User interface for controlling a whirlpool tub

A user interface which produces electrical signals for controlling plumbing equipment, said user interface comprising:

• a plurality of switches which are operable by a user of the plumbing equipment to produce a first set of electrical signals;
• an annular dial rotatable in two directions into a plurality of positions in a path around the plurality of switches, wherein X designates the number of positions;
• a sensor arrangement positioned adjacent the annular dial and producing a second set of electrical signals which indicate movement of the annular dial and a direction of that movement;
• and
• a controller connected to the plurality of switches and the sensor arrangement, and being response to the direction of movement by selecting a given function of the whirlpool to control and responsive to the first set of electrical signals by producing control signals for operating the plumbing equipment.

A method for controlling plumbing equipment, said method comprising:

• moving a dial with a plurality of magnets among a plurality of positions along a path, where X designates the number of positions and Y designates the number of magnets;
• receiving output signals produced by a plurality of sensors positioned along the path where Z designates the number of sensors, and wherein each sensor produces an output signal when one of the plurality of magnets is adjacent thereto, and where Z is less than the X;
• responding to the output signals by determining occurrence of motion of the dial and a direction of that motion;
• and
• controlling the plumbing equipment in response to the occurrence and direction of the motion of the dial.

An apparatus, for controlling plumbing equipment, comprising:

• a plurality of switches which are operable by a user of the plumbing equipment to produce an input command;
• a dial moveable into a plurality of positions along a path in response to manipulation by a user of the plumbing equipment, where X designates the number of positions;
• a plurality of magnets attached to the dial where Y designates the number of magnets;
• a plurality of sensors positioned along the path where Z designates the number of sensors, and wherein each sensor produces a separate output signal when one of the plurality of magnets is adjacent thereto, and wherein Z is less than X;
• and
• an interface controller connected to the plurality of switches and the plurality of sensors and being responsive to the output signals from the plurality of sensors by determining when the dial moves and a direction of that movement, and producing a control command indicating at least one of the direction of dial movement and the input command;
• a main controller connected to the interface controller and to a plurality of electrically operated components of the plumbing equipment, the main controller responding to receipt of the control command by selecting a given function of the plumbing equipment to control based on the direction of dial movement, and responding to the an input command by altering operation of those of the plurality of electrically operated components associated with the given function.