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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Known litigation involving US patent 11003191 includes the following cases:

1. PTAB Case IPR2026-00158

   • Plaintiff(s): Unified Patents (implied by source: "Unified Patents PTAB Data")
   • Defendant(s): Zodiac Pool Systems LLC (current assignee of US11003191)
   • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
   • Case Number: IPR2026-00158
   • Filing Date: Not explicitly provided, but the case number indicates a 2026 filing year.
   • Outcome or Current Status: Pending

2. PTAB Case IPR2026-00202

   • Plaintiff(s): Unified Patents (implied by source: "Unified Patents PTAB Data")
   • Defendant(s): Zodiac Pool Systems LLC (current assignee of US11003191)
   • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
   • Case Number: IPR2026-00202
   • Filing Date: Not explicitly provided, but the case number indicates a 2026 filing year.
   • Outcome or Current Status: Pending

3. US Case Filed in Texas Eastern District Court

   • Plaintiff(s): Not explicitly provided in the patent text.
   • Defendant(s): Not explicitly provided in the patent text.
   • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
   • Case Number: 2:25-cv-00582
   • Filing Date: Not explicitly provided, but the case number indicates a 2025 filing year.
   • Outcome or Current Status: Litigation

4. US Case Filed in California Southern District Court

   • Plaintiff(s): Not explicitly provided in the patent text.
   • Defendant(s): Not explicitly provided in the patent text.
   • Jurisdiction: California Southern District Court
   • Case Number: 3:25-cv-01946
   • Filing Date: Not explicitly provided, but the case number indicates a 2025 filing year.
   • Outcome or Current Status: Litigation

5. First Worldwide Family Litigation Filed

   • Plaintiff(s): Not explicitly provided in the patent text.
   • Defendant(s): Not explicitly provided in the patent text.
   • Jurisdiction: Not explicitly provided in the patent text.
   • Case Number: Not explicitly provided in the patent text.
   • Filing Date: Not explicitly provided in the patent text.
   • Outcome or Current Status: Litigation

Proceedings overview

Two AIA trial proceedings are on file for US patent 11003191: one IPR is active with a "Trial Instituted" status, and the other IPR has been subject to a "Discretionary Denial." This gives a defendant a mixed defensive posture, with one challenge proceeding and another denied before merits.

IPR2026-00158 — Wybotics Inc. et al. v. Zodiac Pool Systems LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-11-25
• Status: Trial Instituted. This means the PTAB has determined there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least one challenged claim, and a trial has been formally initiated.
• Judge panel: Not publicly available in the provided data.
• Petition grounds: Not publicly available in the provided data. Typically, IPRs challenge claims under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 (novelty) and/or 103 (obviousness) based on patents and printed publications.
• Institution decision: Instituted. The specific reasoning for institution is not available, but generally, it indicates the PTAB found the petition demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of success on at least one challenged claim.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not yet issued, as the status is "Trial Instituted."
• Settlement / termination: Not terminated; currently active.
• Appeal: Not applicable yet, as no Final Written Decision has been issued.
• Defensive value: This active IPR indicates that at least some claims of US11003191 are currently under challenge and are facing a substantive review by the PTAB. The outcome of this proceeding could significantly impact the strength of the patent.

IPR2026-00202 — Beatbot Technology (USA) Co. Ltd. et al. v. Zodiac Pool Systems LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2026-01-26
• Status: Discretionary Denial. This means the PTAB, or more recently the USPTO Director, has decided not to institute a trial, even if the merits threshold for institution might have been met. Discretionary denials can occur for various reasons, including parallel litigation, copycat petitions, or "settled expectations" based on the age of the patent or prior validity challenges.
• Judge panel: Not publicly available in the provided data. However, as of October 2025, the USPTO Director now decides whether to institute IPR and PGR trials.
• Petition grounds: Not publicly available in the provided data.
• Institution decision: Denied. The denial was discretionary. The specific reasoning for the discretionary denial is not available, but it falls under the Director's expanded use of such denials, potentially considering factors like the likelihood of a trial before a final written decision in parallel district court proceedings, the parties' investment in parallel proceedings, or the patent owner's "settled expectations" for the patent.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not issued, as institution was denied.
• Settlement / termination: Terminated by discretionary denial of institution.
• Appeal: Decisions to deny institution are generally considered "final and nonappealable" under 35 U.S.C. § 314(d), though exceptions for "colorable constitutional claims" exist.
• Defensive value: The discretionary denial of this IPR suggests that the patent owner successfully argued against the institution of a trial, likely based on procedural or policy grounds rather than a direct assessment of the patent's merits. This could be seen as a win for the patent owner, making it harder for this specific petitioner (and its privies) to challenge the patent again on the same or similar grounds.

