RU2593462C1 - Information means for water-based recreation (versions) - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: communication.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to user mobile devices, namely, to an information device configured to be held onto the water surface. For this purpose the device comprises a sealed housing with a display, a power supply source, a data processing and storage processor and an interface for communication with external devices. Herewith the device is made with neutral or positive buoyancy, the ability of holding the vertical position with the display up and viewing objects through the water layer using a video camera or video cameras mounted in the housing on the side reverse to the display and/or on a support and/or towed behind the information device, and the data processing and storage processor is configured to reduce the impact of distortions caused by the water layer.

EFFECT: technical result is provision of underwater viewing, as well as access to information whenever the user is on water.

12 cl, 7 dwg

Description

The invention relates to the field of designing household electronic devices and computing tools and can be used for water recreation, tourism and sports.

Known personal computers for divers based on mobile phones in a sealed design, for example, according to US Pat. USA 2013027541, INC H04N 7/18, Jan 31. 2013. The device contains a microprocessor and a microphone and speaker connected to it, a transceiver, a memory, a display, and an interface for connecting external devices. Such an information tool has a built-in GPS-navigator and is primarily used to compile a report on the diver’s movement and to monitor its status (see also US Pat. No. 2011096633, Apr. 28, 2011, G01F 23/18; H04B 11/00).

The main disadvantage of such devices is the inconvenience of using on the surface not for monitoring and reporting, but for relaxing, exchanging information, observing the bottom, when moving on water, etc.

There are also various sealed boxes for cameras and cameras, including with additional modules that expand their functions, for example, US patent US 20140104447 A1, H04N 5/225, 04.17.2014. But these devices, solving the narrow tasks of improving the cameras placed in them while preserving the original purpose of obtaining and storing images, are not intended to solve specific tasks of exploitation in the water area and are not information tools with a wide range of functions oriented for recreation on the water.

Closest to the proposed is a tablet phone, made in a waterproof and shockproof case (http://www.mobipukka.ru/2013/09/19/zashhishhennyj-4-yadernyj-planshet-telefon-7-dyujmov-j-pad/ )

This information tool is not so much intended for relaxing on water, but can be used on water, being protected from it. It contains a sealed enclosure, display, power supply, 4-core data processor, communication interface with external devices. The interface, processor, and power supply are housed in a housing, one face of which is the display. The power source is connected to the power circuits of the data processor, communication interface and display in a known manner, as is the case on the ipad, any other tablet or smartphone, the processor, interface and display are also connected: the input and output data buses of the data processor are connected to corresponding interface buses, other output information buses of the data processor are connected to the corresponding inputs of the display.

Of course, if we go deeper into the tablet circuitry, we will find new blocks and connections: a video processor, a charging unit, a modem, memory (see, for example, http://www.ixbt.com/news/hard/index.shtml?16 / 78/96). Therefore, in order not to overload the description with well-known solutions and options proposed, hereinafter we will assume that, speaking about the information tool, we mean a tablet, laptop, smartphone - a device, a tool that can receive and transmit information, process it, display on display, interact with the user and similar means, for which it has full, i.e. functionally necessary and sufficient, a set of elements, blocks, nodes.

In other words, in order to characterize the essence of the proposed solution and its difference from the known one, we assume that any known construction, block diagram of a tablet or smartphone can be used in it.

Let us also explain that, speaking of the information medium, we mean mobile, that is, made with the possibility of convenient movement in the hands, pocket, briefcase, on a swimming vehicle, etc.

It is important to understand that it is not necessary that all the elements, blocks and nodes that ensure the functioning of the information tool are located in one place, in its building and in close proximity to the user. For example, all or one of the cameras can be carried out to a swimming facility, ashore, fixed on the user's clothes, etc. The same applies to various sensors (speed, position, etc.).

That is, speaking about the information medium, we mean that all necessary and sufficient elements, nodes and blocks are in interaction in accordance with their purpose and connection, and their essential part, in particular the display, is located in the body of the information medium.

The disadvantages of the known solutions stem from the low suitability for recreation on the water. This is the possibility of losing the device, poor image quality when water gets on the display, in addition, the well-known tool is not selective for coastal and rescue services, it is practically unsuitable for studying the bottom, recognizing water hazards, etc.

