RU2732848C1 - Information input and display device for use under water - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: input devices.

SUBSTANCE: device for input and display of information for use under water comprises a waterproof housing, a cholesteric liquid crystal screen, a stylus for inputting information by acting on an upper layer of the screen, electronic components for providing operation of screen, comprising reed switch or hall sensor, wherein screen and electronic components are isolated from water with possibility of contact with water of at least part of upper layer of screen, and stylus comprises magnet.

EFFECT: technical result is to provide input and display of information under water by using a cholesteric liquid crystal screen by directly affecting the screen.

1 cl, 3 dwg

Description

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

The invention generally relates to information input and display devices. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the creation of an underwater information input and display device that can be used underwater to make various recordings: texts, drawings, images of visually perceptible information.

In underwater activities, divers often need to make records (for example, record a dive profile, dive parameters and conditions), draw (for example, a dive site diagram), and exchange information (messages) with other divers.

For these purposes, plastic tablets (slates) are usually used, which have a working surface for taking notes and drawing with a pencil, and such devices are usually called "slate (English - slate), diving board". They can have a plastic work surface and a lead pencil.

However, erasing the recorded information can take a long time, since it is carried out due to repeated exposure to the working surface of the slate by friction. In addition, after repeated use, traces inevitably remain on the working surface, which reduce the quality of subsequent recordings. Also, the pencil shaft may break, making it impossible to continue recording information underwater and may affect the quality of the dive and its safety.

It is also known to implement a similar device with a rewound plastic tape forming variable parts in the screen window, US Pat. USA 7264477 publ. 2007 This device is completely mechanical and does not contain elements of a tablet computer with all the ensuing consequences.

Also, divers can use magnetic tablets (slates), for example, https://scubares.com/innovative-scuba-concepts-quest-underwater-slate-is-magnetic-erasable/. The disadvantages of using magnetic tablets are their size, weight, as well as too large and unregulated line thickness (regardless of the pressure on the stylus). Often, with repeated use of such a tablet, residues of magnetic powder are formed on the screen, which reduce the quality of the reproduced information. Also, if you lose a special stylus-pencil, the ability to continue using the device disappears. When diving to a depth of more than 10 meters, the quality of recordings on such a device is significantly reduced and the lines become almost invisible.

Known electronic mobile device for recording underwater according to US patent 5956291 publ. 1999, which discloses a device containing a waterproof case, an embedded dive computer, a digital camera, a ship locator, a sound reproduction system, a screen, a digital electromagnetic pen, and a module for wireless transmission of information to other devices. In this case, the electromagnetic pen is connected to the device with a wire through a plug connection. Information is introduced not by pressure on the working surface of the screen, but by using a digital electromagnetic pen with subsequent processing of the digital signal and converting it into images displayed on the screen.

The disadvantage of this technical solution is a complex production process, including the installation of a large number of components, increased power consumption due to the use of an illuminated screen, microprocessors and a digital electromagnetic pen, the presence of an external power source located on the diver's weight belt, connection of the digital electromagnetic pen to the body. Moreover, if such a pen is damaged or lost, the introduction of information becomes impossible. In addition, the use of metal elements, additional modules, an external power supply and a glass screen leads to a significant increase in the device's weight and cost.

Also known is the technical solution according to published US patent application 2005/0110765, publ. 2005, which discloses a device of a similar purpose and principle of use, comprising a waterproof case, a dive computer, a liquid crystal screen containing a writing (working) surface made over the entire area of the screen or as part of the screen, and an electronic unit that automatically adjusts the distance from the upper layer of the writing surface to the glass screen depending on the pressure. In this case, the distance between the top layer of the writing surface and the screen is no more than 0.005 inches (0.013 cm). The disadvantage of this solution is the need to use an electronic unit that regulates the pressure of the water column when immersed to a depth applied to the glass screen, and a pressure sensor, which significantly complicates the production process and increases the final cost of the device. In addition, the presence of a built-in dive computer in this device in many cases seems redundant, since most divers use separate individual dive computers, and its presence in the device under consideration significantly increases its weight, which makes using the device specifically for recording underwater inconvenient. Also, it is quite obvious that a large number of additional components inevitably leads to increased energy consumption.

The closest analogue of the proposed invention is a technical solution according to published US patent application US 2016/0313769, which describes a device containing a liquid crystal screen placed in a sealing structure. At the same time, in this device, the screen and electronic components are completely protected by a sealing structure, which contains a transparent part (window) for visual access to information on the screen. The concept of this technical solution is aimed at creating improved isolation of all internal parts of the device from the aqueous environment, and it is even recommended to do double or multiple sealing for the best protection of elements, including the screen inside. In this case, according to the description, information is input through the audio input. No other ways of entering information have been disclosed. The disadvantage of this technical solution is a decrease in the contrast of the screen, due to the addition of a layer of a sealing structure (window), as well as the lack of the possibility of entering information by directly affecting the screen with the stylus.

Thus, there is a need to create a simple and reliable device for input and display of information for use under water, in which there would be no need to regulate the pressure acting on the working surface of the screen when the depth of immersion changes, there would be no need to use additional electronic components, including a special an electronic stylus and low power consumption.

There is also a need to create such an input and display device for use under water in which the operating screen would provide input of information with a stylus, and with a large number of erasing cycles, as well as adjusting the line thickness depending on the force of pressing the stylus on the screen.

