Patent ID: 12246800

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to present embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the invention.

As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “coupled,” “fixed,” “attached to,” and the like refer to both direct coupling, fixing, or attaching, as well as indirect coupling, fixing, or attaching through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, is applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” and “substantially,” is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or apparatus for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a ten percent margin.

Moreover, the technology of the present application will be described with relation to exemplary embodiments. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Additionally, unless specifically identified otherwise, all embodiments described herein should be considered exemplary.

Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations are combined and interchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other.

As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition or assembly is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition or assembly can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

The present disclosure is generally directed to a releasable float assembly10including a magnetic release assembly12operably coupled with a float14. The magnetic release assembly12is configured to be programmed to release the float14at a future point in time (e.g., after a minute, after an hour, or after multiple months). A smart device application is configured to program a release time prior to placing the releasable float assembly10.

Referring now toFIGS.1and2, an apparatus20of the releasable float assembly10is configured to be submerged in water. The apparatus20may be any object including, but not limited to, for example, a box, a cage, a trap, etc. It will be understood that the apparatus20illustrated herein is exemplary only and may be replaced with any other object without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It will also be understood that, while the releasable float assembly10is described herein as an underwater releasable float assembly10, it is configured to be operable in any environment, including out of water.

Referring now toFIGS.1-4, the magnetic release assembly12is coupled with the apparatus20and is configured to be magnetically engaged with the float14. The magnetic release assembly12includes a housing22and may include a cover24configured to be selectively coupled with the housing22. In some examples, the housing22may include a perimeter wall28and/or a bottom wall32at least partially defining a cavity36therein. The cover24may be configured to form a top wall of the housing22. The housing22may have any shape including, for example, a square, a rectangle, a circle, etc. As best shown inFIG.4, when the cover24is coupled with the housing22to selectively seal the cavity36, an O-ring40may be positioned between the housing22and the cover24. The O-ring40is configured to seal the cavity36defined therein when the cover24is coupled with the housing22. In various examples, a material may be positioned to fill the cavity36. For example, the material may be a mineral oil configured to minimize the pressure differential for deeper deployments of the magnetic release assembly12.

As best shown inFIGS.3and4, the magnetic release assembly12includes electrical components44positioned within the cavity36of the housing22. The electrical components44include at least a permanent electro-magnet (PEM)48. In various examples, the PEM48may be positioned proximate the cover24of the housing22. In other examples, the PEM48may be coupled with the cover24of the housing22. It is contemplated that the PEM48may be positioned on any portion of the housing22without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The PEM48may further be configured with a holding power of about 40 pounds. It will be understood that the PEM48may also have any other holding power compatible with the magnetic release assembly12without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring again toFIGS.2and3, the float14of the releasable float assembly10may be configured to be buoyant. For example, the float14may be comprised of buoyant materials, may be a hollow sphere, or may be any combination thereof. A metal disk52is coupled with the float14. In various examples, the metal disk52may be positioned on an exterior surface48of the float14. In other examples, the metal disk52may be positioned within a cavity50defined by the float14.

The PEM48is configured to selectively engage with the metal disk52to place the magnetic release assembly12in a locked state (seeFIG.1). The metal disk52may be formed of any magnetic material configured to be attracted to and selectively engaged with the PEM48. When the PEM48is disengaged from the metal disk52, the magnetic release assembly12is in a released state (seeFIG.2).

Referring now toFIGS.5and6, the electrical components44are illustrated in a first exemplary configuration. The magnetic release assembly12includes at least one power source60. The power source60may be configured to power the magnetic release assembly12for about two years. However, the power source60may be adjusted for other lengths of time, including short lengths of time and longer lengths of time without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The power source60is positioned within the housing22of the magnetic release assembly12. As illustrated, the power source60may be configured to include one or more rechargeable batteries64. For example, the power source60may include three batteries64. Each battery64may be a 18650 battery or may be any similar battery configured to be selectively recharged and capable of providing power to the magnetic release assembly12. In various examples, the power source60may further include a battery charging board68, a first relay72, and a diode76. The battery charging board68, the first relay72, and the diode76are configured to allow the batteries64to be charged without removing the cover24of the housing22. As illustrated, the charging board68may be a lithium ion charger such as a 3S 12V 10A 18650 BMS Charger. However, it is contemplated that any charging board68may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The first relay72is configured to couple the batteries64, the charging board68, and any other components of the power source60with the outside of the housing22. For example, the power source60may also include charging poles80connected with the battery charging board68. The charging poles80may be positioned to extend exterior of the housing22. The first relay72and the diode76may be configured to create a charging circuit within the power source60. The charging circuit may be configured as an open circuit while no outside charging current is provided to the charging poles80. The first relay72and the diode76allow the charging poles80to be isolated from the rest of the electrical components44when the housing22is submerged. In other words, the charging poles80are protected from power feed-back while the magnetic release assembly10is submerged by the first relay72and the diode76.

