Abstract:
An apparatus adapted for implementing a user interface module for monitoring or programming a spa is provided. The apparatus includes a communication port adapted for establishing a communication link with the spa controller for receiving a signal conveying status information related to the spa from the spa controller. The apparatus also includes a display module and a processing unit operative for displaying on the display module a visual representation of the status information. A first control is also displayed for enabling user to modify operational settings of the spa. A second control is also displayed for allowing a user to cause the visual representation of the status information to be updated at least in part on the basis of the signal received at said communication port. Alternatively, the processing unit is adapted for generating a spa programming signal conveying spa operational setting and for transmitting the spa programming signal to the spa controller via the communication port.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/709,787 filed Nov. 7, 2000 and presently pending. The contents of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to spas, and in particular to devices for controlling spas.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     A spa (also commonly known as a “hot tub”) is a therapeutic bath in which all or part of a person&#39;s body is exposed to hot water, usually with forceful whirling currents. When located indoors and equipped with fill and drain features like a bathtub, the spa is typically referred to as a “whirlpool bath”. Typically, the spa&#39;s hot water is generated when water contacts a heating element in a water circulating heating pipe system.  
         [0004]      FIG. 1  shows prior art hot tub spa  1 . Spa controller  52  is programmed to control the spa&#39;s components, such as the spa&#39;s water pumps  1 P and  2 P, air blower  3 , ozonator  7 , stereo  1 A, and light  1 L. In normal operation, water is pumped by water pump  1 P through heater  5 A where it is heated by heating element  5 B. The heated water then leaves heater  5 A and enters spa tub  2  through jets  11 . Water leaves spa tub  2  through drains  13  and the cycle is repeated.  
         [0005]     A user of the spa can control the spa&#39;s components by pressing keys on keypad  8 . Also, when an error occurs (such as a failure of water pump  2 P), the source of the error is displayed on monitor  9 . Currently, the spa user can only operate the spa only from within the spa or next to the spa by manipulating keypad  8 . Also, currently, if there is a problem with the spa, a service technician or repairman must go to the location of the spa in order to troubleshoot and conduct repairs. The service technician needs to physically inspect the spa and its components and monitor  9 .  
       The Internet  
       [0006]     The Internet is a large network of interconnected computers that is sometimes referred to as a Wide Area Network (WAN). Initially developed by the Unites States Defense Department, it has expanded worldwide to a great variety of uses. A significant percentage of the population in the United States and in many other countries currently has access to the Internet and its use is growing rapidly.  
         [0007]     The Internet is used to advertise products. Many companies have WEB sites and encourage potential customers to “visit” these pages. Creation of WEB sites is a well-developed Internet business with a great many people and organizations offering to create WEB sites. In addition, many books are available at almost all large book stores providing instructions for individuals to create their own WEB sites. One such book is Build Your Own Web Site by Louis Kahn and Laura Logan, published by Microsoft Press with offices in Redmond, Wash. Most WEB sites are static, i.e. there is no interaction between the user and the WEB site. However, there are many well known techniques that permit the WEB site to be made active as discussed at page 144-153 of the Kahn and Logan reference. These techniques permit an Internet server to change WEB pages as often as desired and they permit users to communicate with a processor associated with the WEB site.  
         [0008]     The technology also exists to establish a Local Area Network (LAN). A LAN is a network of interconnected workstations sharing the resources of a single processor or server within a relatively small geographic area. Typically, this might be within the area of a small office building. A suite of application programs can be kept on the LAN server. Users who frequently need an application can download it once and then run it from their local hard disk.  
         [0009]     An Intranet is a network connecting an affiliated set of users (usually limited to a specific community of interest) using standard Internet protocols, esp. TCP/IP and HTTP. Intranets, also known as internal Webs, are only logically “internal” to an organization. Physically they can span the globe, as long as access is limited to the defined community of interest. To draw a comparison, the World Wide Web comprises all HTTP nodes on the public Internet. An internal web may comprise all HTTP nodes on a private network, such as an organization&#39;s LAN or WAN. If the organization is a corporation, the internal web is also a corporate web.  
