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.

Systems and Methods for Providing Network Connectivity and Remote Monitoring, Optimization, and Control of Pool/Spa Equipment

A pool or spa control system includes, a main control panel housing a motherboard, relay bank, and local terminal. The motherboard includes a processor in two-way communication with a relay bank socket via an internal bus. The relay bank is connectable to the relay bank socket and includes a processor, memory, plurality of relays, connector, and an internal bus establishing two-way communication between the relay bank processor and the motherboard processor when the relay bank is connected to the relay bank socket. The local terminal includes a control processor, user interface, and memory, and is in two- way communication with the motherboard processor for allowing user control of the system. The control processor automatically discovers and assigns the relay bank a network address upon connection of the relay bank to the motherboard relay bank socket, and the relay bank returns relay bank parameter information, which the local terminal stores in memory.

Modular pool/spa control system

A pool or spa system includes networked pool or spa devices that can be dynamically configured with network address by a controller. The controller can transmit a device discovery request on a network and can receive a discovery response from pool or spa devices that require a network address. The system determines and assigns the network addresses for the pool or spa devices based on unique device identifiers associated with the responding pool or spa devices. The network addresses assigned to the pool or spa device are transmitted to the pool or spa device to be used by the pool or spa devices to communicate with the controller over the network. The system can be used to discover and assign addresses to various types of pool or spa devices, such as pumps, underwater lights, chlorinators, water feature controllers, remote controllers, and/or other types of devices.

System and method for dynamic device discovery and address assignment

The invention discloses an automatic address allocation system and method for RS485 communication. The system comprises a host and a plurality of slaves, wherein the host is directly connected with one of the plurality of slaves; The slave machines are connected with other slave machines in series, the master machine can send an instruction through an RS-485 bus to enable the slave machines to control relays of the slave machines to be switched off and switched on, addresses are written into the slave machines successively, and the relays to which the slave machines belong are kept in a switched-on state after the addresses are written into the slave machines. The communication addresses of the RS485 slaves can be accurately and rapidly distributed, communication connection between the master machine and the slave machines is conveniently achieved, extra expenses of software and hardware are avoided, errors caused by interference in the communication process are avoided, the communication reliability and the communication efficiency are guaranteed, and meanwhile field standardized construction is easier through the wiring terminal design of the slave machines.

automatic address allocation system and method for RS485 communication

The present invention concerns a method for the configuration of a network with network addresses, wherein the network consists of at least one central computer and a plurality of fans, which can communicate via a bus system in wired and/or wireless manner with the central computer, wherein each fan has a rewritable memory and a RFID interface for communication with a preferably mobile communications device, wherein the serial number of the respective fan is saved in its memory and the serial number can be read out by the communications device in the nonoperational voltage-free state of the particular fan.

Network configuration and method for assigning of network addresses to fans in a network

A method of assigning network addresses for ventilators ( 3, 4, 5 ) in a network. Each ventilator ( 3, 4, 5 ) has a unique serial number in a serial number memory ( 8 ) and a network address in an adjustable network address memory ( 9 ). A control unit ( 1 ) automatically assigns network addresses to a plurality of ventilators ( 3, 4, 5 ). To begin with, all ventilators are assigned an identical start-address as network address, and serial number queries with a serial number mask are sent to the start-address. The serial number mask is comprised of definite and indefinite positions, and the ventilators ( 3, 4, 5 ) respond to the serial number mask subject to their serial number. The control unit ( 1 ) assigns unique network addresses to the ventilators ( 3, 4, 5 ) independently of the responses and/or modifies the serial number mask for further serial number queries.

Method for assigning network addresses for fans

The method involves providing an adjustable network address memory (9) for each of ventilators (3,4,5) and assigning an identical start-address as network address to all of the ventilators. A serial number queries is sent with a serial number mask which are being sent to the network address. The ventilators unique network addresses are assigned or the serial number mask is modified for serial number queries by using a control unit (1). Independent claims are included for the following: (1) ventilator; and (2) control unit.

Markus Humm

Papers

Method for assigning network addresses for fans

Method for allocating network addresses for ventilators