IP Library Granted Patent US 11,003,191
Granted Patent B2
US 11,003,191 · App. 16/919,750 · Granted May 11, 2021

Pool cleaning system and method to automatically clean surfaces of a pool using images from a camera

Inventors: Kameshwar Durvasula (Garfield, NJ); William Londono Correa (Bloomfield, NJ)
Assignee: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC
G05D1/0246E04H4/1654G05D1/0016G05D1/0033G05D1/0038H04N5/23203H04N7/18G05D2201/0203G06T7/001G06T7/90G06T2207/10024H04N2005/2255
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,003,191
App. No.
16/919,750
Granted
May 11, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A pool cleaning system for cleaning debris from a submerged surface of a swimming pool includes a self-propelled pool cleaner having rotatably-mounted supports for supporting and guiding the cleaner on the pool surface; an electric motor for enabling the rotation of the rotatably-mounted supports on the pool surface; at least one camera to capture imagery of the pool surface; a controller, in electronic communication with the at least one camera, to determine a cleanliness characteristic of the pool surface on which the cleaner has passed based on the camera imagery and generate a control signal to direct movement of the cleaner based on the cleanliness characteristic of the pool surface, and a portable electronic device configured to present a graphic on a display, the graphic depicting the submerged surface of the pool and those portions of the surface that remain uncleaned as the cleaner traverses the pool surface.

Claims (20)

1. A self-propelled pool cleaner for cleaning debris from a submerged surface of a swimming pool, comprising:

a. a vehicle body;

b. means for moving the vehicle body within the swimming pool;

c. a filter configured to retain debris collected from the submerged surface;

d. at least one camera positioned on or in the body for capturing an image of at least a first portion of the submerged surface; and

e. a controller (i) positioned on or in the body, (ii) in electronic communication with the at least one camera, and (iii) configured to generate, in response to the captured image, at least one control signal to cause movement of the body within the swimming pool to, or away from, the first portion of the submerged surface.

2. A system for cleaning debris from a submerged surface of a swimming pool, comprising:

a. a self-propelled pool cleaner comprising:

i. a vehicle body;

ii. means for moving the vehicle body within the swimming pool;

iii. at least one camera positioned on or in the body for capturing an image of at least a first portion of the submerged surface; and

iv. a controller (i) positioned on or in the body, (ii) in electronic communication with the at least one camera, and (iii) configured to generate, in response to the captured image, at least one control signal to cause movement of the body within the swimming pool to, or away from, the first portion of the submerged surface; and

b. a filter configured to retain debris collected from the submerged surface by the self-propelled pool cleaner.

3. A system for cleaning debris from a submerged surface of a swimming pool, comprising:

a. a self-propelled pool cleaner comprising:

i. a vehicle body;

ii. means for moving the vehicle body within the swimming pool;

iii. a filter configured to retain debris collected from the submerged surface; and

iv. at least one camera positioned on or in the body for capturing an image of at least a first portion of the submerged surface; and

b. a controller (i) in electronic communication with the at least one camera and (ii) configured to generate, in response to the captured image, at least one control signal to cause movement of the body within the swimming pool to, or away from, the first portion of the submerged surface.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2020
From: AQUA PRODUCTS, INC.
To: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC
Reel/Frame 053941/0176 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2020
From: DURVASULA, KAMESHWAR; CORREA, WILLIAM LONDONO
To: AQUA PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 053955/0055 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: AQUA PRODUCTS, INC.
To: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC
Reel/Frame 054163/0305 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 16416840 · May 20, 2019
Continuation 15973983 · May 8, 2018
Continuation 15207065 · Jul 11, 2016
Continuation 13545918 · Jul 10, 2012
Related Publication 20200333797A1 · Oct 22, 2020