Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
  • G05B15/00—Systems controlled by a computer
  • G05B15/02—Systems controlled by a computer electric
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
  • A61H33/005—Electrical circuits therefor
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
  • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
  • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
  • H04L12/2816—Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities
  • H04L12/2818—Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities from a device located outside both the home and the home network
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
  • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
  • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
  • H04L12/2823—Reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network
  • H04L12/2825—Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/50—Control means thereof
  • A61H2201/5007—Control means thereof computer controlled
  • A61H2201/501—Control means thereof computer controlled connected to external computer devices or networks
  • A61H2201/5012—Control means thereof computer controlled connected to external computer devices or networks using the internet
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
  • G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
  • G05B2219/20—Pc systems
  • G05B2219/25—Pc structure of the system
  • G05B2219/25168—Domotique, access through internet protocols
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
  • G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
  • G05B2219/30—Nc systems
  • G05B2219/31—From computer integrated manufacturing till monitoring
  • G05B2219/31104—Remote configuration of parameters of controlled devices
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
  • G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
  • G05B2219/30—Nc systems
  • G05B2219/31—From computer integrated manufacturing till monitoring
  • G05B2219/31205—Remote transmission of measured values from site, local to host
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
  • G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
  • G05B2219/30—Nc systems
  • G05B2219/34—Director, elements to supervisory
  • G05B2219/34038—Web, http, ftp, internet, intranet server

