# US 2013/0152970 A1 · Automatic pool cleaner for cleaning a pool with minimum power consumption and method thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0152970 A1 - Document ID: US20130152970A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/719,633 - Filed: 2012-12-19 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-19 - Assignees: Aquatron Robotic Technology Ltd. - Inventors: Joseph PORAT - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130152970A1 ## CPC - E04H 4/1654: {Self-propelled cleaners} - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) ## Abstract An automatic pool cleaner, comprising a pump unit, a control unit and a sensor, the sensor configured to detect foreign objects in the pool. The control unit configured to activate the pump unit at a first power level which is less then full power when a foreign object is not detected by the sensor, and further configured to activate the pump unit at a second power level, which is greater than the first power level, in response to a signal from the sensor unit indicating the detection of a foreign object. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An automatic pool cleaner, comprising: a pump unit; a sensor unit comprising a sensor, the sensor configured to detect foreign objects; and, a control unit coupled to the sensor unit and the pump unit, the control unit configured to activate the pump unit at a first power level which is less then full power when a foreign object is not detected by the sensor, and further configured to activate the pump unit at a second power level, which is greater than the first power level, in response to a signal from the sensor unit indicating the detection of a foreign object. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The automatic pool cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is mounted so as to have a sensed region located underneath the automatic pool cleaner. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The automatic pool cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is mounted so as to have a sensed region located along a current anticipated motion path of the automatic pool cleaner. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The automatic pool cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit comprises an optical sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The automatic pool cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the pump unit is powered by a battery. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The automatic pool cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the pump unit is powered by an external power source. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The automatic pool cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to operate the automatic pool cleaner at fixed time intervals. ### Claim 8 A method for cleaning a pool with minimum power consumption comprising: configuring an automatic pool cleaner to traverse a surface while operating one or more sensors, to detect foreign objects; operating a pump unit of the automatic pool cleaner at a first power level, less then full power, when a foreign object is not detected; and, operating the pump unit at a second power level, which is greater than the first power level, when a foreign object is detected. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the automatic pool cleaner is configured to operate the pump to maintain a straight course in the face of asymmetry. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein said one or more sensors are configured to provide a sensed region along a current anticipated motion path of the automatic pool cleaner. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein said one or more sensors are configured to provide a sensed region located underneath the automatic pool cleaner. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein said one or more sensors comprise one or more optical sensors. ### Claim 13 A method for cleaning a pool with minimum power consumption comprising: activating an automatic pool cleaner at a regular fixed time interval to traverse a surface while operating at least one sensor to detect foreign objects while employing a pump unit at a first power level, the first power level being less then full power, when a foreign object is not detected; and, employing the pump unit at a second power level, which is greater than the first power level, when a foreign object is detected. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein said at least one sensor is configured to provide a sensed region along a current anticipated motion path of the automatic pool cleaner. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein said at least one sensor is configured to provide a sensed region located underneath the automatic pool cleaner. ### Claim 16 A method for cleaning a pool with minimum power consumption comprising: activating an automatic pool cleaner for a fixed time interval to traverse a surface while operating one or more sensors to detect foreign objects; configuring the automatic pool cleaner to determine if there is a foreign object on the surface by comparing a current image of the surface with a reference image obtained by said one or more sensors; configuring the automatic pool cleaner to move toward the foreign object on the surface; configuring the automatic pool cleaner to employ a pump unit at a first power level to vacuum up the foreign object; and, configuring the automatic pool cleaner to employ the pump unit at a second power level less then the first power level when a foreign object is not detected. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein said one or more sensors comprise an optical sensor which is configured to provide a sensed region along a current anticipated motion path of the automatic pool cleaner. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein said one or more sensors comprise an optical sensor which is configured to provide a sensed region located underneath the automatic pool cleaner.