Pool cleaner systems and methods with scheduling and swimmer modes

Abstract

A self-propelled pool cleaner is operable in a swimming pool or spa and may be controlled pursuant to various operating modes. In some aspects, the self-propelled pool cleaner may have optimized operation based on a status of other components of a pool system. Additionally, or alternatively, the self-propelled pool cleaner may have improved control to minimize interference with use of the pool by a user, based on electricity costs, combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired such that the pool cleaner may operate at preferred and/or desired times.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of controlling a pool cleaner, the method comprising:
 detecting or receiving a status or position of a pool cover; and   selectively controlling or sending a signal to control the pool cleaner based on the status or position of the pool cover.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein controlling the pool cleaner or sending the signal to control the pool cleaner comprises automatically scheduling a cleaning operation of the pool cleaner based on the status of the pool cover. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein controlling the pool cleaner or sending the signal to control the pool cleaner comprises controlling the pool cleaner to dock with a charging station based on a status of a pool cover. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the status or position of the pool cover comprises a covered status or an uncovered status relative to a pool or spa, and wherein controlling the pool cleaner or sending the signal to control the pool cleaner comprises causing the pool cleaner to only navigate along a floor of the pool or spa or at a predefined depth while the pool cover has the covered status. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the status or position of the pool cover is received by a user via a human machine interface or an application, and/or wherein the status or position of the pool cover is detected by a sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein controlling the pool cleaner is further based on a time of day received or determined by the pool cleaner. 
     
     
         7 . A method of controlling a pool cleaner comprising:
 receiving a schedule from a user and/or obtaining pool use information about use of a pool by and/or from the user;   estimating or predicting a future pool use by the user based on at least one of the schedule or the obtained pool use information; and   controlling navigation and/or operation of the pool cleaner based on the estimated or precited future pool use.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein controlling navigation or operation of the pool cleaner comprises ceasing operation of the pool cleaner at a time of the future pool use. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein controlling navigation or operation of the pool cleaner comprises controlling the pool cleaner such that the pool cleaner is not operating and not charging at a time of the future pool use. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein controlling navigation or operation of the pool cleaner comprises causing the pool cleaner to be at a waterline of the pool at a time of the future pool use. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein schedule comprises receiving the schedule from a user device via wired or wireless communication, receiving the schedule from a human machine interface, or receiving a physical contact signal on the pool cleaner. 
     
     
         12 . A method of controlling a pool cleaner, the method comprising:
 operating the pool cleaner within a pool or spa;   receiving a swimmer mode signal from a user and/or sensing the swimmer mode signal by the pool cleaner while the pool cleaner is operating; and   based on receipt of the swimmer mode signal, ceasing operation of the pool cleaner.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein receiving the swimmer mode signal comprises receiving the swimmer mode signal from a user device via wired or wireless communication, receiving the swimmer mode signal from a human machine interface, or receiving a physical contact signal on the pool cleaner. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 analyzing the swimmer mode signal and determining a swimmer mode duration, wherein ceasing operation of the pool cleaner is for the swimmer mode duration.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein operating the pool cleaner comprises performing a cleaning operation within the pool or spa. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 analyzing the swimmer mode signal and determining a swimmer mode position of the pool cleaner for the cleaner mode, wherein ceasing operation of the pool cleaner comprises causing the pool cleaner to position itself at the swimmer mode position.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the swimmer mode position comprises at least one of within the pool but undocked from a charging station, within the pool and docked with a charging station, out of the pool and undocked from a charging station, or out of the pool and docked with the charging station. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising resuming operation of the pool cleaner responsive to at least one of receipt of a resume signal from the user, the pool cleaner sensing a swimmer has exited the pool, and/or an elapsed duration of a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the swimmer mode signal comprises a swimmer mode start time, and wherein the method comprises based on receipt of the swimmer mode signal, interrupting operation of the pool cleaner at the swimmer mode start time. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising controlling the pool cleaner based on a time of day received or determined by the pool cleaner.