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 monitoring and controlling pool or spa equipment, comprising:
 a connectivity module operatively coupled to a pool or spa device controller and having a wireless communication interface; and   a hub having a network communication system configured to communicate with the connectivity module via the wireless communication interface;   wherein the connectivity module is configured to transmit one or more of the operational parameters of a pool or spa device to the hub;   wherein the hub is configured to transmit the one or more operational parameters of the pool or spa device to a cloud-based pool or spa controller;   wherein the cloud-based pool or spa controller transmits the one or more operational parameters of the pool or spa device to a mobile device;   wherein the mobile device receives input from a user and transmits the input to the cloud-based pool or spa controller via the communications network;   wherein the cloud-based pool or spa controller processes the one or more operational parameters of the pool or spa device and the user input, determines a setpoint for the pool or spa device based on the one or more operational parameters of the pool or spa device and the user input, and transmits the setpoint to the pool or spa device via the hub and the connectivity module.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication interface of the hub is a mesh, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZWave, Zigbee, Thread, or Weave communication interface. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the mobile device is in direct wireless communication with the pool or spa device via the connectivity module. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the mobile device wirelessly communicates with the connectivity module via a Bluetooth communication interface. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the mobile device transmits configuration parameters to the pool or spa device for configuring the pool or spa device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the mobile device transmits control parameters to the pool or spa device for controlling the pool or spa device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the mobile device generates a user interface configured to receive the configuration parameters for configuring the pool or spa device or the control parameters for controlling the pool or spa device. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising one or more additional pool or spa devices. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein each additional pool or spa device includes a controller operatively coupled to a connectivity module. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cloud-based pool or spa controller processes the operational parameters of the pool or spa device, determines setpoint for a second pool or spa device, and transmits the setpoint to the second pool or spa device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the cloud-based pool or spa controller processes operational parameters from each of the additional pool or spa devices and input from the mobile device, determines a setpoint for each of the additional pool or spa devices, and transmits the setpoints to each of the respective additional pool or spa devices. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the hub receives information from one or more sensors, and transmits the information from the one or more sensors to the cloud-based pool or spa controller. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the cloud-based pool or spa controller processes the operational parameters of the pool or spa device and the information from the one or more sensors, determines setpoint for the pool or spa device based on the operational parameters of the pool or spa device and the information from the one or more sensors, and transmits the setpoint to the pool or spa device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cloud-based pool or spa controller receives web data related to the pool or spa device. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the cloud-based pool or spa controller processes the operational parameters of the pool or spa device and the web data, determines setpoint for the pool or spa device based on the operational parameters of the pool or spa device and the web data, and transmits the setpoint to the pool or spa device. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the web data is related to a physical location of the pool or spa device. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the web data includes one or more of a current ambient temperature, a forecasted ambient temperature, a current weather condition, a forecasted weather condition, and energy cost data. 
     
     
         18 . A system for monitoring and controlling pool or spa equipment, comprising:
 a connectivity module operatively coupled to a pool or spa device controller and having a wireless communication interface for communication with a mobile phone,   wherein the connectivity module is configured to transmit one or more of the operational parameters of a pool or spa device to the mobile phone,   wherein the mobile phone transmits the one or more operational parameters of the pool or spa device to a cloud-based pool or spa controller, and   wherein the cloud-based pool or spa controller processes the one or more operational parameters of the pool or spa device, determines a setpoint for the pool or spa device based on the one or more operational parameters of the pool or spa device and the user input, and transmits the setpoint to the pool or spa device via the mobile phone.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the wireless communication interface is a Bluetooth, mesh, Wi-Fi, ZWave, Zigbee, Thread, or Weave communication interface. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the mobile device wirelessly communicates with the connectivity module via a Bluetooth communication interface. 
     
     
         21 . A system for monitoring and controlling pool or spa equipment, comprising:
 a plurality of connectivity modules, each of said plurality of connectivity modules operatively coupled to a pool or spa device controller and each having a wireless communication interface for wireless communication between the plurality of connectivity modules,   wherein a first connectivity module of the plurality of connectivity modules is configured to transmit one or more operational parameters of a first pool or spa device to a second pool or spa device via a second connectivity module of the plurality of connectivity modules, and   wherein the second pool or spa device processes the one or more operational parameters of the first pool or spa device and determines a setpoint for the second pool or spa device based on the one or more operational parameters of the first pool or spa device, and   wherein the second pool or spa device is controlled using the setpoint.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the wireless communication interface is a Bluetooth, mesh, Wi-Fi, ZWave, Zigbee, Thread, or Weave communication interface. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the plurality of connectivity modules wirelessly communicates with a mobile phone.