Methods providing for remote system design of retrofit circulation system for a pool
First Claim
1. A method of retrofitting elements of an existing circulation system for a pool in order to improve fluid flow comprising the steps of:
- obtaining a plurality of measurements at a pool site selected from the group consisting of distances between existing fittings and the separation distance between suction and return lines;
transmitting the measurements to a technician at a remote design location;
at the remote design location, creating a virtual design for the retrofit based on the measurements, said virtual design including new fittings and piping configured to improve fluid flow through the circulation system;
at the remote design location, generating pricing information sufficient to generate a cost estimate for the retrofit; and
transmitting the pricing information to the pool site.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A two-way communication and data transfer system allows a field technician and a designer to work together to create a retrofit design for a flow system, make a cost estimate for the retrofit, and gather an approval from a customer all in a single visit to the customer site. The field technician can utilize a remote unit including a digital camera, data entry device, and communication device, which allows the technician to transfer images and dimension information about the existing system to a base unit. A designer can take this information from the base unit and generate a virtual design for a new system, allowing a virtual view and cost estimate to be generated for display to the customer. The technician and the designer can communicate during the process to improve the accuracy of the design and estimate.
22 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of retrofitting elements of an existing circulation system for a pool in order to improve fluid flow comprising the steps of:
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obtaining a plurality of measurements at a pool site selected from the group consisting of distances between existing fittings and the separation distance between suction and return lines; transmitting the measurements to a technician at a remote design location; at the remote design location, creating a virtual design for the retrofit based on the measurements, said virtual design including new fittings and piping configured to improve fluid flow through the circulation system; at the remote design location, generating pricing information sufficient to generate a cost estimate for the retrofit; and transmitting the pricing information to the pool site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of retrofitting elements of an existing circulation system for a pool in order to improve fluid flow comprising the steps of:
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obtaining a plurality of measurements at a pool site selected from the group consisting of distances between existing fittings and the separation distance between suction and return lines; transmitting the measurements to a technician at a remote design location; at the remote design location, creating a virtual design for the retrofit based on the measurements, said virtual design including new fittings and piping configured to improve fluid flow through the circulation system; at the remote design location, generating pricing information sufficient to generate a cost estimate for the retrofit; at the remote design location, generating information estimating the cost or energy saving to be gained by the retrofit; and transmitting to the pool site an image illustrating the virtual design, the pricing information and the estimated saving information. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of retrofitting elements of an existing circulation system for a pool in order to improve fluid flow comprising the steps of:
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obtaining a plurality of measurements at a pool site selected from the group consisting of distances between existing fittings and the separation distance between suction and return lines; transmitting the measurements to a technician at a remote design location; establishing a verbal communication link between the remote technician and an installer at the pool site to facilitate transfer of additional information about the pool to the remote technician; at the remote design location, creating a virtual design for the retrofit based on the measurements, said virtual design including new fittings and piping configured to improve fluid flow through the circulation system; building a retrofit kit based on the virtual design including the new fittings and pipings; delivering the retrofit kit to the pool site; and installing the retrofit kit into the circulation system at the pool site. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification