Water filter and treatment system and component

Abstract

A water treatment system comprising a separable water treatment component and a host water treatment apparatus is described. The component is useable in the host apparatus, and has an electronic circuit which is adapted to co-operate with an electronic circuit in the host apparatus. In typical operation, the electronic circuit of the component includes at least a data tag, and the presence of the data tag is identified by the electronic circuit of the host apparatus upon correct fitment and/or installation of the component, which creates a two-way communication protocol. The host apparatus can then upload relevant data from the data tag, etc., and the component's circuit can download the relevant information from the host apparatus. The present invention provides the benefits of electrical co-operation and data tagging.

1 - 29 . (canceled)  
     
     
         30 . A water treatment system comprising a host water treatment apparatus and a separable water treatment component, said component being useable in the host apparatus, wherein the component has an electronic circuit adapted to co-operate with an electronic circuit in the host apparatus.  
     
     
         31 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the co-operation between the component and the host apparatus is either one-way or two-way.  
     
     
         32 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the component circuit and the host circuit communicate via one or more of the following transmittable waveforms: radio, infrared, optical and magnetic.  
     
     
         33 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the component circuit and the host circuit communicate by physical electrical contact.  
     
     
         34 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein co-operation of the component circuit and the host circuit is only possible when the component is conjoined with the host apparatus.  
     
     
         35 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the component circuit and/or the host circuit includes a memory capacity.  
     
     
         36 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein each electronic circuit can read and/or interrogate the other electrical circuit.  
     
     
         37 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the electrical circuit in the host apparatus includes a central processor, and the electrical circuit in the component includes a data chip.  
     
     
         38 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the electronic circuit of the component provides an enablement signal to the electronic circuit of the host apparatus, and/or vice versa.  
     
     
         39 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the enablement signal includes means for the component or host apparatus to control the other part.  
     
     
         40 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the component and host inter-co-operate.  
     
     
         41 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the electronic circuit of the component includes at least a data tag.  
     
     
         42 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the presence of the data tag is identified by the electronic circuit of the host apparatus.  
     
     
         43 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein lack of co-operation between the electronic circuit of the component and the electronic circuit of the host apparatus indicates the incorrect fitment and/or installation of the component with the host apparatus.  
     
     
         44 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein lack of co-operation between the electronic circuit of the component and the electronic circuit of the unit identifies incorrect operation of the component and/or the host apparatus.  
     
     
         45 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein information in the component is accessed from the component and displayed by the host apparatus.  
     
     
         46 . A water treatment system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein information that is communicated between the electronic circuits of the component and the host apparatus is validation information, production information and/or manufacturing information.  
     
     
         47 . A host water treatment apparatus useable with a water treatment component to provide a water treatment system, said host apparatus having an electronic circuit adapted to co-operate with an electronic circuit in the component.  
     
     
         48 . A separable treatment component useable with a host water treatment apparatus, said component having an electronic circuit adapted to co-operate with an electronic circuit in the host apparatus.  
     
     
         49 . A treatment component as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the component is a water treatment component adapted to provide a water treatment system in co-operation with the host apparatus.  
     
     
         50 . A treatment component as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the component is adapted to sanitise and/or clean one or more parts of the host apparatus.  
     
     
         51 . A treatment component as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the electronic circuit of the component is integral with the component.  
     
     
         52 . A treatment component as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein the electronic circuit is embedded into or mounted onto the component.  
     
     
         53 . A treatment component as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the electronic circuit of the component includes a database having characterising data relating to the component.  
     
     
         54 . A treatment component as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the data of the component electronic circuit is encrypted.  
     
     
         55 . A treatment component as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the component is a consumable replaceable unit.  
     
     
         56 . A treatment component as claimed in  claim 55 , wherein the component is a cartridge.