Bathtub Remote Control System

Disclosed is a bathtub remote control system for automatically controlling the water level, water temperature and the water discharge from remote distance. The bathtub remote control system includes a bathtub driving portion, a bathtub control portion and a remote control portion. The bathtub driving portion is provided with the supply valve, the discharging valve, the water level sensor and the water temperature regulator. The bathtub control portion produces the bathtub control signals on the basis of the setting signals inputted from the key input portion. The remote control portion, which is connected to the bathtub control portion but independently from the bathtub control portion, can input the setting signals by using the wireless remote controller, the internet and the wire or wireless telephone from the remote distance and receive the detection signals. Through the bathtub remote control system as described in the above, a user can set the target values of the level and temperature of water supplied to the bathtub, and automatically regulate the level and temperature of water supplied into the target values in accordance with the setting signals. Therefore, it increase convenience in use and user can see directly the states of the bathtub driving portion from the remote distance because the state of the bathtub driving portion are to be provided on the user's terminals.

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Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a bathtub remote control system, more particularly, a bathtub remote control system in which the level and temperature of water and the like in bathtub is controlled remotely with a wireless remote controller, a internet system and a wire or wireless telephone and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a bathtub installed in bathroom is used in bathing, and the inside of a bathtub is to be filled with water to take a bathing. At this time, water of predetermined temperature is supplied into the bathtub up to predetermined level of water, and just before bathing, hot or cold water is additionally supplied, respectively, to adjust the level and temperature of water in bathtub with opening or closing of a hydrant.

However, in using those conventional type of the bathtub, there arise inconveniencies in that a user have to directly control the hydrant installed by a bathtub or a controller installed in bathroom for controlling the hydrant. In other words, there arise needs in that before user's arrival home, the bathtub is filled with water to predetermined level with a control signal, which is pre-set and driven by a outside controlling, and means for keeping the water filled in bathtub a consistent temperature are to be provided.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bathtub remote control system in which a driving portion installed in the bathtub is controlled with internet, a telephone, a wireless remote controller and the like and thereby the target level and the target temperature of water supplied to the bathtub are to be pre-set, and in which a user can see easily the states of the bathtub driving portion, therefore the level and the temperature of water supplied to the bathtub are automatically controlled.

Technical Solution

To accomplish the object, the present invention provides a bathtub remote control system comprising: a bathtub driving portion including a supply tube branching off from a hydrant and communicated with the inside of the bathtub, a supply valve for controlling the volume of water supplied through the supply tube, a water level sensor for sensing the level of water supplied to the bathtub through the supply tube, and a water temperature regulator for heating water supplied to the bathtub and sensing the temperature of the same;

a driver for controlling the bathtub driving portion in response to the bathtub control as occasion demands and for receiving the detection signals detected in the water level sensor and the water temperature regulator of said bathtub driving portion;

a bathtub control portion including a key-input unit for setting the states of said bathtub driving portion, a memory where the data for controlling said bathtub driving portion is stored, and a first mi-com in which when the setting signals is inputted from the key-input unit, the first mi-com reads the setting signals on the basis of data pre-stored in the memory and produces the bathtub control signals for controlling the bathtub driving portion in accordance with reading results, and when the detection signals are inputted, the first mi-com operates on the basis of said detection signals to control the supply valve and the water temperature regulator of said bathtub driving portion to be on or off;

a communication unit connected to the communication port of said first mi-com for sending and receiving the setting signals and the detection signals on RF; and

a remote control portion for remotely controlling the bathtub driving portion through the emission of the setting signals set by a user to the bathtub control portion in frequency consistency with said communication unit after inputting the detection signals.

