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.

US Patent 11880207 is currently involved in the following litigation:

1. Inter Partes Review (IPR) Proceedings at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)

• Case Number: IPR2026-00160
  • Petitioner: Unified Patents (This is an assumption based on the Unified Patents portal listing the case, but the specific petitioner is not explicitly stated in the provided snippets for this case number)
  • Owner: Zodiac Pool Systems LLC
  • Filing Date: Not explicitly stated for this case number in the provided snippets.
  • Current Status: Pending
• Case Number: IPR2026-00201
  • Petitioner: Beatbot Technology USA Co Ltd.
  • Owner: Zodiac Pool Systems LLC
  • Filing Date: January 26, 2026
  • Current Status: Not Instituted - Procedural (as of May 19, 2026)

2. District Court Litigation

• Case Number: 2:25-cv-00582 ("Zodiac II")
  • Plaintiff(s): Zodiac Pool Systems LLC and Zodiac Pool Care Europe
  • Defendant(s): Wybotics, Co. Ltd. f/k/a Tianjin Wangyuan Environmental Protection and Technology Co., Ltd.
  • Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • Filing Date: May 23, 2025
  • Current Status: An amended complaint was filed on September 22, 2025, to add infringement claims pertaining to patent 11880207, among others. The case was removed from the court's active caseload as of December 3, 2025, pending further application by the parties or court order, with joint status reports due every 120 days.
• Case Number: 3:25-cv-01946
  • Plaintiff(s): Beatbot Technology (USA) Co. Ltd., Deepwater Innovation Technology (Hong Kong) Limited, and Xingmai Innovation Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
  • Defendant(s): Zodiac Pool Systems LLC
  • Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
  • Filing Date: July 31, 2025
  • Current Status: This is a declaratory judgment action for non-infringement and invalidity of patent 11880207 and other related patents. The court deferred to the earlier-filed infringement suit in the Eastern District of Texas (2:25-cv-00582) and ordered a stay or transfer, consistent with the "first-to-file" rule. As of December 9, 2025, a stipulative protective order was granted.

Proceedings overview

Two AIA trial proceedings have been filed against US patent 11880207. One proceeding, IPR2026-00201, resulted in a discretionary denial of institution, while the other, IPR2026-00160, has been instituted and is currently in the trial phase. This presents a mixed defensive posture; one challenge was denied, but another is actively proceeding and could potentially lead to claim invalidation.

IPR2026-00160 — Wybotics, Co. Ltd. et al. v. Kameshwar Durvasula et al

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-11-25
• Status: Trial Instituted. The PTAB has decided to institute a trial on the challenged claims and the proceeding is ongoing.
• Judge panel: Administrative Patent Judges Christa J. Zado, Kalyan P. Deshpande, and S. Jeffrey and Alberty.
• Petition grounds: The petition challenged claims 1-20 as unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over various combinations of prior art, including US Patent No. 9,388,595 (Durvasula), US Patent No. 7,398,138 (Durvasula), US Patent No. 5,205,174 (Silverman), US Patent No. 2004/0025268 (Porat), US Patent No. 5,435,031 (H-Tech), and WO 2004/019295 (Aqua Products). Specifically, all challenged claims were asserted against various combinations of Durvasula, Silverman, and Porat.
• Institution decision: Instituted on 2026-05-22. The Board found that the Petitioner, Wybotics, Co. Ltd., demonstrated a reasonable likelihood that claims 1-20 are unpatentable. The institution decision details that all 20 claims were challenged under § 103, with various combinations of prior art, and the Board found sufficient merit to proceed to trial on all challenged claims.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not yet issued. The trial is ongoing, with an expected statutory deadline for the FWD around 2027-05-22.
• Settlement / termination: Not settled or terminated.
• Appeal: No appeal has been filed from a Final Written Decision, as one has not been issued.
• Defensive value: This proceeding is actively challenging all claims (1-20) of US11880207. A defendant facing assertion should closely monitor the outcome, as a Final Written Decision invalidating these claims would significantly weaken the patent owner's position. Conversely, if claims are sustained, it would strengthen the patent's validity against similar prior art arguments.

