System and method for presenting a sales demonstration using a pool/spa controller user interface

• US 9,836,781 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2014
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Potucek, Kevin, Fournier, Gregory, DeBruin, Jason, Porter, Bruce, Massa, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Desai, Resha
• Application Number:
  US14/228,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20150278930A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,348 Days
• Field of Search: 705 261- 272, 345419-689
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/023 Free address space management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0608 Saving storage space on storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0631 by allocating resources to storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0653 Monitoring storage devices or systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0665 at area level, e.g. provisioning of virtual or logical volumes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0673 Single storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/068 Hybrid storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A system and method for presenting a sales demonstration using a user interface of a pool/spa controller is provided. A first device includes a system controller user interface and sends data to a second device. The second device processes the data to present a media presentation which exhibits systems, associated features, and their ability to be controlled via a controller. A user can control pool and/or spa equipment using the first device, and the user'"'"'s input can guide a presentation on the second device, which demonstrates corresponding features of such equipment. As such, the natural connections among a user, a controller, and an associated feature are demonstrated in a sales-effective manner. Additionally, the first device can present a user with a simulation of a control system interface to allow for effective sales of products.

Claims

1. A first device for communicating with a second device to present a sales media demonstration:

the first device comprising of;

a first electronic display;

a first processor; and

a first memory, wherein the first memory when executed by the first processor is configured to;

display a control user interface simulating a pool/spa controller user interface on the first electronic display of the first device including a plurality of buttons and/or controls;

allow a user to interact with the control user interface at the first device and operate simulated controls of the pool/spa controller user interface at the first device;

receive, via the control user interface, a first input activating a first button and/or control of the plurality of buttons and/or controls relating to a first at least one pool/spa system component available for purchase, wherein the first button and/or control is associated with one or more data tags; and

generate and send a first media content message associated with the one or more data tags, to the second device based on the first input, wherein the first media content message controls a first media presentation displayed on a second electronic display of the second device and relating to the first at least one pool/spa system component; and

the second device comprising of;

the second electronic display;

a second processor; and

a second memory, wherein the second memory when executed by the second processor is configured to;

receive the first media content message; and

display, via the second electronic display, the first media presentation comprising of a simulated pool or spa environment, and the first media presentation contemporaneously displaying operation of the at least one pool/spa system component in the simulated pool or spa environment in response to the user interaction with the control user interface at the first device, wherein the at least one pool/spa component includes a heater, a filtration system, a light, a chlorinator, a sanitizer, a pH controller, an oxidation reduction potential controller, a valve actuator, a water feature, or a pool cleaner.

2. The first device as claimed in claim 1, further configured to,

receive, via the control user interface, a second input activating a second button and/or control of the plurality of buttons and/or controls relating to a second at least one pool/spa component available for purchase;

and

send a second media content message to the second device based on the second input, wherein the second device presents a second media presentation contemporaneously with the first media presentation, the second media presentation relating to the second at least one pool/spa component.

3. The first device as claimed in claim, 1, further configured to,

receive, via the control user interface, a second input activating a second button and/or control of the plurality of buttons and/or controls;

and

send a second media content message to the second device based on a second received input, wherein the second device presents a second media presentation contemporaneously with the first media presentation, the second media presentation relating to the first at least one pool/spa system component and one or more second pool/spa system components.

4. The first device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first media content message is based on information associated with a client.

5. The first device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first device is communicatively coupled to the second device via at least one of tethering, 3G communication, 4G communication, or radio frequency communication.

6. The first device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first device is configured to communicate with an actuator interface for controlling at least one installed pool/spa system component.

7. The first device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control user interface can be reconfigured to modify the plurality of buttons and/or controls.

