FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 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.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

[0002] 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.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 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:

[0004] 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:

• physical aspects of said pools' water quality,

• chemical aspects of said pools' water quality,

• biological aspects of said pools' water quality,

• instruments and machines of the said pools,

[0005] Non-sensory data sources:

Non-sensory data, accumulated from a plurality of sources, pertinent to at least one of:

• pools' design parameters and characteristics, • pools' required maintenance procedures,

• pools' location and environmental conditions,

• online weather forecasts and climatic data.

[0006] The method disclosed in the present invention comprises the steps of :

a) accumulating data from the said plurality of sensors,

b) accumulating said non-sensory data,

c) propagating said data to an online server,

d) applying machine learning algorithms to incorporate all the acquired data and obtain an optimal policy for pool maintenance,

e) providing an online interface for at least one of: pool owners, pool servicemen, pool maintenance companies, pool vendors and pool retail dealers

[0007] The said interface disclosed in the present invention accommodates at least one of:

• access to a comprehensive presentation of a specific pool's maintenance status and water quality parameters,

• notifications of pool status

• warnings of malfunction, and recommendations for actions,

• recommendations for pool maintenance action priorities,

• access to a database of pool statistics, and

• training and management of pool maintenance personnel to accomplish an optimal pool maintenance policy, in view of the big data accumulated from multiple pool sites.

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:

- acquiring continuous data from acoustic sensors;

- propagating said data to an online remote server,

- applying machine learning algorithms at the online remote server configured to incorporate the acquired data and provide recommendations and control parameters, and - providing an online interface to access said recommendations for at least one of: pool owners, pool servicemen, pool maintenance companies, pool vendors and pool retail dealers,

wherein applying said machine learning algorithms comprising applying an acoustic model trained to learn the behavior of said data acquired from said acoustic sensors and to identify at least one of a device failure, location of a failure, type of failure, and the mutual effect between/among devices/instruments undergoing failures and other devices/instruments in said pool system.

According to some embodiments of the present invention the method further comprising accumulating non-sensory data pertinent to at least one of:

a. said pools' design parameters and characteristics,

b. said pools' required maintenance procedures,

c. said pools' location and environmental conditions, and

d. online weather forecasts and climatic data.

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:

acoustic measurements;

day of week and month of the year;

number of user on that day;

data of water level;

pressure;

water flow;

temperature;

water turbidity;

aspects of pool design and

environmental data.

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:

(a) access to a comprehensive presentation of a specific pool's maintenance status and water quality parameters,

(b) notifications of pool status,

(c) warnings of malfunction, and recommendations for actions,

(d) recommendations for pool maintenance action priorities,

(e) access to a database of pool statistics, and

(f) training and management of pool maintenance personnel

to accomplish an optimal pool maintenance policy, in view of the big data accumulated from multiple pool sites.

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:

detection of anomalies or failures during normal pool function;

analysis of abrupt changes in said data acquired from said acoustic sensors; assessment of the functionality of said pool devices/instruments; and assessment of water flow-rate through pipes.

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: - acoustic sensors;

a local processing unit monitoring and accumulating data from said acoustic sensors, and - an online server, said online server receiving said data from said local processing unit, applying machine learning algorithms to incorporate said acquired data and obtain an optimal policy for pool maintenance, and providing an online interface for at least one of pool owners, pool servicemen, pool maintenance companies, pool vendors and pool retail dealers,

wherein said machine learning algorithms comprising an acoustic model trained to learn the behavior of said data acquired from said acoustic sensors and to identify at least one of a device failure, location of a failure, type of failure, and the mutual effect between/among devices/instruments undergoing failures and other devices/instruments in said pool system.

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:

a. said pools' design parameters and characteristics,

b. said pools' required maintenance procedures,

c. said pools' location and environmental conditions, and

d. online weather forecasts and climatic data.

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: acoustic measurements;

day of week and month of the year;

number of user on that day;

data of water level;

pressure;

water flow;

temperature;

water turbidity;

aspects of pool design; and

environmental data. 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:

(a) access to a comprehensive presentation of a specific pool's maintenance status and water quality parameters,

(b) notifications of pool status,

(c) warnings of malfunction, and recommendations for actions,

(d) recommendations for pool maintenance action priorities,

(e) access to a database of pool statistics, and

(f) training and management of pool maintenance personnel to accomplish an optimal pool maintenance policy, in view of the big data accumulated from multiple pool sites.

