Robot ball detection device
AssigneeState Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
InventorsNathan L. Tofte, Brian N. Harvey, Vicki King, Joseph P. Harr
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for detecting blockages and/or leaking in a piping system. The travel speed, travel time, movement, images, audio, odor, and/or other data provided by a robot ball moving through the piping system may indicate if a blockage or leak exists. An electronic notification may be sent detailing the blockage and/or leak, which may include a location and corrective action.
Claims22
A computer-implemented method of detecting blockages or leaking pipes, the method comprising:
- tracking, via one or more local or remote processors, transceivers, and/or sensors, a water-resistant spherical robot or robot ball traveling through one or more piping systems and/or tracking a position or estimated location of the robot ball as the robot ball travels through the one or more piping systems;
- estimating, retrieving, or determining, via the one or more local or remote processors, transceivers, and/or sensors, a travel speed and/or travel time of the robot ball through the one or more piping systems;
- determining or detecting, via the one or more local or remote processors, transceivers, and/or sensors, that a blockage or leak in the one or more piping systems exists based upon the robot ball (i) travel speed, (ii) travel time, (iii) movement through the one or more piping systems, (iv) images or image data, (v) audio or acoustic data, (vi) odor data, or (vii) other data sets;
- and when a blockage or leak exists:
- (a) determining or detecting, via the one or more local or remote processors, transceivers, and/or sensors, a location of the blockage or leak in the one or more piping systems exists;
- (b) generating and transmitting, via the one or more local or remote processors, transceivers, and/or sensors, an electronic notification detailing the blockage or leak, and a location of the blockage or leak, to a mobile device of a user or home owner;
- and (c) generating and transmitting, via the one or more local or remote processors, transceivers, and/or sensors, an electronic notification detailing one or more corrective actions to mitigate an impact of the blockage or leak to the mobile device of the user or home owner.
A computer system for detecting blockages or leaks in pipes or piping systems, the computer system comprising:
- one or more local or remote processors, transceivers, and/or sensors;
- and one or more robot balls or spherical robots;
- the one or more local or remote processors, transceivers, and/or sensors configured to track a robot ball traveling through one or more piping systems and/or track a position or estimated location of the robot ball as the robot ball travels through the one or more piping systems;
- estimate, retrieve, or determine a travel speed and/or travel time of the robot ball moving through the one or more piping systems;
- determine or detect that a blockage or leak in the one or more piping systems exists based upon the robot ball (i) travel speed, (ii) travel time, (iii) movement through the one or more piping systems, (iv) images or image data, (v) audio or acoustic data, (vi) odor data, or (vii) other sensor data;
- and when a blockage or leak exists:
- (a) determine or detect a location of the blockage or leak in the one or more piping systems exists;
- (b) generate and transmit an electronic notification detailing the blockage or leak, and a location of the blockage or leak, to a mobile device of a user or home owner;
- and (c) generate and transmit an electronic notification detailing one or more corrective actions to mitigate an impact of the blockage or leak to the mobile device of the user or home owner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.