Bathing system controller having abnormal operational condition identification capabilities
First Claim
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 for storing information related to electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions, at least a portion of said information conveying measurements of electrical currents drawn by respective bathing unit components when in the actuated state;
b. a processing unit in communication with said memory unit, said processing unit being adapted for;
i. modifying the information related to electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions stored in said memory unit;
ii. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part on the basis of the information stored on the memory unit as modified;
c. a plurality of actuators associated to respective bathing unit components, said processing unit being operative for controlling said plurality of actuators to cause the bathing unit components in said set of bathing unit components to acquire either one of the actuated state or the non-actuated state.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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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:
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a. a memory unit for storing information related to electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions, at least a portion of said information conveying measurements of electrical currents drawn by respective bathing unit components when in the actuated state; b. a processing unit in communication with said memory unit, said processing unit being adapted for; i. modifying the information related to electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions stored in said memory unit; ii. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part on the basis of the information stored on the memory unit as modified; c. a plurality of actuators associated to respective bathing unit components, said processing unit being operative for controlling said plurality of actuators to cause the bathing unit components in said set of bathing unit components to acquire either one of the actuated state or the non-actuated state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. 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:
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a. a plurality of actuators associated to respective bathing unit components; b. a memory unit storing information related to electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions, at least a portion of said information conveying; i. a measurement of an electrical current drawn by a first bathing unit component in the set of bathing unit components when the first bathing unit component is in the actuated state; ii. a measurement of an electrical current drawn by a second bathing unit component in the set of bathing unit components when the second bathing unit component is in the actuated state; c. a processing unit in communication with said memory unit, said processing unit being configured for; i. controlling said plurality of actuators to cause the bathing unit components in said set of bathing unit components to acquire either one of the actuated state or the non-actuated state; and ii. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part based on the information related to electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. 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:
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a. a plurality of actuators associated with respective bathing unit components; b. a memory unit storing information related to the plurality of actuators, said information conveying a reaction time associated with at least one actuator in said plurality of actuators when the at least one actuator is functioning under normal operating conditions; c. a processing unit in communication with the plurality of actuators and with said memory unit, said processing unit being configured for; i. controlling said plurality of actuators to cause the bathing unit components in said set of bathing unit components to acquire either one of the actuated state or the non-actuated state; ii. obtaining a measurement of a reaction time associated with the at least one actuator in the plurality of actuators; iii. processing the measurement of the reaction time associated with the at least one actuator obtained in ii. and the information stored on the memory unit related to the plurality of actuators in an attempt to detect a potential malfunction of the at least one actuator; iv. storing information derived from the measurement of the reaction time associated with the at least one actuator in the memory unit so that the memory unit stores updated reaction time information. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. 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:
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a. a plurality of actuators associated with respective bathing unit components, the plurality of actuators including at least one actuator configured for acquiring either one of a closed status or an open status for causing an associated bathing unit component to acquire one of the actuated state or the non-actuated state; b. a memory unit storing information related to the plurality of actuators, said information conveying a reaction time associated with the at least one actuator in said plurality of actuators when the at least one actuator is functioning under normal operating conditions; c. a processing unit in communication with said memory unit, said processing unit being configured for issuing a signal for causing the at least one actuator to acquire either one of the closed status or the open status, the issuance of the signal being timed at least in part based on the information nation conveying the reaction time associated with the at least one actuator. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification