US20220145602A1

US20220145602A1 - Remote fluid flow control system and method

Info

Publication number: US20220145602A1
Application number: US17/520,228
Authority: US
Inventors: David Proulx
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-11-06
Filing date: 2021-11-05
Publication date: 2022-05-12

Abstract

A remote fluid flow control system for controlling water flow to a faucet comprises a remote stand-alone foot pedal; and a main unit in wireless communication with the stand-alone foot pedal, wherein water flow to the faucet is controlled by the main unit in response.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/110,512, filed Nov. 6, 2020 under 35 U.S.C. 119, and incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to remote fluid flow control systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A remote fluid flow control system comprises a remote stand-alone foot pedal and a main unit in wireless communication with the stand-alone foot pedal. The remote stand-alone foot pedal includes a power supply and a wireless signal transmitter. The main unit includes a power supply, two solenoid valves (normally open or normally closed depending on the usage and configuration), a controller, and a wireless signal receiver. The two solenoid valves are in respective fluid communication with hot and cold water lines that run to a faucet (or faucets). The faucet is controlled remotely using the foot pedal; the faucet can be turned on and off using one's foot. The wireless signal transmitter of the stand-alone foot pedal, when depressed, sends a signal to the wireless receiver of the main unit which, in turn, results in the controller causing the solenoid valves to open or close. In one embodiment, the wireless signal transmitter of the stand-alone foot pedal wirelessly communicates with the wireless signal receiver of the main unit using Bluetooth. In an alternative embodiment, the wireless signal transmitter of the stand-alone foot pedal wirelessly communicates with the wireless signal receiver of the main unit using RF.
Another aspect of the invention involves a remote fluid flow control system for controlling water flow to a faucet comprising a remote stand-alone foot pedal; and a main unit in wireless communication with the stand-alone foot pedal, wherein water flow to the faucet is controlled by the main unit in response.
One or more implementations of the above aspect of the invention described immediately above includes one or more of the following: the remote stand-alone foot pedal includes a power supply and a wireless signal transmitter; the remote stand-alone foot pedal is a single remote stand-alone foot pedal; the main unit includes a power supply, one or more valves, a controller, and a wireless signal receiver, wherein the one or more valves are opened or closed by the controller in response to foot operation of the remote stand-alone foot pedal causing a wireless signal to be sent by the wireless signal transmitter of the remote stand-alone foot pedal and received by the wireless signal receive if the main unit; the one or more valves include two solenoid valves; the one or more valves include two valves, one for hot water operation and one for cold water operation; the main unit is a first main unit and a separate second main unit, each with a respective valve, one for hot water operation and one for cold water operation; the wireless signal transmitter and the wireless signal receiver are configured to communicate via Bluetooth wireless communication; the wireless signal transmitter and the wireless signal receiver are configured to communicate via RF wireless communication; and/or the wireless signal transmitter and the wireless signal receiver are configured to communicate via IR wireless communication.
Another aspect of the invention involves a method of using a remote fluid flow control system for controlling water flow to a faucet, the remote fluid flow control system including a remote stand-alone foot pedal; and a main unit in wireless communication with the stand-alone foot pedal, the method comprising receiving foot operation via the remote stand-alone foot pedal; wirelessly communicating a wireless signal indicative of the foot operation between the remote stand-alone foot pedal and the main unit; and controlling water flow to the faucet in response to the communicated wireless signal indicative of the foot operation.
One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention described immediately above includes one or more of the following: the remote stand-alone foot pedal includes a power supply and a wireless signal transmitter; the remote stand-alone foot pedal is a single remote stand-alone foot pedal; the main unit includes a power supply, one or more valves, a controller, and a wireless signal receiver, wherein the one or more valves are opened or closed by the controller in response to foot operation of the remote stand-alone foot pedal causing a wireless signal to be sent by the wireless signal transmitter of the remote stand-alone foot pedal and received by the wireless signal receive if the main unit; the one or more valves include two solenoid valves; the one or more valves include two valves, one for hot water operation and one for cold water operation; the main unit is a first main unit and a separate second main unit, each with a respective valve, one for hot water operation and one for cold water operation; the wireless signal transmitter and the wireless signal receiver are configured to communicate via Bluetooth wireless communication; the wireless signal transmitter and the wireless signal receiver are configured to communicate via RF wireless communication; and/or the wireless signal transmitter and the wireless signal receiver are configured to communicate via IR wireless communication.
Another aspect of the invention involves a method of using a remote fluid flow control system for controlling water flow to a faucet, the remote fluid flow control system including a remote stand-alone foot pedal having a power supply and a wireless signal transmitter; and a main unit in wireless communication with the stand-alone foot pedal, the main unit having a power supply, one or more valves, a controller, and a wireless signal receiver, the method comprising receiving foot operation via the remote stand-alone foot pedal; emitting a wireless signal via the wireless signal transmitter; receiving the wireless signal via the wireless signal receiver; controlling the one or more valves to open or close via the controller based on the received wireless signal
One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention described immediately above includes one or more of the following: the remote stand-alone foot pedal is a single remote stand-alone foot pedal; the one or more valves include two solenoid valves; the one or more valves include two valves, one for hot water operation and one for cold water operation; the main unit is a first main unit and a separate second main unit, each with a respective valve, one for hot water operation and one for cold water operation; the wireless signal transmitter and the wireless signal receiver are configured to communicate via Bluetooth wireless communication; the wireless signal transmitter and the wireless signal receiver are configured to communicate via RF wireless communication; and/or the wireless signal transmitter and the wireless signal receiver are configured to communicate via IR wireless communication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a remote fluid flow control system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of electrical components of a remote stand-alone foot pedal of the a remote fluid flow control system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of electrical components of a main unit of the remote fluid flow control system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example wired or wireless processor enabled device that may be used in connection with various embodiments described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of a remote fluid flow control system 100 for controlling, for example, but not by way of limitation, water flow to a faucet 220 will be described.