Strategic summary

Currently, claims 1-3 of US11003191 have been subjected to IPR challenges. The IPR2026-00158 proceeding, filed by Wybotics Inc. et al., has been instituted, meaning the PTAB will proceed to a trial on the merits of the challenged claims. Conversely, the IPR2026-00202 proceeding, filed by Beatbot Technology (USA) Co. Ltd. et al., was met with a discretionary denial of institution. The specific claims challenged in each petition are not detailed in the provided information, so it's unclear which specific claims are "active" in the instituted IPR. Therefore, it is currently unknown which claims are canceled, sustained, or untested.

Regarding the estoppel landscape, 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) generally bars a petitioner (and its privies) from asserting in a civil action or ITC proceeding that a claim is invalid on any ground that the petitioner raised or reasonably could have raised during an IPR that resulted in a final written decision. Since IPR2026-00202 was denied institution, estoppel would not apply to Beatbot Technology (USA) Co. Ltd. et al. for claims challenged in that petition. For Wybotics Inc. et al. in IPR2026-00158, if a Final Written Decision is issued, they would be estopped from re-raising grounds that were raised or reasonably could have been raised. However, the exact prior-art grounds available to other potential defendants would depend on what was actually raised and decided in IPR2026-00158.

The presence of two IPRs filed by different entities (Wybotics Inc. et al. and Beatbot Technology (USA) Co. Ltd. et al.) suggests that the patent is actively being asserted or is considered a potential threat by multiple parties. The discretionary denial in one case highlights the increasing importance of procedural arguments and the USPTO Director's discretion in instituting IPRs.

Recommended next steps

The IPR2026-00158 proceeding is currently in the "Trial Instituted" phase. This means a trial is ongoing, and a Final Written Decision (FWD) is expected within one year of institution. To gain a clearer understanding of the impact on claims 1-3, it is crucial to monitor the progress of IPR2026-00158 for key milestones, including the oral hearing (if scheduled) and, most importantly, the issuance of the Final Written Decision. The FWD will explicitly state which claims, if any, have been deemed unpatentable.

For IPR2026-00202, since institution was discretionarily denied, no FWD on the merits will be issued. While this denial is generally not appealable, it means the patent owner successfully defended against this particular challenge on procedural grounds.

If you are a defendant currently facing assertion of this patent, you should:

1. Closely follow IPR2026-00158: The outcome will directly affect the validity of the challenged claims. If claims are invalidated, any infringement theory relying on those claims would be significantly weakened or eliminated.
2. Review the petition for IPR2026-00158: Although the grounds are not provided here, accessing the petition (available through the USPTO PTAB E2E system) would reveal the specific prior art and arguments made against the patent. This information is critical for assessing your own defensive options.
3. Analyze the discretionary denial of IPR2026-00202: Understanding the specific reasons for the discretionary denial, if publicly available, could inform future defensive strategies against this patent, particularly regarding arguments for discretionary denial in subsequent challenges.

Inventors

• Kameshwar Durvasula (Zodiac Pool Systems LLC)
• William Londono Correa (Zodiac Pool Systems LLC)

No unusual patterns observed regarding inventors departing the original assignee.

Original assignee

The original assignee is Zodiac Pool Systems LLC.
Zodiac Pool Systems LLC is a manufacturer of pool and spa products, including robotic pool cleaners, pumps, filters, and heaters. They ship products embodying the claims. Their current status is operating.

Assignment timeline

• 2020-09-30 (executed) / recorded 2020-09-30 — Reel 053725/0096

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: William Londono Correa
  • Assignee: AQUA PRODUCTS, INC.
  • Correspondent: Jeffrey B. Fromm, RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP, 1621 EUCLID AVENUE, 19TH FLOOR, CLEVELAND, OHIO 44115
  • Context: Inventor assignment to a related entity.

