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: 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.

Abstract: A sensor system for swimming pools and spas is detailed herein. The sensor system can include one or more sensors positioned in a sensor housing located within a cavity of a pipe and in-line with an inlet and an outlet of the pipe. The sensor housing can divert a portion of water flowing through the cavity to an interior of the sensor housing and to an area around the sensors and maintain at least some of the diverted water in the area around the sensors even if the water is not flowing through or is drained from the pipe.

Abstract: Swimming pool cleaning apparatus may include a cleaning unit intended to be immersed in a swimming pool and at least one liquid filter circuit between at least one liquid inlet and at least one liquid outlet via a filter chamber removable from the body of the cleaning unit. The filter chamber may include a cover and a filter basket. The cover may include components for fastening the filter basket and locking the filter chamber to the body of the cleaning unit. The locking component may be releasable and, when released, may cause an extraction handle to be deployed from the filter chamber and urged toward a predetermined position.

Abstract: A charging system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) includes one or more electrical contacts and a protection system that selectively prevents access to and/or or allows contact with the one or more electrical contacts. In some cases, the protection system may selectively clean the one or more electrical contacts. In certain cases, the protection system may prevent access to and/or allow contact with the one or more electrical contacts based on a position of the APC.

Abstract: Brushes for robotic or other automatic swimming pool cleaners may include circumferentially-spaced blades extending radially from cylindrical cores. The blades beneficially are not longitudinally continuous, however. Instead, some or all of the blades are discontinuous along the lengths of the cores, creating fluid-flow paths tending to reduce the pump blade effect when the cleaners are operating.

Abstract: A light controller for pool lighting systems is detailed herein. The light controller can include a switch mechanism for controlling light settings of a lighting device. Switch positions of the switch mechanism can each correspond to a different light program. When a switch is positioned at one of the switch positions, the light controller can display one or more corresponding light settings of the light program corresponding to the switch position. A user may select a light setting for the pool lighting systems based on the displayed light settings. In response to the light setting being selected, the lighting device can cause the pool lighting systems to output the selected light setting of the light program.

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: Skimming devices may use pressurized water from, for example, a return line of a swimming pool or spa. The devices may be adjustable vertically and levelled relative to an upper water surface (waterline) of a pool. They additionally may create “blades” of debris-laden pool water entering their floating heads so as to move debris smoothly and efficiently over wings or foils into associated filters.

Abstract: A pool system includes a visual communication system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC). The visual communication system includes a reflective surface for conveying visual information. The reflective surface is on at least one of the APC, a trolley for the APC, or a docking station for the APC. In some cases, the visual communication system includes an indicator, and the reflective surface conveys optical information from the indicator to a separate location.

Abstract: Charging systems and devices for automatic swimming pool cleaners may include one or more electrical contacts with corrosion mitigation features. Such electrical contacts may be on the automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or the charging system. The corrosion mitigation features may include a material of the electrical contacts and/or a surface treatment of the electrical contacts. Charging or recharging of the automatic swimming pool cleaner using the charging systems may be controlled based on a detection of water on the one or more electrical contacts.

Abstract: A guiding system for a swimming pool provides external stimuli defining a path that is detectable by an automatic swimming pool cleaner. The path extends both vertically and horizontally in the swimming pool or spa. In some cases, the external stimuli define a transit path for the APC in a swimming pool or spa.

Abstract: Communications capabilities are supplied to components of pool water recirculation systems, even if the components lack electrical power or supply wires. Capabilities may be furnished by wireless RF devices that connect to existing fittings or ports of the components, for example. The devices are configured to obtain desired information relating to the components (or the water within them) and transmit the information remotely for processing or consideration.