         [0010]     What is needed is a better device for controlling and monitoring spas.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention provides a remotely controlled and monitored spa. An interface signal converter is electrically connected to a spa controller. A remote computer can control the spa and monitor the status of the spa via a communications link between the remote computer and the signal converter. The signal converter converts communications signals transferred from the remote computer via the communications link and directs the converted signals to the spa controller. Also, the signal converter converts signals from the spa controller to be communicated to the remote computer via the communications link. In a preferred embodiment, the signal converter comprises an IR and an RS485 transceiver. In a preferred embodiment, the communications link is the Internet. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a prior art spa.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show other preferred embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a preferred signal converter.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5A  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5B  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  shows a preferred owner page.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show other preferred embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  shows a preferred spa manufacturer page.  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  shows a preferred spa controller manufacturer page.  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 14  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Signal converter  50  is connected to spa controller  53 . This allows commands and data to be sent to spa controller  50  from remote computer  200  and commands and data from spa controller  53  to be transferred to remote computer  200 . Remote computer  200  may be connected to signal converter  50  via a wire or through wireless technology, (i.e., RF signal, IR signal or laser communication). Signal converter  50  converts the incoming signal to a protocol that is understood by the CPU of spa controller  53 . In a preferred embodiment, the signal is converted to  12 C.  12 C is short for Inter-IC, a type of bus designed in the early 1980&#39;s, which is used to connect integrated circuits (ICs).  12 C is a multi-master bus, which means that multiple chips can be connected to the same bus and each one can act as a master by initiating a data transfer.  
       Interface Signal Converter  
       [0027]     As shown in  FIG. 3B , signal converter  50  can be used to connect user computer  51  or portable user computer  52  to spa controller  53  so that spa components can be remotely monitored and controlled. In a preferred embodiment, user computer  52  is a laptop computer. In another preferred embodiment, user computer  52  is a personal digital assistant (PDA). PDA&#39;s are portable computers that are usually smaller in size and less expensive than a normal laptop computer. A preferred PDA is a Palm Pilot. In a preferred embodiment, signal converter  50  is sold as a separate item that can be inserted as needed into spa controller  53 , as shown in  FIG. 3A .  
         [0028]     The basic function of signal converter  50  is to translate and route all signals from user computer  51  or portable user computer  52  to a signal that is usable with spa controller  53 . In a preferred embodiment, an RS485 signal is transmitted from user computer  51  and an infrared (IR) signal is transmitted from portable user computer  52 . Signal converter  50  is capable of converting both signals to  12 C for utilization with spa controller  53 . Likewise, in the preferred embodiment,  12 C signals coming from spa controller  53  can be converted by signal converter  50  to an RS-485 signal that can be used by user computer  51  or an IR signal that can be used by portable user computer  52 .  
       Infrared Interface  
       [0029]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , signal converter  50  receives an IR signal at IR transceiver  60 . Modulator  62  then demodulates the signal. The digital signal leaving modulator  62  is then routed to buffer/multiplexer  64 , then to CPU  70 , and then to spa controller  53  on the  12 C link.  
         [0030]     Likewise, in transmission a  12 C signal is received at CPU  70  from spa controller  53 . The digital signal is modulated at modulator  62 . The modulated signal is then transmitted as IR light by IR transceiver  60 .  
       RS485 Interface  
       [0031]     The RS485 interface is used to serially transmit or receive signals through wire connectivity.  
         [0032]     In a preferred embodiment, this interface is used with a personal computer, such as user computer  51  as shown in  FIG. 3B . Since the RS485 signal from user computer  51  travels via wire, user computer  51  can be located much further away from signal converter  50  than can portable computer  52 , which utilizes an IR interface.  
         [0033]     An RS485 differential serial signal is received by RS-485 transceiver  72  and converted to digital. The signal is then routed to buffer/multiplexer  74 , then to CPU  70 .  
         [0034]     In transmission, a digital signal leaves CPU  70  and is converted to a differential RS-485 serial signal by RS-485 transceiver  72 . This signal can then be used over long distances depending on the quality of wire connecting to user computer  51 .  
       Buffer/Multiplexer  
       [0035]     Since the preferred CPU  70  has only one UART  76  (UART  76  is a serial transmitter/receiver), the received signals coming into UART  76  must be multiplexed to avoid data “collisions” from each source. This is achieved by buffer/multiplexers  64  and  74 , which are under the control of CPU  70 . The CPU decides which “channel” it wants to listen to by selecting the proper lines  74 A or  64 A off the buffers  74  and  64 .  
