U.S. patent application number 17/830905 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-15 for bath control security.
The applicant listed for this patent is KOHLER MIRA LIMITED. Invention is credited to Richard Harcourt BURNS, Christopher John DUKE, Alexander Colin FAGG, Karl Antony FEARNLEY, Christopher Laurence SEYMOUR.
Application Number | 20220294661 17/830905 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006377332 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220294661 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SEYMOUR; Christopher Laurence ;
et al. |
September 15, 2022 |
BATH CONTROL SECURITY
Abstract
A control system for a bathing apparatus includes a pairing
station associated with the bathing apparatus and having a pairing
interface, and a portable user device arranged to be used to
control the bathing apparatus, the portable user device being able
to control one or more functions of the bathing apparatus only
while it is paired with the pairing station. The portable user
device is paired with the pairing station by activation of the
pairing interface when the portable user device is in a pairing
region.
Inventors: |
SEYMOUR; Christopher Laurence;
(Cheltenham, GB) ; FAGG; Alexander Colin;
(Cheltenham, GB) ; BURNS; Richard Harcourt;
(Cheltenham, GB) ; FEARNLEY; Karl Antony;
(Cheltenham, GB) ; DUKE; Christopher John;
(Cheltenham, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KOHLER MIRA LIMITED |
Cheltenham |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006377332 |
Appl. No.: |
17/830905 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16510030 |
Jul 12, 2019 |
11356291 |
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17830905 |
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PCT/GB2018/050030 |
Jan 8, 2018 |
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16510030 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/125 20130101;
H04L 12/2821 20130101; G05D 7/0635 20130101; E03C 1/057 20130101;
G05D 23/1927 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 12/28 20060101
H04L012/28; E03C 1/05 20060101 E03C001/05; G05D 7/06 20060101
G05D007/06; G05D 23/19 20060101 G05D023/19; H04L 67/125 20060101
H04L067/125 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 13, 2017 |
GB |
1700633.9 |
Claims
1. A shower control system comprising: a pairing station for a
shower, the pairing station having a pairing interface located
remote and separate from a control unit of the shower, wherein the
pairing station initiates a pairing process with a portable user
device responsive to activation of the pairing station by a user
physically located at the pairing station when the portable user
device is within a pairing region, the pairing process authorizing
the portable user device to provide control signals to the control
unit to control one or more functions of the shower comprising
changing water temperature or changing water flow rate of water
from the shower.
2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the pairing process is
initiated in response to a first operation of the pairing interface
and comprises authorizing the portable user device to provide
control signals to the pairing station in response to the pairing
station detecting a second operation of the pairing interface.
3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the control unit
comprises a control valve operable to change the water temperature
or the water flow rate of the water from the shower.
4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the pairing region
comprises a region within a set range of a relay arranged to relay
a signal from the portable user device to the pairing station.
5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the pairing interface
includes a button, and pairing of the portable user device to the
pairing station is performed or initiated by depressing the button
when the portable user device is within the pairing region.
6. The control system of claim 1, wherein the portable user device
communicates wirelessly with the pairing station, and the pairing
region is the region within a maximum distance over which
communications can be exchanged wirelessly between the portable
user device and the pairing station.
7. The control system of claim 1, wherein the pairing station is
configured to receive the control signal from the portable user
device and relay the control signal to the control unit of the
shower.
8. The control system of claim 1, wherein the pairing station is
configured for pairing with a plurality of portable devices
including the portable user device.
9. A controllable bathing system comprising: a shower having a
control unit; and a pairing station associated with the shower and
having a pairing interface located remote and separate from the
control unit, wherein the pairing station requires a user's
presence for activation and is configured to initiate a pairing
process with a portable user device responsive to activation of the
pairing station by a user when the portable user device is within a
pairing region, the pairing process authorizing the portable user
device to provide control signals to the control unit to control
one or more functions of the shower comprising changing water
temperature or changing water flow rate of water from the
shower.
10. The controllable bathing system of claim 9, wherein the control
unit comprises a control valve operable to change the water
temperature or the water flow rate of the water from the
shower.
11. The controllable bathing system of claim 9, wherein: the
pairing mode is initiated in response to a first operation of the
pairing interface; and the pairing station authorizes the portable
user device in response to a second operation of the pairing
interface.
