Underwater navigation system

Abstract

An underwater navigation system for indicating a return direction from an underwater return position to a starting position includes a processor and a power source, a three-dimensional compass, a timer, a water speed sensor and a display interfacing with the processor. The processor is adapted to determine a direction of the starting position relative to the underwater return position based on data received from the three-dimensional compass, the timer and the water speed sensor.

1 . An underwater navigation system for indicating a return direction from an underwater return position to a starting position, comprising:
 a processor;   a power source interfacing with the processor;   a three-dimensional compass interfacing with the processor;   a timer interfacing with the processor;   a water speed sensor interfacing with the processor;   a display interfacing with the processor; and   wherein the processor is adapted to determine a direction of the starting position relative to the underwater return position based on data received from the three-dimensional compass, the timer and the water speed sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a calibration button interfacing with the processor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a home button interfacing with the processor and adapted to cause the processor to determine the direction of the starting position relative to the underwater return position. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an SD card connector interfacing with the processor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said speed sensor comprises a speed sensor assembly and a speed sensor cable connecting the speed sensor assembly to the processor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said speed sensor assembly comprises an assembly housing, a magnetic coil provided in the assembly housing and connected to the processor and a plurality of sensors provided in the assembly housing and connected to the processor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising an excitation source connected to the processor and wherein the magnetic coil is connected to the excitation source. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising a high-gain amplifier connected to the plurality of sensors, a phase sensitive detector circuit connected to the high-gain amplifier, a null circuit connected to the phase sensitive detector circuit, an amplifier connected to the null circuit and a filter connected to the amplifier and the processor. 
     
     
         9 . An underwater navigation system for indicating a return direction from an underwater return position to a starting position, comprising:
 a navigation system assembly comprising:
 a printed circuit board; 
 a processor provided on the printed circuit board; 
 a power source interfacing with the processor; 
 a three-dimensional compass interfacing with the processor; 
 a timer interfacing with the processor; 
 a water speed sensor interfacing with the processor; 
 a display interfacing with the processor; and 
 wherein the processor is adapted to determine a direction of the starting position relative to the underwater return position based on data received from the three-dimensional compass, the timer and the water speed sensor; and 
   a waterproof system housing enclosing the navigation system assembly.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a plurality of display supports extending from the printed circuit board and wherein the display is carried by the display supports. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a plurality of compass supports extending from the printed circuit board and wherein the three-dimensional compass is carried by the compass supports. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising an attachment clip provided on an exterior surface of the system housing. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a calibration button interfacing with the processor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a home button interfacing with the processor and adapted to cause the processor to determine the direction of the starting position relative to the underwater return position. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising an SD card connector interfacing with the processor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a receiver interfacing with the processor and a transmitter interfacing with the speed sensor and adapted to transmit transmission signals to the receiver. 
     
     
         17 . An underwater navigation method, comprising:
 providing a diver starting position;   having a diver swim away from the diver starting position;   monitoring a diver swim speed of the diver;   monitoring a three-dimensional swim direction of the diver away from the diver starting position;   monitoring a diver swim time;   having the diver arrive at a diver return position;   determining a diver return direction required for the diver to return to the diver starting position from the diver return position using the diver swim speed, the three-dimensional swim direction and the diver swim time; and   indicating the diver return direction.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein providing a diver starting position comprises providing a dive boat. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein indicating a diver return direction comprises providing a display and indicating the swim direction by providing at least one arrow on the display. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising having the diver swim from the diver return position to the diver starting position along a substantially straight return path.