Dive Computer Incorporating Stored Dive Site Information

Abstract

Dive computers in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed that store information concerning a dive site. The stored information can be accessed during the dive to provide information concerning such things as points of interest and/or hazards. One embodiment of the invention includes a processor, memory connected to the processor, a pressure transducer connected to the processor and configured to measure depth, and a display connected to the processor. In addition, the memory contains factual information concerning a dive site, and the processor is configured to display at least a portion of the stored factual information concerning the dive site via the display.

1 . A dive computer, comprising:
 a processor;   memory connected to the processor;   a pressure transducer in communication with the processor;   a display in communication with the processor;   clock circuitry in communication with the processor;   a compass in communication with the processor; and   an input device in communication with the processor;   wherein the memory contains information concerning a dive site; and   wherein the processor:
 measures depth information using the pressure transducer while the dive computer is underwater; 
 measures heading information using the compass while the dive computer is underwater; 
 obtains a timestamp using the clock circuitry in response to receiving a user instruction to store data using the input device while the dive computer is underwater; 
 generates dive site information comprising the heading information and the obtained timestamp in response to the received user instruction while the dive computer is underwater; and 
 generates a dive log comprising the depth information and the generated dive site information while the dive computer is underwater. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dive computer of  claim 1 , wherein the memory comprises a removable non-volatile memory. 
     
     
         3 . The dive computer of  claim 1 , wherein the processor further:
 obtains location information, where the obtained location information is based on the location of the dive computer within the dive site;   retrieves factual information from the memory based upon the obtained location information;   generates a graphical user interface displaying at least a portion of the factual information concerning the dive site and provide links to additional data relevant to locations indicated via the display, where at least one link is a reference to information stored using the memory;   displays a prompt based on the at least one location and a portion of the factual information, where the prompt requests confirmation of the location of a portion of the factual information based on the at least one location and the obtained location information; and   estimates the location of the dive computer in response to the confirmation of the location via the displayed prompt based on the obtained location information and the location of the confirmed portion of the factual information.   
     
     
         4 . The dive computer of  claim 3 , wherein the factual information comprises at least one location and an additional piece of information describing the at least one location. 
     
     
         5 . The dive computer of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the processor obtains location information; and   the dive log comprises at least one piece of location information.   
     
     
         6 . The dive computer of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the dive computer further comprises a comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver in communication with the processor; and   the processor obtains the location information using the GPS receiver.   
     
     
         7 . The dive computer of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the processor further estimates the location of the dive computer while underwater; and   the dive log further comprises the estimated location of the dive computer.   
     
     
         8 . The dive computer of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the dive computer further comprises an impeller in communication with the processor;   the processor obtains speed information using the impeller; and   the dive site information further comprises the speed information.   
     
     
         9 . The dive computer of  claim 1 , wherein
 the dive computer further comprises a communications port; and   the processor further transmits the dive log using the communications port.   
     
     
         10 . The dive computer of  claim 9 , wherein the communications port comprises a wireless transceiver. 
     
     
         11 . The dive computer of  claim 9 , wherein the communications port comprises a wired transceiver. 
     
     
         12 . The dive computer of  claim 1 , wherein the processor further determines the dive computer is underwater using the pressure transducer. 
     
     
         13 . The dive computer of  claim 1 , wherein the dive computer can be connected to a personal computer using the communications port. 
     
     
         14 . The dive computer of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the dive computer further comprises a removable non-volatile memory;   the removable non-volatile memory stores the dive log; and   the removable non-volatile memory is readable by a personal computer.   
     
     
         15 . The dive computer of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the dive computer further comprises a waterproof housing; and   the memory, the processor, the clock circuitry, the compass, and the input device are contained within the waterproof housing.