out time, said second underwater signaling device exiting said low-power mode of operation to listen for said first compression wave, and said second underwater signaling device failing to detect said first compression wave and reentering said low-power mode of operation for a length of time less than the time required for said sending out of said first compression wave signal. 
     
     
         25 . The method of communication of  claim 22  further including the steps of, while said second underwater signaling device is submerged, said second underwater signaling device exiting said low-power mode of operation to listen for said first compression wave, and said second underwater signaling device detecting said first compression wave. 
     
     
         26 . The method of communication of  claim 22  further including the step of said first underwater signaling device entering a low-power mode of operation while said first underwater signaling device is not submerged. 
     
     
         27 . The method of communication of  claim 26  further including the step of said first underwater signaling device leaving said low-power mode when said beam-interrupt button is tapped. 
     
     
         28 . The method of communication of  claim 26  further including the step of said first underwater signaling device leaving said low-power mode when said first underwater signaling device is wetted. 
     
     
         29 . A method of communication between a first underwater signaling device worn by a first diver and companion underwater signaling devices worn by companion divers, comprising the steps of:
 said first diver tapping a beam-interrupt button on said first underwater signaling device,   said first underwater signaling device interpreting said tapping and sending out a first compression wave signal corresponding to said tapping,   said companion underwater signaling devices receiving and interpreting said first compression wave signal, generating a first signal visible to said companion divers corresponding to said tapping, and said companion underwater signaling devices sending out compression wave confirmation signals for said first underwater signaling device, and   said first underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said compression wave confirmation signals and generating a second signal detectable to said first diver.   
     
     
         30 . The method of communication of  claim 29  wherein said generating of said first signal visible to said companion divers is a flashing a first light signal to said companion divers, and said generating said second signal detectable to said first diver is a flashing of a second light signal visible to said first diver. 
     
     
         31 . A method of communication between a first underwater signaling device worn by a first diver and a second underwater signaling device worn by a second diver, comprising the steps of:
 said first underwater signaling device determining whether it is submerged by measuring a first impedance across first electrical leads exposed to their environment,   said second underwater signaling device determining whether it is submerged by measuring a second impedance across second electrical leads exposed to their environment,   while said first and second underwater signaling devices are not submerged, said first underwater signaling device sending out a mating initiation signal,   while said first and second underwater signaling devices are not submerged, said first underwater signaling device sending out a channel-specification signal which specifies a channel decode for subsequent communications between said first and second underwater signaling devices,   while said first underwater signaling device is submerged, said first diver tapping a beam-interrupt button on said first underwater signaling device, said first underwater signaling device interpreting said tapping and sending out a first compression wave communication signal corresponding to said tapping,   while said second underwater signaling device is submerged, said second underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said first compression wave communication signal, generating a reception signal detectable by said second diver corresponding to said tapping, and sending out a compression wave confirmation signal for said first underwater signaling device, and   while said first underwater signaling device is submerged, said first underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said compression wave confirmation signal, and generating a confirmation signal detectable by said first diver signifying reception of said confirmation signal by said second underwater signaling device.   
     
     
         32 . The method of communication of  claim 31  wherein said generating of said reception signal detectable by said second diver is a flashing of a reception light signal visible to said second diver, and said generating of said confirmation signal detectable by said first diver is a flashing of a confirmation light signal visible to said first diver. 
     
     
         33 . The underwater transceiver of  claim 31  further including the step of, while said first and second underwater signaling devices are not submerged, said second underwater signaling device flashing a confirmation signal upon receipt of said mating initiation signal from said first underwater signaling device. 
     
     
         34 . The underwater transceiver of  claim 33  wherein said second underwater signaling device flashes a confirmation light signal to confirm receipt of said mating initiation signal. 
     
     
         35 . The underwater transceiver of  claim 33  wherein said second underwater signaling device flashes a decode receipt signal to confirm receipt of said channel-specification signal. 
     
     
         36 . The underwater transceiver of  claim 33  wherein said first compression wave signal, said compression wave confirmation signal, said mating initiation signal, said mating confirmation signal and said channel-specification signal are Golay codes. 
     
     
         37 . The underwater transceiver of  claim 36  wherein said Golay codes have a length of 23 bits, of which 12 bits carry information and 11 bits are error detection and correction bits. 
     
     
         38 . The underwater transceiver of  claim 37  wherein of said 12 bits which carry information, there are 9 bits specify a communication channel and 3 bits are an operation code. 
     
     
         39 . The underwater transceiver of  claim 37  wherein said operation code of said first compression wave signal represents said tapping on said beam-interrupt button. 
     
     
         40 . The underwater transceiver of  claim 37  wherein said operation code of said compression wave confirmation signal represents confirmation that said second underwater signaling device received and decoded said first compression wave signal. 
     
     
         41 . The underwater transceiver of  claim 36  wherein Golay codes are modulated on a carrier wave with frequency-shift keying. 
     
