Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 2015103321827, filed Jun. 16, 2015 and entitled “AN ASSEMBLY FOR TRANSMITTING UNDERWATER SIGNALS,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Sports cameras can sometimes be operated in water. For example, a scuba diver can use a sports camera to film underwater scenes. Due to ambient constraints, it is difficult for the scuba diver to transfer in real time collected images to others abovewater. Traditionally, a user needs to store underwater images in the camera first, and then transmit the stored images after the user moves out of water. It is inconvenient to the user because the camera may have limited storage space. Therefore, it is advantageous to have an improved method or system that can facilitate instant transmission of underwater images. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the disclosed technology will be described and explained through the use of the accompanying drawings. 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. The system is configured to receive image signals from an image source and then transmit it to other devices. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. The system is configured to receive image signals from a data source and transmit it to other devices. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic, isometric diagram illustrating a floating system in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic diagram illustrating multiple structural ribs positioned in a housing of the floating system in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating an installation plane in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating a floating system in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a method in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. 
       
    
    
       [0011]    The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be expanded or reduced to help improve the understanding of various embodiments. Similarly, some components and/or operations may be separated into different blocks or combined into a single block for the purposes of discussion of some of the embodiments. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail below, one skilled in the art will recognize that modifications, equivalents, and alternatives will fall within the scope of the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    In this description, references to “some embodiment”, “one embodiment,” or the like, mean that the particular feature, function, structure or characteristic being described is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed technology. Occurrences of such phrases in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. On the other hand, the embodiments referred to are not necessarily mutually exclusive. 
         [0013]    The present disclosure relates to an underwater signal transmission system that is compact, durable, easy-to-assemble, and convenient-to-use. The system enables a user to receive images from an underwater image source (e.g., a diving camera) and transmit the received image to an abovewater device (e.g., a mobile device held by a person on a boat nearby). In some embodiments, the system can first transmit the received images to an abovewater intermediate device (e.g., an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, located right above the system), and then the intermediate device can further transmit the images to other devices (e.g., a mobile device on the shore of a water body). 
         [0014]    The present disclosure also provides a floating data transmission system that can facilitate data transmission from an underwater device (e.g., an underwater sensor configured to collect information associated with an underwater parameter such as water temperature, water pressure, fluid constituents, etc.). The system can remain floating and be moved in response to a movement of an underwater device attached thereto via a wire component. For example, the floating system can be coupled to an underwater sensor by a water-proof cable. When the underwater sensor is moved (e.g., by a propeller or by a scuba diver), the floating system can be moved accordingly (e.g., dragged by the cable) and remain positioned abovewater. 
         [0015]    Another aspect of the present disclosure is that it provides a floating system having a housing structure that is easy to assemble, install and maintain. The system includes two housing parts, and the two housing parts are sealedly connected (e.g., along an installation plane, discussed in detail in  FIG. 4A  below), so as to form a water-proof chamber. The system can have multiple vulnerable-to-fluid components (e.g., a signal converter, data storage, transmitter, etc.) positioned in the chamber. During maintenance, a user can simply disengage the two housing parts and then have access to a component positioned in the chamber. 
         [0016]    The present disclose also provides a floating housing structure that can be operably coupled to an antenna and an interface component. The antenna and the interface component can be positioned to pass through the housing structure such that they can communicate with other devices. The antenna can be positioned on an upper surface of the housing structure for better communication and/or signal reception. The interface component can be positioned on a lower surface of the housing structure for the ease of connecting the interface component with an underwater device. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system  100  in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. As shown, the system  100  includes a processor  101 , a memory  102 , a monitoring component  103 , a storage component  105 , a communication component  107 , a signal converter  109 , an interface component  111 , and an antenna feed point  113 . In the illustrated embodiment, the system  100  is coupled to an (external) antenna  13 . In other embodiments, however, the system  100  can include an internal antenna (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The system  100  is configured to receive image signals from an image source  11  and then transmit it to device A via network A and/or device B via network B. The image source  11  is configured to capture or collect underwater images (pictures, videos, etc.) from the ambient environments surrounding the image source  11 . In some embodiments, the image component  11  can be an underwater camera. In some embodiments, the image component  11  can be an underwater video recorder. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, device A can be a mobile device held by one user, and device B can be another mobile device held by another user. In some embodiments, device A can be a smartphone held by a user, and device B can be a tablet carried by the user. In some embodiments, network A and network B can be two different networks with different communication protocols (3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, etc.). In some embodiments, network A and network B can be two different networks with the same communication protocol. In other embodiments, network A and network B can be operated by a common carrier or service provider. 
