Abstract:
A system and method for control and maintenance units for utility treatment systems, having a start-up routine, an installation routine and a communication exchange between a user and the control unit of a utility treatment system. Communications from the control unit prompt the user for installation and maintenance information; communications from the user supply installation, set-ups, status, operation and maintenance information. The communication exchange allows a user to contact the system and request information regarding a particular treatment system and the system to display treatment system information. The system and method also include a control unit for a utility treatment system having an electronic controller, an input device connected to the controller, and a storage device connected to the controller, wherein historical repair codes may be inputted to the electronic controller and stored in said storage device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a electronic control unit for associated air, water and/or other utility treatment systems. The control unit controls the flow, monitors the flow, and controls the recordation and dissemination of operation and maintenance information from various treatment systems by providing an effective interface for the exchange of data between treatment systems and their users (e.g., owners, manufacturers, installers and service providers). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to utility treatment control systems, and more particularly, control systems for operating, monitoring and recording information for water, air, and/or other utility filtration, conditioning and/or treatment systems (hereinafter “treatment systems”). Treatment systems depend on the use of sensors, timers, inputs and outputs for control and monitoring, including remote display and operation. Of course, in order to function at peak effectiveness, treatment systems require very specific and timely monitoring and maintenance. Because treatment systems are made by different manufacturers without the ability to function through a central control system, they often must be installed independent of each other. This results in a lack of uniformity between the various control units with respect to available system data, alarm notifications, monitoring capability, remote access, and maintenance procedures, among other things. These variants reduce efficiency and increase the operating cost of treatment systems. 
     For example, water softening systems of the ion exchange type often include a tank having a bed of ion exchange resin. The resin material is usually non-soluble and effectively acts as a permanent anion to which exchangeable cations can attach. During the softening process, the hardness-causing ions in the water are exchanged with the “soft” sodium ions of the resin bed, thus producing softened water. After prolonged contact of the resin bed with hard water, however, the ion exchange capacity of the resin bed diminishes, and regeneration of the resin bed must be performed. 
     Regeneration of the resin bed is normally performed in distinct steps during what is called the regeneration cycle. First, the bed is cleansed during a backwash cycle, where the normal water flow across the resin bed is reversed to expand the resin bed and remove any deposits that may be trapped in the resin bed. Second, a brine solution (i.e., an aqueous solution of sodium chloride or the like) from a separate brine tank is introduced to the resin bed. When the brine contacts the resin bed, the aforementioned ion exchange process is reversed, i.e., the “hard” ions in the resin bed are replaced with “soft” ions from the brine solution. Thereafter, a rinse cycle is normally provided to wash the brine from the resin bed. Lastly, the brine tank is refilled to form brine for the next regeneration cycle. Due to the particular demands placed upon the water softening system, it is often desirable for a user to vary the length of time for each individual regeneration cycle to adjust for various tank sizes and volumes of resin. Regeneration, in general, can be performed on a set schedule, but is preferably performed based on the actual usage of the water softening system. The latter type of regeneration, known as “demand initiated regeneration”, is generally regarded as a more efficient process. 
     Similar to the regeneration cycle used in water softening systems, treatment systems generally run through routine cycles that require system monitoring, data recordation and maintenance for varying time periods. When treatment systems are installed individually using discrete controllers (manual or electronic) for each system, the data critical to proper operation and maintenance of these systems can get lost in the shuffle. For example, manually controlled systems generally do not provide a recordation system for baseline or cycle related data. Without this information, routine maintenance is difficult to track and system malfunctions are more complicated and expensive to repair. 
     Although computerized controllers are better able to record system information to assist repair and service calls, the prior art controllers are system specific are limited in their ability to provide for accurate data input and output, among other things. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved control unit for utility treatment systems. In one embodiment of the present invention, installation, maintenance and operations information for one or more utility treatment systems is inputted or reviewed by a user through use of a sophisticated menu hierarchy and then stored in the control unit memory, which is accessible to all users. As used herein, the term “user” can include any person or entity that may be accessing, programming, maintaining, installing or in any way interacting with the control unit (e.g., the owner, service provider, manufacturer, installer). A user is able to access the stored installation, maintenance, and operations data archives either on site at the control unit or remotely by electronic means (e.g., modem and computer), allowing the user to supervise and properly respond to any system malfunction or maintenance/service issue in a timely and cost effective manner. 
     There is also a need for a two-step installation procedure, where an initial electrical test is performed and after completion of that electrical test, important baseline data is entered and saved to the control unit A two-step installation procedure according to one embodiment of the present invention facilitates the entry and recordation of baseline data that affects treatment system operations, maintenance and repairs. Such information can be available for reference when needed. The user is then able to further customize and operate the treatment system without fear of losing any system critical or otherwise notable historical system information. 
