NL1042598B1

NL1042598B1 - Apparatus for the enclosure of a device for observation of swimmers in a pool

Info

Publication number: NL1042598B1
Application number: NL1042598A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Schanssema Beng Mba Marko Phd
Original assignee: Schanssema Beng Mba Marko Phd
Priority date: 2017-10-17
Filing date: 2017-10-17
Publication date: 2019-04-24

Abstract

The apparatus according to the present invention provides a versatile watertight enclosure for a wide variety of mobile devices that include a camera, such as for example mobile phones or tablet computers, with means for changing the camera position and for changing the position of the watertight enclosure inside a pool by remote control. In addition to embodiments of the apparatus that are fixed to for example the wall of a swimming pool, the invention also comprises embodiments of the apparatus that are floatable and comprise propelling means for moving them around in a pool. In several embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention the apparatus enables a camera to be moved from just above or under the water surface downward and vice versa. By installing more than one apparatus according to t he·invention with camera devices inserted in them along the perimeter of a pool, and/or by utilizing a propellable embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention essentially any position inside the pool can be observed closely.

Description

APPARATUS FOR THE ENCLOSURE OF A DEVICE FOR OBSERVATION OF SWIMMERS INAPOOL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of methods and systems for observing swimmers in apool. The observation of swimmers in a pool may be desirable for multiple reasons,such as for example safety, entertainment or swimming skills training purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Underwater observation systems for pools as such are not new. However, suchsystems according to the prior art have several limitations or disadvantages.Installation of such a system is costly and the number of cameras in systems accordingto the prior art is generally too small to capture images of swimmers in every spot inthe pool. As a results these systems are usually only installed in a limited number ofpools and, hence, not available to for example the vast majority of swim coaches fortraining and coaching of their pupils. Furthermore, due to the small number ofcameras in systems according to the prior art it is impossible to obtain close-up imagesof swimmers throughout the pool. A previous paten t application of the applicant of thepresent patent application discloses a method and a system that uses the camera ofone or more wireless mobile devices, such as for example mobile phones and tabletcomputers, as observation cameras for the observation of swimmers in a pool.However, that system still lacks an effective and economical watertight enclosure withmeans of moving the cameras or mobile devices inside the enclosure and/or means formoving the enclosure inside a pool by remote control for changing the observationangles in order to enlarge the observable area of a pool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus according to the present invention provides a versatile watertightenclosure for a wide variety of mobile devices that inciude a camera,, such as forexample mobile phones or tablet computers, with means for changing the cameraposition and for changing the position of the watertight enclosure inside a pool byremote control. The invention comprises an embodiment of the apparatus that Isfloatable and comprise propelling means for moving it around in a pool. In theembodiment of the apparatus according to the invention the apparatus enables acamera to be moved from just above or under the water surface downward and viceversa. By installing more than one apparatus according to the invention with cameradevices inserted in them along the perimeter of a pool, and/or by utilizing apropellable embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention essentially anyposition inside the pool can be observed closely.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent fromthe following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic rear view of a propellable embodiment of the apparatusaccording to the invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the propellable embodiment of the apparatusshown in a rear view in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus according to the invention is well suited for application in a swimmerobservation system, hereinafter also referred to as 'SOS', for example, for judging the performance of swimmers in a pooi, which allows enhanced coaching during training,ultimately resulting in optimum sportsman performance in a competitive setting.

Such an SOS can deliver real-time video images of the performance of the sportsmanor sportswoman being observed, which can be stored electronically for immediate orfuture use/review. Contrary to most of the known observation systems SOS does notuse a set of fixed dedicated cameras, but, instead provides the flexibility to use thecamera of a plurality of mobile electronic devices, such as for example a tabletcomputer or a mobile phone, as the cameras for the system which can be installedtemporarily at any desired position in any desired number in and around a pool.

In an embodiment the SOS comprises a plurality of cameras (for example cameras oftablets and/or mobile phones), each of which is contained within a watertight casing,which can be placed detachably at various positions in or in the direct vicinity of apool. The casing may be fixed to the supporting structure/wail of the pool, above orbelow the water surface, if required, the watertight casings and hence the cameras canbe rotated and/or tilted and/or shifted in order to provide more options for followingswimmer movement.