• 2020-09-30 (executed) / recorded 2020-09-30 — Reel 053725/0097

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: Kameshwar Durvasula
  • Assignee: AQUA PRODUCTS, INC.
  • Correspondent: Jeffrey B. Fromm, RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP, 1621 EUCLID AVENUE, 19TH FLOOR, CLEVELAND, OHIO 44115. This correspondent appears on multiple entries in this chain.
  • Context: Inventor assignment to a related entity.

• 2020-09-30 (executed) / recorded 2020-09-30 — Reel 053725/0098

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: AQUA PRODUCTS, INC.
  • Assignee: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC
  • Correspondent: Jeffrey B. Fromm, RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP, 1621 EUCLID AVENUE, 19TH FLOOR, CLEVELAND, OHIO 44115. This correspondent appears on multiple entries in this chain.
  • Context: Internal corporate reorganization/transfer.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 11003191
    2012 : Priority date
    2020 : Filed by Zodiac Pool Systems LLC
         : Inventors assigned to Aqua Products Inc
         : Aqua Products assigned to Zodiac Pool Systems
    2021 : Issued

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — not present. The transfers are between Zodiac Pool Systems LLC and Aqua Products, Inc., which appears to be a subsidiary or related entity, both involved in the pool products business.
2. Known asserter in the chain — not present. Zodiac Pool Systems LLC and Aqua Products, Inc. are operating companies.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — present. Jeffrey B. Fromm of RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP is listed as the correspondent on all three assignments recorded on 2020-09-30 (Reel 053725/0096, 053725/0097, and 053725/0098).
4. Cascading transfers — present. All three assignments occurred on the same execution and recording date, 2020-09-30 (Reel 053725/0096, 053725/0097, 053725/0098), indicating a rapid series of transfers. This appears to be an internal corporate reorganization rather than a "cascading transfer" typical of NPE activity which often involves different, unrelated shell entities.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — not present. The assignments occurred in September 2020, and the patent was issued in May 2021. The first recorded litigation was filed in 2025.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present.
7. Privateering — unclear. While there's a multi-step transfer involving a related entity, there's no public evidence to suggest privateering behavior.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present.

Verdict

Insufficient data. While there's a clear pattern of internal assignments (Reel 053725/0096, 053725/0097, 053725/0098) and a repeat correspondent, this appears to be part of an internal corporate reorganization within Zodiac Pool Systems LLC and its related entity, Aqua Products, Inc., both operating companies. There are no definitive signals of a transfer to a known NPE or a shell entity.

Verification: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

I will now search the USPTO database for patent 11003191 to identify its relevant prior art.

US Patent 11003191, titled "Pool cleaning system and method to automatically clean surfaces of a pool using images from a camera," was granted on May 11, 2021, and filed on July 2, 2020, with a priority date of July 10, 2012.

The patent describes a self-propelled pool cleaner equipped with a camera to capture images of the pool surface. A controller processes these images to determine the cleanliness of the surface and generates control signals to direct the cleaner's movement. The system also includes a portable electronic device to display a graphic representation of the pool, highlighting uncleaned portions.

Here's an analysis of the most relevant prior art cited in US Patent 11003191:

1. US5435031A - Automatic pool cleaning apparatus

• Full Citation: US5435031A.
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed on July 9, 1993, and published on July 25, 1995.
• Brief Description: This patent describes an automatic pool cleaning apparatus.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US5435031A generally describes an automatic pool cleaning apparatus. However, it does not appear to explicitly disclose the use of a camera to determine cleanliness characteristics or a controller that generates control signals based on camera imagery to direct the cleaner's movement, as specified in the claims of US11003191. Therefore, it might not directly anticipate claims 1, 2, or 3 of US11003191 under 35 U.S.C. § 102, which require these specific features. However, it could be relevant for obviousness arguments if combined with other references.

2. US5613261A - Cleaner

• Full Citation: US5613261A.
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed on April 14, 1994, and published on March 25, 1997.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a cleaner.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US5435031A, without specific details on the "cleaner" and its operation, it's unlikely to directly anticipate the specific camera-based cleanliness determination and control aspects of US11003191's claims (claims 1, 2, and 3). Its relevance would more likely be in establishing general knowledge of cleaning devices.

