Improvements to a Fluid Output Controller

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for controlling the temperature and flow rate of water exiting an outlet, such as a shower.

Background to the Invention

Commonly, showers and other similar outlets, control the temperature of the water using a mixing valve situated between a hot water pipe and a cold-water pipe. As an example of a valve suitable for use in conjunction with the present invention, a valve disclosed in

International Patent Application WO2010/086662 can be cited. By altering the location and orientation of the valve and thereby letting in a greater or lesser proportion of hot and cold water, it is possible to control the temperature of the water. In addition, by altering the location of the valve within the pipe and thereby easing or restricting the flow of water, it is possible to alter the overall flow rate of the water without changing its temperature.

Typically, control of the movement of the mixing valve is achieved using a series of mechanical levers or knobs. In particular, many shower systems provide a first control for temperature, and a second control for flow rate. The drawback to such systems is the requirement to adjust multiple levers, in an attempt to find the optimal settings that you desire. This can be an awkward process and it must be repeated each time an individual enters the shower or utilises the outlet. Some systems combine the hot/cold water ratio and the overall flow rate into a single control lever, but the principle remains the same.

In addition, many manual control systems provide no indication of the effect each alteration of the control will have on the water temperature or flow rate. Because most systems do not have a linear response to the movement of the lever, the same degree of motion can have drastically different effects on temperature and flow rate. Moreover, with no numerical indication of temperature and flow or standardisation of controls, the effect of adjustments can also differ from shower to shower. As a result, the user must incrementally and iteratively adjust the controls until the desired conditions are achieved. During such alteration process the user will either be using the shower - where the user can easily scald themselves - or waiting for the shower to reach the desired conditions and wasting water. Combined, these limitations create a system which is slow, inefficient, wasteful and potentially dangerous. Additionally, different users have different preferences for temperature and flow rate of the water. Using conventional systems, there is no guarantee that the control means will be in the same position as when they left them. Similarly, when in unfamiliar accommodation, such as a hotel, a user will need to experiment to find the desirable setting which is wasteful of energy and water. It is an object of the current invention to seek to address the above issues.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a system for controlling the output of fluid from a shower outlet, the shower outlet in fluid communication with a hot water supply pipe and a cold-water supply pipe, and a mixing valve interposed therebetween, the mixing valve controlling the overall flow of water to the outlet and the ratio of hot to cold water; operation of the mixing valve is controlled by a processor; one or more modules stored on a memory and configured to be executed by the processor, the modules including instructions to; detect contact with a touch sensitive display, detect the coordinates and movement of a contact within a pre-defined area of the touch sensitive display, processing the final coordinates of a contact into an actuation of the mixing valve; the system characterised in that the processor is configured to actuate the mixing valve only upon detecting of the removal of contact with the touch sensitive display.

The system allows for easier and tailored control of water exiting the shower outlet.

Optionally, said touch sensitive display incorporates a graphical user interface to facilitate control, without a user having to directly control valves or other mechanical means. Further optionally, said graphical user interface incorporates an indicator at the location of contact with the touch sensitive display to aid the user in deciding in the settings. Yet further optionally, said graphical user interface incorporates a visual indication of at least one of temperature or flow rate proximal to the indicator. Still yet further optionally, said visual indication includes at least one of number, letters or colours.

Preferably, the coordinates of the indicator within the area are storable within the memory and accessible via the graphical user interface to aid start-up the next time at similar settings. Preferably, the system further comprises a locking means preventing detection of contact with the touch-sensitive display to ensure the system settings do not alter when not required or desirable to do so.

Preferably, the system incorporates one or more wireless receivers to allow remote access and control.

Preferably, the system comprises at least one of a temperature or flow rate detector in electrical communication with the processor to enable monitoring of the state of the system.

Preferably, each pair of digital coordinates within the pre-defined area corresponds to a unique actuation of the mixing valve to allow a visually accessible correlation between position within the area and system output. Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is a plan view of a touchscreen displaying a first exemplary graphical user interface;

Figures 2a-e are plan views of exemplary embodiments of a graphical display gauge and indicator;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a touchscreen displaying a second exemplary graphical user interface;

Figure 4 illustrates a decision tree for controlling the functionality of the indicator icon; Figure 5 illustrates a decision tree for stand-by mode; Figure 6 illustrates a decision tree for shower mode;

Figure 7 illustrates a decision tree for screen-lock mode; and Figure 8 illustrates a touchscreen having a key-pad.

