The present invention generally relates to the field of water quality monitoring, and specifically to the fields of automated monitoring, treatment and management of the quality of water in swimming-pools, and the maintenance of swimming-pool equipment.
The field of swimming pool maintenance involves two conflicting approaches; one is of a multidisciplinary, innovative research for ever more efficient, ecologically friendly methods for maintaining pleasant, healthy pool water. The other approach is of the hands-on know-how service person, who has gained valuable experience in the field. A system that integrates the two approaches will benefit all role players; including pool owners, pool servicemen, pool maintenance companies, pool vendors and pool retail dealers.
The present invention discloses a method for obtaining an optimal pool maintenance policy according to the analysis of data, originating from multiple sources. This includes:
Sensory Data Sources:
Data input from a plurality of sensors, installed in a plurality of pool locations, accumulating data pertinent to at least one of:
Non-Sensory Data Sources:
Non-sensory data, accumulated from a plurality of sources, pertinent to at least one of:
The method disclosed in the present invention comprises the steps of:
The said interface disclosed in the present invention accommodates at least one of:
The present invention provides a method for comprehensive monitoring, analysis and maintenance of water and equipment in swimming pools said method implemented by one or more processing devices operatively coupled to a non-transitory storage device, on which are stored modules of instruction code that when executed cause the one or more processing devices to perform:
According to some embodiments of the present invention the method further comprising accumulating non-sensory data pertinent to at least one of:
According to some embodiments of the present invention accumulating said data comprising accumulating at least part of the following data in respect to each swimming pool:
According to some embodiments of the present invention the data incorporated by said machine learning algorithms is raw data such as output signals of said sensors.
According to some embodiments of the present invention the online interface accommodating at least one of:
According to some embodiments of the present invention the acquiring continuous data from said acoustic sensors further comprising detecting trends in the function of pool devices/instruments such as a continuous rise in the power consumption of a pump.
According to some embodiments of the present invention the acoustic model provides at least one of the following:
According to some embodiments of the present invention wherein said recommendations are recommendation actions such as maintenance instructions for replacing/fixing devices/instruments, and performing maintainers operations.
The present invention provides a system for comprehensive monitoring, analysis and maintenance of water and equipment in swimming pools comprising:
According to some embodiments of the present invention local processing unit accumulating and monitoring said non-sensory data is pertinent to at least one of:
According to some embodiments of the present invention the local processing unit accumulating and monitoring at least part of the following data in respect to each swimming pool:
According to some embodiments of the present invention the local processing unit incorporates raw data such as output signals of said sensors.
According to some embodiments of the present invention the online interface accommodates at least one of:
According to some embodiments of the present invention the local processing unit acquires continuous data from said acoustic sensors and detecting trends in the function of pool instruments such as a continuous rise in the power consumption of a pump.
According to some embodiments of the present invention the acoustic model provides at least one of the following:
According to some embodiments of the present invention the acoustic model provides recommendation actions such as maintenance instructions for replacing/fixing devices/instruments, and performing maintainers operations.
According to some embodiments of the present invention the acoustic sensors are passive acoustic sensors and/or active acoustic sensors.
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The present invention provides a system and a method for comprehensive monitoring, analysis and maintenance of all aspects related to swimming pool facilities and the quality of water in swimming pools.
Aspects of Pool Water Quality:
The system will relate to all Physical, Chemical and Biological aspects of pool water quality.
The physical aspects of pool water quality include:
The chemical aspects of pool water quality include:
The biological aspects of pool water quality include:
Aspects of Pool Design: Parameters and Characteristics
The system will relate to the following aspects of a pool's design: Physical parameters, Circulation rate, Filtration.
Physical pool design parameters include:
Pool water circulation rate:
Filtration:
Modern pools employ various measures of filtration. Each such measure relates to different types and sizes of floating particles and substances:
Levels of Pool Monitoring and Management:
The present invention is unique in its approach to pool maintenance. It involves pool monitoring and management on three different levels:
The functionality of each of these levels is further elaborated below
On the Local Pool Level:
The monitoring of pool parameters and management of pool maintenance actions is facilitated by a local processing unit. This processing unit is responsible for acquiring pool maintenance information from a plurality of sensors, and reporting the accumulated data to a cloud server.