Referring now toFIGS.7and8, a second exemplary configuration of the electrical components44of the magnetic release assembly12is illustrated. The second exemplary configuration may include the same or similar components as the first exemplary configuration ofFIGS.5and6. Where the components are the same or similar, the same reference numerals have been used.

As best shown inFIGS.7and8, the electrical components44of the magnetic release assembly12may further include a converter90. In various examples, the converter90may be a buck converter (12V to 5V). Specifically, as exemplarily shown, the converter90may be a DC-DC converter such as an MP1584EN converter. The converter90may be configured to ensure that the power source60evenly powers the electrical components44of the magnetic release assembly12. In other examples, the magnetic release assembly12may not include the converter90(seeFIGS.5and6).

Referring again toFIGS.5-8, the magnetic release assembly12may further include a reed switch100. In various examples, the reed switch100may positioned proximate a portion of the perimeter wall28of the housing22(not shown). The reed switch100may be operably coupled with a microcontroller104and the power source60and is configured as a power switching system for the magnetic release assembly12. In other words, the reed switch100is configured to provide a method for resetting the magnetic release assembly12by opening the circuit formed by the electrical components44. In a neutral state, the reed switch100is closed, closing the circuit of the electrical components44and allowing power to flow. When a magnet (not shown) is placed on the housing22proximate the reed switch100, the reed switch100is moved to an open state, which opens the circuit formed by the electrical components44and prevents the flow of power. In various examples, indicia (not shown) may positioned on the housing22to allow a user to locate the reed switch100to switch the reed switch100from the neutral state to the open state. When the reed switch100is in the open state, the power source60is disconnected from the electrical components44to allow for system storage of the magnetic release assembly12.

Referring now toFIGS.5-9, the magnetic release assembly12may further include a timer board110and a second relay114each coupled with the microcontroller104. The microcontroller104includes a Bluetooth™ integrated circuit102and may be configured to be in communication with an application (app)124located on a user device120when the microcontroller104is powered by the power source60. For example, the microcontroller104may be a Bluno Beetle utilizing an ATMega328P microcontroller board and may include a CC2540 Bluetooth™ integrated circuit.

The timer board110is configured to receive a current time and a release time from the microcontroller104, as discussed in more detail elsewhere herein. The timer board110may be a real time clock calendar. For example, the timer board110may be a MCP7940 timer board. The second relay114may be coupled with the microcontroller104and the PEM48, as discussed in more detail below. Each of the first and second relays72,114may be DPDT relays such as EC2-5NU or any other comparable relay. However, while specific examples of components are noted herein, it will be understood that any comparable component may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

With continued reference toFIGS.7and8, all linear regulators of the microcontroller104may be removed, including the 3V3 and the 5V regulators. This allows the converter90to be directed connected with the 5V pin of the microcontroller104. The 3V3 signal needed for the Bluetooth™ integrated circuit102(seeFIG.9) is received from the D5 pin of the microcontroller104. A connection between the D5 pin and the output of the 3V3 regulator is made externally. The microcontroller104is then powered directly through the output of the 5V regulator output pad/pin. The device is programmed prior to making these changes.

When power is issued to the microcontroller104, the D5 pin then powers the Bluetooth™ integrated circuit102. This setup ensures that when the system goes into deep sleep, the Bluetooth™ integrated circuit102is completely powered down. When put to sleep, the microcontroller104and the Bluetooth™ integrated circuit102may be configured to consume about 4.6 uA. The timer board110may be configured to consumer about 1.4 uA. Accordingly, a 2000 mAh battery may be configured to power the magnetic release assembly12for duration well beyond the life of the battery. (˜30 years).

