METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A BATHING SYSTEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN ENERGY SAVINGS MODE

• US 20120101647A1
• Filed: 10/29/2010
• Published: 04/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.
• Original Assignee: Benoit Laflamme, Christian Brochu
• Inventors: LAFLAMME, Benoit, BROCHU, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 8,612,061 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/291
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0079 using remote control signal transmission devices, e.g. ultrasonic, infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0083 Illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5012 using the internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5035 Several programs selectable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5046 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/005 Electrical circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1923 using thermal energy, the cost of which varies in function of time

Abstract

A method and device for use in connection with a bathing system that comprises a heating module and a filtration system. The bathing system is adapted to receive power from an energy provider that supplies power in accordance with a power consumption profile. The method comprises receiving an input from a user conveying a desire that at least one of the heating module and the filtration system is operated in accordance with an energy savings mode, and causing the heating module and the filtration system to acquire an actuated state and a non-actuated state on a basis of a usage profile associated with the energy savings mode. The usage profile causes the at least one of the heating module and the filtration system to acquire the actuated state according to a schedule established at least in part on a basis of the power consumption profile.

Claims

1. A method for use in connection with a bathing system, the bathing system comprising a set of bathing unit components including a heating module and a filtration system adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, the bathing system adapted to receive power from an energy provider that supplies power in accordance with a power consumption profile, the method comprising:

a) receiving an input from a user conveying a desire that at least one of the heating module and the filtration system is operated in accordance with an energy savings mode;

b) causing the at least one of the heating module and the filtration system to acquire the actuated state and the non-actuated state on a basis of a usage profile associated with the energy savings mode, the usage profile causing the at least one of the heating module and the filtration system to acquire the actuated state according to a schedule established at least in part on a basis of the power consumption profile.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the schedule is further established at least in part on a basis of one of noise level, an ambient outside temperature and a user schedule.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein information regarding the power consumption profile is received from a power meter in communication with a power source that provides power to the bathing system.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the power consumption profile defines a peak consumption period and an off-peak consumption period, the usage profile causing the at least one of the heating module and the filtration system to acquire the actuated state only during the off-peak consumption period.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the power consumption profile defines a peak consumption period and an off-peak consumption period, wherein a majority of time that the usage profile causes the at least one of the heating module and the filtration system to acquire the actuated state, occurs during the off-peak consumption period.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the power consumption profile defines energy costs in relation to respective time period.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the energy savings mode is associated with at least one operating parameter for the at least one of the heating module and the filtration system.

8. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the at least one operating parameter is established by a manufacturer of the bathing system.

9. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the at least one operating parameter is established by a user of the bathing system.

10. A method as defined in claim7, further comprising deriving the usage profile at least in part on a basis of the energy savings mode and the power consumption profile.

11. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the power consumption profile is stored in a memory unit of the bathing system.

12. A method as defined in claim 10, further comprising obtaining the power consumption profile from a network entity via a network connection.

13. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the energy savings mode is a first energy savings mode selected by a user from a set of energy savings modes comprising at least two distinct energy savings modes.

14. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein the first energy savings mode and a second energy savings mode in the set of energy savings modes comprise at least one different operating parameter.

15. A device for use in connection with a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components comprising a heating module and a filtration system adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, the bathing system adapted to receive power from an energy provider that supplies power in accordance with a power consumption profile, the device comprising:

a) an input for receiving a signal indicative that at least one of the heating module and the filtration system is to be operated in accordance with an energy savings mode;

b) a processor in communication with the input for obtaining a usage profile associated with the energy savings mode, the usage profile causing the at least one of the heating module and the filtration system to acquire the actuated state according to a schedule established at least in part on a basis of the power consumption profile;

c) an output for releasing a signal for causing the at least one of the heating module and the filtration system to acquire the actuated state in accordance with the usage profile.

16. A device as defined in claim 15, further comprising a display unit for presenting the user with a savings mode selection interface for enabling the user to select the energy savings mode from the set of energy savings modes.

17. A device as defined in claim 16, wherein the savings mode selection interface is presented to the user via a menu based graphic user interface.

18. A control system suitable for controlling a set of bathing unit components in a bathing system, the bathing system adapted to receive power from an energy provider that supplies power in accordance with a power consumption profile, the control system comprising:

a) a user control interface for enabling a user to enter a signal indicative of a desire that at least one of the bathing unit components is operated in accordance with an energy savings mode;

b) a bathing unit controller in communication with the user control interface for receiving an indication of the desire that at least one of the bathing unit components is operated in accordance with an energy savings mode, the bathing unit controller being operative for;

i) obtaining a usage profile associated with the energy savings mode, the usage profile being operative for causing the at least one of the bathing unit components to acquire an actuated state according to a schedule established at least in part on a basis of the power consumption profile;

ii) releasing a signal for causing the at least one of the bathing unit components to acquire the actuated state in accordance with the usage profile.

19. A device for use in connection with a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components, the set of bathing unit components comprising a heating module and a filtration system adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, the bathing system adapted to receive power from an energy provider that supplies power in accordance with a power consumption profile, the device comprising:

a) an input for receiving from a user a selected energy savings mode from a set of energy savings modes, the set of energy savings modes including at least two distinct energy savings modes;

b) a processor in communication with the input, the processor being programmed for deriving a usage profile based at least in part on the selected energy savings mode and the power consumption profile, the usage profile causing the at least one of the heating module and the filtration system to acquire the actuated state and the non-actuated state;

c) an output for releasing a signal for causing at least one of the heating module and the filtration system to acquire the actuated state and the non-actuated state based at least in part on a basis of the derived usage profile.

