BACKGROUND OP THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to the communications art, and more particularly, to an optical communicator for sending and receiving spoken communications underwater. 2. Background Art

The underwater world is an extremely difficult arena for communications of any kind. Radio signals are blocked after a short distance in the water. Sound signals are generally limited to sharp raps or clicks over short distances. Divers have, therefore, resorted to hand signals and movements of other parts of the body to communicate between each other. Communication of this type by its nature must by brief and basic. Yet communication between divers is absolutely essential. The hazards of underwater diving are so great that a buddy systems has been devised where two divers are always together and regularly check on each other at short intervals. To be effective, the divers must always remain close to each other to allow visual communications to take place. Independent action by one diver is not possible or safe. Elaborate signaling systems have been developed for communication between divers similar to sign language for the deaf. However, mastery of one of these systems is more difficult than mastery of a sign language systems for the deaf because of the loss of the mouth as a visual communication element. Further, none of the systems is widely practiced because of the difficulty of use. Whether simple or complex, all visual communication between divers is virtually eliminate under turbid or night time conditions. Direct wire telephone type equipment has

been developed for underwater use where the diver is in a helmeted suit connected to a surface tender by hoses and wires or where the person is in a mini-submarine similarly connected to the surface. Generally, direct wire communication is between the tender and the diver and not between divers on the bottom.

Therefore, currently available underwater communication techniques are inadequate for communications between divers not tethered to the surface. Communication between free floating scuba divers is generally limited to simple hand and body signals. The use of hand and body signals severly restricts spontaneous communication because visual contact must be established between the divers before communications can begin. Once contact is established, the conversation is generally very basic in content and is additionally limited by the visual clarity and light in the water. Consequently a need exists for improvements in underwater communication devices that allow spoken communications between divers who are not connected to each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an optical underwater communicator designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs. Each unit is self-contained allowing one diver to be completely independent of a surface tender or another diver. Since voice communication is the basis of the system, no limitation on expression is imposed as is the case with hand and body signals. Visual contact between divers does not need to be established before communication begins. Top and side optical emitters and sensors on the units allow communication in a side by side position. The use of infrared light as the light carrier medium by the

communicators makes the effective range between the units that of infrared light in water. Infrared light has a greater transmission range in water than visual light permitting communication at ranges greater than that allowed by hand and body signals.

The optical underwater communicator for the diver is incorporated into the diver's face mask thereby freeing his hands for swimming and other activities. The mask may be designed to cover all or a portion of the diver's face. The face mask defines an air envelop in front of the diver's face in which a microphone and a speaker are placed to pick up sounds made by the diver and send sounds to the diver, respectively. The communicator has three major electronic portions: a power supply, a transmitter means, and a receiver means. The microphone is part of the transmitter means which sends voice communications from the diver to another diver wearing a similar communicator. The speaker is part of ^' the receiver means which receives voice communications from another communicator unit. Both the transmitter and receiver means are powered by the electrical power supply which is located in a rubber portion of the face mask.

The transmitter means of the communicator takes the output electrical signal of the microphone and produces an amplified output signal in an amplifier. A modulator receives the amplified output signal and produces a modulated output which powers a light emitter located on the outer surface of the face mask to produce a modulated output light signal that is sent to another communicator. Both the amplifier and modulator are protected from the environment in the rubber portion of the mask.

The modulated output light signal from another communicator unit is detected by the receiver means of the communicator by a light sensor. The light sensor

produces a modulated electrical input signal that is fed to a demodulator to produce an audio input signal. An audio amplifier receives the audio input signal and amplifies the signal to provide an amplified audio input signal that is converted by the speaker into sounds heard by the diver. Both the demodulator and audio amplifier are protected from the environment in the rubber portion of the mask.

