US 12,379,060 B2
Robot ball detection device
Nathan L. Tofte, Downs, IL (US); Brian N. Harvey, Bloomington, IL (US); Vicki King, Bloomington, IL (US); and Joseph P. Harr, Bloomington, IL (US)
Assigned to STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, Bloomington, IL (US)
Filed by STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, Bloomington, IL (US)
Filed on Mar. 17, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/122,873.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/432,209, filed on Dec. 13, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/432,207, filed on Dec. 13, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/432,203, filed on Dec. 13, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/426,255, filed on Nov. 17, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/423,710, filed on Nov. 8, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/421,437, filed on Nov. 1, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0142329 A1, May 2, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16L 55/48 (2006.01); B65D 88/76 (2006.01); E02D 1/08 (2006.01); E02D 19/06 (2006.01); G01M 3/00 (2006.01); G01M 3/24 (2006.01); F16L 101/30 (2006.01); G01M 3/38 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 55/48 (2013.01) [B65D 88/76 (2013.01); E02D 1/08 (2013.01); E02D 19/06 (2013.01); G01M 3/005 (2013.01); F16L 2101/30 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. 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.