         [0019]    The processor  101  is configured to control the memory  102  and other components (e.g., components  103 - 113 ) in the system  100 . The memory  102  is coupled to the processor  101  and configured to store instructions for controlling other components in the system  100 . The monitoring component  103  is configured to monitor a status of the system  100 . For example, the monitoring component  103  can be configured to check whether the system  100  is in an air-tight condition. In some embodiments, the monitoring component  103  can be configured to check whether the system  100  is in a water-proof condition. In some embodiments, the monitoring component  103  can check whether other components (such as components  105 - 113 ) function properly. The storage component  105  is configured to store, temporarily or permanently, information/data/files/signals associated with the system  100 . In some embodiments, the storage component  105  can be a hard disk drive. In some embodiments, the storage component  105  can be a memory stick or a memory card. 
         [0020]    The communication component  107  is configured to communicate with devices/components outside the system  100 . The communication component  107  is coupled to the antenna feed component  113 , which further connects with the antenna  13 . The antenna feed component  113  acts as a signal interface between the antenna  13  and the system  100 . For example, the antenna feed component  113  can receive radio waves from the antenna  13  and converts then into a form (e.g., electrical current) that is recognizable by the system  100 . Similarly, the antenna feed component  113  can convert signals/information to be transmitted via the antenna  13  to radio waves such that the antenna  13  can transmit the signals/information outwardly. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the interface component  111  is coupled to the image source  11 . In some embodiments, the interface component  111  can be a water-proof universal serial bus (USB) connector. For example, the interface component  111  can be a USB connector surrounded by a sealing component (e.g., silicon sealant, plastic gasket, etc.). The interface component  111  is coupled to the signal converter  109 . The signal converter  109  is configured to verify or convert the format of the images received from the image source  11  via the interface component  111 . In some embodiments, the signal convert  109  converts the format of the images such that the converted images are suitable for being transmitted to device A or device B via the antenna  13 . In some embodiments, the signal converter  109  and the antenna feed component  113  can be integrated into one component (e.g., in one integrated chip). 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system  200  in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. The system  200  is configured to receive image signals from an underwater data source  23  and then transmit it to one or more abovewater devices, such as device A and device B. The system  200  includes a processor  201 , a memory  202 , a monitoring component  203 , a storage component  205 , a communication component  207 , a data assimilation component  209 , an interface component  211 , and an antenna feed point  217 . The system  200  further includes a level sensor  213  and a moisture sensor  215  both coupled to the monitoring component  203 . In the illustrated embodiment, the system  200  is coupled to an (external) antenna  25 . In other embodiments, however, the system  200  can also include an internal antenna (not shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0023]    The system  200  is configured to receive data from the data source  23  (via a wire connection) and then transmit it to device A (e.g., an UAV) via network A. The received data can be further transmitted to device B (e.g., a mobile device held by a person on a boat) via network B. The data source  23  is configured to collect underwater data (e.g., images, sounds, water pressure, water temperature, fluid constituents, etc.) from the ambient environments surrounding the data source  23 . In some embodiments, the data source  23  can include one or more suitable sensors to collect corresponding data. In some embodiments, the data source  23  can be coupled to the interface component  211  by a water-proof wire or cable. 