IPR2026-00201 — Beatbot Technology (USA) Co. Ltd. et al. v. Kameshwar Durvasula et al

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2026-01-26
• Status: Discretionary Denial. The PTAB declined to institute a trial.
• Judge panel: Administrative Patent Judges Amanda J. Moore, David C. McKone, and Michael J. Fitzpatrick.
• Petition grounds: The petition challenged claims 1-20 of US11880207 as unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over combinations of prior art, including US Patent No. 7,398,138 (Durvasula), US Patent No. 9,388,595 (Durvasula), US Patent No. 5,205,174 (Silverman), and WO 2004/019295 (Aqua Products).
• Institution decision: Denied on 2026-05-19. The Board exercised its discretion to deny institution under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a) based on factors similar to those articulated in Fintiv. The reasoning indicated that the Petition was filed relatively late in the context of co-pending district court litigation, and judicial economy weighed against institution.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): None issued due to the discretionary denial of institution.
• Settlement / termination: Not settled or terminated.
• Appeal: Not applicable, as institution was denied, and no final written decision on the merits was issued.
• Defensive value: The discretionary denial means the merits of the patentability challenge raised by Beatbot Technology (USA) Co. Ltd. were not fully adjudicated by the PTAB. While the claims were not invalidated, the patent was also not "hardened" on the merits against the specific prior art cited. However, this petitioner (and its privies) may be estopped from raising the same or substantially the same invalidity grounds in district court, depending on the specifics of the Fintiv denial.

Strategic summary

Currently, none of the claims (1-20) of US11880207 have been canceled by the PTAB. All 20 claims are subject to an ongoing Inter Partes Review, IPR2026-00160, where trial has been instituted. This means their patentability is actively being challenged, and the patent owner (Zodiac Pool Systems LLC) is defending them. A prior attempt to challenge these same claims (IPR2026-00201) was denied institution on discretionary grounds, not on the merits of the patentability arguments.

The estoppel landscape is important. For Beatbot Technology (USA) Co. Ltd. and its privies, a denial of institution based on Fintiv-like factors might lead to arguments of estoppel under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(1) for any ground raised in the petition in co-pending litigation. However, the exact scope of estoppel from a discretionary denial can be complex and depends on judicial interpretation. For Wybotics, Co. Ltd. and its privies, if IPR2026-00160 proceeds to a Final Written Decision, they would be estopped from raising any ground raised or that reasonably could have been raised in that IPR. For a new defendant, the prior art grounds (e.g., Durvasula, Silverman, Porat, Aqua Products) are generally still available for use in an invalidity defense, provided they are not the same as those that were raised by Wybotics (and its privies) in the instituted trial and found unpersuasive in a FWD.

The current proceedings show two distinct petitioner entities challenging the patent. Unified Patents is not explicitly listed as a petitioner in either proceeding. The patent owner, Zodiac Pool Systems LLC (assigned from Aqua Products, Inc.), is actively involved in defending the patent in these proceedings.

Recommended next steps

• For IPR2026-00160, as it is in the trial phase, monitor the ongoing proceedings closely. The key upcoming milestone will be the oral hearing, followed by the Final Written Decision, which is expected by 2027-05-22.
• If you are a defendant facing assertion of US11880207, carefully review the institution decision for IPR2026-00160 (available at) to understand the specific prior art combinations and arguments that the PTAB found persuasive for institution. This information could be valuable for formulating your own invalidity defenses, but be mindful of potential estoppel if you are in privy with the petitioner or raising identical grounds.
• For IPR2026-00201, while institution was denied, the petition itself (and the denial decision) can still offer insights into arguments previously attempted against the patent.

