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.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to systems, methods, equipment, and techniques for controlling one or more components of a recreational water recirculation system or modifying one or more characteristics of the water contained within a vessel such as a pool or spa. More particularly, at least some embodiments of the invention relate to Internet-enabled access to residential pool and spa controllers without need for users to create firewall ports or utilize static Internet protocol (IP) addresses. Other embodiments allow connection to controllers without need of a router. Yet other versions include equipment capable of mimicking network access points (“hot spots”). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,292,898 to Clark, et al., whose contents are incorporated herein in their entirety by this reference, describes various systems for remotely monitoring or controlling pools or spas. Data links may be created between home computer networks and pool/spa controllers and the controllers may be accessed via a combination of the home networks and remote web servers. Data signals may be transmitted to the remote web servers for collection, and command signals may be sent from the remote web servers for purposes of controlling pools and spas. 
         [0003]    Controllers of the Clark patent are identified as being “on board” pools and spas. They thus are not in any way remote or separated from the water-containing vessels. Additionally present at or in the pools and spas are sensors “in dynamic communication with the . . . pool or spa water . . . to capture relevant data,” which may include information about “temperature, pH, ORP, pump status, heater status, and ozone generation.” See Clark, col. 1, 11. 38-48. 
         [0004]    Collected data may, according to the Clark patent, be stored either “locally” within the control system or on a remote server. Software algorithms may detect particular error conditions and “alert[ ] a desired recipient via e-mail, direct pager contact or other communication method, and/or activat[e] an audible alarm.” See id., col. 4, 11. 17-34. Homeowners and their maintenance services additionally may be notified to add chemicals to pool/spa water as a consequence of data transmissions via the remote server. See id., 11. 55-65. 
         [0005]    Contemplated by systems of the Clark patent is use of, among other things, a “filtering router/firewall” used to access the Internet. See id., col. 5, 11. 26-28;  FIG. 2 . Controllers may be accessed by devices including
       a web-enabled phone, a home/office computer/or a PDA with a streamlined browser. These and other user access devices/interfaces can perform remote access function, determine chemical conditions in the water with pH or ORP sensors, conduct simultaneous on-line consultations with others including a chemical dealer or maintenance personnel, or receive alarms that the spa cover or pool gate is open.       
 
       See id., col. 9, 11. 13-20. 
       [0007]    Absent from discussion in the Clark patent are benefits of systems in which users may employ dynamic IP addresses and in which users need not create firewall ports or use routers for purposes of Internet connection. Additionally omitted from disclosure of the Clark patent is any description of configuring wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) networking devices using, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) connection or a secure digital (SD) card. Such configurations do not require use of any Ethernet cable or provision of separate power to the devices during configuration. They also may be accomplished by an installer, for example, prior to arrival at a residence or installation location. 
         [0008]    Likewise omitted from disclosure of the Clark patent is any contemplation of use of data stored on remote servers beyond alerting “desired recipient[s]” to certain error conditions and forwarding water-chemistry information to “a specific chemical supplier or pool/spa maintenance service, or to the homeowner.” See id., col. 4, 11. 51-65. Indeed, no aggregating of data is contemplated as to either a single installation or multiple installations. Assessing data aggregated over a given period for a single installation could provide useful information as to trends in either equipment performance or water characteristics at that installation, for example, potentially supplying advance warnings as to equipment degradation or impending water-quality issues. Users also may be furnished energy-usage information and tips for decreasing usage. 
         [0009]    Evaluating data aggregated over multiple installations may provide valuable information about regional issues or issues being faced generally by certain types of pools or spas. Such data further could be supplied to retailers, manufacturers, or others for purposes of ensuring adequate inventory of equipment or components if need for multiple repairs or replacements is predicted. Abnormally high use of chemicals and other consumables in a geographic area or in conjunction with certain pools or spas likewise could be discovered and conveyed to homeowners, retailers, and servicers. Yet additional uses of stored data may be made. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Unlike the Clark patent, the present invention contemplates these multiple uses of data. Additionally, Internet-enabled access to pool and spa controllers may happen without any need for users to create firewall ports or utilize static IP addresses. Wi-Fi 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. At least some versions of the invention allow connection to controllers without need of a router. Some versions allow wireless configuration of networking devices, with the devices mimicking “hot spots” or other network access points. 