       CPU  
       [0036]     As stated above, CPU  70  controls what input source it listens to (RS-485 or IR) and it transmits the received data to spa controller  53  as a  12 C signal over the  12 C link. In a preferred embodiment CPU  70  is an 8 bits CMOS flash microcontroller, part no. PIC16F876 manufactured by Microchip Technology, Inc. with offices in Chandler, Ariz.  
         [0037]     To decide which source to listen to (i.e., RS-485 or IR), CPU  70  disables both buffers  74  and  64 . It then listens to serial lines  78  and  80  on ports R 84  and R 85 . As soon as a signal is detected on one or the other of serial lines  78  or  80 , CPU  70  transmits a corresponding signal  82  or  84  to enable either buffer  74  or buffer  64 , respectively. Once the appropriate buffer has been enabled, the signal is then allowed to flow to UART  76 .  
         [0038]     Once the signal is received at CPU  70 , CPU  70  translates it to  12 C and sends it over the  12 C link in spa controller  53 . Whatever command that was coded into the original message can then be carried out by spa controller  53 . For example, a command might be to start a water pump or increase the temperature of the spa  
         [0039]     In a similar fashion, CPU  70  can receive serial data from spa controller  53  and transmit it over the serial IR or RS485 links. In this case, serial data is routed to both IR transceiver  60  and RS-485 transceiver  72 , but only one will actually transmit, depending on the states of the RS- 485  enabling line  86  and IR enabling line  88 . RS485 enabling line  86  and IR enabling line  88  allow the user to choose whether data is transmitted over IR or RS-485.  
       Programmability of Remote Computer  
       [0040]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , in a preferred embodiment remote computer  200  is capable of being programmed to meet the needs of the entity that is operating remote computer  200 . In the case of the present invention, some of the different entities that could potentially operate remote computer  200  are the spa owner, the dealer that sold the spa, a service technician servicing the spa, the spa manufacturer, and the manufacturer of the spa controller for the spa.  
       Spa Owner  
       [0041]     A preferred method by which a spa owner can utilize the present invention is illustrated by  FIG. 5A . the spa owner can connect his personal home computer (first owner computer  101 ) to signal converter  50  via an RS485 wire connection. He can then control the spa remotely from first owner computer  101 . In the preferred embodiment, first owner computer  101  is programmed to include an owner page (which appears on the screen of first owner computer  101 ) that enables the spa owner to interpret data transmitted to it from spa controller  53  via the RS-485 line and transmit commands back to spa controller  53 .  
         [0042]     A preferred owner page is shown in  FIG. 6 . For example, some of the commands illustrated by  FIG. 2  show that the owner has indicated that he wants water pump  1 P ( FIG. 1 ) to be “on” at high speed. He wants water pump  2  to be “off”. He wants air blower  3  “on” at medium speed. He wants the spa temperature to be 102° F. He wants water pumps and air blower  3  to run for slightly over 40 minutes before they automatically turn off. Data indications displayed on the owner page indicate that the current spa tub temperature is 98° F. Heating element  5  is off. The error on display is that the pressure switch is open. There is a low danger of plumbing freeze. The information is updated by clicking on update info button  110 .  
         [0043]     The owner page shown in  FIG. 6  is just one preferred embodiment. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that it is possible to reprogram the owner page to transmit a variety of different commands as well as monitor a variety of different spa conditions.  
       Spa Owner Controlling the Spa from a Remote Location via the Internet  
       [0044]      FIG. 5A  shows a preferred embodiment in which the spa owner can log on to the Internet via first owner computer  101 . He can then travel to another location and log onto the Internet via second owner computer  102 . As with first owner computer  101 , second owner computer  102  is also programmed to receive spa data and transmit commands for spa controller  53 .  
         [0045]     As an example of a practical application of this embodiment can be found by the scenario in which the spa owner is heading home from his office that is approximately a 30 minute drive away. Before he leaves the office, the spa owner can log onto the Internet and go to the web site stored at server computer  201 . He will then see an owner page similar to the one shown in  FIG. 6 . He will then upload his commands to server computer  201  to start the water pumps  1 P and  2 P, air blower  3  and heat the spa to 102° F. His commands will then be downloaded from server computer  201  via the Internet to first owner computer  101 . Then, they will travel from first owner computer  101  to signal converter  50  via the RS485 line. Inside signal converter  50 , the commands will be converted to a  12 C protocol for spa controller  53  usage.  
