Patent Publication Number: US-2019175445-A1

Title: Pool with massage and audio playing capabilities

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to the following Chinese patent applications, the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Application No. 
                 Filing Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 CN 201620455231.6 
                 May 18, 2016 
               
               
                   
                 CN 201620453114.6 
                 May 18, 2016 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to a pool having various feature, and more particularly, a spa having the capability to play audio. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Pools and spas are popular among users for relaxation purposes. Some pools and spas have massage capabilities which can enhance relaxation for the user. However, such pools and spas can lack additional features that could further enhance the experience of the user. As such, a pool or spa that has audio playing capabilities is desired for the purposes of enhancing the user&#39;s physical and mental relaxation when in the pool. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a pool or spa having massage and audio playing capabilities. The pool/spa&#39;s audio playing capabilities are controlled by an audio control module that reads incoming audio data and outputs audio that can be heard by the user. As such, the pool/spa can provide both massage and audio functionalities to a user depending on the user&#39;s preferences. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an inflatable spa is provided. The inflatable spa includes an external wall, an internal wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall cooperating to define an inflatable air chamber and a water cavity, a processor operably coupled to the spa and configured to control at least one aspect of the water cavity of the spa, a wireless communication module operably coupled to the processor and configured to receive a digital audio signal, an audio playing module operably coupled to the processor and configured to convert the digital audio signal into an analog audio signal, and an audio output device configured to output the analog audio signal in an audible manner to a user. 
     According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an inflatable spa includes an external wall, an internal wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall cooperating to define an inflatable air chamber and a water cavity, a processor operably coupled to the spa and configured to control at least one aspect of the water cavity of the spa, a wireless communication module operably coupled to the processor, a digital input port, an analog input port, an audio playing module operably coupled to the wireless communication module, the digital input port, and the analog input port to receive an audio signal, wherein each of the wireless communication module, the digital input port, and the analog input port is configured to receive the audio signal, and an audio output device configured to output the audio signal in an audible manner to a user. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, an inflatable spa includes an external wall, an internal wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall cooperating to define an inflatable air chamber and a water cavity, a processor, a water pump operably coupled to the processor, a first water pipe that extends from the water cavity, through the inflatable air chamber, and to the water pump, a second water pipe that extends from the water pump, through the inflatable air chamber, and to the water cavity, an air pump operably coupled to the processor, an air pipe that extends from the air pump, through the inflatable air chamber, and to the water cavity, a wireless communication module operably coupled to the processor and configured to receive an audio signal, and an audio output device operably coupled to the processor and configured to output the audio signal in an audible manner to a user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view an inflatable spa coupled to a processing module having a control panel for controlling operation of the spa; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of a processing module having wireless control functionality and a control panel in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is another schematic block diagram of a processing module and a control panel having wireless control functionality in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is another schematic block diagram of a processing module having wireless control functionality and additional audio capabilities and a control panel in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of a control panel having wireless functionality configurable for use in the system of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described below. The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. It will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrative devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the invention which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , an inflatable pool or spa  100  is shown including a top wall  102 , a bottom wall  104 , an internal wall  106 , and an external wall  108 . Walls  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108  of spa  100  may be constructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU), or other suitable materials. Walls  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108  of the illustrative spa  100  cooperate to define an inflatable air chamber  110 , which may be inflated for use and deflated for storage. Also, walls  104  and  106  of the illustrative spa  100  cooperate to define a water cavity  112  for bathing and/or swimming. 
     Spa  100  is coupled to a control system or processing module  200 . More specifically, the illustrative spa  100  of  FIG. 1  is coupled to processing module  200  via a first water pipe  122  that directs water from water cavity  112  of spa  100 , through inflatable chamber  110 , and to processing module  200 , a second water pipe  124  that returns water from processing module  200 , through inflatable chamber  110 , and to water cavity  112  of spa  100 , and an air pipe  144  that directs air from processing module  200 , through inflatable chamber  110 , and into water cavity  112  of spa  100  in the form of air bubbles. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that processing module  200  may direct one or more jetted water streams into spa  100 . The air that is directed into spa  100  may serve a massaging function for the user. The illustrative processing module  200  has a base  202 , an outer shell  204  mounted to base  202 , and an internal processor  206  ( FIG. 2 ). The illustrative processing module  200  also communicates with a control panel  300 . In use, the operation of spa  100  is controlled by inputting user commands into control panel  300 , which sends appropriate signals to processor  206  ( FIG. 2 ) of processing module  200 . The illustrative control panel  300  of  FIG. 1  is spaced apart from the spa  100  and extends upward from processing module  200  to facilitate user access from inside the spa  100 . In other embodiments, control panel  300  may be located directly on at least one of top wall  102 , internal wall  106 , or external wall  108  of spa  100 , for example. 
