Patent Publication Number: US-11660546-B2

Title: Sequenced chamber wave generator controller and method

Description:
1.0 TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates to wave generators, such as, for example, wave generators for making waves in pools for recreational purposes. 
     2.0 BACKGROUND 
     Wave generators are often used for recreational purposes. Wave generators create one or more waves in a pool or the like, and people typically either play in the waves or use the waves for aquatic sports such as board sports. Aquatic board sports, such as surfing and bodyboarding, require that the waves be rideable. Enthusiasts in these types of sports often use wave generators for competition, practice and entertainment. 
     Existing wave generators typically use wave generating chambers to produce a wave that travels in a direction, where the peak of the wave is substantially parallel to the chambers and to the beach as it travels from the chambers towards the beach, and the wave is produced when the wave generating chambers (either one chamber or multiple chambers) are all activated simultaneously, resulting in the water being pushed away from the wave generating chambers. The wave then travels away from the chamber until it reaches the opposite end of the pool, breaking at some point between the wave generating chamber and the opposite end of the pool. The waves that are created from these chambers, however, always require single or multiple chambers to actuate simultaneously in unison. The waves can only be ridden for a short period of time and distance because after the wave is created, it begins to decrease in amplitude and quickly becomes not rideable. Japan App. No. 04-037314 (JPO Publication No. 05-202626) discloses a pool that produces waves that travel in a perpendicular direction from one side toward the other side of the pool. The side walls of the pool are in a fan shape to allow people to ride the wave for longer and to avoid hitting the wall. This apparatus, however, only produces single waves that travel perpendicularly away from the generating apparatus until the wave reaches the opposite end of the pool, and does not teach sequencing. That apparatus attempts to provide a longer ride on the wave by simply angling the walls in a fan shape, but does not compensate for the wave losing amplitude and strength. 
     Other types of wave generating pools use a high velocity sheet of water shot over a bed form in the shape of a wave. These are not “true” waves, but rather water shaped into a wave. An example includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,280, which discloses a “Sheet Flow Water Ride.” There are several shortcoming with this prior art. First, a conventional surf board with fins cannot be used, because the fins would extend too deeply into the sheet flow of water and would touch the bed form underneath. Second, the bed form is static, such that only one type of “wave” can be produced. 
     What is needed is an apparatus that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art, including providing an apparatus that can create a variety of rideable waves, and can further provide the rider with the ability to customize the wave characteristics, including the wave&#39;s size, shape, and pattern. 
     3.0 SUMMARY 
     What is provided herein is an aquatic sports amusement apparatus that includes a pool, a plurality of wave generating chambers that communicate with the pool so as to release water into the pool, and a mobile application controller that operates the chambers, such that each chamber in the plurality releases water to create waves. The controller can be connected to the plurality of chambers via a network connection; such a connection could include a local area network, a wireless network, the internet and/or a virtual private network. The controller could be located at a distant location from the pool and chamber complex, and the controller may be a smart phone, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a laptop and/or a tablet computer. 
     The controller may also have a graphical user interface (GUI) with a wave creation module, a wave ride module and a viewing module. Through these modules, users can create wave profiles and graphically model these wave profiles before actually creating the wave. The wave profiles can be shared with others. The GUI may also allow the user to video capture the wave, and then allow the user to view and share that video with others. 
     The system can also have a scheduling module to ensure that the controller&#39;s operation of the chambers is based on a single wave profile at a time. This further allows a user to create a wave profile, save that profile, and schedule a time to create and ride a wave based on that profile. This minimizes the user&#39;s dissatisfaction in waiting for the wave machine to be available, while maximizing the use of the wave machine, with fewer down periods. 
     Other aspects of the invention are disclosed herein, as discussed in the following Drawings and Detailed Description. 
    
    
     
       4.0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components within the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed on clearly illustrating example aspects of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. It may be understood that certain components and details may not appear in the figures to assist in more clearly describing the invention. 
         FIG.  1    is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generator apparatus in a wave pool with sixteen chambers. 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-section of  FIG.  1   , illustrating one example embodiment of a wave generating chamber in a wave pool. 
         FIG.  2 A  is a schematic block diagram of a control system for controlling operation of the sequencing of the delay between actuating each chamber in the apparatus in  FIGS.  1 - 2   . 
         FIG.  3    is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generator apparatus in a wave pool before any of the chambers have been actuated. 
         FIG.  4    is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generator apparatus in a wave pool, showing the chambers being actuated in sequence to generate waves. 
         FIG.  5    is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generator apparatus in a wave pool, showing the chambers being actuated in sequence to generate waves. 