       Spa Dealer  
       [0046]     A spa dealer is the entity that sells the spa to the spa owner. Utilizing the present invention, the spa dealer can continue to monitor the condition of the spa and provide technical support for the spa after the spa is sold to the spa owner.  
         [0047]     A preferred embodiment is shown in  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 7 , a first dealer has sold a spa to an owner who has owner computer C 1  and has sold a spa to an owner who has owner computer C 2 . A second dealer has sold a spa to an owner who has owner computer C 3 . After the spa owners have purchased their spas, they configure their computers so that they can remotely monitor and control their spas, as explained above under the heading “Spa Owner”.  
         [0048]     In the preferred embodiment, owner computers C 1 -C 3  are programmed to transmit data via the Internet. First dealer computer D 1  is programmed to receive data from the spas that the first dealer sold. Therefore, owner computer C 1  and owner computer C 2  will transmit spa data that will be monitored by first dealer computer D 1 . Likewise owner computer C 3  will transmit spa data that will be monitored by second dealer computer D 2 .  
         [0049]     In a preferred embodiment, owner computers C 1 -C 3  are always logged onto the Internet, via either a cable modem or a DSL connection. Automatically per a given time period (for example, once every hour) owner computers C 1 -C 3  are programmed to retrieve from their spa controllers data reporting the status of the spa. Then, this data is automatically transmitted via the Internet to the dealer that sold the spa owner his spa. In this fashion, the dealer is able to continuously monitor the condition of the spa.  
         [0050]     A preferred dealer screen is shown in  FIG. 8 . In block  150 , the dealer can monitor the number of times an error has occurred. In block  151 , the dealer can monitor when an error has occurred. The dealer can reset the error log by clicking on button  156 . In block  152 , the dealer can monitor the current software installed in spa controller  53 . If there is a software update, the dealer can download this info by clicking on button  153 . The dealer can also monitor the number of times the spa has been reset in box  154  and the number of hours since the spa&#39;s last service in box  155 .  
         [0051]     By monitoring the condition of the spa and the number of times an error may have occurred, the dealer can alert the owner to a problem even before the owner knows about it. Or, if the owner contacts the dealer with a problem, the dealer has access to valuable data that he could use to troubleshoot the problem. Utilizing this embodiment, the dealer may be able to tell the owner how to correct a problem without having to send a service technician to the owner&#39;s location.  
         [0052]     The dealer page shown in  FIG. 3  is just one embodiment. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that it is possible to reprogram the dealer page to transmit a variety of different commands as well as monitor a variety of different spa conditions.  
       Service Technician  
       [0053]     In another preferred embodiment, a service technician can utilize the present invention to more effectively troubleshoot and repair a spa. This preferred embodiment is described by reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . In this preferred embodiment, the spa owner has purchased a spa with spa controller  53 ; however, he opted to not purchase signal converter  50 . To help troubleshoot and repair the spa, a service technician can bring with him portable user computer  52  with IR transceiver  52 A and signal converter  50 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the service technician first inserts signal converter  50  into spa controller  53 . In a preferred embodiment, interface signal converter  50  fits snugly into an easily accessible cavity in spa controller  53 . Then, utilizing IR transceiver  52 A with portable user computer  52 , the service technician is able to download from spa controller  53  to portable user computer  52  data that includes a record of errors that may have occurred during the operational life of the spa, as shown in  FIG. 3B . Portable user computer  52  is programmed to display this data in a format useful to the service technician. A preferred display is similar to the dealer display discussed above and shown in  FIG. 8 . By analysis of this data, the service technician will be able to more effectively determine the required solution to repair the spa.  
       The Spa Manufacturer  
       [0054]     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spa manufacturer can utilize the present invention to configure the spa controller and the spa&#39;s components prior to the spa being transferred to the dealer. The user may later change some of these parameters, if he so desires. As shown in  FIG. 9 , spa manufacturer computer  160  is connected via the RS-485 line to signal converter  50 , which is connected to spa controller  53 . In the preferred embodiment, the spa components are installed and connected to spa controller  53 . Spa manufacturer component  160  is programmed to be able to transmit commands to and receive data from spa controller  53 . A preferred spa manufacturer screen is shown in  FIG. 11 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the spa manufacturer has configured water pump  1 P to operate at “2-Speed” and has set it to operate at 6 amps for low speed and 11 amps for high speed. The spa manufacturer has configured air blower  3  ( FIG. 1 ) to operate at “3-Speed” and at 6 amps. The heater element is set at 23 amps.  