12. The controllable bathing system of claim 9, wherein the pairing
station is configured to receive the control signal from the
portable user device and relay the control signal to the control
unit of the shower.
13. The controllable bathing system of claim 9, wherein the pairing
interface comprises a control knob or control lever operable to
provide control signals to the shower.
14. The controllable bathing system of claim 9, wherein the pairing
station communicates with the portable user device using a wireless
communication protocol, and the portable user device must be held
within a predetermined wireless communication range of the pairing
station for pairing to occur.
15. The controllable bathing system of claim 9, wherein the pairing
interface is or comprises at least one of a proximity sensor, a
pressure sensor, a button, a lever, a rotary control, a finger
print scanner, a facial scanner, a retinal scanner, and a voice
recognition unit.
16. The controllable bathing system of claim 9, wherein the pairing
station is configured for pairing with a plurality of portable
devices, including the portable user device.
17. A method for controlling a shower, the method comprising:
activating a pairing station associated with the shower and having
a pairing interface located remote and separate from a control unit
of the shower, wherein the pairing station requires a user's
presence for activation; initiating a pairing process between the
pairing station and a portable user device responsive to activation
of the pairing station by a user when the portable user device is
within a pairing region; the pairing process authorizing the
portable user device to provide control signals to the control unit
to control one or more functions of the shower comprising changing
water temperature or changing water flow rate of water from the
shower.
18. The method of claim 17, comprising receiving receive the
control signals at the pairing station from the portable user
device and relaying the control signals from the pairing station to
the control unit of the shower.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein authorizing the portable user
device to provide the control signals to the control unit is
performed responsive to the pairing station detecting an
authorization interaction with the pairing interface.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the control signal is a first
control signal, the method further comprising: receiving, by the
pairing station, a second control signal from the portable user
device; in response to receiving the second control signal from the
portable user device, determining, by the pairing station, that the
portable user device has previously been authorized to provide
control signals; and relaying the second control signal, by the
pairing station, to the control unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/510/030, filed Jul. 12, 2019, which claims
priority to International Application No. PCT/GB2018/050030, filed
Jan. 8, 2018, which claim priority to and the benefit of United
Kingdom Patent Application No. GB 1700633.9, filed Jan. 13, 2017.
The entire disclosures of each of the foregoing applications are
incorporated by reference herein.
[0002] This application is related to and incorporates by reference
(but does not claim priority to) the following United Kingdom
Patent Applications, each of which were filed on Jan. 13, 2017: GB
1700631.3; GB 1700636.2; and GB 1700630.5.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The invention relates to systems in which portable user
devices can be used to control a bathing apparatus and in
particular to improving security of remote control of the bathing
apparatus. In particular, the invention relates to a security step
to determine which portable user devices can or cannot control
certain functions of the bathing apparatus.
[0004] In the prior art, home automation systems which can be
controlled by a smartphone so as to control a shower or bath are
known. For example, US 2016/335423 (A) discloses such a system in
which a user can be authorized for providing a command, for example
by the user's location.
SUMMARY
[0005] An exemplary embodiment relates to a control system for a
bathing apparatus that includes a pairing station associated with
the bathing apparatus and having a pairing interface; and a
portable user device arranged to be used to control the bathing
apparatus, the portable user device being able to control one or
more functions of the bathing apparatus only while it is paired
with the pairing station. The portable user device is paired with
the pairing station by activation of the pairing interface when the
portable user device is in a pairing region.
[0006] Another exemplary embodiment relates to a controllable
bathing system that includes a bathing apparatus; a pairing station
associated with the bathing apparatus and having a pairing
interface; and a portable user device arranged to be used to
control the bathing apparatus, the portable user device being able
to control one or more functions of the bathing apparatus only
while it is paired with the pairing station. The portable user
device is paired with the pairing station by activation of the
pairing interface when the portable user device is in a pairing
region.
[0007] Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of
controlling a bathing apparatus that includes pairing a portable
user device arranged to be used to control the bathing apparatus
with a pairing station associated with the bathing apparatus,
wherein the portable user device is paired with the pairing station
by activation of a pairing interface of the pairing station when
the portable user device is in a pairing region; receiving, at the
portable user device, user input relating to desired control of the
bathing apparatus; and sending, from the portable user device, a
control signal arranged to cause the bathing apparatus to respond
to the user input. The portable user device can only be used to
control one or more functions of the bathing apparatus while it is
paired with the pairing station.