According to the alternative embodiment, the bathtub remote control system comprises: a bathtub driving portion including a supply tube branching off from a hydrant and communicated with the inside of the bathtub, a supply valve for controlling the volume of water supplied through the supply tube, a discharging tube for discharging the water containing in the bathtub, a discharging valve mounted in the discharging tube and electrically operated, a water level sensor for sensing the level of water supplied to the bathtub through the supply tube, and a water temperature regulator for heating water supplied to the bathtub and sensing the temperature of the same;

If necessary, a driver for controlling said bathtub control portion responding to the bathtub control signals, and for receiving the detection signals detected in the water level sensor and the water temperature regulator of the bathtub driving portion;

a bathtub control portion including a key-input unit for setting the states of said bathtub driving portion, a memory where the data for controlling said bathtub driving portion is stored, and a first mi-com in which when the setting signals is inputted from the key-input unit, the first mi-com reads the setting signals on the basis of data pre-stored in the memory and produces the bathtub control signals for controlling the bathtub driving portion in accordance with reading results, and when the detection signals are inputted, the first mi-com operates on the basis of said detection signals to control the supply valve and the water temperature regulator of said bathtub driving portion to be on or off; and

a remote control portion for performing data communication with user's terminals by entraining the detection signals provided from the bathtub control portion on the communication network, and for remotely controlling the bathtub driving portion through the emission of the setting signals produced from user's terminals through the communication network.

At this times, said communication network consists of internet network, or the wire or wireless telephone network and the terminals consist of PC, or wire or wireless telephone which are applicable to internet.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

In a bathtub remote control system according to the present invention, it is configured that the water level, water temperature and the water discharge are controlled from remote distance through the wireless, the wire or wireless telephone. According to the above configuration, a user can set the target values of the level and temperature of water supplied to the bathtub, and automatically regulate the level and temperature of water supplied into the target values in accordance with the setting signals and discharge the water filled in bathtub. Therefore, it increase convenience in use and user can see directly the states of the bathtub driving portion from the remote distance because the state of the bathtub driving portion are to be provided on the user's terminals.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims as well as the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to aid in understanding the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view showing schematically a bathtub remote control system according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing schematically a bathtub remote control system according to the alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the operation of a bathtub remote control system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing schematically a bathtub remote control system according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing schematically a bathtub remote control system according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following Examples are given for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, when one element is connected to another element, one element may be not only directly connected to another element but also indirectly connected to another element via another element.

Further, irrelative elements are omitted for clarity. Also, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIGS. 1 to 3 are views showing the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

A bathtub remote control system comprises a bathtub driving portion 200, a driver 300, a bathtub control portion 400, a communication unit 500 and a remote control portion 600.

The bathtub driving portion 200 comprises a supply valve 230 mounted on a supply tube 220 branching off from a conventional hydrant 210 and communicated with the bathtub 100, a discharging valve 232 mounted on a discharging tube which is installed in the lower part of the bathtub 100, a water level sensor 240 for sensing the level of water supplied to the bathtub 100, and a water temperature regulator 250 for heating water and sensing the temperature of water.

In addition, the supply valve 230 is a electronically operated valve, which is mounted separately from the conventional hydrant 210 on the supply tube 220 to supply water to the bathtub 100, and which is closed and opened with a bathtub control signal.

Meanwhile, the discharging valve 232 mounted on the discharging tube lower side of the bathtub 100 is electronically operated in case of discharging water inside the bathtub 100. That is, the discharging valve 232 keeps opened state on normal times(power is not applied to), but if the power is applied to it, it is operated and closes the discharging tube.

The water level sensor 240 for sensing the volume (level) of water that is supplied through the supply valve 230, as illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises: a space portion 241 to create air pressures proportional to the pressures of water in the bathtub 100; a air trap 242 mounted in communication with the bathtub 100; a air hose 243 influenced under the air pressure created in the space portion 241, which is in communication with the air trap 242; and a pressure sensor 244 for sensing the water level by measuring the air pressure transmitted through media in the air hose 243, which is mounted on the end of the air hose 243. In the operations of the water level sensor 240, the air pressure is created in the space portion 241 of the air trap 242, which is caused from the pressure of water supplied to the bathtub 100 and is proportional to the same. The air pressure is transmitted to a pressure sensor 244 for sensing the water level through the media inside the air hose 243 and then is sensed by it. A pressure sensing signal is transmitted to the first microcomputer (Hereinafter refer to “mi-com”) 440 via a driver 300.

