Mouthpiece apparatus for measurement of biometric data of a diver and underwater communication

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a system, apparatus and methods for measurement of biometric data of a diver. In many embodiments, the system includes a mouthpiece having a sensor device comprising a light emitter and detector configured to emit and detect light at a wavelength having an absorbance correlated with a level of a blood gas saturation e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, CO2. The emitter is positioned to emit light onto oral tissue of the diver and the detector positioned to detect light which is received from the oral tissue either by transmittance of light through the oral tissue or by reflection of light from the tissue. The target oral tissue can include one or both of gum or buccal tissue. Such embodiments allow data to be collected without having to wear additional sensors or measurement devices and allow for measurement of blood gas levels as the diver breaths through their mouthpiece.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 457,456, filed Apr. 26, 2012, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 479,265 filed Apr. 26, 2011, entitled “MOUTHPIECE FOR MEASUREMENT OF BIOMETRIC DATA OF A DIVER AND UNDERWATER COMMUNICATION”, which priority applications are hereby fully incorporated by reference for all purposes. Said Ser. No. 13 / 457,456 also claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 237,912, filed Sep. 20, 2011, entitled, “DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING AND COMMUNICATING BIOMETRIC DATA OF A DIVER”, which priority application is fully incorporated by reference for all purposes[0002]This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 231,881, filed Sep. 13, 2011, entitled, “SELF-PROPELLED BUOY FOR MONITORING UNDERWATER OBJECTS”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 352,249 filed Jan. 17, 2012, entitled, “APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UNDERWATER VOI...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a wearable mouthpiece and system for measuring and communication of biometric data of a diver. It allows the diver to speak and have two way voice communication with other divers and surface ships without having to remove their mouthpiece and without having any other specialized equipment. It also allows the diver to hear audio messages from an underwater electronic device. The mouthpiece has a sensor device that can measure blood gas levels using light emitted and detected by the diver's oral tissue. The mouthpiece is flexible and resilient to maintain physical and optical contact with the diver's oral tissue during movement. The technical effects of the invention improve the divers' safety and diving experience by allowing the divers to stay focused on their task and / or underwater environment, without having to look at a display or gauge. It also allows the divers to hear the sounds of underwater marine life as well as the sounds of surface crafts and the music they are listening to while diving.

Problems solved by technology

Since the early days of SCUBA diving with Jacque Cousteau, communication between SCUBA divers has been an issue.

As a result, a series of hand signs have been developed but these only cover a very limited number of messages and cannot quickly get the other divers attention in critical situations.

Various underwater graphical display devices have also been developed, but these have the same limitation.

So, the diver's natural diving position is not conducive to monitoring a visual alert on their wrist or elsewhere (e.g., arm or waist).

Acoustic alarm systems have been developed but they are not voice based and can only communicate a limited number of messages which require the diver to understand an alarm code.

Also, none of these devices provide for communication between divers and a surface craft such as the dive boat (the boat which supports the divers).

Further none of these devices provides for communication between divers who are not in very close proximity.

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