Two-way RF remote control

An RF remote control for controlling an apparatus having a master control module disposed for controlling and sensing a multiplicity of functions of said apparatus, said master control module having a first antenna for receiving command signals from said remote control and for transmitting status signals back to said remote control, said remote control comprising:

• a. a processor;
• b. memory coupled to said processor;
• c. push-buttons coupled to inputs of said processor and disposed for providing input data for transmission to said apparatus;
• d. a second antenna for transmitting command signals to said apparatus and for receiving status signals back from said apparatus;
• and,
• e. a display for showing data indicative of said status signals received from said apparatus.

In a remote control for an apparatus having a master control module disposed for controlling and sensing a multiplicity of functions of said apparatus, a method for transmitting command signals to said master control module from said remote control and for receiving status signals back from said master control module, said method comprising:

• a. after initialization, turning on a back light in said remote control;
• b. determining if a push-button on said remote control has been depressed, and if so;
• c. resetting a timer and placing said remote control in transmit mode;
• d. transmitting a data signal to said apparatus indicative of said depressed push-button;
• e. resetting a timer and placing said remote control in receive mode;
• and,
• f. receiving and displaying said status signal received from said master control.

In a remote control for controlling a spa having a master control module disposed for controlling and sensing a multiplicity of functions of said spa, a method for transmitting command signals to said master control module from said remote control and for receiving status signals back from said master control module, said method comprising:

• a. after initialization, turning on a back light in said remote control;
• b. determining if a push-button on said remote control has been depressed, and if so;
• c. resetting a timer and placing said remote control in transmit mode;
• d. transmitting a data signal to said spa indicative of setting water temperature thereof;
• e. resetting a timer and placing said remote control in receive mode;
• and,
• f. receiving and displaying data representative of water temperature sensed in said spa by said master control.

A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code for use in a remote control for controlling a spa having a master control module disposed for controlling sensing a multiplicity of functions of said spa, wherein, when the computer program code is executed by said remote control, the remote control performs a method for transmitting command signals to said master control module from said remote control and for receiving status signals back from said master control module, said method comprising:

• a. after initialization, turning on a back light in said remote control;
• b. determining if a push-button on said remote control has been depressed, and if so;
• c. resetting a timer and placing said remote control in transmit mode;
• d. transmitting a data signal to said spa indicative of setting water temperature thereof;
• e. resetting a timer and placing said remote control in receive mode;
• and
• f. receiving and displaying data representative of water temperature sensed in said spa by said master control.