         [0011]    Systems of the invention may cause servers of the system providers to track dynamic IP addresses typically assigned to computerized devices by Internet service providers (ISPs). Users employing browsers (or local software applications [“apps”]) existing on either fixed or mobile devices may communicate via the Internet with the servers of the system providers and, therethrough, to networking devices and controllers of their pool/spa control systems. Alternate methods of communication are contemplated as well, as are indoor/outdoor use and easy installation of equipment. 
         [0012]    It thus is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide systems and methods of controlling aspects of pools and spas in which system users need not have static IP addresses or firewall ports. 
         [0013]    It is also an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide systems and methods of controlling aspects of pools and spas in which Wi-Fi networking devices may be configured using a USB connection, SD card, wirelessly, or otherwise in a manner avoiding any requirement for an Ethernet cable configuration. 
         [0014]    It is another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide systems and methods of controlling aspects of pools and spas in which connections to controllers may be made without need for routers. 
         [0015]    It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide systems and methods of controlling aspects of pools and spas in which data from either or both of (a) a single installation or (b) multiple installations is aggregated as a function of (at least) time. 
         [0016]    It is, moreover, an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide systems and methods of controlling aspects of pools and spas in which aggregated data is analyzed to identify trends in either equipment performance or water characteristics at one or more installations. 
         [0017]    It is an additional optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide systems and methods of controlling aspects of pools and spas in which data analysis may result in supplying to users advance warnings as to equipment degradation or impending water-quality issues or energy-usage information (or both). 
         [0018]    It is yet another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide systems and methods of controlling aspects of pools and spas in which aggregated data from multiple installations is evaluated for information about regional issues or issues being faced generally by certain types of pools or spas. 
         [0019]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art with reference to the remaining text and the drawings of this application. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a schematicized diagram of aspects of an exemplary system of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a schematicized diagram of aspects of an alternate system of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a schematicized diagram of a first exemplary WiFi-configuration method. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a schematicized diagram of a second exemplary Wi-Fi configuration method. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 5-8  are exemplary screen-shots illustrating aspects of a third exemplary Wi-Fi configuration method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Illustrated in  FIG. 1  are aspects of exemplary system  10  of the present invention. Included as part of system  10  may be computerized controller  14 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , controller  14  may be any of the AquaLink brand of controllers made by Zodiac (formerly known as Jandy). Signals may be sent to and from controller  14  wirelessly, via wires, or in hybrid manner. Regardless of its signal transmission method, controller  14  is designed to control operation of equipment associated with pools and spas; such equipment includes, but is not limited to, water jets, lights, pumps, heaters, active filters, etc. 
         [0026]    Networking device  18  also may be included as part of system  10 . Device  18  may be any suitable automated apparatus capable of receiving and transmitting signals via the Internet or other network. Information may be transferred among device  18  and controller  14 , to which device  18  connects via wires or wirelessly. 
         [0027]    Also depicted in  FIG. 1  is optional router  22 . If present as part of system  10 , router  22 , as well as controller  14  and device  18 , typically may constitute at least part of a single “home” installation  24  and thus typically are present at the installation site. Likewise preferably present at the site are at least one of a pool or spa to be controlled by controller  14 . Unlike the controller of the Clark patent, however, controller  14  need not be “on board” any pool or spa, and instead may be located either within or outside the home. Additionally, persons skilled in the relevant art will recognize that reference to “home” installation  24  need not mean only a residential site, but rather may include commercial, association, or other pools or spas too. 