     
         42 . A method of communication between a first underwater signaling device worn by a first diver and a second underwater signaling device worn by a second diver over a first communication channel, and between a third underwater signaling device worn by a third diver and a fourth underwater signaling device worn by a fourth diver over a second communication channel, comprising the steps of:
 said first underwater signaling device determining whether it is submerged by measuring a first impedance across first electrical leads exposed to their environment,   said second underwater signaling device determining whether it is submerged by measuring a second impedance across second electrical leads exposed to their environment,   said third underwater signaling device determining whether it is submerged by measuring a third impedance across third electrical leads exposed to their environment,   said fourth underwater signaling device determining whether it is submerged by measuring a fourth impedance across fourth electrical leads exposed to their environment,   while said first and second underwater signaling devices are not submerged, said first underwater signaling device sending out a first mating initiation signal,   while said first and second underwater signaling devices are not submerged, said first underwater signaling device sending out a first channel-specification signal which specifies a first channel decode for subsequent communications between said first and second underwater signaling devices over said first communication channel which utilizes said first channel decode,   while said third and fourth underwater signaling devices are not submerged, said third underwater signaling device sending out a second mating initiation signal,   while said third and fourth underwater signaling devices are not submerged, said third underwater signaling device sending out a second channel-specification signal which specifies a second channel decode for subsequent communications between said third and fourth underwater signaling devices over said second communication channel which utilizes said second channel decode,   while said first, second, third and fourth underwater signaling devices are submerged, said first diver tapping a first beam-interrupt button on said first underwater signaling device, said first underwater signaling device interpreting said tapping and sending out a first compression wave communication signal over said first communication channel corresponding to said tapping,   while said first, second, third and fourth underwater signaling devices are submerged, said second underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said first compression wave communication signal, generating a reception signal detectable by said second diver corresponding to said tapping, and sending out a first compression wave confirmation signal for said first underwater signaling device over said first communication channel, said first compression wave communication signal not being interpreted by said third and fourth underwater signaling devices,   while said first, second, third and fourth underwater signaling devices are submerged, said first underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said compression wave confirmation signal, and generating a confirmation signal detectable by said first diver signifying reception of said confirmation signal by said second underwater signaling device, said compression wave confirmation signal not being interpreted by said third and fourth underwater signaling devices.   
     
     
         43 . A method of communication of  claim 42  wherein said generating of said reception signal detectable by said second diver is a flashing of a reception light signal visible to said second diver, and said generating a confirmation signal detectable by said first diver is a flashing of a confirmation light signal visible to said first diver. 
     
     
         44 . The method of communication of  claim 42  further including the steps of:
 while said first and second underwater signaling devices are not submerged, said second underwater signaling device flashing a confirmation light signal upon receipt of said first mating initiation signal from said first underwater signaling device, and 
 while said third and fourth underwater signaling devices are not submerged, said fourth underwater signaling device flashing a confirmation light signal upon receipt of said second mating initiation signal from said third underwater signaling device. 
 
     
     
         45 . The method of communication of  claim 44  further including the steps of:
 while said first, second, third and fourth underwater signaling devices are submerged, said third diver tapping a second beam-interrupt button on said third underwater signaling device, said third underwater signaling device interpreting said tapping and sending out a second compression wave communication signal over said second communication channel corresponding to said tapping, 
 while said first, second, third and fourth underwater signaling devices are submerged, said fourth underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said second compression wave communication signal, generating a reception signal detectable by said fourth diver corresponding to said tapping, and sending out a second compression wave confirmation signal for said third underwater signaling device over said second communication channel, said second compression wave communication signal not being interpreted by said first and second underwater signaling devices, 
 while said first, second, third and fourth underwater signaling devices are submerged, said third underwater signaling device receiving and interpreting said compression wave confirmation signal, and generating a confirmation signal detectable by said third diver signifying reception of said second confirmation signal by said fourth underwater signaling device, said second compression wave confirmation signal not being interpreted by said first and second underwater signaling devices. 
 
     
     
         46 . The method of communication of  claim 45  wherein said generating of said reception signal detectable by said fourth diver is a flashing a reception light signal visible to said fourth diver, and said generating of said confirmation signal detectable by said third diver is a flashing of a confirmation light signal visible to said third diver. 
     
     
         47 . The method of communication of  claim 44  further including the steps of:
 while said first, second, third and fourth underwater signaling devices are submerged, said first diver tapping a public-code signal on said first beam-interrupt button on said first underwater signaling device, said first underwater signaling device interpreting said tapping and sending out a public-code compression wave signal over a public channel, 
 while said first, second, third and fourth underwater signaling devices are submerged, said second, third and fourth underwater signaling devices receiving and interpreting said public-code compression wave communication signal and generating a public-code signal detectable by said second, third and fourth divers, respectively. 
 
     
     
         48 . The method of communication of  claim 47  wherein said generating of a public-code signal detectable by said second, third and fourth divers is a flashing of a public-code light signal visible to said second, third and fourth divers.