     These and other needs will become apparent upon a further reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment includes a system and method for control and maintenance units for utility treatment systems, having at least one start-up routine, at least one installation routine and a communication exchange between a user and the control unit of a utility treatment system. Communications from the control unit prompt the user for installation and maintenance information; communications from the user supply installation, set-up, status, operation and maintenance information. The communication exchange allows a user to contact the system and request information regarding a particular treatment system and the system to display treatment system information. Preferably, the system and method for control and maintenance units for utility treatment systems enables efficient communication exchange through an organized menu hierarchy, enabling a participating user to more effectively monitor and maintain utility treatment systems. Another embodiment includes a control unit for a utility treatment system having an electronic controller, an input device connected to the controller, and a storage device connected to the controller, wherein historical repair codes may be inputted to the electronic controller and stored in said storage device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a control unit for a water treatment system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of a control unit for utility treatment systems according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     While the present invention is capable of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein will hereinafter be described as a preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     One embodiment of the present invention provides a customizable and interactive electronic control unit which provides for the recordation and communication of installation, operation, maintenance and repair data for numerous treatment systems. For the purpose of illustration and not limitation, a control unit  10  of one preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The control unit  10  includes and input device  16  with two scroll keys  20 ,  30 , an enter key  40 , two adjustment keys  50 ,  60 , a display screen  70  (backlight when the control unit is active), manufacturer website information  80 , manufacturer facility information  90 , customer service information  100 , and manufacturer branding information  110 . The scroll keys  20 ,  30  consist of a previous key  20 , and a next key  30 , while the adjustment keys  50 ,  60 , consist of an up key  50 , and a down key  60 . For example, the next key  30 , enter key  40 , up key  50  and down key  60  all have additional functions. The next key  30  can be used to access the Information Center menus, the enter key  40  can be used to access Manual Regeneration menus, the up key can be used to access higher level menus such as the Installer and Service menus, and the down key  60  can be used to access Customer Settings menus. The control unit  10  includes an electronic controller  12 , a storage device  14 , an input device  16  and a display  18 , wherein the electronic controller  12  can be any type of commercially available electronic controller, and the storage device  14  can be RAM, ROM, CD, hard drive, or any commercially available storage device. 
     The functions and operation of the control unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The control unit  10  is programmed to prompt the user to enter data relevant to operation, maintenance and repair issues, which then is stored in the storage device  14 . If a response to such prompting is not indicated by pressing an appropriate key in a set amount of time, the control unit  10  will timeout, the backlight in the display screen  70  will shut off. When a timeout occurs, the backlight may be re-energized by pressing any key  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 , or  60 . 
     At some point prior to installation (e.g., at the point of manufacture and/or distribution), power is supplied to the control unit and a start up routine automatically begins. However, it will be appreciated that a manual start up routine can also be used in the practice of the present invention. A start up message will appear on the display screen  70  to instruct the user to begin the start up routine. The startup message will prompt the user to start an initial electrical test and direct the user to press a key(s) to communicate a response. If the user indicates a desire to start the initial electrical test by pressing the appropriate key(s), the control unit will run the electrical test, ask to run a flow meter test and direct the user to communicate a response by pressing another key(s). If the user indicates a desire to start the flow meter test, the display screen  70  will show the current flow rate screen and will wait a set number of seconds to receive pulses. Once the computer receives pulses it will accept the test as a pass and conclude the electrical test. The start up message is displayed when the control unit is first powered up and will reoccur any time power is turned off and then restored to the control unit until all conditions of the startup routine are met. Once the start up routine conditions are met, the installation routine will begin and the start up message and routine will never be used or displayed again. 
     In order to begin the installation routine, at least two conditions must be met: 1) the electrical test must have been accessed; and 2) there must be an indication that the electrical system is in working order. Once these conditions have been met, the installation routine will begin. An installation startup message will be displayed and will reoccur any time power is shut off and restored until the installation routine has been completed. The user will be prompted to begin the installation routine and directed to enter specific system installation data manually. The user will enter such requested information by using the scroll  20 ,  30 , enter  40 , and adjust  50 ,  60  keys as necessary. Once all the required data has been entered and saved, the installation routine is complete and the installation routine will no longer be available; however, if the information entered during the installation routine is not saved, the computer will not recognize that the control unit has been installed and the control unit will prompt the user to run the installation routine again the next time power is restored. One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the following installation functions: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Installation 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Information 
                 Example 
                 Explanation 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Units of 
                 Units: 
                 This function sets the units of measure of the 
               
