Smart swimming pool or hot tub monitor

• US 9,858,792 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2016
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: CEC Corporation
• Inventors: Fernandes, Antonio Pedro, Silva, Carlos Formigal, Spruit, Francis, Cunha, Maria Ana, Noeme, Margarida Cabral, Fernandes, Catarina Saraiva, Moreira, Ana Cristina, Fidalgo, Daniel Cabral, Ferreria, Pedro Homem, Henriques, Margarida Manuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US15/279,111
• Publication Number:
  US 20170092096A1
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 34053922, 34053926
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/00 Swimming or splash baths or pools
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/14 Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/084 by monitoring physical movement characteristics of the water
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

A smart pool maintenance monitor and alert system configured to communicate with an internet-connected device is described. The system employs a floating buoy for use within the water of a swimming pool or hot tub, and a gateway. The buoy is equipped with a variety of environmental sensors configured to accurately and expediently measure water temperature, pH, salinity, water level, air temperature, UV index, the ORP index of the water, and other environmental data. The data is conveyed via a wireless radio to the gateway, which interprets the data, stores the data in cloud storage, and relays it to a user'"'"'s mobile device where it will be displayed by the applications downloaded to the respective user devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs, as well TV Set Top Boxes and wearable devices). The gateway is configured to convey alerts to the user when measurements are not consistent with those of a safe and hygienic pool.

Claims

1. A pool status and alert system comprising:

a buoy, said buoy disposed within the pool;

a gateway, said gateway in wireless communication with said buoy;

a sensor array, said sensor array disposed within said buoy;

wherein said gateway is in communication with at least one mobile device via the internet;

wherein said sensor array is equipped with the following sensors;

a first thermometer configured to detect the temperature of the water, a second thermometer configured to detect the temperature of the air, an air quality sensor, a three-axis accelerometer, a pH meter, a UV index sensor, an Oxygen reduction Potential index sensor, a nitrate index sensor, a water depth sensor, a hygrometer, an ultrasonic sensor, and a turbidity meter;

wherein said sensor array is configured to obtain quantitative data pertaining to environmental conditions of the pool;

wherein said quantitative data is relayed to said gateway and said at least one mobile device wirelessly;

at least one rechargeable battery, said at least one rechargeable battery disposed within said buoy;

wherein said at least one rechargeable battery powers said sensor array;

wherein said at least one rechargeable battery is configured to be charged via induction; and

wherein said gateway charges said at least one rechargeable battery.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one rechargeable battery, said at least one rechargeable battery disposed within said buoy;

wherein said at least one rechargeable battery powers said sensor array;

wherein said at least one rechargeable battery is configured to be charged via induction;

wherein said gateway charges said at least one rechargeable battery;

a processor control board, said processor control board housed within said buoy, in communication with said rechargeable battery;

wherein said processor control board is isolated from said sensor array, preventing interference;

at least one air vent, said at least one air vent disposed at a top of said gateway; and

wherein said at least one air vent facilitates the generation of said quantitative data pertaining to the air, gathered via said sensor array.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

gateway sensors, said gateway sensors disposed within said gateway;

wherein said gateway sensors are configured to obtain and record the following measurements;

indoor air temperature, indoor air quality, atmospheric pressure, indoor humidity;

wherein said gateway is housed within a structure adjacent to the pool;

wherein said quantitative data is stored to cloud storage; and

at least one wireless radio, said at least one wireless radio configured to relay said quantitative data to said at least one mobile device via cloud storage.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a splash meter, said splash meter generating splash size data on splashes occurring in the pool via said 3-axis accelerometer;

wherein said splash size data is conveyed wirelessly to said gateway and to said at least one mobile device; and

wherein said buoy is round.

2. A pool status and alert system comprising:

a buoy, said buoy disposed within the pool;

a gateway, said gateway in wireless communication with said buoy;

a sensor array, said sensor array disposed within said buoy;

wherein said gateway is in communication with at least one mobile device via the internet;

wherein said sensor array is equipped with the following sensors;

a first thermometer configured to detect the temperature of the water, a second thermometer configured to detect the temperature of the air, an air quality sensor, a three-axis accelerometer, a pH meter, a UV index sensor, an Oxygen reduction Potential index sensor, a nitrate index sensor, a water depth sensor, a hygrometer, an ultrasonic sensor, and a turbidity meter;

wherein said sensor array is configured to obtain quantitative data pertaining to environmental conditions of the pool;

wherein said quantitative data is relayed to said gateway and said at least one mobile device wirelessly;

gateway sensors, said gateway sensors disposed within said gateway;

wherein said gateway sensors are configured to obtain and record the following measurements as quantitative data;

indoor air temperature, indoor air quality, atmospheric pressure, indoor humidity;

wherein said gateway is housed within a structure adjacent to the pool;

wherein said quantitative data is stored to cloud storage; and

at least one wireless radio, said at least one wireless radio configured to relay said quantitative data to said at least one mobile device via cloud storage.

10. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

at least one rechargeable battery, said at least one rechargeable battery disposed within said buoy;

wherein said at least one rechargeable battery powers said sensor array;

wherein said at least one rechargeable battery is configured to be charged via induction;

wherein said gateway charges said at least one rechargeable battery;

a splash meter, said splash meter generating splash size data on splashes occurring in the pool via said 3-axis accelerometer; and

wherein said splash size data is conveyed wirelessly to said gateway and to said at least one mobile device.