Alternatively, the water level sensor 240, as illustrated in FIG. 2, comprises: a fixed electrode 242 mounted on the bottom side of the bathtub 100; a plurality of sensing electrodes 242a, 242b, 242c . . . 242n which are mounted one side of the bathtub 100 at vertically consistent interval and electrically connected to the fixed electrode 242; and, a water level sensing portion 243 which is electrically connected to the fixed electrode 242 and each of the sensing electrodes 242a, 242b, 242c . . . 242n, wherein through which each of the sensing electrodes 242a, 242b, 242c . . . 242n including the fixed electrode 242 are submerged into water from the bottom to the top and applied electric current through the water, the water level sensing portion 243 senses the level of water filled inside the bathtub 100. That is, where the sensing electrodes 242a, 242b, 242c . . . 242n is submerged respectively into water and is electrically connected with the fixed electrode 242 through water, the water level sensor 240 senses the level of water filled in the bathtub 100.

In other words, the water level sensor 240 senses the level depending upon the different electrical resistance values between the fixed electrode 242 and each sensing electrodes 242a, 242b, 242c . . . 242n. That is, it is evaluated that the smaller the electrical values are, the closer a sensing electrode 242a submerged into water is to the fixed electrode 242. Therefore, where the lowest electrical resistance value is measured, it shows that the lowest level of water is filled in the bathtub 100.

For sensing the level of water more concretely and easily, it is configured that where predetermined numerical values (height (cm) or volume (L) corresponding to the water level) are assigned to each sensing electrodes 242a, 242b, 242c . . . 242n and predetermined electrical resistance is detected, a predetermined numerical data (a detection signal) corresponding to the resistance is to be produced. The data that is programmed is displayed on a displayer 440.

Though the descriptions of the present embodiment is limited to the configurations of the water level sensor 240 as described above, they are not intended to limit the scope of this invention. Therefore, the configuration of the water level sensor 240 by which the level of water supplied to the bathtub 100 is sensed and the detection signal thereof is produced, can be considered. That is, various types of the water level sensor 240 in configurations can be applied to the present embodiment, and the water level sensor 240 is only an exemplary.

A water temperature regulator 250 for raising the temperature of water supplied to the bathtub 100 to predetermined temperature and keeping it as the same, comprises: a water circulation tube 251 mounted at opposing ends in communication with the bathtub 100; a temperature sensor 252 mounted into the water circulation tube 251 for sensing the temperature of circulating water; a pump 254 mounted inside the water circulation tube 251 for pumping the water to be circulated; and a heating member 255 for heating the water circulation tube 251 and the water therein. The heating member 255 includes a halogen lamp, an electrical heater and the like.

The water temperature regulator 250 for raising the temperature of water supplied through the supply valve 230 is not limited to the configurations as described the above, and any configurations for raising the temperature of water can be considered.

In addition, the driver 300 is mounted to be electrically connected between the bathtub control portion 400 and the bathtub driving portion 200, wherein the driver 300 receives the detection signals detected in the water temperature regulator 250 and in the water level controller of the bathtub driving portion 200 and drives the bathtub driving portion 200 responding to a bathtub control signal produced in the bathtub control portion 400.

Meanwhile, the bathtub control portion 400 for practically producing the bathtub control signal comprises: a key-input unit 410 for setting the states (level, temperature, discharging volume of water, and the like) of the bathtub driving portion 200; a memory where the data for controlling the bathtub driving portion 200 is stored; and

the first mi-com in which a setting signal is to be read based on the pre-stored signal when a setting signal is inputted from the key-input unit 410, and a bathtub control signal for controlling the bathtub driving portion 200 is to be produced thereof, and then the supply valve 230 and the water temperature regulator 250 of the bathtub driving portion 200 are controlled to be on/off based on the detection signal when a detection signal is inputted. At this times, the mi-com 440 controls the discharging valve 232 to be cut off from the electrical power and open the discharging tube when a setting signal to discharge the filled water is inputted from the key-input unit 410 or the remote controller 600.

The bathtub controller 400 further comprises a displayer 420 for displaying the states of the bathtub driving portion 200(the data of water level and temperature, and whether the discharging valve is open or closed) in response to the above detection signals.