Detailed Description of the Invention

With reference to the above drawings, the following detailed description provides a detailed understanding of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments exemplify the use of the invention incorporated into a shower system. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate this is not limiting and in an alternative embodiment the invention could function as a tap, faucet, hose or any other domestic or industrial fluid outlet.

In a first embodiment, the invention discloses a system and method for controlling the temperature and flow rate of water from a shower unit. The system comprises a conventional mixing valve situated between the hot water pipe, the cold-water pipe and the outlet pipe leading to the shower head.

A computer processor controls the movement of the mixing valve within its location and in doing so controls the volume and proportions of hot and cold water which are released from the shower head. A touch sensitive pad provides the user input means, with contact with the pad controlling all functions of the shower. In a preferred embodiment, the touch sensitive pad is a touchscreen. The touchscreen, in one embodiment, utilises resistive or capacitive technology. In a preferred embodiment, when activated the touchscreen displays a graphical user interface (GUI), allowing the user to alter, adjust or select a number of shower functions. Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a touchscreen 5, displaying the GUI 10. Within the GUI 10, an area 12 is defined for use in controlling the temperature and the flow rate of the water from the shower. Upon detection, by the touchscreen 5, of user contact within the area 12, the GUI 10 provides or activates the indicator or ring 18. In an embodiment, the initial display of the GUI 10 does not feature the indicator 18, with the indicator 18 appearing at the recorded site of contact upon detection. Alternatively, the indicator 18 remains at the location of last recorded contact but remains inactive until activated by the detection of contact, at which point the indicator 18 optionally moves to the location of recorded contact. In an embodiment, to activate the indicator 18, the detection of contact on the touchscreen 5 must be at a pre-determined region of the touchscreen 5. For example, in an embodiment, before activation of the indicator 18 appears at the posterior edge 22 of the area 12 equidistant between the edges 24 and 23. to active the indicator 18 and thereby enable control of the shower system, the user must make contact with the touchscreen 5 at the location of the indicator 18.

After activation, the indicator 18 functions to provide a visual indication to the user where contact with the touchscreen 5 has been recorded. In the disclosed embodiment, the indicator 18 is a cross, alternatively the indicator 18 could be a square, circle, arrow, dot or any other suitable shape.

In an embodiment, there is a pre-set and alterable lag time between the detection of contact by the touchscreen 5 and the appearance or activation of the indicator 18. For example, when set at 3 seconds, the system 1 would need to detect contact of the user with the touchscreen for 3 seconds before the indicator 18 appears or is activated. This acts as a safety feature, preventing accidental alterations of the temperature or the pressure.

In an embodiment, this feature allows the GUI 10 to feature multiple control screens, allowing increased user interaction and features. For example, when the indicator 18 is activated, such as by a 3 second continuous contact, the area 12 functions to control the temperature and the flow rate. In contrast, prior to activation of the indicator 18, contact with the touchscreen 5 could act to initiate and carry out alternative functions. For example, in an embodiment, the screen detecting a swiping motion across and in contact with the face of the touchscreen 5, brings forward an alternative GUI, allowing the user to access a range of alternative applications and functions such as settings, music, photos, social media or browsing the internet.

After activation of the indicator 18, the user drags the indicator 18 to a location within the area 12 by maintaining continued contact with the touchscreen 5. When the indicator 18 is in the desired location, the user releases contact with the touchscreen 5. In an embodiment, the system 1 records the final coordinates of the indicator 18 within the area 12 and converts that into a desired temperature and flow rate. The processor alters the location of the mixing valve within the pipes to achieve the desired temperature. A thermostat in communication with the processor and mounted proximal to the mixing valve and capable of detecting the temperature of the water exiting the outlet, provides a feed back loop, indicating if the water has reached the desired temperature. In response to this data, the processor alters the location of the mixing valve until the desired water temperature in detected. Similarly, in an embodiment, the system 1 includes a flow rate monitor which detects the current flow rate of the water exiting the water outlet and altering the location of the mixing valve to achieve the desired flow rate set with the indicator 18. Alternatively, the system 1 records the location of the indicator 18 and moves the mixing valve according to a pre-set function. Each set of coordinates of the indicator 18 within the area 12 correspond to a particular location of the mixing valve within the pipe. Due to the movement of the mixing valve altering the temperature and flow rate of the water, the coordinates of the area 12 therefore represent controls for the temperature and flow rate of the shower.

