Abstract:
A bathing installation system includes a water receptacle, a plurality of electrically powered devices, and an electronic control system adapted to control operation of the devices. A sensor senses the presence of a personalized mobile information bearing device, the sensor having an output signal coupled to the electronic control system for indicating the sensed presence or absence of the mobile device. The electronic control system is responsive to the sensor output signal to be placed in a first state when the sensor signal indicates the sensed presence of the mobile device, and to be placed in a second state when the sensor signal indicates the absence of the mobile device.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Typical bathing installations such as spa systems employ a control system that operates the spa equipment and a control panel that allows the user to input user commands and data. Some programming features may be programmed by the user with the control panel, e.g., filter cycles, temperature settings, lighting settings, panel and/or temperature locking. Specific buttons on the control panel are actuated to operate the equipment, or to program features. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0002]    Features and advantages of the disclosure will readily be appreciated by persons skilled in the art from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the drawing wherein: 
           [0003]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary spa installation, with enhanced security and control features. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary embodiment of a transponder or tag for activating features of the spa installation of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  diagrammatically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a card key with a bar code for activating features of the spa installation of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  diagrammatically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a finger print scanner for activating features of the spa installation of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a spa installation. 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary control method RFID use with a spa, pool or other bathing installation. 
           [0009]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary control method employing bar code or other optical code control with a bathing installation such as a spa or hot tub. 
           [0010]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary method employing a finger print or other biometric scanner with a bathing installation such as a spa or hot tub. 
           [0011]      FIG. 9  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary production technique employing an RFID tag to facilitate production. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    In the following detailed description and in the several figures of the drawing, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The figures are not to scale, and relative feature sizes may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes. 
         [0013]    An exemplary embodiment of a bathing installation  200  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In this exemplary embodiment, the bathing installation is a spa system, but other exemplary bathing installations may include a pool installation, including a large municipal or school pool installation, or a whirlpool bath installation. The spa system  200  includes a spa tub  202 , and an electronic spa control system  206  for controlling the spa systems and features, including, for example, a spa water heater  212 , pump, air blower (the water pump and blower are not shown in  FIG. 1 ) and spa operated accessories including yard or decorative lighting  210 . The spa system includes a spa cover  204 , which may be locked in a closed position by an electronically-controlled cover lock system  214 . A control panel  216  may be situated adjacent to or supported by the spa tub to provide user interaction with the control system  206  to set parameters, and initiate some activities. 
         [0014]    The spa control system may include one or more personalized mobile information bearing devices whose sensed presence or absence may enable features of the spa system to be activated. The personalized mobile information bearing device may be sensed or read by a sensor or reader comprising the control system. In one exemplary embodiment, the sensor is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader or sensor  220  that can interact with a mobile RFID tag  222  ( FIG. 2 ) as the personalized mobile information bearing device. In other embodiments, the personalized mobile information bearing device may be a card or a biometric characteristic of a user, such as a thumb or finger print or an eye. 
         [0015]    The RFID tag  222  is encoded with information which may be read by the sensor  220  when the tag is within range of the sensor  220 . The information may be read and interpreted by the sensor or the control system. The RFID tag may be a passive, active, or semi-passive RFID device. For some bathing installation applications, it may be preferred to use an RFID tag with a limited range so that the RFID tag must be within a few feet of the sensor  220  for the tag information to be read by the sensor. 
         [0016]    The coded information carried by the RFID tag is programmed or stored in a memory of the spa control system, e.g. in a location which identifies a given set of coded information as an authorized user of the spa installation. The RFID tag may be used in conjunction with the spa control system so that the sensed presence or absence of the RFID tag inside a certain distance from the spa control system will cause or allow certain spa functions to operate. These functions may include one or more of the following functions. 
         [0017]    Security Functions: 
         [0018]    1. The cover locks  214  automatically unlock when the RFID tag  222  is present. 
         [0019]    2. The control panel  216  will unlock, i.e. be rendered responsive to user inputs on the control panel, when the RFID tag is present. 
         [0020]    3. The control panel  216  is locked when the RFID tag is removed from the spa area. 
         [0021]    4. The cover locks  214  are armed when the RFID tag is removed from the area. 
         [0022]    5. A cover alarm is armed when the RFID tag is not present, so that an alarm will be sounded, broadcast, or signaled when the cover is opened and the RFID tag is not present. 
         [0023]    Product Use: 
         [0024]    1. Configurations may be stored in the system controller memory, and which run when the RFID tag is present. For example, these configurations can be programmed so that, when the RFID tag is present, the jets, light and blower will activate automatically. These activities are exemplary, and other programmed activities that are available to the spa can be programmed to activate when the RFID tag is present. 