Thus, the technical result expected from the use of the invention is to reduce the time of access to information when the user is on the water, increase safety, improve the quality of water recreation due to the availability of new information about the environment, water area, etc. Other tasks addressed in the proposal will be clear from the following description.

This result is achieved by the fact that the floating information means for rest on the water, containing a sealed enclosure, in which there is a display, a power source, a data processing and storage processor and a communication interface with external devices, the display being part of the surface of the sealed enclosure is made with neutral or positive buoyancy, the ability to hold the vertical position with the display up and observe objects through a layer of water using a video camera or video cameras installed in a housing with on the side, the back display, and / or on the support, and / or towed behind the information means, and the data processing and storage processor is configured to reduce the influence of distortions introduced by the water layer.

In addition, the floating information tool can be configured to move across the surface of the water toward the user in automatic mode or at his command.

At the same time, in a floating media, the video camera can be made with backlight.

In this case, the data processing and storage processor can be configured to recognize objects and display information about them stored in the processor or obtained from external sources.

It is also advisable to perform a data processing and storage processor with the ability to recognize dangerous objects and display warnings about them in priority.

Moreover, in the latter case, the floating information tool can be configured to automatically exchange hazard data with coastal services and / or similar information tools in the region.

And finally, in a floating media, the video camera can be equipped with a locator.

In this case, the locator can be made acoustic, with the possibility of information exchange.

Further, the floating information tool can be configured to compensate for distortion of the image on the display when drops or a layer of water get on it, tilt relative to the vertical, change the distance to the user's eyes.

In addition, in the floating information medium, the housing can be made with the possibility of fixing on the surface of the swimming means.

And finally, the floating information tool can be equipped with a video camera or video cameras mounted in the housing from the side facing the user and / or on the support, and / or towed behind the information tool and connected to a data processing and storage processor, which is capable of analysis the state of the user, the formation of an alarm in the event of a deterioration in his condition and the broadcast of the specified signal to the coastal services and the surrounding associated information tools.

In addition, in a floating information medium, the data processing and storage processor and the communication interface with external devices can be configured to duplicate information from a third-party device on the entire display or part thereof, in at least one of the operating modes.

In other words, a display with appropriate means of exchanging information and processing it can be performed and used as a protected and in the immediate vicinity of the user substitute for an expensive and less secure gadget hidden in a sealed and inaccessible place or left, for example, on the shore. In this case, the means of receiving and processing data are performed with the possibility of duplication (repetition) of information from a third-party device (gadget, personal computer, etc.) on the entire display or part thereof, in at least one of the operating modes.

Thus, in addition to all other functions, the device can provide for the operation of a remote headset of other devices, as well as a receiving unit for signals from various sensors of physiological parameters, which is important for ensuring safety on the water.

It should be understood that the processor can generate an alarm not only on the basis of analysis of user behavior, gestures and facial expressions, but also according to data from external devices, for example, about the pulse and pressure that come through the interface from sensors located in the fitness bracelet electronic patch attached to clothing, etc. The display can show numbers and graphs of physiological parameters, allowing, for example, to dose physical activity, and at the same time these processed values can be displayed in the interface. Also, exchange with external related information tools is carried out through the appropriate interface.

The implementation of a floating information tool with neutral or positive buoyancy can mean that it floats on the surface independently, or that the body has fixed elements that support it afloat, active or passive.

In the same way, to maintain the “display up” position, passive means can be used, for example, floats around the perimeter of the hull and a load (ballast) in the center, fixed below the level of water and floats, as well as active ones (which is especially important for neutral buoyancy), for example the same movers that are used to follow the mark, can be made with the possibility of rotation around the horizontal axis, and therefore, create a tilting (restraining from tipping) moment.

The “display up” position should not be taken literally, since it refers to a rather arbitrary angle to the vertical when the device is on the surface or near the surface under water - convenient for the user whose eyes are above the surface of the water. In addition, the device may have two or three displays placed, for example, on the faces of the pyramidal casing (or inside such a transparent casing at a certain angle), then “up” means “facing the user”, “protruding above the water”, etc. .