A communication unit 500 for sending and receiving the setting signals and the detection signals on RF (radio frequency) is connected to the communication port of the first mi-com 440. The communication unit 500 consists of a RF sending and receiving unit.

*A remote controller 600 by which the bathtub driving portion 200 is remotely wirelessly controlled through the bathtub control portion 400 from remote distance inside home is configured that it receives the detection signals and transmits the setting signals set by the users to the bathtub control portion 400 on frequency-tuning with the communication unit 400.

A remote control portion 600 comprises: a wireless sending and receiving unit 610 in which the modulation signals corresponding to the setting signals are emitted to the predetermined frequency zones, and the signals received on the predetermined frequency zones are demodulated; a remote key input portion 621 for setting the temperature and volume of water supplied to the bathtub 100; a remote controller 620 including a second mi-com 622 by which the setting signals inputted from the remote key input portion 621 are transferred to the modulation signals on predetermined frequency and the demodulation data of the receiving signals on predetermined frequency are outputted; and a displayer 630 for displaying the demodulation data outputted from the second mi-com 622. The remote control portion 600 consists of a wireless remote controller.

Accordingly, the principle of the remote bathtub control system's operation in view of configurations as described above will be described as followings.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 among the drawings attached hereto, a user can control the bathtub driving portion 200 with the key-input unit 410 installed on the bathtub control portion 400.

That is, a user sets the target level and temperature of the water to be supplied to the bathtub 100 with the key-input unit 410, and then the setting signals are transmitted to the first mi-com 440. The first mi-com 440 reads the setting signals inputted from the key-input unit 410 on the basis of data pre-stored in the memory 430, and produces the bathtub control signals for controlling the bathtub driving portion 200 in accordance with reading results.

The bathtub control signals produced in the above procedures are transmitted to the driver 300 for controlling the bathtub control portions 200. Therefore, when a user sets the middle level of water and temperature 32° C. of water, the supply valve 230 is opened and water is supplied to the bathtub 100. At this times, the level of water supplied to is sensed by the pressure sensor 244 for sensing the water level of the water level sensor 240 and the detection signals sensed are inputted to the first mi-com 440 via the driver 300. The detection signals inputted to the first mi-com 440 is displayed on the displayer 420. (Refer to FIG. 1)

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when a user sets the middle level of water and temperature 32° C. of water, the supply valve 230 is opened and water is supplied to the bathtub 100. At this times, the level of water supplied to is sensed(detected) by the water level sensing portion 243 of the water level sensor 240 through the fixed electrode 242 and each sensing electrode 242a, 242b, 242c . . . 242n, and the detection signals sensed are inputted to the first mi-com 440 via the driver 300. The detection signals inputted to the first mi-com 440 is displayed on the displayer 420.

Meanwhile, when the bathtub control signals are transmitted, the pump 254 of the water temperature controller is operated and thereby water is circulated to water circulation tube 251. During the circulation, water is heated by the heating member 255 and temperature thereof is raised. At this times, the temperature sensor 252 senses the temperature of the water, and the detection signals sensed are transmitted to the first mi-com 440 via the driver 300. And the first mi-com 440 extracts the data corresponding to the detection signals from the memory 430 and output them to the displayer 420.

Accordingly, a user can easily and rapidly see the states of the bathtub driving portion 200 (level and temperature of water, whether the discharging valve is opened or closed).

In addition, when a user inputs the setting signals through the key-input unit 410 for discharging the supplied water, the first mi-com 440 produces the bathtub control signals based on and corresponding to the data pre-stored on the memory 430, and transmits them to the driver 300 that operates to open the discharging valve 232 and discharge the water.

Meanwhile, for a user to control the bathtub driving portion 200 at remote distance, the setting signals to indicate the states of the bathtub control portion (level, temperature and discharge of water) are inputted using the remote key input portion 621 of the remote control portion 600. The second mi-com 622 produces the modulation signals based on the setting signals inputted from the key input portion 621.

