BATHING SYSTEM CONTROLLER HAVING ABNORMAL OPERATIONAL CONDITION IDENTIFICATION CAPABILITIES
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
129 Claims
-
1-89. -89. (canceled)
-
90. A method for remotely monitoring a status of a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components comprised of at least a first bathing unit component and a second bathing unit component, said method comprising:
-
a) initiating at a controller a monitoring state to detect an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system; b) at the controller, transmitting over a communication link information conveying the detected abnormal operational condition to a remote monitor; c) at the remote monitor, conveying to a human operator information related to the detected abnormal operational condition, wherein the information related to the detected abnormal operational condition identifies a potential cause of the detected abnormal operational condition. - View Dependent Claims (91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96)
-
-
97. A method for remotely monitoring a status of a bathing system, said method comprising:
-
a) transmitting a monitoring command signal from a remote monitor to a controller over a communication link, the controller being associated with the bathing system; b) at the controller, initiating a monitoring state to detect an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system; c) transmitting information conveying the detected abnormal operational condition to the remote monitor; and d) at the remote monitor, generating an abnormal condition signal conveying information related to the detected abnormal operational condition to a human operator. - View Dependent Claims (98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105)
-
-
106. A device for remotely monitoring a status of a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components comprised of at least a first bathing unit component and a second bathing unit component, said device comprising:
-
a) a user interface unit; b) a communication interface for establishing a communication link with a controller associated with the bathing system; c) a processing unit programmed for; i. receiving data from the controller over the communication link, said data conveying a detected abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system; ii. conveying information related to the detected abnormal operational condition to a human operator through the user interface, wherein the information related to the detected abnormal operational condition identifies a potential cause of the detected abnormal operational condition. - View Dependent Claims (107, 108, 109)
-
-
110. A device as defined in 106, wherein the communication link is a wireless communication link.
-
111. A device for remotely monitoring a status of a bathing system, said device comprising:
-
a) a user interface unit; b) a communication interface for establishing a communication link with a controller associated with the bathing system; c) a processing unit programmed for; i. transmitting over the communication link a monitoring command signal to the controller; ii. receiving data transmitted over the communication link by the controller, the data conveying a detected abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system; iii. conveying information related to the detected abnormal operational condition to a human operator through the user interface. - View Dependent Claims (112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119)
-
-
120. A device for use in connection with a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components and a controller, the set of bathing unit components including at least a first bathing unit component and a second bathing unit component, each bathing unit component being adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state under control of the controller, the bathing unit components drawing an electrical current when in the actuated state, said device comprising:
-
a) a memory unit storing data conveying operational electrical parameters associated with respective bathing unit components in the set of bathing unit components of the bathing system under normal operating conditions, the operational electrical parameters including first operational electrical parameters associated with said first bathing unit component and second operational electrical parameters associated with said second bathing unit component; b) a communication interface for establishing a communication link with the controller of the bathing system; c) said device being configured to transmit a signal conveying at least a portion of said data to the controller of the bathing system through said communication interface over the communication link, said data being for use by the controller when detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system. - View Dependent Claims (121, 122, 123, 124)
-
-
125. A method for programming a controller of a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components including at least a first bathing unit component and a second bathing unit component, each bathing unit component in said set being adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, the bathing unit components drawing respective electrical currents when in the actuated state, said method comprising:
-
a) providing a device having; i. a memory unit adapted for storing data conveying operational electrical parameters associated with respective bathing unit components in the set of bathing unit components of the bathing system when operating under normal operating conditions, the operational electrical parameters including first operational electrical parameters associated with said first bathing unit component and second operational electrical parameters associated with said second bathing unit component; and ii. a communication interface for establishing a communication link with the controller of the bathing unit system; b) transmitting a signal from the device to the controller over the communication link, the signal conveying at least part of said data and being for use in detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system. - View Dependent Claims (126, 127)
-
-
128. A controller suitable for identifying an abnormal operational condition in 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, the bathing unit components drawing an electrical current when in the actuated state, said controller comprising:
-
a) a port for establishing a communication link with an external device having 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 when in the actuated state; b) a processing unit in communication with said port, said processing unit being programmed for; i. entering into a data exchange transaction with the external device through said port in order to receive at least some of the measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions; ii. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part based on the measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions received from the external device. - View Dependent Claims (129)
-
Specification