In figure 1, the area 12 is labelled with a first horizontal axis 14 representing temperature, and a second vertical axis 16 representing flow rate. Moving the indicator 18 along the axis 16, changes the water flow rate and in particular, movement from the bottom edge 22 to the top edge 21 of the area 12, results in the flow rate of the water getting progressively higher until the indicator 18 reaches its maximum flow rate at the anterior edge 21 of area 12. Correspondingly, moving the indicator 18 from the top edge 21 to the bottom edge 22 of the area 12, results in the flow rate getting progressively lower until the flow rate stops altogether on the indicator 18 reaching the edge 22.

Similarly, the axis 14 represents a change in temperature, from the coldest possible water at the edge 23 of the area 12 to the hottest possible water at the edge 24. Extrapolating these concepts, we can see that at the corner 11 of the area 12, the water would be at its hottest and highest flow rate and at the corner 15 the water would be at its coldest and highest flow rate. As the indicator 18 moves towards the corners 13 and 17, the flow rate would become progressively lower but with the water being hot at the corner 13 and cold at 17. A colour indication can be used to indicate which part of the area 12 corresponds to warmer or colder temperatures: for example, the commonly utilised colours red and blue can show hot and cold.

An internal light source can be included to provide illumination to the touchscreen and features displayed thereon. Additionally or alternatively, the light source can be utilised to project light onto and around the area in which the person is standing when taking the shower as desired: so changing the ambience of the shower experience. For example, the light output, especially from a higher power light output can be predominantly in the blue region of the spectrum during the night or when ambient light is low, so allowing a user to dispense with the need to utilise the normal lights and so reduce any wakefulness the normal lights would induce. The light, which can be supplied from, for example, LED light sources - for example blue, white, high-brightness - can pass through apertures within or around the outside of the touchscreen. The light can also be projected through apertures within a speaker (see below). The colour of the light can be selected to provide an indication of a parameter of the water flow such as temperature, flow rate etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the GUI 10 incorporates a gauge 20 proximal to the indicator 18. The gauge 20 allows the user to identify the temperature and flow rate of the water at those coordinates without having to look at another region of the touchscreen 5. The gauge 20 provides an indication of one or both of the temperature and the flow rate of the water the shower would produce if the indicator 18 were released in its current location. In an embodiment, the gauge 20 remains visible on the GUI at all times. Alternatively, the gauge 20 only becomes visible when the indicator 18 is activated and is moved to a new location within the area 12. In the currently illustrated embodiment, the gauge 20 provides a numerical indication of the temperature of the water. This can be on an arbitrary scale such as 0 - 10, with 0 indicating‘cold’ and 10, ‘hot’, or in units such as degrees centigrade. In an alternative embodiment, the gauge incorporates a range of visual or audio clues to indicate one or both of the temperature and flow rate of the water at the coordinates of the indicator 18. For example, the gauge 20 could incorporate words such as‘hot’,‘cold’,‘danger’,‘strong’, ‘weak’‘tepid’ or‘lock’. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the gauge 20 flashes or changes colours depending on the temperature or flow rate of the water.

In an optional embodiment, not illustrated, a set of bar (or ther symbols) indicators can be used to indicate volume or flow rate, which are located below the gauge 20. Alternatively, bars (or other symbols) which light up within the gauge 20 can be utilised. Further alternatively, the ring (as shown) of the gauge can change colour and/or brightness to indicate volume or flow rate. In an embodiment, the system 1 incorporates a motion sensor 8. The motion sensor detects when a person comes within a pre-set area or distance from the shower, at which point the touchscreen 5 will activate displaying the GUI 10. In a further embodiment, the motion sensor allows the system 1 to enter an inactive‘sleep mode' when the motion sensor has been unable to detect a person for a given period of time. Figures 2a - 2e illustrate multiple embodiments of the gauge 20. Figure 2a illustrates the upper portion of the gauge 20. The numbers 42 represent an attribute of the water, such as temperature or flow rate. In a preferred embodiment, the numbers increase sequentially moving clockwise around the arc. In a preferred embodiment, the attributes displayed on the gauge 20 and the units they are displayed in can be changed and personalised using the GUI 10. The window 41 highlights to the user the exact value of the attribute being displayed. In a preferred embodiment, as the indicator changes coordinates within the area 12, the numbers 42 move, such that the correct number to correspond to the coordinates of the indicator is displayed within the window 41. Figures 2c and 2d illustrate embodiments of the gauge 20. In an embodiment, when the indicator 18 is inactive, the word ‘Off’ is displayed within the window 44. Alternatively, the window 41 displays indications of the mode or setting the system is currently in, such as displaying the word ‘clean’ when the system is in clean mode. In an embodiment, prior to activation, the indicator icon, is replaced by alternative words or icons 45. For example, in the embodiment displayed in figure 4c, the indicator is replaced by the words‘start and‘clean’, to provide user instructions. Upon activation of the indicator 18, the icon 45 is replaced by the indicator 18.

