Two-way RF remote control

• US 7,046,163 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2001
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation (Masco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation (Masco Corporation)
• Inventors: Macey, Stephen S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): BANGACHON, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US09/865,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20020175828A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,818 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.72, 340/825.69, 449/2, 449/6, 460/5, 466/1, 469/5, 469/6, 381/152, 381/124, 345/168, 700/17
• US Class Current: 340/12.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0079 using remote control signal transmission devices, e.g. ultrasonic, infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5043 Displays
• 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: A61H 33/601 Inlet to the bath
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices

Abstract

A spa system including a remote control for controlling operation thereof. The system includes a remote control module having a microprocessor and memory therefor, which is receptive to push-button inputs. The remote control has a display and an antenna for transmitting signals to the spa and for receiving signals back from the spa. A master control module resides within the spa for controlling and sensing a multiplicity of functions of the spa. A slave control module is coupled to the master control module and also has an antenna responsive to command signals received from the remote control, and for transmitting status signals back to the remote control. The slave control module is used for converting the command signals received from the remote control for the master control, and for converting status signals received from the master control for transmission back to the remote control.

Claims

1. A spa system including a remote control for controlling operation of a spa, said system comprising:

a remote control comprising;

a microprocessor;

memory connected to the microprocessor;

a mode button connected for communication with the microprocessor;

a plurality of control buttons connected for communication with the microprocessor;

a display connected to the microprocessor; and

a first antenna connecting for communication with the microprocessor and for transmitting signals and receiving signals; and

a main control at the spa for controlling and sensing a multiplicity of functions of the spa comprising a second antenna responsive to signals from the first antenna and sending signals to the first antenna, the main control sending signals to the remote control for displaying information on the display of the remote control and determining the function of the plurality of control buttons on the remote control, as determined by the information sent to the display of the remote control;

whereby the functionality of the control buttons of the remote control is changed with different display signals being sent by the main control.

2. The spa system of claim 1 wherein the mode button of the remote control selects a spa function to be controlled.

3. The spa system of claim 2 wherein the selected spa function to be performed by the main control is caused to be displayed on the display of the remote control by information sent by the main control.

4. The spa system of claim 3 wherein the control buttons when activated, send control signals to the main control that are recognized by the main control as control signals for the spa functions being displayed on the display of the remote control.

5. The spa system of claim 4 wherein the remote control further comprises an RF transceiver coupled between an output of the microprocessor and the first antenna.

6. The spa system of claim 5 wherein the plurality of control buttons on the remote control comprise two push-buttons.

7. A remote control for communicating with a main control disposed for sensing the status of and controlling a multiplicity of functions of an apparatus, the main control having a first antenna for sending signals to the remote control and receiving signals from the remote control, the remote control comprising:

a processor;

a second antenna adapted for sending signals from the processor to the main control and receiving signals from the main control;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a plurality of control buttons coupled to the processor;

a display connected to the processor;

a mode button coupled to the processor adapted for sending signals to the main control that cause the main control to send signals back to the remote control for displaying certain information on the display, the main control determining the function of the control buttons of the remote control in relation to the information being displayed on the remote control;

whereby the functionality of the control buttons of the remote control is changed with different display signals being sent by the main control.

8. The remote control of claim 7 wherein the plurality of control buttons comprise two push-buttons.

9. The remote control of claim 7 wherein the remote control further comprises an RF transceiver coupled between an output of the processor and the second antenna.

10. In a remote control, having an alpha-numeric display and a plurality of push-buttons, for communicating with a main control disposed for sensing and controlling a multiplicity of functions of an apparatus, a method for communicating with the main control comprising:

a. determining if a push-button on the remote control has been depressed, and if so;

b. resetting a timer and placing said remote control in transmit mode;

c. transmitting a data signal to the main control indicative of the depressed push-button;

d. resetting a timer and placing the remote control in receiving mode; and

,

e. receiving signals from the main control for displaying information, the displayed information determining the function of the push-buttons on the remote control, the functionality of the push buttons on the remote control being changed with different display signals being sent by the main control.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein if it is determined that a push-button has not been depressed, further including the steps of:

f. determining if a 15 second timer has expired, and if so;

g. turning off a back light in the display of the remote control.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein if no push-button has been depressed for over two minutes, further including the steps of:

f. placing the remote control in a sleep mode;

g. determining if a push-button has been depressed, and if not;

h. putting the remote control off line.

13. The method of claim 10 further including the step of placing the remote control in a normal receive mode.

14. The method of claim 13 further including the steps of:

f. determining if data is requested, and if so;

g. sending a request to the master control;

h. listening for a reply from the master control, and if valid data is received;

i. displaying the valid data.

15. The method of claim 14 further including the step of determining if more than two requests for data have been made, and if so, clearing the display in the remote control.

16. A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code for use in a remote control for communicating with a master control disposed for sensing and controlling a multiplicity of functions of a spa, wherein, when the computer program code is executed by the remote control, the remote control performs a method for transmitting signals to the main control and for receiving signals back from the main control, the method comprising:

a. determining if a push-button on the remote control has been depressed, and if so;

b. resetting a timer and placing the remote control in transmit mode;

c. transmitting a data signal to the main control at the spa indicative of the depressed push-button;

d. resetting a timer and placing the remote control in receive mode; and

e. receiving signals from the main control for displaying information, the displayed information determining the function of push-buttons on the remote control, the functionality of the push buttons on the remote control being changed with different display signals being sent by the main control.

17. The medium of claim 16 further including the step of placing the remote control in a normal receive mode.

18. The medium of claim 17 further including the steps of:

f. determining if data is requested, and if so;

g. sending a request to the master control;

h. listening for a reply from the master control, and if valid data is received;

i. displaying the valid data on the display in the remote control.

19. The medium of claim 18 further including the step of determining if more than two requests for data have been made, and if so, clearing the display of the remote control.