Property inspection devices, methods, and systems

• US 9,970,881 B1
• Filed: 10/03/2014
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Original Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Inventors: Hillman, James P., Blasing, Cynthia, Brunet, Damien, Cable, Dan D., Fernandez, Adolfo J., Kreth, Jeffrey A., Osborne, Shane, Pacheco, Robert A., Sokolowski, Renee
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Huy T
• Application Number:
  US14/505,769
• Time in Patent Office: 1,320 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8803 Visual inspection measuring projectors G01B9/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8806 Specially adapted optical and illumination features
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/95 characterised by the material or shape of the object to be examined G01N21/89 - G01N21/91, G01N21/94 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

The present disclosure describes property and roof inspection devices, methods, and systems. One roof inspection device includes a pole, a camera coupled to an end of the pole and configured to capture an image of a roof, and a number of attachments coupled to the pole and configured to stabilize the pole on the roof or other elevated surface.

Claims

1. A method for performing a visual inspection of a structure using a remotely located multispectral sensor device comprising:

positioning a multispectral sensor device at a consistent distance from a structure;

stabilizing the multispectral sensor device at the consistent distance from the structure;

capturing by the multispectral sensor device a standardized image of the structure, wherein standardization is based in part on the consistent distance;

electronically transmitting the standardized image to a computer server and electronically receiving the standardized image in the computer server;

analyzing the standardized image in the computer server to determine an action for the structure; and

electronically transmitting instructions to an operator of the multispectral sensor device regarding the action.

2. The method for performing the visual inspection as recited in claim 1, wherein positioning the multispectral sensor device includes positioning the multispectral sensor device within the structure.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising remotely causing the multispectral sensor device to move within the structure while capturing the standardized image.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of remotely causing occurs in accordance with a schedule.

5. The method for performing the visual inspection as recited in claim 1 wherein the multispectral sensor device is an infrared sensor.

6. The method for performing the visual inspection as recited in claim 1 wherein capturing by a sensor device an image of the structure includes:

extending a pole having a sensor mount coupled to an end thereof.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising annotating the standardized image with a portion of an inspection information, wherein the inspection information is based on analysis of the standardized image.

7. A method for performing a visual inspection of an insured property using a remotely located sensor device comprising:

positioning the remotely located sensor device at a consistent distance from the insured property;

stabilizing the remotely located sensor device at the consistent distance from the insured property;

capturing by the remotely located sensor device a standardized multispectral image of the insured property regarding inspection of the insured property;

electronically transmitting the standardized multispectral image to a computer server located remotely from the remotely located sensor device and electronically receiving the standardized multispectral image in the computer server;

analyzing the standardized multispectral image in the computer server to determine a type of material present in the standardized multispectral image; and

determine in the computer server if the determined type of material is suitable for continued use on the insured property.

8. The method for performing the visual inspection as recited in claim 7 wherein analyzing the standardized multispectral image includes determining structural integrity for the determined type of material.

9. The method for performing the visual inspection as recited in claim 8 wherein analyzing the standardized multispectral image includes determining suitability of use for the determined type of material regarding a geographic location the insured property is located.

10. The method for performing the visual inspection as recited in claim 7 wherein capturing by a sensor device an image of the insured property includes:

extending a pole having a sensor mount coupled to an end thereof.

11. An inspection system, comprising:

an extendable pole;

an adjustable sensor mount coupled to an end of the extendable pole;

a releasable sensor device coupled to the adjustable sensor mount;

an extendable bipod attachment coupled to the extendable pole and configured to stabilize the releaseable sensor device at a consistent distance from a structure within the structure; and

a mobile device configured to instruct the releasable sensor device to;

capture a standardized multispectral image of the structure, wherein the standardized multispectral image is based on the consistent distance; and

send the standardized multispectral image to the mobile device wherein the mobile device electronically transmits the standardized multispectral image; and

a computer server located remotely from the mobile device configured to electronically receiving the standardized multispectral image from the mobile device and analyze the standardized multispectral image to an inspection process of the structure.

12. An inspection system as recited in claim 11 wherein the computer server is further configured to electronically transmit instructions to an operator of the releasable sensor device regarding an action for the inspection of a roof of the structure.

13. The inspection system of claim 12, wherein the releasable sensor device is configured to create its own network.

14. The inspection system of claim 12, wherein the mobile device is a tablet.

15. The inspection system of claim 12, wherein analyzing the standardized multispectral image in the computer server includes determining structural integrity of material depicted in the standardized multispectral image.

16. The inspection system of claim 15, wherein the structural integrity of the material depicted in the standardized multispectral image is determined by the computer server via analysis of the standardized multispectral image.

17. The inspection system of claim 12, wherein the action includes instructions for acquiring another multispectral image of the structure.

18. The inspection system of claim 12, wherein the extendable pole is constructed of a non-conductive material.

19. The inspection system of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of flexible spherical shape members disposed between the extendable pole and the adjustable sensor mount.