         [0025]    2. Different RFID tags can be associated with different programmed activities and for different preset actions, e.g. one RFID tag for daytime activities, a second RFID tag for night time activities, a third RFID tag for a parent, and a fourth RFID tag for children. Each tag has encoded therein a different code. 
         [0026]    Automatic Shutdown: 
         [0027]    1. The spa controller may be programmed to shut down some or all equipment when the RFID tag is removed from the spa area. Some equipment may not be shut down when the RFID tag is removed; for example, in many applications, the circulation pump would not be disabled, or a low speed pump will continue to operate for a pre-determined filtration time. Examples of equipment that would be shut down include jets, lights, blowers mist sprayers, televisions, audio systems and other ancillary devices, 
         [0028]    2. Some items such as the yard lighting may have a separate timer so that the yard lighting will turn off after the user has had an opportunity to return to the house. 
         [0029]    Inventory Control: 
         [0030]    Manufacturers of spas can use the RFID tags to manage inventory while the spa is in production. An RFID Tag may be attached to an inventory item and information about that item stored in the tag (order number, part number, serial number, date code, etc.) This allows a speedy inventory count to be made by walking an RFID scanner down a row of items with RFID Tags attached. RFID tags may also facilitate the tracking of high-value items through a supply chain or delivery system. 
         [0031]    In another exemplary embodiment, the personalized mobile information bearing device may be a card encoded with information. The spa system may include a card reader  230 , including a receptacle into which a card (a mobile information bearing device) with a bar code or magnetic code strip may be inserted for reading.  FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary bar code card  232  which may carry a code, e.g. a bar code, which is stored in memory of the spa control system  206 . The cards could alternatively utilize magnetic strips such as hotel room keys, or even a punch card with holes to create the codes. The card  232  may be carried by an authorized user of the spa system, and by recognizing the code carried by the card  232 , the spa control system may activate features of the spa system. 
         [0032]    Alternatively or in addition to the card reader  230 , the spa system  200  may also include a biometric scanner  240 , e.g. a scanner such as a finger print scanner or a retinal scanner ( FIG. 4 ). In this embodiment, the user&#39;s body, e.g. the user&#39;s digit or eye in the case of a retinal scanner, serves as the mobile information bearing device. A user may enter his biometric information during a programming mode, and the scanner  240  may be used to activate features of the spa system. The card reader and fingerprint scanner may be alternatives to the RFID tags. 
         [0033]    In the case of a card reader  216 , the card  232  may be left in the reader while the spa is being used. Removal of the card may be interpreted by the spa controller in the same manner as removal of an RFID tag from the spa area, e.g. to activate an automated shutdown of spa features. Each card  232  has a unique bar code that could be activated and programmed into the control system in the same fashion as an RFID tag. In other words, the RFID tag ID and the bar code would then be recognized by the spa control system; this code allows a certain behavior of the spa system. 
         [0034]    The biometric scanner is somewhat different in that a finger or eye cannot be left in place by the spa user during spa use. In that case, a control system timer may be started (e.g., 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, etc.) that would allow the spa to function during for that time after a successful biometric scan. The use of such a timer may also be employed with other types of personalized information bearing devices, including the RFID tag and the encoded card. Multiple unique fingerprint or retinal scans could be authorized to activate features of the spa system. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  illustrates an overall block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a spa system  200 . The system includes a spa tub or receptacle  202  for bathing water, and a control system  212  to activate and manage the various parameters of the spa. Connected to the spa tub  202  through a series of plumbing lines  113  are pumps  104  and  105  for pumping water, a skimmer  112  for cleaning the surface of the spa, a filter  120  for removing particulate impurities in the water, an air blower  106  for delivering therapy bubbles to the spa through air pipe  119 , and an electric heater  103  for maintaining the temperature of the spa at a temperature set by the user or control system. The heater  103  in this embodiment is an electric heater, but a gas heater can be used for this purpose also. Generally, a light  107  is provided for internal illumination of the water. 
         [0036]    Service voltage power is supplied to the spa control system at electrical service wiring  115 , which can be 120V or 240V single phase 60 cycles, 220V single phase 50 cycles, or any other generally accepted power service suitable for commercial or residential service. An earth ground  11   6  is connected to the control system and there through to all electrical components which carry service voltage power and all metal parts. Electrically connected to the control system through cable  109  is the control panel  212 . All components powered by the control system are connected by cables  114  suitable for carrying appropriate levels of voltage and current to properly operate the spa. 
