Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: “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.

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) includes a body having a fluid outlet and a nozzle assembly for controlling an orientation of fluid flow exiting the fluid outlet. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle with a plurality of blades that are rotatable relative to the outlet. The nozzle assembly may also include an actuator and a transmitter for automatically rotating the blades and for automatically controlling the orientation of the fluid flow exiting the fluid outlet.

Abstract: Debris filters for automatic swimming pool cleaners may be formed of metal, carbon fibers, or composites more rigid than soft nylon bags. In at least one version, the filter may be made of, or include, steel or stainless steel. Non-uniform sizes, densities, and/or shapes of openings in the filtration material may be created to provide different levels of filtration in a single device.