               
                 Measurement 
                 English 
                 system between English and Metric. The control 
               
               
                   
                   
                 unit can covert and recalculate values as necessary 
               
               
                   
                   
                 to comply with the chosen measurement system. 
               
               
                 Date/Time 
                 Time of Day: 12:00 AM 
                 The user will not be allowed to scroll past the 
               
               
                   
                 Current Day: Monday 
                 current date until it is populated. Once populated 
               
               
                   
                 Current Date: Sep. 26, 2005 
                 the rest of the menu is accessible. The Date/Time 
               
               
                   
                 Daylight Savings 
                 information must be entered in order to proceed 
               
               
                   
                 Time: On 
                 out of the installation mode to ensure that all 
               
               
                   
                   
                 treatment system history data will be accurate. 
               
               
                 Install Date 
                 Install Date: 
                 This function records the date of installation. If 
               
               
                   
                 Jun. 20, 2005 
                 power is detected for seven days, the computer 
               
               
                   
                   
                 will back stamp the date and record the install 
               
               
                   
                   
                 date in the service history function. This is a one 
               
               
                   
                   
                 time condition and it cannot be altered. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 This feature is automatic and can be viewed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 through the service mode. 
               
               
                 Control Unit 
                 Model: Amazon 
                 These functions set the control unit model type, 
               
               
                 Model 
                 AQC 100 CV 
                 size, and media type. 
               
               
                   
                 Unit Size: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 AQC 100 CV 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Media Type: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 AQC 100 CV 
                   
               
               
                 Testing/Analysis 
                 Hardness: 10 Grains 
                 Tests are performed at the time of installation and 
               
               
                   
                 Iron: .5 ppm 
                 the results are entered into the control unit. This 
               
               
                   
                   
                 data is used to set the treatment systems to the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 appropriate routines. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 For example, in the preferred embodiment, the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 range of water hardness can be set from 1-200, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and the iron values are set in .5 ppm increments. 
               
               
                 System 
                 Start Capacity: 30% 
                 These functions display various treatment system 
               
               
                 Calculations and 
                 Total Capacity: 3100 gal 
                 calculations that are important for efficient 
               
               
                 Settings 
                 Water to Start Regen: 
                 operation of those systems. 
               
               
                   
                 930 gal 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Salt Level: 6 
                   
               
               
                   
                 300 lbs 
                   
               
               
                 System Alarms 
                 Salt Alarm: On 
                 This function allows the user to set audio and 
               
               
                   
                 Set for: 5:00 PM 
                 visual alarms for various system conditions. 
               
               
                   
                 Accessory Timers: No 
                 All alarms that require a service call are audible, 
               
               
                   
                 “Filter Change . . . For 
                 but can be manually silenced or reset by pressing 
               
               
                   
                 service call: (555) 555- 
                 the appropriate key. 
               
