U.S. patent application number 10/865534 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-23 for system for remotely controlling spas and hot tubs.
Invention is credited to Scarlata, Stephen J..
Application Number | 20040255375 10/865534 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33519436 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040255375 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Scarlata, Stephen J. |
December 23, 2004 |
System for remotely controlling spas and hot tubs
Abstract
A system for remotely controlling jet pump, lighting, and air
blower settings in a spa or hot tub through an integrated audio
system. A wireless remote control sends signals to the integrated
audio system, where the signals are interpreted, and communicated
to the spa through an interface.
Inventors: |
Scarlata, Stephen J.;
(Jupiter, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Brian M. Dingman, Esq.
Mirick, O'Connell, DeMallie & Lougee, LLP
1700 West Park Drive
Westborough
MA
01581
US
|
Family ID: |
33519436 |
Appl. No.: |
10/865534 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60480050 |
Jun 20, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/541.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 2033/0058 20130101;
A61H 2033/0079 20130101; A61H 33/60 20130101; A61H 33/005 20130101;
A61H 2033/0083 20130101; A61H 33/0087 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/541.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 003/00; A47K
003/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A remotely-operated control system for spas or hot tubs having
one or more of pumps, blowers and lights, comprising: an integrated
audio system comprising an audio controller that drives one or more
loudspeakers; a wireless remote control device that transmits
wireless control signals under user control; one or more sensor
modules for receiving wireless control signals from the remote
control device; an electronic logic element, operatively coupled to
the sensor modules, for creating, in response to the wireless
control signals received by the sensor modules, appropriate control
instructions for the audio system and for the pumps, blowers, and
lights; means for providing control instructions to the controller;
and means for providing control instructions to the pumps, blowers
and lights.
2. The control system of claim 1 wherein the spa or hot tub has a
spa system controller for controlling the pumps, blowers and
lights, and wherein the means for providing control instructions to
the pumps, blowers and lights comprises means for providing control
instructions to the spa system controller.
3. The control system of claim 2, wherein the means for providing
control instructions to the spa system controller and the means for
providing control instructions to the audio controller are combined
into a single control module connected to both the audio controller
and the spa system controller.
4. The control system of claim 3, wherein the single control module
further accomplishes the electronic logic element.
5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the remote control device
is waterproof and floats.
6. The control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor modules are
integrated into the audio system loudspeakers.
7. A remotely-operated control system for spas or hot tubs having
one or more of pumps, blowers and lights and a spa system
controller for controlling the pumps, blowers and lights, and an
integrated audio system comprising an audio controller that drives
one or more loudspeakers, the system comprising: a wireless remote
control device that transmits wireless control signals under user
control; one or more sensor modules integrated into one or more of
the loudspeakers, for receiving wireless control signals from the
remote control device; and an electronic logic element, operatively
coupled to the sensor modules, for creating, in response to the
wireless control signals received by the sensor modules,
appropriate control instructions for the audio system and for the
pumps, blowers, and lights, and providing the control instructions
to the audio controller and the spa system controller.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of Provisional application
Ser. No. 60/480,050 filed on Jun. 20, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the remote control of a spa
system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Most spas or hot tubs (hereinafter together termed "spas")
commonly include various user-controllable settings to enhance the
comfort and therapeutic qualities of the bathing experience. These
may include one or more water pumps which circulate the water
through various jets, air pumps which mix pressurized air into the
flowing water, and various under water and above water lighting
options. In recent years integrated audio systems have become
common on many spa models. Some spa audio systems include provision
for remote control. The most common configuration for spa audio
systems includes two or more loudspeakers mounted on or near the
top surface of the spa, and an audio head unit mounted on the outer
side of the spa.
[0004] As part of the spa bathing experience, a user will need to
frequently adjust the pumps, air, lighting, and audio system while
bathing. Access to the control panels, which are fixed-mounted to
the spa, is often very cumbersome and inconvenient for the
user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The primary object of the invention is to provide a system
for remotely operating the controls on a spa.
[0006] Another object of the invention is to utilize an integrated
audio system as the interface between a remote control and the spa
controls.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a lower cost
remote control solution by sharing components common to audio and
spa control.
