Patents Assigned to ZODIAC
-
POOL CLEANING SYSTEM AND METHOD TO AUTOMATICALLY CLEAN SURFACES OF A POOL USING IMAGES FROM A CAMERA
Publication number: 20240176355Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2023Publication date: May 30, 2024Applicant: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Kameshwar Durvasula, William Londono Correa -
Patent number: 11994391Abstract: Augmented (virtual) reality techniques are described for assisting in determining characteristics of swimming pools and spas. Such pools and spas may, for example, be mapped at least as to their general sizes and shapes. The mapped and other information may be available for display and may be furnished to an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) to improve its operational efficiency in cleaning the pool.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2018Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Hendrikus Johannes van der Meijden, E. Keith McQueen, Phillip Newman, Richard E. Mills
-
Publication number: 20240141669Abstract: A method of controlling an automatic swimming pool cleaner includes comparing characteristics of at least two similar electromechanical devices of the automatic swimming pool cleaner to establish a normal relationship between the at least two similar electromechanical devices. The method includes identifying abnormal behavior of the automatic swimming pool cleaner based on a divergence from the normal relationship.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLCInventors: E. Keith McQueen, Mike Reeves, Mehdi Chafik
-
Publication number: 20240093522Abstract: A docking system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner includes a dock and an underwater-facing camera. The underwater-facing camera ay be provided to monitor the automatic swimming pool cleaner underwater. A method of controlling an automatic swimming pool cleaner may include using information obtained from a camera on a dock of a docking system to control the automatic swimming pool cleaner.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPEInventors: Hendrikus Johannes van der Meijden, Rémi Deloche, Dustin Borg, Mehdi Chafik, Mark Bauckman, E. Keith McQueen
-
Publication number: 20240093521Abstract: A docking system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner includes a dock and a sensor. The sensor may obtain information about the automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or for controlling the APC or other equipment for a swimming pool or spa. A method includes controlling an automatic swimming pool cleaner based on information obtained by a sensor on a dock of a docking system. A pool system may include a light source on a pool light and/or a user device, and the automatic swimming pool cleaner may be controlled based on a light-based signal from the pool light and/or the user device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPEInventor: Simon Duffaut
-
Publication number: 20240068257Abstract: Pool equipment for a swimming pool or spa may include a sealable cavity, and the sealable cavity may allow a flow of water through the cavity and maintain the cavity with water when the flow of water is disrupted or halted. Optionally, a probe and/or a water treatment feature may be within the cavity. The cavity may be within a body cavity defined by a body of the pool equipment or outside of the body cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPEInventors: Arnaud Besnier, Quentin Lutrand
-
Publication number: 20240068258Abstract: A water sensing system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) may include one or more water sensing probes on or proximate to the APC. In some embodiments, the at least one water sensing probe may be inside the APC, outside the APC, and/or proximate to but spaced apart from the APC, such as but not limited to on cabling of the APC.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPEInventors: Arnaud Besnier, Louis Favié, Quentin Lutrand
-
Publication number: 20240052663Abstract: The invention relates to a pool cleaning apparatus including: a cleaning unit (100), at least one hydraulic system for circulating a liquid between at least one liquid inlet (103) and at least one liquid outlet (104) and through a filtration device of the cleaning unit (100), a pump suitable for forcing the circulation of water between the liquid inlet (103) and the liquid outlet (104) and through the filtration device, drive and guide means for moving the cleaning unit, and means for controlling said drive and guide means. The pool cleaning apparatus includes at least one debris detection means placed in the hydraulic system of the cleaning unit (100).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPEInventors: Thierry Michelon, Philippe Pichon
-
Publication number: 20240044164Abstract: Described are apparatus, systems, and methods of improving cleaning of, e.g., stairs of swimming pools. Automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) capable of autonomous movement within water-containing vessels may be utilized to provide enhanced cleaning of sections of the vessels containing stairs or other angled surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Hendrikus Johannes van der Meijden, Abian van der Meijden, Dustin Borg
-
Publication number: 20240044162Abstract: A debris control system for a swimming pool or spa may receive environmental data for the swimming pool or spa, predict debris conditions in the swimming pool or spa based on the received environmental data, and generate a control response based on the predicted debris conditions. A skimming system for a swimming pool or spa may include an actuated weir door. A method of creating a cleaning effect in a swimming pool or spa includes actuating a weir door.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Darin Eames, Dindo Uy, Mark J. Bauckman, Robert Warren Stiles, JR.
