Systems and methods for managing building code compliance for a property

• US 10,515,372 B1
• Filed: 10/02/2015
• Issued: 12/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Original Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Inventors: 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Apple, Kirsten S
• Application Number:
  US14/873,817
• Time in Patent Office: 1,544 Days
• Field of Search: 705 35
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/01 Customer relationship services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/163 Real estate management
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/172 Classification, e.g. identification
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/02 using only mechanical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/22 Electrical actuation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/043 detecting an emergency event, e.g. a fall
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0446 worn on the body to detect changes of posture, e.g. a fall, inclination, acceleration, gait
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0453 worn on the body to detect health condition by physiological monitoring, e.g. electrocardiogram, temperature, breathing detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0461 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 Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/185 Electrical failure alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/062 indicating emergency exits
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 : from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2825 : Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/283 : Processing of data at an internetworking point of a home automation network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 : Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 : Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 : Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

Methods and systems that manage building code compliance are provided. A smart or interconnected home may be populated with multiple smart or other devices that are in wired or wireless communication with a central controller. The smart devices may be covered by an insurance policy, such as a homeowners, renters, or personal articles insurance policy. The controller may receive building code compliance information associated with the smart devices, and may update an inventory list to include the building code compliance information. The controller may detect that one or more devices do not comply with building code requirements. The controller may transmit a notification to a customer about possible corrective actions to remedy non-compliant conditions and to facilitate building code compliance. The smart devices may be associated with appliances, electronics, wiring, pipes, ducts, or other equipment or personal belongings. Insurance discounts may be provided based upon the building code compliance functionality.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of managing an insurance policy associated with a property, the property populated with a hardware controller in communication with a plurality of devices, each of the plurality of devices configured to monitor various conditions associated with the property, the method comprising:

receiving, by the hardware controller via a first communication network from the plurality of devices, building code compliance information associated with building code requirements monitored by the plurality of devices;

updating, using the building code compliance information, an inventory list associated with the property, the inventory list including the plurality of devices and respective sets of building code requirements monitored by the plurality of devices;

comparing, by one or more processors, the building code compliance information to the respective set of building code requirements for each of the plurality of devices;

determining, by the one or more processors, that the building code compliance information received from a particular device of the plurality of devices does not comply with the respective set of building code requirements;

transmitting, to a customer having the insurance policy via a second communication network, a notification that identifies the particular device that does not comply with the respective set of building code requirements;

automatically comparing, by the one or more processors and without human monitoring or intervention, the set of building code requirements to an updated set of building code requirements to determine a set of changed building code requirements reflected in the updated building code;

automatically generating, by the one or more processors and without human monitoring or intervention, a compliance report categorizing each of the updated set of building code requirements into the following categories;

(i) the plurality of devices are compliant with the changed building code requirement,

(ii) the plurality of devices are non-compliant with the changed building code requirement, or

(iii) the further building code compliance information lacks sufficient data to determine compliance with the changed building code requirement; and

transmitting the compliance report to the customer having the insurance policy via the second communication network.

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

receiving, by the hardware controller, the sets of building code requirements respectively monitored by the plurality of devices;

for each device of the plurality of devices stored in the inventory list, analyzing, by the one or more processors, the respective set of building code requirements to determine whether the set of building code requirements applies to the corresponding device; and

modifying, by the one or more processors, a data record corresponding to the corresponding device within the inventory list to track an applicable building code requirement of the set of building code requirements.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein prior to transmitting the notification to the customer, the method further comprises:

receiving, by the hardware controller via the first communication network, additional building code compliance information associated with the particular device, wherein the additional building code information is received after a threshold duration has elapsed;

comparing, by one or more processors, the additional building code compliance information to the respective set of building code requirements for the particular device; and

determining, by the one or more processors, that the particular device still does not comply with the respective set of building code requirements after the threshold duration has elapsed.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the notification to the customer comprises:

transmitting, to the customer having the insurance policy via the second communication network, the notification, wherein transmitting the notification causes an electronic device associated with the customer to enable the customer to select corrective actions, wherein the corrective action is at least one of hiring a professional to repair the device or purchasing a replacement device; and

automatically facilitating, by the one or more processors, a performance of the selected corrective actions.

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

calculating, by the one or more processors, a modified insurance coverage quote based upon the particular device not complying with the set of building code requirements; and

transmitting, to the customer via the second communication network, the modified insurance coverage quote.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, further comprising:

upon a threshold duration elapsing since determining that the particular device does not comply with the respective set of building code requirements, facilitating, with an insurance provider, a modification to the insurance policy according to the modified insurance coverage quote.

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

detecting, by the one or more processors, that the set of building code requirements has been updated;

receiving, by the hardware controller via the first communication network, further building code compliance information respectively associated with the plurality of devices;

comparing, by the one or more processors, the further building code compliance information to the updated set of building code requirements;

determining, by the one or more processors, whether the plurality of devices complies with the updated set of building code requirements; and

transmitting, to the customer having the insurance policy via the second communication network, another compliance report indicating at least one of a description of the changes to set of building code requirements or an indication of whether the plurality of devices complies with the updated set of building code requirements.

