Apparatus and methods for controlling a habitat environment

Abstract

A system is provided for controlling an aquatic habitat. The system for includes a server, a bridge, and a habitat component. The server includes a database containing information associated with a habitat component. The server also includes a communication interface for transmitting operating data for the habitat component. The bridge has a first communication unit configured to communicate with the server communication interface and transmit the operating data received from the server to the habitat component. The habitat component has a second communication unit for receiving operating data from the bridge.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling a habitat comprising:
 a server comprising a database containing information associated with a habitat component and a communication interface for transmitting operating data for the habitat component;   a bridge having a first communication unit configured to communicate with the server communication interface and transmit the operating data received from the server to the habitat component;   a habitat component having a second communication unit for receiving operating data from the bridge.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface and wherein the server is configured to receive information transmitted from the user interface. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the habitat component comprises a microprocessor for processing the operating data received from the bridge to produce an output to control the operation of the habitat component. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the habitat component comprises internal memory configured to store the operating data. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the habitat component is capable of storing operating data relating to a day's operation. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge comprises internal memory configured to store the operating data. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second habitat component comprising a third communication unit configured to receive the operating data from the bridge and a microprocessor for processing the operating data received from the bridge to produce an output to control the operation of the second habitat component. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a monitoring component comprising a fourth communication unit configured to transmit information to the bridge. 
     
     
         9 . A system for controlling an aquatic habitat comprising:
 a bridge having a first communication unit configured to receive operating data from a user and transmitting the received operating data to a component associated with a habitat;   a pump associated with the habitat comprising a second communication unit for receiving operating data from the bridge and a microprocessor for converting the operating data received from the bridge to produce an output to control the pump.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first pump comprises internal memory configured to store at least a portion of the operating data received by the bridge. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the habitat is an aquatic habitat. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a server and wherein the operating data is transmitted from the server to the bridge. 
     
     
         13 . A method of controlling an aquatic habitat comprising:
 inputting environmental information associated with a habitat to a user interface;   transmitting the environmental information from the user interface to a server;   preparing operating data related to a first component and a second component associated with the habitat;   transmitting the operating data related to the first and second components from the server to a bridge associated with the habitat;   transmitting the operating data related to the first component from the bridge to the first component; and   transmitting the operating data related to the second component from the bridge to the second component.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said inputting environmental information is performed by a user selecting a desired operating mode. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the environmental information relates to a change in the environment of the habitat at a specific time. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second components are configured to process the operating data received from the bridge and produce an output to control the operation of the first and second components, respectively. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising monitoring individual components of the aquatic habitat and transmitting data relating to the operation of the individual components to the server. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising storing operating data in the bridge. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the bridge, the first component, and the second component are organized into a mesh network. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first component is a lighting unit and the operating data related to the first component includes instructions to operate on a day and night cycle.