One aspect of the invention provides a system including: at least one temperature-regulation element in fluidic communication with a fluid repository; and a processor in electronic communication with the at least one temperature-regulation element. The processor can: determine a temperature threshold value for a volume of fluid contained by the fluid repository; calculate an amount of solar radiation to which the volume of fluid is exposed; calculate, from the amount of solar radiation and a set of temperature-regulation factors, a time period for reaching the temperature threshold value for the volume of fluid; identify a desired use time for the volume of fluid; and activate the at least one temperature-regulation element according to the time period and the desired use time. The set of temperature-regulation factors includes at least a current temperature of the fluid volume and an energy-transfer rate for the temperature-regulation element.

A publicly accessible urban beach entertainment complex is disclosed, with a man-made tropical, pristine-clear lagoon as the centerpiece of the complex, with surrounding entertainment, educational, sports, and commercial facilities, the complex having controlled public access and providing the look and feel of a tropical beach with clear waters and sandy beaches. In addition a method for efficiently utilizing facilities and land that are vacant, underutilized, have limited uses, or that are contiguous to or nearby recreational, educational, sports, or commercial venues is disclosed. The method providing a publicly accessible urban beach entertainment complex with a centerpiece man-made tropical-style pristine-clear lagoon. The method allows for generating revenue and increasing efficiency by pairing vacant sites, underutilized sites, limited use land, or sites that are contiguous to entertainment, educational, sports, and/or commercial venues with urban beach entertainment complexes. The complex preferably has a controlled public access, thereby allowing entrance upon payment of a fee.

A water heater includes a heat exchanger, a heat pump, a first valve in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and the heat pump, and a controller configured to control the first valve. The first valve can be configured to direct water flow toward at least one of the gas heater or the electric heat pump. A second valve in fluid communication with the first valve and the heat pump can be provided, and the controller can be further configured to control the second valve. A water heater inlet and a water heater outlet can be included and in fluid communication with the first valve, and the controller can be configured to monitor a temperature of water entering the water heater inlet and control the first valve dependent upon the monitored temperature.

A managed water system can include a first body of water contained in a vessel. The managed water system can also include at least one sensor device that measures at least one parameter associated with the first body of water. The managed water system can further include a circulation system that circulates the body of water relative to the vessel. The managed water system can also include a controller communicably coupled to the at least one sensor device and the circulation system. The controller can control the circulation system, and receive measurements of the at least one parameter made by the at least one sensor device. The controller can also evaluate the measurements using multiple algorithms, and communicate a result of evaluating the measurements.

Systems and methods for providing network connectivity and remote monitoring, optimization, and control of pool/spa equipment are provided. “Internet-of-Things” (IoT) functionality is provided for pool and spa equipment in a flexible and cost-effective manner. Network connectivity and remote monitoring/control of pool and spa equipment is provided by various components such as a network communication and local control subsystem installed in pool/spa equipment, and other components. Also disclosed are various control processes (“pool logic”) which can be embodied as software code installed in any of the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Systems and methods for providing network connectivity and remote monitoring, optimization, and control of pool/spa equipment are provided. “Internet-of-Things” (IoT) functionality is provided for pool and spa equipment in a flexible and cost-effective manner. Network connectivity and remote monitoring/control of pool and spa equipment is provided by various components such as a network communication and local control subsystem installed in pool/spa equipment, and other components. Also disclosed are various control processes (“pool logic”) which can be embodied as software code installed in any of the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Systems and methods for providing network connectivity and remote monitoring, optimization, and control of pool/spa equipment are provided. “Internet-of-Things” (IoT) functionality is provided for pool and spa equipment in a flexible and cost-effective manner. Network connectivity and remote monitoring/control of pool and spa equipment is provided by various components such as a network communication and local control subsystem installed in pool/spa equipment, and other components. Also disclosed are various control processes (“pool logic”) which can be embodied as software code installed in any of the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

A terminal product usable time management system includes a remote server and a local apparatus. The local apparatus includes a data memory storing an identifier and an encrypted usable time of the terminal product, a microprocessor used to send a start notification of a usable time management process, a product controller used to control a product load, and a wireless networking device used to communicate with the remote server to receive a new expiry date to update the usable time. The usable time management process includes: reading the encrypted usable time stored in the data memory, decrypting the encrypted usable time, decreasing the usable time per time unit, encrypting the decreased usable time, storing the encrypted and decreased usable time into the data memory, and instructing the product controller to disable some or all functions of the terminal product, if the usable time is inaccessible or decreased to zero.

A portable device designed specifically to heat the water in a kiddie pool includes multiple safety features for use among children and pets. This device will allow for comfortable play in the kiddie pool during all hours of the day, even in the absence of sunlight. This device will allow for pools to be set up in the shade and still heated to a comfortable temperature. A standard 120-volt power outlet powers the device. Primary components include a double insulated reservoir, a self-priming pump, heating element, inflow and outflow hoses, and multiple safety features. It is lightweight, portable and specifically designed for use in kiddie pools.

A protective pool assembly for protecting a pool from external debris or contamination. The protective pool assembly comprises a flexible cover and a bladder. The flexible cover comprises a top layer configured to resist weather. The flexible cover is attached to or rests on and protects the bladder. The bladder rests on a bottom layer of the flexible cover, or directly on the surface of the water. The bladder is inflatable via an air valve to expand the bladder in a dome-like shape. The flexible cover is pushed upward into the dome-like shape so that external debris, rain, snow, and ice shed off of the flexible cover. A skirt extends from a perimeter of the flexible cover to further direct the debris or contaminates over the side of the pool. A plurality of securing elements are used to secure the protective pool assembly in place over the pool.