Spa Capacitive Switch

• US 20070101489A1
• Filed: 12/28/2006
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dimension One Spas
• Original Assignee: Dimension One Spas
• Inventors: Hutchings, Brent
• Application Number:
  US11/617,560
• Publication Number:
  US 20070101489A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/541.100
• 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 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.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one spa function comprises controlling water flow.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1, 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.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the input is received at a sitting area of the spa.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting a water flow.