# US 12,762,627 B2 · Systems and methods for homeowner-directed risk of property damage mitigation

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- Number: US 12,762,627 B2
- Document ID: US12762627B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/221,517
- Filed: 2023-07-13
- Published: 2023-11-09
- Granted: 2026-10-13
- Earliest claimed: 2014-04-25
- Assignees: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
- Applicants: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
- Inventors: Ronny S. Bryant; Shawn M. Call; Daryoush Hakimi-Boushehri; John H. Weekes; Jennifer Criswell; Todd Binion; Jackie O. Jordan, II; Elisabeth McDermeit; John Donovan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12762627B2

## CPC

- G06Q 40/0842: {using sensors}
- E03B 7/071: {Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off}
- G05B 15/02: electric
- G06Q 10/10: Office automation; Time management
- G06Q 30/0278: {Product appraisal}
- G06Q 40/08: Insurance
- G06Q 50/16: Real estate
- G06Q 50/163: Real estate management
- G08B 21/20: responsive to moisture
- G16Y 10/50: Finance; Insurance
- H04L 12/2823: {Reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network (device-related reporting H04L43/065; arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00)}
- H04L 12/2827: {Reporting to a device within the home network; wherein the reception of the information reported automatically triggers the execution of a home appliance functionality}
- G05B 2219/163: Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart, intelligent house
- G05B 2219/2642: Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
- G08B 21/043: {detecting an emergency event, e.g. a fall}
- G16Y 40/10: Detection; Monitoring
- H04L 12/2803: {Home automation networks}
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- E03B: INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER (drilling wells, obtaining fluids in general from wells E21B; pipe-line systems in general F17D)
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G16Y: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE INTERNET OF THINGS [IoT]
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)

## Abstract

Methods and systems for homeowner-directed risk mitigation for damage to a property associated with insurance-related events are provided. A smart home controller may analyze data received from a plurality of smart devices disposed on, or proximate to, a property as well as data received from an insurance provider. If it is determined that an actual or potential risk of property damage exists, the smart home controller may transmit an alert to a homeowner detailing the risk. The homeowner may respond to the alert by transmitting an instruction to mitigate or prevent damage associated with the risk back to the smart home controller. Subsequently, the smart home controller may transmit information about the actual or potential risks and any homeowner-directed mitigative actions to an insurance provider. The insurance provider may interpret the transmitted data and perform insurance activities, such as providing discounts and adjusting an insurance policy associated with the property.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A computer-implemented method for controlling interconnected smart devices of a property to limit damage to the property, the computer-implemented method comprising:
aggregating, by one or more processors, data from a plurality of devices associated with the property;
generating, by the one or more processors, a first instruction configured to control at least one of the plurality of devices to perform a first action based upon the aggregated data, wherein the first action is intended to prevent or mitigate damage associated with a predicted or ongoing property damage event;
determining, by the one or more processors executing the first instruction, that the first action is insufficient to prevent or mitigate damage associated with the predicted or ongoing property damage event;
in response to the first action being insufficient to prevent or mitigate damage associated with the predicted or ongoing property damage event:
generating, by the one or more processors, a second instruction configured to control at least a second device from among the plurality of devices to perform a second action intended to prevent or mitigate the predicted or ongoing property damage event,
transmitting, by the one or more processors, the second instruction to the second device, and
executing, by the one or more processors, the second instruction at the second device; and
controlling, by the one or more processors, the second device to perform the second action.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, the computer-implemented method further comprising:
controlling, by the one or more processors, the at least one of the plurality of devices to perform the first action by transmitting, via a communication network, the first instruction, wherein the transmission of the first instruction causes the at least one of the plurality of devices to interpret the first instruction and perform the first action.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, the computer-implemented method further comprising:
transmitting, to an insurance provider via a second communication network, an indication of the predicted or ongoing property damage event and an indication of the first and second instructions.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
analyzing, by the one or more processors, at least one of audio data, video data, and operational data received from the plurality of devices on the property.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
transmitting, to a mobile or other computer device associated with an individual via a second communication network, an instruction, wherein the instruction causes the mobile or other computer device to:
display an indication of the predicted or ongoing property damage event, and
provide an interface that enables the individual to select the first action.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the second instruction to the second device causes the second device to perform at least one of:
shutting off a water or gas supply; closing a door, window or shutter; turning off an appliance; or turning on a sump pump, de-watering equipment or fire sprinklers.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, from an insurance provider via a second communication network, a notification that the second action has occurred.