         FIG.  6    is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generator apparatus in a wave pool, showing the chambers being actuated in sequence to generate waves. 
         FIG.  7    is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generator apparatus in a wave pool, showing diamond patterns created during the sequence, where the diamond patterns are linked at the vertices. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of one example embodiment of a wave generator apparatus in a wave pool, showing a considerably hollow barrel wave that is created from the surge effect pitching away from the chambers. 
         FIG.  9    is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generator apparatus in a wave pool, showing the direction that the wave may travel. 
         FIG.  10    is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generator apparatus in a wave pool, showing multiple directions that the wave can flow depending on the amount of delay in the sequence. 
         FIG.  11    is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generator apparatus in a wave pool, showing multiple directions that the wave can flow, depending on the amount of delay in the sequence. 
         FIG.  12    is a view from the beach side or the side opposite the wave generating chambers of the pool. It shows the progression of the wave as it flows and how the height increases at various instances. 
         FIG.  13    is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generator apparatus in a wave pool with the side wall extending beyond the wave generating chambers. 
         FIG.  14    is a graph showing the size of the wave and the amount of time it takes the wave to reach that size for a small-scale version of the apparatus with nine chambers. 
         FIG.  15    illustrates the wave generator apparatus connected to a network, along with mobile application controllers connected to the network. 
         FIG.  16    is a flow chart that describes the method for controlling the wave generating apparatus from a mobile application controller. 
         FIG.  17    illustrates an embodiment of the step for creating a wave profile. 
         FIG.  18    illustrates an embodiment of the step for creating and modifying a wave profile. 
         FIG.  19    illustrates an embodiment of the step for creating and modifying a wave profile. 
     
    
    
     5.0 DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Following is a non-limiting written description of example embodiments illustrating various aspects of the invention. These examples are provided to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the full scope of the invention without having to engage in an undue amount of experimentation. As may be apparent to persons skilled in the art, further modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the claims. 
     The apparatus disclosed herein in various example embodiments provides a sequenced-chamber wave-generating apparatus that may be adapted for use with aquatic board sports or any other suitable purpose, such as miniature modeling of wave formations. The apparatus overcomes the deficiencies in the prior art by creating a surging motion in the pool that changes the characteristics of the waves to create a considerably hollow barreling wave. The flow of water created by the presently-disclosed sequencing can resemble a diamond pattern and additional patterns, such as diamonds linked at the vertices. These patterns effectively reduce the depth of the water between successive waves, which causes the waves to pitch away from the chambers and to create a considerably hollow barrel. Additionally, the waves may travel in a direction that is not perpendicular to the wave generating apparatus, such that the wave strength continues to be replenished as the waves move across the pool. These are only two examples of waves that the wave generator apparatus can create. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an example embodiment of a wave generator apparatus, which comprises a pool or container  50 , a body of water  52 , a plurality of wave generating chambers  54  (each chamber is individually numbered 1-16), and a controller  62  to operate the chambers  54 . In this example embodiment, there are sixteen wave generating chambers  54 . Although there is no specifically required number of wave generating chambers  54  (other example embodiments include twenty-four and thirty-two chambers, for instance), too few chambers  54  in the apparatus may not be able to produce sufficient resolution to create a wave that can be ridden. In one example embodiment, each chamber is 10 feet by 5 feet by 3 feet, giving each chamber a capacity of 150 cubic feet. Other example embodiments may have wave generating chambers as large as 260 cubic feet or more. It would be apparent to those skilled in the art to modify the size and water displacement of the chambers as needed for specific applications. 
     The pool  50  may be rectangularly shaped and holds the body of water  52 . The pool  50  has a first end  58 , a second end  60 , two sides  44 ,  46 , and a floor  36 . The first end  58  is comprised of a plurality of chambers  54  adjacent to one another, and the second end  60  is at the opposite end of the pool where the beach  42  is located. The two sides  44 ,  46  are at opposite ends of the pool  50 . The first end  58 , second end  60 , and two sides  44 ,  46  act as walls for the pool  50  to contain the body of water  52 , along with the floor  36  that is under the body of water  52 . The body of water  52  rests in the pool  50  and may be in a still state until the chambers  54  begin to actuate in sequence and create a wave using the body of water  52  in the pool  50 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an example embodiment of a single wave generating chamber  54 , which can comprise a chamber space  56  having a back wall  18 , an upper wall  20 , and a reflecting wall  22  at the rear wall of the pool that faces the body of water  52  in the pool  50 . An example may be that of U.S. Pat. No. 7,815,396 to McFarland, the same inventor of the present application, and the contents of that patent are incorporated herein by reference. A passageway  30  at the lower end of wall  22  allows communication of water between the chamber  54  and the body of water  52  in the pool. A mechanical two-way valve  24  may be located in passageway  30 . 