               
                   
                 5555” 
                 Audible alarms can be programmed to sound the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 audible alarm at any desired hour. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Optional alarms for less critical conditions and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 accessory timers can be programmed to only 
               
               
                   
                   
                 present a visual alarm or can be switched off 
               
               
                   
                   
                 altogether. 
               
               
                 Local Service # 
                 Local Serv. #: 
                 This information is manually entered and is 
               
               
                   
                 (555) 555-5555 
                 displayed when any alarm is detected. It can be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 altered by the user when local service providers 
               
               
                   
                   
                 change. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 For example, a message banner reporting the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 alarm would include the following information: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 “For service call: (555) 555-5555” 
               
               
                 Save Changes 
                 Save Changes: 
                 This function exits the user out of the installation 
               
               
                   
                 No 
                 routine. If the data is not saved or all the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 installation information is not completed, the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 installation routine will re-start or continue the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 next time the control unit is re-energized. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 The control unit will prompt the user to save 
               
               
                   
                   
                 changes in the middle of the list if the user must 
               
               
                   
                   
                 exit before finishing the installation. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 This function defaults to “yes” during the start up 
               
               
                   
                   
                 routine&#39;s installation mode. It defaults to “no” 
               
               
                   
                   
                 when installation mode is manually accessed. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Once the startup and installation routines are completed, the display screen  70  will revert to a home screen, which displays the control unit&#39;s general home screen. From this point on, upon power up/restore, the computer will initialize, turn the backlight on, display a power up message banner, then switch to the home screen and be idle. The home screen is the condition of display when there is no interaction with the control unit or the control unit is in an idle state. The home screen provides the current time and date and will toggle between important treatment system data, such as water conditioner salt levels, and/or graphs indicating remaining water conditioning capacity, among other things. The user is able to view and enter all necessary treatment system information by toggling through the parent menu and its various branch menus by using the scroll keys  20 ,  30 , enter key  40 , and adjust keys  50 ,  60  as necessary. 
     When the control unit is on but idle any key press will “wake up” the unit by turning on the backlight, displaying a wake up message and then displaying the home screen. Message banners, consisting of a quick message across the screen, can be used at any time, such as at the time of power up or wake up. A message banner can be either static or dynamic depending on the message being displayed. If dynamic, speed of the message scroll is to have minimal choppiness and should be slow enough to allow the user to read the message the first or second time it scrolls across the display screen  70 . 
     A typical power up message will state the control unit product name and/or slogan and then switch to the home screen, while a typical wake up message will display the power up message, display system status information, and then show relevant treatment system condition messages before switching to the home screen. If the message is static and contains more information than the display screen  70  allows, the user will be prompted to use the scroll keys  20 ,  30  to read the rest of the message. 
     Customer Settings 
     Once the control unit is properly installed, the user is able to modify this information and customize various treatment system functions through the Customer Settings menu, which can be accessed by pressing the down key  60 . The user can view and enter data here using the scroll keys  20 ,  30 , enter key  40  and adjust keys  50 ,  60  as desired. The Customer Settings menu of one preferred embodiment of the present invention, includes the following functions: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Function 
                 Example 
                 Explanation 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Condition 
                 Salt Level: 6 
                 This function allows the user to manually enter data 
               
               
                 Levels 
                   
                 relating to various treatment system components and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 conditions that can be found locally at the treatment 
               
               
                   
                   
                 system itself. 
               
               
                 Vacation 
                 Vacation Mode: 
                 This function can be toggled on or off. 
               
               
                 Status 
                 Off 
                 Vacation mode allows the user to put the treatment 
               
               
                   
                   
                 systems into hibernation for periods of time. A user can 
               
               
                   
                   
                 program the system to turn on at a specified time and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 begin routine operations so that the treatment systems are 
               
               
                   
                   
                 up and running prior to the users return from an extended 
               
               
                   
                   
                 absence. 
               
               
                 Alarms 
                 Salt Alarm: On 
                 This function allows the user to set audio and visual 
               
               
                   
                 Set for: 5:00 PM 
                 alarms for various system conditions. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 All alarms that require a service call are audible, but can 
               
               
                   
                   
                 be manually silenced. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Audible alarms can be programmed to sound the audible 
               
               
                   
                   
                 alarm only during waking hours. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Optional alarms for less critical conditions can be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 programmed to only present a visual alarm or can be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 switched off altogether. 
               
