Bathing system controller having abnormal operational condition identification capabilities

• US 7,327,275 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2004
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.
• Inventors: Gougereau, Florent, Brochu, Christian, Authier, Michel, Gaudreau, Daniel, Nollet, Louis, Hardy, Martin, Laflamme, Benoit
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Hung
• Application Number:
  US10/768,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20050168900A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,464 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/635, 340/649, 340/650, 340/654, 340/657, 340/661, 340/664, 361/42, 361/49, 361/115, 700/201, 700/275, 700/300
• US Class Current: 340/650
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/005 Electrical circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0235 based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold

Abstract

A controller suitable for identifying an abnormal operational condition in a bathing system is provided. The controller includes a memory unit adapted for storing measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component in the bathing system. The controller also includes a processing unit for modifying the measurements stored in the memory unit and for detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part on the basis of measurements stored on the memory unit. In specific implementations, sensing circuitry adapted for obtaining measurements associated to components, such as relays and fuses, is provided. This sensing circuitry allows identify components on the controller, such as relays and fuses for example, and bathing unit components in the bathing system as potential causes of an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system.

Claims

1. A controller suitable for identifying an abnormal operational condition in a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components, each bathing unit component being adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, the bathing unit components drawing an electrical current when in the actuated state, said controller comprising:

a) a memory unit adapted for storing measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state;

b) a processing unit in communication with said memory unit, said processing unit being adapted for;

i. modifying the measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system stored in said memory unit;

ii. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part based on measurements stored on the memory unit.

2. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said controller further comprising;

a) a port for receiving a signal conveying measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions;

b) said processing unit being adapted for modifying the measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system stored in said memory unit based on said signal.

3. A controller as defined in claim 2, wherein said port includes a wireless interface.

4. A controller as defined in claim 2, wherein said port includes a wire-line interface.

5. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said processing unit includes a sensing circuit adapted for obtaining a measurement indicative of the electrical current being drawn by the bathing system.

6. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein the memory unit includes a non-volatile memory component.

7. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein the processing unit is adapted for obtaining measurements indicative of electrical voltages applied to the bathing system.

8. A controller as defined in claim 7, wherein the processing unit is adapted for:

a) deriving a data element conveying a variation in the electrical voltage applied to the bathing system from a nominal input voltage at least in part based on the measurements indicative of electrical voltages applied to the bathing system;

b) processing the variation in the electrical voltage applied to the bathing system from the nominal input voltage to derive an adjusted electrical current measurement based on an electrical current measurement stored in the memory unit.

9. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said processing unit is operative for:

a) deriving an expected measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system at least in part based on a set of actuated bathing unit components and the measurements stored on the memory unit;

b) obtaining an actual measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system;

c) determining if the bathing system is experiencing an abnormal operational condition at least in part based on the expected measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system and the actual measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system.

10. A controller as defined in claim 9, wherein said processing unit is further operative for:

i. sequentially causing each bathing unit component in the set of bathing unit components to toggle from one of the actuated state and the non-actuated state to an other of the actuated state and the non-actuated state to obtain measurements indicative of electrical currents, each measurement being indicative of an actual electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state;

ii. processing the measurements obtained in i. based on the measurements stored on the memory unit to identify at least one bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit.

11. A controller as defined in claim 10, wherein said processing unit is operative for:

a) causing the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit to acquire the non-actuated state.

12. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said processing unit includes means responsive to the detection of an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system for causing a ground fault circuit interrupter in the bathing system to trip.

13. A controller as defined in claim 12, wherein said means responsive to the detection of an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system for causing a GFCI breaker in the bathing system to trip, include a circuit for inducing a current leakage to ground.

14. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said processing unit is operative for identifying at least one bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit.

15. A controller as defined in claim 14, wherein the at least one bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit is selected from the set consisting of a pump, an air blower, a heater, an ozonator, a CD player and a power supply.

16. A controller as defined in claim 14, wherein said processing unit being operative for identifying the controller as potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit.

17. A controller as defined in claim 14, wherein said processing unit is operative for causing the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit to acquire the non-actuated state.

