US 11003191

US Patent 11003191: Summary and Independent Claims

Title: Pool cleaning system and method to automatically clean surfaces of a pool using images from a camera

Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems LLC

Inventors: Kameshwar Durvasula, William Londono Correa

Filing Date: July 2, 2020 (for application US16/919,750, which led to this patent)

Issue Date: May 11, 2021

Abstract: The patent describes a pool cleaning system designed to automatically clean submerged pool surfaces. It includes a self-propelled pool cleaner with rotating supports, an electric motor, and at least one camera to capture images of the pool surface. A controller, communicating with the camera, determines the cleanliness of the surface based on the imagery and generates control signals to direct the cleaner's movement. The system also features a portable electronic device that displays a graphic of the pool, highlighting portions that remain uncleaned as the cleaner operates.

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Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: Self-Propelled Pool Cleaner
  This claim describes a self-propelled pool cleaner itself. It consists of:

  • A main body for the cleaner.
  • Mechanisms to move the cleaner body within the pool.
  • A filter to collect and hold debris from the pool surface.
  • At least one camera located on or within the cleaner body, capturing images of the submerged pool surface.
  • A controller, also located on or in the cleaner body and electronically connected to the camera. This controller uses the captured images to generate control signals that guide the cleaner's movement towards or away from a specific area of the submerged surface.

• Claim 2: Pool Cleaning System (Cleaner with On-Board Controller and Camera, Separate Filter)
  This claim defines a pool cleaning system. It includes:

  • A self-propelled pool cleaner, which itself contains:
    • A vehicle body.
    • Means for moving the vehicle body in the pool.
    • At least one camera on or in the body to capture images of the submerged surface.
    • A controller on or in the body, in communication with the camera, which generates control signals based on images to direct the cleaner's movement.
  • Separately, a filter is part of this system, configured to retain debris collected by the self-propelled pool cleaner.

• Claim 3: Pool Cleaning System (Cleaner with On-Board Camera and Filter, Separate Controller)
  This claim also defines a pool cleaning system. It features:

  • A self-propelled pool cleaner, which contains:
    • A vehicle body.
    • Means for moving the vehicle body in the pool.
    • A filter for collecting debris.
    • At least one camera on or in the body to capture images of the submerged surface.
  • A separate controller, which is in electronic communication with the cleaner's camera. This controller generates control signals based on the camera's images to cause the cleaner's movement towards or away from a specific portion of the submerged surface.

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USPTO and CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, a search for US patent 11003191 shows the patent is "Active". The Google Patents record indicates ongoing litigation, specifically:

• Two PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) cases, IPR2026-00158 and IPR2026-00202, both filed in 2026 and currently pending.
• Two US District Court cases: one filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (case 2:25-cv-00582) and another in the California Southern District Court (case 3:25-cv-01946).
• There is also a record of "First worldwide family litigation filed".

No specific dockets or cases directly identified as being before the CAFC (Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) in 2026 are explicitly listed in the provided patent information.US Patent 11003191: Summary and Independent Claims

Title: Pool cleaning system and method to automatically clean surfaces of a pool using images from a camera

Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems LLC

Inventors: Kameshwar Durvasula, William Londono Correa

Filing Date: July 2, 2020 (Application number US16/919,750)

Issue Date: May 11, 2021

Abstract: The patent describes a pool cleaning system for automatically cleaning debris from submerged surfaces of a swimming pool. The system includes a self-propelled pool cleaner equipped with rotatably-mounted supports for movement, an electric motor for propulsion, and at least one camera to capture imagery of the pool surface. A controller, in electronic communication with the camera, determines the cleanliness characteristics of the pool surface based on the captured imagery. It then generates control signals to direct the cleaner's movement according to these cleanliness characteristics. Additionally, a portable electronic device presents a graphic on a display, illustrating the submerged pool surface and highlighting areas that remain uncleaned as the cleaner operates.

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Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: Self-Propelled Pool Cleaner
  This claim focuses on a self-propelled pool cleaner designed to remove debris from submerged pool surfaces. The cleaner comprises:

  • A main vehicle body.
  • Components that enable the vehicle body to move within the swimming pool.
  • A filter integrated into the cleaner, configured to collect and retain debris.
  • At least one camera positioned on or within the cleaner body, capable of capturing images of a portion of the submerged pool surface.
  • A controller located on or within the cleaner body, electronically connected to the camera. This controller analyzes the captured images to generate control signals, which then direct the cleaner's movement either towards or away from the imaged portion of the pool surface.

• Claim 2: Pool Cleaning System (On-Board Controller & Camera, Separate Filter)
  This claim describes a broader system for cleaning submerged pool surfaces. The system includes:

  • A self-propelled pool cleaner (as described in Claim 1, having a vehicle body, means for movement, an on-board camera, and an on-board controller that generates movement control signals based on camera images).
  • A filter, which is configured to retain debris collected by the self-propelled pool cleaner. Notably, in this claim, the filter is defined as a separate component of the system, not necessarily integrated into the cleaner's body like in Claim 1.