         [0028]    System  10  also may include means for accessing the Internet. Such means may include mobile and fixed devices  26  and  30 , respectively. Indeed, any device  26  or  30  (including but not limited to conventional smart phones, laptop computers, and desktop computers) equipped with a web browser or local app may be used consistent with the present invention to access the Internet. A device  26  or  30  may be in the control of the user of system  10  responsible for maintenance of a particular pool or spa, whether that user be a homeowner, a service company, an equipment manufacturer, or otherwise. Devices  26  and  30  likewise need not be “on board” a pool or spa but instead may be remote therefrom if and when desired. 
         [0029]    Also illustrated in  FIG. 1  are one or more servers  34 . Servers  34  preferably are maintained by the provider of controller  14  and device  18 , although this need not necessarily be true. Because in some versions of system  10  either or both of controllers  14  and devices  18  will be supplied by Zodiac, a server  34  is identified in  FIG. 1  as a “Zodiac Server.” 
         [0030]    Servers  34  also may function to assist in aggregating data from one or more installations  24  for purposes of data analysis and evaluation. In this respect servers  34  are illustrated in  FIG. 1  as proxies for computerized information processing systems. As noted earlier, assessing data aggregated over a given period for a single installation  24  could provide useful information as to trends in either equipment performance or water characteristics at that installation  24 , for example. Advanced warning as to equipment degradation or impending water-quality issues thus could be provided to a device  26  or  30 . Via device  26  or  30  users also may be furnished energy-usage information and tips for decreasing usage. Similarly as noted above, evaluating data aggregated over multiple installations  24  may provide valuable information about regional issues or issues being faced generally by certain types of pools or spas. 
         [0031]    Information from sources other than installations  24  also may be analyzed and evaluated, typically (but not necessarily) in conjunction with data obtained from installations  24 . For example, historical temperature and other weather-related information could be considered in developing control signals for one or more installations  24 . Similarly, weather forecasts may be considered so that, if an upcoming time period is expected to be warmer (or cooler), wetter (or dryer), etc., than normal, controls for certain installations  24  may be adjusted anticipatorily. 
         [0032]    As occurs conventionally, Internet-accessible devices at a residence or other location (such as an installation  24 ) are assigned IP addresses by an ISP servicing the location. Existing pool/spa controllers typically require assignment of a static (i.e. unchanging) IP address disfavored by ISPs. Instead, ISPs favor provision of dynamic (i.e. time-varying) IP addresses to devices, as the ability to reassign (and thus share) addresses frequently allows ISPs more flexibility in performing their services. 
         [0033]    In system  10 , device  18  need not have a static IP address. Rather, device  18  may be assigned a dynamic IP address by ISP  38 . Server  34  tracks the IP address of device  18  so as to remain able to communicate with device  18  notwithstanding the time-varying nature of its address. Because server  34  does so and no static IP address is required for device  18 , no especial need exists to open a port in any computer firewall associated with installation  24 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  shows an alternate system  10 ′ consistent with the present invention. System  10 ′ may include servers  34  and allow devices  26  and  30  to communicate with servers  34  via the Internet, as with system  10 . It further may include controller  14  as part of installation  24 ′, like installation  24 . Unlike installation  24 , however, installation  24 ′ may utilize device  18 ′ in the form of a modem to communicate with servers  34 . Device  18 ′ may be configured to the standards of the general packet radio service (GPRS) or otherwise as appropriate, and any or all of device  18 ′, mobile device  26 , or even fixed device  30  may connect wirelessly to cell phone network  42  (see also  FIG. 1 ). System  10 ′ avoids any need for router  22 , for example. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 3-4  schematically illustrate certain differing ways to configure device  18  for communication with router  22 . If device  18  and router  22  communicate via wires, an Ethernet or other cable may be employed to connect the two components. By contrast, wireless communication may be established as shown in  FIG. 3 , for example. Detailed in that figure is that device  18  may be connected to a USB port of a desktop or laptop personal computer (PC)  46  intended to communicate with router  22 . As so connected to computer  46 , device  18  is recognized by computer  46  as a storage device or drive. WiFi configuration may then occur by opening a configuration file, entering WiFi settings (including, for example, service set identifier [SSID] and password information), and saving the entered settings in the memory of device  18 . Thereafter device  18  may be disconnected from the USB port of computer  46  and installed or located wherever desired (e.g. outside at a pool/spa equipment pad or inside a residence) so as to communicate with controller  14 . 