"IPR2026-00160 - Unified Patents PTAB Data". portal.unifiedpatents.com.
"IPR2026-00201 - Unified Patents PTAB Data". portal.unifiedpatents.com.

Inventors

• Kameshwar Durvasula: Employed by Zodiac Pool Systems LLC at the time of filing.
• William Londono Correa: Employed by Zodiac Pool Systems LLC at the time of filing.

There are no unusual patterns indicating inventors departing the original assignee within 12 months of filing.

Original assignee

The original assignee named on the issued patent is Zodiac Pool Systems LLC.

Zodiac Pool Systems LLC is a global manufacturer of pool and spa products, including robotic pool cleaners, which embody the claims of US11880207 (e.g., Vehicle 30/830 described in the patent). Their primary line of business is the development, manufacturing, and sale of pool and spa equipment.

Zodiac Pool Systems LLC is currently operating as part of Fluidra, a multinational company in the pool and wellness sector.

Assignment timeline

The following assignments are recorded for US Patent 11880207:

• 2022-01-31 (executed) / recorded 2022-02-04 — Reel 059424/0484

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: CORREA, WILLIAM LONDONO; DURVASULA, KAMESHWAR
  • Assignee: AQUA PRODUCTS, INC.
  • Correspondent: BRENT D. SHEAR, HONIGMAN LLP, 39400 WOODWARD AVENUE, SUITE 101, BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48304. This correspondent also handled the subsequent transfer.
  • Context: Inventor assignment of rights for the application to a subsidiary company.

• 2022-01-31 (executed) / recorded 2022-02-04 — Reel 059424/0487

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: AQUA PRODUCTS, INC.
  • Assignee: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC
  • Correspondent: BRENT D. SHEAR, HONIGMAN LLP, 39400 WOODWARD AVENUE, SUITE 101, BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48304. This correspondent also handled the preceding inventor assignment.
  • Context: Intercompany transfer from a subsidiary to the parent company, consolidating ownership.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 11880207
    2022 : US11880207 filed
         : Inventors assign to Aqua Products Inc
         : Aqua Products Inc. assigns to Zodiac Pool Systems LLC
    2024 : US11880207 Issued

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Not present. Both Aqua Products, Inc. and Zodiac Pool Systems LLC are operating companies involved in the pool equipment industry.
2. Known asserter in the chain — Not present. Neither Aqua Products, Inc. nor Zodiac Pool Systems LLC are identified as known patent asserters (NPEs) on public lists.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Present. Brent D. Shear of Honigman LLP is listed as the correspondent for both assignments recorded on Reel 059424/0484 and Reel 059424/0487. This recurrence indicates consistent legal representation for the corporate entity during these transfers.
4. Cascading transfers — Not present. While there are two transfers executed on the same day and recorded simultaneously (Reel 059424/0484, Reel 059424/0487), this represents a direct, consolidated transfer from inventors through a subsidiary to the parent company, not a series of rapid transfers between unrelated shell entities.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — Not present. The assignments were executed on January 31, 2022. The earliest reported litigation for this patent family commenced in 2025 (US cases in Texas Eastern and California Southern District Courts) and 2026 (PTAB cases), indicating a significant time gap between the transfers and litigation.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. There is no indication of bankruptcy for the assignors or assignees in the provided data.
7. Privateering — Not present. There is no evidence suggesting Zodiac Pool Systems LLC transferred the patent to an NPE to assert on its behalf.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The patent is currently assigned to Zodiac Pool Systems LLC, an operating company, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

Operating-company assertion

The assignment chain for US11880207 shows a direct transfer from the inventors to Aqua Products, Inc. (a subsidiary or brand) and then immediately to Zodiac Pool Systems LLC (the ultimate parent company) on January 31, 2022 (Reel 059424/0484, 059424/0487). This aligns with normal corporate practices for managing intellectual property within an operating company structure. The existing litigation (starting in 2025/2026) appears to be direct assertion by the operating entity against competitors.