Its implementation with the ability to move along the surface of the water towards the user in automatic mode or at his command means that when the case is equipped with water-jet or other micromotors and if the user has it (for example, on a bracelet, on the neck, in the form of an electronic patch, etc. .) of the corresponding label, the floating information tool automatically tries to be near such a label (floating in a parallel course or simply compensating for drift by waves). An image from one of the cameras, where the user and, for example, objects on the shore, or GPS coordinates, or the position of the Sun, taking into account time, can also be used as a mark. For this purpose, a well-known homing system can be used, used not only in military equipment, but also in robotics and consisting of a sensor of a certain physical quantity, directly or indirectly related to the user's position, distance to him, and autopilot - a system for processing data received from the sensor (receiver) and generating a control signal to the engines and steering wheels. Active homing systems, in addition to the receiver, also have a transmitter (emitter) - a device that emits sounding signals and irradiates them with a target (in this case, a user or a tag). The sensor in this case is configured to receive echoes reflected from the target. Passive systems use the energy directly emitted by the target (tag). For data processing, a processor for processing and storing data is used. If the floating information tool responds to the user's voice (whistle, gesture), then the distance is reduced at his command, while the floating information tool is equipped with a signal receiver (microphone, video camera), and the information received from the receiver is analyzed in the data processing and storage processor signal, and the processor controls the micromotors. All necessary tools and algorithms for this are described in well-known information sources, for example, JPS 58108600 (A), G10L 15/00, 1983-06-28.

The possibility of observing objects through a layer of water is based on the fact that digital image processing is performed in a data processing and storage processor using known algorithms (see, for example, IS Gruzman and others. Digital image processing in information systems: Novosibirsk: Publishing house of NSTU, 2002. - 352 pp.) In combination with a mobile information tool, it allows you to achieve two goals: to clearly see the bottom and objects beneath you, detaching from noise, clearing the field of view, increasing contrast and color saturation, as well as eliminate distortions that may be caused by the uneven composition of the aquatic environment and the air gap when the floating information tool moves or even is not on the surface of the water, but in the hands of the user.

In addition, a real image can be combined with a synthesized one: the bottom topography and deeply located archaeological objects, for example, are graphically synthesized and displayed according to the current GPS coordinates, and the flora and fauna in the near layers of water - as an overlay of the processed real image from video cameras on it. Moreover, for the image obtained from the depth for the user located on the surface, a range correction is advisable, eliminating the influence of a high refractive index of water. In this case, the vision will not have to adapt and the distances to objects under water will be perceived adequately (the same as to objects above the surface).

In addition, the use of well-known algorithms for smoothing out sharp changes or inhomogeneities along the display surface eliminates the short-term influence of drops or a thin layer of water on the screen, and the use of the feedback circuit from the tilt sensor to the data processing and storage processor allows the use of well-known algorithms for stabilizing the image position or its individual details on the display.

Image recognition algorithms, in turn, open up great opportunities for exploring the underwater flora and fauna. So, for example, a tourist floating on an inflatable mattress in tropical shallow water can receive from a nearby information medium not only information about the names of all the fish swimming under it, but also, at the same time, information about their lifestyle, habits, uniqueness, or, conversely, prevalence in other regions; and a child swimming nearby in arm ruffles or a life buoy - about the tales of the peoples of the world these wonderful marine inhabitants participate in. In addition, the presence of the function of storing the processed image and zoom allows you to view the details of images of objects with the necessary magnification and even create a collection of such images for both subsequent viewing and exchange through interface channels with similar devices located nearby in real time.

And finally, speaking about the possibility of fixing the hull on the surface of the floating means, we have in mind various kinds of grips, fastenings, "Velcro", which would allow to securely fix the hull on the board or the bottom of the boat, so that the display is constantly in front of the user's eyes, and hands are free.

The essence of the proposal is illustrated in FIG. 1-7.

In FIG. 1-3, a first embodiment of a floating information medium is shown, more specifically, a section of its structure, and in FIG. 2 is a block diagram. The floating information means comprises a housing 1, a display 2, means 3 for maintaining neutral or positive buoyancy, for example, a rectangular (in the shape of housing 1) float chamber located around the perimeter of housing 1 and filled with air. This tool is necessary if the housing 1 and display 2 have a combination of negative buoyancy. Reference numeral 4 denotes a support, in the cavity of which load 5 is placed. Since it is below means 3, display 2 is always facing the user, and the video camera 6 mounted on support 4 is toward the bottom.