18. A controller as defined in claim 14, wherein said controller includes an output module in communication with said processing unit, said output module being adapted for conveying the abnormal operational condition associated to the bathing system.

19. A controller as defined in claim 18, wherein said output module includes a transmitter operative to transmit a signal conveying a abnormal operational condition associated to the bathing system.

20. A controller as defined in claim 19, wherein the transmitter is operative to transmit a signal conveying information indicative of the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part the abnormal operational condition of the bathing system.

21. A controller as defined in claim 20, wherein said transmitter is operative to transmit the signal over a wireless link.

22. A controller as defined in claim 21, wherein the wireless link is a radio frequency (RF) link.

23. A controller as defined in claim 21, wherein the wireless link is an infra-red (IR) link.

24. A controller as defined in claim 18, wherein the output module is adapted for conveying information indicative of the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part the abnormal operational condition of the bathing system in a visual format.

25. A controller as defined in claim 18, wherein the output module is adapted for conveying information indicative of the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part the abnormal operational condition of the bathing system in an audio format.

26. A controller as defined in claim 18, wherein the output module is part of a user operable console of a bathing system.

27. A controller as defined in claim 18, wherein the output module is part of a controller box.

28. A controller suitable for use in a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components, each bathing unit component being adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, the bathing unit components drawing an electrical current when in the actuated state, said controller comprising:

a) a current sensor adapted for obtaining a measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system, the measurement conveying a reactive current measurement portion and a real current measurement portion;

b) a control unit in communication with the current sensor, said control unit being adapted for;

i. processing said measurement to derive a power factor associated with the bathing system;

ii. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part based on the power factor associated with the bathing system;

iii. acquiring a self-programming state and a monitoring state;

(a) in the self-programming state said control unit being operative for;

(i) receiving measurements from the current sensor indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state;

(ii) storing information derived from the measurements obtained in i. on a memory unit;

(b) in the monitoring state, said processing unit being operative for;

(i) processing the information stored in the memory unit to derive at least one power factor;

(ii) detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part based on the at least one power factor and on measurements received from the current sensor.

29. A bathing system comprising:

a) a plurality of components;

b) a controller in communication with the plurality of components, said controller comprising;

i. a memory unit adapted for storing measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state;

ii. sensing circuitry adapted for obtaining measurements associated to respective components in the plurality of components, at least some measurements being indicative of current measurements;

iii. a processing unit in communication with said memory unit and with said sensing circuit, said processing unit being adapted for;

(a) modifying the measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system stored in said memory unit;

(b) detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part based on of measurements stored on the memory unit.

30. A system as defined in claim 29, wherein said plurality of components includes components selected from the set consisting of bathing unit components, fuses and relays.

31. A system as defined in claim 30, wherein said system comprises an output device for conveying information identifying the set of components potentially causing the abnormal operational condition of the bathing system.

32. A system as defined in claim 29, wherein said controller further comprising;

a) a port for receiving a signal conveying measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions;

b) said processing unit being adapted for modifying the measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system stored in said memory unit based on said signal.

33. A controller as defined in claim 32, wherein said port includes a wireless interface.

34. A controller as defined in claim 32, wherein said port includes a wire-line interface.

35. A controller as defined in claim 29, wherein said processing unit is adapted for acquiring a self-programming state, in the self-programming state said processing unit being operative for:

i. obtaining measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions;

ii. storing the measurements obtained in i. on the memory unit.

36. A controller suitable for identifying an abnormal operational condition in a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components, each bathing unit component being adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, the bathing unit components drawing an electrical current when in the actuated state, said controller comprising:

a) a circuit element operative for enabling flow of electrical current to bathing unit components in the set of bathing unit components for selectively causing the bathing unit components in the set of bathing unit components to acquire the actuated state and the non-actuated state;

b) a memory unit adapted for storing measurements of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system through the circuit element under normal operating conditions, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state;

c) a processing unit in communication with said memory unit and said circuit element, said processing unit being adapted for;

i. deriving at least one expected current measurement at least in part based on;

(a) desired state information associated to the bathing unit components in said set of bathing unit components, the desired state information conveying either one of the actuated state or the non-actuated state for each bathing unit component in said set of bathing unit components; and

(b) the measurements stored on the memory unit;

ii. obtaining an actual measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system;

iii. determining if the bathing system is experiencing an abnormal operational condition at least in part based on the at least one expected current measurement and the actual current measurement of the current drawn by the bathing system.