After that, an outside wireless sending and receiving unit 610 emits the modulation signals on predetermined frequency zones corresponding to the setting signals produced in the second mi-com 622. The modulation signals emitted are transmitted the first mi-com 440 through sending to and receiving from the communication unit 500 on RF.

The first mi-com 440 reads the modulation signals on the basis of the data pre-stored the memory 430, and produces the bathtub control signals thereof for controlling the bathtub driving portion 200.

The bathtub control signals produced in the above procedures are transmitted to the driver 300 that controls the bathtub driving portion 200 in response to the bathtub control signals, and thereby controls the supply valve 230, the pump 254, the heating member 255, the discharging valve 232 and the like to be driven as described above.

Meanwhile, the detection signals sensed by the temperature sensor 252, the pressure sensor 244 for sensing the water level or the water level sensing portion 243 are inputted into the driver 300 transmitted to the first mi-com 300. The detection signals transmitted to the first mi-com 440 are used as data for controlling the supply valve 230, the heating member 255, the pump 254 and the discharging valve 232. The detection signals are sent to the remote control portion 600 via the communication unit 500.

First, when the pressure and the water level sensed by the pressure sensor for sensing the water level and the water level sensing portion 243, respectively, are correspondent to the target values (setting values) among the contents of inputted detection signals, the first mi-com 440 cut off the water supply on or off the supply valve 230. In addition, when the water temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 252 is correspondent to the target value, the first mi-com 440 controls the heating member 255 to be cut off the electric power and be off, and the pump 254 to be off. However, when the level and the temperature of water are below the target values, the first mi-com 440 does not operate the controls until approaching the target values.

Meanwhile, the detection signals outputted from the first mi-com 440 to the communication unit 500 via a communication port are transmitted to the second mi-com 622 of the remote controller 620 via the outside wireless sending and receiving unit 610 of the remote control portion 600 by the communication unit 500. At this times, the outside wireless sending and receiving unit 610 demodulates the receiving signals on the frequency zone.

The detection signals demodulated in the above procedures are transferred to the demodulation data by the second mi-com 622 and displayed on the remote displayer 630.

Therefore, a user can remotely control the bathtub driving portion 200 at remote distance and also see easily and rapidly the states of the bathtub 100 (level, temperature and discharge of water).

The preferred second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the bathtub remote control system according to the second embodiment, the bathtub driving portion 200 is remotely controlled by a PC (personal computer) which is a sort of user's terminals through a internet network differently from those in the first embodiment, however, other parts and operations are the same as the first embodiment.

That is, the remote control portion 900 in the bathtub remote control system according to the second embodiment, the detection signals provided to the bathtub control portion 400 are entrained on a communication network 700 and the detection signals are to be received to the user's terminals 800 through data communications. After that, the setting signals produced from the user's terminals 800 through the communication network 700 are transmitted to the bathtub control portion 400 and remotely control the bathtub driving portion 200.

In more details, the configurations are as follows.

The communication network 700 consists of internet networks.

The remote control portion 900 comprises a home server including: a home network control portion 920 for controlling a screen related with the home network, which is displayed a display portion 910; a network memory 930 in which the bathtub's data in response to the detection signals, and a ID and a secret number for verifying the members are stored; a web page storing portion 940 for storing the web pages provided through networks; and a network interface 950 through which a user from outside accesses to the home network control portion 920 with internet networks, and sends and receives the data.

The user's terminals 800 consists of PCs connectable to the home network control portion 920 through the network interface 950.

The data in accordance with the detection signals from the bathtub driving portion 200 and the instruction signals in accordance with the setting signals are to be stored in the network memory 930. When a request from a user's terminal is made to access to, it is decided whether he/she can access to by confirming the ID and secret number.

The network interface 950 operates a PC, a users' terminal, to display the current states of the bathtub driving portion 200 in accordance with the detection signals through the internet, and to transmit the setting signals inputted from the user to the home network control portion 920. In this network interface 950, a interpreter is sometimes necessary to convert the signals transmitted in accordance with sorts of the network into the signals to be recognized in the home network control portion 920.