The local processing unit:
On the Cloud Server Level:
The Cloud Server aggregates the information flowing in from a plurality of local pool processing units.
On the Big Data Mining Level:
The Cloud Server aggregates physical and environmental information regarding each of the pools it is connected to. It holds all the data pertaining to pool design, location, measured water properties and pool properties, as well as environmental metrics, per each of these pools. It also has access to external data sources, such as weather data and forecasts, aerial photographs, actual Rain downpour, cloud coverage, UV levels and temperature information. Furthermore, the Cloud Server analyses the changes made to any of these properties, prior and after maintenance activity.
The aggregation and analysis of such big data enables the cloud server to:
Local Pool Management and Monitoring System
The diagram of
The diagram of
The processing unit 1000 accumulates the information provided by the sensors (1100A, 1100B, 1100C), and analyzes it to form a comprehensive status representation of the pool system.
The processing unit 1000 propagates the accumulated data towards a cloud server (not depicted in
According to some embodiments, the processing unit 1000 may be configured to control specific actions that are to be performed by certain pool instruments. For example: the processing unit may be configured to initiate and control the action of sand-filter 160 backwash, in accordance to a command from a cloud server (not depicted in
The monitoring of pool water quality and the accumulation of data respective of the system's functionality relies on a plurality of sensors. Some of these sensors are designed to be submerged in water, and sense specific qualities of the pool water (e.g. Temperature, Total dissolved solids, pH and pressure). Other sensors are designed to obtain information regarding the system's functionality (e.g. pump's power consumption, acoustics and vibrations), and will not necessarily be in direct contact with pool water. The location and configuration of each such sensor is specific to its function, and will be elaborated in the following paragraphs.
Location of Sensors
The plurality of pool-environment and equipment-related sensors 1100C include a variety of sensors, as elaborated along this document. Examples for such sensors are:
The location of each such sensor is obviously specifically dictated by its function (e.g. water-pump current sensors would normally reside in the machines room). Consequently, the said sensors comprising 1100C may be located, for example, at:
Pool Monitoring and Management; Interface with Cloud Server
A plurality of pool management and monitoring systems 10 are controlled by respective processing units 1000. Said processing units communicate via any type of data communication to a cloud server 1200. The plurality of processing units 1000 cumulatively provide pool-related big data to the central cloud server 1200.
The central cloud server 1200 processes the big data (e.g. by means of machine learning algorithms) to produce a suggested scheme of optimal pool maintenance. The said scheme will relate to at least one of the following:
The Cloud Server 1200 addresses various pool-related role players, such as pool owners 1300a, pool servicemen 1300b, maintenance companies 1300c and pool vendors and retail dealers 1300d. It may contact each of the said role players via any means of communication (e.g. mobile client applications, desktop applications).
The Cloud Server 1200 presents a unique online interface for each of these role players, and facilitates remote action capabilities according to role players' authorization level. For example:
Residential pool owners 1300a:
Pool maintenance companies and service professionals 1300b, 1300c:
Pool vendors and retail dealers 1300d involved in the procurement of various pool peripheral products, may also subscribe for the accumulated data, and benefit from the cloud server's 1200 conclusion of optimal pool maintenance policy.
Application of TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) Measurement
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of sensors 1100A and/or 1100B includes a conductivity sensor, extracting the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) parameter, which is in fact the level of electrolytic solvents in the pool water solution. This information is propagated to the Cloud Server and analyzed alongside accumulated historical pool maintenance information, as part of acquiring an optimal pool maintenance policy.
Application of Temperature Measurement
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of sensors 1100A and/or 1100B includes a temperature sensor. There are two aspects to the pool's temperature:
1. Pool owners and users obviously require the pool to be maintained in a pleasant temperature during periods of activity.
2. The temperature itself affects various parameters of pool water, such as calcium hardness and free chlorine concentration.
The pool's temperature is continuously measured and reported to the Cloud Server. The Cloud Server:
Application of Power and/or Current Measurement
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of pool-environment and equipment-related sensors 1100C incorporates at least one current or power sensor, monitoring the current and/or power consumption of various pool instruments. Current and/or Power consumption monitoring indicates the status of the said pool instruments, verifies their correct operation, and serves as an alert in the case of malfunction or erroneous maintenance.