         [0037]    Water is drawn to the plumbing system generally through the skimmer  112  or suction fittings  11   7 , and discharged back into the spa through therapy jets  11   8 . 
         [0038]    An RFID sensor or reader  220  is connected to the control system  212  to provide a sensor signal which indicates whether the RFID tag  222  is within a localized spa area. As discussed above, the sensor  220  may be replaced or supplemented with a card key scanner  230  or biometric scanner  240 . 
         [0039]    The particular equipment for a spa installation will depend on the particular implementation, and not all devices illustrated in  FIG. 5  may be installed for some implementations. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary method  300  employing RFID control with a bathing installation such as a spa or hot tub. At  302 , one or more unique RFID tags are supplied to a user, e.g. with the spa. At  304 , the user brings the RFID tag in range of the RFID sensor or reader device installed in the spa control system, and the unique code of the RFID tag is read and provided to the spa controller. At  306 , the spa controller determines whether the spa has settings for the RFID tag. If not, the user sets the spa equipment to the desired states at  308 . For example, the settings for heat, air pumps, lights, and blower may be set by the user as desired. The user will then execute a button sequence at  31   0  to instruct the spa controller to synchronize the spa equipment settings with the RFID tag. These settings are stored in memory in association with the code or identification data of the RFID tag. 
         [0041]    If at  306 , the spa controller has stored settings associated with the RFID tag, then at  312 , the controller will initiate various functions based on the specific RFID tag and its stored settings. At  314 , the spa tub cover lock is unlatched by the spa controller, and at  318 , the cover alarm (if the spa installation is equipped with a cover and alarm) is disarmed. At  320 , the spa control panel is unlocked for use. At  322 , the user can turn on the desired spa associated equipment, e.g., lights, pumps, blowers, misters etc. 
         [0042]    Still referring to  FIG. 6 , now consider that a different RFID tag with its own unique code is brought into range of the RFID sensor at  330 . If the controller determines at  332  that another RFID tag is already in range of the RFID sensor, the controller will ignore subsequent RFID tags that may come into range of the sensor. If at  332 , no other RFID tags are in range, operation proceeds to  306 . 
         [0043]    At  336  ( FIG. 6 ), the original RFID tag is taken out of range of the RFID sensor. If the controller determines at  338  that another RFID tag is within range of the sensor, operation proceeds to  332 . If no other RFID tag is within range, then at  340 , the spa controller shuts down unnecessary equipment, e.g., spa lights, pumps, blowers and misters. At  342 , the spa tub cover lock is engaged, and at  344  the cover alarm is armed after a predetermined time period or after the cover is locked. At  346  the spa control panel is locked electronically to prevent use or changes in settings. At  348 , the yard lighting associated with the spa is shut down after a predetermined time period, e.g. a delay which allows the user to walk from the vicinity of the spa to the nearby residence, or to exit a gate associated with the spa. 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary method  400  employing bar code or other optical or magnetic code control with a bathing installation such as a spa or hot tub. At  402 , one or more unique code cards are supplied to a user, e.g. with the spa. At  404 , the user inserts the card into the card reader installed in the spa control system, and the unique code of the card is read and provided to the spa controller. At  406 , the spa controller determines whether the spa has settings for the inserted card. If not, the user sets the spa equipment to the desired states at  408 . For example, the settings for heat, air pumps, lights, and blower may be set by the user as desired. The user will then execute a button sequence at  410  to instruct the spa controller to synchronize the spa equipment settings with the inserted card and its code. These settings are stored in memory in association with the code or identification data of the inserted card. 
         [0045]    If at  406 , the spa controller has stored settings associated with the inserted card, then at  412 , the controller will initiate various functions based on the specific inserted card and its stored settings. At  414 , the spa tub cover lock is unlatched by the spa controller, and at  416 , the cover alarm (if the spa installation is equipped with a cover and alarm) is disarmed. At  418 , the spa control panel is electronically enabled or unlocked for use. At  420 , the user can turn on the desired spa associated equipment, e.g., lights, pumps, blowers, misters etc., allowing the spa to be controlled manually if desired by the user. 
         [0046]    Still referring to  FIG. 7 , now consider the event that a different card with its own unique code is placed in the card reader at  422 . If the controller determines at  424  that the spa is already in use, and the controller has settings for the different card, the controller will change the spa settings to those programmed for the new card code. If at  424 , no other card is in use or the controller does not have settings for the different card, operation proceeds to  406 . 
