Systems and methods for processing overhead imagery

• US 9,691,103 B1
• Filed: 01/10/2014
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Original Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Inventors: Hopkins, III, John Chandler
• Primary Examiner(s): Apple, Kirsten
• Application Number:
  US14/152,633
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 705 38
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

A method of processing overhead imagery of a property includes providing a computing device having a processor and a memory, receiving images of the property from one or more overhead image sources, and positionally correlating the images using the processor. Using the positionally correlated images, one or more features associated with the property are detected, wherein the one or more features include structures on the property and risks to the structures on the property. The method further includes determining, using the processor, a premium for an insurance policy covering the property using at least in part the detected one or more features associated with the property and non-physical risks associated with the property. A quote for the determined premium for the insurance policy is then provided to the user.

Claims

1. A method of processing overhead imagery, the method comprising:

providing a computing device having a processor and a memory;

receiving images of a property from one or more overhead image sources;

positionally correlating the images using the processor;

detecting one or more features associated with the property using the positionally correlated images wherein the detected one or more features include structures on the property and risks to the structures on the property;

determining, using the processor, a premium for an insurance policy covering the property using at least in part the detected one or more features associated with the property; and

providing a quote for the premium for the insurance policy.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the detected one or more features are used to value the property, to determine risks to the structures, and to determine incurred damage to the property.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the quote for the premium for the insurance policy is provided solely through a computer interface without an insurance agent if a value of the property is below a certain threshold.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more overhead image sources provide both visual and non-visual information.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more overhead image sources include an unmanned aircraft and a satellite, and wherein the one or more overhead images from the unmanned aircraft are correlated with the one or more overhead images from the satellite such that positional accuracy of the one or more overhead images from the unmanned aircraft are improved.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more overhead image sources provide both visual and non-visual information and wherein the non-visual information includes information in a non-visual spectrum that is sufficient to ascertain structural damage by comparing historical information with present information and deriving a difference that indicates structural damage.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

periodically detecting additional risks associated with the property using additional images of the property received from the one or more overhead image sources;

adjusting, using the processor, the premium for the insurance policy using at least in part the detected additional risks associated with the property; and

providing an updated quote for the adjusted premium for the insurance policy.

8. A system for processing overhead imagery, the system comprising:

a processor; and

a computer readable medium coupled to the processor and storing a plurality of instructions, which, when executed, cause the processor to process overhead imagery, the plurality of instructions comprising instructions that cause the processor to;

receive images of a property from one or more overhead image sources;

positionally correlate the images using the processor;

detect one or more features associated with the property using the positionally correlated images wherein the detected one or more features include structures on the property and risks to the structures on the property;

determine a premium for an insurance policy covering the property using at least in part the detected one or more features associated with the property; and

provide a quote for the premium for the insurance policy.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the detected one or more features are used to value the property, to determine risks to the structures, and to determine incurred damage to the property.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the quote for the premium for the insurance policy is provided solely through a computer interface without an insurance agent if a value of the property is below a certain threshold.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the one or more overhead image sources provide both visual and non-visual information.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the one or more overhead image sources include an unmanned aircraft and a satellite, and wherein the one or more overhead images from the unmanned aircraft are correlated with the one or more overhead images from the satellite such that positional accuracy of the one or more overhead images from the unmanned aircraft are improved.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the one or more overhead image sources provide both visual and non-visual information and wherein the non-visual information includes information in a non-visual spectrum that is sufficient to ascertain structural damage by comparing historical information with present information and deriving a difference that indicates structural damage.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises instructions that cause the processor to:

periodically detect additional risks associated with the property using additional images of the property received from the one or more overhead image sources;

adjust the premium for the insurance policy using at least in part the detected additional risks associated with the property; and

provide an updated quote for the adjusted premium for the insurance policy.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising a plurality of computer-readable instructions tangibly embodied on the computer-readable storage medium, which, when executed by a processor, process overhead imagery, the plurality of instructions comprising:

instructions that cause the processor to receive images of a property from one or more overhead image sources;

instructions that cause the processor to positionally correlate the images using the processor;

instructions that cause the processor to detect one or more features associated with the property using the positionally correlated images wherein the detected one or more features include structures on the property and risks to the structures on the property;

instructions that cause the processor to determine a premium for an insurance policy covering the property using at least in part the detected one or more features associated with the property; and

instructions that cause the processor to provide a quote for the premium for the insurance policy.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 wherein the detected one or more features are used to value the property, to determine risks to the structures, and to determine incurred damage to the property.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 wherein the quote for the premium for the insurance policy is provided solely through a computer interface without an insurance agent if a value of the property is below a certain threshold.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 wherein the one or more overhead image sources provide both visual and non-visual information.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 wherein the one or more overhead image sources include an unmanned aircraft and a satellite, and wherein the one or more overhead images from the unmanned aircraft are correlated with the one or more overhead images from the satellite such that positional accuracy of the one or more overhead images from the unmanned aircraft are improved.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 wherein the one or more overhead image sources provide both visual and non-visual information and wherein the non-visual information includes information in a non-visual spectrum that is sufficient to ascertain structural damage by comparing historical information with present information and deriving a difference that indicates structural damage.