37. A controller as defined in claim 36, wherein said processing unit is responsive to the detection of an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system for initiating an error handling process.

38. A controller as defined in claim 37, wherein said error handling process includes causing a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to trip.

39. A controller as defined in claim 36, wherein said processing unit includes means responsive to the detection of an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system for causing a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to trip.

40. A controller as defined in claim 39, wherein said means responsive to the detection of an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system for causing a GFCI breaker in the bathing system to trip, include a circuit for inducing a current leakage to ground.

41. A controller as defined in claim 36, wherein said processing unit is operative for identifying at least one bathing unit component in the set of bathing unit components potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit.

42. A controller as defined in claim 41, wherein said processing unit is operative for causing the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit to acquire the non-actuated state.

43. A controller as defined in claim 42, wherein the at least one bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit is selected from the set consisting of a pump, an air blower, a heater, an ozonator, a CD player and a power supply.

44. A controller as defined in claim 36, wherein said controller further comprises

a) a port for receiving a signal conveying measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions;

b) said processing unit being adapted for modifying the measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system stored in said memory unit based on said signal.

45. A controller as defined in claim 44, wherein said port includes a wireless interface.

46. A controller as defined in claim 44, wherein said port includes a wire-line interface.

47. A controller as defined in claim 44, wherein said processing unit includes a sensing circuit adapted for obtaining a measurement indicative of the electrical current being drawn by the bathing system.

48. A controller as defined in claim 44, wherein the memory unit includes a non-volatile memory component.

49. A controller as defined in claim 44, wherein the processing unit is adapted for obtaining measurements indicative of electrical voltages applied to the bathing system.

50. A controller as defined in claim 49, wherein the processing unit is adapted for:

a) deriving a data element conveying a variation in the electrical voltage applied to the bathing system from a nominal input voltage at least in part based on the measurements indicative of electrical voltages applied to the bathing system;

b) processing the variation in the electrical voltage applied to the bathing system from the nominal input voltage to derive an adjusted electrical current measurement based on an electrical current measurement stored in the memory unit.

51. A controller as defined in claim 36, wherein said processing unit is further operative for:

i. sequentially causing each bathing unit component in the set of bathing unit components to toggle from one of the actuated state and the non-actuated state to an other of the actuated state and the non-actuated state to obtain measurements indicative of electrical currents, each measurement being indicative of an actual electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state;

ii. processing the measurements obtained in i. based on the measurements stored on the memory unit to identify at least one bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit.

52. A controller as defined in claim 51, wherein said processing unit is operative for causing the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit to acquire the non-actuated state.

53. A controller as defined in claim 36, wherein said controller includes an output module in communication with said processing unit, said output module being adapted for conveying the abnormal operational condition associated to the bathing system.

54. A controller as defined in claim 53, wherein said output module includes a transmitter operative to transmit a signal conveying a abnormal operational condition associated to the bathing system.

55. A controller as defined in claim 54, wherein the transmitter is operative to transmit a signal conveying information indicative of the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part the abnormal operational condition of the bathing system.

56. A controller as defined in claim 55, wherein the output module is adapted for conveying information indicative of the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part the abnormal operational condition of the bathing system in a visual format.

57. A controller as defined in claim 55, wherein the output module is adapted for conveying information indicative of the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part the abnormal operational condition of the bathing system in an audio format.

58. A controller as defined in claim 54, wherein said transmitter is operative to transmit the signal over a wireless link.

59. A controller as defined in claim 58, wherein the wireless link is a radio frequency (RF) link.

60. A controller as defined in claim 58, wherein the wireless link is an infra-red (IR) link.

61. A controller as defined in claim 53, wherein the output module is part of a user operable console of a bathing system.

62. A controller as defined in claim 53, wherein the output module is part of a controller box.