Referring now toFIG.9, the microcontroller104may use the Bluetooth™ integrated circuit102to communicate with the application (app)124on a user device120when the microcontroller104is powered by the power source60. The microcontroller104includes an onboard process106including memory108. The user may use the app124to select a release time and date. The app124will then calculate a time interval from the current time and date to the selected release time and date in milliseconds. The app124communicates the release time to the microcontroller104via Bluetooth™ technology. The app also stores current GPS data on the user device124.

Upon receipt of the time data from the app124, the processor106of the microcontroller104is configured to then provide the current time, the release time, and/or the time interval in milliseconds to the timer board110. Once the microcontroller104has provided the timer board110with the time interval, the microcontroller104is configured to enter into a deep sleep state that places the magnetic release assembly12into a low-power mode.

The timer board110is configured to count until the time interval has elapsed and the selected release time is reached. When the release time is reached, the timer board110is configured to issue an alarm to the microcontroller104. The microcontroller104is configured to move from the deep sleep state to an active state when the alarm is received from the timer board110. The microcontroller104then sends a signal to the second relay114. The second relay114feeds 12V to the PEM48to energize the PEM48, causing the PEM48to release the magnetic disk52and, subsequently, release the float14(seeFIGS.1and2). In various examples, the voltage for release of the float14is maintained for a set time (e.g., about one second). When the float14is released, the float14is configured to buoy to the surface of the water for retrieval (seeFIG.2). The magnetic release assembly12may then continue to send out signals via the microcontroller104and Bluetooth™ integrated circuit102until the magnetic release assembly12is again connected via the app124. At this point, the user may send a new release time, turn the system off by placing a magnet on the reed switch position, and/or charge the batteries of the system.

Referring now toFIGS.10A-16B, two comparable sets of screen shots depicting examples of the use of application context in a release app domain are illustrated. The first set of screen shots is indicated byFIGS.10A and10Band show exemplary main pages500a,500bof a software component, namely a mobile application (“app”)124, which resides in a user device122(seeFIG.9).FIG.10Aillustrates a main page500afor one such user device platform, andFIG.10Billustrates a main page500bfor another user device platform. The overall operation of the application124for each user device platform may be configured to be the same or substantially similar across the platforms. It will be understood that components that are the same or substantially similar have the same or similar reference numerals. It will also be understood that the depictions of these components are exemplary only and that the visual appearance of the pages of the application may be modified without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

When the app124is launched, the user device122displays the main page500a,500bthat shows a list504a,504bof entries508a,508b. Each entry508a,508bis linked to a respective deployed releasable assembly10(also referred to herein as an underwater release assembly or “UMR”) and includes a unique identifier512a,512bof the respective UMR10, a release time516a,516bof the respective UMR10, and a selection button520a,520b. The selection box520a,520bis configured to allow a user to selective to add the respective UMR10to a map528a,528bor other graphical representation option (seeFIGS.11A and11B). The selection box520a,520bmay be a checkbox, a toggle, or any other visual selection option without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The app124may also be configured to store other pertinent information related to each UMR10and associate the information with the respective entry508a,508b. From the main page500a,500b, the app124may also allow the user to set one or more alarms for each launched UMR10.

The main page500a,500bfurther includes a first button530a,530bconfigured to toggle to a graphical display page540a,540b. Using the graphical display page540a,540b, as shown inFIGS.11A and11B, the user can see any of the user's launched UMRs10on a map528a,528b(e.g., a Google map) when the selection box520a,520bis selected. The graphical display page540a,540bfurther includes a location selection control bar544a,544b, which is configured to launch a drop-down menu546a,546b, as best shown inFIGS.12A and12B.

Referring now toFIGS.11A-12B, from the drop-down menu546a,546bthe user may select to view the location of a specific UMR10identified by its unique identifier512a,512band/or may select to view the user's current location via a current location selection552a,522b. The user's current location may be identified by a location pin556a,556bpositioned on the map528a,528b(seeFIGS.11A and11B) and is determined by the GPS coordinates of the user device120. Each UMR10location may be identified by a UMR pin558a,558bpositioned on the map528a,528b. The UMR10locations are determined by GPS coordinates stored in the app124when the respective UMR10is initially launched, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. In various examples, the drop-down menu546a,546bmay include a “close” button554. The graphical display page540a,540bmay also include a menu button548a,548bfor returning to the main page500a,500b.

