Swimming Pool Cleaner With Docking System And/Or Other Related Systems And Methods

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments are directed to swimming pool cleaners, systems and methods that generally include a swimming pool cleaner and a docking station. Embodiments of the swimming pool cleaner can include a battery and a debris container. The docking station generally includes an opening configured and dimensioned to at least partially receive the swimming pool cleaner. Upon receipt of the swimming pool cleaner in the opening of the housing, the docking station can automatically recharge the battery of the swimming pool cleaner and/or automatically clean the debris container of the swimming pool cleaner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A swimming pool cleaner for a swimming pool, comprising:
 a housing including a motor and a storage device, and   a vision system with programming stored on the storage device, wherein the vision system comprises means for identifying debris located in the swimming pool and means for directing the swimming pool cleaner to the debris.   
     
     
         2 . The swimming pool cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the vision system is in communication with at least one of the controller and the motor. 
     
     
         3 . The swimming pool cleaner of  claim 2 , wherein upon identifying debris located in the swimming pool, the vision system actuates the motor to direct the swimming pool cleaner to the debris. 
     
     
         4 . The swimming pool cleaner of  claim 3 , wherein the vision system actuates the motor to slow down the swimming pool cleaner upon reaching the debris. 
     
     
         5 . The swimming pool cleaner of  claim 2 , where the vision system actuates the motor to increase suction of the suction pump impeller upon reaching the debris. 
     
     
         6 . The swimming pool cleaner of  claim 1 , comprising an ultraviolet (UV) light on a bottom surface of the swimming pool cleaner. 
     
     
         7 . The swimming pool cleaner of  claim 1 , comprising a rechargeable battery disposed in the housing for powering the swimming pool cleaner, and an inductive charging system for recharging the rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         8 . A method of regulating a swimming pool cleaner in a swimming pool, comprising:
 providing a housing that includes a motor and a storage device, and   providing a vision system with programming stored on the storage device, wherein the vision system comprises means for identifying debris located in the swimming pool and means for directing the swimming pool cleaner to the debris,   identifying, via the vision system, debris located in the swimming pool, and   directing the swimming pool cleaner to the debris.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising actuating the motor via the vision system to slow down the swimming pool cleaner upon reaching the debris. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising actuating the motor via the vision system to increase suction of a suction pump impeller upon reaching the debris. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising actuating a light positioned on a bottom surface of the swimming pool cleaner to disinfect at least one of a wall, a floor, and water of the swimming pool. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising powering the swimming pool cleaner with a rechargeable battery disposed in the housing, and recharging the rechargeable battery with an inductive charging system of the swimming pool cleaner. 
     
     
         13 . A docking station for a swimming pool cleaner, comprising:
 a housing that includes communication means for communicating with the swimming pool cleaner,   wherein the housing includes an opening configured and dimensioned to at least partially receive the swimming pool cleaner, and   wherein upon receipt of the swimming pool cleaner in the opening of the housing, the docking station at least one of (i) automatically recharges a battery of the swimming pool cleaner and (ii) automatically cleans a debris container of the swimming pool cleaner.   
     
     
         14 . The docking station of  claim 13 , comprising a docking station battery. 
     
     
         15 . The docking station of  claim 14 , comprising an electrical cable connecting the docking station to a power source for charging the docking station battery. 
     
     
         16 . The docking station of  claim 14 , comprising an inductive charging system for charging the docking station battery. 
     
     
         17 . The docking station of  claim 13 , comprising an access door for accessing a docking station debris container. 
     
     
         18 . The docking station of  claim 13 , comprising an alarm for unwanted intrusion. 
     
     
         19 . The docking station of  claim 13 , comprising a locking mechanism for detachably securing the swimming pool cleaner within the opening of the housing. 
     
     
         20 . A swimming pool cleaner system for a swimming pool, comprising:
 a swimming pool cleaner that includes a battery and a debris container, and   a docking station that includes an opening configured and dimensioned to at least partially receive the swimming pool cleaner,   wherein upon receipt of the swimming pool cleaner in the opening of the housing, the docking station at least one of (i) automatically recharges the battery of the swimming pool cleaner and (ii) automatically cleans the debris container of the swimming pool cleaner.