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 aquatic equipment, comprising:
 a variable speed pump;   a pump controller configured to monitor operational parameters of the variable speed pump and to control operation of the variable speed pump; and   a network communication system operatively coupled to the pump controller and including a wireless communication subsystem;   wherein the wireless communication subsystem is configured to transmit one or more of the operational parameters of the variable speed pump to a cloud-based server via a communications network;   wherein the wireless communication subsystem is configured to transmit one or more of the operational parameters of the variable speed pump to a device via direct wireless communication;   wherein the wireless communication subsystem is configured to receive one or more control parameters from one or more of the cloud-based server and the device; and   wherein the pump controller controls operation of the variable speed pump based on the one or more control parameters.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication subsystem is configured to receive the one or more control parameters from the device via a direct wireless connection therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the direct wireless connection is a Bluetooth or a WiFi connection. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the network communication system includes one or more LEDs configured to indicate a status of the network communication system. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the network communication system includes one or more LEDs configured to indicate a status of the wireless network communication subsystem. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the network communication system includes an RS-485 communications interface. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the variable speed pump includes a user interface device including a touchscreen. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface device is configured to receive control parameters for controlling one or more pool or spa devices. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more pool or spa devices are controlled via one or more integral relays of the variable speed pump. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more pool or spa devices are controlled via one or more integral relays based on operational parameters of the variable speed pump. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more pool or spa devices include one or more of the variable speed pump, a single speed pump, a heating system, a sanitization system, a water feature, a valve actuator, a cleaner, and a lighting system. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a housing enclosing the variable speed pump, the pump controller, and the network communication system. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump controller receives information from one or more temperature sensors. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the information received from the one or more temperature sensors is processed to determine if there is a freeze risk. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump controller is configured to receive one or more control parameters from a local pool or spa control system. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the pump controller controls operation of the variable speed pump based on the one or more control parameters received from the local pool or spa control system. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device includes user interface configured to display one or more of the operational parameters of the variable speed pump and configured to receive one or more control parameters for controlling the variable speed pump. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cloud-based server receives operational parameters related to one or more additional devices. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cloud-based server determines one or more of the control parameters based on one or more of the operational parameters of the variable speed pump. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the cloud-based server determines one or more of the control parameters based on one or more of the operational parameters of the variable speed pump and one or more operational parameters related to one or more additional devices.