Surface-level buoy assembly for ethernet connectivity of a sub-surface mobile device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10414476-B2
Application number	US-201715829851-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 1, 2017
Priority date	Dec 1, 2016
Publication date	Sep 17, 2019
Grant date	Sep 17, 2019

Abstract

Exemplary systems enable operation of mobile devices underwater. Antennas on a buoy assembly allow a mobile device to maintain wireless communications. A series of cable segments connect a buoy assembly to a waterproof case capable of sealing a mobile device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An underwater mobile device system comprising:
a buoy immersed in a body of water, said buoy having a body substructure comprising:
a deck maintained on a surface of water, having a buoyant shape, said deck supporting a plurality of antennas and keeping said plurality of antennas just above the surface of the water to make said system capable of continually communicating signals from the mobile device to a receiving device;
a wing enabling buoyancy of said deck by correcting for lift forces as said buoy is pulled through the water, said wing having a hydrodynamic shape that levels said buoy and prevents said buoy from going underwater as it moves, said wing and said deck keeping said body substructure at a stable level in the water,
an upright mast connecting said deck to said wing and connected to a body, said upright mast maintaining said deck above a center of buoyancy, said wing positioned perpendicular to said upright mast and over said body, said body vertically underneath said wing with a front end along said upright mast;
a radio box supported underneath said body comprising a radio within said radio box, the radio enabling GPS and communications with the mobile device through a plurality of cables running from said plurality of antennas along said upright mast to the radio, wherein said plurality of antennas continually communicate signals sent from the radio;
a pull bar connected to said body, said pull bar freely pivoting and allowing an angle of said pull bar to change depending on a distance between a diver and the surface of the water, said pull bar being where a tether is connected to the diver, wherein the diver is connected to said buoy;

a reconfigurable waterproof cable connecting said radio to the mobile device contained within a waterproof case, said waterproof cable comprising: a 6 pin cable connected to the mobile device; a micro universal serial bus converter, a plurality of splices connecting a plurality of additional waterproof cables to increase the length of said waterproof cable, said waterproof cable connected to a power converter, said power convertor connected to a further length of waterproof cable, said further length of waterproof cable connected to a 19 pin connector, and the 19 pin converter connected to the radio, and wherein the 19 pin connector enables ethernet connectivity, audio connectivity, and IGUS ethernet connectivity; said waterproof case sealing and protecting the mobile device and permitting native operation of the mobile device, comprising:
an external connector wherein said external connector further comprises a water resistant in-line connector and a flange mounted connector,
a water resistant, flexible bondable cable;
a reconfigurable mobile device connector that is a micro universal series bus, wherein the reconfigurable mobile device connector provides adaptability to host different mobile devices;
a touchscreen extender interface screen that allows for magnetic interface with the mobile device and preserves capacitive touch capabilities of the screen and an external touch source;
a top plate cover comprising water seals and grooves capable of protective grip that holds, protects and secures said touchscreen extender interface screen and a top silicone gasket, said top silicone gasket creating a watertight seal and is capable of providing a baffle structure for said touchscreen extender interface screen, and is capable of positioning said top plate cover;
a top gasket that creates a watertight seal and is capable of preventing false button presses, holding said top plate cover, protecting said top plate cover, positioning said top plate cover, said water seals of said top plate cover, cushions said top plate cover, and electrically isolates said top plate cover,
a midplate capable of housing electrical wire and electrical cable through a mechanical carbiner loop, further comprising a handle, said handle providing easy grip for said waterproof case, and an insert outlay;
a bottom gasket capable of creating a watertight seal for a bottom plate, said bottom plate covering the bottom of said waterproof case, said bottom plate capable of removal for removing the mobile device from said waterproof case; and
a stylus case affixed to said waterproof case, said stylus case fitting around a stylus for enlarging the stylus, said watertight stylus case comprising: a cap, a top, a tube, an internal spring that pushes the stylus within said stylus case close enough to a foremost point of said stylus case to be capable of coming in close enough to the mobile device to allow mobile device touch screen functionality.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein the mobile device comprises a cell phone.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein the mobile device comprises a tablet.

4. A system as in claim 1 wherein said receiving device is a transceiver.

5. A system as in claim 1 wherein said waterproof case enables underwater control of the mobile device.

6. A system as in claim 1 wherein said waterproof case enables underwater communication with the mobile device.

7. A system as in claim 1 wherein said waterproof case enables underwater navigation with the mobile device.

8. A system as in claim 1 wherein said waterproof case enables full underwater capability of the mobile device.

9. A system as in claim 1 wherein said external touch source is a stylus pen.

10. A system as in claim 1 wherein said touchscreen extender interface screen is a fluid filled vessel.

11. A system as in claim 1 wherein said touchscreen extender interface screen is an air filled vessel.

12. A system as in claim 1 wherein said handle further comprises a one-way value capable of allowing air to be removed from said case.

13. A sub-surface mobile device system comprising:
a waterproof case comprising:
a top plate gasket forming a first central aperture and a first plurality of screw holes;
a sealing gasket forming a second central aperture and a second plurality of screw holes;
a middle plate forming an access aperture, a third central aperture, and a third plurality of screw holes;
a bottom plate forming a fourth plurality of screw holes;
a clear screen, wherein the clear screen is inserted between the front plate gasket and the sealing gasket such that the clear screen obstructs the first and second central apertures;
a plurality of screws,
wherein the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of screw holes are aligned;
wherein inserting the plurality of screws through the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of screw holes binds the top plate gasket, sealing gasket, middle plate, bottom plate, and clear screen together,
wherein the middle plate and bottom plate form a mobile device cavity;

a cable system with a first and a second end comprising:
a plurality of connecting cable segments; and
at least one splice connector electrically coupling the plurality of connecting cable segments with one of said at least one splice connector between each of connecting cable segment of the plurality of connecting cable segments such that the plurality of connecting cable segments are electrically coupled in series;

a buoy assembly comprising:
a buoy comprising a buoy body, a radio compartment, a wing, wherein the buoy body forms an interior aperture, wherein the wing adjusts the buoyancy of the buoy assembly;
a deck;
an upright mast, wherein a first end of the upright mast is coupled to the deck and a second end of the upright mast is coupled to the buoy;
at least one antenna coupled to the deck; and
a baffle coupled to the deck;
a communications cable with a first end coupled to the at le

Assignees

• Us Navy

Inventors

• Cole Aaron B
• Thompson Donald R
• Schaeffer Manda
• Seghi Steven M
• Vincent Travis W
• Steffes Zachary P

Classifications

• B63C11/26 Primary

  Communication means, {e.g. means for signalling the presence of divers}(electric communication in general H04) · CPC title

• B63B2203/00

  Communication means · CPC title

• B63B22/00

  Buoys ({floating decoys, e.g. for waterfowl A01M31/06;} means for indicating the location of underwater objects B63C7/26; life-buoys, e.g. rings B63C9/08; {mountings of acoustic transducer in underwater equipment, e.g. sonobuoys G10K11/006; electric cables supported on or from floats H02G9/12}) · CPC title

• H04M1/15

  Protecting or guiding telephone cords · CPC title

• B63B2211/04

  Diving · CPC title