Water stream comfort indication device

• US 20060203880A1
• Filed: 03/11/2005
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ronald F. Batcho Sr
• Original Assignee: Ronald F. Batcho Sr
• Inventors: Batcho, Ronald F. Sr.
• Application Number:
  US11/077,778
• Publication Number:
  US 20060203880A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 374/147
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/08 giving differences of values using thermoelectric elements G01K7/02; giving differentiated values

Abstract

Devices for indicating when a water stream at some temperature flowing through a plumbing fixture is comfortable for at least one user to physically contact. Devices include at least a control unit, a temperature sensor, and an output device. The temperature sensor senses a temperature representative of the water stream. The control unit compares the temperature representative of the water stream to a preset temperature or range of temperatures representative of the water stream being comfortable for some user to physically contact. The output device affirmatively indicates to users that the water stream is comfortable once the sensed temperature representative of the water stream matches or is within the preset range of representative temperatures. A user interface is provided in some embodiments. Abstract is provided only for searching purposes, and is not intended to narrow the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims in any way.

Claims

1. A device for indicating whether a water stream flowing through a plumbing fixture is comfortable for a user to physically contact, comprising;

a temperature sensor, operably connected to at least the plumbing fixture and thereby sensing a temperature representative of the water stream;

a control unit, operably connected to at least the temperature sensor for receiving therefrom the temperature representative of the water stream;

an output device, operably connected to at least the control unit;

wherein the output device providing at least one of an audible sound indication and a visual indication to the user;

a user interface, operably connected to at least one of the temperature sensor, the control unit, and the output device for allowing the user to preset a water temperature range representative of the water stream such that the water stream therein is comfortable for the user to physically contact;

wherein the control unit compares the temperature representative of the water stream sensed with the water temperature range preset by the user;

wherein the output device provides an affirmative indication to the user that the water stream is comfortable for the user to physically contact;

when the control unit determines the temperature representative of the water stream sensed to be within the water temperature range preset by the user; and

wherein the water stream is previously mixed to some temperature prior to interfacing with the device through the plumbing fixture.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the output device includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of a piezoelectric source, a local speaker, a remote speaker, an audible sound source, a colored LED, an LCD panel, a visible output display, a visible indicator, a light, and a touch screen with visible output for interacting with the user.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the output device further provides at least one additional indication selected from the group consisting of an audible indication that the temperature representative of the water stream is too uncomfortably hot when the control unit determines the temperature representative of the water stream to be above the water temperature range preset by the user, a visible indication that the temperature representative of the water stream is too uncomfortably hot when the control unit determines the temperature representative of the water stream to be above the water temperature range preset by the user, an audible indication that the temperature representative of the water stream is too uncomfortably cold when the control unit determines the temperature representative of the water stream to be below the water temperature range preset by the user, and a visible indication that the temperature representative of the water stream is too uncomfortably cold when the control unit determines the temperature representative of the water stream to be below the water temperature range preset by the user.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of a thermometer, a temperature probe, a thermocouple, a thermistor, a varistor, an infrared temperature sensor, a resistance temperature detector probe, a thermojunctive temperature sensor, a temperature sensitive bridge circuit, a mechanical temperature sensor, a discrete temperature sensitive component, and an integrated circuit temperature sensitive component.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the control unit includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of hardware logic, a hardware logic component, a state machine implemented in hardware, an ASIC, an integrated circuit, a programmable logic device, a processor, a general purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a computer, an embedded controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable controller, a hybrid processor, non-volatile storage, volatile storage, memory, registers, RAM, SRAM, DRAM, ROM, EEPROM, a configurable hardware device, and a re-configurable hardware device.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a power source, operably connected for providing controlled voltage and controlled current to at least one of the control unit and the temperature sensor, and wherein the power source is safe for the user to use in association with the water stream.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the power source includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of a battery, a low voltage DC power source, a current limited AC powered source, a current limited DC powered source, a voltage limited AC powered source, a voltage limited DC power source, a chemical power source, and a fuel cell power source.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the temperature sensor and the power unit have a power source selected from the group consisting of a single common shared power source, two related power sources, and two independent power sources.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the operable connection between the temperature sensor and the water stream includes at least one connection selected from the group consisting of a direct connection in which the temperature sensor is in contact with the water stream, an indirect connection in which the temperature sensor is in indirect contact with the water stream but in direct contact with plumbing carrying the water stream, and an indirect infrared connection in which the temperature sensor can detect infrared energy from the water stream without being in contact with the water stream and without being in contact with plumbing carrying the water stream.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the operable connection between the temperature sensor and the control unit includes at least one connection selected from the group consisting of a direct wired connection, a wireless connection, an infrared connection, an electromagnetic connection, a networked connection, a communication connection, a cellular phone connection, and a fiber optic connection.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the operable connection between the control unit and the output device includes at least one connection selected from the group consisting of a direct wired connection, a wireless connection, an infrared connection, an electromagnetic connection, a networked connection, a communication connection, a cellular phone connection, and a fiber optic connection.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the operable connection between the user interface and a least one of the temperature sensor, the control unit, and the output device includes at least one connection selected from the group consisting of a direct wired connection, a wireless connection, an infrared connection, an electromagnetic connection, a networked connection, a communication connection, a cellular phone connection, and a fiber optic connection.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface provides an interface for a user selected from the group consisting of allowing a single user to set a single water temperature comfort range setting interface, allowing a single user to set multiple water temperature comfort range settings interface, allowing multiple users to set a single water temperature comfort range setting apiece interface, and allowing multiple users to set multiple water temperature comfort range settings interface.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface provides an interface for a user physically contacting a water stream to set at least one of a comfortable water setting, a coldest comfortable water setting, a too cold water setting, a hottest comfortable water setting, and a too hot water setting.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface provides an interface for a user allowing the control unit to identify at least one user and at least one water temperature comfort range setting associated with each user, and wherein the control unit can utilize the user data and associated water temperature comfort range data.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface provides an interface for a user including at least one feature selected from the group consisting of a push button, a touch button, a keypad, a switch, a visual display, a voice recognition interface, a sound activated interface, a microphone, a touch screen display, a voice generating interface, an infrared remote control interface, a network interface, a communication interface, an optical interface, a wireless interface, a cellular phone interface, and a biometric interface.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface provides an interface for a user including at least one feature selected from the group consisting of a power on feature, an automatic power off feature, a manual power off feature, an automatic power on feature, a low power indication feature, a user identification feature, and a water temperature comfort range setting customization feature.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is retrofitted onto pre-existing plumbing without substantially altering the existing plumbing and the plumbing fixture.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is integrated into plumbing and the plumbing fixture with substantial alterations for integrating the device with plumbing and the plumbing fixture.

