Remotely controlling aspects of pools and spas

• US 10,560,820 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2019
• Issued: 02/11/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, LLC (Fluidra, S.A.)
• Original Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, LLC (Fluidra, S.A.)
• Inventors: McQueen, E. Keith, Nibler, David, Uy, Dindo, Goldman, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Butt, Walli Z
• Application Number:
  US16/410,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20190268738A1
• Time in Patent Office: 274 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/38 for collecting sensor information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

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. Other devices may be configured wirelessly, without need of any USB connection or SD card. Time-varying data may be obtained in respect of one or more installations and analyzed for various information.

Claims

1. A method of controlling pool or spa equipment installed at a site, comprising:

a. wirelessly transmitting, from a networking device present at the site, signals mimicking a hot-spot access point for a Wi-Fi network;

b. receiving, at a receiving device, the signals wirelessly transmitted by the networking device;

c. receiving user input at the receiving device causing the receiving device to communicate wirelessly with the networking device;

d. thereafter wirelessly transmitting, from the networking device to the receiving device, a first service set identifier (SSID) of a first Wi-Fi network and a second SSID of a second Wi-Fi network with both of which the networking device is capable of communicating wirelessly;

e. displaying on the receiving device information about the first and second SSIDs wirelessly transmitted by the networking device;

f. receiving user input at the receiving device, including receiving a user'"'"'s selection of the first Wi-Fi network or the second Wi-Fi network, and causing the networking device to communicate wirelessly with the first or second Wi-Fi network as selected by the user; and

g. controlling pool or spa equipment via the networking device.

2. A method of controlling pool or spa equipment installed at a site, comprising:

a. wirelessly transmitting signals from a networking device present at the site;

b. receiving, at a receiving device, the signals wirelessly transmitted by the networking device;

c. receiving user input at the receiving device causing the receiving device to communicate wirelessly with the networking device;

d. thereafter wirelessly transmitting, from the networking device to the receiving device, a first service set identifier (SSID) of a first Wi-Fi network and a second SSID of a second Wi-Fi network with both of which the networking device is capable of communicating wirelessly;

e. displaying on the receiving device information about the first and second SSIDs wirelessly transmitted by the networking device;

f. receiving user input at the receiving device, including receiving a user'"'"'s selection of the first Wi-Fi network or the second Wi-Fi network, and causing the networking device to communicate wirelessly with the first or second Wi-Fi network as selected by the user; and

g. controlling pool or spa equipment via the networking device and based at least in part on sensor-derived information about the pool or spa equipment.

3. A method of controlling pool or spa equipment installed at a site, comprising:

a. wirelessly transmitting signals from a networking device present at the site;

b. receiving, at a receiving device, the signals wirelessly transmitted by the networking device;

c. receiving user input at the receiving device causing the receiving device to communicate wirelessly with the networking device;

d. thereafter wirelessly transmitting, from the networking device to the receiving device, a first service set identifier (SSID) of a first Wi-Fi network and a second SSID of a second Wi-Fi network with both of which the networking device is capable of communicating wirelessly;

e. displaying on the receiving device information about the first and second SSIDs wirelessly transmitted by the networking device;

f. receiving user input at the receiving device, including receiving a user'"'"'s selection of the first Wi-Fi network or the second Wi-Fi network, and causing the networking device to communicate wirelessly with the first or second Wi-Fi network as selected by the user; and

g. controlling pool or spa equipment via the networking device.