3. US5886630A - Alarm and monitoring device for the presumption of bodies in danger in a swimming pool

• Full Citation: US5886630A.
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed on June 9, 1994, and published on March 23, 1999.
• Brief Description: This patent describes an alarm and monitoring device for detecting bodies in a swimming pool.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While this patent involves cameras and swimming pools, its purpose is for safety monitoring, not for cleaning or guiding a cleaning vehicle based on cleanliness. Therefore, it does not appear to anticipate the core elements of claims 1, 2, or 3 of US11003191, which relate to determining cleanliness and directing a cleaner.

4. US7123746B2 - Method and system for detecting an object in relation to a surface

• Full Citation: US7123746B2.
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed on December 21, 1999, and published on October 17, 2006.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a method and system for detecting an object in relation to a surface.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent's general concept of "detecting an object in relation to a surface" using images could be broadly related to image processing. However, without specific disclosure of applying this to cleanliness characteristics of a pool surface and using it to control a self-propelled cleaner, it likely does not directly anticipate claims 1, 2, or 3 of US11003191.

5. US20040040581A1 - Method of and apparatus for controlling the operation of a suction-type pool cleaner

• Full Citation: US20040040581A1.
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed on February 28, 2001, and published on March 4, 2004.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a suction-type pool cleaner.
• Potential Anticipation (33 U.S.C. § 102): This reference explicitly deals with controlling a pool cleaner. However, the description does not indicate that the control is based on camera imagery used to determine a cleanliness characteristic of the pool surface. If the control mechanism is not explicitly tied to image-based cleanliness detection, it would not anticipate claims 1, 2, or 3 of US11003191.

6. US20110049023A1 - Pool cleaning vehicle having improved logic

• Full Citation: US20110049023A1.
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed on August 31, 2009, and published on March 3, 2011.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a pool cleaning vehicle with improved logic.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The term "improved logic" is very broad. To anticipate claims 1, 2, or 3 of US11003191, this reference would need to specifically detail how its improved logic utilizes camera imagery to determine pool surface cleanliness and subsequently directs the cleaner's movement based on that determination. Without such specifics, it serves as general prior art on pool cleaner control.

7. WO2012023676A1 - Cleaning robot and underwater sediment cleaning apparatus and method

• Full Citation: WO2012023676A1.
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed on August 20, 2010, and published on February 23, 2012.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a cleaning robot and an underwater sediment cleaning apparatus and method.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant as it describes an "underwater sediment cleaning apparatus and method" and a "cleaning robot." If the document discloses the use of a camera on the robot to capture images of the cleaning surface, processing these images to determine cleanliness, and generating control signals to direct the robot's movement (including re-cleaning) based on this determination, then it could potentially anticipate all three claims of US11003191. The proximity of its publication date to US11003191's priority date (July 10, 2012) makes it a critical piece of prior art for novelty assessment under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

8. US20130152970A1 - Automatic pool cleaner for cleaning a pool with minimum power consumption and method thereof

• Full Citation: US20130152970A1.
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed on December 19, 2011, and published on June 20, 2013.
• Brief Description: This patent describes an automatic pool cleaner focused on minimum power consumption.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While this patent describes an automatic pool cleaner, its focus on power consumption optimization does not inherently disclose the camera-based cleanliness determination and control described in US11003191. Unless the "method thereof" explicitly includes these features, it would not directly anticipate claims 1, 2, or 3.

9. US20140009748A1 - Pool Cleaner with Laser Range Finder System and Method

• Full Citation: US20140009748A1.
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed on June 27, 2012, and published on January 9, 2014.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a pool cleaner that uses a laser range finder system.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference uses a sensing system (laser range finder) to aid a pool cleaner. While it's a form of environmental sensing for cleaner control, it uses a laser range finder rather than a camera capturing imagery to determine cleanliness characteristics. Therefore, it does not directly anticipate claims 1, 2, or 3 of US11003191, which specifically rely on camera imagery for cleanliness assessment.

10. US9388595B2 - Pool cleaning system and method to automatically clean surfaces of a pool using images from a camera

• Full Citation: US9388595B2.
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed on July 10, 2012, and published on July 12, 2016.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a pool cleaning system and method to automatically clean surfaces of a pool using images from a camera.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent has the same title and priority date (July 10, 2012) as US11003191. This strongly suggests it is a parent application or a closely related divisional/continuation patent. The text of US11003191 explicitly states, "This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/545,918, filed Jul. 10, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,388,595), the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties." As such, US9388595B2 is not prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102 against US11003191 because it shares the same priority date and the content is incorporated by reference. It is considered part of the same patent family and lineage.

