BATHING SYSTEM CONTROLLER HAVING ABNORMAL OPERATIONAL CONDITION IDENTIFICATION CAPABILITIES

• US 20100152911A1
• Filed: 02/25/2010
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.
• Inventors: BROCHU, Christian, Hardy, Martin, Gougerot, Florent, Authier, Michel, Gaudreau, Daniel, Nollet, Louis, LaFlamme, Benoit
• Granted Patent: US 8,624,749 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/293
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/005 Electrical circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0235 based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold

Abstract

A controller suitable for identifying an abnormal operational condition in a bathing system is provided. The controller includes a memory unit adapted for storing measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component in the bathing system. The controller also includes a processing unit for modifying the measurements stored in the memory unit and for detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part on the basis of measurements stored on the memory unit. In specific implementations, sensing circuitry adapted for obtaining measurements associated to components, such as relays and fuses, is provided. This sensing circuitry allows identify components on the controller, such as relays and fuses for example, and bathing unit components in the bathing system as potential causes of an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system.

Claims

1-70. -70. (canceled)

71. A method for monitoring a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components, each bathing unit component being adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, in the actuated state the bathing unit components drawing an electrical current, said method comprising:

a. providing a memory unit for storing a plurality of data elements, the data elements conveying measurements of electrical currents drawn by respective bathing unit components when in the actuated state under normal operational conditions;

b. using a processor, deriving an expected measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system at least in part based on the data elements stored on the memory unit;

c. obtaining an actual measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system;

d. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with a bathing unit component in the set of bathing unit components at least in part based on the expected measurement of the current drawn by the bathing system and the actual measurement of the current drawn by the bathing system.

72. A method as defined in claim 71, wherein said method comprises:

a. when the bathing system is experiencing an abnormal operational condition;

i. sequentially causing each bathing unit component in the set of bathing unit components to toggle from one of the actuated state and the non-actuated state to the other of the actuated state and the non-actuated state to obtain measurements indicative of electrical currents, each measurement being indicative of an actual electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state;

ii. processing the measurements obtained in i. on the basis of the data elements stored on the memory unit to identify at least one bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing system.

73. A method as defined in claim 72, wherein said method comprises:

a. causing the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit to acquire the non-actuated state.

74. A method as defined in claim 72, wherein said method includes conveying in audio format the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit.

75. A method as defined in claim 72, wherein said method includes conveying in visual format the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit.

76. A method as defined in claim 72, wherein said method includes transmitting a signal conveying an abnormal operational condition associated to the bathing system.

77. A method as defined in claim 76, wherein the signal is transmitted over a wireless link.

78. A method as defined in claim 77, wherein the wireless link is a radio frequency (RF) link.

79. A method as defined in claim 77, wherein the wireless link is an infra-red (IR) link.

80-89. -89. (canceled)