Apparatus for displaying, monitoring and/or controlling shower, bath or sink faucet water parameters with an audio or verbal annunciations or control means

• US 9,266,136 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2010
• Issued: 02/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Klicpera
• Original Assignee: Michael Klicpera
• Inventors: Klicpera, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): CRANE, LAUREN ASHLEY
• Application Number:
  US12/877,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20110031331A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,995 Days
• Field of Search: 461/8, 466/0
• 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: B05B 12/12 responsive to conditions of ambient medium or target, e.g. humidity, temperature position or movement of the target relative to the spray apparatus B05B12/082, B05B12/084 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/04 Domestic or like local pipe systems domestic plumbing E03C1/02
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0408 Water installations especially for showers E03C1/06 takes precedence; shower heads B05B1/18
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/0418 having temperature indicating means
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/223 Execution procedure of a spoken command
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/00 Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means

Abstract

The present invention is a display apparatus for affixation to shower head, bath or sink faucet water supply piping or incorporated within a shower, or bath or faucet head. The display apparatus includes a power generation, CPU or microprocessor, temperature sensor and/or water flow sensors, timing circuits, and audio or verbal communication means and a display means. The present invention can position some components remotely from other components that communicate by wired or wireless means. The communication means is designed 1) to detect and respond to audio signals or verbal instructions or commands and/or 2) annunciate audio signals or verbal messages.

Claims

1. A shower, a bath, sink, kitchen, or other faucet head or body assembly including a time-based water parameter display apparatus, said time-based water parameter display apparatus, comprising:

an electronic display apparatus either connected by a water pipe union, joint mechanism, articulated joint mechanism, or located remotely to a shower, sink, bath, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly, said water pipe union, joint mechanism or articulated joint mechanism having a wired communication means, or said remotely located display means having a wired or wireless electronic communication means;

said electronic display including electrical circuitry, a microprocessor, and a power supply said electronic display optionally having activator or touch screen functionality;

a timing parameter, said timing parameter monitoring and exhibiting the cumulative time since the water flow has been initiated on said display;

a temperature sensor in communication with said electrical circuitry;

a flow sensor in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;

said electronic display apparatus in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry, said electrical circuitry having a programmable microprocessor that is designed to simultaneously or sequentially show temperature, timing and water flow rate parameters on a said electronic display apparatus;

a verbal or audio communication means designed to communicate with said electrical circuitry and said microprocessor for processing certain operational instructions;

said microprocessor having programmed software instructions, and/or said electrical circuitry has audio filters, to reject, discern or attenuate certain frequencies that interfere with said audio or verbal commands, and;

wherein said time-based water parameter display apparatus includes an over-ride mechanism in the situation where any audio or verbal commands are not properly received or misinterpreted, said over-ride mechanism comprising an electronic button or switch located on said kitchen, shower, sink, bath or other faucet head or body assembly that electrically communicates with said electrical circuitry.

2. A shower, bath, sink, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly including a time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 1, wherein said verbal or audio communication means comprises an detection means that includes a microphone or electro-to-acoustic transducer designed to receive an audio signal or verbal instruction.

3. A shower, bath, sink, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly including a time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 2, wherein said audio signal or verbal instruction “

on”

turns on the supply water.

4. A shower, bath, sink, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly including a time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 2, wherein said audio signal or verbal instruction “

off”

turns off the supply water.

5. A shower, bath, sink, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly including a time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 2, wherein any audio signal or verbal instruction toggles the supply water on and off.

6. A shower, bath, sink, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly including a time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the microprocessor has software that recognizes various audio or verbal commands that uses descriptive words and phrases and has software instructions associated with the descriptive words and/or phrases that performs specific activities or operations.

7. A shower, bath, sink, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly including a time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the microprocessor can be programmed to respond to custom audio signals or verbal.

8. A shower, bath, sink, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly including a time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the verbal or audio communication means comprises a speaker or electro-acoustic transducers for annunciating or communicating a confirmatory verbal message or audio signal.

9. A shower, bath, sink, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly including a time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrical circuitry and microprocessor are remotely positioned and communicate with said display apparatus by wired or wireless means.

