Dive computer with global positioning system receiver
Dive computers in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes a microprocessor, a pressure transducer connected to the microprocessor, a microphone connected to the microprocessor, a speaker connected to the microprocessor, a telephone transceiver connected to the microprocessor, a GPS receiver connected to the microprocessor and a display. In addition, the microprocessor, pressure transducer and display are configured to display information concerning the dive computer's depth of submersion, the microprocessor, microphone, speaker and telephone transceiver are configured to enable the dive computer to be used as a telephone handset, and the microprocessor is configured to obtain GPS coordinates from the GPS receiver. In a further embodiment, the microprocessor, the microphone, the speaker, the telephone transceiver, the display, and the GPS receiver are components of a mobile phone handset including an external connector for communicating with external devices, the pressure transducer is packaged separately from the mobile phone handset and the pressure transducer packaging includes a connector configured to mate with the external connector of the mobile phone handset creating a connection between the pressure transducer and the microprocessor, and the mobile phone handset and the pressure transducer are contained within a waterproof housing. In addition, a software application installed on the mobile phone handset configures the microprocessor to record information concerning the dive computer's depth and time of submersion in a dive log.
1. A dive computer, comprising:
a microprocessor;
a pressure transducer connected to the microprocessor;
a microphone connected to the microprocessor;
a speaker connected to the microprocessor;
a telephone transceiver connected to the microprocessor; and
a display;
wherein the microprocessor, pressure transducer and display are configured to display information concerning the dive computer's depth of submersion; and
wherein the microprocessor, microphone, speaker and telephone transceiver are configured to enable the dive computer to be used as a telephone handset.
2. The dive computer of claim 1 , further comprising:
a keypad connected to the microprocessor;
wherein the microprocessor, telephone transceiver and keypad are configured to enable the entry of text messages for transmission via the telephone transceiver.
3. The dive computer of claim 1 , wherein the telephone transceiver is a cell phone transceiver.
4. The dive computer of claim 1 , wherein the telephone transceiver is a satellite phone transceiver.
5. The dive computer of claim 1 , further comprising:
a GPS receiver connected to the microprocessor; and
wherein the microprocessor is configured to obtain GPS coordinates from the GPS receiver.
6. The dive computer of claim 5 , wherein the microprocessor is configured to transmit a message containing the GPS coordinates via the telephone transceiver.
7. The dive computer of claim 5 , wherein:
the microprocessor, the microphone, the speaker, the telephone transceiver, the display, and the GPS receiver are components of a mobile phone handset including an external connector for communicating with external devices;
the pressure transducer is packaged separately from the mobile phone handset and the pressure transducer packaging includes a connector configured to mate with the external connector of the mobile phone handset creating a connection between the pressure transducer and the microprocessor;
the mobile phone handset and the pressure transducer are contained within a waterproof housing; and
a software application installed on the mobile phone handset configures the microprocessor to record information concerning the dive computer's depth and time of submersion in a dive log.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the software application configures the mobile handset to upload the dive log to a remote server via the telephone transceiver.