3D Property Inventory Capture for Faster Insurance Claims

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Insurance policy holders often fail to create an inventory of their possessions, making it difficult to verify ownership and condition of property before and after incidents like fires or floods, which complicates the insurance claim process.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) tools to assist users in creating an inventory of their possessions and documenting damage, with a virtual assistant providing guidance through a wearable device that superimposes virtual elements onto the real environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional inventory methods are used, then simplicity is maintained, but accuracy and completeness of inventory data deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinventory accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical environment using VR/AR/MR technology. The system captures the three-dimensional space and generates a digital replica where objects can be identified, inventoried, and documented. This virtual copy allows for accurate inventory measurement without requiring complex physical measurement devices, as the system automatically detects and records object positions, conditions, and characteristics within the virtual representation of the environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If manual inventory creation is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinventory creation speedVSAvoidtime for claim preparation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service inventory creation by automatically capturing the environment through the wearable device's camera, identifying objects using image recognition algorithms, and generating the inventory list without requiring manual input. The virtual assistant provides guidance and confirms detections, but the core inventory creation process occurs autonomously. This eliminates the need for users to manually catalog each item, dramatically reducing the time required to create an accurate inventory for insurance purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If records are kept physically, then accessibility is improved, but reliability against destruction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecord preservationVSAvoiddocumentation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a durable digital copy of the inventory and property condition records stored in the virtual environment. Unlike physical papers that can be destroyed by fire, flood, or other incidents, the virtual records persist in the digital system. The wearable device captures images and data that are processed and stored as a permanent digital record, providing reliable documentation that survives physical disasters. This digital copying approach ensures record preservation while the virtual assistant and automated systems manage the complexity of data collection and storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Measurement precision

If virtual reality tools are implemented, then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject identification accuracyVSAvoiduser interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual assistant serves as an intermediary between the complex VR/AR/MR technology and the user. It provides natural language guidance, explains detected objects, confirms inventory items, and assists with claim documentation. The virtual assistant translates complex technical operations into simple, conversational interactions, allowing users to benefit from precise object identification without needing to understand or navigate complex virtual reality interfaces. This intermediary layer maintains ease of operation while enabling sophisticated measurement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260017945A1Insurance inventory and claim generation
Publication Date: 2026.01.15 STATE FARM MUTAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
  • US20260017945A1 patent drawing
  • US20260017945A1 patent drawing
  • US20260017945A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Techniques include receiving image data representing an environment. Based at least in part on the image data, an identity of at least one object disposed within the environment is determined. Based at least in part on the image data, an image is displayed on an electronic device. The image includes a three-dimensional representation of at least a portion of the environment, a three-dimensional representation of the at least one object, and a three-dimensional representation of an assistant providing a request related to the at least one object. A first input is received from a user of the electronic device and based at least in part on the request. An object list is generated based at least in part on the first input and the identity of the at least one object, the list including the at least one object.