Sound responsive tube control circuit

• US 4,742,456 A
• Filed: 03/18/1983
• Issued: 05/03/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: American Standard Companies Incorporated (Ideal Standard International Topco SCA)
• Original Assignee: American Standard Companies Incorporated (Ideal Standard International Topco SCA)
• Inventors: Kamena, David H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ruggiero, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US06/476,654
• Time in Patent Office: 1,873 Days
• Field of Search: 364/400, 364/138, 364/139, 364/509, 364/510, 381/86, 381/110, 340/148, 340/310 R, 340/310 A, 367/198, 128/369, 128/370, 4/191, 4/524, 4/542-545, 4/538, 4/546, 4/559, 4/597, 4/604, 4/661
• US Class Current: 700/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0054 with liquid level detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/005 Electrical circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/0087 Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/60 Components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00 plumbing E03C1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1393 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators

Abstract

An illustrative embodiment of the invention provides a microprocessor for deenergizing the air and water pumps for a whirlpool bath when a voice communication system is activated from the bath to reduce background noise. A stereophonic sound system also can be incorporated into the bath tub control circuit in the same manner. A carrier current control also responds to the microprocessor by sending control signals through the household electrical wiring circuit to regulate, from the bath tub, other functions, of which heat lamp, room illumination and door unlocking are typical.

Claims

1. A bath tub control circuit for a bath tub to hold bath water comprising, a bath water pump for regulating water within the bath tub, a microprocessor coupled to said bath water pump for energizing and deenergizing said pump, a voice communication circuit coupled to said microprocessor and operable at least from the bath tub for selective activation therefrom and for deenergizing said bath water pump through said microprocessor as said voice communication circuit is activated.

2. A control circuit according to claim 1 further comprising, an air blower in fluid communication with the bath tub, said air blower being controlled by said microprocessor to deenergize as said voice communication circuit is activated.

3. A control circuit according to claim 2 further comprising, a stereophonic sound circuit operable at least from the bath tub for selective activation therefrom and coupled to said microprocessor for deactivation as said voice communication circuit is activated.

4. A control circuit according to claim 3 wherein said voice communication circuit further comprises a telephone coupled to said microprocessor.

5. A control circuit according to claim 4 wherein said voice communication circuit further comprises an intercommunications circuit associated with said door and the tub.

6. A control circuit for a bath tub in a building having an electrical wiring circuit comprising, a bath water pressure sensor, a bath water pump in fluid communication with said pressure sensor, a microprocessor coupled to said pressure sensor and said bath water pump for energizing and deenergizing said pump, a voice communication circuit coupled to said microprocessor and operable at least from the bath tub for selective activation therefrom and for deenergizing said bath water pump through said microprocessor as said voice communication circuit is activated, and a carrier current control circuit coupled to the building electrical wiring circuit and to said microprocessor for sending control signals through said building electrical wiring circuit in response to command signals from said microprocessor.

7. A control circuit according to claim 6 further comprising, a door, a lock associated with said door, and a control circuit for selectively unlocking said door in response to control signals from said current control circuit.

8. A control circuit according to claim 7 wherein said microprocessor sends command signals to said carrier current control circuit only if said voice communication circuit is activated.

9. A control circuit according to claim 6 further comprising, an heat lamp coupled to the building electrical wiring circuit for selective activation in response to control signals from said carrier current control circuit.

10. A control circuit according to claim 6 further comprising, a room light coupled to said building electrical wiring circuit to establish selected levels of illumination in response to control siganls from said current control circuit.