     The chambers  54  may be connected to an air supply through an inlet valve  26  located close to the upper end of the chamber back wall  18  and may also be connected to a vent valve  28  in the upper wall  20 , which may be connected to a vacuum pump. The floor  36  of the pool may have a first, upwardly inclined portion  38  extending from the passageway  30  away from the wave reflecting wall  22 , a generally flat portion  40 , and an upwardly inclined portion or beach  42  at the opposite, second end  60  of the pool  50 . 
     In the operation of this example embodiment, the chamber  54  is first filled with air through the valve  26 , thereby displacing water into the pool  50 . The valve  26  is then closed, and the chamber air is vented suddenly through the vent valve  28 , causing the water  52  to flow from the pool  50  through passageway  30  into the now empty space  56  in the chamber  54 . The water level in the pool drops suddenly, creating a depression or a trough in the water that reflects against the back or wave-reflecting wall  22  of the pool  50 . This creates a circulating motion of the water, which is enhanced by the design of the back wall  22 . The vent valve  28  in the air chamber is shut at the proper time to prevent immediate water resurgence back into the pool  50 , which enhances the second trough behind the peak. The mechanical two-way valve  24  can also be used to prevent immediate resurgence. The water valve  24  may be closed during the initial air fill phase to create a larger air volume in the chamber which, when released, creates a larger depression in the pool. Alternatively, the air valve  26  can rapidly supply pressurized air to the chamber after the chamber is filled with water, to push water out and amplify the wave peak. This process of pushing water out of the chamber and into the pool is known as releasing water. Alternatively, the vent valve  28  may be connected to a vacuum source such as a vacuum pump, or may be a vent outlet connected via suitable valving either to the atmosphere or to a vacuum source. 
     As illustrated schematically in  FIG.  2 A , the electronic controller  62  may be electrically connected with the valves  26 ,  28  and  24  in order to control the operation in the manner described above. The controller  62  may control this operation for each chamber, such that the controller  62  actuates each of the chambers in sequence. The controller  62  may begin by actuating the first chamber or the first set of chambers in the plurality. After a predetermined delay, the controller  62  actuates the second chamber or the second set of chambers in the plurality, and, after another predetermined delay, actuates the third chamber or the third set of chambers in the plurality. This may continue for a fourth chamber or a fourth set of chambers, or any number of additional chambers or additional set of chambers. The controller  62  continues actuating each chamber in the plurality after a delay.  FIG.  2 A  illustrates that the controller  62  controls the valves in each chamber so that after actuating the first chamber or the first set of chambers, it can control the valves in that chamber or set of chambers and, after a delay, actuate the second chamber or the second set of chambers and control its valves. The controller  62  can actuate each chamber in sequence after a delay and can control the valves. 
     5.1 Diamond Pattern Waves 
     The wave generator apparatus has the ability to create waves where the peak of the wave travels in a direction that is substantially parallel to the chambers  54  and to the beach  42  as it travels from the chambers  54  towards the beach  42 . The peak of the wave is defined as the highest water level in the pool. The direction the peak travels is the path that the peak of the wave flows during the life of the wave. 
     To create the wave, the controller  62  may actuate the chambers  54  in a sequence with a delay between actuating each chamber or set of chambers  54 , as described above. The delay is approximately a fraction of the chamber period. In the present example embodiment, as seen in  FIGS.  3 - 6   , nine chambers  1 - 9  are used to produce a wave that can be ridden, where the peak of the wave is substantially parallel to the chambers  54  and to the beach  54  as it travels from the chambers  54  towards the beach  42 . 
     The wave is created by a surging motion in the pool  50  that changes the characteristics of the wave to create a considerably hollow barreling wave. As seen in  FIG.  7   , the flow of water created by the sequence resembles a diamond pattern, and additional patterns would resemble diamonds linked at the vertices. This pattern effectively reduces the depth of the water in the pool  50  between successive waves, which causes the waves to pitch away from the chambers and to create a considerably hollow barrel, as seen in  FIG.  8   . 
     By way of example, the sequence may begin with the chambers  54  on the edges of the pool to initiate the first wave segment  105  shown in  FIG.  4   . Chambers  1 - 2  and  8 - 9  actuate to begin the sequence. After the delay, a second wave segment  110  shown in  FIG.  5    is generated in the sequence from the center chambers between the edge segments (i.e., actuating chambers  3 - 7 ). The sequence continues to actuate the chambers to generate the first and second wave segment steps using the same delay. Therefore, the chambers operate in sequence, not all in unison. 
