Pool Cleaner Image-Guided Path Scoring for Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pool cleaners operate randomly or with inefficient control algorithms, leading to ineffective cleaning of swimming pools, as they lack the ability to systematically locate and remove debris.
Innovation Solution
A pool cleaner control system equipped with an imaging device and a controller that analyzes images to determine optimal cleaning pathways, filters out noise, and navigates the cleaner to efficiently remove debris by calculating path scores and prioritizing debris based on size and location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If random algorithms are used for pool cleaner navigation, then the cleaner can operate without complex control systems, but the cleaning efficiency and time to remove debris are significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images of the pool environment before cleaning operations begin. The controller analyzes these images to identify debris locations, calculate optimal pathways, and plan cleaning routes in advance, allowing the cleaner to navigate efficiently rather than moving randomly throughout the pool.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously capturing images during operation, analyzing current debris positions, and adjusting the cleaning pathway in real-time based on detected objects. The controller uses image analysis results to modify navigation decisions, ensuring the cleaner responds to actual pool conditions rather than following a predetermined random pattern.
2Measurement precision
If image processing and object detection algorithms are implemented, then debris can be located and targeted efficiently, but the device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential information needed for cleaning by filtering images to identify specific debris objects and their locations. The controller processes images to extract debris positions, sizes, and types, discarding unnecessary visual data. This selective extraction achieves accurate debris detection without requiring overly complex processing of entire image datasets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified representations of the pool environment by generating maps or models based on image analysis. Instead of processing raw complex images continuously, the controller creates simplified copies or representations of debris locations and pool features, which are easier to process and use for navigation decisions while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Loss of time
If the cleaner navigates to specific debris locations based on image analysis, then debris removal is targeted and efficient, but the navigation complexity and path planning requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary pathway calculations by analyzing the pool layout and debris positions before navigation begins. The controller pre-computes optimal routes to multiple debris locations, considering pool boundaries and obstacles, so that the cleaner can follow predetermined efficient paths rather than calculating routes in real-time during movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system focuses on cleaning the most significant debris or the most accessible areas first rather than attempting to clean every location simultaneously. The controller prioritizes debris based on size, type, or location, directing the cleaner to handle the most important cleaning tasks first, which reduces overall cleaning time without requiring complex simultaneous multi-path navigation.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a pool cleaner control system to locate and remove debris from an aquatic environment. The control system comprises an imaging device configured to be mounted on a housing of a pool cleaner and a controller in communication with the imaging device and configured to control the imaging device to acquire one or more primary images from the imaging device. The primary image is received by the controller from the imaging device. Debris is identified within the aquatic environment and a path score is calculated for at least two potential paths having debris within the aquatic environment. The pool cleaner is navigated along a selected path, the selected path being the one of the at least two potential paths having a highest path score.