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:

detection of anomalies or failures during normal pool function;

analysis of abrupt changes in said data acquired from said acoustic sensors ; assessment of the functionality of said pool devices/instruments; and assessment of water flow-rate through pipes.

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. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 presents a block diagram of the pool management and monitoring system, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 presents a block diagram of the management and monitoring system, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 3a presents a schematic block diagram, depicting the integration of the pool management and monitoring system within the constellation of a

communication network according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3b presents an elaboration of the conceptual system depicted in figure 3a, and is brought here as a non-limiting example of such a system's implementation.

[0012] Figure 4a presents a block diagram depicting the functionality of a passive sound acoustic detector according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 4b presents a block diagram depicting the functionality of a passive vibration acoustic detector according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 4c presents a block diagram depicting the functionality of an active acoustic detector according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 5 is a block diagram, depicting a high level overview of the proposed system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 6 is a flow diagram, depicting the function of the data acquisition module according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 7 is a flow diagram depicting the functionality of the training module according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 8 is a flow diagram, depicting the function of the acoustic model after the training stage according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 9 is a flow diagram, depicting the functionality of the decision module according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 10 is a flow diagram, depicting the functionality of the calibration module according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] Aspects of pool water quality:

The system will relate to all Physical, Chemical and Biological aspects of pool water quality.

[0023] The physical aspects of pool water quality include:

• Water level

• Temperature

• Water turbidity

• Water pressure

[0024] The chemical aspects of pool water quality include:

• Alkalinity

• Concentration of free Chlorine

• Concentration of Chlorine derivatives

• Concentration of Calcium

• Concentration of Cyanuric acid.

• Water acidity • Water balance (trade-off between calcium hardness and corrosion, affected by factors such as pH level, calcium concentration, water alkalinity, temperature and Cyanuric acid concentration.)

[0025] The biological aspects of pool water quality include:

• ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential): the level of oxidation levels (which indicates the activity of fauna and flora)

• Concentration of various strands of algae

• Concentration of other microorganisms

• The level of active disinfectants in the water. Free Chlorine is the most

common disinfection agent in the market. Free Chlorine manifests as Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and Hypochlorite (OC1-), the prior (HOCl) being preferred for its potency. In aqueous solutions HOCl will dissociate to H++ OC1- . The relative concentration of HOCl and OC1- is governed by the solution's pH; Acidic surroundings will maintain higher concentrations of HOCl.

[0026] 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.

[0027] Physical pool design parameters include:

• Indoor / Outdoor location

• In-ground, or on-ground built pools

• Pool size (area and volume)

• Geographic location

• Natural weather and climate

• Water heating

• Exposure to sunlight and UV radiation

[0028] Pool water circulation rate:

• is a function of the pool design and instruments

• affects the processes of water filtration and disinfection • must comply with health regulations, dictating that the entire volume of pool water should be filtered within a stated period

• must relate to all water layers, as various organisms dwell in different water depths.

[0029] Filtration:

Modern pools employ various measures of filtration. Each such measure relates to different types and sizes of floating particles and substances:

• Skimmer baskets filter out large floating particles. The water line should

normally reside in the ¾ height of the basket for optimal effectiveness.

• Cleaning robots filter the water and scrub pools surfaces.

• Hair filters are designed to extract hovering particles (e.g. hairs).

• The bulk of pool water filtration is normally performed by a central filter. The most common types of such filters are: Sand filters, Cartridge filters and DE (Diatomaceous earth) filters. Sand filters are the most ubiquitous of the three types. Sand filters normally filter out particles in excess of 15 micron in length.

[0030] 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 local level: A local processing unit monitors and manages various

elements (e.g. sensors, actuators, breakers) in and around the local pool's vicinity

• Remote monitoring and management of multiple pool systems: A cloud server remotely monitors and manages multiple pool systems, providing different access levels to various role players (e.g. pool owners, pool service people)

• Big data mining and machine learning: The said cloud server performs

algorithms of machine learning to extract optimal pool maintenance policies.

The functionality of each of these levels is further elaborated below

[0031] 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.

[0032] The local processing unit:

• Facilitates comprehensive, continuous monitoring of every aspect of the pool water's quality; Physical, Chemical and Biological aspects (as elaborated above).

• Continuously monitors parameters which reflect the condition of the pool's maintenance, and status of pool instruments.

• Detects trends in the function of pool instruments (e.g. continuous rise in the power consumption of a pump)

• May produce warnings or recommendations for maintenance actions

• Continuously correlates data, acquired from the plurality of sensors to indicate a fault in one of the pool's system, and produce an alert regarding the suspected malfunction.

