US 11880207

US Patent 11880207, titled "Pool cleaning system and method to automatically clean surfaces of a pool using images from a camera," was granted to Zodiac Pool Systems LLC on January 23, 2024. The application for this patent was filed on January 10, 2022. The inventors listed are Kameshwar Durvasula and William Londono Correa.

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

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a self-propelled pool cleaning system. It includes a vehicle body that moves within the swimming pool, means for moving this body, and a filter to collect debris. Key to the invention is at least one camera that captures an image of an object in the pool, and a controller. This controller communicates with the camera and generates control signals in response to the captured image. These signals direct the vehicle body to move either towards or away from the observed object.
• Independent Claim 2: This claim broadly defines a pool system comprising at least one piece of pool or spa equipment and one or more cameras. The cameras capture video or images of the pool or spa area. A controller, in communication with both the equipment and the cameras, receives visual data from the cameras. Based on this visual data, the controller determines a control action for the piece of equipment.
• Independent Claim 12: This claim outlines a method for monitoring a pool system. The method involves receiving images of at least a portion of a swimming pool or spa from one or more cameras. It then proceeds to determine a "target area" and detects a characteristic of that target area using the received images. Finally, the method generates a "control response" based on the detected characteristic of the target area.

Litigation Status:
As of April 26, 2026, Google Patents indicates that the patent family related to US11880207 has litigation. Specifically, there are two PTAB cases filed (IPR2026-00160 and IPR2026-00201), both listed as "Pending". Additionally, there are US cases filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (2:25-cv-00582) and the California Southern District Court (3:25-cv-01946).
I could not find specific CAFC 2026 dockets directly referencing US11880207 in the provided search results. The litigation information is from Google Patents, which cites "Unified Patents PTAB Data" and "District Court" as sources.