10. A shower, sink, bath, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly incorporating a time-based water parameter display assembly, said shower, said faucet head or body incorporating a time-based water parameter apparatus comprising:

a shower, bath, sink, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly;

an electronic display apparatus incorporated within or attached to said faucet head or body, said display means having the capability to visually display one or more water parameters from a display;

electrical circuitry with a power source;

a microprocessor, said microprocessor in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;

a timing parameter, said timing parameter monitoring and exhibiting the cumulative time since the water flow has been initiated on said display;

a temperature sensor in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;

a flow sensor in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;

said electronic display apparatus in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry, said electrical circuitry having a programmable microprocessor that is designed to simultaneously or sequentially exhibit temperature, timing and water flow rate parameters on a said electronic display apparatus;

a verbal or audio communication means designed to communicate with said electrical circuitry and said microprocessor for processing certain operational instructions;

said microprocessor having programmed software instructions, and/or said electrical circuitry has audio filters, to reject, discern or attenuate certain frequencies that interfere with said audio or verbal commands; and

wherein said time-based water parameter display apparatus includes an over-ride mechanism in the situation where any audio or verbal commands are not properly received or misinterpreted, said over-ride mechanism comprising an electronic button or switch located on said kitchen, shower, sink, bath or other faucet head or body assembly that electrically communicates with said electrical circuitry.

11. A shower, sink, a bath, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly incorporating a time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 10, wherein said verbal or audio communication means comprises an detection means that includes a microphone or electro-to-acoustic transducer designed to receive an audio signal or verbal instruction.

12. A shower, sink, a bath, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly incorporating a time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 11, wherein said audio signal or verbal instruction “

on”

turns on the supply water.

13. A shower, sink, a bath, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 11, wherein said audio signal or verbal instruction “

off”

turns off the supply water.

14. A shower, sink, a bath, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 11, wherein any audio signal or verbal instruction toggles the supply water on and off.

15. A shower, sink, a bath, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the microprocessor has software that recognizes various audio or verbal commands that use descriptive words and phrases and has software instructions associated with the descriptive words and/or phrases that can perform specific activities or operations.

16. A shower, sink, bath, kitchen or other faucet head or body assembly time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 10, wherein the microprocessor can be programmed to learn custom audio signals or verbal instructions.

17. A kitchen, shower, sink, a bath or other faucet head or body assembly incorporating time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 10, wherein the microprocessor can be programmed to respond to custom audio signals or verbal instructions.

18. A kitchen, shower, sink, a bath or other faucet head or body assembly incorporating time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 10, wherein the verbal or audio communication means comprises a speaker or electro-acoustic transducers for annunciating or communicating a confirmatory verbal message or audio signal.

19. A kitchen, shower, sink, a bath or other faucet head or body assembly incorporating time-based water parameter display apparatus of claim 10, wherein said electrical circuitry and microprocessor are remotely positioned and communicate with said display apparatus by a wired or wireless means.

20. A time-based water control/annunciating apparatus for attaching to the water supply line comprising:

electrical circuitry with a power source;

a microprocessor, said microprocessor in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;

a timing parameter, said timing parameter monitoring the cumulative time since the water flew has been initiated;

a temperature sensor in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;

a flow sensor in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;

an electronic display apparatus in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry, said electrical circuitry having a programmable microprocessor that is designed to simultaneously or sequentially show temperature, timing and flow parameters on said electronic display apparatus;

a verbal or audio communication means designed to communicate with said electrical circuitry and said microprocessor for processing certain operational instructions;

said microprocessor having programmed software instructions, and/or said electrical circuitry has audio filters, to reject, discern or attenuate certain frequencies that interfere with said audio or verbal commands; and

wherein said time-based water parameter display apparatus includes an over-ride mechanism in the situation where any audio or verbal commands are not properly received or misinterpreted, said over-ride mechanism comprising an electronic button or switch that electrically communicates with said electrical circuitry.

21. The time-based water control/annunciating apparatus of claim 20, wherein said verbal or audio communication means comprises an detection means that includes a microphone or electro-to-acoustic transducer designed to receive an audio sign or verbal instruction.

22. The time-based water control/annunciating apparatus of claim 21, wherein said audio signal or verbal instruction “

on”

turns on the supply water.

23. The time-based water control/annunciating apparatus of claim 21, wherein said audio signal or verbal instruction “

off”

turns off the supply water.

24. The time-based water control/annunciating apparatus of claim 21, wherein any audio signal or verbal instruction initiates instructions to toggle the supply water on and off.

25. The time-based water control/annunciating apparatus of claim 21, wherein the microprocessor has software that recognizes various audio or verbal commands that use descriptive words and phrases and has software instructions associated with the descriptive words and/or phrases that can perform specific activities.

26. The time-based water control/annunciating apparatus of claim 20, Wherein the microprocessor can be programmed to learn various audio signals or verbal instructions.

27. The time-based water control/annunciating apparatus of claim 20, wherein the microprocessor can be programmed to respond to custom audio or verbal instructions or signals.

28. The time-based water control/annunciating apparatus of claim 20, wherein the verbal or audio communication means comprises a speaker or electro-acoustic transducers for annunciating or communicating a confirmatory verbal message or audio signal.