               
                 Date/Time 
                 Time of Day: 12:00 AM 
                 These functions are accessible from multiple menus. 
               
               
                   
                 Current Day: Monday 
                 They allow the user to program the current date, day, and 
               
               
                   
                 Current Date: Sep. 26, 2005 
                 time. 
               
               
                   
                 Daylight Savings 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Time: On 
                   
               
               
                 Scheduled 
                 Time of Regen: 
                 These functions allow the user to set a particular time of 
               
               
                 Maintenance 
                 2:00 AM 
                 day that the user desires a regeneration to be performed. 
               
               
                 Operations 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The control unit allows certain treatment systems operations to be performed automatically and manually. For example, in the case of regeneration for water treatment systems, a user can select manual regeneration from the menu and receive a choice of manual regeneration schemes, allowing the user to regenerate at that time (“Regen Now”), or set a time to regenerate later (“Regen Later”). Regen Later will initiate regeneration at the programmed time, while Regen Now will provide a ten second countdown before initiating the regeneration. The user may cancel a regeneration request at any time prior to its initiation. 
     Additionally, some less routine treatment system functions may be hidden from certain users (e.g., owners) and made available only to other users (e.g., manufacturers, repair services) to prevent improper use of these functions and to minimize potential damage to the treatment system. For example, in water treatment systems, the control unit can be configured to allow a user to advance through regeneration cycles prior to completion of the previous cycle, or to allow a user to fully advance through the entire regeneration process, bypassing all cycles while in regeneration The control unit may require a combination of key strokes or a certain access code to make these hidden options available so they are only available to users with a need to access those options. 
     Information Center 
     The control unit also provides an information center, allowing the user (owner or authorized third party, e.g., installer, manufacturer, maintenance service, repair service) to quickly review the status and usage profile of the associated treatment systems. The information center can be accessed by pressing the next key  30 . 
     The information center reports current alarms and provides general information about the owner&#39;s product and water use. A user can use the scroll keys  20 ,  30  to navigate through the available data menu and choose the desired information to be displayed. The information center will only display information and will not allow changes to be made to the treatment system settings or service data. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information center supplies the following data: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Information 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Displayed 
                 Example 
                 Explanation 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Control Unit 
                 Model Type: AQC 100 CV 
                 Displays the control unit&#39;s model type 
               
               
                 Model Type 
                   
                   
               
               
                 System Status 
                 System Status: 
                 Displays the status of each associated 
               
               
                   
                 Water Conditioner: 
                 treatment system. 
               
               
                   
                 Low Salt . . . Please Refill . . . 
                 Where an alarm is detected, the display 
               
               
                   
                 Press any key to silence . . . Use 
                 would indicate the alarm type and provide a 
               
               
                   
                 Adjust keys to make postpone 
                 related message banner. 
               
               
                   
                 selection then press enter. Go to 
                 Alarms may also be set to provide different 
               
               
                   
                 Customer Settings to enter salt. 
                 audio tones to indicate which alarm is 
               
               
                   
                 Water Filter: OK 
                 detected. 
               
               
                   
                 Drinking Water: OK 
                 When an alarm condition is no longer 
               
               
                   
                 Air Filter: OK 
                 present (salt has been entered), the system 
               
               
                   
                   
                 status will return to the “OK” setting and the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 alarm will no longer sound. 
               
               
                 Operation 
                 Regen Method: 
                 Displays operation methods currently 
               
               
                 Type 
                 Demand Initiate 
                 selected for the treatment system. 
               
               
                 Condition 
                 Salt Level: 6 
                 Displays current condition levels. 
               