         [0024]    As shown in the illustrated embodiments, a wire buffer component  21  can be positioned between the interface component  211  and the data source  23 . The wire buffer component  21  is configured to act as a wire buffer when the data source  23  is moved by a user. More particularly, when a user moves the data source  23 , the wire connected therewith is moved accordingly. As a result, the system  200  can also be moved in response to the movement of the wire. To optimize the quality of data transmission, the movement of the system  200  needs to be minimized. The wire buffer component  21  can reduce or even eliminate the possible impacts to the system  200  caused by the movement of the data source  23 . In some embodiments, for example, the wire buffer component  21  can be a wire roller. In such embodiments, when a user pulls the data source  23  away from the system  200 , which accordingly requires a longer wire, the wire buffer component  21  can provide additional wire (e.g., release more wire from the wire roller) without moving the system  200 . 
         [0025]    The interface component  211  is coupled to the data source  23  via the wire buffer component  21 . In some embodiments, the interface component  211  can be a water-proof universal serial bus (USB) connector. For example, the interface component  211  can be a USB connector surrounded by a sealing component. The interface component  211  is coupled to the data assimilation component  209 . The data assimilation component  109  is configured to verify or adjust the data received from the data source  23 . In some embodiments, the data assimilation component  209  can edit or convert the format of the received data such that the received images can be transmitted to device A or device B and instantly viewed by a user. 
         [0026]    The processor  201  is configured to control the memory  202  and other components (e.g., components  203 - 217 ) in the system  200 . The memory  202  is coupled to the processor  201  and configured to store instructions for controlling other components in the system  200 . The monitoring component  203  is configured to monitor a status of the system  200 . For example, the monitoring component  203  can employ the level sensor  213  to measure whether the system  200  is horizontal or is tilted. If the level sensor  213  detects that the system  200  is tilted (e.g., caused by water leakage), the level sensor  213  can generate a warning signal and then transmit it to a user of the system  200 . The user can then choose to check the status of the system  200  or ignore the warning signal (e.g., the system  200  is transmitting important data). In some embodiments, the level sensor  213  can be a bubble level sensor. In some embodiments, the level sensor  213  can be a digital level sensor. As another example, the monitoring component  203  can employ the moisture sensor  215  to detect moisture within the system  200  so as to determine whether there is any water leakage that may cause malfunctions of the system  200 . 
         [0027]    The storage component  205  is configured to store, temporarily or permanently, information/data/files/signals associated with the system  200 . In some embodiments, the storage component  205  can be a hard disk drive. In some embodiments, the storage component  205  can be a memory stick or a memory card. The communication component  207  is configured to communicate with devices/components outside the system  200 . The communication component  207  is coupled to the antenna feed component  217 , which further connects with the antenna  25 . The antenna feed component  217  acts as a signal interface between the antenna  25  and the system  200 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic, isometric diagram illustrating a floating system  300  in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. The floating system  300  is configured to receive a signal from an underwater device and then transmit the signal (e.g., after properly processing the signal, in some embodiments) to an abovewater device. The system  300  includes an antenna  1 , an upper housing  2 , a lower housing  3 , and an interface component  4 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the antenna  1  is positioned on a top surface of the upper housing  2 . The antenna  1  has a foldable design for easy storage during transportation. The upper housing  2  is formed with an antenna recess  301  to accommodate the antenna  1  when the antenna  1  is folded. One end of the antenna  1  passes through a hole of the upper housing  2  and is coupled to components positioned inside the upper housing  2  (such as an antenna feed component or a communication module, not shown in  FIG. 3A ). In some embodiments, the system  300  can include a sealing component (e.g., sealant, a gasket, etc.) positioned between the hole of the upper housing  2  and the antenna  1 . 
         [0029]    The upper housing  2  is also formed with multiple upper structural recesses  303  on its outer surface. As shown, the upper structural recesses  303  are positioned circumferentially around the upper housing  2  and configured to enhance structure strength of the upper housing  2 . Similarly, the lower housing  3  can be formed with multiple lower structural recesses  305  on its outer surface. As shown, the lower structural recesses  305  are positioned circumferentially around the upper housing  2  and configured to enhance structure strength of the lower housing  3 . In the illustrated embodiments, the lower structural recesses  305  are positioned in alignment with the upper structural recesses  303 . In other embodiments, however, the lower structural recesses  305  can be positioned without considering the locations of the upper structural recesses  303 . In some embodiments, the system  300  can only have either the upper structural recesses  303  or the lower structural recesses  305 . 