The processor 7 for processing and storing data is placed in the housing 1 together with a display 2 and an interface 8 for communication with external devices, designed to receive and transmit information from external sources and communicate with sensors not included in the processor 7. The blocks included in its composition , such as random-access and permanent storage devices, a video controller, etc., are indicated by 9. And finally, by 10, a power source is indicated, connected via power buses to blocks 7-9. Along the perimeter of the housing 1 can be located micromotors 11, guiding the floating information tool after the label placed on the user.

The sensor 12 of the distance to the mark is located in the housing 1, for convenience, the micromotor control circuit 11 is shown in FIG. 3. Information from the sensor 12 through the interface 8 enters the processor 7, which on the basis of that information generates a control signal supplied through the interface 8 to the micromotors 11. The algorithm of the processor 7 in this part is such that those micromotors 11 are turned on, which guide the housing 1 towards the user. If it is, for example, water-jet micromotors 11, then from the side opposite to the user. When the minimum fixed distance is reached, the micromotors 11 can be switched off.

In the embodiment of the floating media shown in FIG. 4, the video camera 6 is towed behind the housing 1 by means of flexible communication 13, which is an insulated power and data cable for the camera 6 and the light source 14.

In FIG. 5 shows a block diagram (algorithm) of distortion compensation, object recognition, display 2 information about them. The image from the video camera 6 is filtered in the image processing unit 15 (it is accumulated, adjacent images are analyzed in order to identify and remove "suspensions" of points uniformly distributed and motionless relative to the water, to detect and compensate for unevenness in the field caused by differences in the composition and temperature of the water layers, and etc., it is possible to use known image processing algorithms). Next, the cleaned image enters the recognition unit 16, which through the interface 8 can be connected to external or additional data sources located in the processor 7, so that due to the information stored in the block 16 itself, as well as in the processor 7 and the Internet, block 16 it recognizes objects, including representatives of flora and fauna, supplements them with names and useful information, identifies dangerous objects and situations and transfers all received information to a screen image forming unit 17, which has information bnym way for the user on the display.

If the video camera 6 is supplemented with a locator (a sonar, not shown in the drawings), then when analyzing dangerous situations, the information received from it on the distance and speed of approach with obstacles, swimmers, sea lions, etc. In addition, the locator can be made acoustic, that is, with an emitter and receiver of sound or ultrasound, the latter can transmit and receive information, for example, by modulating the signal, being connected to the processor 7 for processing and storing data. Such an exchange can be carried out both with similar information tools, and with other devices and even with representatives of the marine fauna (for example, the emitter can scare off sharks).

It is clear that upon detection of especially dangerous objects, such as poisonous fish or sharks (the latter, even when out of sight, can be determined by such indirect signs as the rapid movement of shadows, the behavior of other representatives of the fauna, etc.), the display an alarm, and coastal services are notified of the danger. This happens according to the algorithm already described along the circuit 16-8-16-17 (2), that is, recognition in block 17, exchange with coastal services and external sources of information via interface 8, prioritization and generation of messages (including sound, information output to display 2 also involves the output of the corresponding signal to the speakers of a floating information medium), data transfer to block 17 and through it to display 2.

Actually, the same algorithms and flowcharts can be used in a floating information tool to compensate for distortions caused by drops or a layer of water on the display surface, tilt relative to the vertical, change the distance to the user's pupils. Consider them sequentially.

If the floating information tool lies on the bottom of the boat or is mounted on a swimming board, splashes may periodically fall on the display surface, and a wave may roll. Such local or short-term obstacles to the light flux cause local or short-term image distortions, which block 15 can filter by comparing images that are close in place or time and filtering out local or short-term changes.

To compensate for tilting, rolling, and distance to the eyes, an inclination sensor installed in the housing 1 and connected to the compensation unit 18 via the interface 8 (Fig. 6) and a distance sensor of the display 2 from the eyes of the user installed in the plane of the display 2 and also through interface 8 connected to block 18. In this block, when the distance is increased, the image sizes are scaled (increased), this facilitates the reading of information when moving away from the surface of the display 2 (we are talking primarily about textual information). Similarly, when a tilt occurs, in block 18 in antiphase, the guiding cosines of those portions of the image on the display 2 are changed, for which it is necessary to maintain the apparent location in the horizontal plane.

The presence of sound and ultrasonic emitters and receivers can be used in addition to an active location system and proximity with a person (user) both for signaling and underwater communication with similar devices. In addition, the fact that representatives of the underwater fauna respond to ultrasound of an appropriate range and duration can be used.