     Additional information regarding spa  100  and processing module  200  is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,254,240 titled “Inflatable Spa,” the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     Processing module  200  and control panel  300  are described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 2-5 . Generally, processing module  200  and control panel  300  are operably coupled to each other such that a user can adjust settings on control panel  300  to alter various features of spa  100  ( FIG. 1 ) via processing module  200  as discussed in greater detail herein. 
     Referring now  FIG. 2 , the illustrative control panel  300  includes a display screen  302  and a plurality of buttons that interact with processor  206  of processing module  200  to adjust the settings of spa  100  ( FIG. 1 ). More specifically, control panel  300  includes a power button  304 , an air button  306 , a filter button  308 , a cooling button  310 , an energy-saving button  312 , a heating button  314 , a temperature conversion button  316 , a warming button  318 , and a water treatment button  320 . 
     Display screen  302  functions to display information of spa  100  to a user. For example, display screen  302  may show real-time temperature information of spa  100  and/or provide information regarding altering the temperature of spa  100 . 
     Power button  304  toggles power input  208  of processing module  200  between an on configuration where electric power from an external or internal power source (e.g., battery) (not shown) is supplied to processing module  200  via power input  208  and an off configuration where electric power is not supplied to processing module  200 . In one exemplary embodiment, when power button  304  and power input  208  are in the off configuration, processing module  200  and its components are unable to function due to lack of the requisite power. In an alternate embodiment, processing module  200  includes a secondary internal power source (e.g., battery) (not shown) such that processing module  200  can still function and power certain desired components of processing module  200  even when power switch  304  and power input  208  are in the off configuration relative to the primary power source. 
     The function and interaction of the remaining buttons of control panel  300  with corresponding units of processing module  200  are discussed further herein. 
     The illustrative processing module  200  includes processor  206  and power input  208 , which were already discussed above, and a wireless communication module  226 , which is discussed in further detail below. Processor  206  is coupled to a water pump  210  having a built-in filter (which may also be referred to as a “filter pump”), an air pump  212 , one or more water heaters  214 ,  216 , a temperature fuse  218 , a temperature probe  220 , a water flow switch  222 , and a water treatment system  224 . It is contemplated that, in alternate embodiments, other units of spa  100  may be coupled to processor  206  and have corresponding buttons on control panel  300 . 
     Water pump  210  and water treatment system  224  communicate with water cavity  112  of spa  100 . More specifically, water pump  210  and water treatment system  224  receive water from water cavity  112  of spa  100  via first water pipe  122  ( FIG. 1 ), then treat the water by filtering and softening the entering water, and then return the treated water to water cavity  112  of spa  100  via second water pipe  124  ( FIG. 1 ). In exemplary embodiments, the filter of water pump  210  may be a sand filter, a diatomaceous earth filter, or a cartridge filter. The user may selectively activate and deactivate water pump  210  and water treatment system  224  of processing module  200  using filter button  308  and water treatment button  310  on the control panel  300 , respectively. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that some units may activate and deactivate automatically based on the status of another unit. For example, whenever heating units  214 ,  216  are activated, water pump  210  may activate automatically to supply filtered water therethrough. As another example, whenever water pump  210  is activated, water treatment system  224  may activate automatically to further treat the filtered water. 
     Air pump  212  communicates with water cavity  112  of spa  100  and is configured to direct air into spa  100  via air pipe  144  ( FIG. 1 ) to form massaging air bubbles within spa  100 . The user may selectively activate and deactivate air pump  212  using air button  306 . In certain embodiments, the speed or other operating parameters of air pump  212  may also be adjusted to control the rate and/or amount of air bubbles supplied to spa  100 . Thus, if a user desires that more bubbling is needed within spa  100 , the operating parameters of pump  212  may be adjusted via air button  306  to increase air input into spa  100 . It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that air pump  212  may activate and deactivate automatically based on the status of another unit. Rather than being coupled to water cavity  112  of spa  100  via air pipe  144  ( FIG. 1 ), air pump  212  may be placed in communication with air chamber  110  to inflate spa  100 . In this arrangement, air button  306  may serve as an inflation button for spa  100 . 
     Heating units  214 ,  216  are in fluid communication with the water cavity  112  of spa  100  and are configured to control the water temperature within spa  100  by adding heat to incoming water streams. More specifically, heating units  214 ,  216  receive water from water cavity  112  of spa  100  via first water pipe  122  ( FIG. 1 ), heat the water (if applicable), and then return the water to water cavity  112  of spa  100  via second water pipe  124  ( FIG. 1 ). This heating may be performed based on user input on control panel  300 . Heating button  314  can be actuated to activate at least one of heating units  214 ,  216 . Additionally, warming button  318  and cooling button  310  can be actuated to raise or lower a desired temperature set-point for the user, respectively. 