The current and/or power consumption measurements are accumulated by the local pool's processing module 1000, and therefrom propagated to the Cloud Server. The server correlates the current and/or power consumption measurements with additional information obtained from other sensors, to provide insight on the operation of the said electrical instrument. The following are examples for applications of current measurement in respect to various pool instruments:
Applications of Passive Acoustic Sensing
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of sensors 1100C incorporates at least one acoustic sensor, recording acoustic data. These acoustic sensors are located in various locations within the pool and its vicinity. Such passive acoustic data acquisition is employed to:
The passive acoustic data detected by the said acoustic sensors is sent to the local pool's processing module 1000, and therefrom propagated to the Cloud Server 1200. In the Cloud Server, the acoustic data is further analyzed, extracting noise patterns (e.g. pitch, length), and correlates these patterns with:
Following are some examples for applications of passive acoustic sensing and analysis around the pool:
Applications of Vibration Sensing
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of pool-environment and equipment-related sensors 1100C includes at least one vibration (see
The mechanical vibrations' data detected by the vibration sensors is accumulated by the local pool's processing module 1000, and therefrom propagated to the Cloud Server 1200. In the Cloud Server, the mechanical vibration data is further analyzed, and correlated with:
Some examples of vibration sensing applications around the pool include:
Application of Active Acoustic Sensing
Reference is now made to
Passive acoustic sensors 1150A&B facilitate:
According to some embodiments of the present invention, passive acoustic sensors 1150A&B and active acoustic sensor 1150C may be either sound or vibration sensor.
According to some embodiments of the present invention,
Active acoustic sensor 1150C transmits acoustic signals 1151 that travel along the pipes and reflect from curves and obstructions in the pipes. The active acoustic sensor 1150C detects echoes 1152 in a specific time frame. It thus indicates the condition of specific nodes in the pool.
Pertaining to the example depicted in
The active acoustic sensor 1150C is also utilized to assess the flow of water through water pipes. This is done by introducing another acoustic sensor, 1150D along the pipe, and measuring the speed of the acoustic wave propagation through the fluid. The Doppler effect produced by the flow of water between the transmitter of 1150C and the sensor 1150D indicates the water flow rate between these two points.
The setup of the active acoustic sensing capability requires an initial calibration process:
The active acoustic data detected by the receiver 1150 accumulated by the local pool's processing module 1000, and therefrom propagated to the Cloud Server 1200. In the Cloud Server 1200, this data is further analyzed, and correlated with patterns of historical active acoustic data.
The Cloud Server 1200 may detect anomalies in the detected active acoustic signals, and notify the responsible people.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of sensors 1100C also includes an active acoustic sensor 1150. For example, This sensor may be located within a pool-cleaning robot, to evaluate the condition of its filters (clear/occluded)
Image and Video Sensors: Assessment of the Number of Pool Occupants
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the pool monitoring and management system 10 includes additional pool-environment sensors 1100C, such as video and image sensors (e.g. single (2-D) cameras, stereoscopic (3-D) cameras). This information is employed to produce 2-D or 3-D images of the pool and its occupants, and is further analyzed by the local pool's processing module 1000 to determine the number of swimmers.
The number of swimmers parameter is propagated to the Cloud Server 1200, and is included in its machine learning algorithms. For example, the Cloud Server may ascertain the effect of the number of swimmers on the ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential), and the proliferation of bacteria in pool water, and deduce the required amount of additive disinfectant substances.
Image and Video Sensors: Additional Applications
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the video and image data produced by the said pool-environment and equipment-related sensors 1100C is analyzed by the local processing unit 1000, to extract additional pool-related information such as:
The result of the said analysis is propagated to the Cloud Server 1200, where it is incorporated in the cloud server's 1200 machine learning algorithm. For example, the reading of a specific pump's pressure gauge may be identified through an image analyzing algorithm on the local processing unit 1000, and the correct functionality of that pump would be verified by machine learning algorithms on the Cloud Server 1200.
According to one embodiment, the images or video feeds propagated to the Cloud Server 1200 are made available online to different role players (e.g. Pool owners, pool maintenance person) for visual inspection of the regions of interest around the pool.
