BATHING UNIT CONTROL SYSTEM PROVIDING MULTIMEDIA FUNCTIONALITY, TELEPHONE FUNCTIONALITY AND/OR DATA NETWORK ACCESS FUNCTIONALITY AND BATHING UNIT SYSTEM INCLUDING SAME
First Claim
1. A control system suitable for controlling a set of bathing unit components in a bathing unit system, the set of bathing unit components including a heating module, said control system comprising:
- a) a bathing unit controller suitable for issuing signals for controlling the set of bathing unit components in the bathing unit system;
b) a multimedia source interface in communication with said bathing unit controller, said multimedia source interface enabling access to media content associated with an external media source;
c) a control interface in communication with said bathing unit controller, said control interface being operative for;
i) enabling a user to enter information indicative of a desired change in a certain operational setting of the bathing unit; and
ii) enabling a user to enter a media control command to cause media content associated with the external media source to be conveyed to the user.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bathing unit control system suitable for controlling a set of bathing unit components in a bathing unit system and having multimedia control functionality is provided. The bathing unit control system includes a bathing unit controller suitable for issuing signals for controlling the set of bathing unit components in the bathing unit system. The control system also includes a multimedia source interface in communication with the bathing unit controller, the multimedia source interface enabling access to media content associated with an external media source. The control system also includes a control interface in communication with the bathing unit controller the control interface is operative for enabling a user to enter information indicative of a desired change in a certain operational setting of the bathing unit and for enabling a user to enter a media control command to cause media content associated with the external media source to be conveyed to the user. Variants of the control system provide a multimedia source interface adapted for enabling access to a telephone network and a data network such as the Internet.
55 Citations
58 Claims
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1. A control system suitable for controlling a set of bathing unit components in a bathing unit system, the set of bathing unit components including a heating module, said control system comprising:
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a) a bathing unit controller suitable for issuing signals for controlling the set of bathing unit components in the bathing unit system; b) a multimedia source interface in communication with said bathing unit controller, said multimedia source interface enabling access to media content associated with an external media source; c) a control interface in communication with said bathing unit controller, said control interface being operative for; i) enabling a user to enter information indicative of a desired change in a certain operational setting of the bathing unit; and ii) enabling a user to enter a media control command to cause media content associated with the external media source to be conveyed to the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29)
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4. (canceled)
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5. (canceled)
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6. (canceled)
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8. (canceled)
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26. (canceled)
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27. (canceled)
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28. (canceled)
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30. (canceled)
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31. (canceled)
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32. An apparatus for providing multimedia functionality for use in a bathing unit system, said apparatus implementing a multimedia source interface comprising:
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a) an interface connector adapted for establishing a communication link with an external media source for accessing media content stored on the external media source; b) a communication entity operative for exchanging signals with a bathing unit controller, said communication entity being operative for receiving signals conveying media control commands from the bathing unit controller; c) a processing unit in communication with said interface connector and said communication entity, in use said processing unit being responsive to media control commands received from the bathing unit controller for causing a media signal to be generated, the media signal conveying at least part of the media content stored on the external media source; d) an output interface in communication with said processing unit, said output interface being operative for releasing the media signal in a format suitable for causing an output module to convey at least part of the media content associated with the external media source to a user. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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35. (canceled)
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36. (canceled)
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37. An apparatus for providing multimedia functionality for use in a bathing unit system, said apparatus comprising:
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a) a body defining a cavity suitable for receiving therein an external media source storing media content; b) an interface connector positioned within the cavity defined by the body of the apparatus and suitable for coupling with a complementary connector associated with an external media source for accessing media content stored on the external media source; c) a communication entity operative for exchanging signals with a bathing unit controller; d) a processing unit in communication with said interface connector and said communication entity, in use said processing unit being responsive to media control commands received from the bathing unit controller for causing a media signal to be generated, the media signal conveying at least part of the media content stored on the external media source; e) an output interface in communication with said processing unit, said output interface being operative for releasing the media signal in a format suitable for causing an output module to convey at least part of the media content associated with the external media source to a user. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 49, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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42. (canceled)
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48. (canceled)
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50. (canceled)
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51. (canceled)
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58-76. -76. (canceled)
Specification