• Actively carries out maintenance actions, as instructed via the cloud server

[0033] On the Cloud Server level:

The Cloud Server aggregates the information flowing in from a plurality of local pool processing units.

• This information serves to provide a high level, online, multiple pool status image for pool service professionals, and aid them in managing and prioritizing the actions that need to be taken in relation to the said plurality of pools.

• The Cloud Server facilitates the application of remote maintenance and

preemptive actions, by addressing specific local pool processing units. It alleviates pool service - personnel from the need to physically arrive at the respective pool.

• The cloud server incorporates an online interface, which facilitates different capabilities and provides access to information according to a user roles and authorization levels. For example:

o Pool owners are able to maintain their own pools,

o Pool service personnel are able to maintain multiple pools, o Pool vendors and retail dealers may subscribe to obtain online information acquired from the plurality of local pool processing units.

[0034] 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.

[0035] The aggregation and analysis of such big data enables the cloud server to:

• Produce Analysis and prediction of data, based on empirical, historical

information

• Apply data mining and machine learning algorithms, to devise an optimal pool maintenance policy. Produce optimized pool maintenance instructions sets, for efficient water consumption and utilization of additive substances.

• Educate pool maintenance professionals regarding the correct measures that need to be taken to ensure optimal water quality.

• Empower individuals with little or no record of pool maintenance, to

understand the metrics and status of pool parameters, and take correct action whenever necessary.

[0036] Local pool management and monitoring system

[0037] Figures land 2 present schematic block diagrams of the pool monitoring and management system 10, in relation to two pool configurations, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0038] The diagram of figure 1 depicts an in-ground swimming pool, and the circulation of water out of and into the pool, where the water pump is located beneath the pool's water line. The components depicted in the diagram are:

• The in-ground pool 100, filled with water up to the water level 101 A At least one skimmer 110 normally positioned on the ledge of the pool, such that approximately 2/3 of the skimmer is submerged beneath the water line. A drainage opening 120 at the bottom of the pool

A plurality of sensors 1100A and / or 1100B and/or 1 lOOC, the function of which is described further below.

A collection node 150A, collecting the water from the at least one skimmer 110, the drainage opening 120 and the plurality of sensors 1100B.

A pump 140, circulating the pool water from the pool and back to it. In this embodiment, the pump is physically located beneath the water line 101A. A filtering system 160, comprised of at least one of the following:

o Sand filter

o Cartridge filter

o DE (Diatomaceous earth) filter

A collection node 150B, collecting the water from the filtering system 160 and the plurality of sensors 1100A

At least one water jet 130, typically positioned in a direction opposite that of the at least one skimmer 110, returning water to the pool, and applying water circulation.

A processing unit 1000.

[0039] The diagram of figure 2 depicts an in-ground swimming pool, and the circulation of water out of and into the pool, where the water pump is located above the pool's water line. The diagram depicts an in- ground swimming pool, and the circulation of water out of and into the pool. The components depicted in the diagram are:

The in-ground pool 100, filled with water up to the water level 10 IB

At least one skimmer 110 as described above

A drainage opening 120 at the bottom of the pool

A plurality of sensors 1100A and / or 1100B and/or 1 lOOC, the function of which is described further below.

A collection node 150D, collecting the water from the at least one skimmer 110 and the drainage opening 120.

A unidirectional valve 170 A pump 140, circulating the pool water from and back to the pool. In this embodiment, the pump is physically located above the water line 101B.

A filtering system 160, as described above

A collection node 150C, collecting the water from the unidirectional valve 170 and the plurality of sensors 1100B

A collection node 150E, collecting the water from the filtering system 160 and the plurality of sensors 1100A

At least one water jet 130, as described above.

A processing unit 1000, as described above.

[0040] The processing unit 1000 accumulates the information provided by the sensors (1100A, 1100B, 1 lOOC), and analyzes it to form a comprehensive status representation of the pool system.

[0041] The processing unit 1000 propagates the accumulated data towards a cloud server (not depicted in figures 1 or 2) for further analysis and remote access. The functionality of the cloud server is discussed in relation to figures 3 a and 3b.

[0042] 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 figures 1 or 2).

