Underwater Light Control via Acoustic Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater photography and videography lighting systems face challenges in remote control and adjustment due to limitations in radio frequency communication distances and the inconvenience of working with cables, which are prone to dislodgment and impairment.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing audible frequencies as control signals, where a sound generator on the camera housing sends coded sound waves through water to a microphone-equipped light assembly, allowing for convenient on/off and brightness adjustments without the need for wires, with the option to use mechanical or piezoelectric elements for frequency generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fiber optic cables are used to control lights, then control reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cable management challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based control system with an acoustic wave-based control system. Instead of using fiber optic cables that require physical connection and management, the invention uses sound waves transmitted through water to carry control signals from the camera housing to the lights, eliminating the mechanical connection complexity while maintaining reliable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium to transmit control signals between the camera housing and lights. Sound waves serve as the mediator that carries encoded control information through the water environment without requiring direct physical connection between components, thus simplifying the system while ensuring reliable signal transmission.
2Ease of operation
If RF wireless control is used, then ease of operation is improved, but control reliability deteriorates due to limited underwater transmission distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of signal transmission from electromagnetic waves (RF) to acoustic waves (sound). Sound waves propagate much farther and more reliably underwater than RF waves, allowing remote control functionality to maintain both convenience and reliability in the underwater environment by operating in the acoustic frequency range.
3Device complexity
If manual adjustment of lights is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to difficulty in reaching lights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the lights to automatically respond to acoustic control signals without requiring manual intervention. The lights self-adjust their operation based on received sound commands, allowing the diver to control multiple lights remotely without physically reaching each one, thus improving adjustment efficiency while keeping the control mechanism simple.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and reliable remote control of underwater lights, improving convenience and reducing costs by leveraging sound's superior travel speed in water, allowing divers to control lights spaced far from their camera with ease and precision.
Implementation Method 1
Sounds travel better underwater than in air, and about 4.5 times as fast. In the invention the light assembly is outfitted internally with a small microphone on a circuit board or connected through a circuit board interior to the light or light housing.
Implementation Method 2
The device could use a piezoelectric element or have electrical power to generate a wider range of frequencies from a digital circuit.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for underwater diving lights utilizes sounds of specific frequency emitted by action of a diver to control one or more remotely positioned diving lights.