Programmable wirelessly-activated and controlled portable hydration systems, devices, components and methods

• US 10,399,843 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2018
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arapaho Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Arapaho Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Steele, Matthew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nam V
• Application Number:
  US16/194,376
• Publication Number:
  US 20190152760A1
• Time in Patent Office: 289 Days
• Field of Search: 340 1229, 600549, 604347, 604319, 604326
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/44 Devices worn by the patient for reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge; Portable urination aidsabsorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, A61F13/15; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00; emptying devices for urine bags B65B69/0016; Colostomy devices adhesives for colostomy devices A61L24/00; materials for colostomy devices A61L28/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/00 Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems catheters A61M25/00; tube connectors, tube couplings, valves or branch units specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; devices for taking samples of blood A61B5/15; filters implantable into blood vessels A61F2/01
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/086 Adaptations for consuming refreshments without unmasking
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0005 the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/10 Pump mechanism in general F04
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1243 comprising flow or pressure sensors, e.g. for controlling pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0097 using a pump
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00131 wearable by a person, e.g. as a backpack or helmet

Abstract

Described herein are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for providing hydration to a user from a fluid reservoir or bladder, where the fluid is provided on demand by the user activating and controlling a user interface that communicates wirelessly with a control assembly operably connected to a pump and the fluid reservoir.

Claims

1. A method of pairing a plurality of first portable control systems with a second control system in a wirelessly-controlled and activated hydration system configured for use by a plurality of users, each of the first control systems comprising a first control assembly comprising a first wireless transceiver and at least a first computing device, the first computing device comprising at least a first non-transitory computer readable medium configured to store first instructions executable by at least a first processor, the second control system being separate from each of the first control systems and being configured for mounting on one or more of a vehicle, motorcycle and a bicycle, the second control system comprising a second control assembly comprising a user interface, a second wireless transceiver configured to transmit user control signals to the first wireless transceiver corresponding to one or more inputs provided to the user interface by a user included among the plurality of users, and at least a second computing device operably connected to the user interface and the second wireless transceiver, the second computing device comprising at least a second non-transitory computer readable medium configured to store second instructions executable by at least a second processor, the second non-transitory computer readable medium having a unique identification code stored therein, each of the first assemblies being configured for operable connection to and control of a corresponding fluid pump, wherein the first transceivers of the first control assemblies and the second wireless transceiver are together configured to permit the first and second control assemblies to communicate wirelessly with one another and to pair with one another, the method comprising:

selecting a wireless communication frequency from among a plurality of available wireless communication frequencies;

transmitting the unique identification code and the selected wireless frequency from the second transceiver to the first transceivers;

pairing each of the plurality of first control assemblies and the second control assembly to one another thereby to prevent crosstalk or interference between the first control systems and the second control system and other undesired nearby wirelessly communicating devices;

executing the first instructions in the first processor in each of the first control assemblies such that the first instructions include one or more of pump control instructions or portions thereof, pump on instructions, pump off instructions, pump rate instructions, pump duration instructions, pump rate instructions, and pump pulse width modulation instructions;

executing the second instructions in the second processor such that the second instructions include one or more of user control instructions or portions thereof, pump on instructions, pump off instructions, pump rate instructions, pump duration instructions, and pump pulse width modulation instructions, and

configuring one of the first control assemblies to control one or more of a pressure at which fluid is delivered by the pump, a rate at which fluid is delivered by the pump, and a duration of time over which fluid is delivered by the pump when the user interface of the second control assembly is actuated by the user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising confirming successful unique pairing of the second control system with each of the first control systems.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising confirming successful unique pairing of any of the first control systems with the second control system.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring an on-board potentiometer to control one or more of a pressure at which fluid is delivered by the pump, a rate at which fluid is delivered by the pump, and a duration of time over which fluid is delivered by the pump when the user interface of the second control assembly is actuated by the user.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the second control assembly to send repeated pump-on commands to one or more the first control assembly for a predetermined period of time after the user interface has been pressed.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring each of the first control assemblies to repeat listening commands for a predetermined period of time after the user interface has been pressed.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the user interface of the second control assembly as a generating the unique identification code in the second control assembly.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing one or more of a microprocessor, a controller, a micro-controller, and a central processing unit as the first processor in each of the first control assemblies or the second processor in the second control assembly.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring at least one of the plurality of first and second control assemblies to enter a power-saving sleep mode after a predetermined period of time has passed with no user inputs or activity.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring at least one of the first and second control assemblies to wake up from the power-saving sleep mode when the user provides an input to the user interface or initiates a power reset in the first or second control assemblies.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising operably connecting one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) to at least one of the first and second control assemblies, the one or more LEDs being configured to provide the user with visual feedback and information regarding control assembly pairing status, pairing signal strength, and power status.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising locating the user interface separate from the second control assembly, the user interface and second control assembly being operably connectable.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising attaching the separate user interface to a one of a handlebar, a component of a vehicle, the user'"'"'s belt, wrist, glove, mitten, finger ring, clothing, sleeve, ski pole, or other portable or wearable device or clothing article.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising multiple users serially using the user interface, the user interface being installed in or on a single vehicle or single bicycle, each user having its own first control assembly.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising pairing the second control assembly uniquely to a plurality of first control assemblies.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising bi-directionally communicating between transceivers located in first and second control assemblies.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising operably connecting portable hydration systems to at least some of the first control assemblies, where the user interface or the fluid pump can be uniquely paired to a plurality of first control assemblies.