-
Publication number: 20240046651Abstract: A pool vision system may include a camera and a controller. A method of controlling equipment of a swimming pool or spa using the pool vision system may include receiving visual data from the camera having a field of view including the equipment and identify the equipment in the visual data and determining an operational state of the equipment based on the visual data. The method incudes comparing the determined operational state of the equipment with an expected operational state of the equipment and generating a control response based on a difference between the determined operational state of the equipment and the expected operational state of the equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Darin Eames, Dindo Uy, Mark J. Bauckman, Robert Warren Stiles, JR.
-
Publication number: 20240044161Abstract: A control system for a swimming pool or spa may detect a water level of the swimming pool or spa. The water level may be detected based on information from an APC, information from an environmental sensor, and/or information from an optical sensor. In various embodiments, the control system may determine or estimate a cause of water displacement based on the received information from the APC, environmental sensors, and/or optical sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Darin Eames, Dindo Uy, Mark J. Bauckman, Robert Warren Stiles Jr.
-
Publication number: 20240045384Abstract: A method of operating a swimming pool or spa includes controlling equipment for a swimming pool or spa based on a predicted future state of the swimming pool or spa. A method of controlling equipment for a swimming pool or spa may include receiving a scheduled future use for the swimming pool or spa, predicting a future state of the swimming pool or spa based on the scheduled future use, and controlling the equipment to perform cleaning or other action based on the predicted future state. A method of operating a swimming pool or spa includes receiving an indication of a cleaning trigger event, generating a first alert based on the received indication, generating a cleaning response by equipment for the swimming pool or spa, and generating a second alert based on a state of the swimming pool or spa meeting or exceeding a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Darin Eames, Dindo Uy, Mark J. Bauckman, Robert Warren Stiles, JR.
-
Publication number: 20240044163Abstract: A pool cover for a swimming pool or spa may provide a changeable or adjustable visual indication. A method of controlling the pool cover may include controlling a visual indicator on the pool cover. A pool cover for a swimming pool or spa may include a surface water sensor for detecting at least one characteristic of water accumulated on the pool cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Darin Eames, Dindo Uy, Mark J. Bauckman, Robert Warren Stiles, JR.
-
Publication number: 20240026700Abstract: Pool equipment for swimming pools and spas may include pumps, heaters, filters, pool lights, sensors, automatic pool cleaners, and/or other pieces of equipment. Such pool equipment may include a near-field communication chip, and near-field communication may be used to send information to the pool equipment (including energizing the pool equipment) and/or to receive information from the pool equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Mark Bauckman, Hwa Heng, Barton Lu, Jared Leander, Arnaud Besnier, Mehdi Chafik
-
Pool cleaning system and method to automatically clean surfaces of a pool using images from a camera
Patent number: 11880207Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Kameshwar Durvasula, William Londono Correa -
Publication number: 20240012374Abstract: A method for managing pool and spa connections is described. The method may involve maintaining a first set of permitted connections to the controller, the permitted connections including at least one pool or spa device connection and at least one pool or spa equipment connection. The method may further involve receiving a connection update instruction to adjust the first set of the permitted connections. The method may further involve updating the first set of permitted connections to define a second set of permitted connections.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Applicant: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Mark J. Bauckman, Darin Eames
-
Publication number: 20230418316Abstract: “Just in time” operational techniques allow equipment of swimming pools or spas to achieve identified water temperatures at specified times. A user may supply information such as a desired water temperature (i.e. a temperature set point) and a time at which the water is desired to be at the desired temperature. After receiving the user-supplied information, software may account as well for certain environmental conditions to devise a suitable schedule for controlling heating of the water of the swimming pool or spa. Adjustments may be made to the schedule based on then-current water temperatures or other changed conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Applicant: Zodiac Pool Systems LLCInventors: David Goldman, Tracy Hanson, Jeff Holmquist
-
Patent number: 11828082Abstract: The invention relates to a pool cleaning apparatus including: a cleaning unit (100), at least one hydraulic system for circulating a liquid between at least one liquid inlet (103) and at least one liquid outlet (104) and through a filtration device of the cleaning unit (100), a pump suitable for forcing the circulation of water between the liquid inlet (103) and the liquid outlet (104) and through the filtration device, drive and guide means for moving the cleaning unit, and means for controlling said drive and guide means. The pool cleaning apparatus includes at least one debris detection means placed in the hydraulic system of the cleaning unit (100).Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPEInventors: Thierry Michelon, Philippe Pichon
-
Patent number: 11821233Abstract: Described are apparatus, systems, and methods of improving cleaning of, e.g., stairs of swimming pools. Automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) capable of autonomous movement within water-containing vessels may be utilized to provide enhanced cleaning of sections of the vessels containing stairs or other angled surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Hendrikus Johannes van der Meijden, Abian van der Meijden, Dustin Borg