Systems and methods for wireless monitoring of pool pump product life

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11139997-B2
Application number	US-201916249624-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 16, 2019
Priority date	Dec 15, 2015
Publication date	Oct 5, 2021
Grant date	Oct 5, 2021

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a system for adapting a pool pump for wireless communication. In some embodiments, a system for adapting a pool pump with a serial communication port for communication with a user via a remote server, an internet connection, and internet enabled device is provided, the system comprising: a wireless gateway device connected to a router; and a wireless adapter connected to the serial communication port, comprising: a gateway node; a transceiver; and a processor programmed to: establish a wireless connection with the wireless gateway; receive a first message from the pool pump; cause the gateway node to modify the first message; cause the first modified message to be transmitted to the remote server via the wireless gateway; receive a second message from the remote server; modify the second message for output to the pool pump; and transmit the second modified message to the pool pump.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of remotely monitoring a pump for a pool or spa, the pump being coupled to a motor, the method comprising:
assigning an internet protocol address to the pump;
connecting a wireless adapter to a controller of the pump;
establishing a wireless connection between the wireless adapter and a cloud based server via a wireless gateway;
establishing communication between the cloud based server and a remote user device;
uploading an installation date for the pump to the cloud based server;
transmitting the installation date from the cloud based server to a manufacturer database;
calculating a years in service value based on the installation date;
providing for remote monitoring of the years in service value from the remote user device over the wireless connection;
determining whether the years in service value exceeds a predetermined value;
creating a parts list of at least one material and at least one replacement part needed to perform maintenance based on the years in service value;
when the years in service value exceeds the predetermined value, selecting a service provider to perform the maintenance;
comparing the parts list to a stock list of the service provider;
when the comparing indicates the stock list fails to include the at least one material or the at least one replacement part, automatically placing an order for the at least one material or the at least one replacement part from a distributor for the at least one material or the at least one replacement part; and
automatically scheduling a time for the service provider to install the at least one material or the at least one preplacement part at a geographic location of the pump.

2. The method of claim 1 and further comprising sending an alert message to the remote user device recommending preventative maintenance when the years in service value exceeds the predetermined value.

3. The method of claim 2 and further comprising a pump manufacturer receiving the alert message at the remote user device through the wireless adapter and the cloud based server.

4. The method of claim 2 and further comprising recommending preventative maintenance due to piston wear in the motor.

5. The method of claim 2 and further comprising using the alert message to generate a predictive product life model.

6. The method of claim 2 and further comprising a residential home owner receiving the alert message at the remote user device through the wireless adapter and the cloud based server.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein sending the alert message includes providing to the remote user device an option to contact a service provider.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein the alert message includes at least one of installation information, distributor information, and warranty information.

9. The method of claim 2 wherein the alert message includes at least one of a list of residential devices associated with a user account, maintenance information, a device make, a model number, a serial number, installation date, years in service, and installer information.

10. The method of claim 2 and further comprising sending a second alert message to service personnel to schedule a service call at a geographic location of the pump.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the second alert message includes at least one of user contact information, user address, nature of problem, fault parameters, previous service performed, faults received over time, and expected replacement parts.

12. The method of claim 1 and further comprising automatically scheduling an appointment in a work order system of a service provider.

13. The method of claim 12 and further comprising accessing a maintenance server to obtain at least one of a user profile and product registration data.

14. The method of claim 13 and further comprising filtering possible service providers based on at least one of product make, product model, installation, years in service, geographic location, distributor, and past maintenance.

15. The method of claim 1 and further comprising providing to the cloud based server a bill of material for the at least one material or the at least one replacement part.

16. The method of claim 1 and further comprising sending a second alert message to the remote user device requiring a user to approve ordering the at least one material or the at least one replacement part from the dealer.

17. The method of claim 1 and further comprising setting the predetermined value using the remote user device.

18. The method of claim 1 and further comprising setting the predetermined value inherently within the controller.

Assignees

• Pentair Water Pool & Spa Inc

Inventors

• Khalid Hassan
• Pasche Micheal
• Broga Brian
• Westphal Robert
• Boothe Brian

Classifications

• H04W4/80 Primary

  Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication · CPC title

• H04W88/16

  Gateway arrangements · CPC title

• H04L12/2818 Primary

  from a device located outside both the home and the home network (access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007) · CPC title