     This sequence creates the surging effect  115  in the pool  50  that creates barreling waves that are more hollow, i.e., the barrel-shaped wave  120  preferred by wave riding enthusiasts, as seen in  FIG.  8   . In other embodiments, the sequence can begin with the inner chambers and continue with the outer chambers. For example, the sequence may begin with chambers  54  in the center of the pool initiating a first wave segment. Chambers  3 - 7  could actuate to begin the sequence. After the delay, a second wave segment may be generated in the sequence from both sides of the first, center wave segment. This could be chambers  1 - 2  and  8 - 9 . After a delay of the same or similar length, a third wave segment could be generated in the sequence from chambers  3 - 7 , for instance. In either example embodiment, the sequence may continue to actuate the chambers to generate the second and third wave segment steps using the same or similar delay. Also, each segment can be produced by a single chamber or by two or more chambers, and the sequence can include more than two segments. 
     Moreover, when multiple adjacent chambers  54  actuate during each segment, there can be a secondary delay for each chamber. For instance, using the example sequence seen in  FIGS.  4 - 5   , during segment one, chambers  1 - 2  and  8 - 9  will all actuate using the primary delay, but with the secondary delay, they do not have to all actuate simultaneously. The secondary delay can actuate chambers  2  and  8  at a very slight delay after chambers  1  and  9  actuate. This secondary delay can be sequenced with any chambers within the primary delay sequence. 
     This type of sequencing can produce waves where the peak of the wave is substantially parallel to the chambers  54  and to the beach  42  as it travels from the chambers  54  towards the beach  42 . As seen in  FIG.  7   , the pattern of the waves may resemble diamonds from a top view, and additional patterns may resemble diamonds linked at the vertices. The diamond effect is a result of the multiple wave segments generated in the sequence. This diamond pattern  125  creates a surging motion  115  in the entire pool  50  due to the sequence creating multiple waves  105 ,  110 . The surging motion changes the breaking characteristics of the waves&#39; natural flow. Indeed, the diamond pattern  125  reduces the depth of the water between successive waves because the previous wave will push the water away from the chambers  54  and towards the beach end  42 . This causes waves to pitch away from the chambers  54  and to create a considerably hollow barrel  120 . Additionally, the surge  115  interacts with the wave  110  near the end of its break, which increases the wave height or amplitude, just as backwash interacts with waves in the ocean. 
     The fractional delay between actuating each chamber  54  or set of chambers may be proportional to the chamber period. The chamber period is the time it takes a chamber to release the water and to refill to the predetermined level. To refill, the chamber  54  may permit a fixed amount of water, if any, to reenter the chamber  54 . When a chamber completes its period, the chamber is prepared to actuate again. To produce waves where the peak of the wave is substantially parallel to the chambers  54  and to the beach  42  as it travels from the chambers  54  towards the beach  42 , the controller operation may actuate each chamber  54  or set of chambers, using a delay in sequenced fashion. For example, just after the first segment (first chamber or first set of chambers) completes the wave production portion of its period, the controller  62  may actuate the second segment (second chamber or second set of chambers), and it begins its period. This sequence may be repeated with each segment (chamber or set of chambers) using the same or a similar delay, with the controller  62  operating the sequencing. 
     The controller  62  operates the sequenced fashion or sequencing, which comprises each chamber in the plurality actuating after a delay and completing a chamber period. The chamber period that is used as the delay by the controller  62  may be approximately one chamber period. The amount of delay in the sequence can be adjusted to as low as 0.10 of a chamber period to adjust the amplitude of the wave and the direction that the wave peak may travel. The delay may be more than one chamber period. Also, the delay may vary between adjacent chambers. 
     When a chamber  54  or set of chambers has completed the process of pushing out the water or air needed to create a wave (for example, after half of the entire chamber period), the subsequent chamber or set of chambers can activate in the sequence. This allows the waves to continue to flow and to create a surging effect. For example, in the example embodiment shown in  FIGS.  4 - 5   , each chamber period may be completed in two seconds. Therefore, the delay in the sequence would be set at one second, which is half of the chamber period. When each segment is completed, a new wave segment is then produced in sequence. While this example uses half of the chamber period as the delay in the sequence, similar sequences may be created with timing delays that are sequenced to actuate a chamber  54  or set of chambers during or soon after the previous chamber&#39;s or set of chambers&#39; period. 
