Virtual Diving System and Method

Abstract

An underwater diving simulation system includes at least three surface electronics units defining a diving area in proximity to a desired dive location. Each surface electronics unit includes a microprocessor-controlled transceiver that receives x-y-z position data from an underwater acoustical transponder located on a diver who is located in the diving area. The system provides user selectable, variable underwater virtual reality data to the diver via a communication link. A plurality of sensors in proximity to the diver's head transmits real-time rate of change, horizontal and vertical position of the diver's head to a signal decoder located on at least one of the surface electronics units via said communication link. A pair of projectors and optical elements are typically provided, one for each of the diver's eyes on a diving mask. The virtual reality images are generated by a graphics-processing unit in real-time response to the position and orientation of the diver and the diver's head whereby the diver can experience a virtual reality of diving in a user selectable location and with user selectable sea creatures.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.