System and method to provide savings based on reduced energy consumption

• US 10,169,771 B1
• Filed: 12/17/2014
• Issued: 01/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Original Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Inventors: Devereaux, Ramsey, Ault, David C., Nickel, Christina N., Rubin, Elizabeth J., Wheeler, Daniela, Haslam, Justin D., Hugos, Thuy, Read, Spencer, Tarrillion, Ann C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Edward
• Application Number:
  US14/573,981
• Time in Patent Office: 1,476 Days
• Field of Search: 705 4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24 Querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2218/12 Classification; Matching
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2220/00 Business processing using cryptography postage metering system using cryptography G06Q2250/05
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0215 Including financial accounts
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/163 Real estate management
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/17 taken from planes or by drones
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/176 Urban or other man-made structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums

Abstract

A computer device and method for processing informatic data from one or more sensor devices associated with a property covered by an insurance policy. Analysis is performed on the informatic data received from sensor devices to determine a cost associated with operating the insured property. Operational changes are identified and recommended regarding one or more operational aspects of the insured property to achieve a cost savings for operating the insured property. If one or more recommended operational changes are implemented, a cost savings is calculated which is attributable to the one or more operational changes. Monetary funds are transferred from a first financial account to a second financial account associated with a user of the insured property whereby the transfer funds amount is dependent upon the calculated cost savings.

Claims

1. A computer system, comprising:

a memory configured to store instructions;

a processor disposed in communication with the memory, wherein upon execution of the instructions is configured to;

receive a first set of informatics data from at least one sensor device relating to at least one operational aspect of an insured property, the first set of informatics data being collected by the at least one sensor device for a first period of time;

analyze the first set of informatics data to determine a cost associated with operating the insured property;

identify operational changes for the at least one operational aspect to achieve a cost savings for operating the insured property for a second period of time;

send the identified operational changes to a designated custodian of the insured property;

determine an instruction for the at least one sensor device to take a series of readings, over the second period of time, relating to the at least one operational aspect of the insured property;

transmit the instruction to the at least one sensor device;

receive a second set of informatics data from the at least one sensor device based on the series of readings taken by the at least one sensor device over the second period of time;

determine that at least one of the identified operational changes has been initiated for the second period of time based on the second set of informatics data;

calculate a cost savings attributable to the initiation of the at least one identified operational change for the second period of time; and

based on the calculated cost savings, transfer funds from a first financial account to a second financial account associated with a user of the insured property.

2. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein identifying changes to be recommended includes achieving a target cost savings established by a user of the insured property.

3. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein an amount of the transferred funds is equal to the calculated cost savings.

4. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second financial accounts are associated with a user of the insured property.

5. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the funds transferred to the second financial account receive beneficial treatment as a reward for being attributable to the calculated cost savings for operation of the insured property.

6. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause funds to be transferred from a third party to the second financial account, wherein an amount of the third party funds is determined based on an amount of the funds transferred from the first financial account to the second financial account.

7. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first financial account is selected from the group consisting of:

a savings account;

a checking account a money market account;

a certificate of deposit;

a brokerage account;

a mutual fund;

an individual retirement account;

a college savings account;

an exchange-traded fund;

a current property and casualty premium;

a life insurance premium;

an auto loan;

a credit card; and

a debit card.

8. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine an insurance product reduction amount based upon the calculated cost savings; and

apply the reduction amount to an insurance product associated with the insured property.

9. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the insurance product is one of a homeowner'"'"'s policy, a renter'"'"'s insurance policy, a rental property insurance policy, an automobile insurance policy, an umbrella insurance policy, a health insurance policy, and a life insurance policy.

10. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein application of the reduction amount is at least one of:

reducing an insurance policy deductible, reducing an insurance policy premium, and increasing an insurance policy coverage amount.

11. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the reduction amount is equal to the calculated cost savings.

12. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to adjust at least one operational aspect of the insured property to achieve the calculated cost savings for operating the insured property for the second period of time.

13. The computer system as recited in claim 12, wherein adjusting at least one operational aspect of the insured property includes adjusting performance of at least one appliance device associated with the insured property.

14. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein operational aspects include energy consumption by one or more energy consumption devices associated with the insured property.

15. A computer system for modifying an insurance product, comprising:

a memory configured to store instructions;

a processor disposed in communication with the memory, wherein upon execution of the instructions is configured to;

receive a first set of informatics data from at least one sensor device relating to at least one operational aspect of an insured property, the first set of informatics data being collected by the at least one sensor device for a first period of time;

analyze the first set of informatics data to determine a cost associated with operating the insured property;

adjust the at least one operational aspect of the insured property to achieve a cost savings for operating the insured property over a second period of time;

determine an instruction for the at least one sensor device to take a series of readings, over the second period of time, relating to the at least one operational aspect of the insured property;

transmit the instruction to the at least one sensor device;

receive a second set of informatics data from the at least one sensor device based on the series of readings taken by the at least one sensor device over the second period of time;

analyze the second set of informatics data to verify that the at least one operational aspect has achieved the cost savings over the second period of time;

determine an insurance product reduction amount contingent upon the cost savings; and

apply the reduction amount to an insurance product associated with the insured property.

16. The computer system as recited in claim 15, wherein adjusting at least one operational aspect includes identifying operational changes for the at least one operational aspect to achieve a user prescribed cost savings for operating the insured property for the second period of time.

17. The computer system as recited in claim 15, wherein application of the reduction amount is at least one of:

reducing an insurance policy deductible, reducing an insurance policy premium, and increasing an insurance policy coverage amount.

18. A computer system for providing savings attributable to operational changes of an insured property, comprising:

a memory configured to store instructions;

a processor disposed in communication with the memory;

wherein upon execution of the instructions is configured to;

receive a first set of informatics data from at least one sensor device relating to at least one operational aspects of the insured property, the first set of informatics data being collected by the at least one sensor device for a first period of time;

receive a budget amount associated with operating the insured property for a second period of time;

analyze the first set of informatics data to determine a cost associated with operating the insured property for the second period of time;

compare the received budget amount with the determined cost associated with operating the insured property;

identify an operational change to be recommended for the at least one operational aspect so as to reconcile, for the second period of time, the cost for operating the insured property with the received budget amount when the determined cost exceeds the received budget amount;

determine an instruction for the at least one sensor device to take a series of readings, over the second period of time, data relating to the at least one operational aspect of the insured property;

transmit the instruction to the at least one sensor device;

receive a second set of informatics data from the at least one sensor device based on the series of readings taken by the at least one sensor device over the second period of time;

determine that the operational change has been initiated for the second period of time based on the second set of informatics data; and

provide a financial reward to a user of the insured property attributable to a cost savings for initiating the operational changes.

19. The computer system as recited in claim 18, wherein providing the financial reward includes transferring funds from a first financial account to a second financial account associated the user, wherein an amount of the funds transferred is dependent upon the cost savings from the initiated operational change.

20. The computer system as recited in claim 19, wherein providing the financial reward includes:

determining an insurance product reduction amount dependent upon the cost savings from the initiated operational change; and

applying the reduction amount to an insurance product associated with the insured property.