20. A device as defined in claim 19, the power consumption profile defining a peak consumption period and an off-peak consumption period, wherein the cost of energy during the peak consumption period is higher than the cost of energy during the off-peak consumption period.

21. A device as defined in claim 19, wherein the set of energy savings modes includes a first economy mode and a second economy mode, the processor being programmed so that when the selected energy savings mode corresponds to the first economy mode, the derived usage profile is biased towards causing the at least one of the heating module and the filtration system to acquire the actuated state during the non-peak consumption period.

22. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein during the first economy mode, the derived usage profile causes the at least one of the heating module and the filtration system to acquire the actuated state only during the off-peak consumption period.

23. A device as defined in claim 19, wherein the power consumption profile conveys information relating energy costs to respective time periods.

24. A device as defined in claim 19, wherein the power consumption profile conveys information relating energy costs to respective time periods and geographical locations.

25. A device as defined in claim 19, wherein the power consumption profile is stored in a memory unit in communication with the processor.

26. A device as defined in claim 25, wherein the memory unit is part of the device.

27. A device as defined in claim 25, wherein the memory unit is external to the device, said processor accessing the memory unit via a communication network.

28. A device as defined in claim 19, further comprising a display unit for presenting the user with a savings mode selection interface for enabling the user to select an energy savings mode from the set of energy savings modes.

29. A method for use in connection with a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components comprising a heating module and a filtration system adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, the bathing system adapted to receive power from an energy provider that supplies power in accordance with a power consumption profile, the method comprising:

a) receiving a signal indicative of a selected energy savings mode from a set of energy savings modes, the set of energy savings modes including at least two distinct energy savings modes;

b) deriving a usage profile on the basis of which at least one of the heating module and the filtration system are caused to acquire the actuated state and the non-actuated state, the user profile being derived based at least in part on the selected energy savings mode and the power consumption profile;

c) releasing a signal for causing the at least one of the heating module and the filtration system to acquire the actuated state and the non-actuated state on a basis of the derived usage profile.

30. A method for use in connection with a bathing system, the bathing system comprising a set of bathing unit components, the method comprising:

a) receiving, at an input, a signal from a user conveying at least one desired operating parameter associated with a bathing unit component from the set of bathing unit components;

b) determining, at a processor, at least in part on a basis of the at least one desired operating parameter and energy efficiency information an improved-efficiency operating parameter that is suitable for implementation by the bathing unit component;

c) upon determination of the improved-efficiency operating parameter, releasing a signal for causing the user to be advised of the improved-efficiency operating parameter.

31. A method as defined in claim 30, further comprising requesting authorization from a user of the bathing system to replace the desired operating parameter with the improved-efficiency operating parameter.

32. A method as defined in claim 30, wherein the energy efficiency information is indicative of an power consumption profile associated with an energy provider that supplies power to the bathing system.

33. A method as defined in claim 32, wherein the power consumption profile defines a peak consumption period and an off-peak consumption period.

34. A method as defined in claim 33, wherein the improved-efficiency operating parameter is an operating parameter that is implemented during the off-peak consumption period.

35. A method as defined in claim 32, wherein the power consumption profile provides energy costs associated with respective time periods.

36. A method as defined in claim 30, wherein the improved-efficiency operating parameter is an operating parameter that requires a reduced amount of energy consumption in comparison to the at least one desired operating parameter.

37. A device for use in connection with a bathing system, the bathing system comprising a set of bathing unit components, the device comprising:

a) an input for receiving from a user, a signal conveying at least one desired operating parameter associated with a bathing unit component;

b) a processor for determining at least in part on a basis of the at least one desired operating parameter and energy efficiency information an improved-efficiency operating parameter that is suitable for implementation by the bathing unit component;

c) an output for releasing a signal, upon determination of an improved-efficiency operating parameter, for causing the user to be advised of the improved-efficiency operating parameter.

38. A device as defined in claim 37, further comprising a display unit for providing the user with a visual indication of the improved-efficiency operating parameter.

39. A non-transient computer readable storage medium for storing computer executable program instructions for execution by a computing unit for implementing a graphical user interface on a display unit, the graphical user interface comprising:

a) a first input area for receiving from a user an indication of a desired operating parameter associated with a bathing unit component;

b) a first information area for displaying, in response to the indication of a desired operating parameter, an improved-efficiency operating parameter suitable for replacing the desired operating parameter, the improved-efficiency operating parameter being more efficient in terms of at least one of energy consumption and energy cost;

c) a second input area for receiving from a user an indication that the improved-efficiency operating parameter should be implemented.

40. A device for use in connection with a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components comprising a heating module and a filtration system, the bathing system adapted to receive power from an energy provider that supplies power in accordance with a power consumption profile, the device comprising:

a) an input for receiving the power consumption profile; and

b) a processor for controlling the set of bathing units at least in part on a basis of the power consumption profile.

41. A method for use in connection with a bathing system, the bathing system comprising a set of bathing unit components including a heating module and a filtration system adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, the method comprising:

a) receiving an input from a user conveying a desire that at least one of the heating module and the filtration system is operated in accordance with an operational mode;

b) causing the at least one of the heating module and the filtration system to acquire the actuated state and the non-actuated state on a basis of the operational mode, the selected operational mode causing the at least one of the heating module and the filtration system to acquire the actuated state according to a schedule established at least in part on a basis of a certain criteria.

42. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the certain criteria relates to a noise level.

43. A method as defined in claim 42, wherein the operational mode is operative for causing at least one of the heating module and the filtration system to acquire the actuated state according to a schedule aimed to reduce noise during a given time of day.