Augmented Reality Structural Assessment for Property Damage Appraisal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Claims adjusters and appraisers face challenges in effectively identifying and assessing property damage due to the limitations of traditional training methods, which often rely on fixed documentation and mockups that do not accurately represent real-world scenarios, making it difficult to apply learned knowledge to diverse property types and damage situations.

Innovation Solution

An augmented reality system that overlays damage visualizations onto real images using sensors and databases, allowing users to simulate and assess damage in real-time, detect objects and materials, and provide dynamic training scenarios, including disruptive events like floods and fires, to enhance appraisal and adjustment skills.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional training methods using fixed documentation and mockups are used, then training structure is provided, but the ability to accurately represent real-world diverse damage scenarios is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to represent diverse damage scenariosVSAvoidtraining system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses augmented reality to project virtual damage visualizations onto real property images, creating a copy of damage scenarios that can be overlaid on actual properties. This allows diverse damage representations without physical mockups, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The training system dynamically adjusts damage visualizations based on user interaction and scenario requirements, transforming static mockups into dynamic, adaptable representations. The system can modify damage severity, type, and location in real-time, enhancing versatility without increasing physical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed documentation and mockups are used for training, then consistent training material is provided, but the ability to simulate real-time diverse damage situations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time damage simulation capabilityVSAvoidtime to prepare and switch training scenarios

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-loads multiple damage scenarios and visualizations into the augmented reality platform, allowing instant switching between scenarios without physical setup time. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction by enabling rapid scenario changes while maintaining consistency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The training system transitions from static fixed documentation to dynamic real-time visualization overlay, allowing scenarios to be adjusted and simulated instantly. This dynamic capability eliminates scenario switching time while maintaining training consistency through standardized virtual damage models

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If traditional appraisal training is used, then foundational knowledge is conveyed, but accurate identification and assessment of actual property damage is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage identification accuracyVSAvoidease of applying training to real properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The augmented reality system acts as an intermediary between training knowledge and real property assessment. Virtual damage visualizations serve as a mediator that bridges the gap between theoretical training and practical application, allowing appraisers to practice on real properties with guided overlays, thereby improving identification accuracy while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Virtual copies of various damage types are projected onto real properties, allowing appraisers to practice identifying and assessing damage without the pressure of real consequences. This copying approach transfers foundational knowledge to practical application accurately while keeping the process easy to operate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12056833B1Systems and methods for employing augmented reality in appraisal and assessment operations

Publication Date: 2024.08.06 UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)

AI summary

An augmented reality structural assessment system may include a display device, at least one sensor configured to generate image data from a structure, and a processor. The processor may receive the image data that represents one or more portions of the structure and receive motion data representative of a number of steps traversed by a user about the structure. The processor may generate a visualization of a scenario related to structural damage to the one or more portions of the structure of the image data. The visualization may be presented to a user via the display device, such that the visualization augments a view of the structure via the display device to include the one or more dimensions. The processor may then receive input data regarding one or more assessments of damage to the structure corresponding to the scenario, the image data, and the one or more dimensions, and store the data regarding one or more assessments of damage in a storage component. The processor may then generate a policy quote based in part on the one or more assessments.