[0008] Another exemplary embodiment relates to a computer
application for controlling a bathing apparatus, the computer
application being arranged to pair a portable user device on which
the computer application is installed with a pairing station
associated with the bathing apparatus, wherein the portable user
device is paired with the pairing station by activation of a
pairing interface of the pairing station when the portable user
device is in a pairing region; receive user input relating to
desired control of the bathing apparatus; and send a control signal
arranged to cause the bathing apparatus to respond to the user
input. The computer application can only be used to control one or
more functions of the bathing apparatus while the portable user
device on which it is installed is paired with the pairing
station.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] There now follows by way of example only a detailed
description of embodiments of the present invention with reference
to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a controllable
bathing system of an embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the method of an
embodiment; and
[0012] FIG. 3 shows schematic views of a computer application used
to implement the method of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a control system for a bathing apparatus. The control
system comprises a pairing station associated with the bathing
apparatus and having a pairing interface; and a portable user
device arranged to be used to control the bathing apparatus. The
portable user device is arranged to control one or more functions
of the bathing apparatus only while it is paired with the pairing
station. The portable user device is paired with the pairing
station by activation of the pairing interface when the portable
user device is in a pairing region.
[0014] Advantageously, the pairing region may be a secure pairing
region in that it is a region to which people not intended to be
users of the bathing apparatus would not normally or easily have
access.
[0015] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a controllable bathing system comprising a bathing
apparatus; a pairing station associated with the bathing apparatus
and having a pairing interface; and a portable user device arranged
to be used to control the bathing apparatus. The portable user
device is arranged to control one or more functions of the bathing
apparatus only while it is paired with the pairing station. The
portable user device is paired with the pairing station by
activation of the pairing interface when the portable user device
is in a pairing region.
[0016] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of controlling a bathing apparatus. The method
comprises pairing a portable user device arranged to be used to
control the bathing apparatus with a pairing station associated
with the bathing apparatus, wherein the portable user device is
paired with the pairing station by activation of a pairing
interface of the pairing station when the portable user device is
in a pairing region; receiving, at the portable user device, user
input relating to desired control of the bathing apparatus; and
sending, from the portable user device, a control signal arranged
to cause the bathing apparatus to respond to the user input. The
portable user device can only be used to control one or more
functions of the bathing apparatus while it is paired with the
pairing station.
[0017] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is
provided a computer application for controlling a bathing
apparatus. The computer application is arranged to pair a portable
user device on which the computer application is installed with a
pairing station associated with the bathing apparatus, wherein the
portable user device is paired with the pairing station by
activation of a pairing interface of the pairing station when the
portable user device is in a pairing region; receive user input
relating to desired control of the bathing apparatus; and send a
control signal arranged to cause the bathing apparatus to respond
to the user input. The computer application can only be used to
control one or more functions of the bathing apparatus while the
portable user device on which it is installed is paired with the
pairing station.
[0018] The portable user device may be used to control the bathing
apparatus remotely.
[0019] Advantageously, the requirement for devices to be paired
with a pairing station before being used to control the one or more
functions of the bathing apparatus may reduce or eliminate
accidental or malicious remote activation of the bathing apparatus,
for example by a passer-by or neighbor with the same computer
application installed on a personal device. Security may therefore
be improved.
[0020] In the bathing system, control system, computer application
or method of any aspect of the invention, the pairing region may be
a region within a set range of the pairing station. The set range
may be a set maximum distance. The set range may be a maximum
distance over which communications can be sent between the portable
user device and the pairing station by a specified method.
Alternatively or additionally, the pairing region may be a region
within a set range of a relay arranged to relay a signal from the
portable user device to the pairing station.
[0021] The pairing interface may be, or may comprise, a button, and
pairing of the portable user device to the pairing station may be
performed or initiated by depressing the button when the portable
user device is within the pairing region.
[0022] The pairing interface may be located in a secure location,
which may increase security of pairing. For example, the pairing
interface may be located in a bathroom containing the bathing
apparatus, such that a user has to have access to the bathroom in
question to pair the device. Alternatively or additionally, the
pairing interface may be hidden such that a user could not easily
spot it without knowing where to look. Alternatively or
additionally, the pairing interface may be located remotely from
the bathing apparatus, for example in a different room. In some
embodiments, access to the pairing interface may be restricted, for
example by locating it within a locked room or safe.
