Remotely controlling aspects of pools and spas
View Patent ↗Systems and methods of (remotely) controlling aspects of pools and spas and of modifying water contained therein are detailed. Internet-enabled access to pool and spa controllers may happen without any need for users to create firewall ports or utilize static internet protocol addresses. Certain networking devices may be configured using a USB connection or SD card, avoiding any requirement for an Ethernet cable or supplying separate power to the devices during configuration. Time-varying data may be obtained in respect of one or more installations and analyzed for various information.
1. A method of assessing data obtained from first and second pools including respective first and second controllers configured to control operation of respective first and second pool equipment and installed in a first geographic region, comprising:
a. receiving, at a server remote from the first and second pools, first data transmitted by first transmitting equipment associated with the first pool, the first data comprising first information concerning performance or energy usage of the first pool equipment;
b. receiving, at the server, second data transmitted by second transmitting equipment associated with the second pool, the second data comprising second information concerning performance or energy usage of the second pool equipment;
c. evaluating the first data and the second data to determine issues associated with performance or energy usage of either or both of the first pool equipment and the second pool equipment; and
d. controlling operation of the first pool equipment based on a signal supplied from the server to the first controller.
2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising controlling operation of the second pool equipment based on a second signal supplied from the server to the second controller.
3. A method according to claim 1 further comprising supplying, from the server to a first user of the first pool, an electronic warning as to degraded performance or abnormal energy usage of equipment of the first pool.
4. A method according to claim 1 further comprising aggregating the first data and the second data for evaluation against historical information of, or weather forecasts for, the first geographic region.
5. A method according to claim 1 further comprising receiving, at the server, third data transmitted by third transmitting equipment associated with a third pool installed in a second geographic region.
6. A method according to claim 5 further comprising controlling operation of third pool equipment associated with the third pool based on a third signal supplied from the server.