8. A method of presenting a sales media demonstration, comprising the steps of:

displaying, by a first device, a control user interface simulating a pool/spa controller user interface on a first electronic display of the first device including a plurality of buttons and/or controls;

allowing a user to interact with the control user interface at the first device and operate simulated controls of the pool/spa controller user interface at the first device;

receiving, by the first device via the control user interface, a first input activating a first button and/or control of the plurality of buttons and/or controls, wherein the first button and/or control relates to a first pool/spa system component available for purchase and is associated with one or more data tags;

generating and sending, by the first device, a first media content message associated with the one or more data tags, to a second device based on the first input, wherein the first media content message controls a first media presentation displayed on a second electronic display of the second device and relating to the first pool/spa system component;

receiving, by the second device, the first media content message; and

displaying, by the second device via the second electronic display, the first media presentation comprising of a simulated pool or spa environment, and the first media presentation contemporaneously displaying operation of the at least one pool/spa system component in the simulated pool or spa environment in response to the user interaction with the control user interface at the first device, wherein the at least one pool/spa component includes a heater, a filtration system, a light, a chlorinator, a sanitizer, a pH controller, an oxidation reduction potential controller, a valve actuator, a water feature, or a pool cleaner.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

receiving, by the first device, a second input activating a second button and/or control of the plurality of buttons and/or controls relating to a second at least one pool/spa component available for purchase; and

sending, by the first device, a second media content message to the second device based on the second input, wherein the second device presents a second media presentation contemporaneously with the first media presentation, the second media presentation relating to the second at least one pool/spa component.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising,

receiving, by the first device, a second input activating a second button and/or control of the plurality of buttons and/or controls;

and

sending, by the first device, a second media content message to the second device based on a second received input, wherein the second device presents a second media presentation contemporaneously with the first media presentation, the second media presentation relating to the first at least one pool/spa system component and one or more second pool/spa system components.

11. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first device is communicatively coupled to the second device via at least one of tethering, 3G communication, 4G communication, or radio frequency communication.

12. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

sending, by the first device, data to an actuator interface for controlling at least one installed pool/spa system component.

13. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

processing information associated with a client to select the first media content message.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium for providing a sales demonstration, comprising:

instruction code for displaying, by a first device, a control user interface simulating a pool/spa controller user interface on a first electronic display of the first device including a plurality of buttons and/or controls;

instruction code for allowing a user to interact with the control user interface at the first device and operate simulated controls of the pool/spa controller user interface at the first device;

instruction code for receiving, by the first device via the control user interface, a first input activating a first button and/or control of the plurality of buttons and/or controls, wherein the first button and/or control relates to a first at least one pool/spa system component available for purchase and is associated with one or more data tags;

instruction code for generating and sending, by the first device, a first media content message associated with the one or more data tags, to a second device based on the first input, wherein the first media content message controls a first media presentation displayed on a second electronic display of the second device and relating to the first at least one pool/spa system component;

instruction code for receiving, by the second device, the first media content message; and

instruction code for displaying, by the second device via the second electronic display, the first media presentation comprising of a simulated pool or spa environment, and the first media presentation contemporaneously displaying operation of the at least one pool/spa system component in the simulated pool or spa environment in response to the user interaction with the control user interface at the first device, wherein the at least one pool/spa component includes a heater, a filtration system, a light, a chlorinator, a sanitizer, a pH controller, an oxidation reduction potential controller, a valve actuator, a water feature, or a pool cleaner.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

instruction code for receiving, by the first device, a second input activating a second button and/or control of the plurality of buttons and/or controls relating to a second at least one pool/spa component available for purchase; and

instruction code for sending, by the first device, a second media content message to the second device based on the second input, wherein the second device presents a second media presentation contemporaneously with the first media presentation, the second media presentation relating to the second at least one pool/spa component.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

instruction code for receiving, by the first device, a second input activating a second button and/or control of the plurality of buttons and/or controls; and

instruction code for sending, by the first device, a second media content message to the second device based on a second received input, wherein the second device presents a second media presentation contemporaneously with the first media presentation, the second media presentation relating to the first at least one pool/spa system component and one or more second pool/spa system components.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first device is communicatively coupled to the second device via at least one of tethering, 3G communication, 4G communication, or radio frequency communication.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

instruction code for sending, by the first device, data to an actuator interface for controlling at least one installed pool/spa system component.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

instruction code for selecting the first media content message based on processing information associated with a client.