US 2026/0275746 A1 · DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATION WITH EQUIPMENT SUCH AS AUTOMATIC SWIMMING POOL CLEANERS

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods may be used for wirelessly communicating underwater (or through air) with equipment such as, but not necessarily limited to, automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs). Such communication avoids any need for conventional wired communication with the APCs. At least some of the devices may be hand-held and capable of having at least portions immersed in water in normal use. The devices preferably do not use radio frequency (RF) signal to communication with APCs, instead employing light-based or other signal types.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A cleaning system for a liquid-containing vessel, the cleaning system comprising:

one or more cleaning devices disposed in liquid of the liquid-containing vessel;
a control device separate from the one or more cleaning devices, the control device including a communication module configured to wirelessly communicate, using light signals, with the one or more cleaning devices, wherein the one or more cleaning devices are configured to operate based on the light signals;
wherein the one or more cleaning devices are chargeable;
wherein the control device includes a sensor;
wherein the sensor is configured to detect a presence of liquid in the liquid-containing vessel;
and
wherein the sensor is further configured to detect that a distal end of the control device is in contact with the liquid.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

19/686,088Filed 22 May 2026

Priority

6 Aug 2020

Published

17 Sep 2026

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

E04H 4/1654
Specially adapted for cleaning: self-propelled cleaners
C02F 1/001
Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage: processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance
C02F 1/008
Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage: control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
G05D 1/0016
Associated with a remote control arrangement: characterised by the operator's input device

Family

Application63/061,898Us provisional application · filed 6 Aug 2020

Application17/395,584Continuation · filed 6 Aug 2021

Application19/170,357Continuation · filed 4 Apr 2025

Application19/686,088Continuation

US 12,291,890 B2Related patent

US 2022/0042335 A1Published application

US 2025/0230679 A1Published application

US 2026/0275746 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Devices, systems, and methods for communication with equipment such as automatic swimming pool cleaners

Life of this patent

Devices, systems, and methods for communication with equipment such as automatic swimming pool cleaners

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6