The remote fluid flow control system 100 includes a single remote stand-alone wireless foot pedal 110 and a main unit 120 in wireless communication with the stand-alone foot pedal 110.
With reference to FIG. 2, the remote stand-alone wireless foot pedal 110 includes a power supply 130 and a wireless signal transmitter 140.
With reference to FIG. 3, the main unit 120 includes a power supply 150, two solenoid valves (normally open or normally closed depending on the usage and configuration) 160, 170, a controller 180, and a wireless signal receiver 190. The two solenoid valves 160, 170 are in respective fluid communication with hot and cold water lines 200, 210 that run to a faucet (or faucets) 220.
The faucet 220 is controlled remotely using the single remote stand-alone wireless foot pedal 110; the faucet 220 can be turned on and off using one's foot. The wireless signal transmitter 140 of the single remote stand-alone wireless foot pedal 110, when depressed, sends a signal to the wireless receiver 190 of the main unit 120 which, in turn, results in the controller 180 causing the solenoid valves 160, 170 to open or close. In closed state, no flow of fluids is allowed through the solenoid valves 160, 170. In an open state, the maximum capacity of fluid is allowed through the solenoid valves 160, 170. Where the faucet 220 has a lever, the capacity is also determined by the state of the lever.
In one embodiment, the wireless signal transmitter 140 of the single remote stand-alone wireless foot pedal 110 wirelessly communicates with the wireless signal receiver 190 of the main unit 120 using Bluetooth. In an alternative embodiment, the wireless signal transmitter 140 of the single remote stand-alone wireless foot pedal 110 wirelessly communicates with the wireless signal receiver 190 of the main unit 120 using RF. In a further embodiment, the wireless signal transmitter 140 of the single remote stand-alone wireless foot pedal 110 wirelessly communicates with the wireless signal receiver 190 of the main unit 120 using IR or other form of wireless communication.
In an alternative embodiment, the main unit 120 may be a first main unit and a separate second main unit, each with respective solenoid valve 160, 170, separately connected to the hot and cold water lines 200, 210.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example wired or wireless system 550 that may be used in connection with various embodiments described herein. For example the system 550 may be used as or in conjunction with the controller 180 are wireless communication function(s) described herein. The system 550 can be a conventional personal computer, computer server, personal digital assistant, smart phone, tablet computer, or any other processor enabled device that is capable of wired or wireless data communication. Other computer systems and/or architectures may be also used, as will be clear to those skilled in the art.
The system 550 preferably includes one or more processors, such as processor 560. Additional processors may be provided, such as an auxiliary processor to manage input/output, an auxiliary processor to perform floating point mathematical operations, a special-purpose microprocessor having an architecture suitable for fast execution of signal processing algorithms (e.g., digital signal processor), a slave processor subordinate to the main processing system (e.g., back-end processor), an additional microprocessor or controller for dual or multiple processor systems, or a coprocessor. Such auxiliary processors may be discrete processors or may be integrated with the processor 560.
The processor 560 is preferably connected to a communication bus 555. The communication bus 555 may include a data channel for facilitating information transfer between storage and other peripheral components of the system 550. The communication bus 555 further may provide a set of signals used for communication with the processor 560, including a data bus, address bus, and control bus (not shown). The communication bus 555 may comprise any standard or non-standard bus architecture such as, for example, bus architectures compliant with industry standard architecture (“ISA”), extended industry standard architecture (“EISA”), Micro Channel Architecture (“MCA”), peripheral component interconnect (“PCI”) local bus, or standards promulgated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”) including IEEE 488 general-purpose interface bus (“GPIB”), IEEE 696/S-100, and the like.
System 550 preferably includes a main memory 565 and may also include a secondary memory 570. The main memory 565 provides storage of instructions and data for programs executing on the processor 560. The main memory 565 is typically semiconductor-based memory such as dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) and/or static random access memory (“SRAM”). Other semiconductor-based memory types include, for example, synchronous dynamic random access memory (“SDRAM”), Rambus dynamic random access memory (“RDRAM”), ferroelectric random access memory (“FRAM”), and the like, including read only memory (“ROM”).
The secondary memory 570 may optionally include an internal memory 575 and/or a removable medium 580, for example a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disc (“CD”) drive, a digital versatile disc (“DVD”) drive, etc. The removable medium 580 is read from and/or written to in a well-known manner. Removable storage medium 580 may be, for example, a floppy disk, magnetic tape, CD, DVD, SD card, etc.
The removable storage medium 580 is a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable code (i.e., software) and/or data. The computer software or data stored on the removable storage medium 580 is read into the system 550 for execution by the processor 560.
In alternative embodiments, secondary memory 570 may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other data or instructions to be loaded into the system 550. Such means may include, for example, an external storage medium 595 and an interface 570. Examples of external storage medium 595 may include an external hard disk drive or an external optical drive, or and external magneto-optical drive.
Other examples of secondary memory 570 may include semiconductor-based memory such as programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), or flash memory (block oriented memory similar to EEPROM). Also included are any other removable storage media 580 and communication interface 590, which allow software and data to be transferred from an external medium 595 to the system 550.
System 550 may also include an input/output (“I/O”) interface 585. The I/O interface 585 facilitates input from and output to external devices. For example the I/O interface 585 may receive input from a keyboard or mouse and may provide output to a display 587. The I/O interface 585 is capable of facilitating input from and output to various alternative types of human interface and machine interface devices alike.
System 550 may also include a communication interface 590. The communication interface 590 allows software and data to be transferred between system 550 and external devices (e.g. printers), networks, or information sources. For example, computer software or executable code may be transferred to system 550 from a network server via communication interface 590. Examples of communication interface 590 include a modem, a network interface card (“NIC”), a wireless data card, a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, an infrared interface, and an IEEE 1394 fire-wire, just to name a few.