In addition, because web pages having pictures as same as the display portion 910 are stored in the web pages storing portion 940, and when connecting to the home server 960 through the outside network, the web pages storing portion 940 provides the webpage through the outside network, outside terminals are provided with the same pictures as displayed in the display portion 910.

As the home server 960 has its own IP (Internet Protocol) Address, a user can be connected directly to the home server 960 of the remote control portion 900 through networks.

The operations of the bathtub remote control system according to the second embodiment as configured in the above are as follows.

*As illustrated in FIG. 4, when a user from remote distances is to be connected to the home server 960 with a user's terminal consisting of PC through the communication networks 700 of the internet, and the ID and secret number are inputted, the control portion 920 of the home network compares them inputted with the ID and secret number stored in the network memory 930, and permits the access if they are identical.

Meanwhile, when user's access is permitted and web pages are provided on user's terminal by the web pages storing portion 940, if a user chooses the home network function, the home network initial pictures are provided on user's terminals.

On the initial pictures, when a user chooses the control of the bathtub driving portion 200, that is, the water level, the water temperature, the water discharging and the like, the pictures thereof are displayed. At this times, the detection signals data which are detected in bathtub driving portion 200 and are stored in the network memory 930 of the home server 960 through the first mi-com 440 are displayed on pictures.

Therefore, when a user sets the target values of the water level and the water temperature using a key board or a mouse after he/she sees the states of the bathtub driving portion 200, the setting contents are transmitted to the home network control portion 920, and the setting signals corresponding to the set(chosen) contents are drawn out of the network memory 930 and the setting signals drawn out are transmitted to the first mi-com 440 of the bathtub control portion 400 in the home network control portion 920.

When the setting signals are inputted from the remote control portion 900, the first mi-com 440 reads the setting signals on the basis of data pre-stored in the memory 430, and produces the bathtub control signals for controlling the bathtub driving portion 200 in accordance with the reading results, and transmit them to the driver 300 to drive the corresponding member.

At this times, a user can chooses the procedure in which the setting signals inputted from the terminal 800 is transmitted to the first mi-com 440 without processing them in the home network control portion.

Meanwhile, when the bathtub driving portion 200 is controlled as described in the above procedures, the detection signals detected in the bathtub driving portion 200 (the states of the bathtub driving portion 200 in operation) are transmitted to the first mi-com through the driver 300, and then they are stored on the memory 930 by the home network control portion 920 of the home server 960 to be displayed on the terminal 800 of users.

Accordingly, a user can see easily the control states of the bathtub driving portion 200. That is, a user can see directly whether the target values of the water level and water temperature are changed into values which are set by himself.

As a result, a user can control directly the bathtub driving portion 200 from the outside and see the states of the controlling due to the home server 960 connectable to the internet.

FIG. 5 illustrates the preferred third embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, according to the third embodiment, it is characterized in that the communication network consists of wire or wireless telephone network, and that the remote control portion 900 performs the data communications by entraining the detection signals provided from the bathtub control portion 400 on the communication network 700 to be received by the user's terminals, and that the setting signals produced from the user's terminals are transmitted the bathtub control portion 400 and the bathtub driving portion 200 is remotely controlled through the communication network 700. Also, it is characterized in that it includes a voice transference module 970 for transferring the detection signals into voice signals, and that the terminal 800 is wire or wireless telephone to which the setting signals for controlling the bathtub driving portion 200 on the basis of voice information provided from the voice transference module 970 are to be input. However, other parts and operation are the same as the first and the second embodiments.

That is, in the remote control portion 900, the detection signals provided from the bathtub control portion 400 are transferred into voice signals by the voice transference module 970. The detection signals which are transferred into voice signals through the procedures described in the above are transmitted to user's terminals 800 consisting of wire or wireless telephones through the communication networks consisting of wire or wireless telephone.

Therefore, users having terminals 800 consisting of wire or wireless telephone input the setting signals to control the bathtub driving portion 200 with user's terminals when he/she hears the voice information provided from the voice transference module 970. At this times, the setting signals are made by manipulating keys on the basis of the voice information.

When the setting signals are inputted from the user's terminals 800 through the procedures as described in the above, the remote control portion 900 transmits the setting signals inputted from the user's terminals to the first mi-com 440.