Referring again toFIGS.10A and10B, a second button534a,534bis configured to toggle to a launch page570a,570b(FIGS.13A and13B) from which the user can launch a new UMR10. As best shown inFIGS.13A and13B, the launch page570a,570bincludes a search button574a,574b. When the search button574a,574bis selected, a list page578a,578bof available UMRs10is displayed, as shown inFIGS.14A and14B. In other words, when the search button574a,574bdisplays a list page578a,578bof UMRs10that are producing Bluetooth™ signals within a communicable radius. The user may then select one of the available UMRs10from the list page578a,578b. If a connection is not made, the user will have to search again using the search button574a,574b, until a connection is established. If a connection is made, an acknowledgement may be received. The user may then be redirected to the launch page570a,570bwhere the unique identifier590a,590bof the selected UMR10may be displayed (seeFIGS.16A and16B).

As shown inFIGS.13A and13B, the launch page570a,570bfurther includes a release time entry field596a,596b. The release time entry field596amay be a single field for entering both date and time (seeFIG.13A), of the release time entry field596bmay have multiple fields for entering date and time separately (seeFIG.13B). It will be understood that the date and time may be selected using any date and time selection including direct input, scrolling menus, calendars, clocks, etc. without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The launch page570a,570bmay further include a response section600a,600bpositioned below the release time entry field596a,596b. The response section600a,600bmay be used to display information regarding the selected UMR10and the selected release date and time. In various examples, one or more release buttons612a,612bmay also displayed on the launch page570a,570b. Once the release time entry field596a,596bhas been filled, the user may select the release button612a,612bto send the information to the UMR10. The user may also be prompted to program alarms to alert the user prior to the selected release date and time.

Referring now toFIGS.9-16B, the release button612a,612bis configured to transmit the timing data to the on-board processor106of the microcontroller104via the wireless connection with the Bluetooth™ integrated circuit102. The release button612a,612bmay also be configured to initiate storage of the current GPS coordinates for the selected UMR10within the application124and/or the user device120. GPS coordinates may be generated from the user device120. When an acknowledgement is received from the on-board processor106, a confirmation screen may be shown (seeFIG.15) and the user may be redirected to the main page500a,500b. At this point the UMR10will disappear from the active Bluetooth™ device list582a,582b, as power is severed to all electronic components except for the timer board110. Also, the device identifier512a,512band its GPS coordinates are added to the deployed devices list546a,546b(seeFIGS.12A and12B). In various examples, confirmation pages and/or popups may be used at any selection stage of the app124without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now toFIGS.1-17, a method700of programming a releasable float assembly10is described prior to submerging the releasable float assembly10. The releasable float assembly10includes the magnetic release assembly12operably coupled with the float14. The magnetic release assembly12may be coupled with or integrally formed with an apparatus20(e.g., a trap cage, a container, etc.). The float14may be coupled with the apparatus20and is configured to indicate the location of the apparatus20when the float14is released. The magnetic release assembly12include electrical components44. The electrical components44are selected to include a power source60, a microcontroller104having a Bluetooth™ integrated circuit102, a timer board110, and a permanent electromagnet (PEM)48.

An application124is downloaded to a user device120that is communicable with Bluetooth™ technology (step714). The application124includes a main page500a,500bconfigured to appear when the user selects the application124. The user then selects a button534a,534bto set up a new UMR release time (step722). The application124is configured to display a launch page570a,570bin response to selection of the button534a,534b. The user then selects a search button574a,574bto search for Bluetooth™ enabled devices such as the UMR10within a radius (step726). If a device10is not located, the user must select the search button again574a,574buntil a device10is located (step730).

Once a device is located, the user can then set a release time and date (step734). The release time and date may be selected using input fields596a,596b. The application124is configured to calculate a time interval between the current date and time and the release date and time (step738). Once the release time and date are set, the user may select a launch button612a,612bto send the time interval and data to the microcontroller104of the magnetic release assembly12(step740). The application124may then be configured to log the identifier512a,512bof the selected device10and the GPS coordinates (step742) within the application124and/or user device120.

When the release time data is provided to the microcontroller104, the microcontroller104provides the time interval to the timer board110(step746) and enters a deep sleep state (step750). In another step752, the user may then place (e.g., submerge) the device10. When the time interval has elapsed, the timer board110is configured to awaken the microcontroller110to provide power to the PEM48. Providing power to the PEM48allows the float14to be released.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.