Abstract: A pool system may include a device of pool or spa equipment and a pool automation controller. The pool automation controller may include a multimode wireless radio configured to communicate with a wireless communication device of the device of equipment using a first internet protocol mode and a router in a second internet protocol mode. The pool automation controller may receive a first wireless signal when operating in the first internet protocol mode and send a second wireless signal when operating in the second internet protocol mode.

Abstract: A pool system may include a plurality of devices of equipment distributed among an area and a pool automation controller that includes a shortrange wireless communication device configured to communicate with a first wireless communication device of a first device of equipment and a second wireless communication device of a second device of equipment. The pool automation controller may determine locations within the area of the first device and the second device with respect to the pool automation controller based at least in part on a first set of characteristics of a first wireless signal and a second set of characteristics of a second wireless signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods of implementing multiple communication protocols for equipment of a pool or spa system using a bus are described herein. The systems and methods are further configured to coordinate messaging with the equipment using the multiple communication protocols. In an example, a system determines that a first device of equipment of the pool or spa system is associated with a first communication protocol. The system communicates with the first device via the first communication protocol. The system determines that a second device of the equipment of the pool or spa system is associated with a second communication protocol. The system communicates with the second device via the second communication protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for power consumption measurement of pool or spa equipment using a pool automation controller are provided. An example pool automation controller includes inductance coils configured to measure a current induced by an alternating-current (“AC”) electrical input, control devices configured to control power directed to one or more pieces of pool or spa equipment electrically connected to the AC electrical input, and a computing device. The computing device instructs one or more processors to perform operations including identifying a piece of pool or spa equipment based on a status of a control device. The operations further include receiving information about one or more induced currents from the inductance coils. The operations further include determining a power consumption by the piece of pool or spa equipment based on the one or more induced currents. The operations further include outputting the power consumption.

Abstract: A method of self-assigning an IP address to an item of pool or spa equipment can include randomly selecting, by the item of pool or spa equipment, an IP address from a predetermined IP address range. The method can also include transmitting, by the item of pool or spa equipment, the IP address and a serial number to a target parent node. Additionally, the method can include listening, by the item of pool or spa equipment, for a broadcast topology message from the target parent node. Further, the method can include determining, by the item of pool or spa equipment, that the IP address is valid based on the broadcast topology message and, upon determining that the IP address is valid, completing a startup process by the item of pool or spa equipment.

Abstract: A water testing pod for testing water of a swimming pool or spa includes a predefined volume of a predefined testing reagent encapsulated and sealed within a polymer membrane. A water testing system may include one or more of the water testing pods and a dispensing system, which may receive the one or more water testing pods and rupture the membrane for releasing the predetermined dosage of the testing reagent into the water of the swimming pool or spa. A method of testing water of a swimming pool or spa with a water testing system includes releasing a predetermined dosage of a testing reagent into the water of the swimming pool or spa by rupturing a membrane of a water testing pod.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically terminating a network comprising: conducting a first termination test using a first termination resistor associated with a first pool or spa equipment item of a plurality of pool or spa equipment items; conducting a second termination test using a second termination resistor associated with a second pool or spa equipment item of the plurality of pool or spa equipment items; and instructing the first pool or spa equipment item to turn on the first termination resistor based at least in part on a comparison of first performance data associated with the first termination test and second performance data associated with the second termination test, wherein turning on the first termination resistor terminates the first pool or spa equipment item.

Abstract: A motion sensor capable of detecting the direction of motion in three dimensions is disclosed. The motion sensor can be built into a printed circuit board allowing for simple and cost effective manufacturing. The motions sensor is designed to utilize a through hole in a printed circuit board, which is capped by on each side by housings creating a cavity where a spherical metal ball can move in three dimensions. This interior surface of the through hole and the housings have conductive element that when in contact with the spherical metal ball close a circuit creating an electrical signal indicative of direction.

Abstract: A motion sensor capable of detecting the direction of motion in three dimensions is disclosed. The motion sensor can be built into a printed circuit board allowing for simple and cost effective manufacturing. The motions sensor is designed to utilize a through hole in a printed circuit board, which is capped by on each side by housings creating a cavity where a spherical metal ball can move in three dimensions. This interior surface of the through hole and the housings have conductive element that when in contact with the spherical metal ball close a circuit creating an electrical signal indicative of direction.

Abstract: A secured area access system for providing access to a protected area is disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle access security system, comprising a transmitter, a detector, an access controller module is taught, wherein the transmitter transmits a modulated secured area access signal into an acoustic or optical communications channel, which is detected by the detector. The detector is adapted to detect the modulated vehicle access signal and further adapted to have a detector output signal. An access controller module receives the detector output signal and performs at least one signal processing function. The access controller compares the processed signal against a encoded signal stored in the memory and if it matches send a unlock signal to the locking mechanism of the secured area, granting access to the area.

Abstract: A passive keyless entry system is provided comprising a wireless touch sensor, a RFID tag, a security system, a sensor antenna connected to the security system that receives a sensor signal from the wireless touch sensor, and a tag antenna connected to the security system that receives a tag signal from the RFID tag. The security system unlocks a locking mechanism when both the sensor signal and the tag signal are received by the security system. Preferably, the RFID tag comprises an active RFID chip.

Abstract: A security access system and method is disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle access security system, comprising a transmitter element, a detector element, a receiver element, and a computational element is taught, wherein the transmitter element transmits a modulated vehicle access signal into a predetermined communications channel, which is detected by the detector element. The detector element is adapted to detect the modulated vehicle access signal and further adapted to have a detector output signal. The receiver element receives the detector output signal and performs at least one signal processing function, wherein the receiver element has a receiver output signal. The computational element accepts the receiver output signal and compares it to a predetermined access code to determine whether a user shall be granted access to the vehicle.

Abstract: A remote control (RC) device and base station of a security system communicate automatic passive remote control commands at a lower power level than the level used to transmit other information. Lowering the power level of the passive remote control transmissions from the RC device decreases energy consumption and improves battery life. Additionally, the range of the automatic commands is shortened, potentially avoiding some unwanted door lock activations, security system arming and disarming events, and similar occurrences. At the same time, the range of the user-entered commands does not suffer. In embodiments where the RC device sends passive remote control commands in response to periodic interrogatory transmissions from the base station, the power level of the interrogatory transmissions is lower than the power level of other transmissions. Thus, frequency of unwanted door lock activations and arming/disarming events is decreased, while the range of other transmissions from the base station is unchanged.

Abstract: A security system provides interaction between the system's remote control (RC) device and field disturbance sensor/proximity detector. In selected embodiments, the system enables a user to adjust the detector's sensitivity through the RC device. The user puts the system in a programming mode and creates simulated security breach events. The system stores detector output corresponding to the events, and sets the detector's sensitivity based on the stored output. In embodiments, the system includes passive remote capability that automatically performs commands when a user approaches its base station. The base station uses output of the proximity detector to sense a person's movement near the base station, and sends an interrogatory transmission to the RC device. If the device is nearby, it responds to allow the base station to verify the device's identity. After the base station verifies identity of the device, it disarms the security system and unlocks the automobile doors.