Diving mask comprising a li-fi communication module

Abstract

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

1 . A diving mask ( 10 ) comprising:
 a peripheral frame ( 110 ) provided with a visor ( 130 );   a flexible skirt ( 120 ) fixed to the peripheral frame ( 110 ), said flexible skirt ( 120 ) forming, with the peripheral frame ( 110 ) and the visor ( 130 ), at least one chamber for the vision of a user of said diving mask ( 10 ), called the viewing chamber ( 170 );   a telecommunications system ( 190 ) comprising a light communication module ( 150 ) for transmitting and/or sending a digital signal, said light communication module ( 150 ) comprising an electronic control card ( 156 ) and a light source ( 151 ) configured to emit a light signal modulated according to the digital signal encoded by said electronic control card ( 156 ); characterized in that the light source ( 151 ) is configured to emit light signals in a plurality of communication directions around the diving mask ( 10 ).   
     
     
         2 . The diving mask ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral frame ( 110 ) comprises an intermediate partition which separates the viewing chamber ( 170 ) from an adjacent chamber for breathing, called the breathing chamber ( 180 ), said intermediate partition being arranged to rest above the nose of a user of the diving mask ( 10 ), so that the mouth and the nose of the user are housed in the breathing chamber ( 180 ) and the user's eyes are housed in the viewing chamber ( 170 ). 
     
     
         3 . The diving mask ( 10 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the diving mask ( 10 ) comprises a breathing tube ( 115 ) integral with the peripheral frame ( 110 ), said breathing tube ( 115 ) being in fluid communication with the breathing chamber ( 180 ). 
     
     
         4 . The diving mask ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the light source ( 151 ) of the light communication module ( 150 ) comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes ( 1511 ) forming the light source ( 151 ) of said light communication module ( 150 ). 
     
     
         5 . The diving mask ( 10 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein the light communication module ( 150 ) is housed in a sealed case, said case being fixedly attached to the peripheral frame ( 110 ), the light-emitting diodes ( 1511 ) of the light communication module ( 150 ) being fixed to the diving mask ( 10 ) according to a communication surface located on the periphery of the watertight case. 
     
     
         6 . The diving mask ( 10 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein the light-emitting diodes ( 1511 ) of the light communication module ( 150 ) are fixed to the diving mask ( 10 ) on a communication surface located at the periphery of the peripheral frame ( 110 ) of said diving mask ( 10 ). 
     
     
         7 . The diving mask ( 10 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein the light-emitting diodes ( 1511 ) are located on two side edges of the diving mask ( 10 ), the light-emitting diodes ( 1511 ) located on a first lateral edge of the diving mask ( 10 ) being configured to emit the light signal in first communication directions located on a first side of said diving mask ( 10 ); and the light-emitting diodes ( 1511 ) located on a second lateral edge of the diving mask ( 10 ) being configured to emit the light signal in second communication directions located on a second side of said diving mask ( 10 ). 
     
     
         8 . The diving mask ( 10 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein the light-emitting diodes ( 1511 ) of the light communication module ( 150 ) are fixed to the diving mask ( 10 ) on a communication surface ( 158 ) located at the periphery of the breathing tube ( 115 ) of said diving mask ( 10 ). 
     
     
         9 . The diving mask ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , in which the electronic control card ( 156 ) of the light communication module ( 150 ) is configured to control all the light-emitting diodes ( 1511 ) of said light communication module ( 150 ) in a parallel and/or synchronized manner. 
     
     
         10 . The diving mask ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the telecommunications system ( 190 ) comprises a plurality of photoreceptors ( 152 ) electrically connected to the electronic control card ( 156 ) in order to demodulate a light signal received by said photoreceptors ( 152 ). 
     
     
         11 . The diving mask ( 10 ) according to  claim 10 , wherein each photoreceptor ( 152 ) is located adjacent and alternately with one of the light-emitting diodes ( 1511 ) of the light communication module ( 150 ). 
     
     
         12 . The diving mask ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , in which the telecommunications system ( 190 ) comprises a microphone ( 157 ) and a loudspeaker ( 154 ) connected to the electronic control card ( 156 ) of the light communication module ( 150 ) by means of a wired link. 
     
     
         13 . An underwater light communication method ( 200 ) using an underwater communication system, said underwater communication method comprising the following steps:
 an acquiring step ( 201 ) of a sound signal through a microphone ( 157 ) of an underwater communication system;   an encoding step ( 202 ) of the sound signal into a digital control signal of a light source ( 151 ), the encoding step being performed by an electronic control card ( 156 ) of the underwater communication system;   a controlling step ( 203 ) of the light source ( 151 ) to emit a light signal in a plurality of communication directions around the underwater communication system, an amplitude of said light signal being modulated according to the digital control signal.   
     
     
         14 . The underwater communication method according to  claim 13 , wherein said method comprises the following steps:
 a receiving step ( 204 ) of the light signal by a photodetector ( 152 ) of the underwater communication system;   a decoding step ( 205 ) of the light signal into a decoded digital signal, the decoding step being performed by the electronic control card ( 156 ) of the underwater communication system;   a generating step ( 206 ) of a sound signal by means of a loudspeaker ( 154 ) of the underwater communication system.   
     
     
         15 . An underwater communication system comprising means configured to implement all the steps of the underwater communication method according to  claim 13 .