Automatic swimming pool cleaner systems with improved visual communication

Abstract

A pool system includes a visual communication system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC). The visual communication system includes a reflective surface for conveying visual information. The reflective surface is on at least one of the APC, a trolley for the APC, or a docking station for the APC. In some cases, the visual communication system includes an indicator, and the reflective surface conveys optical information from the indicator to a separate location.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A pool system comprising a visual communication system comprising a reflective surface configured to reflect visual information, wherein the reflective surface is on at least one of an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC), a trolley for the APC, or a docking station for the APC. 
     
     
         2 . The pool system of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective surface is on the APC, and wherein the reflective surface is configured to reflect visual information from a first location to a second location. 
     
     
         3 . The pool system of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective surface is on the trolley, and wherein the reflective surface is configured to reflect visual information about the APC. 
     
     
         4 . The pool system of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective surface is on the docking station, and wherein the reflective surface is configured to reflect visual information about the APC. 
     
     
         5 . The pool system of  claim 4 , wherein the reflective surface is at an oblique angle relative on the docking station. 
     
     
         6 . The pool system of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective surface comprises at least one of a scratch-resistant material or a fog-resistant material. 
     
     
         7 . The pool system of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective surface has a non-planar profile. 
     
     
         8 . The pool system of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective surface is backlit. 
     
     
         9 . A method of obtaining information about an APC comprising positioning the APC on a docking station and using a reflective surface to obtain visual information about the APC. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein positioning the APC comprises aligning a visual indicator with the reflective surface. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein positioning the APC comprises positioning the APC such that the APC at least partially covers the reflective surface. 
     
     
         12 . A pool system comprising a visual communication system for an APC, the visual communication system comprising an indicator and at least one reflective surface configured to convey optical information from the indicator to a separate location. 
     
     
         13 . The pool system of  claim 12  further comprising the APC, wherein the APC comprises a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is the at least one reflective surface configured to reflect visual information from a first location to a second location, wherein the second surface comprises an optical characteristic different from the first surface. 
     
     
         14 . The pool system of  claim 12  further comprising a docking station for the APC, wherein the docking station comprises a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is the at least one reflective surface configured to reflect visual information from a first location to a second location, wherein the second surface comprises an optical characteristic different from the first surface. 
     
     
         15 . The pool system of  claim 12 , wherein the indicator is on the APC and wherein the reflective surface is on a docking station for the APC. 
     
     
         16 . The pool system of  claim 15 , wherein the reflective surface is at an oblique angle. 
     
     
         17 . The pool system of  claim 12 , wherein the optical information comprises information about at least one of a battery level, a charging status, an operation status, debris level in a filter, refuse canister capacity, an error message, or a communication status. 
     
     
         18 . The pool system of  claim 12 , wherein the reflective surface comprises at least one of a scratch-resistant material or a fog-resistant material. 
     
     
         19 . The pool system of  claim 12 , wherein the reflective surface has a non-planar profile. 
     
     
         20 . The pool system of  claim 12 , wherein the reflective surface is backlit.