When the setting signals are inputted from the remote control portion 900, the first mi-com 440 reads the setting signals on the basis of data pre-stored in the memory 430, and produces the bathtub control signals for controlling the bathtub driving portion 200 in accordance with the reading results, and transmit them to the driver 300 to drive the corresponding member.

In the bathtub remote control system according to the third embodiment, by using wireless or internet and also wire or ireless telephone, the bathtub driving portion 200 is to be easily controlled at remote distance, and the state of the bathtub driving portion 200 is provided.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A bathtub remote control system comprising:

a bathtub driving portion (200) including a supply tube (220) branching off from a hydrant (210) and communicated with the inside of the bathtub (100), a supply valve (230) for controlling the volume of water supplied through the supply tube (220), a water level sensor (240) for sensing the level of water supplied to the bathtub (100) through the supply tube (220), and a water temperature regulator (250) for heating water supplied to the bathtub 100 and sensing the temperature of the same;
a bathtub control portion (400) including a key-input unit (410) for setting the states of said bathtub driving portion (200), a memory (430) where the data for controlling said bathtub driving portion (200) is stored, and a first mi-com (440) in which when the setting signals is inputted from the key-input unit (410), the first mi-com (440) reads the setting signals on the basis of data pre-stored in the memory (430) and produces the bathtub control signals for controlling the bathtub driving portion (200) in accordance with reading results, and when the detection signals are inputted, the first mi-com operates on the basis of said detection signals to control the supply valve (230) and the water temperature regulator (250) of said bathtub driving portion (200) to be on or off; a communication unit (500) connected to the communication port of said first mi-com (440) for sending and receiving the setting signals and the detection signals on RF;
and a remote control portion (600) for remotely controlling the bathtub driving portion (200) through the emission of the setting signals set by a user to the bathtub control portion (400) in frequency consistency with said communication unit (500) after inputting the detection signals.

2. The bathtub remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said water level sensor (240) comprises:

a space portion (241) in which air pressure is induced in proportion to the pressure of water inside said bathtub (100) and a air trap (242) installed in communication with said bathtub (100);
an air hose (243) to be influenced by the pressure induced in said space portion(241) due to the communication with said air trap (242); and
*a pressure sensor (244) for sensing the water level, the pressure sensor (244) being mounted through said air hose (243) to sense the air pressure which is transmitted through media inside said air hose (243).

3. The bathtub remote control system according to claim 2, wherein the water temperature regulator (250) comprises:

a water circulation tube (251) mounted with the opposing ends thereof in communication with the bathtub (100);
a temperature sensor (252) mounted on one end of the water circulation tube (251) for sensing the temperature of circulating water;
a pump (254) mounted inside said water circulation tube (251) for pumping the water to be circulated; and
a heating member (255) for heating the water circulation tube (251) and the water therein.

4. The bathtub remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said bathtub control portion (400) further comprises a displayer (420) for displaying the states of the bathtub driving portion (200) in response to said detection signals.

5. The bathtub remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said remote control portion (600) comprises:

a outside wireless sending and receiving unit (610) in which the modulation signals corresponding to the setting signals are emitted to the predetermined frequency zones, and the signals received on the predetermined frequency zones are demodulated; a remote controller (620) including a remote key input portion (621) for setting the volume and the temperature of water supplied to the bathtub (100), and a second mi-com (622) for transferring the setting signals inputted from said remote key input portion (621) to the modulation signals on predetermined frequency and for outputting the demodulation data of said receiving signals on predetermined frequency; and
a remote displaying portion (630) for displaying the demodulation data outputted from said second mi-com (622).

6. The bathtub remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said water level sensor (240) comprises:

a fixed electrode (242) mounted on the bottom side of the bathtub (100); a plurality of sensing electrodes (242a, 242b, 242c... 242n) which are mounted one side of said bathtub (100) at vertically consistent interval and electrically connected to said fixed electrode (242); and
a water level sensing portion (243) which is electrically connected to said fixed electrode (242) and each of said sensing electrodes (242a, 242b, 242c... 242n), wherein through which each of said sensing electrodes (242a, 242b, 242c... 242n) including said fixed electrode (242) are submerged into water from the bottom to the top and applied electric current through the water.