[0043] 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. [0044] Location of sensors

Figures 1 and 2 each present two options for the location of the plurality of sensors: 1100A and 1100B. These sensors are located on bypasses, around the pump 140 and the filtering system 160. The arrows present the direction of flow through the bypasses:

• Location 1100A: intakes water between the pump 140 and the filter 160,

samples it, and returns it after the filter 160. This constellation involves unfiltered water and requires high maintenance but consequently also has the benefit of a high rate of detection.

• Location 1100B: intakes water after the filter 160, samples it and returns it before the pump's 140 inlet. This constellation involves filtered water and requires lower maintenance, but also provides a relatively low rate of detection.

[0045] 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:

• Cameras for capturing still images and/or video feeds

• Machine- specific power and/or current sensors,

• Ambient (e.g. temperature) sensors.

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 :

• The pool's machines room

• The water skimmers

• Within a pool-cleaning robot

• In a casing, submerged or floating in the pool

[0046] Pool monitoring and management; Interface with cloud server

[0047] Figure 3a presents a schematic block diagram, depicting the integration of the pool management and monitoring system 10 within the constellation of a network, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0048] 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.

[0049] 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:

• Pool architecture (e.g. size, shape)

• Pool type (e.g. indoor / outdoor, on land / in ground)

• Geographic location

• Time of day

• Time of year (season)

• Ambient conditions (e.g. temperature, humidity)

• Public weather forecast (e.g. expected rain)

• The amount, timing and periodicity of substances that need to be added to tools (e.g. Chlorine tablets)

• Timing of required actions (e.g. sand filter back washing, water drainage, water addition)

[0050] 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).

[0051] 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:

[0052] Residential pool owners 1300a:

• May access a comprehensive presentation of the pool's status.

• Possess comprehensive monitoring capabilities over individual features and properties that are monitored in and around their pool (e.g. water temperature, free Chlorine HOC1 concentration etc) Receive notifications, such as warnings of malfunction conditions (e.g.

suspected pipe leak), and recommendations for actions (e.g. clear foliage from skimmer baskets).

Are capable of remotely applying actions (e.g. add substances to the pool water, heat the pool, perform filter backwash)

[0053] Pool maintenance companies and service professionals 1300b,

1300c:

Posses the same capabilities as residential pool owners, with a scope extended to all the pools under their supervision.

Prioritize pool maintenance actions

Train and manage teams of pool maintenance personnel

Access a database of pool statistics, and educate themselves of the optimal pool maintenance policy, in view of the big data accumulated from multiple pool sites.

Maintain historical customer (pool owner) data

[0054] 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.

[0055] Figure 3b depicts a non-limiting example for the

implementation of the conceptual system brought in figure 3 a. In this example:

The processing unit 1000 monitors the influx of information from the plurality of sensors 1100A and 1100B, and propagates the information to a home router 1210 (e.g. over WiFi communication).

The home router 1210 uploads this data onto the cloud server 1200.

The cloud server 1200

o Analyzes the incoming information according to machine learning algorithms

o Produces a policy for optimal pool maintenance according to the said data (e.g. ascertain the amount of substances that need to be added to outdoor pools in a given time of year). o Produces notifications to predefined authorized users, (e.g. alerting pool servicemen of suspected malfunctions) over dedicated mobile applications 1300B

o Enables authorized users to apply remote pool maintenance actions (e.g. perform a sand filter back-wash, or add substances to the water)

[0056] Application of TPS (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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] The pool's temperature is continuously measured and reported to the Cloud Server. The Cloud Server:

• Facilitates an interface for pool owners to control the pool's temperature

• Gathers pool temperature information along with other data (e.g. UV

exposure, level of algae concentration, concentration of substances in the pool). It applies machine learning algorithms and produces an optimal policy for pool heating in terms of power consumption and pool water components.

[0059] Application of Power and/or Current measurement [0060] 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.

[0061] 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:

• Divergence from normal current consumption of the water pump, in

conjunction with excessive detected noise from that pump, may indicate a mechanical malfunction in the pump.

• A rise in the water pump's electric current consumption in addition to a rise in the water pressure at the sand filter's intake point may indicate that a sand filter is becoming occluded, and requires a filter backwash.

• A change in the electric current consumed by a Chlorine generator unit may indicate required maintenance, e.g. due to the accumulation of calcium on the Chlorine generator's electrodes.