Most Relevant Prior Art:

Based on the descriptions, WO2012023676A1 appears to be the most relevant piece of prior art. It explicitly mentions a "cleaning robot and underwater sediment cleaning apparatus and method," which directly aligns with the core subject matter of US11003191. If WO2012023676A1 discloses the use of a camera on the robot for cleanliness detection and subsequent control of the robot's movement, it would be a strong potential anticipatory reference under 35 U.S.C. § 102 for claims 1, 2, and 3 of US11003191.

The other cited patents generally relate to pool cleaners or camera systems but do not appear to combine the specific elements of camera-based cleanliness detection and directed cleaning movement in the same manner as claimed in US11003191.

Obviousness Analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103 for US Patent 11003191

This analysis will identify combinations of prior art references that would render the claims of US11003191 obvious and explain the motivation a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have had to combine them. The determination of obviousness requires not only finding all elements of the claimed invention in the prior art but also establishing a clear motivation to combine those elements with a reasonable expectation of success.

Understanding the Claims of US11003191

The independent claims of US11003191 generally describe a self-propelled pool cleaner with:

• A vehicle body and means for moving it within a pool.
• A filter for debris.
• At least one camera on or in the body to capture images of the submerged surface.
• A controller (either on-board or remote) in electronic communication with the camera, configured to generate control signals based on the captured images to direct the cleaner's movement.

Prior Art References

The patent itself cites numerous prior art documents in its "Patent Citations" section. For this analysis, we will consider the general state of the art as reflected in the provided patent text and the search results.

Key themes in the prior art as revealed by the provided context include:

• Automated robotic pool cleaners: These are well-established, with various propulsion mechanisms (wheels, tracks, jets), debris collection systems, and internal control systems.
• Cameras for monitoring pools and vehicles: Cameras were used for home/pool security systems and could detect people or intruders. The patent also explicitly states that prior art pool cleaning systems could utilize pre-existing cameras from security systems or dedicated cameras.
• Remote control and monitoring of pool systems: Systems existed for controlling pool cleaner chemicals from a keypad of a PC or other interactive controller. Remote communication with automatic swimming pool cleaners was also known.
• Image processing for control: The general concept of using camera imagery for control of vehicles, particularly land vehicles, was known, including extracting relative motion information.

Combinations of Prior Art References and Motivation for Combination

A PHOSITA, at the time of the invention (priority date of July 10, 2012), would have possessed knowledge of these existing technologies.

Combination 1: Automated Pool Cleaner with On-Board Camera for Navigation and Cleaning Assessment

• References:

  • AU2019236716B9 (Bellamy et al.): Discloses a pool cleaner with a housing, a debris container, a drive system with a motor to drive wheels for movement, and a control system. It also mentions a remote control unit (e.g., mobile device application) to control movement and other functions.
  • US20110049023A1 (Hui Wing-Kin): Describes a pool cleaning vehicle having improved logic. While the specific details aren't exhaustively provided, the title suggests advanced control.
  • US2004019295A1 (Aqua Products Inc.): Discloses a "Pool cleaner with on-board water analysis, data recording and transmission device." This shows a precedent for on-board data collection and transmission.
  • General knowledge of cameras and image processing: It was known to use cameras for security and monitoring, and general image processing for vehicle control was a developing field.

• Motivation to Combine:

  • Problem: The background of US11003191 explicitly states that "controlling and monitoring such automated robotic pool cleaners to insure that all portions of the pool surfaces are satisfactorily cleaned remains a challenge." Existing robotic pool cleaners, while automated, did not necessarily guarantee comprehensive cleaning or provide feedback on areas missed or poorly cleaned.
  • Solution: A PHOSITA would have been motivated to integrate an on-board camera with an automated pool cleaner's control system to address this challenge.
    • Enhanced Navigation and Coverage: By incorporating a camera (as generally known for security/monitoring, and potentially for land vehicle navigation), the cleaner's control system (as found in Bellamy et al.) could process images to better understand its position and the areas it has covered. This would allow for more systematic cleaning patterns, reducing missed spots and improving efficiency, directly addressing the problem of ensuring satisfactory cleaning.
    • Real-time Cleanliness Assessment: The inclusion of an on-board camera, coupled with the "on-board water analysis, data recording and transmission device" concept from Aqua Products Inc., would motivate a PHOSITA to analyze imagery for "cleanliness characteristics" (e.g., presence of debris, discoloration). This provides feedback for the cleaner to re-clean unsatisfactory areas, as disclosed in US11003191. The concept of identifying missed or unsatisfactorily cleaned areas and directing the cleaner back to them is a logical extension of existing automated cleaning systems.
    • Technological Feasibility: The integration of cameras and image processing into robotic systems was a known technological trend. The development of smaller, more robust cameras suitable for submerged environments, along with advancements in processing power, would have made this combination technically feasible. The patent itself mentions the use of existing security cameras or dedicated cameras with appropriate lenses for submerged environments, indicating that the camera technology itself was not novel for this purpose.

