Abstract: A waterproof user interface panel includes an electronic display assembly having a touch or presence-sensitive surface.

Abstract: A waterproof user interface panel includes an electronic display assembly having a touch or presence-sensitive surface.

Abstract: A waterproof user interface panel includes an electronic display assembly having a touch sensitive surface for activation of touch switches, and a housing including a cutout area. A protective film is disposed over the assembly and secured to the housing. The housing includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral sidewall to define a housing cavity. Sealing material covers the bottom surface, with a void between the top surface of the sealing material and the electronic display assembly. A vent is provided between the void and the external environment to allow air to pass. A filter may be positioned in the vent to prevent the passage of water droplets through the filter while allowing the passage of air and water vapor.

Abstract: A spa control system designed to reduce maintenance cost by providing modular construction for major control functions, with built-in diagnostic capabilities for isolating defective spa components. Multi-colored LEDs on the spaside panel constantly report the status of each component of the spa as well as the status of the functional modules themselves. Each time a component is activated, measurements of operational parameters, such as load currents, are instantly made and evaluated so that the proper LED color can be presented at the spaside. Since major functions such as audio, LED control, wireless, and spa logic are separated into removable modules, repair of the control system requires less time and less skilled personnel. Other design improvements, such as direct monitoring of heater element temperature and the purging of pumps on an as required-basis, enhance the spa's overall reliability and thus reduce the need for maintenance.

Abstract: A card wallet that can detect a missing credit card or driver's license is described. A wallet for holding plastic cards records electronically the addition of cards as well as the removal of cards. Whenever the number of cards in the wallet is less than the recorded number of cards, a signal is sent to the user warning the user that a card is missing. This may be the result of leaving a credit card at a checkout counter, theft, mishandling, or loss. The warning signal is issued only a short time after the last card was removed, aiding in rapid investigation and recovery. A simple method of detecting a missing card is to add the number of incoming cards and subtract the number of outgoing cards. An arrangement of momentary switches is used to determine the direction that the card is moving in the wallet.

Abstract: An embodiment of a spa control system includes a heater, a pump for circulating water through the pump, one or more sensors for monitoring temperature, and an electronic controller coupled to the heater, pump and sensor(s) for controlling the heater and pump based on the rate of change in temperature at the sensor(s). A method of controlling a heater in a spa with a spa control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spa control system that measures the flow of water through the heater and accurately reports water temperature in the spa using only one solid-state sensor in the heater. The rate of flow is determined by energizing the pump, with the heater still de-energized, and observing the rate in which the moving water cools the inside of the heater. If there is no circulation of water through the heater, the temperature of the sensor will continue to rise from the energy applied when the heater was briefly energized. This rise will be quite significant and a clear indication of a flow problem. If the flow is found to be adequate, the heater will be energized for a normal period of time. The sensor is now carefully monitored for a sudden increase in temperature, which would indicate loss of a normal flow of water.

Abstract: A waterproof touch screen user interface panel constructed in such a way that readily available LCD displays and touch screen switches can be used in a wet environment. A thin plastic film is placed over the top of a touch screen/LCD assembly using moisture resistant adhesive to protect the assembly from the panel's top side and a specially constructed housing allows the use of silicon gel to protect the panel from the bottom side. The plastic film, typically a polycarbonate film, is thin enough to allow activation of the touch screen switches with a soft touch, yet rigid enough to prevent false activations of the switches until touched.

Abstract: A spa control system designed to reduce maintenance cost by providing modular construction for major control functions, with built-in diagnostic capabilities for isolating defective spa components. Multi-colored LEDs on the spaside panel constantly report the status of each component of the spa as well as the status of the functional modules themselves. Each time a component is activated, measurements of operational parameters, such as load currents, are instantly made and evaluated so that the proper LED color can be presented at the spaside. Since major functions such as audio, LED control, wireless, and spa logic are separated into removable modules, repair of the control system requires less time and less skilled personnel. Other design improvements, such as direct monitoring of heater element temperature and the purging of pumps on an as required-basis, enhance the spa's overall reliability and thus reduce the need for maintenance.

Abstract: A spa control system designed to reduce maintenance cost by providing modular construction for major control functions, with built-in diagnostic capabilities for isolating defective spa components. Multi-colored LEDs on the spaside panel constantly report the status of each component of the spa as well as the status of the functional modules themselves. Each time a component is activated, measurements of operational parameters, such as load currents, are instantly made and evaluated so that the proper LED color can be presented at the spaside. Since major functions such as audio, LED control, wireless, and spa logic are separated into removable modules, repair of the control system requires less time and less skilled personnel. Other design improvements, such as direct monitoring of heater element temperature and the purging of pumps on an as-required-basis, enhance the spa's overall reliability and thus reduce the need for maintenance.