3. A pool status and alert system comprising:

a buoy, said buoy disposed within the pool;

a gateway, said gateway in wireless communication with said buoy;

a sensor array, said sensor array disposed within said buoy;

wherein said gateway is in communication with at least one mobile device via the internet;

wherein said sensor array is equipped with the following sensors;

a first thermometer configured to detect the temperature of the water, a second thermometer configured to detect the temperature of the air, an air quality sensor, a three-axis accelerometer, a pH meter, a UV index sensor, an Oxygen reduction Potential index sensor, a nitrate index sensor, a water depth sensor, a hygrometer, an ultrasonic sensor, and a turbidity meter;

wherein said sensor array is configured to obtain quantitative data pertaining to environmental conditions of the pool;

wherein said quantitative data is relayed to said gateway and said at least one mobile device wirelessly;

a splash meter, said splash meter generating splash size data on splashes occurring in the pool via said 3-axis accelerometer; and

wherein said splash size data is conveyed wirelessly to said gateway and to said at least one mobile device.

5. A pool status and alert system comprising:

a buoy, said buoy disposed within the pool;

a gateway, said gateway in wireless communication with said buoy;

a sensor array, said sensor array disposed within said buoy;

wherein said gateway is in communication with at least one mobile device via the internet;

wherein said sensor array is equipped with the following sensors;

a first thermometer configured to detect the temperature of the water, a second thermometer configured to detect the temperature of the air, an air quality sensor, a three-axis accelerometer, a pH meter, a UV index sensor, an Oxygen reduction Potential index sensor, a nitrate index sensor, a water depth sensor, a hygrometer, an ultrasonic sensor, and a turbidity meter;

wherein said sensor array is configured to obtain quantitative data pertaining to environmental conditions of the pool;

wherein said quantitative data is relayed to said gateway and said at least one mobile device wirelessly;

a speaker, said speaker disposed within said gateway;

wherein said speaker is configured to sound an alarm when armed for security and triggered via said quantitative data from said 3-axis accelerometer indicates an unexpected body has fallen into the pool;

at least one rechargeable battery, said at least one rechargeable battery disposed within said buoy;

wherein said at least one rechargeable battery powers said sensor array;

wherein said at least one rechargeable battery is configured to be charged via induction; and

wherein said gateway charges said at least one rechargeable battery.

6. A pool status and alert system comprising:

a buoy, said buoy disposed within the pool;

a gateway, said gateway in wireless communication with said buoy;

a sensor array, said sensor array disposed within said buoy;

wherein said gateway is in communication with at least one mobile device via the internet;

wherein said sensor array is equipped with the following sensors;

a first thermometer configured to detect the temperature of the water, a second thermometer configured to detect the temperature of the air, an air quality sensor, a three-axis accelerometer, a pH meter, a UV index sensor, an Oxygen reduction Potential index sensor, a nitrate index sensor, a water depth sensor, a hygrometer, an ultrasonic sensor, and a turbidity meter;

wherein said sensor array is configured to obtain quantitative data pertaining to environmental conditions of the pool;

wherein said quantitative data is relayed to said gateway and said at least one mobile device wirelessly;

a speaker, said speaker disposed within said gateway;

wherein said speaker is configured to sound an alarm when armed for security and triggered via said quantitative data from said 3-axis accelerometer indicates an unexpected body has fallen into the pool;

gateway sensors, said gateway sensors disposed within said gateway;

wherein said gateway sensors are configured to obtain and record the following measurements;

indoor air temperature, indoor air quality, atmospheric pressure, indoor humidity;

wherein said gateway is housed within a structure adjacent to the pool;

wherein said quantitative data is stored to cloud storage; and

at least one wireless radio, said at least one wireless radio configured to relay said quantitative data to said at least one mobile device via cloud storage.

7. A pool status and alert system comprising:

a buoy, said buoy disposed within the pool;

a gateway, said gateway in wireless communication with said buoy;

a sensor array, said sensor array disposed within said buoy;

wherein said gateway is in communication with at least one mobile device via the internet;

wherein said sensor array is equipped with the following sensors;

a first thermometer configured to detect the temperature of the water, a second thermometer configured to detect the temperature of the air, an air quality sensor, a three-axis accelerometer, a pH meter, a UV index sensor, an Oxygen reduction Potential index sensor, a nitrate index sensor, a water depth sensor, a hygrometer, an ultrasonic sensor, and a turbidity meter;

wherein said sensor array is configured to obtain quantitative data pertaining to environmental conditions of the pool;

wherein said quantitative data is relayed to said gateway and said at least one mobile device wirelessly;

a speaker, said speaker disposed within said gateway;

wherein said speaker is configured to sound an alarm when armed for security and triggered via said quantitative data from said 3-axis accelerometer indicates an unexpected body has fallen into the pool;

a splash meter, said splash meter generating splash size data on splashes occurring in the pool via said 3-axis accelerometer; and

wherein said splash size data is conveyed wirelessly to said gateway and to said at least one mobile device.