         [0030]    As shown, the interface component  4  is coupled to the lower housing  3 . The interface component  4  has an elongated structure such that it can be seamless coupled to a water-proof wire. In some embodiments, the interface component  4  can pass through a hole of the lower housing  3  and is coupled to components positioned inside the lower housing  2  (such as a signal converter or a data assimilation component, not shown in  FIG. 3A ). In some embodiments, the system  300  can include a sealing component (e.g., sealant, a gasket, etc.) positioned between the hole of the lower housing  3  and the interface component  4 . In some embodiments, the system  300  can include a sealing component positioned between the interface component  4  and the water-proof wire. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 3A , the upper housing  2  and the lower housing  3  can be fixedly attached by a locking component  307 . In the illustrated embodiment, the locking device can be a screw hole that enables a screw to fixedly attach the upper housing  2  and the lower housing  3 . In other embodiments, the locking component  307  can include other mechanisms such as a latch. In some embodiments, the upper housing  2  and the lower housing  3  can be fixedly attached by glue. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the upper housing  2  and the lower housing  3  are fixedly attached and together form an installation plane  209 . Details of the installation plane  209  will be discussed in  FIG. 4  and corresponding descriptions below. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic diagram illustrating multiple structural ribs  311  positioned in a housing  313  (e.g., either the upper housing  2  or the lower housing  3 ) of the floating system  300  in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. As shown in  FIG. 3B , four structural ribs  311  can be positioned on an inner surface of the housing  313  and configured to enhance structure strength of the housing  313 . In the illustrated embodiment, the structural ribs  311  are positioned circumferentially around the housing  313 . In other embodiments, however, the structural ribs  311  can be positioned at other locations depending on different designs. In some embodiments, the structural ribs  311  can be used to support or hold other components (e.g., the components  101 - 113  and  201 - 217  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) positioned inside the housing  313 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating an installation plane  405  formed by a first housing  401  and a second housing  403  of a floating system  400  in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. The floating system  400  is configured to be positioned above a fluid surface (e.g., a sea surface or a water surface)  40 , whereas a portion of the system  400  is positioned under the fluid surface  40 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the floating system  400  and the fluid surface  40  together defines a floating surface  41 . In some embodiments, the floating system  400  above the floating surface  41  is positioned abovewater, whereas the system below the floating surface  41  is positioned underwater. As shown in the illustrated embodiments, the installation plane  405  formed by the first housing  401  and the second housing  403  are preferably kept above the floating surface  41  so as to prevent possible fluid leakage into the floating system  400  (e.g., from a space or gap between the first housing  401  and the second housing  403 ). 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating a floating system  500  in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. The floating system  500  is positioned on a water surface  50  and enables an underwater camera  53  to transmit collected images of an object-of-interest  55  (e.g., a fish) to a mobile device  51  on a real-time basis. The system  500  includes an antenna  501 , a first housing  503   a , a second housing  503   b , an antenna feed component  507 , a signal converter  509 , a first ballast component  511 , a second ballast component  513 , a sensor  515 , a cable  516 , a cable buffer component  517 , a first floating-aid component  519 , and a second floating-aid component  521 . The first housing  503   a  is fixedly attached to the second housing  503   b . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first housing  503   a  and the second housing  503   b  together define an installation plane  505 . When the system  500  is in operation, in some embodiments, the installation plane  505  is positioned above the water surface  50 . 
         [0035]    The antenna  501  is coupled to the first housing  503   a  and configured to transmit image signals to the mobile device  51 . A portion of the antenna  501  extends through a hole of the first housing  503   a  and is coupled to the antenna feed component  507 . In the illustrated embodiment, the hole of the first housing  503   a  is sealed by an upper sealing component (or a first sealing component)  523 . The upper sealing component  523  is configured to prevent moisture from entering into the first housing  503   a . In some embodiments, the upper sealing component  523  can be a gasket, a washer, glue, etc. In some embodiments, the upper sealing component  523  can be made of plastic. In other embodiments, the upper sealing component  523  can be an elastic component made of any other suitable materials. 