     Processor  206  is also coupled to temperature probe  220 , which operates to measure the actual water temperature within water cavity  112  of spa  100  ( FIG. 1 ). Temperature probe  220  sends the measured or actual water temperature from probe  220  to processor  206  and to control panel  300  where the temperature can be displayed on display screen  302 . Display screen  302  may also display the desired temperature set-point from buttons  318 ,  310 . In this way, a user can acquire real-time temperature information of spa  100 . The temperature information may be displayed in Fahrenheit (° F.) units or Celsius (° C.) units by pressing temperature conversion button  316 . 
     In operation, if temperature probe  220  determines that the actual water temperature is less than the desired temperature set-point, then processor  206  operates one or both heaters  214 ,  216  to raise the water temperature within spa  100 . Alternatively, if temperature probe  220  determines that the actual water temperature is already above the desired temperature set-point, then thermal fuse  218  may interrupt power to heaters  214 ,  216 , to prevent heaters  214 ,  216  from applying additional heat to the incoming water streams, thereby reducing the water temperature within spa  100 . 
     To prevent overheating of processing module  200 , water flow switch  222  may be provided in fluid communication with the water cavity  112  of spa  100  ( FIG. 1 ). If water flow switch  222  determines that the water flow is too low due to a blockage, leak, or another cause, then water flow switch  222  may interrupt power to heaters  214 ,  216 , or other components of processing module  200 . 
     The energy-saving button  312  of control panel  300  may limit power to one or more components of processing module  200  to conserve energy. For example, pressing the energy-saving button  312  may prevent air pump  212  and water heaters  214 ,  216 , from operating simultaneously. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , processing module  200  further includes a wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, infrared) module  226 , which establishes a wireless connection between processing module  200  and a remote control device  400  having a suitable software program or mobile application installed thereon for operating spa  100  ( FIG. 1 ). According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, device  400  is a smartphone, tablet, or computer, for example. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, device  400  is a dedicated component of spa  100 . Processing module  200  is configured to send and/or receive wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, infrared) signals  402  to and/or from device  400 . Communication module  226  relays signals  402  to processor  206  and/or other corresponding components of processing module  200 . For example, after signal  402  is relayed from communication module  226  to processor  206 , signal  402  may then be sent to the corresponding units  210 - 224  based on the contents of signal  402 . This configuration enables device  400  to control the settings of spa  100  remotely by communicating wirelessly with processing module  200 . For example, the user&#39;s device  400  can send wireless signals  402  that contain audio content to the communication module  226 , which can then relay the signals  402  to be played to a suitable audio playing module  236  ( FIG. 4 ), as discussed further below. In another example, the user&#39;s device  400  can adjust the water temperature within spa  100  by sending the appropriate wireless signal  402  to communication module  226 , which can then relay the signals  402  to heaters  214 ,  216 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , processing module  200  and control panel  300  are substantially the same as the processing module  200  and the control panel  300  of  FIG. 2 . In the illustrated embodiment however, communication module  326  is included in control panel  300 . Like communication module  226  of  FIG. 2 , communication module  326  of  FIG. 3  is coupled to device  400  via a wireless connection between communication module  326  and device  400  and configured to receive and relay signals  402 . Signal  402  is then sent from control panel  300  to processing module  200  and the corresponding units  210 - 224  based on the contents of signal  402 . The illustrated configurations of  FIGS. 2 and 3  enable device  400  to act as a remote control panel and control the settings of spa  100  by remotely altering operating parameters of spa  100  via processing module  200  and/or control panel  300 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show another embodiment of processing module  200  and control module  300  for spa  100  where processing module  200  and control module  300  include additional units to enable audio functionality within spa  100 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , processing module  200  includes a wireless communication module  234 , which operates similar to communication modules  226 ,  326  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Wireless communication module  234  of  FIG. 4  receives wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, infrared) signals (similar to signals  402  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) and relays the signals to corresponding units of processing module  200  based on the contents of the signal. Wireless communication module  234  allows a user to wirelessly connect an external control device (similar to device  400  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) to spa  100  to control various aspects of spa  100 , as described above, 
     In addition to the features described above, processing module  200  of  FIG. 4  may include an audio playing module  236  capable of playing audio for the user of spa  100  ( FIG. 1 ). Audio playing module  236  may include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). When prompted by processor  206 , the DAC of the audio playing module  236  may convert digital audio signals into analog audio signals that can be heard by the user via an audio output device  232  (e.g., speaker, headphone set). 
     In certain embodiments, audio playing module  236  may communicate with wireless communication module  234  to receive wireless audio signals from an external device (similar to device  400  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). In this embodiment, device  400  may have an audio program (e.g., iTunes, Pandora, Spotify) installed thereon and configured to access and/or play audio files (e.g., MP3 files). Such wireless audio signals from wireless communication module  234  may be converted to analog audio signals using the DAC of the audio playing module  236 . 