         [0047]    At  428  ( FIG. 7 ), the original card is removed from the card reader. If the controller determines at  430  that the card has been replaced with another card, operation proceeds to  424 . If the original card has not been replaced in the reader, then at  432 , the spa controller shuts down unnecessary equipment, e.g., spa lights, pumps, blowers and misters, after a predetermined time delay. At  434 , the spa tub cover lock is engaged, and at  436  the cover alarm is armed after a predetermined time period or after the cover is locked. At  438  the spa control panel is locked electronically to prevent use or changes in settings. At  440 , the yard lighting associated with the spa is shut down after a predetermined time period, e.g. a delay which allows the user to walk from the vicinity of the spa to the nearby residence, or to exit a gate associated with the spa. 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary method  500  employing a finger print or other biometric scanner with a bathing installation such as a spa or hot tub. At  502 , the end user&#39;s existing stored biometric information is used to startup the spa. The user places his or her fingertip or other unique biometric feature on or near a biometric scanner installed at the spa installation. At  506 , the spa controller determines whether the spa has settings for the scanned biometric information. If not, the user sets the spa equipment to the desired states at  508 . The user will then execute a button sequence on the spa control panel at  51   0  to instruct the spa controller to synchronize the spa equipment settings with the user&#39;s scanned biometric data. These settings are stored in memory in association with the user&#39;s biometric data scanned at  504 , for use the next time the user attempts to use the spa. In an exemplary embodiment, a security feature will be applied, to control the number or identity of persons allowed to store their biometric data in the spa controller. That feature may be set for a limited period of time, or disabled completely, by an authorized user. For example, an authorized user may enter a command, opening the spa to entry of new users, for a limited time, after which time, new users are blocked for entering biometric data as an authorized user. 
         [0049]    If at  506 , the spa controller has stored settings associated with the scanned biometric data, then at  512 , the controller will initiate various functions based on the specific inserted card and its stored settings. At  514 , the spa tub cover lock is unlatched by the spa controller, and at  516 , the cover alarm (if the spa installation is equipped with a cover and alarm) is disarmed. At  518 , the spa control panel is electronically enabled or unlocked for use. At  520 , the spa associated equipment, e.g., lights, pumps, blowers, misters etc. that are associated with the stored biometric data are activated by the controller. The user can also set the spa to other settings if desired, since the control panel has been unlocked for use. 
         [0050]    Still referring to  FIG. 8 , now consider that a different user places his finger tip or other biometric feature on or near the biometric scanner at  530 . If the controller determines at  532  that the spa installation is already in use, the controller will change the spa settings to those programmed for the different user, at  534 . If at  532 , the spa is not in use, operation proceeds to  506 . 
         [0051]    At  540  ( FIG. 8 ), one of the initial users initiates another biometric scan. At  542 , the controller queries the user (by interaction using the control panel, e.g. a display and control buttons, for example) to determine if the user wishes to shut down the spa. If the response is negative, the spa installation will continue to run for the duration of a time allotment, either one which is predetermined, or set by the user, and then shut down. If the user does want to shut down the spa operation, then at  546 , the spa controller shuts down unnecessary equipment, e.g., spa lights, pumps, blowers and misters, after a predetermined time delay. At  548 , the spa tub cover lock is engaged, and at  550  the cover alarm is armed after a predetermined time period or after the cover is locked. At  550  the spa control panel is locked electronically to prevent use or changes in settings. At  552 , the yard lighting associated with the spa is shut down after a predetermined time period, e.g. a delay which allows the user to walk from the vicinity of the spa to the nearby residence, or to exit a gate associated with the spa. If no biometric scans are performed within a time period, either preset or programmed by the user, then the controller will shut down non-essential operations of the spa. 
         [0052]      FIG. 9  is a flow diagram illustrating a method  600  utilizing an RFID tag for facilitating tracking of a spa or hot tub during and following production. The RFID tag may be attached to the hot tub and information about that item stored in the tag (order number, part number, serial number, date code, etc.). The RFID tag may be the same RFID tag which will be used to control access to the spa once it is installed, or it may be a different tag. The RFID tag travels with the hot tub or spa during production ( 602 ). Features can be added to the hot tub or hot tub and programmed into the configuration ( 604 ). Once the hot tub is completed, it may be counted, and identified by its RFID tag ( 606 ). Shipping information can be generated by scanning the RFID tag ( 608 ). 
         [0053]    Although the foregoing has been a description and illustration of specific embodiments of the subject matter, various modifications and changes thereto can be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.