[0023] The portable user device may communicate with the pairing
station wirelessly, and the pairing region is the region within a
maximum distance over which communications can be exchanged
wirelessly between the portable user device and the pairing
station.
[0024] The portable user device may communicate with the pairing
station using Bluetooth.RTM.; in this case the portable user device
is held within Bluetooth.RTM. range of the pairing station, or of a
relay in communication with the pairing station, for pairing to
occur.
[0025] Once the portable user device has been coupled with the
pairing station, the device may subsequently be used to control the
one or more functions of the bathing apparatus remotely without a
need for further by activation of the pairing interface.
[0026] The pairing interface may be, or may be located on or by, a
control valve or control valve actuation means of the bathing
apparatus.
[0027] The pairing interface may be, or may be integral with, a
control knob or control lever of the bathing apparatus.
[0028] The pairing interface may be integral with, or located on or
in the region of, the bathing apparatus. For example, the pairing
interface may be located in the same room as the bathing apparatus,
e.g. a bathroom, by an entrance to the room containing the bathing
apparatus, or within a set distance of the bathing apparatus, e.g.
1 m, 2 m, 5 m, or 10 m. Advantageously, this may increase
convenience for a user who is bathing or about to bathe, as there
is no need to visit a separate location to pair before using the
portable user device fully.
[0029] In embodiments in which communications can be sent between
the portable user device and the pairing station by a specified
method, the specified method may be one or more of the following,
or similar technologies: [0030] (i) physical docking of the device
with the station; [0031] (ii) Bluetooth.RTM.; [0032] (iii) Wi-Fi;
[0033] (iv) near-field communication.
[0034] The one or more functions of the bathing apparatus that can
only be controlled via the portable user device after it has been
paired with the pairing station may be: [0035] (i) all functions of
the bathing apparatus; or [0036] (ii) a subset of functions of the
bathing apparatus.
[0037] The pairing interface may be any interface which requires a
user's presence for activation.
[0038] The pairing interface may be, or may comprise, one or more
of the following: [0039] (i) a proximity or pressure sensor; [0040]
(ii) a button, lever or rotary control; [0041] (iii) a finger
print, facial or retinal scanner or the likes; [0042] (iv) a voice
recognition unit; and/or [0043] (v) a user interface of a computing
device linked to the bathing apparatus.
[0044] The pairing interface may be separate from, but in
communication with, a processing apparatus of the pairing station.
In such cases, the pairing station, and/or a relay in communication
with the pairing interface, may be near to the pairing
interface.
[0045] After a set time period, the pairing between the portable
user device and the pairing station may expire such that the
portable user device can no longer control the one or more
functions of the bathing apparatus. Re-pairing may then be possible
using the method described above.
[0046] Multiple portable user devices may be paired with the
bathing apparatus. Pairing may be performed for some or all of the
multiple devices at the same time, in some embodiments. In other
embodiments, pairing may only be performed for one device at once.
In some embodiments, there may be a cap on the number of devices
that can be paired with the bathing apparatus, and/or a cap on the
number of bathing apparatuses with which a single device can be
paired. For example, a maximum of 1, 2, 5, 8, or 10 devices may be
paired to a given bathing apparatus.
[0047] In embodiments including a computer application, the
computer application may have a pairing mode. In such embodiments,
the application may need to be in the pairing mode when the pairing
interface is activated for pairing to be successful.
[0048] The skilled person would understand that features described
with respect to one aspect of the invention may be applied, mutatis
mutandis, to the other aspect of the invention.
[0049] In the Figures, like reference numerals are used for like
components.
[0050] FIG. 1 shows a controllable bathing system 100. The
controllable bathing system 100 comprises a bath tub 102, a mixer
tap 104 and a shower 106.
[0051] In alternative or additional embodiments, the bathing system
100 may comprise a sink, a dual outlet shower, a bidet, no shower
106, separate taps instead of the mixer tap 104, and/or no bath tub
102. The skilled person will appreciate that the following
description can be applied to any bathing apparatus 100 and is not
limited to the example shown.
[0052] The controllable bathing system 100 further comprises a
pairing station 108 associated with the bathing apparatus 100. The
pairing station 108 has a pairing interface 108a. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, the pairing interface 108a is separate from the
pairing station 108. In alternative embodiments, the pairing
interface 108a may be integral with the pairing station 108. For
example, the pairing interface 108a and the pairing station 108 may
be provided within a single pairing housing.