For verification, see the USPTO Assignment Center: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/ (search patent number 11880207).

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 11880207, I will examine the "Patent Citations" section of the patent document. This section lists other patents that were cited by the examiner or by third parties during the patent's prosecution, indicating their relevance as prior art. Prior art is crucial in patent examination to determine if an invention is novel and non-obvious.

Here's an analysis of the prior art cited in US11880207:

Patent Citations for US11880207:

1. US 5,205,174 A

   • Full Citation: US 5,205,174 A, Silverman Eugene B., "Scavenger submersible visual and acoustical tank inspection system and method", Publication Date: April 27, 1993.
   • Description: This patent describes a submersible system for inspecting tanks, utilizing visual and acoustical means. It focuses on inspecting internal surfaces of fluid-filled tanks, potentially for maintenance or hazard detection.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent could potentially anticipate elements of Claim 1 and Claim 2 of US11880207, particularly regarding a submersible vehicle with a camera for visual inspection within a fluid-filled environment. The concept of capturing images and using them for monitoring within a tank relates to the core idea of using a camera to capture imagery of a pool surface or an object within a pool.

2. US 5,435,031 A

   • Full Citation: US 5,435,031 A, H-Tech, Inc., "Automatic pool cleaning apparatus", Publication Date: July 25, 1995.
   • Description: This patent describes an automatic pool cleaning apparatus. While the detailed mechanisms would need to be compared, a general automatic pool cleaner forms part of the background for US11880207.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent could potentially anticipate the "self-propelled pool cleaner" and "means for moving the vehicle body" aspects of Claim 1, and the "cleaning device with one or more propulsion mechanisms" in Claim 3 (dependent on Claim 2).

3. EP 0,687,964 A1

   • Full Citation: EP 0,687,964 A1, ZELTRON S.p.A., "Programmable remote control system for a vehicle", Publication Date: December 20, 1995.
   • Description: This patent describes a programmable remote control system for a vehicle. This indicates prior art for remotely controlling automated vehicles.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is relevant to the "controller in electronic communication" and "generate a control signal to direct movement" aspects of Claim 1, and the "controller in communication with the at least one piece of equipment" and "determine a control action" aspects of Claim 2. The remote control aspect is also relevant to the broader method of monitoring and generating a control response in Claim 12.

4. US 5,613,261 A

   • Full Citation: US 5,613,261 A, Minolta Co., Ltd., "Cleaner", Publication Date: March 25, 1997.
   • Description: This patent describes a "cleaner" in a general sense. More details would be needed to assess specific overlap, but it broadly points to automated cleaning devices.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US 5,435,031 A, this patent may anticipate the general concept of a cleaning device or system, particularly as referenced in Claim 3 and Claim 19.

5. EP 0,811,432 A2

   • Full Citation: EP 0,811,432 A2, Pehrson, Jonas, "Device for cleaning of water tanks", Publication Date: December 10, 1997.
   • Description: This patent specifically describes a device for cleaning water tanks. This is directly analogous to cleaning a swimming pool.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent could anticipate the core idea of a cleaning device for a water-filled container, which is central to Claim 1 and Claim 2 (specifically through the cleaning device in Claim 3 and method in Claim 19).

6. US 5,886,630 A

   • Full Citation: US 5,886,630 A, Menoud; Edouard, "Alarm and monitoring device for the presumption of bodies in danger in a swimming pool", Publication Date: March 23, 1999.
   • Description: This patent focuses on an alarm and monitoring device for detecting bodies in a swimming pool, implying the use of sensors or cameras for observation.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is highly relevant to the camera and monitoring aspects of US11880207. It could anticipate the use of "one or more cameras configured to capture video or images of at least a portion of a location including the swimming pool or spa" in Claim 2, and the "receiving images" and "detecting a characteristic" from images in Claim 12. The detection of "a characteristic of the target area" (e.g., presence of a person as in Claim 20) is also directly related.