In the image of an indicator 18e, shown in Figure 2e, the numbers 42 surrounding the indicator 18e rotate about the finger as the indicator 18e is moved about the screen. The digits displayed in the gauge may also include strokes between the numbers to indicate the fractions of integers between the main values. This may also include display of decimal points in the gauge itself. Another aspect is that the number at the top of the gauge will be replaced as the gauge continues to rotate. The numbers in the gauge may be replaced with word indicators of status. This also includes the OFF selection and LOCK when activated. It is not necessary that the gauge rotates, the display at the top of the indicator 18e can change according to the location as a stationary digital readout of the temperature, then change to OFF and LOCK when those functions are enabled. The crossed lines in the centre of the indicator 18e are an example of an indication to the user that the user is to place their finger on the crossing point to move the indicator 18e.

In a further embodiment, the system incorporates a sensor to determine the relative salt and mineral content of the water. This information is provided on the display as a visual indication, such as by the words‘hard’ or‘soft’.

In an embodiment, the shower system 1 incorporates a microphone and speaker system, allowing the user to provide audio instructions and receive audio indications of the temperature and flow rate of the water.

Figure 3, provides a second embodiment of a touchscreen 35, displaying a second embodiment of a GUI 40. The system 1 incorporates a means for storing the coordinates of the indicator 18 within an internal memory. These coordinates are then assigned to a user profile. The GUI 40 incorporates tabs 30 at the bottom of the touchscreen 35, as oriented in figure 2. The tabs 30 allow the user to select a number of features such as user profiles. Upon selecting a stored user profile, the processor automatically moves the indicator 18 to the stored coordinates and either concurrently or immediately following, moves the mixing valve to the location corresponding to the new coordinates of the indicator18. In an embodiment, the tabs 30 must be activated via a continued touch to prevent accidental changes of the water conditions.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the GUI 40 incorporates a series of tabs 30. The tabs 30 include a‘lock’ which refers to the screen being locked, two outlet selections which allow the user to select between different outlets. Further selections can be found to the right of the last selection by swiping towards the left to bring off screen buttons into the display area, or moving the scroll bar which is positioned between the large buttons and the flow selection area. The flow-control valve can have two settings to determine an outlet through which water flows. To control this diversion icons 44, 45 are included among tabs 30. Activation of the diversion icons 44, 45 diverts the flow of water between alternative shower outlets. For example, if the user wished to alternate between the use of a wall mounted shower head and a hand-held shower outlet, this can be achieved by contact with the diversion icons 44, 45.

In a preferred embodiment, the touchscreen 5 incorporates haptic feedback, to indicate alterations to the system 1. For example, in an embodiment, the touchscreen 5 vibrates in response to the activation of the indicator 18, or activation of one of the tabs 30. Alternatively, or in addition, the indicator 18 vibrates as the temperature reaches a pre-set temperature or flow rate threshold. This not only provides information to the user about the activation of features such as the indicator 18, but also provides a warning should the indicator 18 be entering dangerous temperatures.

In a preferred embodiment, the processor incorporates a safety cut-off valve should the temperature go above a pre-set safety threshold.

Figure 3 illustrates, for example, an initial screen displayed when the system is activated. The indicator 18 is at the base of the area 12. This position indicates the shower is off and no water is running. As the indicator is subsequently moved, the system 1 operates as described above.

In an embodiment, the system 1 includes a wireless connection means. In a preferred embodiment the wireless connection is achieved using a wireless interface such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). This allows mobile phone and tablet devices to access and interact with the system 1. In an embodiment, the mobile device downloads an applicable version of the GUI 10 allowing the temperature and flow rate to be changed remotely prior to entering the shower. In an embodiment, to prevent unwanted access to the control functions of the shower system, some form of validation mechanism is provided. In a further alternative embodiment, the system 1 includes sound or voice recognition capabilities enabling activation and/or operation using verbal controls. Figure 4 displays a decision tree for the control of an embodiment of the indicator, illustrating the stages involved in altering the temperature and flow rate of the shower water or placing the system in clean mode. In the disclosed embodiment, the indicator 18 is referred to as a ring. When the system is first powered on, the indicator is displayed in the bottom centre of the temperature/flow rate control area 82. To activate the system, the user must touch the touchscreen at the site of the indicator 83 and drag the indicator 84 to a location of the area above the base line 87. The location of the indicator 83 is determined and a processor compares said position with a look-up table to‘translate’ the position into a required temperature and flow rate of the water exiting the shower head. A control algorithm controls the valve to ensure the flow and temperature stay within a pre- set distance of the required values. If the indicator is not moved from its starting location and touched for a given time, in this case 3 seconds (element 85), then the system will enter clean mode 86. Whilst in clean mode 86 all touch sensitive features of the shower are switched off, allowing the user to wipe down or otherwise clean the touchscreen without activating or changing the settings of the shower system. When the indicator 83 is touched and moved above the base line 87, the temperature and flow rate control area 88 activates. Finally, when the user removes contact with the touchscreen 89, the system will detect the final coordinates of the indicator within the area and process this information into movement of the mixing valve and in doing so the shower will begin to work 90.