         [0036]    Alternatively, as depicted in  FIG. 4 , an SD memory card may be inserted into an appropriate port of computer  46 . WiFi configuration may occur by opening a configuration file, entering WiFi settings, and saving the entered settings on the SD card. The card then may be removed from computer  46  and inserted into an appropriate port of device  18  to download the saved settings into the device  18 . Again, device  18  may be installed or located wherever desired so as to communicate with controller  14 . 
         [0037]    In each situation identified in  FIGS. 3-4 , WiFi configuration is easily accomplished without use of an Ethernet cable. Further, configuration may completed by an installer prior to arriving at an installation  24 . Yet additionally, no separate power need be supplied to device  18  during configuration. Of course, persons skilled in appropriate fields of endeavor will understand that device  18  may be configured in myriad ways, and the techniques of  FIGS. 3-4 , while easy and valuable, need not always be utilized. 
         [0038]    Indeed, as part of the configuration process, device  18  itself may broadcast a signal mimicking an access point for a Wi-Fi network. As shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , any suitably-equipped fixed or mobile device (including, for example, devices  26  and  30 ) may be used to receive the wireless signal broadcast by device  18 . A screen-shot of an exemplary computerized mobile device  50  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 , with instructions identified for commencing the process to connect the device  50  to device  18 . 
         [0039]    As shown in the example screen-shot of  FIG. 6 , device  18  has broadcast an SSID signal identifying it as “iAquaLink Q1R-8PZ . . . .” The wireless signal has been received by device  50 , listing the identifying signal among the Wi-Fi networks available for connection. Device  50  additionally optionally may display strength and other characteristics of the signal. A user of device  50  thereafter may connect the device  50  for wireless communication with device  18  in the same manner he or she accesses any available Wi-Fi network. 
         [0040]    Device  18  likewise is adapted to receive signals broadcast by Wi-Fi networks. After devices  18  and  50  are wirelessly connected, device  18  identifies to device  50  the various network signals it is receiving. As illustrated in the screen-shot of  FIG. 7 , device  18  has received SSID signals from networks entitled “forty2” and “Test_WPA — 1,” and transmitted this information to device  50  for display. In effect, therefore, device  18  is reconfigured from a network access device to equipment forming a local area network (LAN) with device  50 . Assuming, for example, that network “forty2” is the desired Wi-Fi network with which device  18  will communicate, a user of device  50  may complete Wi-Fi configuration of device  18  merely by designating “forty2” as the correct network. 
         [0041]    Alternatively, as depicted in  FIG. 8 , a user of device  50  may designate another network if necessary by manually providing SSID and any other required information. Whether performed automatically or manually, doing so allows device  18  to communicate as part of the “forty2” (or other manually-identified) network as it assists controller  14  in controlling pool, spa, or other equipment. Presently preferred is that controller  14  and device  18  be separate devices, although those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that some or all of their functions may be accomplished in single device. 
         [0042]    Based at least in part on information obtained or derived from sensors associated with a pool or spa, controller  14  may be used to control pool/spa equipment as desired to achieve certain results. As communication with servers  34  occurs, servers  34  may receive information from various installations  24  and  24 ′. Such information typically will vary as a function of time (e.g. a chlorine level in a pool of a particular installation  24  or  24 ′ likely will change over time) and, perhaps, other variables. Moreover, such information typically will vary from installation to installation, especially if installations are remote geographically or contain different equipment. In any event, servers  34  may receive information that usefully may be analyzed in various ways to alert users or others as to issues currently or potentially to be encountered at installations. 
         [0043]    The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.