         [0036]    The antenna feed component  507  is coupled to the signal converter  509 . The antenna feed component  507  acts as a signal interface between the antenna  501  and the signal converter  509 . The signal converter  509  receives an image signal captured by the underwater camera  53  via the cable  516 . In some embodiments, the signal converter  509  can adjust the format of the received image signal such that the adjusted image signal is recognizable by the antenna feed component  507 . In some embodiment, the cable buffer component  517  can act as a buffer when the cable  516  is moved by a user such that the movement does not significantly affect the floating system  500 . In the illustrated embodiment, the floating system  500  can include an interface component  527  positioned in the second housing  503   b . The interface component  527  is configured to be coupled with the cable  516 . In some embodiments, the interface component  527  can include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a general input/output port, or other suitable connecting ports. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the interface component  527  can be sealed by a lower sealing component (or a second sealing component)  525 . In some embodiments, the lower sealing component  525  can be an elastic component with a shape corresponding to the interface component  527  such that it can seamlessly seal the interface component  527 . In such embodiments, the lower sealing component  525  can be made or plastic or other suitable elastic materials. 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, the floating system  500  can simply have a hole positioned in the second housing  503   b . In such embodiments, the cable  516  can directly pass through the hole of the second housing  503   b . The hole of the second housing  503   b  can be sealed by the lower sealing component  525  such that water does not flow into the second housing  503   b . In such embodiments, the lower sealing component  525  can be a gasket, a washer, glue, etc. In some embodiments, the lower sealing component  525  can be made of plastic. In other embodiments, the lower sealing component  525  can be an elastic component made of any other suitable materials. 
         [0038]    The first ballast component  511  and the second ballast component  513  are configured to stabilize the system  500 . For example, the first ballast component  511  and the second ballast component  513  can provide additional weights to the system  500  so as to prevent the system  500  from being violently moved or rotated by water waves or by wind. The first and second floating-aid components  519 ,  521  are also configured to stabilize the system  500 . In the illustrated embodiments, the first floating-aid component  519  is coupled to the first housing  503   a , and the second floating-aid component  521  is coupled to the second housing  503   b . In other embodiments, however, there can be more than one first floating-aid components  519  coupled to the first housing  503   a  and more than one second floating-aid components  521  coupled to the second housing  503   b . In such embodiments, the first and second floating-aid components  519 ,  521  can be positioned circumferentially around the system  500 . 
         [0039]    In the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the sensor  515  is positioned inside the second housing  503   b . The sensor  515  is configured to measure a status of the system. In some embodiments, the sensor  515  can be a moisture sensor to detect whether there is any water leakage in the second housing  503   b.    
         [0040]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a method  600  for manufacturing a floating system in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. The method starts at block  601  by forming a first housing having a first opening, a first recess on an outer surface of the first housing, and a first rib on an inner surface of the first housing. At block  603 , the process continues by forming a second housing having a second opening, a second recess on an outer surface of the second housing, and a second rib on an inner surface of the second housing. At block  605 , the method  600  proceeds by positioning an antenna to pass through the first opening and sealing the first opening by a first sealing component. 
         [0041]    At block  607 , the method  600  then positions an interface component to pass through the second opening and seals the second opening by the second sealing component. At block  609 , a transmitter is positioned inside the first housing and the transmitter is coupled to the antenna. At block  611 , the method  600  continues by positioning a signal converter inside the second housing and coupling the signal transmitter to the interface component and the transmitter. At block  613 , the process then sealedly attaches the first housing and the second housing by a third sealing component. At block  615 , the method  600  then couples the interface component to a wire component. The method  600  then returns. 
         [0042]    Although the present technology has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be recognized that the present technology is not limited to the embodiments described but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.

Technology Category: 5