[0053] In the embodiment being described, the pairing station 108
is located on a valve which feeds the bathing apparatus 100. The
pairing station 108 is behind a panel 109 of a room in which the
bathing apparatus 100 is located, and is therefore not visible to a
user. In alternative embodiments, the pairing station 108 may not
be located on a valve, and/or may be wall- or ceiling-mounted
within the room, or located in a different room.
[0054] The pairing interface 108a is a button and is visible to,
and accessible by, a user. In the embodiment being described, the
button is wall-mounted. In alternative embodiments, the button may
be integral with a tap or a physical shower control means.
[0055] A portable user device 110 comprising suitable software can
be paired with the pairing station 108 by activation of the pairing
interface 108a when the user device 110 is in a pairing region.
[0056] In the embodiment being described, the pairing interface
108a is activated by depressing the button 108a. In this case, the
button is depressed for a period of at least three seconds for
pairing to be successful. The skilled person will appreciate that
activation methods will vary depending on the type of pairing
interface, that a different set period of activation may be
selected (e.g. 1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds or 10 seconds) and/or
that a set period of activation may not be required in some
embodiments.
[0057] In the embodiment being described, the pairing region is
defined by a range from the pairing station 108. Pairing between
the device 110 and the pairing station 108 is performed using
Bluetooth.RTM. and the pairing region is the region in which the
device 110 can communicate with the pairing station 108 via
Bluetooth.RTM..
[0058] In alternative or additional embodiments, the pairing region
may be defined differently, and/or a different communication means
may be used.
[0059] For example, the pairing region may be defined using
location services such as Global Positioning Services (GPS) or the
likes to determine the location of the device 110, or by location
relative to a boundary such as the perimeter of the room in which
the bathing apparatus 100 is located. Communications may be via
Wi-Fi, near-field communication or other wireless communication
methods instead of, or as well as, Bluetooth.RTM.. The skilled
person will appreciate that any such communication method may be
used and that the examples described herein are not intended to
limit the scope of the invention. Additionally or alternatively,
communication may be via a physical docking of the device 110 with
the pairing station 108; in such cases cable length may determine
the pairing region.
[0060] In alternative or additional embodiments, a relay (not
shown) may be used. The relay is separate from, but in
communication with, the pairing station 108 and arranged to relay a
signal from the user device 110 to the pairing station 108 and/or
to relay a signal from the pairing station 108 to the user device
110. The communication may be wired or wireless. The relay may be
located closer to the bathing apparatus 100 than the pairing
station 108 is, and, for example, may be integral with the pairing
interface 108a or a shower control unit or the likes. In such
embodiments, the pairing region may be defined with respect to the
relay; for example being a region within a set radius of the relay,
or a region in which Bluetooth.RTM. communication between the
device 110 and the relay is possible.
[0061] In the embodiment being described, when the user device 110
is paired with the pairing station 108, the pairing station 108
transmits an authentication code, or password, to the user device
110. In alternative or additional embodiments, a password may be
provided by the user device 110 to the pairing station 108. The
password may be automatically generated or entered by a user of the
device 110.
[0062] In the embodiment being described, the authentication code
is a randomly generated number. The authentication code is then
saved on the user device 110 and used to authenticate the device
110 in future communications with the bathing apparatus 100.
[0063] Multiple devices 110 may therefore be paired with the
bathing apparatus 100, each device 110 having its own
authentication code.
[0064] Before the user device 110 has been paired with the pairing
station 108, the device 110 cannot be used to control one or more
functions of the bathing apparatus 100 remotely, as it is not
authorized to do so (i.e. it is not successfully paired). In the
embodiment being described, the one or more functions are all
functions of the bathing apparatus 100. In alternative embodiments,
user devices 110 may be able to control some functions, but not
others, prior to pairing. For example, any unpaired user device 110
may be used to turn off water flow, but not to turn it on, in some
embodiments.
[0065] Once the user device 110 has been paired with the pairing
station 108, the device 110 can be used to control the one or more
functions of the bathing apparatus 100 remotely. The authentication
code provided during pairing is used to show that the device 110 is
authorized.