At the same time, it is necessary to ensure the most simple and convenient erasing of information from the screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the task of creating a simple information input and display device for use under water, in which, due to the use of a cholesteric liquid crystal screen, it is possible to input information under water by directly acting on the screen. In addition to this, the problem is being solved to ensure the possibility of quick and convenient erasing of information from the screen by using a hall sensor or a reed switch instead of a control button.

The technical result of the invention is that it was possible to successfully use the known cholesteric liquid crystal screens for entering and displaying information under water by placing them in a waterproof case having an open part into which a cholesteric liquid crystal screen is sealed, the upper layer of which is in contact with water. Another result is the ability to erase information from the screen through the use of a hall sensor or reed switch, powered by a magnet, located, for example, directly in the stylus.

These problems are solved by means of an input and display device for use under water, containing a cholesteric liquid crystal screen, and the screen and electronic components containing a hall sensor or a reed switch are isolated from water so that at least part of the upper layer of the screen can come into contact with water, and the function erasing is activated by magnetically acting on the hall sensor or reed switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

With the understanding that the accompanying drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the invention, and therefore are not considered as limiting the scope of its protection, the invention will be described and explained with additional specification and detail, using the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a general view from the side of the screen of an underwater input and display device according to the invention in assembled form.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the device including the rear of the housing.

FIG. 3 shows a part of a stylus containing a magnet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a general view of the device for input and display of information under water in assembled form from the side of the screen 2. The drawing shows the housing 1 with the front part 5 of the housing 1.

As it was shown in the description of devices related to the prior art, the main problem was the lack of the possibility of using screens under water with direct contact of the screen surface with water.

Numerous attempts have been made to find a suitable device in which the screen would remain operable by direct contact of water with the surface of the screen.

Quite unexpectedly, it was found that a cholesteric liquid crystal screen can remain operational when used underwater at a depth of at least 40 meters, which, however, has never been used under water in direct contact with water.

A prerequisite for the use of such devices under water is to ensure their complete tightness from water and air ingress, and thus protect the internal elements of the device from the effects of ambient pressure.

If air or water gets inside the device, it will essentially be impossible to enter information by acting on the screen, for example, with a stylus, under water due to the presence of cavities filled with air and / or water penetration, including between the plates of the screen, which will lead to a short circuit of electrical contacts of the device and the failure of the screen, with increasing depth, the air pressure in the cavities increases, which leads, among other things, to deformation of the screen, and also often of the case. The unique properties of cholesteric screens allow them to be used under water, with direct contact of the top layer of the screen (working surface) with water.

In principle, drawing devices based on cholesteric liquid crystals are known, for example https://myboogieboard.com/pages/products. These devices allow you to enter information by acting on the screen with a stylus or other hard object, including a fingernail. However, no one has previously attempted to use such devices under water, especially when the screen is in direct contact with water.

This device contains a housing, an LCD screen, and electronic components, including an electronic circuit board and battery, electrically connected to the screen, and a stylus. The device works thanks to the unique property of cholesteric liquid crystals, in which crystals flow at different speeds, depending on the direction of pressure (anisotropic flow). When a thin film of cholesteric liquid crystals is placed between two sheets of specialized plastic, the anisotropic flow forces the molecules to arrange themselves to reflect light where the stylus touches the plastic sheet and flexes it. The liquid crystals are surrounded by polymer columns that control flow for superior line clarity. The written image is retained until it is erased by pressing a button that activates the creation of an electric field (creation of an electric pulse). In electronic erasure, a burst of electric field rearranges the molecules so that they are less reflective.

In the proposed device, the control button is replaced by a hall sensor or reed switch, which makes it possible to erase information by applying a magnet to the body at the location of the hall sensor or reed switch.

Reference number 4 in FIG. 1 indicates a place for applying a magnet that activates the function of erasing the information applied by the stylus 3 from the screen. Any hard object can be used as stylus 3 that can transmit pressure to the screen without damaging it. In this case, for ease of use, the magnet can be placed directly in the stylus.

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the device, including the back cover 6 of the housing 1, the stylus 3, and the battery compartment cover 7 containing at least one O-ring (not shown).

FIG. 3 shows a part of the stylus 3 containing the magnet 8. When the stylus is brought to a special place for applying the magnet 4, the function of erasing from the screen 2 is activated. This design allows the most convenient and quick way to erase information from the screen, without additional manipulations.

The information input and display device was tested when working under water at a depth of 40 meters at a water temperature of +28 degrees. Under these test conditions, the device was fully functional throughout the entire test cycle, consisting of 10 dives, each 45-60 minutes long.

The claimed device for input and display of information under water is light in weight, easy to manufacture and convenient for creating and erasing notes, records and drawings under water, and has low power consumption.

Claims (2)

1. A device for input and display of information for use under water, comprising a waterproof case, in the cavity of which a cholesteric liquid crystal screen is installed, and electronic components for ensuring the operation of the screen, a stylus mounted on the case for inputting information by mechanical action on the upper layer of the screen, and means for erasing the information displayed on the screen, while the screen and all electronic components to ensure its operation, installed inside the case, except for at least a part of the upper layer of the screen, are isolated from water. 2. The device according to claim. 1, in which the means for erasing the information displayed on the screen is made in the form of a reed switch or a hall sensor installed in the cavity of the body, and a magnet installed in the stylus.

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