     The amplitude or height of the peak  130  of the wave  110  created generally depends on the size of the wave generating apparatus. However, the surge that is created using the present system increases the height of the wave over other designs because the surge  115  interacts with the wave  110  near the end of its break, as shown in  FIG.  8   , e.g. barreling perspective view following the sequence in  FIG.  6   . This interaction pushes the wave up to create a higher, bigger wave that tends to have desirable barreling characteristics. 
     5.2 Wave Peak that Travels in a Direction not Perpendicular to the Wave Generating Apparatus 
     The wave generator apparatus has the ability to create waves where the peak of the wave travels in a direction that is not substantially perpendicular to the ends of the pool and the one or more chambers  54 , as illustrated in  FIG.  9   . The peak of the wave is defined as the highest water level in the pool. The direction the peak travels is the path that the peak of the wave travels during the life of the wave. Although the wave may reach the beach end  42  of the pool opposite the chambers, the wave peak may continue to travel in a direction that is not perpendicular to the chambers  54 . 
     To create a wave where the peak travels in a direction that is not substantially perpendicular to the chambers  54 , the controller  62  may actuate the chambers  54  in a sequence with a delay between actuating each chamber, as described above. The delay is approximately a fraction of the chamber period. In the present example embodiment, sixteen chambers  1 - 16  are used to produce a wave that can be ridden, and the peak travels not substantially perpendicular to the chambers  54  in direction A. 
     The sequence starts with chamber  1  and continues sequentially (in lowest to highest numerical order of the chambers) down the plurality of chambers, which determines the direction of the wave. The wave breaks nearly right out of the chamber, and the break of the wave allows the peak to travel in a direction not substantially perpendicular to the chambers. Thus, a rider is able to ride the wave over much of the pool&#39;s water surface area. The peak continues until it reaches the side  44  of the pool  50 . Although the path that the peak of the wave travels is not exactly parallel to the chambers  54 , the pool may be constructed such that the peak may reach the side wall  44  before the peak could reach the opposite, beach end  42  of the pool. As each chamber actuates, the apparatus replenishes the wave to continue its momentum such that the wave can continue to be ridden. 
     Immediately after a chamber  54  is activated, it creates a trough in the body of water  52  by allowing the water to enter the chamber space  56 . The trough is created outside of the chamber  54  where the water enters the chamber  54 . When the chamber  54  pushes or releases the water out to create a wave, the water flows into the area previously vacated and is now a trough. The sequencing allows the wave to travel not substantially perpendicular to the chamber  54  and to break to create a wave. 
     The fractional delay between actuating each chamber may be proportional to the chamber period. The chamber period is the time it takes a chamber to release the water and to refill to the predetermined level. To refill, the chamber  54  may permit a fixed amount of water, if any, to reenter the chamber  54 . When a chamber completes its period, the chamber is prepared to actuate again. To create a peak that travels not substantially perpendicular to the chambers  54 , in direction A, the controller operation may actuate each chamber, using a delay, in a sequenced fashion. For example, while chamber  1  is in the wave production portion of its period, the controller  62  actuates chamber  2 , and it begins its period. This sequence is repeated with each chamber using the same delay, and with the controller  62  operating the sequencing. 
     The controller operates the sequenced fashion or sequencing, which comprises each chamber in the plurality actuating after a delay and completing a chamber period. The fraction of the chamber period that is used as the delay by the controller  62  is approximately between 0.75 and 0.10. The amount of delay in the sequence can be adjusted within this range to adjust the amplitude of the wave and the direction that the wave peak may travel. Also, the delay may vary between adjacent chambers. 
     By way of example only, a delay of 0.25 can create a wave traveling in direction A, as illustrated in  FIG.  9   . The 0.25 delay means that the controller  62  may actuate chamber  2  when chamber  1  has completed 0.25 of its chamber period. Likewise, the controller  62  may actuate chamber  3  when chamber  2  has completed 0.25 of its chamber period. This delay may continue in the entire sequence. 
     When a chamber  54  is half of the way complete with the process of pushing out the water or air needed to create a wave (i.e., 0.25 of the entire chamber period), the subsequent chamber can activate in the sequence. This allows the wave to continue in the desired direction A. For example, in the example embodiment in  FIG.  9   , each chamber period is completed in four seconds. Therefore, the delay in the sequence would be set at one second, which is 0.25 of the chamber period. When the entire sequence is completed, a new wave can then be produced using the same sequence. While this example uses 0.25 of the chamber period as the delay in the sequence, similar waves can be created with timing delays that are sequenced to actuate a chamber  54  when the previous chamber  54  is in the process of the wave generating phase of the chamber period. 