[0066] In the embodiment being described, although multiple devices
110 may be paired with the pairing station 108 at any time, only a
single device 110 can communicate with the bathing apparatus 100 by
way of providing bathing control instructions (e.g. to turn a
shower on at a specified temperature) at any one time. Potentially
conflicting instructions from other devices 110 are therefore
blocked. The applicant's corresponding United Kingdom Patent
Application No. GB 1700636.2, entitled "CONTROL OF BATHING
APPARATUS" and filed on Jan. 13, 2017, the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference, provides further details of how
the blocking of instructions from other devices or users is
achieved. In alternative embodiments, other methods of avoiding
conflicts may be applied.
[0067] In the embodiment being described, bathing control
instructions are sent from the user device 110 to the pairing
station 108, which also functions as a controller for the bathing
apparatus 100. The pairing station 108 then initiates changes to
the valves and/or other control mechanisms of the bathing apparatus
100 so as to implement the bathing control instructions.
[0068] In alternative or additional embodiments, the pairing
station 108 may relay the bathing control instructions to a control
unit 112, or the user device 110 may communicate with a control
unit 112 directly when issuing bathing control instructions,
instead of via the pairing station 108.
[0069] FIG. 2 provides a flow chart showing the pairing method 200
described herein.
[0070] At step 201, a portable user device 110 which is arranged to
be used to control the bathing apparatus 100 is brought, or
positioned, within a pairing region.
[0071] At step 202, the portable user device 110 is paired with a
pairing station 108 by activation of a pairing interface 108a. The
portable user device 110, pairing station 108 and pairing 202 may
have any of the properties described above.
[0072] In alternative or additional embodiments, steps 201 and 202
may be reversed such that the pairing interface 108a is activated
and the portable user device 110 then moved to be within the
pairing region, optionally within a set time of, or during a period
of, activation of the pairing interface 108a.
[0073] In the embodiment being described, the pairing 202 comprises
configuring the device 110 into a pairing mode, for example by
selection of a "Pairing" option, and then activating a pairing
interface 108a. Activation of the pairing interface 108a causes an
authentication code to be transmitted between the pairing station
108 and the user device 110, resulting in the user device 110
having an authentication code arranged to authorize the user device
110 to control one or more functions of the bathing apparatus
100.
[0074] In alternative embodiments, the "Pairing" option on the user
device 110 may only become available once the pairing interface
108a has been activated, and two activations of the pairing
interface 108a may be needed in some embodiments; one to make the
"Pairing" option available and another to confirm the pairing once
that option has been selected.
[0075] In the embodiment being described, the portable user device
110 must also be placed into the pairing mode for pairing to be
successful. In additional or alternative embodiments, one or more
different actions must be performed on, or conditions met by, the
portable user device 110 in order for pairing to be successful, or
the presence of the portable user device 110 may be sufficient
without any pairing mode being used.
[0076] At step 204, user input relating to desired control of the
bathing apparatus 100 is received, at the portable user device 110.
The receipt is the result of user selection of a bathing control
instruction in the embodiment being described.
[0077] At step 206, a control signal arranged to cause the bathing
apparatus 100 to respond to the user input is sent from the
portable user device 110. In the embodiment being described, the
control signal is sent via the pairing station 108. In alternative
or additional embodiments, the control signal may be sent directly
or indirectly.
[0078] FIG. 3 shows a selection of screenshots 300 from a schematic
example of a computer application for use with a touch screen
device.
[0079] The computer application is arranged to allow a user to
control the bathing apparatus 100 via a user device 110 on which
the application is installed. The application is arranged to allow
a user to raise or lower water temperature and raise or lower flow
rate through any one or more selected outlets, such as the shower
106 and/or one or more taps 104.
[0080] In addition to allowing a user to control the bathing
apparatus 100, the application is also arranged to allow a user to
customize his or her account. For example, a background image and
user icon may be selected and used, and/or a "favorites" page may
be provided for a user's most commonly-used options. In the
embodiment being described, the application is also arranged to
allow a user to save particular settings (e.g. desired shower
temperature and duration, or desired bath depth and temperature)
for future use. Default options may also be provided in at least
some embodiments, and may be editable to allow adjustment to user
preferences. The saved settings can then be selected and
implemented automatically.