     In other embodiments, audio playing module  236  may communicate with one or more digital input ports  227  (e.g., USB ports) and/or an analog input port  228  (e.g., auxiliary (AUX) cord port). These physical input ports  227 ,  228  allow the user to physically connect various external audio storage and/or audio playing devices (e.g., USB devices, CD players, cassette players, MP3 players, phones, etc.) to audio playing module  236  to allow for audio play within spa  100 . These physical input ports  227 ,  228  may accommodate audio devices that lack wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth) capabilities. With respect to digital input ports  227 , the incoming digital audio signals may be converted to analog audio signals using the DAC of the audio playing module  236 . With respect to the analog input port  228 , no conversion may be necessary. 
     Audio playing module  236  further includes an output port  230  configured to physically receive an adapter plug or audio cable of one or more desired output devices  232  and deliver analog audio signals to the output device  232 . This arrangement allows a user to listen to audio via the output device  232  while in spa  100 . The location of output device  232  may vary. For example, output device  232  may be coupled to processing module  200 , control panel  300 , and/or directly to spa  100  with adequate water protection ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Control panel  300  of  FIGS. 4 and 5  is similar to the control panels  300  described above in  FIGS. 2 and 3  in that control panel  300  includes a display screen  302 , a power switch  304 , and a plurality of buttons to control various features of spa  100 . Control panel  300  of  FIGS. 4 and 5  is operably coupled to processing module  200  such that a user&#39;s input into control panel  300  results in processing module  200  adjusting the corresponding units  208 - 224 ,  234 - 236  of spa  100 . However, the illustrated control panel  300  of  FIGS. 4 and 5  enables a user to control various features of the audio that is played via buttons  322 - 328 . Buttons  322 - 328  communicate with processor  206  which sends the input from buttons  322 - 328  to either wireless communication module  234  and/or audio playing module  236 . 
     Control panel  300  includes a mode switch button  326  that operates to toggle the audio playing module  236  between a first mode where audio playing module  236  searches for wireless inputs from wireless communication module  234  and a second mode where audio playing module  236  reads physical data from one or more ports  227 ,  228 . It is contemplated that alternate modes for audio playing module  236  may exist. It is also contemplated that mode switch button  326  also alters various features of the audio that is played (e.g., bass boost, treble boost, etc.). 
     Play/pause button  322  functions to toggle audio playing module  236  between a play setting where audio files are read, converted into analog audio signals when prompted by processor  206 , and transmitted via output device  232  ( FIG. 4 ) and a default, pause setting where audio files are not read, converted, or transmitted by audio playing module  236  via output device  232  ( FIG. 4 ). In an exemplary embodiment, a single actuation of button  322  can toggle audio playing module  236  between a play setting and a pause setting. However, it is contemplated that in alternate embodiments, other actuation patterns of play/pause button  322  may be used to toggle between the pause and play settings. 
     Volume up/rewind button  324  functions to increase the volume of the audio data being read, converted into analog audio signals when prompted by processor  206 , and transmitted by audio playing module  236  via output device  232  ( FIG. 4 ) and to rewind the audio data depending on the actuation duration of button  324 . In an exemplary embodiment, a single actuation of button  324  increases the volume of the audio by a single unit and a long-press (e.g., 5 milliseconds or longer) rewinds the audio in 5 second increments until button  324  is no longer pressed/actuated. However, it is contemplated that in alternate embodiments, other actuation/long-press patterns and corresponding volume changes and rewind time increments may be used. 
     Volume down/fast forward button  328  functions to decrease the volume of the audio data being read, converted into analog audio signals when prompted by processor  206 , and transmitted by audio playing module  236  via output device  232  ( FIG. 4 ) and to fast forward the audio data depending on the actuation duration of button  328 . In an exemplary embodiment, a single actuation of button  328  decreases the volume of the audio by a single unit and a long-press (e.g., 5 milliseconds or longer) advances the audio in 5 second increments until button  324  is no longer pressed/actuated. However, it is contemplated that in alternate embodiments, other actuation/long-press patterns and corresponding volume changes and advance time increments may be used. 
     Another embodiment of control panel  300  is shown in  FIG. 5  where control panel  300  includes wireless communication module  330 , which functions similarly to wireless communication modules  226 ,  326 ,  234  of  FIGS. 2-4 . Wireless communication module  330  is operably coupled to processor  206  and functions to communicate (when activated) with an external device (similar to device  400  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) through wireless signals (similar to signals  402  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) to operate various features of spa  100  (e.g., audio, temperature, bubbles, etc.). 
     While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.