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

receiving, by the hardware controller via the second communication network, manually-determined building code compliance information corresponding to a changed building code requirement categorized as lacking sufficient data to determine compliance;

comparing, by the one or more processors, the manually-determined building code compliance information to the corresponding updated building code requirement;

determining, by the one or more processors, that the manually-determined building code compliance information indicates compliance with the updated building code requirement; and

updating, by the one or more processors, the inventory list to indicate compliance with the changed building code requirement.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, further comprising:

upon determining that the manually-determined building code compliance information indicates compliance with the updated building code requirement, calculating, by the one or more processors, a modified insurance coverage quote based upon the plurality of devices complying with the changed building code requirement; and

transmitting, to the customer via the second communication network, the modified insurance coverage quote.

10. A system for managing an insurance policy associated with a property, the property populated with a hardware controller in communication with the plurality of devices, each of the plurality of devices may be configured to monitor various conditions associated with the property, the system 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 system to;

receive, via the communication module and from the plurality of devices, building code compliance information associated with building code requirements monitored by the plurality of devices;

update, using the building code compliance information, an inventory list associated with the property, the inventory list including the plurality of devices and respective sets of building code requirements monitored by the plurality of devices;

compare, by the one or more processors, the building code compliance information to the respective set of building code requirements for each of the plurality of devices;

determine, by the one or more processors, that the building code compliance information received from a particular device of the plurality of devices does not comply with the respective set of building code requirements;

transmit, to a customer having the insurance policy via the communication module, a notification that identifies the particular device that does not comply with the respective set of building code requirements;

compare, by the one or more processors and without human monitoring or intervention, the set of building code requirements to the updated set of building code requirements to determine a set of changed building code requirements reflected in the updated building code;

generate, by the one or more processors and without human monitoring or intervention, the compliance report, wherein the second compliance report categorizes each of the set of changed building code requirements into the following categories;

(i) the plurality of devices are compliant with the changed building code requirement,

(ii) the plurality of devices are non-compliant with the changed building code requirement, or

(iii) the further building code compliance information lacks sufficient data to determine compliance with the changed building code requirement; and

transmit, to the customer having the insurance policy via the communication module, the generated compliance report.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the system to:

receive, via the communication module, the sets of building code requirements respectively monitored by the plurality of devices;

for each device of the plurality of devices stored in the inventory list, analyze, by the one or more processors, the respective sets of building code requirements to determine whether the set of building code requirements applies to the corresponding device; and

modify, by the one or more processors, a data record corresponding to the corresponding device within the inventory list to track an applicable building code requirement of the set of building code requirements.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein prior to transmitting the notification to the customer, the one or more processors are further configured to execute the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the system to:

receive, via the communication module, additional building code compliance information associated with the particular device, wherein the additional building code information is received after a threshold duration has elapsed;

compare, by one or more processors, the additional building code compliance information to the respective set of building code requirements for the particular device; and

determine, by the one or more processors, that the particular device still does not comply with the set of building code requirements after the threshold duration has elapsed.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein to transmit the notification to the customer, the one or more processors are further configured to execute the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the system to:

transmit, to the customer having the insurance policy via the communication module, the notification, wherein transmitting the notification causes an electronic device associated with the customer to enable the customer to select corrective actions, wherein the corrective action is at least one of hiring a professional to repair the device or purchasing a replacement device; and

automatically facilitate, by the one or more processors, a performance of the selected corrective actions.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the system to:

calculate, by the one or more processors, a modified insurance coverage quote based upon the particular device not complying with the set of building code requirements; and

transmit, to the customer via the communication module, the modified insurance coverage quote.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the system to:

upon a threshold duration elapsing since determining that the particular device does not comply with the respective set of building code requirements, facilitate, with an insurance provider, a modification to the insurance policy according to the modified insurance coverage quote.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the system to:

detect, by the one or more processors, that the set of building code requirements has been updated;

receive, via the communication module, further building code compliance information respectively associated with the plurality of devices;

compare, by the one or more processors, the further building code compliance information to the updated set of building code requirements;

determine, by the one or more processors, whether the plurality of devices complies with the updated set of building code requirements; and

transmit, to the customer having the insurance policy via the communication module, another compliance report indicating at least one of a description of the changes to set of building code requirements or an indication of whether the plurality of devices complies with the updated set of building code requirements.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing processor-executable instructions, that when executed cause one or more processors to:

receive, by the one or more processors via a local communication network from a plurality of devices, building code compliance information associated with building code requirements monitored by the plurality of devices;

update, using the building code compliance information, an inventory list associated with the property, the inventory list including the plurality of devices and respective sets of building code requirements monitored by the plurality of devices;

compare, by the one or more processors, the building code compliance information to the respective set of building code requirements for each of the plurality of devices;

determine, by the one or more processors, that at a particular device of the plurality of devices does not comply with the respective set of building code requirements;

transmit, to a customer having the insurance policy via a remote communication network, a notification that identifies the particular device that does not comply with the respective set of building code requirements;

compare, by the one or more processors and without human monitoring or intervention, the set of building code requirements to the updated set of building code requirements to determine a set of changed building code requirements reflected in the updated building code;

generate, by the one or more processors and without human monitoring or intervention, the compliance report, wherein the second compliance report categorizes each of the set of changed building code requirements into the following categories;

(i) the plurality of devices are compliant with the changed building code requirement,

(ii) the plurality of devices are non-compliant with the changed building code requirement, or

(iii) the further building code compliance information lacks sufficient data to determine compliance with the changed building code requirement; and

transmit, to the customer having the insurance policy via the communication module, the generated compliance report.