Apparatus for displaying, monitoring and controlling shower or bath water parameters

• US 9,061,307 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2009
• Issued: 06/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rein Tech, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Michael E. Klicpera
• Inventors: Klicpera, Michael, Somerville, Alvis
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Huyen
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRANE, LAUREN ASHLEY
• Application Number:
  US12/539,150
• Publication Number:
  US 20090293189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,142 Days
• Field of Search: 461/5, 460/1, 463/4, 459/7
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/18 Roses; Shower heads with means for adding soap or the like E03C1/046; jet regulators E03C1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/004 comprising sensors for monitoring the delivery, e.g. by displaying the sensed value or generating an alarm B05B12/08 takes precedence; registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus in general G07C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/008 integrated in or attached to a discharge apparatus, e.g. a spray gun
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/02 for controlling time, or sequence, of delivery
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/04 Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0404 Constructional or functional features of the spout
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/0418 having temperature indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/56 by using electric or magnetic effects G01F1/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/68 by using thermal effects
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/024 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/075 using electrically-operated integrating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/0755 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/02 for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/026 of moving liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2207/00 Application of thermometers in household appliances

Abstract

The present invention is a display apparatus for affixation to a shower or bath water supply piping or incorporated within a shower, or bath or faucet head, in an aesthetically pleasing format and comprised of fabrication materials e.g., a polymeric or metallic bases with chrome, brass white or colored finishes or combination of these finishes and materials of construction. The display apparatus includes a power generation, CPU or microprocessor, temperature sensor and/or water flow sensors, timing circuits and a display means. The present invention can include a remotely located wireless receiver apparatus. Ergonomically placed buttons can be incorporated into the display means to change parameter units (e.g. metric to US), set alarm conditions (e.g. temperature over set point, time past a set point, flow rate set points). The display means must be able to provide sufficient lighting in shower conditions. In addition, the display means must be able to sustain capability in moist wet conditions. In the embodiment defined by the attached shower display apparatus, know piping joint technology will be used for installation into both new and presently installed shower systems. In the embodiment defined by the display means incorporate into the shower head the shower head/display assembly can also be installed in both new and presently installed shower systems.

Claims

1. A time-based water parameter monitoring apparatus for attaching to the water supply line for a shower, bath or faucet head, comprising:

a joint means for connecting a housing to a shower, bath or faucet head water supply line;

electrical circuitry including a programmable microprocessor contained within said housing;

a temperature sensor that is in close proximity or in communication with said water supply, said temperature sensor in communication with said electrical circuitry;

a timing circuit in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry, said timing circuit providing cumulative timing parameter upon the initiation of water use;

a flow sensor that is in close proximity or in communication with said water supply, said flow rate sensor in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry, said flow sensor capable of calculating a water flow rate parameter;

an electronic display means located on said housing, said electronic display means simultaneously exhibiting temperature, time and water flow rate parameters on the display means;

said microprocessor having programming instructions to displaying two or more different background lights or parameter colors on said electronic display means to provide visual cues associated with a timing of water use; and

a remotely located handheld monitoring/controlling receiver or transceiver apparatus or a remotely located monitoring computer, said remotely located handheld monitoring/controlling receiver or transceiver apparatus or said remotely located monitoring computer in wireless communication or wired communication, or any combination of wireless or wired communication, with said electrical circuitry.

2. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication is in a radio frequency, Zigbee, WiFI format, Bluetooth format or optical format.

3. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a water shut off means that responds to electrical communication from said electrical circuitry.

4. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrical circuitry and said microprocessor have program instructions to periodically send water use data to a remote computer system using wired or wireless technology.

5. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 1, wherein said water display apparatus designed to wirelessly transfer water use data from said water parameter display apparatus to said remotely located display/monitoring receiver or transceiver apparatus or the remotely located monitoring computer for water use data download, recording and/or storage.

6. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication is in a IP or DHCP protocol wherein said IP or DHCP protocol allows the said apparatus to access and communicate over the Internet.

7. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 3, wherein said remotely located monitoring/controlling receiver or transceiver apparatus has the capability to turn on and off said water shut off means.

8. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication has a frequency in the range of 6 MHz to 250 GHz.

9. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication is in a CAN or CAN-bus protocol.

15. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication is in a IP or DHCP protocol wherein said IP or DHCP protocol allows the said apparatus to access and communicate over the Internet.

16. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 1, wherein said remotely located monitoring/controlling receiver or transceiver apparatus has the capability to turn on and off said water shut off means.

10. A time-based shower, bath or faucet head incorporating a water parameter assembly, comprising:

a shower, bath or faucet head;

electrical circuitry including a programmable microprocessor contained within said shower, bath or faucet head;

a temperature sensor that is in close proximity or in communication with said water supply, said temperature sensor in communication with said electrical circuitry;

a timing circuit in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry, said timing circuit providing cumulative timing parameter upon the initiation of water use;

a flow sensor that is in close proximity or in communication with said water supply, said flow sensor in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry, said flow sensor capable of calculating a water flow rate parameter;

an electronic display means located on a housing, said electronic display means simultaneously exhibiting temperature, time and water flow rate parameters on the display means;

said microprocessor having programming instructions to displaying two or more different background lights or parameter colors on said electronic display means to provide visual cues associated with a timing of water use; and

a remotely located handheld/monitoring/controlling receiver or a transceiver apparatus or a remotely located monitoring computer, said remotely located handheld monitoring/controlling receiver or transceiver apparatus or said remotely located monitoring computer in wireless communication or wired communication, or any combination of wireless or wired communication, with said electrical circuitry.

11. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 10, wherein said wireless communication is in a radio frequency, Zigbee, WiFI format, Bluetooth format or optical format.

12. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a water shut off means that responds to electrical communication from said electrical circuitry.

13. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 10, wherein said electrical circuitry and said microprocessor have program instructions to periodically transfer water use data to a remote computer system using wired or wireless technology.

14. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 10, wherein said water display apparatus designed to wirelessly transfer water use data from said water parameter display apparatus to said remotely located display/monitoring receiver or transceiver apparatus or the remotely located monitoring computer for water parameter use data download, recording and/or storage.

17. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 10, wherein said wireless communication has a frequency in the range of 6 MHz to 250 GHz.

18. The time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 10, wherein said wireless communication is in a CAN or CAN-bus protocol.