Abstract: A waterproof touch screen user interface panel constructed in such a way that readily available LCD displays and touch screen switches can be used in a wet environment. A thin plastic film is placed over the top of a touch screen/LCD assembly using moisture resistant adhesive to protect the assembly from the panel's top side and a specially constructed housing allows the use of silicon gel to protect the panel from the bottom side. The plastic film, typically a polycarbonate film, is thin enough to allow activation of the touch screen switches with a soft touch, yet rigid enough to prevent false activations of the switches until touched.

Abstract: A spa control system that measures the flow of water through the heater of a spa and accurately reports water temperature in the spa using only one solid-state sensor in the heater. The working condition of the sensor is first determined by energizing the spa heater for a brief period of time, with the circulation pump de-energized, then quickly de-energizing the heater and watching for a heat rise at the sensor. A small rise is sufficient to proceed with the flow test. The flow rate is now determined by energizing the pump, with the heater still de-energized, and observing the rate at which the moving water cools the inside of the heater. If there is no circulation of water through the heater, the temperature of the sensor will continue to rise from the energy applied when the heater was briefly energized. This rise will be quite significant and a clear indication of a flow problem.

Abstract: A spa control system that measures the flow of water through the heater and accurately reports water temperature in the spa using only one solid-state sensor in the heater. The working condition of the sensor is first determined by activating the heater for a brief period of time, with the circulation pump de-energized, and watching for the expected heat rise at the sensor. A small rise is sufficient to proceed with the flow test. The rate of flow is now determined by energizing the pump, with the heater still de-energized, and observing the rate in which the moving water cools the inside of the heater. If there is no circulation of water through the heater, the temperature of the sensor will continue to rise from the energy applied when the heater was briefly energized. This rise will be quite significant and a clear indication of a flow problem. If the flow is found to be adequate, the heater will be energized for a normal period of time.

Abstract: A spa control system designed to reduce maintenance cost by providing modular construction for major control functions, with built-in diagnostic capabilities for isolating defective spa components. Multi-colored LEDs on the spaside panel constantly report the status of each component of the spa as well as the status of the functional modules themselves. Each time a component is activated, measurements of operational parameters, such as load currents, are instantly made and evaluated so that the proper LED color can be presented at the spaside. Since major functions such as audio, LED control, wireless, and spa logic are separated into removable modules, repair of the control system requires less time and less skilled personnel. Other design improvements, such as direct monitoring of heater element temperature and the purging of pumps on an as required-basis, enhance the spa's overall reliability and thus reduce the need for maintenance.

Abstract: A lamp adaptor with a photoelectric circuit that energizes a light bulb at dusk and keeps the bulb energized for a number of hours previously selected by suddenly blocking the light sensing element for a corresponding number of seconds. As an aid in counting the number of seconds that the sensor is blocked, the bulb is briefly energized each second.

Abstract: A lamp control apparatus that responds to sudden increases in ambient light by energizing a light bulb for a short period of time. A first voltage comparator is connected to a photocell circuit such that its output normally presents a high impedance to a timing capacitor connected to the input of a second voltage comparator which, in turn, provides a gate signal for a triac power switch. The first comparator will switch to a low impedance output if a sufficient amount of light suddenly appears at the photocell. This low impedance will rapidly discharge the timing capacitor and allow the second comparator to energize the lamp. The timing capacitor will then slowly charge back to a voltage that will cause the second comparator to remove the gate signal for the triac, thereby de-energizing the lamp.

Abstract: A photoelectric control circuit that energizes a light bulb at a certain level of darkness and immediately records the total amount of light that results. A delay circuit prevents the new level of light from turning the bulb back off until a even greater amount of light is available. This method of operation provides full power control for a variety of lamps and bulbs without the degraded performance previously associated with reflected light from enclosures and nearby objects.

Abstract: A control panel having a series of touch sensitive sensors mounted under a protective cover. The outputs of the sensors are effected by the presence of a human finger on the surface of the cover due to the capacitance of the human body with the earth. A microcomputer is used to distinguish intentional touching of the sensors from incidential contact with the panel, thereby making the control panel useful for controlling multiple functions from a single location.

Abstract: A control circuit for selecting different modes of operation for an outside building light which is operated by interrupting the current to the control circuit from a standard wall switch.The First mode of operation is continuous light for normal use. The second mode produces a flashing light which can be used for alert conditions.The initial application of power from the wall switch always produces the continuous light mode. The second mode can then be selected by switching the power off and then rapidly back on. The control circuit is installed at the light in an adaptor between the bulb and the bulb's socket and can therefore be used without requiring any changes to the switches or existing wiring of the building.

Abstract: The specification discloses an electronic circuit which allows selective energization of electrical loads from a remote location by successive momentary interruptions of a common power source.In one embodiment, a ceiling fan and an attached light fixture are controlled from a single wall switch position, such that the first application of power energizes only the light circuit, a second application (following a momentary interruption) energizes only the fan circuit, and a third such application energizes both circuits at the same time.