A diving simulation system

Abstract

A freediving simulator system 10 comprises a virtual reality headset 14, a wearable device 18 and a central processing unit 12. The wearable device is arranged to monitor a biometric parameter of a user whilst the virtual reality headset is worn. The information from each device is received by the central processing unit and analysed to monitor a user’s reactions. The biometric parameters may be selected from breathing rate, heart rate, and blood oxygen concentration. The system may include a wrist worn device for monitoring a user’s biometric data. The headset and wearable device may be hermetically to allow for submerging under water. The system may also include a harness provided to hold the user in a fixed position and a bladder-containing wearable device for simulating underwater compression.

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for simulating diving, particularly in relation to freediving. Background to the Invention Freediving is an activity in which a person holds their breath whilst underwater diving, rather than using breathing apparatus. Freediving may be recreational or competitive. Examples of competitive freediving include constant or variable weight apnea or free immersion apnea (diving to the furthest vertical depth), dynamic apnea (swimming the furthest horizontal distance underwater), synchronised swimming, underwater football and hockey. Recreational freediving activities include shellfish collecting and spearfishing. Risks associated with freediving often involve a lack of oxygen due to breath-holding, for example asphyxia or hypoxia, the latter which can lead to hypoxic blackout when surfacing. Clearly, if one loses consciousness during freediving, this can lead to drowning. Various techniques can be learned and practised for freediving in order to increase the time spent under the surface of the water, for example, an apnea walk, which is good for training the body to work in anaerobic conditions; however, it does not mimic the feeling of being submerged in water. Undertaking training for freediving without proper instruction can lead to poor technique and, in addition, being unfamiliar with the underwater environment can lead to surprise, fear and shock, which can be fatal when freediving, particularly if one gasps when submerged. Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a freediving simulator system comprising: a virtual reality headset; a wearable device; and a central processing unit; wherein the wearable device is arranged to monitor at least one biometric parameter of a user whilst the virtual reality headset is worn, and wherein the information from the two devices is received by the central processing unit and analysed to monitor a user’s reactions. In order to properly undertake training techniques in freediving, the present invention relates to a system that can be used to more accurately mimic submersion in water and, at the same time, monitor biometric parameters of a user to ensure safety. A further advantage of monitoring biometric parameters is that an instructor can identify what techniques may be of particular benefit to the user, thereby creating a more effective training system. Thus, the present invention provides an immersive freediving experience that allows a person to more properly train in freediving techniques. The monitoring of the user’s biometric parameters can identify when the user may need to adapt their technique in order to improve their time underwater. The arrangement may be used in a dry environment, whilst allowing the user to feel as though they are freediving by providing a visual, and optionally aural, experience akin to that of being underwater. Therefore, the user can train in what it will be like to be under the surface of water whilst being monitored to see how their body reacts. Additionally, the system can be employed in a wet environment, for example, a pool or in the sea, to give a more realistic freediving experience in which the user not only has the visual and aural experience, but they can also feel water on their skin, thereby making the training process more realistic, without the need for deep water or a large pool. It is preferred that the biometric parameter monitored is selected from at least one of a group comprising: breathing rate; heart rate; and blood oxygen concentration. By monitoring one or more of the aforementioned parameters, the user’s physiological condition can be monitored to reduce the risk of injury. For example, by monitoring heart rate and blood oxygen levels, it is possible to remove the user from the simulation before significant hypoxia occurs. In one arrangement, the biometric parameter is monitored by a wrist-worn device. This device, which may be in the form of a watch, allows for relatively simple measurement of the user’s oxygen concentration levels and heart rate. Alternatively, or additionally, the device may be in the form of a chest strap, ankle strap or other wearable device. Advantageously, the system further comprises controllers that can be attached to a user’s hands or wrists, and it is more advantageous that the controllers each comprise an accelerometer to determine movement of the controllers. These controllers may be in the form of handheld devices or gloves, and they can be provided to allow the user to control some element of their surroundings and / or to interact with the visual representation shown on the headset. In a preferred embodiment, the virtual reality headset and the wearable device are hermetically sealed to allow them to be submerged in water. By sealing the headset and wearable, they can readily be submerged in water to enable the user to feel water on them whilst training in freediving techniques. It may be particularly useful to provide a harness to hold the user in a fixed position. By holding the user in a fixed position, the system can be used in a relatively small space. Furthermore, the aerobic activity undertaken by the user can provide a more realistic experience by increasing the heart rate and carbon dioxide production that occurs during freediving. Various other components may be applied to the user to provide a more accurate simulation of the freediving. For example, in one arrangement, a user may wear one or more bladder-containing wearables. The bladder-containing wearables may be in the form of straps or bands that can be worn, for example, on the chest, arms and / or legs. Alternatively, the bladder containing wearable may be in the form of a suit, for example a wetsuit, that can provide a compressive force on the user’s body, thereby mimicking the increase in pressure on the user when diving in water. Such straps or suit may be provided with a plurality of bladders therein that can be filled with fluid to provide a compressive and / or restrictive force on the user. Preferably, the bladders are filled with the same water as that in which the user is immersed in order to avoid a significant increase in buoyancy. This allows the system to provide some degree of simulation of diving without needing to have deep water available. An advantage of using the present system is that the user can be exposed to the threats and experiences of freediving in a relatively safe environment. For example, the user can be exposed to being faced with sea creatures in the simulation to assess their reactions and to train the user to be more comfortable when faced with new experiences of this type. Brief Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with the present invention. Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments Figure 1 shows a system 10 comprising a central processing unit 12, which may be in the form of a computer or a smartphone. A virtual reality headset 14 is connected to the central processing unit 12, with the headset 14 providing a visual experience for the user. In addition to the headset 14 being connected to the central processing unit 12, controllers 16 and a wearable device 18 are also in communication with the central processing unit 12. The wearable device 18 is, preferably, in the form of a watch that monitors the user’s heart rate and oxygen concentration levels, although a chest strap may be provided as part of the wearable 18 in order to monitor the user’s breathing rate. Optionally, the headset 14 may be provided with headphones to provide aural accompaniment to the visual experience. It will be appreciated that the headphones may be provided separately from the headset 14 in some arrangements, with the headphones then being controlled by the central processing unit 12 to ensure synchronization with the visual display in the headset 14. A compression simulating device 20 is provided, which is in the form of wearable elements or a compression suit. The compression device 20 has bladders contained therein that are filled with water in order to increase the feeling of pressure on a user. To that end, the compression device 20 is provided with a pump to add or remove water from the bladder, thereby increasing or decreasing the pressure on the user. In order to train for freediving, the user puts on the headset 14 and the biometricmonitoring wearable device and the user then holds or attaches the controllers 16. Thereafter, depending upon the situation, the user can be immersed in water whilst a simulation is displayed on the headset. The user is then exposed to a simulation of freediving to monitor their biometric responses. A trainer can guide the user through a freediving experience to assist with improving the user’s breathing and moving technique. When deemed useful, the user may be connected to a harness so that the user can use swimming techniques whilst being held in position, thereby allowing the trainer to monitor the user’s swimming techniques without having to keep up with them. This also serves to reduce the risk of injury to the user when they are wearing the headset in water, because they cannot see obstacles whilst wearing the headset. Where a compression wearable is worn, the central processing unit 12 can operate the compression mechanism to simulate the effects of pressure increase when diving under the surface of water. Thus, the user can feel an increase in pressure on them as a result of the simulation. It may be advantageous for the user to initially experience the freediving simulation without immersion in water, and once the user is comfortable with the simulation system, they can progress to using the system in water. In one arrangement, the wearable device for monitoring a biometric parameter may be a mouthpiece or a neck collar that can be used to monitor the biometric parameters. It will be appreciated that the connections between the central processing unit and the other elements of the simulation system may be wired or wireless.