               
                 Levels 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Alarms 
                 Salt Alarm: On 
                 Displays alarm on/off settings and alarm set 
               
               
                   
                 Set for: 5:00 PM 
                 times 
               
               
                 Scheduled 
                 Time of Regen: 2:00 AM 
                 Displays information relating to scheduled 
               
               
                 Maintenance 
                 Est. Next Regen: need more data 
                 maintenance operations for various treatment 
               
               
                 Information 
                   
                 systems. Display will also indicate whether 
               
               
                   
                   
                 it is able to provide that data. 
               
               
                 Product Use 
                 Avg. Water Use: 
                 Displays average consumer use and other 
               
               
                 Information/ 
                 15 gpd 
                 useful system information 
               
               
                 System 
                 Avg. Weekly Salt Used: 
                   
               
               
                 Operation 
                 3 lbs 
                   
               
               
                 Information 
                 Current Flow Rate: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 .25 gpm 
                   
               
               
                 System Test 
                 Hardness: 
                 Displays information gained from water 
               
               
                 Results/ 
                 10 grain 
                 analysis 
               
               
                 Analysis 
                 Iron: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 0 ppm 
                   
               
               
                 Vacation 
                 Vacation Mode: 
                 Displays current vacation mode setting. 
               
               
                 Status 
                 Off 
                 The vacation mode can be programmed to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 hibernate all treatment systems while the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 user is out of town and will regenerate the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 unit one day before the scheduled return date 
               
               
                   
                   
                 to provide maximum amount of clean treated 
               
               
                   
                   
                 water, maintain maximum performance and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 customers satisfaction) 
               
               
                 Installation 
                 Conditioner Installed: 
                 Displays activation date of each treatment 
               
               
                 Information 
                 Jan. 20, 1998 
                 system. 
               
               
                   
                 Filter Installed: 
                 If the system is not installed or has not yet 
               
               
                   
                 Apr. 12, 2001 
                 been activated, this information will not be 
               
               
                   
                 Drinking Water Installed: 
                 displayed. 
               
               
                   
                 Oct. 03, 2004 
                   
               
               
                 Manufacturer/ 
                 Web Address: 
                 Displays manufacturer&#39;s corporate web 
               
               
                 Service 
                 www.rainsoft.com 
                 address and local service provider&#39;s phone 
               
               
                 Provider 
                 Local Serv. #: 
                 number. 
               
               
                 Information 
                 (555) 555-5555 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     As noted above, the “system status” portion of the control unit can provide the status of a water conditioner, as well as other units/treatment systems, such as water filters and air filters. In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit can be programmed with simple timers for such other units/treatment system that sound an alarm for service (such as the replacement of a filter) when a timer expires. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention that such other units/treatment systems can send real-time information to the control unit via any known communication technique (i.e., an, wireless an, cable/wire, ethernet, etc.) thereby providing actual data regarding when service is necessary. 
     Service Mode 
     Like the Installation Mode, the Service Mode is a high level menu that can only be accessed by using a special code. The menus available in this mode assist service providers in diagnosing problems with the treatment systems. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Information 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Displayed 
                 Example 
                 Explanation 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 System Status 
                 System Status: 
                 Displays the status of each associated 
               
               
                   
                 Water Conditioner: 
                 treatment system. 
               
               
                   
                 Low Salt . . . Please Refill . . . Press 
                 Where an alarm is detected, the display 
               
               
                   
                 any key to silence . . . Use Adjust 
                 would indicate the alarm type and provide a 
               
               
                   
                 keys to make postpone selection 
                 related message banner. 
               
               
                   
                 then press enter. Go to Customer 
                 Alarms may also be set to provide different 
               
               
                   
                 Settings to enter salt. 
                 audio tones to indicate which alarm is 
               
               
                   
                 Water Filter: OK 
                 detected. 
               
               
                   
                 Drinking Water: OK 
                 When an alarm condition is no longer 
               
               
                   
                 Air Filter: OK 
                 present (salt has been entered), the system 
               
               
                   
                   
                 status will return to the “OK” setting and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the alarm will no longer sound. 
               
               
                 Audio Alarm 
                 Audio Alarm Test: Off 
                 Allows the audio alarm to be manually 
               
               
                   
                   
                 turned off and on. 
               
