IP Library Granted Patent US 10,825,321
Granted Patent B2
US 10,825,321 · App. 16/712,640 · Granted Nov 3, 2020

Sensor data to identify catastrophe areas

Inventors: Phillip Moon (Bloomington, IL); Sunish Menon (Normal, IL); Jeffrey Kinsey (Bloomington, IL); Jeffrey W. Stoiber (Dunwoody, GA)
Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
G08B21/10G01C21/3415G01C21/3461G01S19/42G06Q40/08G06Q50/265G08B21/182G08B25/006G08B27/001G08G1/0137H04Q9/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,825,321
App. No.
16/712,640
Granted
Nov 3, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A computer-implemented method for generating an automated response to a catastrophic event, that includes (1) analyzing a sample set of data generated in association with a catastrophic event to determine a threshold pattern; (2) receiving, with customer permission or affirmative consent, home sensor data from a smart home controller via wireless communication or data transmission, the home sensor data including data regarding at least one of (i) structural status; (ii) wind speed; (iii) availability of electricity; (iv) presence of water; (v) temperature; (vi) pressure; and/or (vii) presence of pollutants in the air and/or water; (3) determining, based upon or from computer analysis of the home sensor data, whether the home sensor data indicates a match to the threshold pattern; and (4) automatically generating a response if the home sensor data indicates a match to the threshold pattern. As a result, catastrophic events and responses thereto may be improved through usage of a remote network of home sensors.

Claims (33)

1. A computer-implemented method for tracking a catastrophic event using a remote sensor network, the computer-implemented method comprising:

comparing an event threshold corresponding to an event type against a first set of event data to determine that the event threshold has been met or exceeded;

initializing a data file, based upon the first set of event data, to receive a second set of event data comprising sensor data generated by a plurality of sensors;

receiving the second set of event data into the data file; and

generating, based upon the second set of event data, a customized threshold pattern for the plurality of sensors that corresponds to the event type.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further including issuing operational instructions to at least some of the plurality of sensors based upon a data receipt pattern determined from the first set of event data.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein the data receipt pattern is further determined based upon comparison of the first set of event data with a supplemental data set, the supplemental data set including weather-related data received from an external database configured for weather tracking.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the area associated with the first set of event data includes areas effected by and likely to be affected by the event type.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 , wherein the event is a weather-related event.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 , wherein the event is an electrical outage-related event.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 , wherein the event is a traffic-related event.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of sensors generate physical weather-related data.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of sensors generate traffic-related data.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of sensors generate structural status information regarding a plurality of structures.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 2 , further comprising formatting the operational instructions for transmission to the plurality of sensors via communication network.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , further comprising formatting the operational instructions as a request for routing to an operator of the plurality of sensors.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12 , wherein the operator is an alarm security company.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: (1) receiving additional weather-related event data from an external database configured for weather tracking; (2) comparing the additional weather-related event data against the event threshold to confirm occurrence of the event type.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium with an executable program stored thereon for tracking a catastrophic event using a remote sensor network, wherein the program instructs a processing element of a computing device to perform the following:

compare an event threshold corresponding to an event type against a first set of event data to determine that the event threshold has been met or exceeded;

initialize a data file, based upon the first set of event data, to receive a second set of event data comprising sensor data generated by a plurality of sensors;

receive the second set of event data into the data file; and

generate, based upon the second set of event data, a customized threshold pattern for the sensors that corresponds to the event type.

16. A computing device for tracking a catastrophic event using a remote sensor network, the device comprising:

a memory element electronically coupled to the communication element, the memory element configured to store data and executable instructions; and

a processing element electronically coupled to the communication element and the memory element, the processing element configured to—

compare an event threshold corresponding to an event type against a first set of the event data to determine that the event threshold has been met or exceeded;

initialize a data file, based upon the first set of the event data, to receive a second set of the event data comprising sensor data generated by a plurality of sensors;

receive the second set of the event data into the data file; and

generate, based upon the second set of the event data, a customized threshold pattern for the plurality of sensors that corresponds to the event type.

17. The computing device of claim 16 , wherein the processing element is further configured to issue operational instructions to at least some of the plurality of sensors based upon a data receipt pattern of the first set of event data, and via a communication element.

18. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the processing element is further configured to format the operational instructions for transmission to the plurality of sensors via a communication network.

19. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the processing element is further configured to format the operational instructions for routing to an operator of the plurality of sensors.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 12, 2019
From: MENON, SUNISH; STOIBER, JEFFREY; MOON, PHILLIP; KINSEY, JEFFREY
To: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
Reel/Frame 051269/0437 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 16266171 · Feb 4, 2019
Continuation 16000233 · Jun 5, 2018
Continuation 15396969 · Jan 3, 2017
Provisional Application 62275566 · Jan 6, 2016
Provisional Application 62307101 · Mar 11, 2016
Related Publication 20200175835A1 · Jun 4, 2020
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