Systems and Methods for Providing Network Connectivity and Remote Monitoring, Optimization, and Control of Pool/Spa Equipment

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing network connectivity and remote monitoring, optimization, and control of pool/spa equipment are provided. “Internet-of-Things” (IoT) functionality is provided for pool and spa equipment in a flexible and cost-effective manner. Network connectivity and remote monitoring/control of pool and spa equipment is provided by various components such as a network communication and local control subsystem installed in pool/spa equipment, and other components. Also disclosed are various control processes (“pool logic”) which can be embodied as software code installed in any of the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for power distribution and control of pool or spa devices, comprising:
 one or more relays coupled between a breaker panel and one or more pool or spa devices, the one or more relays configured to selectively provide power from the breaker panel to the one or more pool or spa devices to control operation thereof;   a processor in communication with the one or more relays, the processor configured to control operation of the one or more relays, the processor thereby controlling operation of the one or more pool or spa devices; and   a network communication subsystem operatively coupled to the processor, the network communication subsystem: (i) establishing a network connection between the processor and a communications network; (ii) providing for remote monitoring of the one or more relays over the communications network; and (iii) providing for control of the one or more relays over the communications network from a remote location.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more relays comprise one or more high-voltage relays. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more relays comprise one or more low-voltage relays. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more relays are external to the breaker panel. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more relays comprises a communications interface configured to establish a network connection with the communications network. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the processor controls operation of the one or more relays via the communications network. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more pool or spa devices include one or more of a pump, a heating system, a cooling system, a sanitization system, and a lighting system. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is in communication with a cloud-based pool or spa controller via the network connection. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the network connection is a wired network connection. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the network connection is a wireless network connection. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the wireless network connection comprises one or more of a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZWave, Zigbee, Thread, or Weave network connection. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a pool or spa hub. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the processor is in communication with the pool or spa hub via the network connection. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the network connection is a wired network connection. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 . wherein the network connection is a wireless network connection. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the wireless network connection comprises one or more of a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZWave, Zigbee, Thread, or Weave network connection. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the pool or spa hub establishes a second network connection with a cloud-based controller via the internet. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein a mobile device is in communication with the cloud-based controller. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the mobile device transmits one or more commands to the cloud-based controller for controlling the one or more relays and the cloud-based controller transmits the commands to the processor via the communications network. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a local pool or spa automation system. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the processor is in communication with the local pool or spa automation system via the network connection. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the network connection is a wired network connection. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 . wherein the network connection is a wireless network connection. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the wireless network connection comprises one or more of a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZWave, Zigbee, Thread, or Weave network connection. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor of the breaker panel contains pool or spa control logic and controls operation of the one or more pool or spa devices. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the local pool or spa automation system contains pool or spa control logic and controls operation of the one or more pool or spa devices via the processor. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a data connection established between the processor and the one or more pool or spa devices.