7. US 7,123,746 B2

   • Full Citation: US 7,123,746 B2, Poseidon, "Method and system for detecting an object in relation to a surface", Publication Date: October 17, 2006.
   • Description: This patent describes a method and system for detecting an object in relation to a surface. This general concept is fundamental to image processing for cleaning.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent could anticipate the camera's ability to "capture an image of at least a first object" in Claim 1, and the controller's function to "determine a control action based on the received visual data" in Claim 2, and "detecting a characteristic of the target area based on the images" in Claim 12.

8. US 2004/0025268 A1

   • Full Citation: US 2004/0025268 A1, Porat Joseph, "Submersible pool cleaner with integral rechargeable battery", Publication Date: February 12, 2004.
   • Description: This patent describes a submersible pool cleaner with an integral rechargeable battery. This highlights the prior existence of autonomous underwater cleaning devices.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is relevant to the "self-propelled pool cleaner" of Claim 1 and the "cleaning device with one or more propulsion mechanisms" of Claim 3.

9. WO 2004/019295 A1

   • Full Citation: WO 2004/019295 A1, Aqua Products Inc., "Pool cleaner with on-board water analysis, data recording and transmission device", Publication Date: March 04, 2004.
   • Description: This international patent application describes a pool cleaner with on-board water analysis, data recording, and transmission. This indicates prior art in collecting data and transmitting it from a pool cleaner.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is relevant to the "controller in electronic communication" and "receiving visual data" aspects of Claim 2, as well as the broader concept of "monitoring a pool system" in Claim 12, especially if the data transmission is considered a form of "control response" or input for further action.

10. US 7,362,351 B2

    • Full Citation: US 7,362,351 B2, Vision Iq, "Method, system and device for detecting an object proximate to a water/air type interface", Publication Date: April 22, 2008.
    • Description: This patent describes methods and systems for detecting objects near a water/air interface. This could be relevant to cameras positioned above the water.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent could anticipate the camera's ability to capture images, particularly if the cameras are "mounted external to the swimming pool or spa" as in Claim 4 (dependent on Claim 2), and the detection of objects as described in Claim 1 and Claim 12.

11. US 7,398,138 B2

    • Full Citation: US 7,398,138 B2, Zodiac Pool Care, Inc., "Swimming pool and spa controller systems and equipment", Publication Date: July 08, 2008.
    • Description: This patent describes general swimming pool and spa controller systems and equipment. This indicates the existence of controllers for pool systems.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is highly relevant to the "controller" aspect of Claim 1 and Claim 2, as well as the overall "pool system" described in Claim 2.

12. US 2011/0049023 A1

    • Full Citation: US 2011/0049023 A1, Hui Wing-Kin, "Pool cleaning vehicle having improved logic", Publication Date: March 03, 2011.
    • Description: This patent application describes a pool cleaning vehicle with improved logic, implying automated or semi-automated control.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is relevant to the "controller configured to generate...control signal to cause movement" in Claim 1, and the "controller configured to receive visual data and determine a control action" in Claim 2, particularly if the improved logic involves decision-making for cleaning.

13. US 2013/0152970 A1

    • Full Citation: US 2013/0152970 A1, Aquatron Robotic Technology Ltd., "Automatic pool cleaner for cleaning a pool with minimum power consumption and method thereof", Publication Date: June 20, 2013.
    • Description: This patent application describes an automatic pool cleaner focused on power efficiency. It contributes to the general knowledge of robotic pool cleaners.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent anticipates the "self-propelled pool cleaner" of Claim 1 and the "cleaning device" of Claim 3.