Being on water is fraught for a person with a number of dangers, not only external, but also caused by his own condition. In view of this, in addition to the standard methods of human communication with the device (via the menu buttons, voice communication, etc.), it is useful to analyze the information on the dynamics of human movement, as well as facial expressions and oculomotor activity, if the latter are available in the field of view of the video camera facing the user (not shown in the drawing). Based on this, conclusions can be made about well-being, degree of adequacy, state of panic, etc. Of course, these methods do not exclude the simultaneous use of information from various sensors of physiological parameters placed on the human body (in the form of a bracelet, an adhesive patch, modules built into the swimming suit, etc.) and connected through interfaces with the information tool, and in it through an interface 8 with a processor 7 configured to analyze the user’s state, for which purpose an algorithm is put into it to compare the received primary data with normal for a person or a specific user spruce up. Such a solution allows for better monitoring of the condition and provides greater security in critical situations.

And finally, the possibility of fixing the housing 1 on the surface of the floating means can be realized by performing it with various kinds of clamps, spring-loaded grips, holders. An example of a spring loaded grip is shown in FIG. 7. The user retracts the spring-loaded grips 19 located on the housing 1 (the cocked position of the grippers 19 is shown by a dashed line), and, lowering it to the surface of the swimming board 20, releases the grippers 19, which take their working position under the action of the spring (shown by a solid line). The swimming board may have a marking and a hole for the camera 6.

Since the use of a floating information medium is also intended to be carried out at shallow depths where low-frequency radio waves penetrate, for communication with other devices it is advisable, for example, to use a short-wave interface set-top box to gadgets left on the shore or as a floating buoy that converts signals to standard Wi- Fi

It is also important to emphasize that the proposal involves not only the use of the independent options described above in the presentation of the essence of the proposal and the examples, but also all possible combinations, for example, the execution of a product with positive buoyancy and, at the same time, the ability to compensate for the effects of turbidity of water and splashes on the screen surface, and also with the ability to warn the user about the appearance of a shark, etc.

Thus, the proposed tool, which is also used as a “window” for peeping under water, with great information capabilities and, at the same time, safety functions, can be convenient and useful for use by athletes and tourists using all types of small swimming equipment, and also swimmers, scuba divers and children.

Claims (12)

1. Floating information tool for relaxing on the water, containing a sealed enclosure in which there is a display, a power source, a data processing and storage processor and a communication interface with external devices, the display being a part of the surface of the sealed enclosure, characterized in that it is made with neutral or positive buoyancy, the ability to hold the vertical position with the display up and to observe objects through a layer of water using a video camera or video cameras installed in the housing from the side, tnoj display and / or on a support, and / or towed vehicle for information, and the data processing and storage processor is configured to reduce the effect of the distortions introduced by the water layer. 2. Floating information tool according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made with the possibility of moving on the surface of the water towards the user in automatic mode or at his command. 3. Floating information tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the video camera is made with backlight. 4. Floating information tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the data processing and storage processor is capable of recognizing objects and displaying information about them stored in the processor or obtained from external sources. 5. Floating information tool according to claim 4, characterized in that the data processing and storage processor is configured to recognize dangerous objects and to display warnings about them in priority. 6. Floating information tool according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to automatically exchange hazard data with coastal services and / or similar information tools in the region. 7. Floating information tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the video camera is equipped with a locator. 8. Floating information tool according to claim 7, characterized in that the locator is made acoustic, with the possibility of information exchange. 9. Floating information tool according to claim 1, characterized in that it is arranged to compensate for image distortions on the display when drops or a layer of water get on it, tilt relative to the vertical, change the distance to the user's eyes. 10. Floating information tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing is made with the possibility of fixation on the surface of the swimming means. 11. Floating information tool according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with a video camera or video cameras installed in the housing from the side facing the user and / or on the support, and / or towed behind the information tool and connected to the processing and storage processor data, which is configured to analyze the state of the user, generate an alarm in the event of a deterioration in his condition and broadcast the specified signal to the coastal services and the surrounding associated information tools. 12. Floating information tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the data processing and storage processor and the communication interface with external devices are capable of duplicating information from a third-party device on the entire display or part thereof, in at least one of the operating modes.

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