SPA controller computer interface

• US 20020082727A1
• Filed: 11/21/2001
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gecko Electronique Inc.
• Inventors: Trahan, Jean-Luc, Authier, Michel, Laflamme, Benoit
• Granted Patent: US 6,782,309 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0079 using remote control signal transmission devices, e.g. ultrasonic, infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/501 connected to external computer devices or networks
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5012 using the internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5015 using specific interfaces or standards, e.g. USB, serial, parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/005 Electrical circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/0087 Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/601 Inlet to the bath
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/6068 Outlet from the bath
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

A remotely controlled and monitored spa. An interface signal converter is electrically connected to a spa controller. The interface signal converter has an interface means for communicating with a remote computer through a communications link. The signal converter converts communications signals transferred from the remote computer via the communications link and directs the converted signals to the spa controller. Also, the signal converter converts signals from the spa controller to be communicated to the remote computer via the communications link. In a preferred embodiment, the signal converter comprises an IR transceiver. In another preferred embodiment the signal converter also has an RS-485 transceiver. Also, in a preferred embodiment, the interface signal converter is contained within an interface module that is mounted onto the outside of the spa'"'"'s skirt. The interface module preferably contains a plurality of multicolored LED'"'"'s for illuminating the area outside the spa and an error status LED and a maintenance status LED. Preferably, a plurality of slave modules each having a plurality of multicolored LED'"'"'s is electrically connected to the interface module and controlled by the interface module.

Claims

1. A remotely controlled and monitored spa, comprising:

A) a spa controller, and

B) a interface signal converter electrically connected to said spa controller, said interface signal converter comprising an interface means for communicating with a remote computer through a communications link

wherein said interface signal converter is configured to (1) convert communication signals transferred from said remote computer via said communications link and to direct the converted signals to said spa controller, and to (2) convert signals from said spa controller and to direct the converted signals to said remote computer via said communications link.

2. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said spa further comprises a skirt, wherein said interface signal converter is mounted to said skirt.

3. The spa as in claim 1 and further comprising an interface module, wherein said interface signal converter is contained in said interface module.

4. The spa as in claim 3, wherein said interface module comprises at least one warning device and a light source.

5. The spa as in claim 4, further comprising a light sensor for automatically controlling said light source.

6. The spa as in claim 5, wherein said light source is for illuminating an area outside said spa.

7. The spa as in claim 3, wherein said spa further comprises a skirt, wherein said interface module is mounted to said skirt.

8. The spa as in claim 4, wherein said at least one light source is a plurality of multi-colored LED'"'"'s.

9. The spa as in claim 8, further comprising a user controllable key for controlling the illumination of said plurality of multicolored LED'"'"'s.

10. The spa as in claim 9, wherein said controlling the illumination is achieved by pressing said user controllable key, wherein each said press causes a change in the colors displayed by said plurality of multicolored LED'"'"'s.

11. The spa as in claim 3, further comprising at least one slave module, wherein said at least one slave module comprises at least one light source for illuminating the area around said spa, wherein said at least one slave module is controlled by said interface module.

12. The spa as in claim 4, wherein said at least one warning device is an error status LED and a maintenance status LED.

13. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said interface signal converter comprises an RS transceiver.

14. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said interface signal converter comprises an IR transceiver.

15. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said interface signal converter comprises an RF transceiver.

16. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said interface signal converter is capable of transceiving an RS differential signal and an IR signal.

17. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said interface signal converter is removably attached to said spa controller.

18. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said interface signal converter is rigidly attached to said spa controller.

19. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said remote computer is connected to said interface signal converter via a communications wire.

20. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said communications link is a wireless communications link.

21. The spa as in claim 1, further comprising a second remote computer for sending commands to said spa controller and receiving data from said spa controller, wherein said second remote computer is connected to said spa controller via a computer network.

22. The spa as in claim 21, wherein said computer network is the Internet.

23. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said communications link is the Internet.

24. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said remote computer is controlled by the spa owner.

25. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said remote computer is controlled by the spa dealer.

26. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said remote computer is controlled by the spa manufacturer.

27. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said remote computer is controlled by the spa service technician.

28. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said remote computer is controlled by the spa controller manufacturer.

29. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said communications link comprises a computer network.

30. The spa as in claim 29, wherein said computer network is the Internet.

31. The spa as in claim 29, wherein said computer network is a LAN.

32. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said remote computer is a PDA.

33. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said remote computer is a cellular phone.

34. The spa as in claim 1, further comprising a spa skirt wherein said remote computer is located underneath said spa skirt.

35. The spa as in claim 31, wherein said remote computer is connected to a computer network.

36. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said remote computer is used to monitor and control the spa.

37. The spa as in claim 1, wherein said remote computer is used to download software to said spa controller.

39. The spa as in claim 38, wherein said spa further comprises a skirt means, wherein said interface signal converter means is mounted to said skirt means.

40. The spa as in claim 38 and further comprising an interface module means, wherein said interface signal converter means is contained in said interface module means.

41. The spa as in claim 40, wherein said interface module means comprises at least one warning means and a light source means.

42. The spa as in claim 41, further comprising a light sensor means for automatically controlling said light source means.

43. The spa as in claim 41, wherein said light source means is for illuminating an area outside said spa.

44. The spa as in claim 40, wherein said spa further comprises a skirt means, wherein said interface module means is mounted to said skirt means.

45. The spa as in claim 41, wherein said at least one light source means is a plurality of multi-colored LED'"'"'s.

46. The spa as in claim 45, further comprising a user controllable key means for controlling the illumination of said plurality of multicolored LED'"'"'s.

47. The spa as in claim 46, wherein said controlling the illumination is achieved by pressing said user controllable key, wherein each said press causes a change in the colors displayed by said plurality of multicolored LED'"'"'s.

48. The spa as in claim 40, further comprising at least one slave module means, wherein said at least one slave module means comprises at least one light source means for illuminating the area around said spa, wherein said at least one slave module means is controlled by said interface module means.

49. The spa as in claim 41, wherein said at least one warning means is an error status LED and a maintenance status LED.

38. A remotely controlled and monitored spa, comprising:

A) a spa controller means, and

B) a interface signal converter means electrically connected to said spa controller means, said interface signal converter comprising an interface means for communicating with a remote computer means through a communications link

wherein said interface signal converter means is configured to (1) convert communication signals transferred from said remote computer means via said communications link and to direct the converted signals to said spa controller means, and to (2) convert signals from said spa controller means and to direct the converted signals to said remote computer means via said communications link.