Pool Equipment Auto-Discovery for Faster Panel Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pool and spa systems require manual evaluation of secondary panels and components, leading to inefficiencies and human error, as technicians must manually connect or disconnect these components, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automatically discovering and configuring pool devices by broadcasting discovery messages, receiving responses, and updating device statuses, using a primary panel to identify and manage connected pool components, including load balancing and remote control through a remote device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual evaluation of secondary panels and pool components is performed, then system configuration accuracy is maintained, but installation time and labor cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic discovery and configuration of pool devices without requiring technician intervention. The primary panel autonomously broadcasts discovery messages, receives responses from secondary panels and pool devices, and configures the network automatically, enabling the system to configure itself without external assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of technician evaluation and configuration with an automated electronic discovery protocol. The system uses electronic discovery messages and responses to identify and configure devices, substituting human manual operations with automated digital communication and processing.
2Reliability
If manual identification and configuration of pool devices is performed, then system reliability is maintained through human verification, but human error and inefficiency occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where secondary panels and pool devices respond to discovery messages with their identification information. The primary panel receives these responses, processes the information, and updates the device status accordingly, creating a closed-loop feedback system that ensures accurate and reliable automatic configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic discovery and configuration of pool devices without requiring technician intervention. The primary panel autonomously broadcasts discovery messages, receives responses from secondary panels and pool devices, and configures the network automatically, enabling the system to configure itself without external assistance.
3Productivity
If automatic discovery protocol is implemented, then installation speed and efficiency increase, but system complexity increases due to additional communication protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic discovery process is segmented into distinct phases: broadcast phase where the primary panel sends discovery messages, response phase where secondary panels and pool devices return their identification information, and configuration phase where the system updates device status. This segmentation makes the complex protocol more manageable and easier to implement.
Solution Approach 2:
The discovery message protocol is designed to be universal, working with multiple types of devices including secondary panels, pool devices, and various pool components. The same discovery mechanism handles different device types through a standardized communication interface, reducing overall system complexity despite the multi-functional capability.
4Measurement precision
If real-time status monitoring of pool devices is implemented, then system management accuracy improves, but energy consumption and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic discovery messages broadcast at intervals to monitor device status rather than continuous monitoring. This periodic approach maintains accurate status information while reducing energy consumption and processing load compared to continuous real-time monitoring of all devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for automatically discovering one or more pool devices of a connected aquatic system. The one or more pool devices include one or more secondary panels and one or more pool components. A primary panel can broadcast a discovery message to identify the one or more secondary panels and/or the one or more pool components connected to the primary panel of the connected aquatic system. An identification response is generated and transmitted from the one or more secondary panels and/or the one or more pool components in response to the discovery message from the primary panel. The primary panel can receive and process the identification response and update a discovery status for each of the one or more secondary panels or the one or more pool components based on the identification response.