     The amplitude or height of the peak of the wave created generally depends on the size of the wave generating apparatus. However, using this sequencing method, the peak traveling in direction A has an amplitude of nearly twice that of the peak traveling perpendicular to the chambers  54  in direction C. The peak of the wave may increase as it builds through the first few chambers in the sequence, until it reaches its maximum height. For example, using chambers  54  that are 150 cubic feet, the wave reaches about six feet in height. Conversely, a wave without sequencing that travels in a direction perpendicular to the wave generating chambers  54 , in direction C, may reach a height of about three feet. 
     For example, using a smaller version of the wave generating apparatus with only nine chambers yielded the results presented in  FIG.  14   . When a sequence with a 0.25 delay is performed, a trough is created at 0.5 seconds, and the wave dramatically starts to build at 0.75 seconds, which is roughly when the third chamber is actuated. The wave has a peak of 2 inches at this point, which is a dramatic increase from 0.5 seconds, when the wave height was 0 inches. At about 1.25 seconds, the wave starts to crest just past the third chamber, when the peak reaches 2.5 inches. The wave&#39;s peak heightens to 3 inches when it reaches the fourth chamber. This occurs at 1.5 seconds, which coincides with when the sixth chamber is actuated by the controller  62 . At 2 seconds, the peak reaches its maximum height of 3.2 inches. Conversely, a wave traveling in a direction perpendicular to the chambers  54  has a maximum peak height of only 2 inches. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  12   , the wave increases in height as it continues to flow, and the chambers  54  continue to push the wave. The wave size or height increases as a result of each chamber  54  releasing water into the pool, which pushes into the same piece of wave, causing it to amplify. The same piece of wave is pushed when each chamber actuates. This process continues through the beginning portion of the sequence or first few chambers until the wave reaches its maximum height. If there are too few chambers  54 , the wave may not be smooth enough to ride. Likewise, if the chambers  54  produce a wave too big, it may be too choppy and not smooth enough to ride. 
     The direction of the peak is determined by the delay in the sequencing of the chambers.  FIG.  10    illustrates the different directions the peak can travel depending on the delay between the chambers. For example, if there is no delay, and each chamber  54  actuates at the same time, the peak may travel perpendicular to the chambers  54  in the direction C towards the beach  42 . When the controller  62  uses sequencing for a delay between each chamber  54 , the peak may travel in more of an angled direction, in accordance with the order of the sequence. Here, in  FIG.  10   , the sequence starts with chamber  1  actuating, then chamber  2 , then chamber  3 , and continues down the plurality of chambers  54  until chamber  16  actuates. The peak may flow towards the side  44  when this sequence continues. 
     An increase in the delay sequence may cause the peak to travel in a direction that is more angled towards the side  44 . For example, a shortened delay in the sequence would result in the peak traveling in the direction B, which flows more obliquely towards the side  44 . When increasing the delay even more, the peak can travel not substantially perpendicular to the chambers  54  towards the side  44  in the direction A. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  11   , the peak can also travel in the other direction towards the side  46 . To do so, the sequence would have to start at chamber  16  and end at chamber  1 . A shortened delay between the controller  62  actuating the chambers may result in the peak traveling in somewhat of an angle towards the side  46 , in the direction E. A longer delay between the controller  62  actuating the chambers can result in the peak traveling not substantially perpendicular to the chambers in the direction D, towards the side  46 . Also, chambers  16  and  1  could be actuated at the same time, then the adjacent chamber actuated after a delay, and so on, such that two wave peaks are created, one moving in the direction D ( FIG.  11   ) and one moving in the direction A ( FIG.  10   ). 
       FIG.  13    illustrates an example embodiment where the pool  52  extends beyond the chambers  54  to form a region  55 . This allows the wave to continue to travel into the region  55  after the sequence is complete, thus allowing a rider more time to ride the created wave. 
     5.3 System for Controlling the Wave Generator Apparatus 
     As discussed above, the wave generator can produce a variety of waves because of the sequencing of the individual chambers by the controller. The controller has until now been described as residing at the wave generator facility. This, however, need not be the case. The wave generator apparatus may actually be controlled by the user through a mobile application controller. The mobile application controller may be used on a variety of platforms, such as smartphones (e.g., iPhone, Droid, etc.), tablets (e.g., iPad,  Nexus , etc.), laptops, personal digital assistants and personal computers. Referring to  FIG.  15   , the controller  1510  of the wave generator apparatus  1505  may be connected to the internet, a local area network (“LAN”), a virtual private network, and/or a wireless network  1515 , and the mobile application controllers  1520  and  1525  can actually create wave profiles and control the wave generator apparatus  1505 . By providing mobile application controllers  1520  and  1525 , users can now create their own wave profiles, download those profiles to the wave generator apparatus  1505  through the internet or LAN  1515 , produce the actual wave and ride that wave. Never before has a user been able to create a wave and ride that wave. Now they can. 