20. A device for indicating whether a water stream flowing through a plumbing fixture is comfortable for a user to physically contact, comprising;

means for sensing temperature operably connected to at least the plumbing fixture and thereby sensing a temperature representative of the water stream;

means for controlling, operably connected to at least the means for sensing temperature to receive therefrom the temperature representative of the water stream sensed;

means for interfacing, operably connected to at least the means for controlling for allowing the user to preset a water temperature range such that the water stream within the water temperature range is comfortable for the user to physically contact;

wherein the means for controlling compares the temperature representative of the water stream sensed with the water temperature range preset by the user;

means for outputting, operably connected to at least the means for controlling;

wherein the means for outputting provides at least one of an audible sound indication and a visual indication;

wherein the means for outputting affirmatively indicates to the user that the water stream is comfortable for the user to physically contact when the representative temperature of the water stream sensed is within the water temperature range preset by the user; and

wherein the water stream is previously mixed to some temperature prior to interfacing with the device through the plumbing fixture.

21. A device for indicating whether a water stream flowing through a plumbing fixture is comfortable for a user to physically contact, comprising;

a temperature sensor, operably connected to at least the plumbing fixture and thereby sensing a temperature representative of the water stream;

a control unit, operably connected to at least the temperature sensor for receiving therefrom the temperature representative of the water stream sensed;

wherein the control unit comparing the temperature representative of the water stream sensed with a water temperature range previously preset by the user as comfortable to physically contact;

an output device, operably connected to at least one of the control unit and the temperature sensor; and

wherein the output device affirmatively indicates to the user that the water stream sensed is comfortable for the user to physically contact;

when the representative temperature of the water stream sensed is within the water temperature range preset by the user.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the output device includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of a piezoelectric source, a local speaker, a remote speaker, a colored LED, an LCD panel, a visible display, a visual indicator, a light, and a touch screen with visible output for interacting with the user.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the output device further provides at least one additional indication selected from the group consisting of an audible indication that the temperature representative of the water stream is too uncomfortably hot when the control unit determines the temperature representative of the water stream to be above the water temperature range preset by the user, a visible indication that the temperature representative of the water stream is too uncomfortably hot when the control unit determines the temperature representative of the water stream to be above the water temperature range preset by the user, an audible indication that the temperature representative of the water stream is too uncomfortably cold when the control unit determines the temperature representative of the water stream to be below the water temperature range preset by the user, and a visible indication that the temperature representative of the water stream is too uncomfortably cold when the control unit determines the temperature representative of the water stream to be below the water temperature range preset by the user.

24. The device of claim 21, wherein the temperature sensor includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of a thermometer, a temperature probe, a thermocouple, a thermistor, a varistor, an infrared temperature sensor, a resistance temperature detector probe, a thermojunctive temperature sensor, a temperature sensitive bridge circuit, a mechanical temperature sensor, a discrete temperature sensitive component, and an integrated circuit temperature sensitive component.