Claims

1. A freedi vi ng si mul ator sy stem compri si ng:a virtual reality headset;a wearable device; anda central processing unit;wherein the wearable device is arranged to monitor at least one biometric parameter of a user whilst the virtual reality headset is worn, and wherein the information from the two devices is received by the central processing unit and analysed to monitor a user’s reactions.

2. A freediving simulator system according to claim 1, wherein the biometric parameter monitored comprises at least one of a group comprising: breathing rate; heart rate; and blood oxygen concentration.

3. A freediving simulator system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the biometric parameter is monitored by a wrist-worn device.

4. A freediving simulator according to any preceding claim, wherein the system further comprises controllers that can be attached to a user’s hands or wrists.

5. A freediving simulator system according to claim 3, wherein the controllers each comprise an accelerometer to determine movement of the controllers.

6. A freediving simulator according to any preceding claim, wherein the VR headset and the wearable device are hermetically sealed to allow them to be submerged in water.

7. A freediving simulator system according to any preceding claim, wherein a harness is provided to hold the user in a fixed position.

8. A freediving simulator system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system further comprises at least one bladder-containing wearable item.17 01 25AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:-Claims1. A freediving simulator system comprising:a virtual reality headset;a wearable device; anda central processing unit;wherein the wearable device is arranged to monitor at least one biometric parameter of a user whilst the virtual reality headset is worn, and wherein the information from the two devices is received by the central processing unit and analysed to monitor a user’s reactions;wherein the system further comprises at least one bladder-containing wearable item arranged to mimic the increase in pressure on the user when diving in water.

2. A freediving simulator system according to claim 1, wherein the biometric parameter monitored comprises at least one of a group comprising: breathing rate; heart rate; and blood oxygen concentration.

3. A freediving simulator system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the biometric parameter is monitored by a wrist-worn device.

4. A freediving simulator according to any preceding claim, wherein the system further comprises controllers that can be attached to a user’s hands or wrists.

5. A freediving simulator system according to claim 3, wherein the controllers each comprise an accelerometer to determine movement of the controllers.

6. A freediving simulator according to any preceding claim, wherein the VR headset and the wearable device are hermetically sealed to allow them to be submerged in water.

7. A freediving simulator system according to any preceding claim, wherein a harness is provided to hold the user in a fixed position.

8. A freediving simulator system according to any preceding claim, wherein the bladder of the bladder-containing wearable item is connected to a source of water.LDCM

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