[0062] Applications of passive acoustic sensing

[0063] 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:

• Evaluate parameters of pool maintenance,

• Suggest preventive system maintenance and

• Detect indications of system malfunction, and provide fault isolation. [0064] 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:

information derived from other sensors (e.g. flow meters, current sensors) events that are taking place in the pool (e.g. addition of water, filter backwash), and

historically acquired acoustic patterns

[0065] Following are some examples for applications of passive

acoustic sensing and analysis around the pool:

Detection of anomalies or failures during normal pool function; analysis of abrupt changes in detected sound may indicate system failures, such as pipe bursts or water pump failure.

Assessment of the functionality of pool instruments. For example: water pumps would emit specific noise, characterized by specific parameters such as pitch and volume. A change in these characteristic sounds may indicate degradation in the pump's functionality.

Detection of erroneous maintenance, or abnormal operation; analysis of abrupt changes in detected sound, in correlation with a process that is taking place in the pool may indicate erroneous actions, such as closure of a wrong stopcock during a filter backwash process.

Validation of normal activity of mechanical equipment. For example:

o Sand filter: As the pool's sand filter becomes occluded over time, the water pump is required to exert more pressure in order to pass water through it, causing it to gradually emit a different sound,

o Water pump: gradual changes in the sound of the water pump may also indicate the need to perform maintenance actions on the pump itself, or predict an upcoming failure. o Water pump: abrupt changes in the sound of the water pump may indicate a malfunction caused by either mechanical failure or an erroneous maintenance action,

• Validation of execution of maintenance activity (e.g. back-wash of sand filter)

• Detection of water skimmer condition; recording of the water skimmer may indicate whether it is clear or obstructed.

• Detection of pool water level; recording of the water skimmer may also

indicate the pool water level

• Assessment of water flow-rate through pipes

• Validation of normal activity of chlorine-generators; Chlorine generators emit a hissing sound during normal operation. A change in the hiss may indicate deterioration in the chlorine generator's functionality.

• Assessment of the condition of pool-cleaning robot filters; Clear filters induce noise that is different than that of occluded ones.

[0066] 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 Fig. 9b) sensor, sensing and recording mechanical vibrations. The said vibration sensors are located in various locations in the pool and its vicinity. Such mechanical vibrations' data is employed to:

• Identify specific vibration patterns with specific activity (e.g. during pump operation / pump stop), and thus validate pool maintenance

• Detect indications of system malfunction, and

• Suggest preventive system maintenance in case of suspected malfunction.

[0067] 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:

• information derived from other sensors (e.g. flow meters, current sensors)

• events that are taking place in the pool (e.g. addition of water), and

• historically acquired mechanical vibration patterns [0068] Some examples of vibration sensing applications around the pool include:

• Detection of anomalies or failures during normal pool function (e.g. pipe leaks)

• Detection of erroneous maintenance (e.g. closure of a wrong valve)

• Assessment of the activity of mechanical instruments (e.g. of the sand filter or the water pump). This assessment includes:

o validation of normal instrument activity,

o indication of required maintenance action,

o detection of failure, and

o prediction of an upcoming failure

• Validation of execution of maintenance activity (e.g. back-wash of sand filter)

• Detection of equipment maintenance (e.g. the condition of a pool-cleaning robot' s filters)

[0069] Application of active acoustic sensing

Reference is now made to Figures 4A-C, which are excerpts of Figure 2. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of sensors 1100B may include at least one of passive acoustic sensors 1150A&B seen in Figures 4A&B and/or an active acoustic sensor 1150C seen in Figure 1150C.

Passive acoustic sensors 1150A&B facilitate:

• Detection of anomalies or device/instrument failures during normal pool function

• Monitoring of pool water level

Active acoustic sensor 1150C facilitates:

• Detection of anomalies or device/instrument failures during normal pool function

• Monitoring of pipe clearance

• Detection of obstructions in pipes and water skimmers

• Monitoring of pool water level

• Monitoring of water flow through pipes 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,

[0070] 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.

[0071] Pertaining to the example depicted in Figure 4C, the active acoustic sensor 1150C may indicate whether any of the skimmers 110 are clogged by foliage.

[0072] 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.

[0073] The setup of the active acoustic sensing capability requires an initial calibration process:

• Calibration pulses are transmitted from each of the monitored nodes (e.g. the skimmers 110) to the receiver 1150C.

• 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.

[0074] 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. [0075] The Cloud Server 1200 may detect anomalies in the detected active acoustic signals, and notify the responsible people.

