Remotely controlling aspects of pools and spas

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of controlling pool or spa equipment, comprising:
 a. wirelessly transmitting, from a first device, information indicative of a network access device;   b. receiving, at a second device, the indicative information;   c. wirelessly communicating additional information between the first and second devices;   d. effecting reconfiguration of the first device from a network access device to a device forming part of a local area network that may include the second device; and   e. controlling pool or spa equipment via the first device.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the indicative information includes a service set identifier (SSID). 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  in which the additional information includes information identifying at least one network whose broadcast signal has been received by the first device. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3  further comprising displaying at least some of the additional information on the second device. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4  further comprising effecting communication between the first device at the at least one network. 
     
     
         6 . A method of controlling pool or spa equipment, comprising:
 a. causing a first device wirelessly to transmit an SSID mimicking access to a wireless network;   b. recognizing the SSID on a computerized device configured to receive wireless transmissions;   c. causing the first device and the computerized device to communicate wirelessly as part of a local area network; and   d. controlling pool or spa equipment via the first device.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  further comprising displaying the SSID on a screen of the computerized device. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  (a) further comprising receiving, at the first device, at least one other SSID and (b) in which the act of causing the first device and the computerized device to communicate wirelessly comprising transmitting information about the other SSID from the first device to the computerized device. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  further comprising displaying the information about the other SSID on the screen of the computerized device. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  in which the computerized device is selected from the group consisting of smart phones, smart pads, personal computers, laptop computers, and notebook computers.