One of the features of the preferred embodiment is an emergency signal switch that controls an audio signal generator. If the diver finds himself in trouble, he can push the switch on his mask activating the generator to input an emergency signal into the amplifier of the transmitter means resulting in the production of a special modulated output light signal. The emergency signal continues even if the diver cannot talk or loses consciousness.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of three optical underwater communicators in accordance with the present invention in use between two scuba divers and a tender boat;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the optical underwater communicator; and FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of the electronic circuit of the communicator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURE 1, there is illustrated a perspective view of three optical underwater communicators, generally designated 10, 12, and 14, in accordance with the present invention. The communicators 10 and 12 are being worn by scuba divers 16 and 18, respectively, and the communicator 14 is hanging by a cable 20 from a tender boat 22 floating on the surface 24 of the ocean. A three way conversation is taking place between the scuba divers 16 and 18 and a person on the tender boat 22 as indicated by the arrows 26, 28, and 30. The scuba divers 16 and 18 are looking at each other with the communicator 10 pointed at the communicator 12. The divers 16 and 18 are supplementing their voice communications relayed by the communicators 10 and 12 with hand signals similar to hand signals used in normal conversation. The person on the tender boat 22 is also involved in the conversation through the communicator 14 even though the divers 16 and 18 are not looking at the tender boat 22 by means of emitters and sensors on the sides and tops of the communicators 10 and 12.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment, generally designated 32, of the optical underwater communicator which is identical to the communicators 10 and 12 in FIGURE 1. The communicator 32 includes a face mask 34 having a rubber portion 36 and a lens 38. The lens 38 is held in place in the rubber portion 36 by a stainless steel lens retainer 40. The rubber portion 36 includes a lens rim 42 and a skirt 44 with a seal 46 that fits against a diver's face. The face mask 34 is retained on the diver's head by means of a rubber or nylon strap 48 coupled to the right side 50 of the mask 34 by a stainless steel buckle 52. The strap 48 circles around the back of the diver's head to a similar buckle located on the left side 54 of the mask 34 that is not illustrated. The above elements of the face mark 34 are similar to elements of traditional scuba diving face masks.

The face mask 34 has an enlarged rubber portion 56 at the top 58 to allow the electronic components of the communicator 32 to be protected from the harsh sea water environment. The outer surface 60 of the front 62 of the face mask 34 has two emitter ports 64 and 66 in which are located light emitters such as infrared light emitting diodes which transmit modulated output light signals forward for receipt by another diver as indicated by the arrow 26 in FIGURE 1. The outer surface 60 of the front 62 also has two sensor ports 68 and 70 which contain two light sensors such as photoelectric cells for receiving a modulated input light signal from another diver as also indicated by the arrow 26 in FIGURE 1.

Similar emitter ports 72 and 74 and sensor ports 76 and 78 are located on the right side 50 and the top 58 of the face mask 34 to allow communications to the side and the top as represented by the arrows 28 and 30 in FIGURE 1 without the need for the diver to turn

toward the other diver or the tender boat. The side and top ports 72 through 78 also eliminate the need to gain the attention of the other diver prior to initiating a conversation as is required when hand signals are used. The safety of diving buddies is also significantly enhanced by the side and top ports 72 through 78 by the elimination of the need to periodically visually check on the other buddy to see if he is in trouble. Similar emitter and sensor ports are located on the left side 54 of the mask 34. Also located on the top 58 are plugs 80, 82, 84, and 86 that allow batteries to be slipped into the enlarged rubber portion 56 to an electrical power supply for the electronic components of the communicator 32. A microphone 88 and a speaker 90 are located in the air envelope created by the mask 34 on the diver's face. The air envelope allows the microphone 88 to be able to pick up sounds made by the diver. If the mask is of the type that covers only the eyes, the sounds made by the diver in his throat are conducted through his flesh and bones to the air envelope and then to the microphone 88. If the mask is of the type that covers both the eyes and the nose such as the face mask 34 represented in FIGURE 2, the sounds are conducted through his flesh and bones and to the air envelope and also directly through the air in his nose to the microphone 88. If the mask is a full face mask, the sounds pass directly through the air from his throat to the microphone 88. The speaker 90 operates in a similar manner. Sounds are produced by the speaker 90 in the air envelope that pass through the diver's flesh and bones to his ears.

An emergency signal switch 92 is located on the right side 50 of the mask 34 that allows the diver to activate an emergency signaling means in case of an emergency. A similar emergency signal switch is located

on the left side 54 of the mask 34 that is not illustrated. Once activated by the emergency signal switch 92, the signaling means continues even if the diver cannot talk or loses consciousness. Other divers are then alerted to the emergency and can come to the diver's aid.

FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of the electronic circuit of the present invention. The top half of the block diagram represents the transmitter means 100 for sending messages from the diver to another communicator. The bottom half represents the receiver means 102 for detecting messages from another communicator. In between and supplying power to both through lines 104, 106, 108, and 110 is an electric power supply 112. The transmitter means 100 includes a means for receiving sounds from the diver and producing a light signal modulated according to the sounds produced by the diver. The microphone 88 on the left picks up the sounds 114 made by the diver in the air envelope created by the mask 34 of FIGURE 2 on the diver's face. The microphone 100 creates an output electrical signal 116 that is amplified by the amplifier 118 to amplified output signal 120. A modulator 122 receives the amplified output signal 120 and produces a modulated output 124 that is utilized by a light emitter 126 to create a modulated output light signal 128 outside of the outer surface 60 of the mask 34. The light emitter 126 represents all of the emitters in the ports 64, 66, 72, and 74 illustrated in FIGURE 2. Any desired number of light emitters and ports may be incorporated into a communicator. A lens 130 may be utilized to focus the output of the light emitter 126. Preferrably, the light emitter 126 is an infrared light emitting diode which produces infrared light in a portion of the spectrum that is optimally transmitted by water. In this manner, the transmitter means 100 makes possible the sending of

messages from the diver to another communicator.

