Systems and methods for homeowner-directed risk of property damage mitigation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11270385-B1
Application number	US-202016851269-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Apr 17, 2020
Priority date	Apr 25, 2014
Publication date	Mar 8, 2022
Grant date	Mar 8, 2022

Abstract

Methods and systems for homeowner-directed risk mitigation for damage to a property associated with insurance-related events are provided. A smart home controller may analyze data received from a plurality of smart devices disposed on, or proximate to, a property as well as data received from an insurance provider. If it is determined that an actual or potential risk of property damage exists, the smart home controller may transmit an alert to a homeowner detailing the risk. The homeowner may respond to the alert by transmitting an instruction to mitigate or prevent damage associated with the risk back to the smart home controller. Subsequently, the smart home controller may transmit information about the actual or potential risks and any homeowner-directed mitigative actions to an insurance provider. The insurance provider may interpret the transmitted data and perform insurance activities, such as providing discounts and adjusting an insurance policy associated with the property.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A computer-implemented method of limiting damage to a property populated with a plurality of devices on the property, each of the plurality of devices configured to monitor various conditions associated with the property, the method comprising:
receiving, via a first wired or wireless communication network at a controller disposed on the property, sensor data from at least one of the plurality of devices;
predicting, by one or more processors of the controller disposed on the property, that an insurance-related event associated with the property will occur by analyzing the sensor data;
transmitting, via a second wireless communication network, an indication of the predicted insurance-related event to a mobile or other computer device of an individual associated with the property;
receiving, via the second communication network and from the mobile or other computer device, a first instruction, wherein the first instruction is configured to control at least one of the plurality of devices to perform a first action intended to prevent or mitigate damage associated with the predicted insurance-related event;
based upon an analysis of the first instruction, determining, by the one or more processors, that the first instruction is insufficient to prevent or mitigate damage associated with the predicted insurance-related event;
in response to the determination, generating, by the one or more processors, a second instruction, wherein the second instruction is configured to identify a second action intended to prevent or mitigate the predicted insurance-related event,
controlling, by the one or more processors, a first at least one of the plurality of devices to perform the first action by transmitting, via the first wired or wireless communication network, the first instruction, wherein the transmission of the first instruction causes the first at least one of the plurality of devices to interpret the first instruction and execute the first action; and
controlling, by the one or more processors, a second at least one of the plurality of devices to perform the second action by transmitting, via the first wired or wireless communication network, the second instruction, wherein the transmission of the second instruction causes the second at least one of the plurality of devices to interpret the second instruction and execute the second action.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , the method further comprising:
transmitting, to an insurance provider via the second communication network, an indication of the predicted insurance-related event and an indication of the first and second instructions.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein the transmission causes the insurance provider to perform an insurance-related activity, wherein the insurance-related activity is at least one of providing a discount on an insurance policy, adjusting an insurance claim, or providing a recommended action or replacement device that may reduce a risk of future insurance-related events.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the sensor data comprises:
receiving at least one of audio data, video data, and operational data.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting the indication of the insurance-related event comprises:
transmitting, to mobile or other computer device associated with the individual via the second communication network, an instruction, wherein the instruction causes the mobile or other computer device to:
display an indication of the predicted insurance-related event, and
provide an interface that enables the individual to select the first action.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting the first instruction to the at least one of the plurality of devices causes the at least one of the plurality of devices to perform at least one of:
shutting off a water or gas supply; closing a door, window or shutter; or turning off an appliance.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting the first instruction to the at least one of the plurality of devices causes the at least one of the plurality of devices to perform at least one of:
shutting off a water or gas supply; closing a door, window or shutter; turning off an appliance; or turning on a sump pump, de-watering equipment or fire sprinklers.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, from the insurance provider via the second communication network, a notification that the insurance-related activity has occurred.

9. A computer system for limiting damage to a property populated with a plurality of devices on the property, each of the plurality of devices configured to monitor various conditions associated with the property, the system being disposed on the property and comprising:
a communication module adapted to communicate data;
a memory adapted to store non-transitory computer executable instructions; and
one or more processors adapted to interface with the communication module, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
receive, via the communication module, sensor data from at least one of the plurality of devices;
predict, by the one or more processors, that an insurance-related event associated with the property will occur by analyzing the sensor data;
transmit, to a mobile device of an individual associated with the property via the communication module, an indication of the predicted insurance-related event;
receive, from the mobile device of the individual via the communication module, a first instruction, wherein the first instruction is configured to control at least one of the plurality of devices to perform a first action intended to prevent or mitigate damage associated with the predicted insurance-related event;
based upon an analysis of the first instruction, determine, by the one or more processors, that the first instruction is insufficient to prevent or mitigate damage associated with the predicted insurance-related event;
in response to the determination, generate, by the one or more processors, a second instruction, wherein the second instruction is configured to identify a second action intended to prevent or mitigate the predicted insurance-related event;
control, by the one or more processors, a first at least one of the plurality of devices to perform the first action by transmitting, via the communication module, the first instruction, wherein the transmission of the first instruction causes the first at least one of the plurality of devices to interpret the first instruction and execute the first action; and
control, by the one or more processors, a second at least one of the plurality of devices to perform the second action by transmitting, via the first wired or wireless communication network, the second instruction, wherein the transmission of the second instruction causes the second at least one of the plurality of devices to interpret the second instruction and execute the second action.

10. The computer system of claim 9 , the one or more processors are further configured to:
transmit, to an insurance provider, an indication of the predicted insurance-related event and an indication of the first and second instructions, wherein the transmission causes the insurance provider to perform an insurance-related activity.

11. The computer system of claim 10 , wherein the insurance-related activity is at least one of providing a discount on an insurance policy, adjusting an insurance claim, or providing a recommended acti

Assignees

• State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co

Inventors

• Bryant Ronny S
• Call Shawn M
• Hakimi-Boushehri Daryoush
• Weekes John H
• Criswell Jennifer
• Binion Todd
• Jordan Ii Jackie O
• Mcdermeit Elisabeth
• Donovan John

Classifications

• G06Q40/08 Primary

  Insurance · CPC title

• G06Q40/0842 Primary

  using sensors · CPC title

• H04L12/2827

  Reporting to a device within the home network; wherein the reception of the information reported automatically triggers the execution of a home appliance functionality · CPC title

• G16Y40/10

  Detection; Monitoring · CPC title

• G16Y10/50

  Finance; Insurance · CPC title