     In one embodiment, the interface on the mobile application controller may include a custom wave profile creator. The user may customize the lag between the chambers of the wave generator apparatus and the actuation of chambers, as well as the sequence of actuation, and may experiment with different wave creations. The interface may also include a wave modeling screen, such that the user can see what the customized wave profile would look like prior to communicating the wave profile to the controller  1410  and producing an actual wave on the wave generator apparatus  1405 . The user, therefore, can create precisely the wave he desires. Moreover, the user can save the customized wave profiles, such that when the user arrives at the wave generator apparatus, the user can select that wave profile, execute the profile on the apparatus and ride the wave. Alternatively, the user can create a wave profile and actuate the wave generator apparatus remotely for someone else to ride. Imagine creating a custom wave and having a professional surfer ride your creation. 
     One embodiment of the system is shown in  FIG.  16   . In the first step  1605 , the user can enter a username and password so as to retrieve previous wave profiles and videos the user has made. The login step is preferable, but optional. After login, the user is asked at step  1610  what action he would like to take: enter the wave creation module  1611  to create a wave, enter the viewing module  1612  to view a wave video/photograph, or enter the wave ride module  1613  to ride a wave. 
     If the user selects to create a wave profile, the system enters the wave creation module  1611  and proceeds to step  1615 . The details for this step will be discussed below with reference to  FIGS.  17 - 19   . It should further be noted that the user at step  1615  may select a previously saved profile or a shared profile to modify. The user may also select a preset profile that the system may offer, and modify that profile. This is discussed in greater detail below. Since this is a system where multiple devices can be used, the user may have created a wave profile on his personal computer and saved that profile, however, when he arrives at that wave generating facility, he may want to make some final tweaks to the wave profile on this smart phone. The system allows for this flexibility. After creating the wave profile, the user has the option at step  1620  to have the application render a computer model of the wave profile to fully visualize what the wave will look like (see step  1620 ). This is an optional, but preferable step in the system. The user then may choose to modify (step  1625 ) the wave profile by returning to step  1615  or to save the wave profile at step  1630 . The system may then ask at step  1635  whether the user would like to share this profile with another, and if the user so desires, the user would enter the email address or other identifying information at step  1640  such that the system can transmit the wave profile to that third party. The system would then request whether the user would like to create another wave profile at step  1645 , and if so, the user is returned to step  1615 ; otherwise, the user may return to step  1610 , or may simply log out. 
     If the user selects at step  1610  to view a video, the system enters the viewing module  1612 , and the user must then select which video he would like to view at step  1650 . These videos could include videos taken of the user riding a particular wave, or video of third parties riding waves that have been shared with the user. After viewing the video (step  1655 ), the system may then ask at step  1660  whether the user would like to share this video with another, and if the user so desires, the user would enter the email address or other identifying information at step  1665  such that the system can transmit the wave video to that third party. Optionally, the system can allow users to assign sharing rights, such that a video from a third party cannot be shared if that third party so chooses. The system would then request whether the user would like to view another wave video at step  1670 , and if so, the user is returned to step  1650 ; otherwise, the user may return to step  1610 , or may simply log out. It should be noted that the language used herein is a video; however, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that still frame photographs could be captured and used in the system. 
     If the user selects at step  1610  to ride a wave, the system enters the wave ride module, and the user must then select which wave he would like to ride at step  1675 . The user must also select or determine the wave generating facility on which the selected wave will be produced and ridden. This is shown at step  1680 , and may be accomplished in a number of ways, including a pull-down menu on the mobile application controller. Another non-limiting example is that the mobile application controller could use GPS or the network identification codes to automatically determine which facility is closest and use that facility as the one to create the wave. At step  1682 , the user may also at this time schedule a time with the wave generating facility so that he does not needlessly wait for his opportunity to ride the wave. After selecting the wave, the user may optionally be asked whether he would like to have the ride videotaped (or photographed) at step  1685 . If so, the user should then determine which camera or cameras should be used (step  1690 ). For example, the wave generator facility may have cameras available, and the user&#39;s mobile application controller may also have a camera. After selecting the cameras, the user may then actuate the wave generator apparatus based on the selected wave profile (step  1692 ). Then, the system would associate the wave profile with the video or photographs and post those videos for later viewing and/or sharing at steps  1694  and  1696 . The system would then request whether the user would like to ride another wave at step  1699 , and if so, the user is returned to step  1675 ; otherwise, the user may return to step  1610 , or may simply log out. 