The apparatus according to the invention comprises a water tight casing that issuitable for incorporation in for example an SOS as described above. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to theinvention. In this embodiment the apparatus comprises a main casing body 1, a casingtop compartment 16, a casing bottom compartment 3 and a casing window 4. As anillustration of a possible camera position FIG. 1 shows a camera 14 in the vicinity of themiddle position behind the window 4 inside the casing. While in the embodimentshown in FIG. 1 the transparent casing window 4 has a width that is smaller than thewidth of the apparatus, the invention envisages that the transparent window 4 cancomprise the entire relevant panel of the apparatus. The window 4 may, for example,be made of a transparent polycarbonate such as the polycarbonate marketed underthe brand name Lexan®. The camera 14 shall be construed to symbolise any mobiledevice that includes a camera and wireless communication means to transmit picturesor videos to another, mobile or stationary, device for further processing, interpretation or storage. Hereinafter, such a device that indudes a camera, such as for example amobile phone or a tablet computer, may also be referred to as a 'camera device',in the embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention the window 4, or atleast the part of the window through which the camera inside the apparatus has tocapture images, comprises optical measures to compensate for the light refraction bythe window material in order to ensure the possibility of focusing the lens of thecamera properly on people and objects in the pool. In an embodiment such an opticalmeasure comprises a transparent foil coating on the window or on a part thereof.Another applicable optical measure to influence the refraction of light comprisesshaping the surface of the material of the window for example by milling, either acrossthe entire surface or just along a strip that corresponds with the travel path of thecamera device in the apparatus. FIG. 1 is a rear view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the inventionshowing internal components of the apparatus. In this embodimentthe apparatuscomprises a fixed bearing plate 6 with a bearing, for example a ball bearing 2, fixed inor on the plate, whereby the bearing allows a spindle 7 to rotate with low friction, inaddition, the spindle may be supported vertically by the fixed bearing plate. A suitable type of spindle is for example a spindle with trapezoidal thread. Further, theapparatus comprises a dynamic camera mounting plate 8. in the embodiment shownin FIG. 1 and 2 the dynamic camera mounting plate 8 is sandwiched between twonuts, of which one nut 9 is non-rotatably connected to the dynamic mounting plate.The thread of the nut 9 is engaged with the thread of the spindle 7.

In this embodiment the shape of the dynamic camera mounting plate 8 is such that theplate cannot rotate in its own plane inside the casing. Therefore, rotation of thespindle 7 will cause the nut 9 and the dynamic camera mounting plate 8 to move in thelongitudinal direction of the spindle 7, i.e. upward or downward in the situationdepicted in FIG. 1 and 2, depending on the rotational direction of the spindle. In thisembodiment the dynamic camera mounting plate 8 and/or the internal parts 15a and15b of the casing along which the dynamic camera mounting plate slides when itmoves up and down are made of HMPE (high molecular weight polyethylene). This material has a very low coefficient of friction, thereby limiting the required power andhence power consumption for the movement of the dynamic camera mounting plate.In the remainder of this description and/or in the claims the term 'camera mountingmeans' may be used to refer to a dynamic camera mounting plate 8 including the nut 9or to any other type of support structure that enables attachment of a camera deviceto it and that comprises threading for engagement with the thread of the spindle 7. Asdescribed an embodiment of the dynamic camera mounting plate 8 comprises a shapethat prevents it from rotating in its own plane inside the casing of the apparatusaccording to the invention. However, the invention envisages that in the embodimentthe camera mounting means comprise an anti-rotation element which in this contextincludes the option of being attached to, for example a bracket that can slide in a rail15a and 15b up and down in the apparatus upon rotation of the spindle. The inventionincludes any other embodiment of anti-rotation measures or means that preventrotation of the camera mounting means while allowing the camera mounting means tomove up and down in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus according to theinvention.

The rotation of the spindle 7 is effectuated by an actuator, such as for example anelectric motor 10, that can rotate the spindle both clockwise and counter-clockwise. Inthe embodiment shown schematically in FIG. 1 and 2 the electric motor is a DC motorpowered by for example two 12 Volt rechargeable batteries. For the sake of clarity ofthe drawing the terminals of the batteries 12, wiring between the batteries and themotor and the support system of the motor have not been included. The batteries canbe charged by connecting them to a suitable external electric power source, such asfor example a charger, through a charging connection 13 that is mounted in anexternal surface of the apparatus, such as for example the bottom surface of thecasing bottom compartment 3, hereinafter also referred to as the bottom batterycompartment. Alternatively, the apparatus may also comprise an electric power cord,hereinafter also referred to as a charging connection, that may be plugged directly intoa power outlet in the vicinity of the pool in which the apparatus is used. In the lattercase a charger that converts the AC voltage of the power from the grid into 12 Volt DC power for charging of the batteries may be located in the battery compartment of theapparatus according to the invention.

The embodiment of the apparatus as shown in FIG.l and 2 also comprises two microswitches Ila and 11b for switching off the motor when the dynamic camera mountingplate 8 reaches respectively its top and bottom position. Instead of micro switches it isalso possible to use proximity switches or any other suitable type of switches and/orsensors for this purpose. Hereinafter, such switches which break the electrical contactwhen the dynamic camera mounting plate 8 reaches its top or bottom position mayalso be referred to as limit switches.

