AI Sump Pump Fault Detection for Automated Service Notification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sump pump and flood detection systems require manual user intervention for service provider and insurance provider notification, leading to inefficiencies and delays in response times.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a machine learning (ML) and/or artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot for automatic detection of sump pump faults and flood events, enabling seamless communication with service providers for repair or replacement, and insurance providers for claim filing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual user intervention is used for service provider and insurance provider notification, then the system complexity is reduced, but the response time and productivity are worsened due to delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service automation where the chatbot independently detects sump pump faults, retrieves service provider information, sends notifications, and files insurance claims without requiring manual user intervention for these routine tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical notification processes with an automated AI chatbot system that uses natural language processing and automated communication protocols to contact service providers and insurance companies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If automated ML chatbot is implemented for service provider notification, then the response time is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring service provider contact information, pre-preparing notification messages, and pre-establishing claim forms before faults occur, enabling rapid automated response when issues arise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ML chatbot acts as an intermediary between the sump pump monitoring system and external service providers/insurance companies, handling all communication and coordination tasks automatically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If manual user notification is used, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the loss of time increases due to user intervention requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenotification delayVSAvoiduser intervention

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The automated chatbot system performs notification and claim filing tasks independently without requiring user action, eliminating the time loss associated with manual user intervention while maintaining operational simplicity through automated workflows

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12548095B2Artificial intelligence for sump pump monitoring and service provider notification

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 STATE FARM MUTAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY

AI summary

A computer system for sump pump monitoring and repair service provider notification may include one or more processors configured to: detect that a sump pump is faulty, transmit a prompt for service quotes to a machine learning (ML) chatbot to cause the ML chatbot to: request sump pump replacement or repair services from one or more service providers, receive cost estimates from the one or more repair service providers, receive schedule availability from the one or more repair service providers, receive, from the ML chatbot, the cost estimates and the schedule availability, and communicate the cost estimates and/or the schedule availability to a user associated with the sump pump.