Systems and methods for controlling power applied to a resistor array

• US 6,326,596 B1
• Filed: 11/01/1999
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Modular Thermal Technologies Incorporated (North Shore Holdings Lighthouse Point, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cara Incorporated (Life Wear Technologies LLC)
• Inventors: Carr, Sheldon M., OʼLeary, Kenneth P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoang, Tu Ba
• Application Number:
  US09/431,653
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 219/492, 219/482-491, 219/506, 219/501, 219/528
• US Class Current: 219/492
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1951 with control of the working time of a temperature controlling device
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0225 actuated by timers

Abstract

A system for controlling power applied to a resistor array within a heating pad is provided. The system includes a power supply for connecting the system to a power source, a resistor array positioned within a heating pad for generating heat based on a selected heat level, and a control unit for determining the level of heat to be generated and the duration of time power is applied to the resistor array. In an embodiment, the control unit includes a timing device for generating one of an initial set time period and a shortened time period, at the expiration of either of which the supply of power to the system is terminated. The control unit further includes a mechanism which can initiate the shortened time period in place of the initial set time period. The mechanism may be used to reset the shortened time period to its full duration, after an elapsed period, each time the mechanism is activated. The control unit further includes an input mechanism for selecting an amount of heat to be output by the heating pad.

Claims

1. A system for controlling power applied to a heating pad, the system comprising:

a power supply for connection to a power source;

a control unit connected to the power supply and having;

(a) a timer device for generating an initial set time period during which power is supplied to the system; and

(b) input mechanisms for (i) selecting an amount of heat to be output by the heating pad, (ii) terminating the supply of power to the system prior to expiration of the initial set time period generated by the timer device, and (iii) initiating a shortened time period in place of the initial set time period, after which shortened time period the supply of power from the power supply is automatically terminated; and

a resistor array positioned within the heating pad and connected to the control unit for generating heat based on the selected amount from the control unit.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the power supply, in response to the control unit, produces a power level which sufficiently corresponds to the selected amount of heat to be output by the heating pad.

3. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a microprocessor for controlling the duration and supply of power to the resistor array.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the timer device is designed so that at the expiration of the initial set time period, the supply of power from the power supply is automatically terminated.

5. A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the initial set time period is approximately sixty minutes.

6. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mechanism, after an elapsed period, resets the shortened time period to its full duration each time the mechanism is activated.

7. A system as set forth in claim 6, wherein the shortened time period is approximately twenty minutes.

8. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the input mechanism for selecting the amount of heat includes a plurality of buttons, each representing a different level of heat output.

9. A system as set forth in claim 8, wherein activation of one of the buttons initiates the supply of power to the system.

10. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the input mechanism for selecting the amount of heat includes a sliding element for selection of different levels of heat output.

11. A system as set forth in claim 10, further including an input mechanism to initiate the supply of power to the system.

12. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control unit further includes an indicator to indicating whether the system is operating in an initial set time period or a shortened time period.

13. A system for controlling power applied to a heating pad, the system comprising:

a power supply for connection to a power source;

a control unit connected to the power supply and operable in an initial set time period mode, or a shortened time period mode, which shortened time period mode can be activated to override the initial set time period mode, the control unit having an input mechanism for selecting an amount of heat to be output by the heating pad and a mechanism for activating the shortened time period mode; and

a resistor array positioned within the heating pad and connected to the control unit for generating heat based on the selected amount from the control unit.

14. A system as set forth in claim 13, further including a mechanism for terminating the supply of power to the system prior to the expiration of either the initial set time period mode or the shortened time period mode.

15. A system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the mechanism, after an elapsed period, resets the shortened time period to its full duration each time the device is activated.