In FIG. 2 a mobile device 14 (viewed from the side), such as for example a mobilephone or tablet comprising a camera is attached to the dynamic camera mountingplate. The invention envisions the use of any suitable means of attaching the mobiledevice 14 to the dynamic camera mounting plate 8. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of the apparatus according to theinvention as shown schematically in back view, there is a gap between the mobiledevice 14 and the transparent window 4 of the apparatus. However, the invention alsocomprises embodiments in which the mobile device is in direct sliding contact with thewindow. In such a case the window material may be selected from a group oftransparent polymers with a very low coefficient of friction . FIG. 1 shows a schematic rear view of the floatable embodiment of the apparatusaccording to the invention. In the embodiment the apparatus comprises a watertightenclosure, whereby the apparatus can float in the water of the pool and can bepropelled to move around the pool. Compared to the embodiments that werediscussed above, the present embodiment comprises an additional compartment 16 atthe top of the apparatus, hereinafter also referred to as the propulsion compartment16. This embodiment of the apparatus further comprises an electrically drivenpropeller 17a and 17b on either side of the propulsion compartment. In anembodiment the electric power for the propellers is supplied by one or both of thebatteries 12 located in the battery compartment. In the embodiment the propulsioncompartment 16 comprises one or more dedicated batteries 12 for the propellers 17a and 17b. The propellers are operated by remote control. The controls include thefunctionality of operating each of the propellers in two modes, respectively aclockwise and a counter-clockwise rotational mode, wherein the rotational directionand the rotational speed of each of the propellers can be selected and controlledseparately. This enables an operator to maneuver the apparatus through the waterand position the apparatus very accurately in any position in the pool as needed forthe intended observation by using a remote control unit. In addition to propelling theapparatus in the water of the pool the propellers can also be operated in a mode thatcompensates the tendency of the floating apparatus to rotate in a horizontal plane, forexample due to the waves created by swimmers. In this mode, which can beautomated by means of control hardware and software, the propellers are able toprevent unwanted rotation of the apparatus in a horizontal plane which ensures thatstable images can be captured by the camera of the apparatus. Also with the aim ofobtaining more stable camera images, the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and 2 furthercomprises an electrically driven gyroscope 18. This feature compensates unwantedrotation of the apparatus in vertical planes. Like the propellers the electrically drivengyroscope can either be fed electrically by the batteries 12 located in a batterycompartment 3 or by one or more batteries that may be installed in the propulsioncompartment 16. The apparatus comprises all the required electrical and electroniccomponents, including for example printed circuit boards and processors if and whererequired, to control the wireless communication means, including both one or moretransmitters and/or receivers, and the actuating devices, such as the electric motor 10,the propellers 17a and 17b and the electrically driven gyroscope 18. The inventionincludes the possibility to position the required electrical and electronic hardware atany position inside the apparatus that is deemed suitable or practical. FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the propellable embodiment of the apparatusshown in a rear view in FIG. 1. Of course, the position of the propeller as shown inFIG.l and 2 is just one example of the possible positioning of the propeller. In principle,the propellers can be positioned anywhere on or close to the external surface of the apparatus as long as they can perform the function of propelling the apparatus when itis floating in water.

For the operation of the communication means the apparatus may comprise anantenna 19, that is shown in FIG. 1 and 2 and that, hereinafter, may be referred to as aremotely controlled extendable antenna. In the embodiment the antenna alsocomprise means that allow the antenna to be pointed in a desired direction for thebest communication results by remote control in addition to the means for extensionor withdrawal of the antenna. This antenna may hereinafter also be referred to asremotely controlled pointable antenna. In this embodiment the antenna comprises asignal light 20, for example a LED signal light, at or in the immediate vicinity of its topend. The signal light. 20 emits light when the electronic camera device that is enclosedin the apparatus is active.

Claims

An apparatus for observing swimmers and objects below the water surface comprising a watertight housing (1) provided with a top cover (16) and bottom cover (3) for water-tight enclosure of a movable camera device (14), characterized in that the apparatus comprises a screw thread comprising spindle (7) and an electric motor (10) which allows the spindle to rotate, wherein the camera device (14) is detachably directly or indirectly attached to a camera support structure with a threaded nut (9) attached to the camera support structure, which is engaging the thread of the spindle (7) whereby rotation of the spindle results in the camera support structure moving longitudinally of the spindle, and wherein the device comprises a gyroscope (18) and propellers (17a, 17b) which water can move in all directions in the horizontal direction.

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spindle (7) is rotatably supported by a fixed bearing plate (6) in which a ball bearing (2) is received and is guided in the up and down movement by a dynamic camera mounting plate (8) ) which is in physical contact on the left and right-hand sides on the inside of the device with two polymers to determine the exact stripe.

Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device comprises a transparent window (4).

Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the transparent window (4) comprises measures to compensate for the refraction of light by the material of the window.

Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises one or more rechargeable batteries or batteries (12).

Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the device comprises a charging connection (13).

Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises two limit switches (11a, 11b).

Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a strip (15a, 15b) with a low coefficient of friction on the inner left and right sides of the device.

Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the low-friction coefficient polymer comprises high molecular weight polyethylene.

Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the camera support structure comprises an anti-rotation element.

Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device floats and is propulsive.

An apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the apparatus comprises on the sides of the apparatus independently of each other rotating electrically driven propellers (17a, 17b)

Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the propellers can be controlled independently of each other by means of a wireless remote control.

Device according to one or more of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the device comprises an electrically driven gyroscope (18).

Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises at least one remotely controllable extendable and / or directional antenna (19).

Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the antenna comprises a signal lamp (20).