[0008] This invention may be accomplished in a system in which the
operation of the various pumps, blowers, and lighting of a spa
system are controlled by sharing a remote control which is designed
to operate an integrated audio system. An electronic interface,
connected between the audio system and the spa controller,
translates the remote control signals from the audio system and
sends signals to the spa controller.
[0009] This invention features a remotely-operated control system
for spas or hot tubs having one or more of pumps, blowers and
lights, comprising an integrated audio system comprising an audio
controller that drives one or more loudspeakers, a wireless remote
control device that transmits wireless control signals under user
control, one or more sensor modules for receiving wireless control
signals from the remote control device, and an electronic logic
element, operatively coupled to the sensor modules, for creating,
in response to the wireless control signals received by the sensor
modules, appropriate control instructions for the audio system and
for the pumps, blowers, and lights. There are means for providing
control instructions to the controller, and means for providing
control instructions to the pumps, blowers and lights.
[0010] The spa or hot tub may have a spa system controller for
controlling the pumps, blowers and lights, in which case the means
for providing control instructions to the pumps, blowers and lights
may comprise means for providing control instructions to the spa
system controller. The means for providing control instructions to
the spa system controller and the means for providing control
instructions to the audio controller are preferably combined into a
single control module connected to both the audio controller and
the spa system controller. The single control module preferably
further accomplishes the electronic logic element. The remote
control device may be waterproof and may float. The sensor modules
may be integrated into the audio system loudspeakers.
[0011] Also featured in the invention is a remotely-operated
control system for spas or hot tubs having one or more of pumps,
blowers and lights and a spa system controller for controlling the
pumps, blowers and lights, and an integrated audio system
comprising an audio controller that drives one or more
loudspeakers, the system comprising a wireless remote control
device that transmits wireless control signals under user control,
one or more sensor modules integrated into one or more of the
loudspeakers, for receiving wireless control signals from the
remote control device, and an electronic logic element, operatively
coupled to the sensor modules, for creating, in response to the
wireless control signals received by the sensor modules,
appropriate control instructions for the audio system and for the
pumps, blowers, and lights, and providing the control instructions
to the audio controller and the spa system controller.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following descriptions,
taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way
of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention
is disclosed.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the primary components of the
preferred embodiment of the system of the invention; and
[0014] FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of the preferred
signals and processing logic of the system of FIG. 1.
[0015] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be
embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some
instances various aspect of the invention may be shown exaggerated
or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are
provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present
invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific
details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but
rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in
virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or
manner.
[0017] Turning to FIG. 1 there is shown a block diagram of the
primary components of the preferred embodiment of the system 12 of
the invention. A spa audio system is typically comprised of at
least two loudspeakers 7. The loudspeakers are fitted with
infra-red sensors 8 which convey control information back to the
interface processor 1. The spa interface processor 1 interfaces to
audio controller 4 via a controller interface bus 2, and to a spa
controller 3. Spa controller 3 comprises the main control
electronics for the spa. Remote control 5 has buttons programmed to
send control information for all of the audio functions for the
audio system. In addition, there are several buttons programmed to
send codes that are reserved for control of the spa functions.
Remote control 5 is preferably made waterproof, and configured to
float, so that it can be used by people immersed in the water. Spa
interface processor 1 contains a microprocessor responsible for
interpreting the custom spa remote codes, converting them, and
sending the information along to spa controller 3.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a more detailed view of one manner of partitioning
system 12 of the invention. Signals from remote control 5 arrive at
remote sensor module(s) 8. This module can be designed to accept
Infra-Red (IR) data, Radio Frequency (RF) data, or other forms of
wirelessly transmitted data. Interface processor 1 is an electronic
logic element that has the ability to buffer the remote control
data, decode the signals, and provide appropriate instruction
(meeting the particular requirements of the spa into which the
invention is integrated) to the spa system controller 3, and audio
system controller 4. Thus, the system of the invention can be
accomplished by adding to spas with electronic spa controllers and
an audio head unit, one or more remote sensor modules, and an
electronic logic element that receives signals from the sensor
module(s) and in response provides appropriate spa system control
signals to the spa controller and the audio head unit.
[0019] While the invention has been described in connection with a
preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it
is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
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