Smart home sensor malfunction detection
Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes are described herein. Malfunctions may be detected by receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors. One of these sensors may be selected for assessment. An electronic device may obtain from the selected sensor a set of signals. When the set of signals includes signals that are outside of a determined range of signals associated with proper functioning for the selected sensor, it may be determined that the selected sensor is malfunctioning. In response, an action may be performed to resolve the malfunction and/or mitigate consequences of the malfunction.
1. A computer-implemented method for detecting sensor malfunctions in a smart home, comprising:
receiving, from a plurality of sensors of the smart home, sensor data including a plurality of signals from the plurality of sensors during operation of the smart home;
selecting, by one or more processors, a first sensor from the plurality of sensors;
obtaining, by one or more processors, a first set of signals associated with the first sensor from the plurality of signals;
determining, by one or more processors, a first sensor range indicative of a range of signal values associated with proper functioning of the first sensor, wherein the first sensor range is determined based upon a baseline plurality of signals received from the first sensor during a plurality of previous time frames associated with operation of the smart home;
determining, by one or more processors, that the first sensor is malfunctioning when at least one signal in the first set of signals associated with the first sensor is outside the first sensor range; and
performing, by one or more processors, an action in response to determining that the first sensor is malfunctioning;
wherein performing the action comprises:
generating, via the one or more processors, an alert regarding the first sensor's malfunctioning, wherein the alert includes an indication of an adjustment to a cost or coverage associated with an insurance policy covering operation of the smart home based upon at least one of the determination that the first sensor is malfunctioning or an increase in a risk based upon the first sensor's malfunctioning; and
presenting the alert to one or more of the following: an occupant of the smart home or an owner of the smart home.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is selected in response to additional sensor data indicating an event involving the smart home, and the first sensor is disposed within an area of the smart home involved in the event.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is determined to be malfunctioning without any indication of an event.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining, by one or more processors, a cause of the first sensor's malfunction based upon the received sensor data.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the received sensor data includes a plurality of signals at different times from each of the plurality of sensors, each signal being associated with a timestamp indicating a time associated with the signal.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
based upon the received sensor data, determining, via the one or more processors, an apportionment of liability for a cost of repair or replacement of the first sensor between one or more of: a manufacturer of the first sensor, a manufacturer of a smart equipment, an installer of the first sensor, an insurer of the smart home, an owner of the smart home, or an owner, operator, or insurer of a second smart home.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the performed action is automatically scheduling, via the one or more processors, repair or replacement of the first sensor by a third party based upon the determined apportionment of liability.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving additional information associated with a plurality of other smart homes regarding a plurality of sensor malfunctions; and
determining, via the one or more processors, one or more repairs to correct the first sensor's malfunctioning based upon the received sensor data and additional information.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the first sensor is malfunctioning includes determining a probability of malfunctioning based upon the sensor data.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , wherein the probability of malfunctioning indicates a probability of future failure of the first sensor based upon comparison with data from a plurality of other smart homes.
11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein performing the action further comprises:
identifying, via the one or more processors, one or more autonomous operation features of the smart home that utilize data from the first sensor to control the smart home;
determining, via the one or more processors, a risk level for each of the identified autonomous operation features, wherein each risk level indicates a risk associated with operation of the autonomous operation feature when the first sensor is malfunctioning; and
limiting, via the one or more processors, operation of at least one of the identified one or more autonomous operation features based upon the associated risk level exceeding a safety threshold level.
12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors includes a sensor of a personal electronic device.
13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein performing the action further comprises:
generating, via the one or more processors, an alert regarding the first sensor's malfunctioning, wherein the alert includes a recommendation to take one or more of the following actions: repair the first sensor, replace the first sensor, avoid using one or more autonomous operation features of the smart home, or avoid using one or more settings associated with the one or more autonomous operation features; and
presenting the alert to one or more of the following: an occupant of the smart home or an owner of the smart home.
14. A computer system configured to detect sensor malfunctions in a smart home, comprising:
one or more processors;
one or more transceivers configured to communicate with a plurality of sensors of the smart home; and
a non-transitory program memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computer system to:
receive, from the plurality of sensors of the smart home, sensor data including a plurality of signals from the plurality of sensors during operation of the smart home;
select a first sensor from the plurality of sensors;
obtain a first set of signals associated with the first sensor from the plurality of signals;
determine a first sensor range indicative of a range of signal values associated with proper functioning of the first sensor, wherein the first sensor is selected in response to additional sensor data indicating an event involving the smart home, and the first sensor is disposed within an area of the smart home involved in the event;
determine that the first sensor is malfunctioning when at least one signal in the first set of signals associated with the first sensor is outside the first sensor range; and
perform an action in response to determining that the first sensor is malfunctioning by at least:
generating, via the one or more processors, an alert regarding the first sensor's malfunctioning, wherein the alert includes an indication of an adjustment to a cost or coverage associated with an insurance policy covering operation of the smart home based upon at least one of the determination that the first sensor is malfunctioning or an increase in a risk based upon the first sensor's malfunctioning; and
presenting the alert to one or more of the following: an occupant of the smart home or an owner of the smart home.
15. The computer system of claim 14 , wherein the first sensor range is determined based upon a baseline plurality of signals received from the first sensor during a plurality of previous time frames associated with operation of the smart home.
16. The computer system of claim 14 , wherein the first sensor is determined to be malfunctioning without any indication of an event.
17. The computer system of claim 14 , wherein the executed executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the computer system to determine a cause of the first sensor's malfunction based upon the received sensor data.
18. The computer system of claim 14 , wherein the received sensor data includes a plurality of signals at different times from each of the plurality of sensors, each signal being associated with a timestamp indicating a time associated with the signal.
19. A computer-implemented method for detecting sensor malfunctions in a smart home, comprising:
receiving, from a plurality of sensors of the smart home, sensor data including a plurality of signals from the plurality of sensors during operation of the smart home;
selecting, by one or more processors, a first sensor from the plurality of sensors;
obtaining, by one or more processors, a first set of signals associated with the first sensor from the plurality of signals;
determining, by one or more processors, a first sensor range indicative of a range of signal values associated with proper functioning of the first sensor;
determining, by one or more processors, that the first sensor is malfunctioning when at least one signal in the first set of signals associated with the first sensor is outside the first sensor range, wherein the first sensor is determined to be malfunctioning without any indication of an event; and
performing, by one or more processors, an action in response to determining that the first sensor is malfunctioning by at least:
generating, by one or more processors, an alert regarding the first sensor's malfunctioning, wherein the alert includes an indication of an adjustment to a cost or coverage associated with an insurance policy covering operation of the smart home based upon at least one of the determination that the first sensor is malfunctioning or an increase in a risk based upon the first sensor's malfunctioning; and
presenting the alert to one or more of the following: an occupant of the smart home or an owner of the smart home.