Application of Ambient Sensors
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the pool-environment, and equipment-related sensors 1100C include ambient sensors, designed to monitor data regarding ambient conditions in the pool's vicinity, such as:
The said ambient data is propagated to the local pool's processing unit 1000, and therefrom to the Cloud Server 1200.
The Cloud Server 1200:
Application of External Data Sources
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the pool the Cloud Server 1200 has access to external data sources, such as:
The Cloud Server 1200 includes the external data in its machine learning algorithms, and utilizes it to produce an optimal pool maintenance policy. For example, the system may deduce the optimal amount of water to be added to an outdoor pool, given actual rain downpour and expected rain according to weather forecasts.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the Cloud Server 1200 analyses the changes made to any of the pool water properties, over a long period of time, prior and after maintenance activity. This analysis serves as a feedback for the process of machine learning, and fine-tunes the concluded maintenance policy recommendations over time.
The training set swimming pool module 200 is a module implemented in software or hardware or any combination thereof, installed at the location of monitored swimming pools.
The training set swimming pool module 200 is configured to interface the server module 100 using any type of wired or wireless data communication standard (e.g. LAN, WAN, WiFi, GSM, 3GPP, LTE etc.), and convey to the server 100 data pertaining to a specific swimming pool.
The Training set swimming pool module(s) 200 is comprised of at least one of the following sub modules:
The server 100 is a module implemented in software or hardware or any combination thereof, configured to interface a plurality training set swimming pool modules 200 which are installed at the location of monitored swimming pools.
The server module includes several sub modules, configured to accumulate data, analyze the data, and ascertain whether specific aspects of the swimming pool is properly balanced and disinfected. The said sub-modules include at least one of the following:
The data acquisition module 1100 accumulates real-time data from the plurality of training set swimming pool modules, and stores it in a database for further processing, said data including at least one of:
Acquiring acoustic (passive active, vibration) the pool module 2100
sensors module 2200
events triggering of the pool module
Acquiring continuous monitoring of acoustics vibration and other sensors (e.g., water level, temperature, water turbidity, and water pressure by module [2100]
Acquiring continuous monitoring events in the pool by analyzing sensor events [2200]
Data related to the design of a specific swimming pool is acquired from the aspects of pool design module [2400] step (1140).
Data related to the status of the instruments of a specific swimming pool is acquired from the maintenance & status of pool instruments module [2500] step (1150).
Environmental data of a specific pool location is acquired from environmental aspects module [2600] step (1160).
The number of users of a specific swimming pool on a specific date is acquired from module [2700] step (1170).
The day of week and month of the year is acquired from module [2800] step (1180).
The training module 1200 resides within the server 100 and responsible for training a machine learning algorithm in relation to all swimming pools in the training set based on the obtained data as follows:
Acoustic/vibration measurements
The day of week and month of the year
The number of user on that day
Data of water level, pressure, water flow, temperature, water turbidity
Aspects of pool design
Environmental data
Based on the accumulated data, a machine learning algorithm is trained, in relation to all swimming pools in the training set. Training a machine learning algorithm in relation to all swimming pools in the training set, according to the obtained data, thus creating the “acoustic model” which provides the output diagnostic parameters of type of location/type of device, type of failure.
The acoustic model receives continuous data via sensors and external sources such as weather data and forecasts. Based on such data the acoustic model is trained to learn the behavior of the acoustic measurements to identify the relevant device and location of the failure and type of failure and learns the mutual affect between the behavior failure of devices/instruments at the pool system.
The machine learning algorithm may be implemented as neural network. The neural network target is deidentify location and type of instruments which require maintenances operation, by learning to identify acoustics or vibration signals pattern which indicate location and type of failure.
The output recommendations/control parameters may include at least one of the following:
The acoustic model is used after the training stage to produce Using the acoustic Model to produce identification of failure or abnormal behavior by location and type of device/instruments. The acoustic model provides indication to type of failure and the device/instruments based on analyzed pattern of acoustic measurements pattern.
Server 100 incorporates an online interface, which facilitates different capabilities and provides access to information according to a user roles and authorization levels. For example:
Pool owners are able to maintain their own pools, Pool service personnel are able to maintain multiple pools, Pool vendors and retail dealers may subscribe to obtain online information acquired from the plurality of local pool processing units (step 1420).