Communication interface 590 preferably implements industry promulgated protocol standards, such as Ethernet IEEE 802 standards, Fiber Channel, digital subscriber line (“DSL”), asynchronous digital subscriber line (“ADSL”), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (“ATM”), integrated digital services network (“ISDN”), personal communications services (“PCS”), transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (“TCP/IP”), serial line Internet protocol/point to point protocol (“SLIP/PPP”), and so on, but may also implement customized or non-standard interface protocols as well.
Software and data transferred via communication interface 590 are generally in the form of electrical communication signals 605. These signals 605 are preferably provided to communication interface 590 via a communication channel 600. In one embodiment, the communication channel 600 may be a wired or wireless network, or any variety of other communication links. Communication channel 600 carries signals 605 and can be implemented using a variety of wired or wireless communication means including wire or cable, fiber optics, conventional phone line, cellular phone link, wireless data communication link, radio frequency (“RF”) link, or infrared link, just to name a few.
Computer executable code (i.e., computer programs or software) is stored in the main memory 565 and/or the secondary memory 570. Computer programs can also be received via communication interface 590 and stored in the main memory 565 and/or the secondary memory 570. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the system 550 to perform the various functions of the present invention as previously described.
In this description, the term “computer readable medium” is used to refer to any non-transitory computer readable storage media used to provide computer executable code (e.g., software and computer programs) to the system 550. Examples of these media include main memory 565, secondary memory 570 (including internal memory 575, removable medium 580, and external storage medium 595), and any peripheral device communicatively coupled with communication interface 590 (including a network information server or other network device). These non-transitory computer readable mediums are means for providing executable code, programming instructions, and software to the system 550.
In an embodiment that is implemented using software, the software may be stored on a computer readable medium and loaded into the system 550 by way of removable medium 580, I/O interface 585, or communication interface 590. In such an embodiment, the software is loaded into the system 550 in the form of electrical communication signals 605. The software, when executed by the processor 560, preferably causes the processor 560 to perform the inventive features and functions previously described herein.
The system 550 also includes optional wireless communication components that facilitate wireless communication over a voice and over a data network (or otherwise described herein). The wireless communication components comprise an antenna system 610, a radio system 615 and a baseband system 620. In the system 550, radio frequency (“RF”) signals are transmitted and received over the air by the antenna system 610 under the management of the radio system 615.
In one embodiment, the antenna system 610 may comprise one or more antennae and one or more multiplexors (not shown) that perform a switching function to provide the antenna system 610 with transmit and receive signal paths. In the receive path, received RF signals can be coupled from a multiplexor to a low noise amplifier (not shown) that amplifies the received RF signal and sends the amplified signal to the radio system 615.
In alternative embodiments, the radio system 615 may comprise one or more radios that are configured to communicate over various frequencies. In one embodiment, the radio system 615 may combine a demodulator (not shown) and modulator (not shown) in one integrated circuit (“IC”). The demodulator and modulator can also be separate components. In the incoming path, the demodulator strips away the RF carrier signal leaving a baseband receive audio signal, which is sent from the radio system 615 to the baseband system 620.
If the received signal contains audio information, then baseband system 620 decodes the signal and converts it to an analog signal. Then the signal is amplified and sent to a speaker. The baseband system 620 also receives analog audio signals from a microphone. These analog audio signals are converted to digital signals and encoded by the baseband system 620. The baseband system 620 also codes the digital signals for transmission and generates a baseband transmit audio signal that is routed to the modulator portion of the radio system 615. The modulator mixes the baseband transmit audio signal with an RF carrier signal generating an RF transmit signal that is routed to the antenna system and may pass through a power amplifier (not shown). The power amplifier amplifies the RF transmit signal and routes it to the antenna system 610 where the signal is switched to the antenna port for transmission.
The baseband system 620 is also communicatively coupled with the processor 560. The central processing unit 560 has access to data storage areas 565 and 570. The central processing unit 560 is preferably configured to execute instructions (i.e., computer programs or software) that can be stored in the memory 565 or the secondary memory 570. Computer programs can also be received from the baseband processor 610 and stored in the data storage area 565 or in secondary memory 570, or executed upon receipt. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the system 550 to perform the various functions of the present invention as previously described. For example, data storage areas 565 may include various software modules (not shown) that are executable by processor 560.
Various embodiments may also be implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, components such as application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), or field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”). Implementation of a hardware state machine capable of performing the functions described herein will also be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art. Various embodiments may also be implemented using a combination of both hardware and software.
Furthermore, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and method steps described in connection with the above described figures and the embodiments disclosed herein can often be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled persons can implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the invention. In addition, the grouping of functions within a module, block, circuit or step is for ease of description. Specific functions or steps can be moved from one module, block or circuit to another without departing from the invention.
Moreover, the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and methods described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (“DSP”), an ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
Additionally, the steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium including a network storage medium. An exemplary storage medium can be coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium can also reside in an ASIC.
The above figures may depict exemplary configurations for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated architectures or configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally, although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention, especially in the following claims, should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as mean “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although item, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.

