Aquatic-Based Automation Systems

• US 20140314062A1
• Filed: 04/14/2014
• Published: 10/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Upstart Systems Corp.
• Original Assignee: Upstart Systems Corp.
• Inventors: Loebs, Dennis
• Application Number:
  US14/252,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20140314062A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2816 Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities 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 H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Described are hardware, software and related control systems using a mesh network in an environment that incorporates aquatic vessels such as pools, spas and fountains. The system uses fully wireless and semi-wireless devices in conjunction with various components within the aquatic system. Integrated hardware-based and software-based solutions are also present for the improved maintenance, monitoring and operation of home-based systems with aquatic vessels.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a wireless mesh network having a wireless mesh network protocol;

a hub controller having a connection to the Internet and a connection to the wireless mesh network;

at least two aquatic components, wherein each of the at least two aquatic components is associated with a wireless control node that monitors the aquatic component associated with that wireless control node;

wherein the hub controller communicates wirelessly with a first wireless control node using the wireless mesh network protocol; and

wherein the first wireless control node communicates wirelessly with a second wireless control node using the wireless mesh network protocol.

2. The system as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the wireless control nodes further comprises radio signal shielding to minimize signal attenuation and distortion created by nearby metal objects and electromagnetic fields.

3. The system as in claim 1 further comprising a mobile device that wirelessly communicates with the hub controller to monitor and control at least two aquatic components in the wireless mesh network.

4. The system as in claim 1, wherein the hub controller and the at least two aquatic components are incorporated within at least one weatherized enclosure.

5. The system as in claim 1, wherein the power source for at least one wireless control node associated with an aquatic component is selected from the group consisting of solar power, energy harvesting, and battery power.

6. The system as in claim 5, further comprising a modular base configured to secure the at least one of the wireless control nodes to a pipeline.

7. The system as in claim 5 wherein the at least one of the wireless control nodes is a chemical sensor that is mounted within a pipeline.

8. The system as in claim 5, wherein the at least one of the wireless control nodes performs security functions for the wireless mesh network.

9. The system as in claim 5 wherein the at least one of the wireless control nodes is a full-range wireless variable-speed pump control.

10. The system as in claim 5 wherein the at least one of the wireless control nodes is a wireless valve operator for pool valves.

11. The system as in claim 5 wherein the at least one of the wireless control node controls a lighting device selected from the group consisting of landscape lighting and underwater lighting.

12. The system as in claim 1, wherein the power source for at least one wireless control node associated with an aquatic component is automatically detected by the at least one wireless control node and the power source is selected from the group consisting of solar power, energy harvesting, battery power, and line power.

13. The system as in claim 1 further comprising a modular relay platform;

wherein the power source for at least one aquatic component is line power and the wireless control node associated with that aquatic component comprises a modular relay that mates with a socket in the modular relay platform; and

wherein the modular relay platform is designed in a modular fashion to mate with the wireless control node associated with the aquatic component having a pre-defined form factor.

14. The system as in claim 1 further comprising at least one power switching relay module;

wherein the power source for at least one aquatic component is line power and where the power source for at least one aquatic component is low voltage power; and

wherein the at least one power switching relay module is designed to integrate with multiple voltages.

15. The system as in claim 1 further comprising a retrofit module platform;

wherein the power source for at least one aquatic component is line power and the wireless control node associated with that aquatic component comprises a modular relay that mates with a socket in the retrofit module platform; and

wherein the retrofit module platform is designed to mate with aquatic components having multiple form factors.

16. A system comprising:

a wireless mesh network having a wireless mesh network protocol;

a hub controller having a connection to the Internet and a connection to the wireless mesh network;

at least two aquatic components, wherein each of the at least two aquatic components is associated with a wireless control node that monitors the aquatic component associated with that wireless control node and communicates using the wireless mesh network protocol; and

a central manager to monitor and control the overall operation of the wireless mesh network via the wireless mesh network protocol.

17. The system as in claim 16 wherein the central manager further comprises at least one user profile, the at least one user profile comprising:

a permissions module for managing access parameters to the wireless mesh network;

a logging module for recording data generated by the wireless mesh network;

a learning module for monitoring and adapting the at least one user profile based on data generated by the wireless mesh network; and

a sharing module for optional sharing of user preference and system configuration data generated by the wireless mesh network.

18. The system as in claim 17 further comprising:

a wireless control node that communicates with the hub controller via the wireless mesh network protocol;

wherein the wireless control node is capable of performing functions when the wireless control node does not communicate with the hub controller.

19. The system as in claim 18, wherein the central manager further comprises an alerting module for notifying a user when a conflict within the mesh network occurs.

20. The system as in claim 19 wherein the central manager further comprises a programming module for combining data generated by the wireless mesh network with conditional statements to produce desired actions within the wireless mesh network.

21. A system comprising:

a wireless mesh network having a wireless mesh network protocol;

a hub controller having a connection to the Internet and a connection to the wireless mesh network;

at least two aquatic components, wherein each of the at least two aquatic components is associated with a wireless control node that monitors the aquatic component associated with that wireless control node;

a resources manager to monitor the electricity, gas and water consumption of the at least two aquatic components via the wireless mesh network protocol and to record network data related to the electricity, gas and water consumption in a network database.

22. The system as in claim 21 wherein the resources manager further comprises a utility module for interfacing with an outside utility and outside utility data.

23. The system as in claim 21 wherein the resources manager further comprises a manufacturer module for comparing the network data in the network database with performance data related to the at least two aquatic components as provided by the manufacturers of the at least two aquatic systems.

24. The system as in claim 21 wherein the resources manager further comprises a budgeting module for setting consumption thresholds for electricity, gas and water consumption within the wireless mesh network and establishing a responding mechanism when a threshold is exceeded.

25. The system as in claim 21 wherein the resources manager further comprises a learning module for monitoring electricity, gas and water consumption within the wireless mesh network and adjusting the parameters of the at least two wireless control nodes so as to increase the efficiency of electricity, gas and water consumption of the at least two aquatic components within the wireless mesh network.

26. An apparatus comprising:

a pool cover;

a drive system for extending and retracting the pool cover over an aquatic vessel;

at least two wireless control nodes that monitor and control the pool cover and communicates within a wireless mesh network via a wireless mesh network protocol;

wherein the pool cover comprises;

a cover leading edge having an edge monitor for determining leading edge location and orientation; and

a low-stretch cover fabric connected to the cover leading edge.

27. The apparatus as in claim 26 further comprising a cover drum and wherein the drive motor is mounted concentrically inside the cover drum so that the pool cover is rolled onto the cover drum when retracted.

28. The apparatus as in claim 26 further comprising a cover drum and wherein the drive motor is mounted eccentrically to the cover drum so that the pool cover is rolled onto the cover drum when retracted.

29. The apparatus as in claim 26 further comprising a first track, a second track, a first track wireless motor and a second track wireless motor;

wherein the pool cover comprises a first lateral cover edge and a second lateral cover edge; and

wherein the first lateral edge engages with the first track while the pool cover is being driven and retracted by the first track wireless motor; and

wherein the second lateral edge engages with the second track while the pool cover is being driven and retracted by the second track wireless motor.

30. The apparatus as in claim 26 further comprising a first track, a second track, a first track magnetic drive and a second track magnetic drive;

wherein the pool cover comprises a first lateral cover edge and a second lateral cover edge; and

wherein the first lateral edge engages with the first track while the pool cover is being driven and retracted by the first track magnetic drive; and

wherein the second lateral edge engages with the second track while the pool cover is being driven and retracted by the second track magnetic drive.