Combination 2: Remote Monitoring and Control of a Camera-Equipped Pool Cleaner with Graphical Display of Cleaning Progress

• References:

  • Combination 1 (Automated Pool Cleaner with On-Board Camera and Controller)
  • EP1540612A1 (Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.): Discusses a "Pool cleaner with on-board water analysis, data recording and transmission device" and explicitly mentions display devices, including stationary devices in the user's home and the ability to maintain the system from a keypad of a PC or other interactive controller keypad. It also notes that remote communication with automatic swimming pool cleaners was known.
  • AU2019236716B9 (Bellamy et al.): Mentions a remote control unit (e.g., by means of an application on a mobile device) to control various aspects of the pool cleaner.
  • General knowledge of portable electronic devices (PEDs): Smartphones, tablets, etc., were becoming ubiquitous and commonly used for remote control and monitoring of various home devices.

• Motivation to Combine:

  • Problem: While automated cleaners existed, users still faced the challenge of "controlling and monitoring such automated robotic pool cleaners to insure that all portions of the pool surfaces are satisfactorily cleaned." The prior art suggests that pool owners had to be vigilant and check systems periodically, which was inconvenient.
  • Solution: A PHOSITA would have been motivated to combine the camera-equipped, intelligently controlled pool cleaner (from Combination 1) with remote monitoring and control capabilities using a graphical display on a portable electronic device.
    • Improved User Experience and Assurance: Providing a graphical depiction of cleaned and uncleaned areas on a display (as in US11003191) directly addresses the need for better monitoring and assurance of cleaning effectiveness. The concept of using a remote display and control, already present in EP1540612A1 for pool systems and in Bellamy et al. for pool cleaner control via mobile devices, would naturally extend to displaying the camera-derived cleanliness map.
    • Convenience and Efficiency: Remote monitoring via a PED allows users to oversee the cleaning process without being physically present at the pool, addressing the inconvenience mentioned in EP1540612A1. The ability to "input commands causing controller 42 to generate control signals... to steer vehicle 30 back to such identified portions" (as taught by US11003191) or adjust settings remotely (as also taught by US11003191) enhances efficiency by allowing immediate intervention without manual retrieval of the cleaner.
    • Design Need/Market Pressure: There would be a clear market demand for more user-friendly and efficient pool cleaning solutions. Leveraging ubiquitous portable electronic devices for remote control and visual feedback represents a predictable next step in improving automated pool maintenance systems.

Conclusion on Obviousness

Based on the above analysis, a PHOSITA would have found the claims of US11003191 obvious in light of combinations of the identified prior art references. The motivation stems from:

1. Addressing known problems: The explicit challenge of ensuring satisfactory and comprehensive cleaning by robotic pool cleaners was a recognized problem in the art.
2. Leveraging existing technologies and trends: The components (automated pool cleaners, cameras, controllers, remote communication, portable displays, image processing for control) were individually known. The trend of integrating sensors and intelligent control into autonomous vehicles, as well as providing remote monitoring and control via mobile devices, would have motivated a PHOSITA to apply these concepts to pool cleaners.
3. Predictable solutions: The combination of these known elements to achieve predictable results (improved navigation, cleaning assessment, and user interaction) would have been within the grasp of a PHOSITA.

Therefore, the combination of a self-propelled pool cleaner with an on-board camera, a controller to interpret imagery for cleanliness and direct movement, and a remote display on a portable electronic device to show cleaning progress and allow for user input, would likely be considered obvious under 35 U.S.C. § 103.