User interface for controlling a shower system

Abstract

A user interface for controlling a shower system includes at least one control configured to be actuated by a user and generate one or more signals for controlling an operation of the shower system, and at least one indicator light configured to illuminate in different patterns which are matched to different operational stages of the shower system. The at least one indicator light may be configured to provide a first light pattern when the shower system is in a first operational stage, and a second light pattern that is different from the first light pattern when the shower system is in a second operational stage. The first operational stage may include when water in the shower system is being warmed to a predetermined temperature, and the second operational stage may include when a temperature of the water has reached the predetermined temperature.

1 . A shower system comprising a recirculation system comprising 
 a first inlet for receiving water from a first water supply;   a second inlet for receiving water from a second water supply;   a mixing valve configured to mix water received from the first water supply and the second water supply to produce a mixed water stream;   a first outlet for communicating the mixed water stream from the mixing valve to a first delivery fixture;   a first shutoff valve having an open configuration and a closed configuration, the mixed water stream being allowed to flow from the mixing valve to the first outlet when the first shutoff valve is in the open configuration and prevented from flowing from the mixing valve to the first outlet when the first shutoff valve is in the closed configuration;   a controller configured to transition the first shutoff valve between the open configuration and the closed configuration, the controller configured to maintain the first shutoff valve in the closed configuration while a sensed water temperature within the recirculation system is lower than a predetermined temperature; and   a user interface configured to receive one or more inputs from a user for controlling the recirculation system, the user interface comprising a temperature control actuatable by the user to set the predetermined temperature and one or more indicators which are configured to exhibit different behaviors that are matched to different statuses of the shower system.   
     
     
         2 . The shower system of  claim 1 , wherein the recirculation system further comprises
 a second outlet for delivering the mixed water stream from the mixing valve to a second delivery fixture; and   a second shutoff valve having an open configuration and a closed configuration, the mixed water stream being allowed to flow from the mixing valve to the second outlet when the second shutoff valve is in the open configuration and prevented from flowing from the mixing valve to the second outlet when the second shutoff valve is in the closed configuration, wherein 
 the controller is configured to transition the second shutoff valve between the open configuration and the closed configuration, and 
 the controller is configured to maintain the second shutoff valve in the closed configuration while the sensed water temperature within the recirculation system is lower than the predetermined temperature. 
   
     
     
         3 . The shower system of  claim 2 , wherein the user interface further comprises a first fixture control and a second fixture control, wherein actuation of the first fixture control when the sensed water temperature within the recirculation system is at least the predetermined temperature causes the controller to transition the first shutoff valve to the open configuration, and wherein actuation of the second fixture control when the sensed water temperature within the recirculation system is at least the predetermined temperature causes the controller to transition the second shutoff valve to the open configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The shower system  claim 2 , wherein the temperature control is actuatable by the user through a first motion, and wherein the first fixture control and second fixture control are actuatable by the user through a second motion that is different than the first motion. 
     
     
         5 . The shower system of  claim 4 , wherein the first motion is a rotational motion, and the second motion is a linear motion. 
     
     
         6 . The shower system of  claim 3 , wherein the user interface comprises a central core, the temperature control comprises a ring positioned around and rotatable about the central core, and the first fixture control and the second fixture control each comprises a button on a face of the central core. 
     
     
         7 . The shower system of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more indicators comprises an indicator light which is configured to illuminate in different patterns and/or change colors depending on the status of the shower system. 
     
     
         8 . The shower system of  claim 7 , wherein the indicator light comprises a ring positioned along a periphery of the face of the central core. 
     
     
         9 . The shower system of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting plate configured to be secured to a wall, the user interface configured to be coupled to the mounting plate. 
     
     
         10 . The shower system of  claim 9 , wherein the user interface is configured to be uncoupled from the mounting plate by a separate tool which is insertable into a portion of the user interface.