7. The bathtub remote control system according to claim 6, wherein the water temperature regulator comprises:

a water circulation tube (251) mounted with the opposing ends thereof in communication with the bathtub (100);
a temperature sensor (252) mounted on one end of the water circulation tube (251) for sensing the temperature of circulating water;
a pump (254) mounted inside said water circulation tube (251) for pumping the water to be circulated; and,
a heating member (255) for heating the water circulation tube (251) and the water therein.

8. The bathtub remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said bathtub control portion (400) further comprises a displayer (420) for displaying the states of the bathtub driving portion (200) in response to said detection signals.

9. The bathtub remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said remote control portion (600) comprises: a outside wireless sending and receiving unit (610) in which the modulation signals corresponding to the setting signals are emitted to the predetermined frequency zones, and the signals received on the predetermined frequency zones are demodulated; a remote controller (620) including a remote key input portion (621) for setting the volume and the temperature of water supplied to the bathtub (100), and a second mi-com (622) for transferring the setting signals inputted from said remote key input portion (621) to the modulation signals on predetermined frequency and for outputting the demodulation data of said receiving signals on predetermined frequency; and, a remote displaying portion (630) for displaying the demodulation data outputted from said second mi-com (622).

10. A bathtub remote control system comprising: a bathtub driving portion (200) including a supply tube (220) branching off from a hydrant (210) and communicated with the inside of the bathtub (100), a supply valve (230) for controlling the volume of water supplied through the supply tube (220), a water level sensor (240) for sensing the level of water supplied to the bathtub (100) through the supply tube (220), and a water temperature regulator (250) for heating water supplied to the bathtub (100) and sensing the temperature of the same;

a bathtub control portion (400) including a key-input unit (410) for setting the states of said bathtub driving portion (200), a memory (430) where the data for controlling said bathtub driving portion (200) is stored, and a first mi-com (440) in which when the setting signals is inputted from the key-input unit (410), the first mi-com (440) reads the setting signals on the basis of data pre-stored in the memory (430) and produces the bathtub control signals for controlling the bathtub driving portion (200) in accordance with reading results, and when the detection signals are inputted, the first mi-com operates on the basis of said detection signals to control the supply valve (230) and the water temperature regulator (250) of said bathtub driving portion (200) to be on or off; and a remote control portion (900) for performing data communication with user's terminals (800) by entraining the detection signals provided from the bathtub control portion (400) on the communication network (700), and for remotely controlling the bathtub driving portion (200) through the transmission of the setting signals produced from user's terminals (800) through the communication network (700) to the bathtub control portion (400).

11. The bathtub remote control system according to claim 10, wherein said communication network (700) consists of the internet, and said remote control portion(900) comprises a home server includes: a home network control portion (920) for controlling the pictures related to the home network which is displayed on the display portion (910); a network memory (930) in which the bathtub (100) data in accordance with said detection signals, and ID and secret numbers for confirming the users are stored; a web page storing portion (940) for storing the web pages provided through the network; and a network interface (950) through which a user from outside connects to said home network control portion (920) with internet networks, and sends and receives the data, and said user's terminal (800) consists of PC which is connectable to the home network control portion (920) through the network interface (950).

12. The bathtub remote control system according to claim 11, wherein said communication network (700) consists of wire or wireless telephone network, said remote control portion (900) includes the voice transference module (970) for transferring the detection signals into the voice signals, and said terminals (800) is wire or wireless telephone to which the setting signals for controlling the bathtub driving portion (200) on the basis of voice information provided from the voice transference module (970) are to be input.

Patent History
Publication number: 20080163416
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 18, 2005
Publication Date: Jul 10, 2008
Inventor: Doo-Seok Go (Seoul)
Application Number: 11/660,532
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Convenience Accessories (4/559); Operator Control Of Remotely Located Element (700/65); Control Of Fluid Level Or Volume (700/281)
International Classification: A47K 3/02 (20060101);