Abstract: Apparatus and methods for counteracting, e.g., drift of automatic swimming pool cleaners are detailed. In particular, a drifting cleaner may recover its movement by altering traction speed of the motive element(s) on one side of its body. Such alteration may occur when the cleaner is travelling along a generally horizontally-oriented pool bottom, climbing up or down a wall, or otherwise moving within a pool.

Abstract: Concepts relating to automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) are detailed. Some concepts may involve communication with APCs either in or out of the water of swimming pools or spas, while other concepts may concern battery charging or management or other operational aspects of cleaner usage in a pool or spa, among others. Many of the concepts may be applicable to avoid need for a robotic APC to be wired to an external control device.

Abstract: A pool cleaner for a swimming pool or spa generally includes a body and an arm assembly. The arm assembly is connected to the pool cleaner such that the arm assembly is movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the arm assembly extends forward from a front end of the body. The arm assembly comprises a supplemental component providing supplemental functionality to the arm assembly.

Abstract: A pool cleaner for a swimming pool or spa generally includes a body and an edge engagement assembly. The edge engagement assembly is pivotably connected to the pool cleaner such that the edge engagement assembly may pivot, slide or rotate between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the edge engagement assembly may extend forward from the front end of the body of the pool cleaner.

Abstract: A cleaning system for swimming pools and spas may include an automatic swimming pool cleaner and an anti-theft system for the automatic swimming pool cleaner. In some cases, the anti-theft system may be an active system generating an active response based on a safety situation. Additionally or alternatively, the anti-theft system may provide increased prevention and/or deterrence to theft.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner system includes an automatic swimming pool cleaner and optionally a control box. The automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or the control box may display a temperature measurement of a swimming pool determined by the automatic swimming pool cleaner within the swimming pool on the control box associated with the automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or on the automatic swimming pool cleaner. A method includes displaying on an automatic swimming pool cleaner or on the control box associated with the automatic swimming pool cleaner a temperature measurement of a swimming pool determined by the automatic swimming pool cleaner within the swimming pool.

Abstract: A docking station for a self-propelled pool cleaner may be supported at one or more locations within a swimming pool or spa, such as but not limited to a skimmer of the swimming pool or spa, a port for a circulation system of the pool or spa such as an inlet or an outlet, a pool light fitting of the pool or spa, and/or on a floor of the pool or spa. The docking stations may utilize existing features of the swimming pool or spa without requiring additional devices or systems for installing the docking station.

Abstract: A self-propelled pool cleaner may be operable in a swimming pool or spa. Systems and methods may allow for the pool cleaner to find or locate a docking station within the swimming pool or spa, may allow the pool cleaner to properly dock with the docking station, and/or may allow for the pool cleaner to navigate to a docking station from anywhere within the pool. Docking of the pool cleaner with the docking station may not require physical handling by a user or pool owner.

Abstract: A self-propelled pool cleaner is operable in a swimming pool or spa and may be controlled pursuant to various operating modes. In some aspects, the self-propelled pool cleaner may have optimized operation based on a status of other components of a pool system. Additionally, or alternatively, the self-propelled pool cleaner may have improved control to minimize interference with use of the pool by a user, based on electricity costs, combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired such that the pool cleaner may operate at preferred and/or desired times.

Abstract: A cleaning system for swimming pools and spas may include an automatic swimming pool cleaner and an anti-theft system for the automatic swimming pool cleaner. In some cases, the anti-theft system may be an active system generating an active response based on a safety situation. Additionally or alternatively, the anti-theft system may provide increased prevention and/or deterrence to theft.

Abstract: A self-propelled pool cleaner may be operable in a swimming pool or spa. The self-propelled pool cleaner may identify a removal area in the swimming pool or spa and stop at the removal area. In certain circumstances, the removal area identified by the self-propelled pool cleaner may be in proximity to a waterline of the swimming pool or spa. Optionally, the removal area may be a generally horizontal surface.

Abstract: A water analyzer for a swimming pool or spa includes a submergible portion and a projecting portion. The projecting portion extends upwards from the submergible portion and defines a top end of the water analyzer. A maximum thickness of the projecting portion may be less than a maximum thickness of the submergible portion.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for locally heating a sub-portion of a swimming pool or spa. The method may include controlling operation of a pump and a heater of the circulation to be in a spa mode. Controlling operation of the pump may include decreasing a flow of water through a circulation system using the pump. Controlling operation of the heater may include increasing a temperature of water flowing through the circulation system using a heater.

Abstract: A water analyzer for a swimming pool or spa includes an indicator, which may be utilized for providing information to a user. The information provided to the user may include, but is not limited to, water characteristic information, environmental information, and/or information about the water analyzer. A method of analyzing water of a swimming pool or spa may include providing a water analyzer within the swimming pool or spa and controlling an indicator on the water analyzer to provide information to a user.

Abstract: Techniques and methods for wirelessly communicating with equipment such as, but not necessarily limited to, automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) are detailed. An accelerometer or other sensor on-board an APC may recognize such communications. In some cases, varying operation of a motor or other feedback generator of the APC may provide sonic or other feedback in response to the communications.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner may include at least one light source within its body. The light source may be positioned to project light onto or into (or both onto and into) an on-board filter of the cleaner, facilitating visual examination of the cleanliness of the in situ filter. A transparent region of the body may permit viewing of the on-board filter from outside the body.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) may include a sensor for detecting adjacency of a pool wall or other object. Following such detection, the APC may reorient itself so as to re-approach the wall (or other object) in a manner better suited for cleaning the area. The reorientation may occur through, for example, changing speeds of motors on-board the APC, directions of travel of the cleaner, or both.

Abstract: Concepts relating to automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) are detailed. Some concepts may involve communication with APCs either in or out of the water of swimming pools or spas, while other concepts may concern battery charging or management or other operational aspects of cleaner usage in a pool or spa, among others. Many of the concepts may be applicable to avoid need for a robotic APC to be wired to an external control device.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) for swimming pools and spas may be used to monitor and/or determine a waterline level of the swimming pool or spa. Optionally, the determined waterline level may be provided on a user interface of an external device such as but not limited to a control box or a user device. An alert may be provided to a pool owner or other user based on the waterline level relative to a threshold waterline level. Optionally, at least one piece of equipment associated with the swimming pool or spa may be controlled based on the determined waterline level.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) for swimming pools and spas may be used to monitor and/or determine a waterline level of the swimming pool or spa. Optionally, the determined waterline level may be provided on a user interface of an external device such as but not limited to a control box or a user device. An alert may be provided to a pool owner or other user based on the waterline level relative to a threshold waterline level. Optionally, at least one piece of equipment associated with the swimming pool or spa may be controlled based on the determined waterline level.