Systems and methods for managing the operation of devices within a property

• US 10,514,669 B1
• Filed: 04/22/2015
• Issued: 12/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Original Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Inventors: Call, Shawn M., Hakimi-Boushehri, Daryoush, Weekes, John H., Bryant, Ronny S., Criswell, Jennifer, Binion, Todd, Jordan, II, Jackie O., McDermeit, Elisabeth, Donovan, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Wathen, Brian W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choi, Michael W
• Application Number:
  US14/692,961
• Time in Patent Office: 1,707 Days
• Field of Search: 700275
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/163 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart, intelligent house
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0278 Product appraisal
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/16 Real estate
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/163 Real estate management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/043 detecting an emergency event, e.g. a fall
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 responsive to moisture
• CPC Class Codes: G16Y 10/50 Finance; Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G16Y 40/10 Detection; Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2823 Reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network device-related reporting H04L43/065; arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2827 Reporting to a device within the home network; wherein the reception of the information reported automatically triggers the execution of a home appliance functionality

Abstract

Methods and systems for managing the operation of devices within a property, and processing insurance policies associated therewith. A property is populated with a plurality of smart devices, smart appliances, and/or other devices that are connected to, and/or in wired or wireless communication with a central controller, such as a smart home controller or insurance provider remote processor, whereby the plurality of devices and/or property are covered by an insurance policy. The central controller may collect sensor data from the plurality of devices and/or determine whether the property is occupied or not. The central controller may also identify a desired operating state of a device, generate a command according to the desired operating state, and/or transmit the command the device to facilitate prevention or reduction of risk or damage to the property. The central controller may also generate and/or process insurance claims associated with damage to the devices and/or property.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of interfacing with a plurality of devices populated within a property, the plurality of devices configured to monitor conditions associated with the property, the method comprising:

collecting, at or by (i) a hardware controller located at the property, and/or (ii) a remote processor associated with a property via wired or wireless communication and/or a communication network, sensor data from the plurality of devices;

determining, at or via the hardware controller and/or remote processor from the sensor data, that the property is unoccupied;

when the property is determined to be unoccupied, determining, at or via the hardware controller and/or remote processor from the sensor data, that an unexpected water event is happening, the unexpected water event including at least one of;

(1) a water or gas pipe is leaking, (2) a smart appliance is operating abnormally, or (3) unexpected water is detected within the property when the property is unoccupied;

when the property is unoccupied and the unexpected water event is happening, automatically determining, at or via the hardware controller and/or remote processor, a recommended course of action, wherein the recommended course of action includes shutting off a smart clothes dryer; and

directing, at or via the hardware controller and/or remote processor, the smart clothes dryer to shut off via wireless communication to facilitate mitigating water damage to the property.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to directing the recommended course of action to be carried out, transmitting, at or via the hardware controller and/or remote processor, the recommended course of action to an individual'"'"'s mobile device for display on the mobile device.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving, at the hardware controller and/or remote processor, via the mobile device of the individual, approval for the recommended course of action to be carried out, and then directing the recommended course of action be carried out via the hardware controller and/or remote processor.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein

determining, at or via the hardware controller and/or remote processor from the sensor data, that the property is unoccupied is determined from water usage.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining, at or via the hardware controller and/or remote processor from the sensor data, that the property is unoccupied is determined from infrared sensors or body heat sensors.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

collecting, via wired or wireless communication and/or the communication network, updated sensor data from the plurality of devices; and

determining, at or via the hardware controller and/or remote processor, based upon the updated sensor data, that water damage has occurred to the property.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising:

estimating, at or via the hardware controller and/or remote processor, based upon the updated sensor data, an amount of water damage to the property.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, the method further comprising allowing an individual to remotely control via their mobile device a smart dish washer or a smart clothes washer.

9. A computer system configured to interface with a plurality of devices populated within a property, the plurality of devices configured to monitor conditions associated with the property, the system comprising one or more processors configured to:

collect, via wired or wireless communication and/or a communication network, sensor data from the plurality of devices;

determine from the sensor data, that the property is unoccupied;

when the property is determined to be unoccupied, determine from the sensor data, that an unexpected water event is happening, the unexpected water event including at least one of;

(1) a water or gas pipe is leaking, (2) a smart appliance is operating abnormally, or (3) unexpected water is detected within the property when the property is unoccupied;

when the property is unoccupied and the unexpected water event is happening, automatically determine a recommended course of action, wherein the recommended course of action includes shutting off a smart clothes dryer; and

direct the smart clothes dryer to shut off via wireless communication to facilitate mitigating water damage to the property.

10. The computer system of claim 9, the one or more processors further configured to:

prior to directing the recommended course of action to be carried out, transmit the recommended course of action to an individual'"'"'s mobile device for display on the mobile device.

11. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors further configured to:

receive, via the mobile device of the individual, approval for the recommended course of action to be carried out, and then direct the recommended course of action be carried out via the hardware controller and/or remote processor.

12. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors determine that the property is unoccupied from water usage.

13. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors determine that the property is unoccupied from infrared sensors or body heat sensors.