Claims

I claim:

1. A remote fluid flow control system for controlling water flow to a faucet, comprising:

a remote stand-alone foot pedal; and

a main unit in wireless communication with the stand-alone foot pedal,

wherein water flow to the faucet is controlled by the main unit in response to foot operation of the remote stand-alone foot pedal.

2. The remote fluid flow control system of claim 1, wherein the remote stand-alone foot pedal includes a power supply and a wireless signal transmitter.

3. The remote fluid flow control system of claim 1, wherein the remote stand-alone foot pedal is a single remote stand-alone foot pedal.

4. The remote fluid flow control system of claim 2, wherein the main unit includes a power supply, one or more valves, a controller, and a wireless signal receiver, wherein the one or more valves are opened or closed by the controller in response to foot operation of the remote stand-alone foot pedal causing a wireless signal to be sent by the wireless signal transmitter of the remote stand-alone foot pedal and received by the wireless signal receive if the main unit.

5. The remote fluid flow control system of claim 4, wherein the one or more valves include two solenoid valves.

6. The remote fluid flow control system of claim 4, wherein the one or more valves include two valves, one for hot water operation and one for cold water operation.

7. The remote fluid flow control system of claim 4, wherein the main unit is a first main unit and a separate second main unit, each with a respective valve, one for hot water operation and one for cold water operation.

8. The remote fluid flow control system of claim 4, wherein the wireless signal transmitter and the wireless signal receiver are configured to communicate via Bluetooth wireless communication.

9. The remote fluid flow control system of claim 4, wherein the wireless signal transmitter and the wireless signal receiver are configured to communicate via RF wireless communication.

10. The remote fluid flow control system of claim 4, wherein the wireless signal transmitter and the wireless signal receiver are configured to communicate via IR wireless communication.

11. A method of using the remote fluid flow control system of claim 4, comprising:

receiving foot operation via the remote stand-alone foot pedal;

emitting a wireless signal via the wireless signal transmitter;

receiving the wireless signal via the wireless signal receiver;

controlling the one or more valves to open or close via the controller based on the received wireless signal.