This module resides within the server 100, and calibrates active acoustic sensor 1150C as follows:
Calibration pulses are transmitted from each of the monitored nodes (e.g. the skimmers 110) to active acoustic sensor 1150C [1510]
The acoustic Propagation delay is measured, and a propagation time frame is set for each of the monitored nodes in relation to the acoustic receiver element [1520]
The system of the present invention may include, according to certain embodiments of the invention, machine readable memory containing or otherwise storing a program of instructions which, when executed by the machine, implements some or all of the apparatus, methods, features and functionalities of the invention shown and described herein. Alternatively, or in addition, the apparatus of the present invention may include, according to certain embodiments of the invention, a program as above which may be written in any conventional programming language, and optionally a machine for executing the program such as but not limited to a general-purpose computer which may optionally be configured or activated in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Any of the teachings incorporated herein may wherever suitable operate on signals representative of physical objects or substances.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions, utilizing terms such as, “processing”, “computing”, “estimating”, “selecting”, “ranking”, “grading”, “calculating”, “determining”, “generating”, “reassessing”, “classifying”, “generating”, “producing”, “stereo-matching”, “registering”, “detecting”, “associating”, “superimposing”, “obtaining” or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or processor or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing system's registers and/or memories, into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system's memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. The term “computer” should be broadly construed to cover any kind of electronic device with data processing capabilities, including, by way of non-limiting example, personal computers, servers, computing system, communication devices, processors (e.g. digital signal processor (DSP), microcontrollers, field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.) and other electronic computing devices.
The present invention may be described, merely for clarity, in terms of terminology specific to particular programming languages, operating systems, browsers, system versions, individual products, and the like. It will be appreciated that this terminology is intended to convey general principles of operation clearly and briefly, by way of example, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to any particular programming language, operating system, browser, system version, or individual product.
It is appreciated that software components of the present invention including programs and data may, if desired, be implemented in ROM (read only memory) form including CD-ROMs, EPROMs and EEPROMs, or may be stored in any other suitable typically non-transitory computer-readable medium such as but not limited to disks of various kinds, cards of various kinds and RAMs. Components described herein as software may, alternatively, be implemented wholly or partly in hardware, if desired, using conventional techniques. Conversely, components described herein as hardware may, alternatively, be implemented wholly or partly in software, if desired, using conventional techniques.
Included in the scope of the present invention, inter alia, are electromagnetic signals carrying computer-readable instructions for performing any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; machine-readable instructions for performing any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; program storage devices readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; a computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code, such as executable code, having embodied therein, and/or including computer readable program code for performing, any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; any technical effects brought about by any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, when performed in any suitable order; any suitable apparatus or device or combination of such, programmed to perform, alone or in combination, any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; electronic devices each including a processor and a cooperating input device and/or output device and operative to perform in software any steps shown and described herein; information storage devices or physical records, such as disks or hard drives, causing a computer or other device to be configured so as to carry out any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; a program pre-stored e.g. in memory or on an information network such as the Internet, before or after being downloaded, which embodies any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order, and the method of uploading or downloading such, and a system including server/s and/or client/s for using such; and hardware which performs any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order, either alone or in conjunction with software. Any computer-readable or machine-readable media described herein is intended to include non-transitory computer- or machine-readable media.
Any computations or other forms of analysis described herein may be performed by a suitable computerized method. Any step described herein may be computer-implemented. The invention shown and described herein may include (a) using a computerized method to identify a solution to any of the problems or for any of the objectives described herein, the solution optionally includes at least one of a decision, an action, a product, a service or any other information described herein that impacts, in a positive manner, a problem or objectives described herein; and (b) outputting the solution.
The scope of the present invention is not limited to structures and functions specifically described herein and is also intended to include devices which have the capacity to yield a structure, or perform a function, described herein, such that even though users of the device may not use the capacity, they are, if they so desire, able to modify the device to obtain the structure or function.
Features of the present invention which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment.
For example, a system embodiment is intended to include a corresponding process embodiment. Also, each system embodiment is intended to include a server-centered “view” or client centered “view”, or “view” from any other node of the system, of the entire functionality of the system, computer-readable medium, apparatus, including only those functionalities performed at that server or client or node.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IL2017/051405 | 12/29/2017 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62439949 | Dec 2016 | US |