Spa panel with infrared receiver

Abstract

An spa panel for a spa. The spa panel is electrically connected to the spa controller for the spa. The spa panel has an encasing that covers control keys that are electrically connected to a printed circuit board. The infrared receiver is mounted onto the printed circuit board and is likewise covered by the encasing. Preferably, the infrared receiver is adjacent to the edge of the spa panel and faces inward to the spa to an area that a spa user would normally sit. In another preferred embodiment, the plastic encasing covers a display screen.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A spa panel for a spa, wherein said spa panel is electrically connected to a spa controller, said spa panel comprising: 
 A. an encasing, wherein at least a part of said encasing permits the passage of infrared light,    B. a printed circuit board connected to said encasing,    C. at least one spa control key electrically connected to said printed circuit board, and    D. an infrared receiver mounted on said printed circuit board, wherein said infrared receiver is electrically connected to said spa controller,    wherein said encasing covers said at least one spa control key, said printed circuit board and said infrared receiver.    
     
     
         2 . The spa panel as in  claim 1 , further comprising a display screen mounted on said printed circuit board.  
     
     
         3 . The spa panel as in  claim 1 , wherein said encasing is a plastic encasing.  
     
     
         4 . The spa panel as in  claim 1 , wherein said spa panel is a keypad.  
     
     
         5 . The spa panel as in  claim 1 , wherein said spa is a whirlpool bath.  
     
     
         6 . The spa panel as in  claim 1 , wherein said infrared receiver is a plurality of infrared receivers.  
     
     
         7 . The spa panel as in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spa control key is a plurality of spa control keys.  
     
     
         8 . The spa panel as in  claim 1 , wherein said encasing is waterproof.  
     
     
         9 . The spa panel as in  claim 1 , wherein said encasing is at least partially transparent, wherein infrared signals are transmitted from an infrared remote control unit through said transparent encasing to said infrared receiver.  
     
     
         10 . The spa panel as in  claim 1 , wherein said spa panel is mounted to the top of said spa.  
     
     
         11 . The spa panel as in  claim 1 , wherein said infrared receiver faces inward towards a user sitting in the spa.  
     
     
         12 . A spa panel for a spa, wherein said spa panel is electrically connected to a spa controller, said spa panel comprising: 
 A. a waterproof, transparent encasing,    B. a printed circuit board connected to said waterproof, transparent encasing,    C. at least one control key electrically connected to said printed circuit board, and    D. an infrared receiver mounted on said printed circuit board, wherein said infrared receiver is electrically connected to said spa controller, wherein said infrared receiver faces inward.    wherein said waterproof, transparent encasing covers said at least one control key, said printed circuit board and said infrared receiver, wherein infrared signals are transmitted from an infrared remote control unit through said transparent encasing to said infrared receiver, wherein said spa panel is mounted to the top of said spa.    
     
     
         13 . A spa panel for a spa, wherein said spa panel is electrically connected to a spa controller, said spa panel comprising: 
 A. a encasing means,    B. a printed circuit board means connected to said encasing means,    C. a means for controlling the spa electrically connected to said printed circuit board means, and    D. a means for receiving infrared signals mounted on said printed circuit board means, wherein said means for receiving infrared signals is electrically connected to said spa controller,    wherein said encasing covers said means for controlling the spa, said printed circuit board means and said means for receiving infrared signals.    
     
     
         14 . The spa panel as in  claim 13 , wherein said encasing means is waterproof.  
     
     
         15 . The spa panel as in  claim 13 , wherein said encasing means is at least partially transparent, wherein infrared signals are transmitted from an infrared remote control unit through said transparent encasing means to said means for receiving infrared signals.  
     
     
         16 . The spa panel as in  claim 13 , wherein said spa panel is mounted to the top of said spa.  
     
     
         17 . The spa panel as in  claim 13 , wherein said means for receiving infrared signals faces inward toward a user sitting in the spa.  
     
     
         18 . A spa panel for a spa, wherein said spa panel is electrically connected to a spa controller, said spa panel comprising: 
 A. a encasing,    B. a printed circuit board connected to said encasing, and    C. an infrared receiver mounted on said printed circuit board, wherein said infrared receiver is electrically connected to said spa controller,    wherein said encasing covers said printed circuit board and said infrared receiver.    
     
     
         19 . The spa panel as in  claim 18 , wherein said spa panel is an illumination panel, said spa panel further comprising a light source attached to said printed circuit board.  
     
     
         20 . The spa panel as in  claim 18 , wherein said spa panel is a keypad, said spa panel further comprising at least one control key attached to said printed circuit board.  
     
     
         21 . The spa panel as in  claim 18 , wherein said spa panel is a spa status display panel, said spa panel further comprising a display screen.  
     
     
         22 . The spa panel as in  claim 18 , wherein said spa is a whirlpool bath.