The receiver means 102 includes a means for detecting a modulated light signal from another communicator and producing sound waves from the modulated light signal and delivering the sound waves to the diver. A light sensor 132 such as a photoelectric cell detects the modulated light signals 134 that arrive outside of the outer surface 60 of the mask 34 from a communicator used by another diver or a tender boat as illustrated in FIGURE 1. A second lens 136 may be incorporated in front of the light sensor 132 to gather the light signals 134 from the other communicator and focus the signals 134 on the light sensor 132 to enhance reception. The light sensor 132 in FIGURE 3 represents all of the sensors in the ports 68, 70, 76, and 78 in

FIGURE 2. Any desired number of light sensors and ports may be incorporated into the communicator 32. Preferrable, the light sensor 132 is an infrared photodiode. The light sensor 132 produces a modulated electrical input signal 138 that is delivered to a demodulator 140 to produce an audio input signal 142. An audio amplifier 144 receives the audio input signal 142 and boosts the signal to provide an amplified audio input signal 146. The amplified audio input signal 146 is delivered to the speaker 90 that converts the electrical signal 146 into sound waves 148 inside the air envelope in front of the diver's face. In this manner, the receiver means 102 makes possible the detection of messages from another communicator. In addition to the regular functions of the communicator 32, the transmitter means 100 includes an emergency signaling means for creating an electronically generated signal and producing an infrared light signal modulated according to the electronically generated signal. The signaling means includes an audio signal generator 150 and the switch 92 for activating the audio

signal generator 150. The power supply 112 supplies power to the signal generator 150 through a line 152. When the emergency signal switch 92 is pushed activating the signal generator 150, an emergency signal 154 is created that is delivered to the amplifier 118 for amplification and processing by the remainder of the transmitter means 100. The production of a pulsed tone by the audio signal generator 150 at a set frequency is preferrable to optimize recognition by other divers and maximize the signal duration. The emergency signal 154 continues even if the diver cannot talk or loses consciousness.

The rubber portion 36 in FIGURE 2 is an integral part of the communicator 32. Sea water is a harsh environment for the electronic components depicted in FIGURE 3. All of the components and wiring •between the components that do not have to be exposed to the environment are sealed inside the rubber portion 36. Thus, the amplifier 120, modulator 122, power supply 112, demodulator 140, amplifier 144, and audio signal generator 150 are all entirely protected inside the rubber portion 36. Access to the power supply 112 is provided by the plugs 80, 82, 84, and 86 on the top 58 in FIGURE 2 that allow batteries to be slipped into the power supply 112. The microphone 88 and speaker 90 may or may not be sealed in the rubber portion 36 depending upon the choice of microphone 88 or speaker 90. The microphone 88 and speaker 90 must be protected from water because water invariably seeps into the mask 34 or is deliberately introduced into the mask 34 in order to clear the lens 38. If the microphone 88 or the speaker 90 has built in protection from water, the sound receiving or producing end may be located in the air envelope with the remainder embedded in and protected in the rubber portion 36. If the microphone 88 or the speaker 90 does not have built in protection, a thin

membrane of the rubber portion 36 is provided over the sound receiving or producing end to protect the microphone 88 or the speaker 90 from the water. Both the light emitter 126 and the light sensor 132 are embedded in the rubber portion 36 for protection. The light emitting or sensing ends of the light emitter 126 and the light sensor 132 may either be open to the water or covered by separate transparent windows across the ports 64 through 78. The lenses 130 and 136 in FIGURE 3 may be utilized for the purpose of providing protective windows.

In view of the above, it may be seen that an optical underwater communicator for a diver is provided that is entirely self-contained allowing one diver to be completely independent of a surface tender or another diver. The limitations on expression imposed by hand and body signals are entirely eliminated by the use of voice communications. In addition, top and side optical emitters and sensors allow communication in side by side positions without first establishing visual contact. The use of infrared light as the light carrier medium by the communicators makes the effective range between the units greater than the range provided by visual light. The incorporation of the electronics for the communicator into the diver's face mask eliminate the need for additional equipment, frees the diver's hands for swimming and other activities, provides protection for the electronic components in the rubber portion of the mask, and locates the microphone and speaker where needed for interface with the diver. Of course, the structure may be variously implemented and variously used depending upon specific applications. Accordingly, the scope hereof shall not be referenced to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, shall be determined in accordance with the claims as set forth below.