AR Pool Mapping for Accurate Volume and Cleaner Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Determining the characteristics of complex-shaped swimming pools and spas, such as volume, is challenging due to their non-uniform lengths, widths, and depths, which complicates operations like cleaning and chemical dosage.
Innovation Solution
Employing augmented reality techniques using a smartphone or tablet to capture images and virtually trace the pool's outline, providing depth information, and creating a three-dimensional mapping, which can be used to improve the operational efficiency of automatic pool cleaners and other pool systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional measurement methods are used for complex-shaped pools, then measurement process is simple, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement systems (tape measures, manual depth gauges) with an optical-based augmented reality system using smartphone cameras and image processing algorithms to capture and analyze pool geometry, achieving higher precision without manual measurement errors
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional top-down satellite imagery to three-dimensional spatial mapping by incorporating depth measurements and creating volumetric models of the pool, enabling accurate volume calculation and characteristic determination for complex shapes
2Productivity
If pool volume and characteristics are accurately determined, then operational efficiency of cleaning systems is improved, but measurement and mapping complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic pool mapping and characteristic determination that can be performed by pool owners themselves using their smartphones, eliminating the need for professional surveyors or complex measurement equipment while providing accurate data for optimizing cleaner operation
Solution Approach 2:
The augmented reality application serves multiple functions: it maps pool boundaries, calculates volume, determines characteristics, and provides this data to cleaning systems, making a single device capable of performing what previously required multiple specialized tools and processes
Data Source
AI summary
Augmented (virtual) reality techniques are described for assisting in determining characteristics of swimming pools and spas. Such pools and spas may, for example, be mapped at least as to their general sizes and shapes. The mapped and other information may be available for display and may be furnished to an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) to improve its operational efficiency in cleaning the pool.