### Claim 8

A computer system for controlling interconnected smart devices of a property to limit damage to the property, the computer system being disposed on the property and comprising:
a communication module adapted to communicate data;
a memory adapted to store non-transitory computer-executable instructions; and
one or more processors adapted to interface with the communication module, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the non-transitory computer-executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
aggregate data from a plurality of devices associated with the property;
generate a first instruction configured to control at least one of the plurality of devices to perform a first action based upon the aggregated data, wherein the first action is intended to prevent or mitigate damage associated with a predicted or ongoing property damage event;
determine, by executing the first instruction, that the first action is insufficient to prevent or mitigate damage associated with the predicted or ongoing property damage event;
if the first action is insufficient to prevent or mitigate damage associated with the predicted or ongoing property damage event;
generate a second instruction configured to control at least a second device from among the plurality of devices to perform a second action intended to prevent or mitigate the predicted or ongoing property damage event,
transmit the second instruction to the second device and,
executing the second instruction at the second device; and
control the second device to perform the second action.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The computer system of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the non-transitory computer-executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
control the at least one of the plurality of devices to perform the first action by transmitting, via a communication network, the first instruction, wherein the transmission of the first instruction causes the at least one of the plurality of devices to interpret the first instruction and perform the first action.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The computer system of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the non-transitory computer-executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
transmit, to an insurance provider, an indication of the predicted or ongoing property damage event and an indication of the first and second instructions.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The computer system of claim 8, wherein to determine if the first action is insufficient to prevent or mitigate damage associated with the predicted or ongoing property damage event, the one or more processors are further configured to execute the non-transitory computer-executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
analyze at least one of audio data, video data, or operational data received from the plurality of devices on the property via the communication module.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The computer system of claim 8, wherein the communication module is further configured to:
transmit, to a mobile or other computer device associated with an individual, an instruction, wherein the instruction causes the mobile or other computer device to:
display an indication of the predicted or ongoing property damage event, and
provide an interface that enables the individual to select the first action.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The computer system of claim 8, wherein to determine if the first action is insufficient to prevent or mitigate damage associated with the predicted or ongoing property damage event, the one or more processors are further configured to execute the non-transitory computer-executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
determine if the first action is to perform at least one of shutting off a water or gas supply; closing a door, window or shutter; turning off an appliance; or turning on a sump pump, de-watering equipment or fire sprinklers.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The computer system of claim 8, wherein to transmit the second instruction to the second device, the communication module is further configured to cause the second device to perform at least one of:
shutting off a water or gas supply; turning off an appliance; or turning on a sump pump, de-watering equipment or fire sprinklers.

### Claim 15 (depends on 8)

The computer system of claim 8, wherein the communication module is further configured to:
receive, from an insurance provider, a notification that the predicted or ongoing property damage event has occurred.

### Claim 16

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing processor-executable instructions for controlling interconnected smart devices of a property to limit damage to the property, that when executed, the instructions cause one or more processors to:
aggregate, by the one or more processors, data from a plurality of devices associated with the property;
generate, by the one or more processors, a first instruction configured to control at least one of the plurality of devices to perform a first action based upon the aggregated data, wherein the first action is intended to prevent or mitigate damage associated with a predicted or ongoing property damage event;
determine, by the one or more processors executing the first instruction, that the first action is insufficient to prevent or mitigate damage associated with the predicted or ongoing property damage event;
if the first action is insufficient to prevent or mitigate damage associated with the predicted or ongoing property damage event:
generate, by the one or more processors, a second instruction configured to control at least a second device from among the plurality of devices to perform a second action intended to prevent or mitigate the predicted or ongoing property damage event,
transmit, by the one or more processors, the second instruction to the second device and,
execute, by the one or more processors, the second instruction at the second device; and
control, by the one or more processors, the second device to perform the second action.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, the instructions, when executed, further cause the one or more processors to:
transmit, to a mobile or other computing device associated with an individual, an instruction, wherein the instruction causes the mobile or other computing device to:
display an indication of the predicted or ongoing property damage event, and
provide an interface that enables the individual to select the first action.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, the instructions, when executed, further cause the one or more processors to:
control, by the one or more processors, the at least one of the plurality of devices to perform the first action by transmitting, via a communication network, the first instruction, wherein the transmission of the first instruction causes the at least one of the plurality of devices to interpret the first instruction and perform the first action.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the second instruction to the second device causes the second device to turn on: a sump pump, de-watering equipment, or fire sprinklers.