Prior art

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 11262766, I will examine the "Cited By" and "Citations" sections of the patent document itself. These sections list the patents and non-patent literature that the examiner and applicant considered relevant during prosecution.

US Patent 11262766: Pool cleaning system and method to automatically clean surfaces of a pool using images from a camera

The patent lists numerous citations. For brevity and relevance to potential anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102, I will focus on the patent citations that are directly cited by the examiner. "Anticipation" under 35 U.S.C. § 102 means that every element of a claimed invention is disclosed in a single prior art reference.

Here are some of the most relevant prior art patent citations:

1. US 9388595 B2

   • Full Citation: US 9,388,595 B2 (Aqua Products, Inc.)
   • Publication Date: 2016-07-12
   • Priority Date: 2012-07-10
   • Brief Description: This patent, titled "Pool cleaning system and method to automatically clean surfaces of a pool using images from a camera," describes a pool cleaning system with a self-propelled cleaner, cameras to capture imagery, and a controller to determine cleanliness and direct movement.
   • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is a direct ancestor/priority application of US11262766, as stated in the "Cross-Reference To Related Application" section of US11262766. Therefore, it would disclose all or substantially all the elements of the claims in US11262766. Specifically, given that US11262766 claims are directed to a "self-propelled pool cleaner" with an onboard camera and controller for movement based on images, US9388595B2, being a parent application with the same title and inventor/assignee, is highly likely to anticipate most, if not all, of the independent claims (Claims 1-5) of US11262766.

2. US 2011/0049023 A1

   • Full Citation: US 2011/0049023 A1 (Hui Wing-Kin)
   • Publication Date: 2011-03-03
   • Priority Date: 2009-08-31
   • Brief Description: This application describes a pool cleaning vehicle having improved logic, specifically detailing navigation and cleaning patterns.
   • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): Claims 1-5 of US11262766 focus on a self-propelled pool cleaner with an onboard camera and controller for movement based on captured images. US2011/0049023A1, with its "improved logic" for navigation and cleaning patterns, could potentially anticipate aspects of the controller's functionality in directing movement based on sensory input, although it may not explicitly disclose a camera determining cleanliness characteristics to direct movement as specifically claimed in US11262766. It might be particularly relevant to the "means for moving the vehicle body within the swimming pool" (claims 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b) and the general control of movement (claims 1e, 2e, 3e, 4e, 5f).

3. US 2011/0139727 A1

   • Full Citation: US 2011/0139727 A1 (Hui Wing-Kin)
   • Publication Date: 2011-06-16
   • Priority Date: 2008-11-18
   • Brief Description: This application describes a pool cleaning vehicle having a structure for cleaning and sanitizing pool water.
   • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): While this reference focuses on cleaning and sanitizing structures, it may be relevant to the "self-propelled pool cleaner" (claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and the overall function of cleaning debris. Depending on the details of the "structure for cleaning" in this prior art, it could potentially anticipate the "filter configured to retain debris collected from the submerged surface" (claims 1c, 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c) or the "chemical dispenser" (claim 5d) if such features are described in enough detail.

4. US 7362351 B2

   • Full Citation: US 7,362,351 B2 (Vision Iq)
   • Publication Date: 2008-04-22
   • Priority Date: 2000-12-06
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a method, system, and device for detecting an object proximate to a water/air type interface.
   • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reference is relevant for its disclosure of object detection in water environments, which could broadly relate to the use of a camera to capture images of the submerged surface (claims 1d, 2d, 3d, 4d, 5e). While it doesn't describe controlling a pool cleaner based on cleanliness, the underlying technology of underwater imaging and object detection could be seen as foundational, potentially anticipating the camera's function in capturing imagery of the submerged surface.

5. WO 2009/149428 A1

   • Full Citation: WO 2009/149428 A1 (Hawkeye Systems, Inc.)
   • Publication Date: 2009-12-10
   • Priority Date: 2008-06-05
   • Brief Description: This international publication describes above-water monitoring of swimming pools.
   • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reference is less direct as it specifies "above-water monitoring" while US11262766 claims an onboard camera. However, if the monitoring system provides sufficient information to infer the cleanliness of the submerged surface and could be adapted to control a cleaner, it might be cited for concepts related to monitoring and data processing for pool conditions. It could potentially anticipate the broader concept of using "images" to assess the pool surface, even if the camera placement differs from the primary claims of US11262766.

It is important to note that a thorough anticipation analysis would require a detailed claim-by-claim comparison with the full disclosure of each prior art reference. These are initial assessments based on the titles and brief descriptions provided.