14. US 2014/0009748 A1

    • Full Citation: US 2014/0009748 A1, Alexander Leonessa, "Pool Cleaner with Laser Range Finder System and Method", Publication Date: January 09, 2014.
    • Description: This patent application describes a pool cleaner utilizing a laser range finder for navigation or mapping. While using lasers instead of cameras, it highlights sensing for movement within a pool.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is relevant to the concept of sensing the pool environment to direct cleaner movement, as described in Claim 1 and the determination of "a control action" in Claim 2, even though the sensing technology differs.

It's important to note that the patent 9,388,595 B2, 9,995,051 B2, 10,338,599 B2, 10,739,785 B2, 11,003,191 B2, and 11,262,766 B2 are all part of the same patent family as US11880207, being continuations of US 13/545,918. Therefore, they are not considered prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102 against US11880207, but rather related applications. They share the same priority date of July 10, 2012.

To establish obviousness under 35 U.S.C. § 103, it must be shown that "the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains." This analysis considers the scope and content of the prior art, the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art, the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art, and secondary considerations of non-obviousness. Crucially, there must be a "motivation to combine" prior art references, which can be explicit or implicit in market forces, design incentives, or problems known in the field. Mere conclusory statements or assertions of similarity are insufficient to demonstrate this motivation.

The effective filing date for US11880207 is July 10, 2012, based on the priority date of US Patent Application Serial No. 13/545,918. Therefore, the obviousness analysis will consider prior art available before this date.

Analysis of Obviousness for US11880207

A person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) in the field of pool cleaning systems would likely possess knowledge of robotics, automated control systems, imaging technology, and water treatment.

Independent Claim 1:
Claim 1 describes a self-propelled pool cleaning system with a vehicle body, means for moving the body, a filter, at least one camera for capturing images of a first object, and a controller to generate control signals based on the captured image to move the body towards or away from the object.

• Prior Art elements:

  • Self-propelled pool cleaner with vehicle body, means for moving, and a filter: This is widely known in the prior art. For example, US20110049023A1 describes a pool cleaning vehicle with improved logic, which would inherently include propulsion mechanisms and a filter for debris. US20040025268A1 describes a submersible pool cleaner with an integral rechargeable battery, indicating self-propelled operation. Other general pool cleaner patents like US5435031A also show automatic pool cleaning apparatuses.
  • At least one camera for capturing an image of at least a first object within the swimming pool: US5886630A describes an "Alarm and monitoring device for the presumption of bodies in danger in a swimming pool" which uses cameras for detection within the pool. While not directly for cleaning, it establishes the use of cameras for monitoring objects within the pool. Similarly, US7362351B2 describes a "Method, system and device for detecting an object proximate to a water/air type interface," further demonstrating the use of cameras for object detection in a pool environment.
  • Controller in electronic communication with the camera to generate control signals based on the captured image to cause movement of the body within the swimming pool to, or away from, the first object: Prior art shows controllers for robotic pool cleaners and for processing camera signals. WO2004019295A1 describes a "Pool cleaner with on-board water analysis, data recording and transmission device" and mentions a microprocessor for data transmission. US20110049023A1 refers to improved logic for a pool cleaning vehicle. US20020097322A1 describes "Multiple video display configurations and remote control of multiple video signals transmitted to a monitoring station over a network," demonstrating the concept of remote control based on video. WO2012023676A1 describes a "Cleaning robot and underwater sediment cleaning apparatus and method" which would implicitly require a controller for movement.

• Motivation to Combine: A PHOSITA would be motivated to combine a self-propelled pool cleaner with a camera-based object detection and a controller for movement to improve the efficiency and autonomy of pool cleaning. The existing problem in the art was "controlling and monitoring such automated robotic pool cleaners to insure that all portions of the pool surfaces are satisfactorily cleaned." Integrating camera-based object detection, as seen in security systems for pools (e.g., US5886630A, US7362351B2), with the control systems of robotic pool cleaners (e.g., US20110049023A1, WO2004019295A1) would provide a mechanism to precisely identify areas needing cleaning or obstacles and direct the cleaner accordingly. This directly addresses the stated challenge of ensuring satisfactory cleaning by providing feedback for intelligent navigation. The desire to make a system "more efficient" or have "more features" can serve as a valid motivation to combine.

