Remote fluid flow control system and method

Abstract

A remote fluid flow control system for controlling water flow to a faucet comprises a remote stand-alone foot pedal; and a main unit in wireless communication with the stand-alone foot pedal, wherein water flow to the faucet is controlled by the main unit in response.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A remote fluid flow control system for controlling water flow to a faucet, comprising:
 a remote stand-alone foot pedal; and   a main unit in wireless communication with the stand-alone foot pedal,   wherein water flow to the faucet is controlled by the main unit in response to foot operation of the remote stand-alone foot pedal.   
     
     
         2 . The remote fluid flow control system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote stand-alone foot pedal includes a power supply and a wireless signal transmitter. 
     
     
         3 . The remote fluid flow control system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote stand-alone foot pedal is a single remote stand-alone foot pedal. 
     
     
         4 . The remote fluid flow control system of  claim 2 , wherein the main unit includes a power supply, one or more valves, a controller, and a wireless signal receiver, wherein the one or more valves are opened or closed by the controller in response to foot operation of the remote stand-alone foot pedal causing a wireless signal to be sent by the wireless signal transmitter of the remote stand-alone foot pedal and received by the wireless signal receive if the main unit. 
     
     
         5 . The remote fluid flow control system of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more valves include two solenoid valves. 
     
     
         6 . The remote fluid flow control system of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more valves include two valves, one for hot water operation and one for cold water operation. 
     
     
         7 . The remote fluid flow control system of  claim 4 , wherein the main unit is a first main unit and a separate second main unit, each with a respective valve, one for hot water operation and one for cold water operation. 
     
     
         8 . The remote fluid flow control system of  claim 4 , wherein the wireless signal transmitter and the wireless signal receiver are configured to communicate via Bluetooth wireless communication. 
     
     
         9 . The remote fluid flow control system of  claim 4 , wherein the wireless signal transmitter and the wireless signal receiver are configured to communicate via RF wireless communication. 
     
     
         10 . The remote fluid flow control system of  claim 4 , wherein the wireless signal transmitter and the wireless signal receiver are configured to communicate via IR wireless communication. 
     
     
         11 . A method of using the remote fluid flow control system of  claim 4 , comprising:
 receiving foot operation via the remote stand-alone foot pedal;   emitting a wireless signal via the wireless signal transmitter;   receiving the wireless signal via the wireless signal receiver;   controlling the one or more valves to open or close via the controller based on the received wireless signal.