         [0055]     The spa manufacturer page shown in  FIG. 11  is just one embodiment. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that it is possible to reprogram the spa manufacturer page to transmit a variety of different commands as well as monitor a variety of different spa conditions.  
       The Manufacturer of the Spa Controller  
       [0056]     The spa controller is a very important part of the spa. Its CPU is used to control the other components of the spa, such as the water pumps, the air blower and the heater. For safety considerations, the manufacturer of the spa controller may want to set parameters in spa controller  53  that cannot be modified by the other entities interfacing with the spa (i.e., spa manufacturer, spa dealer, service technician and spa owner).  
         [0057]      FIG. 10  shows an embodiment wherein manufacturer of spa controller computer  165  is connected utilizing the present invention to spa controller  53 .  FIG. 12  shows a preferred spa controller manufacturer page. Here the spa controller manufacturer has set the minimum temperature inside the spa tub at 59° F. Any temperature lower than this could result in damage to spa&#39;s plumbing as a result of freezing because a temperature of lower than 59° F. at temperature sensor  12  ( FIG. 2 ) is a strong indication that the water in the spa&#39;s plumbing is near the freezing point. He has set the maximum temperature inside the spa at 104° F. in accordance with industry regulations. Also, he has set the regulation temperature threshold at 112° F. Also, the manufacturer of the spa controller has indicated which keys on the keypad and IR remote are to control each spa component. For example, key #1 is set to control water pump  1 P.  
         [0058]     The manufacturer of the spa controller page shown in  FIG. 12  is just one embodiment. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that it is possible to reprogram the manufacturer of the spa controller page to transmit a variety of different commands as well as monitor a variety of different spa conditions.  
         [0059]     Although the above-preferred embodiments have been described with specificity, persons skilled in this art will recognize that many changes to the specific embodiments disclosed above could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Although the above preferred embodiments are discussed utilizing an RS-485 interface signal converter for communicating between spa controller  53  and remote computers, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other electronic data interface signal converters could be used (such a, RS-232, RS-422 and RS-423, X10, Echelon, CEBus, Bluetooth and other protocol RF). Also, although the above embodiments discussed signal converter  50  used in conjunction with IR signals, it could be configured to work with other means of wireless communication signals, such as RF and laser. Also, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that it would be possible to configure signal converter  50  to convert three or more signals. For example, signal converter  50  could be configured to convert RS-485, IR and RF to  12 C for utilization by spa controller  53 . Also, although the above preferred embodiments showed signal converter  50  as a separate attachment to spa controller  53 , it would be possible to sell spa controller  53  with signal converter  50  rigidly attached to it as one unit. Although preferred embodiments discussed utilizing the present invention in conjunction with the Internet, it would also be possible to utilize the present invention in conjunction with another computer network, such as a LAN or an Intranet. Although the above embodiments were discussed showing spa controller  53  utilizing a  12 C link, the present invention would work with other types of spa controllers configured to operate utilizing links other than  12 C links. Some other possible links are SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) and UART or parallel interface links. In these embodiments the signal converter would need to be able to transfer communication signals from the remote computer to a signal utilized by the spa controller&#39;s link and the signals utilized by the spa controller&#39;s link to communication signals directed towards the remote computer. Also, although  FIG. 5A  shows second owner computer  102  connected to a first owner compute  101  via the Internet, it would also be possible to configure interface signal converter  50  to be able to receive communication signals directly from remote owner computer  103  via the Internet, as shown in  FIG. 5B . One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that it is possible to configure the spa so that dedicated remote spa computer  300  ( FIG. 13 ) is located adjacent to the spa. In a preferred embodiment, spa computer  300  would be located underneath the spa skirt. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 , spa computer  300  is connected to owner computer  301  via a LAN. Owner computer  301  is then connected to the Internet.  FIG. 14  shows another preferred embodiment in which spa computer  300  is connected directly to the Internet. In addition to sending commands and receiving data from spa controller  53 , spa computer  300  could be used to log onto the Internet, send email, and supply audio and video functionality.  
         [0060]     Also one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that there are other types of portable remote computers that could be used with the present invention other than laptop computers and PDA&#39;s. For example, a cellular phone could be used as the remote computer to send commands and receive data from spa controller  53 . Therefore, the attached claims and their legal equivalents should determine the scope of the invention.