Pool Cleaning System And Method To Automatically Clean Surfaces Of A Pool Using Images From A Camera

What is this patent about?

’207 is related to the field of automated pool cleaning systems. These systems aim to alleviate the tedious task of manually cleaning swimming pools. Traditional robotic pool cleaners often operate with limited feedback, making it difficult to ensure complete and efficient cleaning of all pool surfaces. The challenge lies in effectively controlling and monitoring these cleaners to guarantee satisfactory results across the entire pool area.

The underlying idea behind ’207 is to use visual feedback from a camera to guide a self-propelled pool cleaner. Instead of relying on pre-programmed paths or random movements, the system analyzes images of the pool floor to determine which areas need cleaning. This allows the cleaner to intelligently target dirty spots and ensure comprehensive coverage, improving cleaning efficiency.

The claims of ’207 focus on a self-propelled pool cleaning system that uses a camera and a controller to navigate. Specifically, the system includes a vehicle body with a means for moving within the pool, a filter to collect debris, at least one camera to capture images of objects in the pool, and a controller that generates control signals based on the captured images. These control signals direct the movement of the vehicle body towards or away from a detected object.

In practice, the system works by continuously capturing images of the pool floor as the cleaner moves. The controller processes these images to identify areas with debris or insufficient cleaning. Based on this analysis, the controller sends signals to the cleaner's drive system, directing it to move towards the identified dirty areas. A display on a portable device shows a map of the pool, highlighting cleaned and uncleaned areas, allowing the user to monitor progress and intervene if necessary.

This approach differentiates itself from prior art by using real-time visual data to guide the cleaning process. Older systems often relied on pre-programmed cleaning patterns or simple obstacle avoidance. By incorporating a camera and image analysis, ’207 enables the cleaner to adapt to the specific conditions of the pool, ensuring that all areas are thoroughly cleaned, even in pools with complex shapes or varying levels of debris.