     It should be noted that the wave profile can be transmitted and actuated by a user who is remote to the wave generating facility. This feature could be used, for example, to allow surfing fans to create waves for professional surfers to ride. The fan could see the wave ride in real time. There are countless promotional activities that can be realized using this user defined, remotely actuated, custom wave creation. It should also be noted that it is not intended that the modules and steps detailed above be in precisely the order described. The order detailed is simply to illustrate the various features of the system. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  17   , the steps in creating the wave profile will be discussed. In one embodiment, the system may allow the user to select only three attributes of the wave profile—i.e., (1) size, (2) shape, and (3) pattern (i.e., location/direction and peak number). For example, at step  1705 , the user would select the size of the wave from small, medium or large. Then at step  1710  the user selects the shape of the wave: mushy or hollow. And, finally, at step  1715 , the user selects the pattern of the wave (i.e., direction, location and number of wave peaks): left traveling, right traveling, center peak, double peak, triple peak. Each of these selections may be discrete, but the graphical user interface of the system may provide a slider such that these selections are more continuous across a range. After making these selections, the user may view a computer rendering of the wave profile at step  1620 . 
       FIG.  18    provides a more complex interface that a user may use to create a wave profile. The user may for example select a present wave profile or use the interface described with reference to  FIG.  17    to create a wave profile. The interface could then represent that wave profile on a two-dimensional graph  1805  with the chamber numbers on one axis  1810  and the time on the other axis  1815 . The wave profile may be represented as a number of blocks  1820  wherein the left size of the block represents the time along the time axis when that particular chamber is actuated, and the length of the block is the magnitude of the water expelled by that particular chamber. Thus, the present wave profile of blocks  1820  provides instructions to actuate first chamber  1 , then after a delay chamber  2 , then after a delay chamber  3 , then after a delay chamber  4  and, finally, after a delay chamber  5 . And each actuation of each chamber is of the same magnitude. The user may then choose to add other chambers to actuate. For example, on a smartphone application, this may entail touching an icon of a block  1825  and dragging it (as shown by arrow  1830 ) it to an appropriate location to actuate chamber  6 . After making these selections, the user may view a computer rendering of the wave profile at step  1620 . 
       FIG.  19    illustrates that not only can the user add new chamber actuations, but that the user can also move, modify and delete existing chamber actuations. Again, the user as shown in  FIG.  19    starts with a profile shown by the gray blocks, with chambers  1  and  9  actuating simultaneously, then (after a delay) chambers  8  and  2  actuating simultaneously, then (after a delay) chambers  7  and  3  actuating simultaneously, then (after a delay) chambers  6  and  4  actuating simultaneously and finally (after a delay) chamber  5  actuating. The user may choose to increase the delay of the actuation of chamber  9  by moving the block  1825  along the arrow labeled  1905 . The user can also choose to increase the delay of the actuation of chamber  8  by moving the block  1825  along the arrow labeled  1910 . The user can also shorten the length of the actuation block of chamber  8  (shown at position  1915 ) so that the chamber  8  will not expel as much water. The user may also desire to add an actuation of chamber  7  with the same magnitude as that of chamber  8 , as shown at position  1920 . Finally, the user may add a larger magnitude actuation of chamber  6  at position  1925 . The interface may accomplish these movements, modifications and deletions by allowing the user to drag existing actuation blocks to new locations, and by allowing a user to modify the magnitude of a block by touching that block on the screen and setting the size (with the size of zero representing a deletion). After making these selections, the user may view a computer rendering of the wave profile at step  1620 . 
     As described above, several users can share their wave profiles. For example, if a professional surfer creates a particular wave profile, other can following in his footsteps and attempt to ride that wave. This creates a community of surfers and promotes competition that is very alive in the surfing community. Users can also attempt to improve upon wave profiles that have been shared. 
     The system may also have a scheduling module such that a user can create and submit a particular wave profile and schedule a time to ride that wave. This is shown in  FIG.  16    as step  1682 . This minimizes the user&#39;s dissatisfaction in waiting for the wave machine to be available, while maximizing the use of the wave machine, with fewer down periods. 
     The above description of the disclosed example embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these example embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other example embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred example embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other example embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.