               
                 System 
                 Total Capacity (water): 3100 gal 
                 Displays the calculated capacities of the 
               
               
                 Capacities 
                   
                 various systems based on the installation 
               
               
                   
                   
                 parameters 
               
               
                 System 
                 Water to Start Regen: 930 gal 
                 Displays the calculations and treatment 
               
               
                 Usage/Operation 
                 Water Available: 930 gal 
                 data based on system usage and historical 
               
               
                 Information 
                 Current Water Used: 0 gal 
                 operation. 
               
               
                   
                 Current Flow Rate: 0 gpm 
                 Calculated values will not go below zero. 
               
               
                   
                 Avg. Water Use: 0 gpd 
                 “Total Life” information cannot be reset. 
               
               
                   
                 Avg. Weekly Salt Used: 0 lbs 
                   
               
               
                   
                 # Regen 14 Days: 0 regens 
                   
               
               
                   
                 # Regen 28 Days: 0 regens 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Total Life Regen: 0 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Total Life Water: 0 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Show Last Regen Info: No 
                   
               
               
                 System History 
                 Display Alarm History? Yes 
                 Displays alarm histories that have been 
               
               
                 Information 
                 Salt Alarm History 
                 detected. Indicates the time and date of all 
               
               
                   
                 Motor Alarm History 
                 alarms in each sub category of alarms. 
               
               
                   
                 Power Loss History 
                 Service history section displays installation 
               
               
                   
                 Display Service History? No 
                 history for the various treatment systems, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and repair history for specific coded repair 
               
               
                   
                   
                 problems and service responses. 
               
               
                 Revision 
                 Program Revision: G3 XX 25 
                 Displays the program revision currently 
               
               
                 Numbers 
                 EEprom Revision: xxxxx 
                 loaded on the computer. 
               
               
                 Electrical Test 
                 Run Electrical Test? No 
                 This function will perform a self test and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 report any problems encountered. 
               
               
                 Override 
                 Primary Motor Override: Off 
                 Allows the control unit to manually 
               
               
                 Functions 
                 Drive to Cycle: No 
                 override the normal system cycles and 
               
               
                   
                 Drive Primary to Service: No 
                 settings and place the treatment systems 
               
               
                   
                 Auxiliary Relay Override: Off 
                 into desired cycles for service. 
               
               
                   
                 Regen Method: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Regen Override: Off 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Backwash Ctrl: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Injector Size: 
                   
               
               
                 Cycle Time 
                 Alter Cycle Times? 
                 Allows cycle times to be altered from 
               
               
                 Options 
                   
                 default settings so they conform with the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 conditions at hand (e.g., different cycle 
               
               
                   
                   
                 times required to properly condition hard 
               
               
                   
                   
                 water vs. soft water). 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     As noted above, the system history information portion of the control unit provides the service history for the various treatment systems using codes. It is envisioned that simple character codes, consisting of two or more characters, can be placed into the system by service technicians indicating the nature of the prior problems and how they were fixed. For example, if a regeneration motor on a unit fails, the service technician can enter code “02”, which indicates that the motor previously failed and replaced. Accordingly, using such a coded section will allow service technicians to easily identify prior problems and fixes, as well as readily identify recurring problems, which may have other causes. This section can also include codes, such as “NPF” to indicate that no problems were found on the prior service visit, “03” to indicate the need for an injector cleaning, “04” to indicate the need for a seal stack replacement, or “05” to indicate the need for a general valve cleaning. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the present invention consists of a customized control unit containing pre-programmed installation routines for each of a prescribed number of standard treatment system conditions. Here, the installer would merely have to pick the pre-programmed installation routine that corresponded to the treatment system conditions on site and initiate that routine. The control unit would then be able to automatically enter and save the prescribed installation data, minimizing installation time and potential errors in installation routine data entry. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment, the present invention would allow for local and remote data extraction and input through use of wireless, cable, “smart card”, USB, DSL, bluetooth and similar technologies, ensuring that repair technicians and service providers could easily transport and transmit treatment system data to assist them in providing faster, more comprehensive and cost effective customer service. 
     The foregoing narrative of various preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form(s) disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and their practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below.