25. The device of claim 21, wherein the control unit includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of hardware logic, a hardware logic component, a state machine implemented in hardware, an ASIC, an integrated circuit, a programmable logic device, a processor, a general purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a computer, an embedded controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable controller, a hybrid processor, non-volatile storage, volatile storage, memory, registers, RAM, SRAM, DRAM, ROM, EEPROM, a configurable hardware device, and a re-configurable hardware device.

26. The device of claim 21, further comprising a power source, operably connected for providing controlled voltage and controlled current to at least one of the control unit and the temperature sensor, and wherein the power source is safe for the user to use in association with the water stream.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the power source includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of a battery, a low voltage DC power source, a current limited AC powered source, a current limited DC powered source, a voltage limited AC powered source, a voltage limited DC power source, a chemical power source, and a fuel cell power source.

28. The device of claim 26, wherein the temperature sensor and the power unit have a power source selected from the group consisting of a single common shared power source, two related power sources, and two independent power sources.

29. The device of claim 21, wherein the operable connection between the temperature sensor and the water stream includes at least one connection selected from the group consisting of a direct connection in which the temperature sensor is in contact with the water stream, an indirect connection in which the temperature sensor is in indirect contact with the water stream but in direct contact with plumbing carrying the water stream, and an indirect infrared connection in which the temperature sensor can detect infrared energy from the water stream without being in contact with the water stream and without being in contact with plumbing carrying the water stream.

30. The device of claim 21, wherein the operable connection between the temperature sensor and the control unit includes at least one connection selected from the group consisting of a direct wired connection, a wireless connection, an infrared connection, an electromagnetic connection, a networked connection, a communication connection, a cellular phone connection, and a fiber optic connection.

31. The device of claim 21, wherein the operable connection between the control unit and the output device includes at least one connection selected from the group consisting of a direct wired connection, a wireless connection, an infrared connection, an electromagnetic connection, a networked connection, a communication connection, a cellular phone connection, and a fiber optic connection.

32. The device of claim 21, further comprising a user interface operably connected to at least one of the temperature sensor, the control unit, and the output device for allowing the user to preset a water temperature range representative of the water stream comfortable for the user to physically contact.

33. The device of claim 32, wherein the operable connection between the user interface and a least one of the temperature sensor, the control unit, and the output device includes at least one connection selected from the group consisting of a direct wired connection, a wireless connection, an infrared connection, an electromagnetic connection, a networked connection, a communication connection, a cellular phone connection, and a fiber optic connection.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein the user interface provides an interface for a user selected from the group consisting of allowing a single user to set a single water temperature comfort range setting interface, allowing a single user to set multiple water temperature comfort range settings interface, allowing multiple users to set a single water temperature comfort range setting apiece interface, and allowing multiple users to set multiple water temperature comfort range settings interface.

35. The device of claim 33, wherein the user interface provides an interface for a user allowing the identification of at least one user and at least one water temperature comfort range setting associated with each user, and wherein the control unit can utilize the user data and the associated water temperature comfort range data.

36. The device of claim 33, wherein the user interface provides an interface for a user including at least one feature selected from the group consisting of a push button, a touch button, a keypad, a switch, a visual display, a voice recognition interface, a sound activated interface, a microphone, a touch screen display, a voice generating interface, an infrared remote control interface, a network interface, a communication interface, an optical interface, a wireless interface, a cellular phone interface, and a biometric interface.

37. The device of claim 33, wherein the user interface provides an interface for a user including at least one feature selected from the group consisting of a power on feature, an automatic power off feature, a manual power off feature, an automatic power on feature, a low power indication feature, a user identification feature, and a water temperature comfort range setting customization feature.

38. The device of claim 21, wherein the device is retrofitted onto pre-existing plumbing without substantially altering the existing plumbing and the plumbing fixture.

39. The device of claim 21, wherein the device is integrated into plumbing and the plumbing fixture with substantial alterations for integrating the device with plumbing and the plumbing fixture.

40. The device of claim 21, wherein the water stream is previously mixed to some temperature prior to interfacing with the device through the plumbing fixture.

41. A device for indicating whether a water stream flowing through a plumbing fixture is comfortable for a user to physically contact, comprising;

means for sensing temperature, operably connected to at least the plumbing fixture and thereby sensing a temperature representative of the water stream;

means for controlling, operably connected to at least the means for sensing temperature to receive therefrom the temperature representative of the water stream sensed;

wherein the means for controlling compares the temperature representative of the water stream sensed with a water temperature range previously preset by the user as comfortable to physically contact;

means for outputting, operably connected to at least the means for controlling; and

wherein the means for outputting affirmatively indicates to the user that the water stream is comfortable for the user to physically contact when the representative temperature of the water stream sensed is within the water temperature range preset by the user.