16. A system for controlling power applied to a heating pad, the system comprising:

a power supply for connection to a power source;

a control unit connected to the power supply and having;

(a) a timer device for generating one of an initial set time period and a shortened time period during either of which period power is supplied to the system; and

(b) an input mechanism for selecting an amount of heat to be output by the heating pad and a mechanism for activating the shortened time period; and

a resistor array positioned within the heating pad and connected to the control unit for generating heat based on the selected amount from the control unit.

17. A system as set forth in claim 16 further including an input mechanism for terminating the supply of power to the system prior to expiration of either of the initial set time period or the shortened time period.

18. A system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the control unit includes a microprocessor for controlling the duration and supply of power to the resistor array.

19. A system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the control unit includes a mechanism which resets the shortened time period to its full duration, after an elapsed period, each time the mechanism is activated.

20. A system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the input mechanism for selecting the amount of heat includes a plurality of buttons, each representing a different level of heat output.

21. A system as set forth in claim 20, wherein activation of one of the buttons initiates the supply of power to the system.

22. A system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the input mechanism for selecting the amount of heat includes a sliding element for selection of different levels of heat output.

23. A system as set forth in claim 22, further including an input mechanism to initiate the supply of power to the system.

24. A system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the control unit further includes an indicator to indicating whether the system is operating in an initial set time period or a shortened time period.

30. A method as set forth in claim 18, wherein step initiating a shortened time period includes resetting the shortened time period upon command.

25. A method for controlling power to a resistor array, the method comprising:

selecting an amount of power to be applied to the resistor array;

initiating an initial set time period during which power is supplied to the resistor array;

transmitting the selected amount of power to the resistor array;

causing the resistor array to generate a heat level corresponding to the amount of power transmitted thereto; and

initiating a shortened time period in place of the initial set time period, after which power transmitted to the resistor array is terminated.

26. A method as set forth in claim 25, further including terminating the power supplied to the resistor array at the expiration of the initial time period.

27. A method as set forth in claim 25, wherein step initiating a shortened time period includes resetting the shortened time period upon command.

28. A method of controlling power applied to a resistor array, the method comprising:

(a) providing a system having;

a power supply for connection to a power source;

a control unit connecting to the power supply to the resistor array and having;

(a) a timer device for generating an initial set time period during which power is supplied to the system; and

(b) input mechanisms for (i) selecting an amount of heat to be output by the resistor array, and (ii) terminating the supply of power to the system prior to expiration of the initial set time period generated by the timer device; and

(b) operating the input mechanisms to select the level of heat to be output;

(c) initiating an initial set time period during which power is supplied to the system;

(d) causing the power supply to generate power equivalent to the level of heat selected by the input mechanism;

(e) transmitting the generated power to the resistor array;

(f) causing the resistor array to produce a heat level corresponding to the amount of power transmitted thereto; and

(g) causing the timer device to initiate a shortened time period in place of the initial set time period, after which power transmitted to the resistor array is terminated.

29. A method as set forth in claim 28, further including terminating the power transmitted to the resistor array at the expiration of the initial set time period.

31. A method of controlling power applied to a resistor array, the method comprising:

(a) providing a system having;

a power supply for connection to a power source;

a control unit connected to the power supply to the resistor array and having;

(a) a timer device for generating one of an initial set time period and a shortened time period during either of which period power is supplied to the system; and

(b) an input mechanism for selecting a level of heat to be output by the resistor; and

(b) operating the input mechanisms to select the level of heat to be output;

(c) initiating an initial set time period during which power is supplied to the system;

(d) causing the power supply to generate power equivalent to the level of heat selected by the input mechanism;

(e) transmitting the generated power to the resistor array;

(f) causing the resistor array to produce a heat level corresponding to the amount of power transmitted thereto; and

(g) causing the timer device to initiate a shortened time period in place of the initial set time period, after which power transmitted to the resistor array is terminated.

32. A method as set forth in claim 31, further including terminating the power transmitted to the resistor array at the expiration of the initial set time period.

33. A method as set forth in claim 31, wherein step initiating a shortened time period includes resetting the shortened time period upon command.