Spa switch

• US 20060096020A1
• Filed: 11/08/2004
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dimension One Spas
• Original Assignee: Dimension One Spas
• Inventors: Pflueger, Timothy P., Caudilo, Jose A.
• Application Number:
  US10/984,278
• Publication Number:
  US 20060096020A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/541.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0079 using remote control signal transmission devices, e.g. ultrasonic, infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/00 Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes A61H35/00 takes precedence; sprays acting on a body or body part not immersed in water A61H9/00; means for washing bed-ridden persons A61G7/0005; for sub aquatic intestinal cleaning A61M9/00; isolation chambers A61M21/0094; electric or magnetic baths, applying ionised fluids A61N1/44 ; heater for bath tubs F24H1/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/005 Electrical circuits therefor

Abstract

A spa control system controlled by an infrared beam. In one implementation, the spa control system has a sender device located at a target sender area of spa shell, and a receiver device located at a target receiver area of a spa shell. The system includes receiver electronics associated with the receiver device, in which the receiver electronics are configured to transmit a signal when a path of the infrared beam is interrupted. The system also includes one or more control units of the spa to receive the signal, and to adjust a function of the one or more control units according to the signal received.

Claims

1. A spa control system comprising:

a spa shell;

a sender device located at a target sender area of the spa shell, the sender device being operable to send an infrared beam;

a receiver device located at a target receiver area of the spa shell, the sender device being operable to receive the infrared beam;

receiver electronics coupled with the receiver device, and are operable to transmit a signal when a path of the infrared beam is interrupted; and

one or more control units of the spa to receive the signal and to adjust a function of the spa according to the signal received.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the one or more control units comprise a control unit to adjust water flow.

3. The system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the one or more control units comprise a control unit to adjust water volume.

4. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the receiver device is coupled with a personal computer-type (PC-type) board.

5. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a footwell area of the spa comprises the target sender area of the spa shell and the target receiver area of the spa shell.

6. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the path of the infrared beam between the target device and the sender device is to be interrupted at a seating section of the spa.

7. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the receiver electronics are configured to change a state of the signal when the path of the infrared beam is interrupted.

8. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the one or more control units of the spa are configured to receive the signal and to adjust multiple functions of the spa according to the signal received.

9. The system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a timing device to determine an amount of time the path of the infrared beam has been interrupted; and

an analog function controller coupled with the timing device, wherein the analog function controller is operable to vary an intensity of the one or more control units based on the amount of time the path of the infrared beam has been interrupted.

10. The system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the analog function controller is operable to increase or decrease the intensity of one or more functions of the spa.

11. The system in accordance with claim 10, wherein the one or more functions of the spa comprise a volume of a spa speaker, a lighting intensity of a spa light, a water flow control, a water volume level, and a water temperature.

12. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the spa function comprises any of a volume of a spa speaker, a lighting intensity of a spa light, a water flow control, a water volume level, and a water temperature.

13. A method to control a spa, the method comprising:

forming an infrared beam across an area of the spa;

receiving user input to adjust at least one spa function, wherein the user input comprises an interruption of a path of the infrared beam;

converting the user input into a signal;

sending the signal to a controller unit located inside of a spa shell; and

adjusting the at least one spa function based on the received user input.

14. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the infrared beam is configured to be interrupted by an object breaking the path of the infrared beam across the area of the spa.

15. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein a current signal sent to the controller unit comprises a different state from a previous signal sent.

16. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the beam is formed across a sitting area of the spa.

17. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting any of a water flow and a water volume.

18. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the user input comprises interrupting the path of the infrared beam a number of consecutive times to control a flow of the water out of water jets around a seating area.

19. The method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the user input further comprises:

interrupting the path of the infrared beam a first time to turn on water jets for a low level of water flow;

interrupting the path of the infrared beam a second time to adjust the water jets to a medium level of water flow;

interrupting the path of the infrared beam a third time to adjust the water jets to a high level of water flow; and

interrupting the path of the infrared a fourth time to turn off the water jets.

20. An apparatus to control one or more spa operations, the apparatus comprising electrical components operable to:

detect whether an infrared beam formed across an area of a spa is interrupted;

convert the detected infrared beam interruption into a signal;

send the signal to a spa control unit; and

control a spa control unit using the signal.

21. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein the signal comprises a different state from a previous signal.

22. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein the spa control unit comprises a water volume control unit.

23. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein the spa control unit comprises a water flow control unit.

24. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein the water flow control unit comprises water jet controls.

25. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein the infrared beam is formed between an infrared sender unit on the spa and an infrared receiver unit on the spa.

26. The apparatus in accordance with claim 25, wherein the infrared beam is interrupted when the infrared receiver unit does not receive the infrared beam from the infrared sender unit.

27. The apparatus in accordance with claim 25, wherein the infrared receiver unit comprises electronics configured to convert the detected infrared beam interruption into the signal.