Spa capacitive switch

• US 20060096021A1
• 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: Hutchings, Brent Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/984,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20060096021A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/541.1
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches

Abstract

A spa system controlled by capacitive sensing. In one implementation, a spa control system includes a capacitive sensor to receive input from a spa user. The capacitive sensor is operable to sense a change in capacitance due to an object being in proximity with the capacitive sensor. The system includes a control unit coupled to the capacitive sensor to control at least one spa function.

Claims

1. A spa control system comprising:

a capacitive sensor configured to receive input from a spa user, wherein the capacitive sensor is operable to sense a change in capacitance due to an object being in proximity with the capacitive sensor; and

a control unit coupled with the capacitive sensor to control at least one function.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one spa function comprises a water flow control.

3. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor comprises a sensing target, wherein the sensing target comprises an area of a spa shell to be contacted to change the capacitance.

4. The system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the sensing target is demarcated on the area of the spa shell with any one of a decorative design, a label, a molding, a pattern or a texture.

5. The system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the capacitive sensor is operable at a location below a water level of water in the spa.

6. The system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the capacitive sensor is operable at a location at or above a water level of water in the spa.

7. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the object in proximity of the capacitor sensor is detected across a non-conductive gap.

8. The system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the gap comprises any one of a gap comprising air, a gap comprising plastic, or a gap comprising glass.

9. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor is located at a seating area in the spa.

10. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor is located in a footwell area of the spa.

11. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one spa function comprises any of a volume of a spa speaker, a lighting intensity of a spa light, and a water temperature.

12. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to provide user control of an intensity of the at least one function.

13. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to provide binary function control, stepping function control, and analog function control of the at least one function.

14. A method to control one or more functions of a spa, the method comprising:

receiving user input using capacitive sensing to adjust at least one spa function, wherein the capacitive sensing comprises;

detecting when an object is in proximity of an oscillator, wherein the oscillator is operable to vibrate when an object is in proximity of the oscillator, and wherein a capacitance of the oscillator is a function of the proximity of the object with the oscillator;

detecting a vibration of the oscillator when the object is in proximity of the oscillator;

changing a status of a control device in response to detecting the vibration; and

adjusting the at least one spa function based on the changing of the status of the control device.

15. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein at least one spa function comprises controlling water flow.

16. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein a spa control unit is configured to adjust the at least one spa function in response to the changing status of the control device.

17. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the input is received at a sitting area of the spa.

18. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting a water flow.

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

detect an input from a user by sensing a change in capacitance in response to an object being in proximity of a capacitive sensor;

convert the detected input into a signal to change a state of a control device, wherein the control device is coupled to one or more spa controls; and

adjusting the one or more spa controls in response to the change in state of the control device.

20. The apparatus in accordance with claim 19, wherein at least one spa control comprises a water flow control unit.

21. The apparatus in accordance with claim 19, where the signal detector comprises a sensing target located in proximity to a seating area of the spa.

22. The apparatus in accordance with claim 19, wherein the input detected comprises a capacitance between a sensing target and the object.