Systems and methods for managing smart devices based upon electrical usage data

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11656585-B1
Application number	US-202017009914-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Sep 2, 2020
Priority date	Oct 7, 2014
Publication date	May 23, 2023
Grant date	May 23, 2023

Abstract

Managing the operation of devices within a home or other property based upon electrical usage data. With customer knowledge or consent, a home controller may retrieve and analyze electrical usage data corresponding to a device, such as by comparing it to certain threshold data. If the analysis results in a trigger condition, the controller may generate a command, and transmit the command to the device for implementation, allowing modification of device operation to address any issues indicated in the electrical usage data. The controller may notify a home owner/occupant. As a result, faulty devices may be managed prior to their faults causing damage to the device and/or the property, and/or property owners may be timely prompted to investigate, repair, and/or replace a failing device. Insurance discounts may be provided based upon the risk mitigation/prevention functionality.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A computer-implemented method of monitoring device electrical usage within a property, the property populated with a hardware controller in communication with a plurality of devices, the method comprising:
analyzing, by one or more processors of the hardware controller, (i) electrical usage data from a device disposed within the property, (ii) motion data indicating whether any individual is within the property, (iii) a set of operating parameters for the device indicating at least a recommended electrical usage level for the device, and (iv) data corresponding to weather conditions in a vicinity of the property, to determine that the device is not receiving any power from a first power supply;
in response to determining that the device is not receiving any power from the first power supply, generating, by the one or more processors, a command to re-route a supply of power for the device from the first power supply to a second power supply; and
sending the command to the hardware controller, wherein the hardware controller causes the supply of power for the device to be re-routed from the first power supply to the second power supply.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
generating a notification indicating at least the command to re-route the supply of power.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , further comprising:
communicating the notification to an electronic device of an individual associated with the property.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, from a server, the data corresponding to the weather conditions in the vicinity of the property.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein analyzing the electrical usage data comprises:
analyzing the electrical usage data to determine that the electrical output exceeds a threshold output limit;

and wherein generating the command comprises:
generating a shutdown command to cause the device to power down.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein analyzing the electrical usage data comprises:
analyzing the electrical usage data to determine that the electrical output exceeds a recommended aggregate output amount;

and wherein generating the command comprises:
generating the command to cause the device to indicate that the recommended aggregate output amount has been reached.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , further comprising:
identifying a replacement device for the device; and
communicating an indication of the replacement device to an electronic device of an individual associated with the property.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein analyzing the electrical usage data comprises:
analyzing the electrical usage data to determine that the electrical output exceeds a threshold output limit consistent with impending failure of the device;

and wherein generating the command comprises:
generating a shutdown command to cause the device to power down;

and wherein the method further comprises:
communicating an indication of the impending failure of the device to an electronic device of an individual associated with the property.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
generating, based upon the electrical usage data, a recommendation to adjust operation of the device to reduce energy usage; and
communicating the recommendation to an electronic device of an individual associated with the property.

10. A hardware controller for monitoring device electrical usage within a property, the hardware controller in communication with a plurality of devices, comprising:
a memory storing non-transitory computer executable instructions; and
a processor interfacing with the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the processor to:
analyze (i) electrical usage data from a device disposed within the property, (ii) motion data indicating whether any individual is within the property, (iii) a set of operating parameters for the device indicating at least a recommended electrical usage level for the device, and (iv) data corresponding to weather conditions in a vicinity of the property, to determine that the device is not receiving any power from a first power supply,
in response to determining that the device is not receiving any power, generate a command to re-route a supply of power for the device from a first power supply to a second power supply, and
cause the supply of power for the device to be re-routed from the first power supply to the second power supply.

11. The hardware controller of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
generate a notification indicating at least the command to re-route the supply of power.

12. The hardware controller of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
communicate, via a transceiver, the notification to an electronic device of an individual associated with the property.

13. The hardware controller of claim 10 , wherein a communication module is configured to:
receive, from a server, the data corresponding to the weather conditions in the vicinity of the property.

14. The hardware controller of claim 10 , wherein to analyze the electrical usage data, the processor is configured to:
analyze the electrical usage data to determine that the electrical output exceeds a threshold output limit,

wherein to generate the command, the processor is configured to:
generate a shutdown command to cause the device to power down.

15. The hardware controller of claim 10 , wherein to analyze the electrical usage data, the processor is configured to:
analyze the electrical usage data to determine that the electrical output exceeds a recommended aggregate output amount,

wherein to generate the command, the processor is configured to:
generate the command to cause the device to indicate that the recommended aggregate output amount has been reached.

16. The hardware controller of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
identify a replacement device for the device, and
communicate, via the communication module, an indication of the replacement device to an electronic device of an individual associated with the property.

17. The hardware controller of claim 10 , wherein to analyze the electrical usage data, the processor is configured to:
analyze the electrical usage data to determine that the electrical output exceeds a threshold output limit consistent with impending failure of the device,

wherein to generate the command, the processor is configured to:
generate a shutdown command to cause the device to power down,

and wherein the processor is further configured to:
communicate, via the communication module, an indication of the impending failure of the device to an electronic device of an individual associated with the property.

18. The hardware controller of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
generate, based upon the electrical usage data, a recommendation to adjust operation of the device to reduce energy usage, and
communicate, via the communication module, the recommendation to an electronic device of an individual associated with the property.

Assignees

• State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co

Inventors

• Jordan Ii Jackie O
• Donovan John
• Turrentine David
• Wollenschlager Torri
• Nussbaum Bryan R
• Stockweather Deanna
• Stoiber Jeffrey W
• Markwardt Kerstin
• Carlson Gail L
• Schiebel Kyle C
• Winslow Troy
• Harr Joseph P
• Wagner Ellakate
• Harris jr michael
• Sun Jennylind

Classifications

• G06Q30/0613

  using intermediate agents · CPC title

• G06Q30/0269

  based on user profile or attribute · CPC title

• G06Q30/01

  Customer relationship services · CPC title

• G08B21/0461

  integrated or attached to an item closely associated with the person but not worn by the person, e.g. chair, walking stick, bed sensor · CPC title

• G08B21/185

  Electrical failure alarms · CPC title