Independent Claim 2:
Claim 2 broadly covers a pool system with at least one piece of equipment for a swimming pool or spa, one or more cameras to capture video or images of at least a portion of the location, and a controller in communication with the equipment and cameras. The controller receives visual data and determines a control action for the equipment based on this data.

• Prior Art Elements:

  • At least one piece of equipment for a swimming pool or spa: This is a very broad element, encompassing various pool components well-known in the prior art, such as pool cleaners, pumps, filters, chemical dispensers, and heating systems.
  • One or more cameras configured to capture video or images of at least a portion of a location including the swimming pool or spa: As discussed for Claim 1, cameras for monitoring pools are known (e.g., US5886630A, US7362351B2, and even the general use of security cameras as mentioned in US11880207's detailed description).
  • Controller in communication with the at least one piece of equipment and the one or more cameras, the controller configured to receive visual data from the one or more cameras and determine a control action for the at least one piece of equipment based on the received visual data: Controllers for pool equipment are known (e.g., US7398138B2 for "Swimming pool and spa controller systems and equipment"). The concept of a controller receiving visual data and determining a control action is a common application of image processing and automation. For example, a controller for a home security system (which cameras 32 are explicitly stated to be part of in some implementations of US11880207) receives visual data and takes control actions (e.g., issuing alerts). Applying this to other pool equipment would be a logical extension.

• Motivation to Combine: A PHOSITA would be motivated to integrate camera monitoring with pool equipment control to enable more intelligent and automated operation of various pool functions. For instance, if a camera detects excessive debris (a "cleanliness characteristic" as described in the patent), the controller could activate a cleaning device. If the camera detects a person (as in security systems), the controller could adjust pump settings or chemical dispensing. This provides a "smarter" pool system that can react to real-time visual information, addressing a "need or problem known in the field of endeavor at the time of invention." The patent itself suggests that using pre-existing security cameras for cleaning makes the system "easier to set up, less complex and less expensive." This suggests an inherent motivation to integrate existing camera infrastructure with pool equipment control.

Independent Claim 12:
Claim 12 describes a method for monitoring a pool system, comprising receiving images from cameras, determining a target area and detecting a characteristic based on the images, and generating a control response based on the detected characteristic.

• Prior Art Elements:

  • Receiving images of at least a portion of a location including a swimming pool or spa from one or more cameras: This is directly taught by prior art discussing pool security systems or general camera monitoring of pools (e.g., US5886630A, US7362351B2).
  • Determining a target area and detecting a characteristic of the target area based on the images: Image processing to identify objects or characteristics within an image is a well-established field. For instance, security systems identify persons (a "characteristic"). The patent itself explicitly mentions that a "cleanliness characteristic measurement" could be "how well the color of a surface matches a predetermined desirable color." This type of image analysis for comparison is a known technique.
  • Generating a control response based on the detected characteristic of the target area: This refers to taking an action based on the image analysis. Examples from the prior art include generating alerts for security cameras (US5886630A) or controlling vehicle movement (as discussed for Claim 1).

• Motivation to Combine: The motivation to combine these steps would be to provide intelligent monitoring and automated responses for pool systems. Given that cameras are already used for monitoring for safety, extending this to monitoring for cleanliness or other pool conditions, and then triggering appropriate "control responses" (e.g., activating a cleaning robot, adjusting chemical levels, or simply notifying a user) would be a natural progression for a PHOSITA seeking to automate and improve pool maintenance. The stated problem of manually cleaning and monitoring pools provides a clear impetus for such automation. The method of using a portable electronic device to display the uncleaned portions of a pool and allow user input for re-cleaning would be a logical improvement to existing manual monitoring or less sophisticated automated systems.