Figure 5 refers to the sequence the controller goes through when a user approaches the controller which is detected by a proximity sensor 8, or touches the screen when the unit is in Standby Mode. The shower is in Standby Mode during this time with the screen turned off, once it is activated it transitions to Shower Mode. There is a proximity sensor used by the System 1 which wakes the controller up as the user approaches the controller. The flow control indicator is displayed at the centre base of the screen in the Off location.

The user can also bring the shower out of Standby Mode into Shower Mode by touching the screen. Figure 6 shows the Shower mode flow diagram. When the ring is first touched without releasing, the shower controller begins reading the position of the indicator as the user moves it around the screen to select their preferred temperature and flow rate setting. The controller keeps track of their position and translates their position into temperature and flow rate indications on the indicator to give feedback to what the user is selecting. This includes locking the screen for cleaning purposes or executing the maximum temperature override function. If the user does not choose to lock the screen, and releases their finger, the current temperature requested will be deemed to be a final selection by the controller and sent to the valve control unit for immediate execution. This also includes the‘Off’ selection. So, if the user has placed the indicator at the bottom of the selection area,‘Off’ will have been indicated to the user, and when the finger is released, the shower will then be turned off by the valve control unit.

Figure 6 also includes the sequence that occurs when a temperature above the safe maximum is selected. The maximum temperature override function begins executing in a separate process which decides whether the maximum temperature setting can be overridden. If the specified button, or correct pin number for example is entered, the maximum temperature setting is disabled. Once the maximum temperature function is activated, the graphics are displayed for a predetermined amount of time, such as 5 seconds. Once the user begins typing the code, there will be a further 5 seconds wait until either the code has been successful or the user ceases to touch the keypad. The button will then be removed from the screen and the temperature override function will turn off. If the specified button is displayed, it will be shown for a predetermined amount of time, such as 5 seconds, and if not pressed, will turn off. If either the key pad entry is successful or the specified button is pressed, maximum temperature override will be enabled and the user can then select temperatures above the pre-set maximum allowable temperature.

There is a high temperature range which can be designated from the Settings menu. When the flow control indicator has reached the maximum available temperature below that range, the indicator will stop moving at this vertical boundary and a high temperature button or keypad will appear to the right of the ring. Once the high temperature safety selection has been made correctly, the ring can then select the highest range of temperatures. Figure 6 also includes the method of placing the screen in Screen Lock Mode (see also Figure 7). There are two ways a user can lock the screen for cleaning purposes. The first is Screen lock is selected by dragging the indicator to the OFF selection, then holding for 3 seconds. It will then enter a state where the glass can be cleaned without the shower being activated. LOCKED or CLEAN could be displayed at the top of the indicator. The second is the user could touch and hold the screen lock indicator at the base of the screen for 3 seconds for example which will lock the screen.

Figure 7 shows the shower controller screen with a button that appears next to the indicator when it reaches the high temperature section. This button could be coloured red when used in the graphical user interface to indicate that it will enable movement of the indicator to the higher temperatures which are above the standard temperatures currently allowed.

Figure 7 also refers to the Reactivation of the screen which can be done in two different ways. The first is that the screen lock activation will begin a count down from a pre-set number of seconds which can be changed in the settings menu. Once the countdown has finished, the screen will be reactivated to be used as a shower. The second is that the user can unlock the screen earlier than the countdown by touching and holding either the flow control indicator, or the screen lock indicator for 3 seconds for example which is also reprogrammable in the settings menu. The screen will then be active and used as normal.

Figure 8 shows the shower touchscreen with a keypad 120 to the right of the indicator. This could be used instead of the single red button as described above. In this instance the user would be required to enter a sequence of digits in order to activate the higher temperatures above standard allowable temperatures. This could be used as a child lock mechanism to protect children from selecting too high temperatures. This feature can be enabled or disabled in the settings.