• Claim 3: Pool Cleaning System (On-Board Camera & Filter, Separate Controller)
  This claim presents another configuration of a pool cleaning system for submerged surfaces. The system features:

  • A self-propelled pool cleaner, which itself contains:
    • A vehicle body.
    • Means for moving the vehicle body within the pool.
    • A filter configured to retain collected debris.
    • At least one camera positioned on or within the body for capturing images of a portion of the submerged surface.
  • A controller, which is separate from the cleaner but in electronic communication with the cleaner's camera. This remote controller analyzes the captured images and generates control signals that cause the cleaner's movement towards or away from the imaged portion of the pool surface.

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USPTO and CAFC 2026 Dockets:
US Patent 11003191 is currently active. The Google Patents record indicates that there is ongoing litigation related to this patent family, including:

• Two PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) cases, IPR2026-00158 and IPR2026-00202, both filed and pending in 2026.
• Two US District Court cases have been filed: one in the Texas Eastern District Court (case 2:25-cv-00582) and another in the California Southern District Court (case 3:25-cv-01946).
• Additionally, the patent family has seen "First worldwide family litigation filed."

No specific dockets or cases explicitly identified as being before the CAFC (Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) in 2026 were found in the provided patent information. While the district court cases could potentially lead to CAFC appeals, no such appeal dockets for 2026 for this specific patent are listed at this time.US Patent 11003191: Summary and Independent Claims

Title: Pool cleaning system and method to automatically clean surfaces of a pool using images from a camera

Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems LLC

Inventors: Kameshwar Durvasula, William Londono Correa

Filing Date: July 2, 2020 (Application number US16/919,750)

Issue Date: May 11, 2021

Abstract: The patent describes a pool cleaning system for automatically cleaning debris from submerged surfaces of a swimming pool. The system includes a self-propelled pool cleaner equipped with rotatably-mounted supports for movement, an electric motor for propulsion, and at least one camera to capture imagery of the pool surface. A controller, in electronic communication with the camera, determines the cleanliness characteristics of the pool surface based on the captured imagery. It then generates control signals to direct the cleaner's movement according to these cleanliness characteristics. Additionally, a portable electronic device presents a graphic on a display, illustrating the submerged pool surface and highlighting areas that remain uncleaned as the cleaner operates.

---

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: Self-Propelled Pool Cleaner
  This claim focuses on a self-propelled pool cleaner designed to remove debris from submerged pool surfaces. The cleaner itself comprises:

  • A main vehicle body.
  • Mechanisms that enable the vehicle body to move within the swimming pool.
  • A filter integrated into the cleaner, configured to collect and retain debris.
  • At least one camera positioned on or within the cleaner body, capable of capturing images of a portion of the submerged pool surface.
  • A controller located on or within the cleaner body, electronically connected to the camera. This controller analyzes the captured images to generate control signals, which then direct the cleaner's movement either towards or away from the imaged portion of the pool surface.

• Claim 2: Pool Cleaning System (On-Board Controller & Camera, Separate Filter)
  This claim describes a broader system for cleaning submerged pool surfaces. The system includes:

  • A self-propelled pool cleaner, which itself contains:
    • A vehicle body.
    • Means for moving the vehicle body in the pool.
    • At least one camera on or in the body to capture images of the submerged surface.
    • A controller on or in the body, in communication with the camera, which generates control signals based on images to direct the cleaner's movement.
  • A separate filter that is part of this system, configured to retain debris collected by the self-propelled pool cleaner.

• Claim 3: Pool Cleaning System (On-Board Camera & Filter, Separate Controller)
  This claim presents another configuration of a pool cleaning system for submerged surfaces. The system features:

  • A self-propelled pool cleaner, which contains:
    • A vehicle body.
    • Means for moving the vehicle body in the pool.
    • A filter configured to retain collected debris.
    • At least one camera positioned on or within the body for capturing images of a portion of the submerged surface.
  • A controller, which is separate from the cleaner but in electronic communication with the cleaner's camera. This remote controller analyzes the captured images and generates control signals that cause the cleaner's movement towards or away from the imaged portion of the pool surface.

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USPTO and CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, US Patent 11003191 is active. The Google Patents record indicates ongoing litigation related to this patent family, including:

• Two PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) cases, IPR2026-00158 and IPR2026-00202, were filed in 2026 and are currently pending.
• Two US District Court cases have been filed: one in the Texas Eastern District Court (case 2:25-cv-00582) and another in the California Southern District Court (case 3:25-cv-01946).
• Additionally, the patent family has experienced "First worldwide family litigation filed."

No specific dockets or cases explicitly identified as being before the CAFC (Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) in 2026 were found in the provided patent information or through additional searches. While the listed district court cases could potentially lead to CAFC appeals, no such appeal dockets for 2026 specifically for US11003191 are present at this time.