Definitions

• the invention relates to a method for remote spa management, in which communication takes place between the control system of a respective spa and a remote server via a public data network, whereby during this communication the spa sends data on its operation and on the operation of at least some of its components to the remote server.
• the invention also relates to a remote spa management system, which includes at least one spa equipped with a control system connected to communication means connected to a public data network, whereby sensors of the spa means are connected to the spa control system and the system further comprises at least one remote server connected to a public data network, whereby the remote server is provided with means of receiving, logging and processing data on the operation of the specific spas and is also provided with means of connecting remote users and for displaying the data regarding the respective spas to the respective users.
• a spa comprises a vessel to which various working components, such as controls, piping, pumps, filters, electronic devices, a control system, a heating system, etc., are connected.
• the control system is usually made up of a microcontroller or an embedded PC or a suitable computer, ideally of a PC type or of another suitable type of computer.
• the existing systems work in such a manner that the spa control system is connected to a communication network, typically the Internet, and is logged on to a user account on the respective server, while the user has a user application on their computer or mobile phone, tablet, etc., which is logged into the same network (the Internet) and the same user account as the respective spa.
• the user application can remotely detect the operation status of the respective spa and adjust at least some parameters of the spa operation.
• This communication is essentially bi-directional, i.e.
• the aim of the present invention is to eliminate or at least minimize the disadvantages of the background art.
• the goal of the invention is achieved by a method for remote spa management, whose principle consists in that the spa control system sends its identification data to the communication address of a remote server, which is stored by the spa control system in its storage means, the remote server then recognizes the respective spa communicating according to the identification data of this spa, which are stored by the remote server in its storage means, whereupon the control system sends data on the spa operation to the remote server, whereby the remote server logs these data to the respective spa, the remote server being provided with means of connecting the user and of displaying the logged data regarding the respective spa to the user.
• the principle of remote spa management system consists in that the control system of each spa is provided with identification data of the respective spa and the remote server communication address, whereby the remote server is provided only with the identification data of the specific spa, means of identifying the specific spa and means of receiving data from individual spas, cataloging these data according to the individual spas and, if necessary, it is also equipped with means of evaluating at least part of the received data and with means of issuing warning signals to the user or to another point of supervision to be used in case of need.
• the advantage of this solution is the fact that communication between the spa and the server is limited, which means that it is always initiated by the spa, not by the server. At the same time, the server is actively excluded from communication initiation because it does not know the IP address of the spa at all and is therefore unable to establish communication. Consequently, the spa control system is designed to reject any attempts to establish communication from outside and, for example, does not respond to ping queries.
• the server displays the data that are currently available, or it is necessary for the user to be with their device with client application within the reach of a wireless local signal of the spa control system, which is provided, for example, with a Bluetooth communication interface, enabling the user to find out the necessary data and, if appropriate, control the spa also locally.
• the invention is schematically represented in the drawing, which shows a flowchart of a remote spa management system. Examples of embodiment
• a spa 1 comprises a system of components which are mounted in a suitable frame or a base and are interconnected to form a functioning whole.
• the spa 1_ comprises an unillustrated vessel of appropriate dimensions. In the vessel there is water for bathing Or swimming of a person or persons.
• the vessel is provided with a system of holes adjoining a system of pipes, a water pump or pumps, a water heating system, a water filtration system, a chemical and/or. non-chemical water treatment system and, optionally, other systems suitable for proper and/or comfortable and/or required operation of the spa 1.
• the spa further comprises a system of sensors 2 of the individual or at least some components of the spa 1 , for example, the spa 1 is equipped with at least one water temperature sensor, at least one sensor of water pollution or a sensor of water quality, a sensor of the pump activity, a filter sensor and any other sensors required for the spa 1 operation or for the information on the spa 1 operation or for controlling the spa operation.
• Some sensors 2 are separate, some are integrated into the spa 1 component whose operation or state they are sensing; they are integrated, for example, into a pump or a water filter, etc.
• Each sensor 2 is connected to a control system 3, which is provided with means of monitoring and controlling the spa 1 components and with means of monitoring the individual sensors 2 and is further provided with storage means of recording the monitored data.
• the control system 3 is further equipped with computing means, including programmable computing means for adaptive control of the spa 1 operation and the operation of its individual components.
• the control system 3 further includes software for performing individual functions. . .. ' ⁇ ' ' .
• the spa A is also provided with a local control panel 4, which is connected to the spa 1 control system 3.
• the control system 3 is coupled to spa ⁇ communication means 5, which are adapted to send data via a data network 6 to a remote server 7.
• the communication means 5 are further provided with at least one communication channel of the local range, i.e. a range limited from the point of view of the distance from the spa 1, particularly they are provided with communication devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi technology or with bi-directional RFID communication means, etc.
• the remote server 7 is basically a web-based database server which is provided with means of receiving data from individual spas 1 , cataloging these data according to each spa and, optionally, it is provided with means of evaluating at least part of the received data and, should need arise, means of issuing a warning signal to the spa 1 owner or to the spa ⁇ manufacturer's or seller's service point; etc. These means are combinations of suitable hardware and, software. Issuing alerts ; includes, for example, sending emails, text messages and other messages, warning signs on the computer screen, etc.
• the remote server 7 further comprises means of connecting the user 8 through the data network 6.
• the remote server 7 is provided with a web interface for connecting the user 8, such as the spa X owner, the spa 1 operator, the service technician, i.e., any authorized person, from any computer connected to the data network 6 through the web browser of that computer.
• the authorized person can independently perform inspection of the data regarding the spa t operation, which have been sent by the respective spa 1 to the. remote server 7, as will be described further below.
• the user 8 can store in advance adjustments to the spa settings, updates, etc., on the remote server 7, these data being automatically downloaded by the control system 3 of the respective spa 1 during its following or another connection to the remote server 7 set in advance
• the method for remote spa ⁇ management consists in that the spa 1 control system 3 has a communication address of the remote server 7 stored in its storage means, whereas the remote server 7 does not know the communication address of the spa 1, but only has the identification data of the individual spas ⁇ which operate under the system of remote spa management.
• the spa t control system 3 initiates communication with the remote server 7 according to its configuration, which means that the spa 1 sends the remote server 7 its identification, according to which the remote server 7 recognizes which spa ⁇ communicates with it, i.e. recognizes, for example, the type of the spa
• the identifier is, for example, the spa 1 serial number and, if there are any additional security requirements for identification, any other suitable data of the particular spa can be used for identification.
• the respective communicating spa After sending the identification data, the respective communicating spa sends data on its operation and status, whereby the remote server 7 logs these data into the database of the respective spa t. Either already during or after the communication, the remote server analyzes the received data and if it identifies a potential or real problem from the received data, it issues an alert (an e-mai!, a text message, a warning sign on the screen of the service point, etc.).
• an alert an e-mai!, a text message, a warning sign on the screen of the service point, etc.
• the remote server 7 it is possible to remotely update or adjust the control of the respective spa ⁇ or its control system 3 or, for example, a component of the spa 1, such as sensors, etc. This is performed by sending an enquiry to the remote server 7 at the end of the communication with the spa 1 control system 3 if any update or other data regarding the spa ⁇ or its components, e. g., a new or adjusted configuration of the settings of spa 1_ components or the control system 3 updates, etc., are stored on the server. If such data are stored on the remote server 7 for the respective spa 1, they are downloaded by the control system 3 of the spa 1 from the remote server 7 and after completing the communication, these data, are applied to the spa 1 and its components. ⁇ .
• the communication is always initiated, controlled and performed by the the spa control system 3, e.g., at pre-set time. intervals or at a certain stage of storage capacity being filled with the data on the spa 1 events, which are sent to the remote server 7, etc.
• the control system 3 is configured to control all communication of the spa 1 with the environment ⁇ which means that this communication through the public data network is initiated and controlled solely by the control system 3 of each spa 1, whereby any attempts to start communication from the public data network are rejected. - . -

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Computer And Data Communications (AREA)
• Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=67551002

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2016
  • 2016-11-14 CZ CZ2016-709A patent/CZ2016709A3/cs unknown
• 2017
  • 2017-11-14 WO PCT/CZ2017/050057 patent/WO2018086641A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2017-11-14 EP EP17829586.1A patent/EP3538958A1/en active Pending

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