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

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11003191-B2
Application number	US-202016919750-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 2, 2020
Priority date	Jul 10, 2012
Publication date	May 11, 2021
Grant date	May 11, 2021

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

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.

Assignees

• Zodiac Pool Systems Llc

Inventors

• Durvasula Kameshwar
• Correa William Londono

Classifications

• H04N23/66

  Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices · CPC title

• H04N23/555

  for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes · CPC title

• E04H4/1654 Primary

  Self-propelled cleaners · CPC title

• E04H4/1281

  Devices for distributing chemical products in the water of swimming pools · CPC title

• E04H4/06

  Safety devices; Coverings for baths · CPC title