Monitoring and controlling connected pool devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12359456-B2
Application number	US-202117304162-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 15, 2021
Priority date	Jun 15, 2020
Publication date	Jul 15, 2025
Grant date	Jul 15, 2025

Abstract

A system and methods of remotely monitoring and controlling a pool controller for a pool or a spa via one or more remote computing devices is provided. In some embodiments, a remote user can be provided with information about the pool or the spa. The remote user is provided with an ability to remotely optimize a performance of the pool or the spa, including remotely adjusting a chemistry of the pool or the spa, remotely activating a heater of the pool or the spa, and/or remotely activating a pump of the pool or the spa.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of remotely monitoring and controlling a pool controller for a pool or a spa, the method comprising:
receiving pool chemistry data from a chemical controller or a chemical sensor;
outputting the pool chemistry data to a user device;
receiving a selection to adjust a chemistry comprising a chemical level in the pool or the spa from the user device;
receiving chemical level data from the chemical controller,
determining whether the chemical level in the pool or the spa is low based on the chemical level data;
automatically instructing the chemical controller to adjust the chemical level in the pool or the spa when the chemical level is determined to be low;
increasing the chemical level in the pool or the spa via the chemical controller in response to the instruction;
sending a first alert to the user device indicating that chemicals have been added to the pool or the spa; and
sending a second alert to the user device indicating that the pool or the spa can be used safely.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
requesting the chemical level data from the chemical controller prior to receiving the chemical level data from the chemical controller.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
automatically rebalancing the chemistry of the pool or the spa via the chemical controller.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:
automatically rebalancing the chemistry of the pool or the spa via the chemical controller a predetermined period of time after instructing the chemical controller to increase the chemical level of the pool or the spa.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:
sending the second alert to the user device after the chemical controller automatically rebalances the chemistry of the pool or the spa.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
when the chemical level in the chemical controller is low, sending a low chemical alert to the user device.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
determining whether an automatic chemical supply request has been enabled;
retrieving service provider information based on said automatic chemical supply request; and
contacting a corresponding service provider based on the service provider information.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
communicating with a gateway, a network, and/or a remote server to output the pool chemistry data to the user device.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
communicating with a gateway or a network to send the first alert to the user device and to send the second alert to the user device.

10. A method of remotely monitoring and controlling a pool controller for a pool or a spa, the method comprising:
receiving a temperature value from a temperature sensor;
outputting the temperature value to a user device;
receiving a new target pool temperature from the user device;
selectively activating a heater and/or a pump in order to heat or cool the pool or the spa to the new target pool temperature;
determining whether a pump type of the pump is single speed or variable speed; and
operating the pump according to the pump type and the new target pool temperature.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure an ambient temperature value around the pool or the spa.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the temperature sensor is in fluid contact with the pool or the spa.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein:
the determined pump type of the pump is single speed; and
the method further comprises selectively activating the pump by turning the pump on and off as a result of the determined pump type.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein:
the determined pump type of the pump is variable speed; and
the method further comprises:
receiving a pump speed from the user device in response to the determined pump type; and
selectively activating the pump to run at the pump speed when the pump type is variable speed.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
receiving the pump speed from the user device via a remote server.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein:
the determined pump type of the pump is variable speed; and
the method further comprises:
receiving a desired flow rate from the user device in response to the determined pump type; and
selectively activating the pump to run at the desired flow rate.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:
receiving the desired flow rate from the user device via a remote server.

18. The method of claim 10 further comprising:
communicating with a gateway, a network, and/or a remote server to output the temperature value to the user device.

19. The method of claim 10 further comprising:
receiving the new target pool temperature from the user device via a remote server.

Assignees

• Pentair Water Pool & Spa Inc

Inventors

• Brown Edward
• Callahan Gerry

Classifications

• C02F2209/008

  comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas · CPC title

• C02F2103/42

  from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools · CPC title

• C02F1/008

  Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F · CPC title

• G05D21/02 Primary

  characterised by the use of electric means · CPC title

• G08B21/18

  Status alarms (G08B21/02 takes precedence) · CPC title