[0076] 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)

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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:

• Pool water level

• Pool water clarity

• Existence of floating items (e.g. foliage)

• Pool control panel indications readings (e.g. warning LED)

• Mechanical gauge readings (e.g. water flow gauge)

• Condition of stopcocks (open/shut) • Normal operation of pool instruments, e.g.:

o Absence of leakage in specific locations

o Chlorine-generator functionality (chlorine-generators emit bubbles during normal operation)

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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:

• Ambient temperature

• Ambient humidity

• Ambient lighting (UV exposure)

[0083] The said ambient data is propagated to the local pool's

processing unit 1000, and therefrom to the Cloud Server 1200.

[0084] The Cloud Server 1200:

• Facilitates the presentation of the pool pool-environment data over an online interface.

• Includes the ambient data in its machine learning algorithms, and utilizes it to produce an optimal pool maintenance policy. For example, the system may deduce the optimal quantity of pool additive substances (e.g. chlorine tablets) required, given specific ambient conditions (e.g. sunlight UV exposure). [0085] 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:

• public weather data and forecasts,

• aerial photographs,

• actual rain downpour,

• cloud coverage,

• UV levels and

• temperature information.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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. Figure 5 is a block diagram, depicting a high level overview of the proposed system, wherein a plurality of training set swimming pool modules extract information pertaining to maintenance operations of swimming pools in addition to aspects of pool design, maintenance & status of pool instruments, and environmental aspects and propagate this data to a main server according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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, 3 GPP, LTE etc.), and convey to the server 100 data pertaining to a specific swimming pool.

[0090] The Training set swimming pool module(s) 200 is comprised of at least one of the following sub modules:

• Acquiring acoustic (passive active , vibration) the pool module 2100

• sensors module 2200

• events triggering of the pool module

• Aspects of pool design 2400,

• Maintenance & status of pool instruments 2500, and

• Environmental aspects 2600.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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;

• The training module 1200;

• The acoustic model 1300; and

• The decision module 1400.

[0093] 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:

[0094] Acquiring acoustic (passive active, vibration) the pool module 2100

[0095] sensors module 2200

[0096] events triggering of the pool module

• the day of week and month of the year;

• water level, temperature, water turbidity, and water pressure;

• indoor / outdoor location, in- ground, or on-ground built pools, pool size (area and volume), geographic location, natural weather and climate, water heating, exposure to sunlight and UV radiation and pool water circulation rate;

• pool instruments such as sensors, actuators, pumps and breakers; • detected trends in the function of pool instruments such as continuous rise in the power consumption of a pump;

• continuous environmental data such as weather data and forecasts, aerial photographs, actual rain downpour, cloud coverage, UV levels and temperature information; and

• the number of users.

[0097] Figure 6 is a flow diagram, depicting the function of the data acquisition module 1100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. This module resides within the server 100, and accumulates data pertaining to specific swimming pools. The data acquisition module 1100 aggregates and stores at least part of the following data in a database for further analysis:

[0098] Acquiring continuous monitoring of acoustics vibration and other sensors (e.g., water level, temperature, water turbidity, and water pressure by module [2100]

[0099] Acquiring continuous monitoring events in the pool by analyzing sensor events [2200]

[00100] Data related to the design of a specific swimming pool is acquired from the aspects of pool design module [2400] step (1140).

[00101] 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).

[00102] Environmental data of a specific pool location is acquired from environmental aspects module [2600] step (1160).

[00103] The number of users of a specific swimming pool on a specific date is acquired from module [2700] step (1170).

[00104] The day of week and month of the year is acquired from module [2800] step (1180).

[00105] Figure 7 is a flow diagram depicting the functionality of training module 1200 according to some embodiments of the present invention, (step 1210 ).

[00106] 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.

[00107] 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.

[00108] 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 .

[00109] The output recommendations/control parameters may include at least one of the following:

[00110] Figure 8 is a flow diagram, depicting the function of the acoustic model after the training stage (step 1310).

[00111] 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.

[00112] Figure 9 is a flow diagram, depicting the functionality of the decision module 1400 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[00113] 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).

[00114] Figure 10 is a flow diagram, depicting the functionality of the calibration module 1500 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[00115] This module resides within the server 100, and calibrates active acoustic sensor 1150C as follows:

[00116] Calibration pulses are transmitted from each of the monitored nodes (e.g. the skimmers 110) to active acoustic sensor 1150C [1510]

[00117] 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]

[00118] 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.

[00119] 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.

[00120] 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.

[00121] 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.

[00122] 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.

[00123] 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.

[00124] 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.

[00125] Features of the present invention which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. 26] 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.