Control unit for utility treatment systems

• US 20070129825A1
• Filed: 12/05/2005
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aquion, Inc. (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Aquion Partners Limited
• Inventors: Kargenian, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,991,490 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/83
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A system and method for control and maintenance units for utility treatment systems, having a start-up routine, an installation routine and a communication exchange between a user and the control unit of a utility treatment system. Communications from the control unit prompt the user for installation and maintenance information; communications from the user supply installation, set-up, status, operation and maintenance information. The communication exchange allows a user to contact the system and request information regarding a particular treatment system and the system to display treatment system information. Preferably, the system and method for control and maintenance units for utility treatment systems enables efficient communication exchange through an organized menu hierarchy, enabling a participating user to more effectively monitor and maintain utility treatment systems. The system and method also include a control unit for a utility treatment system having an electronic controller, an input device connected to the controller, and a storage device connected to the controller, wherein historical repair codes may be inputted to the electronic controller and stored in said storage device.

Claims

1. A electronic control unit for at least one utility treatment system comprising:

at least one interactive menu;

at least one start up routine, wherein said start up routine comprises an electrical test of said electronic control unit prior to installation;

at least one installation routine, wherein said installation routine comprises prompting a user for baseline utility treatment system information; and

at least one system profile for storing utility treatment system information wherein said system profile is created when said installation routine is completed.

2. The electronic control unit of claim 1, wherein said system profile is updated when maintenance information is entered into said control unit.

3. The electronic control unit of claim 1, wherein said system profile is updated when repair information is entered into said control unit.

4. The electronic control unit of claim 1, wherein said control unit displays system profile information to a user.

5. The electronic control unit of claim 1, wherein said utility treatment system information includes system history information

6. The electronic control unit of claim 1, wherein said system profile information is exchanged between the user and the electronic control unit via data exchange.

7. The electronic control unit of claim 1, wherein said system profile information is exchanged between the user and the electronic control unit via text messaging.

8. The electronic control unit of claim 1, wherein said system profile information is exchanged between the user and the electronic control unit via image messaging.

9. The electronic control unit of claim 1, wherein said system profile information is exchanged between the user and the electronic control unit via phone messaging.

10. The electronic control unit of claim 1, wherein said electronic control unit includes at least one accessory timer.

11. The electronic control unit of claim 1, wherein said baseline utility treatment information includes installation date information

12. The electronic control unit of claim 1, wherein said baseline utility treatment information includes water iron content information.

13. A method of monitoring utility treatment systems comprising:

installing an electronic control unit;

conducting an electrical test of said electronic control unit;

exchanging utility treatment system information with a user; and

recording said exchanged utility treatment system information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said utility treatment system information is installation information.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said installation information includes at least an installation date.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said utility treatment system information is maintenance information.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said utility treatment system information is contact information for local maintenance services.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said utility treatment system information is exchanged between the user and the electronic control unit remotely.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein said utility treatment system information is exchanged between the user and the electronic control unit through text messaging.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein said utility treatment system information is exchanged between the user and the electronic control unit through image messaging.

21. A control unit for a utility treatment system comprising:

an electronic controller,

an input device connected to said controller,

a storage device connected to said controller,

wherein historical repair codes may be inputted to said electronic controller and stored in said storage device.

22. The control unit of claim 21, wherein said historical repair codes are two character codes.

23. The control unit of claim 21, wherein said historical repair codes are three character codes.

24. The control unit of claim 21, wherein said storage device is RAM.

25. The control unit of claim 21, wherein said storage devices is ROM.

26. The control unit of claim 21, wherein said storage device is a hard drive.