[0081] In the embodiment being described, any user can customize
his or her user account, or enter information on particular
settings for future use at any point, whether or not the bathing
apparatus 100 is in use, and whether or not the user account is
paired to any bathing apparatus. The activities that are available
to a particular user via that user's account whether or not the
bathing apparatus 100 is in use, and whether or not the user
account is paired to any bathing apparatus are activities which
only affect that user and do not have an immediate effect upon the
bathing apparatus 100. These may be referred to as personal
activities. Activities which do affect other users, and/or which
change the functioning of the bathing apparatus 100, are blocked.
In alternative or additional embodiments, no activities may be
available to an unpaired device 110, and/or a different subset of
activities may be available (for example, only account
customization, not changes to bathing settings for future use).
[0082] In the embodiment being described, the application offers
the ability to control multiple different bathing apparatuses 100
with the same user account.
[0083] A first screenshot 310 shows a bathing control application
launch page 310 with a button labelled 312 "Get Started". Text 314
on the screen 310 indicates that no bathing apparatus is currently
paired with the device 110 on which the application is being
run.
[0084] A second screenshot 320 shows a screen which is presented
once the "Get Started" button 312 has been selected. This screen
320 corresponds to a pairing mode of the application. Text 322 on
the screen 320 invites a user to activate a control interface 108a
of a bathing apparatus 100 so as to pair that bathing apparatus
with the device 110 on which the application is being run, in this
case pressing and holding a power button of the bathing apparatus
100 for at least three seconds.
[0085] As a result of following the instruction, an authorization
code which can be used to authorize the user device 110 to control
the bathing apparatus 100 is generated by the pairing station 108,
transmitted to the user device 110 and stored on the user device
110. In alternative or additional embodiments, the code may be
generated by the user device 110, or entered by a user of the user
device 110, transmitted to the pairing station 108 and stored on
the pairing station 108. In alternative or additional embodiments,
the code may be stored remotely in such a way that it is accessible
to the user device 110 and/or the pairing station 108 instead of,
or in addition to, being stored in a memory physically located in
the user device 110 or the pairing station 108.
[0086] The button 324 labelled, "Connect" is initially not
selectable by a user, and is greyed out to indicate this. Once the
user device 110 has been paired with the pairing station 108, the
"Connect" button 324 becomes user-selectable.
[0087] In alternative or additional embodiments, user interaction
with the user device 110 may be required whilst the device 110 is
in the pairing mode, in addition to activation of the pairing
interface 108a. In such cases, the "Connect" button 324 may be
replaced with a "Pair" button which is user-selectable before the
user device 110 is paired.
[0088] A third screenshot 330 shows a screen which is presented in
the embodiment being described to confirm that the user device 110
has been successfully paired to the pairing station 108. A message
332 displayed on the screen 330 states that pairing has been
successful.
[0089] An equivalent screen 340 with an error message 342 may be
displayed if pairing is unsuccessful.
[0090] In the embodiment being described, the error message 342
states, "Pairing Unsuccessful". In the embodiment being described,
details associated with the error message 342 are accessed by
touching the screen in the region of error message 342. The details
indicate a reason for the failure, for example the user device 110
being outside of the pairing region, there being too many devices
110 already paired to that bathing apparatus 100, or there being
too many bathing apparatuses 100 already paired to that device
110.
[0091] A user may be invited by the details associated with the
error message 342 to delete pairings on the user device 110 or to
delete user devices 110 from a pairing list for that bathing
apparatus 100, or provided with an indication of where to move to
enter the pairing region, as applicable.
[0092] The screen 340 with the error message 342 has a "Re-try"
button 344; selection of this button 344 initiates a second pairing
attempt.
[0093] The skilled person will appreciate that these screenshots
300 are provided by way of example only and are in no way intended
to limit the invention to the particular presentation and/or
content shown. In particular, fewer, more or different user options
may be presented, the interface may have a different layout and/or
control means (for example, a keyboard and/or mouse instead of a
touch screen), and different text and/or graphics may be used.
[0094] The applicant's corresponding United Kingdom Patent
Application No. GB 1700631.3 "BATH FILLING" and filed on Jan. 13,
2017, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference,
provides further details of optional features and functions of the
computer application described herein.
[0095] The applicant's corresponding United Kingdom Patent
Application No. GB 1700630.5, entitled "MULTIPLE OUTLET SHOWER
CONTROL" and filed on Jan. 13, 2017, the contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference, provides further details of
optional features and functions of the computer application
described herein.
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