Remotely controlling aspects of pools and spas

• US 10,037,675 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2015
• Issued: 07/31/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, LLC (Fluidra, S.A.)
• Original Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care Incorporated (Fluidra, S.A.)
• Inventors: Uy, Dindo
• Primary Examiner(s): Diallo, Mamadou
• Application Number:
  US14/711,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20150243154A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31104 Remote configuration of parameters of controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/00 Testing or monitoring of control systems or parts thereof monitoring of programme-control systems G05B19/048, G05B19/406
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

Systems and methods of (remotely) controlling aspects of pools and spas and of modifying water contained therein are detailed. Internet-enabled access to pool and spa controllers may happen without any need for users to create firewall ports or utilize static internet protocol addresses. Certain networking devices may be configured using a USB connection or SD card, avoiding any requirement for an Ethernet cable or supplying separate power to the devices during configuration. Time-varying data may be obtained in respect of one or more installations and analyzed for various information.

Claims

1. A method of controlling equipment of a water-circulation system of a swimming pool or spa, comprising:

a. communicatively coupling a computerized controller to the equipment so as to control operation of the equipment, the computerized controller being located remote from the swimming pool or spa;

b. communicatively coupling a networking device to the computerized controller;

c. communicatively coupling a portable user device to the networking device via at least one server accessible via the Internet, the portable user device being configured to transmit wireless signals containing information for receipt by the at least one server and the networking device being remote from and electrically connected to the computerized controller at least in part by a wired connection supplying electrical power and the information; and

d. communicating to the computerized controller, via at least the networking device and the at least one server, the information supplied by a user to the portable user device so as to affect operation of the equipment.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which the equipment is selected from the group consisting of water jets, lights, pumps, heaters, and active filters.

3. A method according to claim 2 in which the equipment is a pump.

4. A method according to claim 1 further comprising configuring the networking device for wireless communication by either:

(a) temporarily connecting the networking device to a computer communicating with a router providing access to the Internet and thereafter disconnecting the networking device from the computer;

or

(b) temporarily connecting a portable memory device to the computer, thereafter disconnecting the portable memory device from the computer, and thereafter connecting the portable memory device to the networking device.