Abstract:
This invention relates to apparatus and systems for providing home and building security and condition monitoring. More particularly, the invention relates to a plurality of devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected devices, that communicate dynamically with each other and a remotes server.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Building and home automation or so called smart home/building technology may include centralized control and monitoring of lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, appliances, security, windows and doors and other systems, to provide improved safety, convenience, comfort, energy efficiency and security. The popularity of building and home automation has been increasing greatly in recent years due to the variety of sensors available and the much higher affordability and simplicity through smartphone and tablet access and connectivity. 
         [0002]    Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can include temperature and humidity control with Internet-controlled thermostats that allow control of the building&#39;s heating and air conditioning systems via smartphone. The system may automatically open and close windows to cool or warm the house or building. Automation products can be used for as home security monitoring, control of lighting or can include very complex interactions with other systems. Control systems can be used to switch lights based on a time cycle, or arranged to automatically go out or one when a room or building is unoccupied. Systems can also be used to automatically control window shades and draperies to make best use of natural light and provide privacy at night. 
         [0003]    A building and home automation system integrates various electronic and electrical devices in a structure with each other. Devices may be connected through a local wireless network to allow control by a personal computer, and may allow remote access from the internet or radio frequency based network via a smartphone or other portable mobile device. Through the integration of information technologies with the home or building environment, systems and appliances can communicate in an integrated manner which results in security, convenience, energy efficiency, and safety benefits to the occupant. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, it would be desirable to access so called smart home and building systems to provide data for the provision of additional services to the building or homeowner. For example, third party entities can leverage data from connected home devices to assess and mitigate risk, increase pricing sophistication, and offer new products, all of which help drive operational efficiency and top-line growth. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention in some embodiments relates to a dynamic building control system having a plurality of sensor units for detecting one or more conditions associated with one or more building components, the system, comprising: a plurality of sensor units electrically connected to one or more building components, the sensor units comprising at least one or more of ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), multi-spectrum infrared (MSIR), and visual flame imaging, wherein the sensor units detect a plurality of condition states within certain regions of a building structure, wherein the sensor units generate electronic signals corresponding to a plurality of sensed condition states within a building structure; a wireless network in communication with the sensor units; and an electronic control center, wherein the control center receives the electronic signals over the wireless network and transmits data related to the electronic signals to a remote server system, the remote server system augmenting the received data with one or more third party auxiliary data sources, the remote server system further associating the augmented data with one or more building properties in order to modify one or more stored parameters associated with the building properties. 
         [0006]    A sensor system having for detecting and mitigating one or more conditions associated with a connected home, the system, comprising a plurality of sensors coupled to one or more home components, wherein a plurality of the sensors sense one or more conditions within certain regions of the home; one or more control units electrically connected to the sensors, wherein at least one of control units generates an electronic signal corresponding to a condition of the home; and a control center connected to a remote server system, wherein the control center receives the electronic signal, and transmits data related to the electronic signal to a server system, the server system associating the received data with one or more indexed properties and applying a weighting factor to the received data for modifying a stored parameter associated with the one or more properties. 
         [0007]    The present invention in some embodiments is a control system having a plurality of sensor units for monitoring a building structure, the system, comprising a plurality of sensor units electrically connected to one or more building components, wherein a plurality of the sensor units monitor one or more conditions within the building structure; one or more control units electrically connected to the sensor units, wherein at least one of control units generates an electronic signal corresponding to a condition state; and a control center connected to a remote server system, wherein the control center receives the electronic signal, and transmits data related to the electronic signal to a remote server system, the remote server system associating the received data with one or more building properties and applying a weighting factor to the data based on the respective sensor unit for the one or more building structures to modify a stored parameter associated with the one or more properties, the control center transmitting one or more control signals to one or more control units, the transmitted signal controlling one or more building components to mitigate a condition state associated with the building structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    A more detailed understanding may be had from the following description, given by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary system architecture of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary system that may be used for the management and analysis of sensor data; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows another exemplary system of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows another exemplary system embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows a process flow diagram of an exemplary computer implemented method in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows an exemplary database structure of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows another process flow diagram of an exemplary computer implemented method in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  shows another exemplary system of the present invention; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  shows another exemplary system of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Disclosed herein are apparatuses and computing systems, to centrally control and monitor operation of one or more connected building or home devices by issuing control requests and/or data requests within a wireless network system. The connected devices include components and sensor devices that comprise parts or units of building and home structures including various electromechanical devices that may be centrally controlled, such as electronic and electro-mechanical devices for home or building automation. The system communicates with the connected devices via a network and using appropriate protocol(s), and may be accessed remotely or locally. The system helps improve conditions and states within the home or building and assists with the provision of ancillary services related to the home or building. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a sensor system  100  of the present invention typically includes a central controller device or unit  110  that connects multiple networked devices or modules  120   a - 1 . Central control unit  110  communicates via a network  130  to remote user device  140  that is associated with a home or building structure  150 . Central control unit  110  may be installed at a stationary location such as a home, place of work, or other location and may include basic processing, computing, control and storage functionalities including location capabilities and wireless communication capabilities to enable the central control unit  110  to communicate with one or more third party central monitoring systems  160 ,  170 . Wireless communication capabilities may be any appropriate communication capabilities as will be apparent to one of skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure, including an RF transceiver and/or other wireless communication capabilities, such as wireless local area networks (WLAN) or cellular communication. The central control unit may also include wired as well as wireless communication capabilities for local area network, wide area network and other network communications implementing Internet Protocol and Ethernet as well as other communication technologies. 
         [0020]    The remote user device  140  is configured to connect to central controller device  110  through network  130 . The remote user device  140  may include a touch-sensitive touch screen  144  that provides an input interface and an output interface between the device and a user. Touch screen  144  displays visual output to the user where the output may include graphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof. The networked devices  120   a - 1 , and the central controller device  110  may be physically located in or around the vicinity of a building or home  150 . 
         [0021]    System  100  via central control unit  110  enables the remote user devices  140  to access information and data maintained by the system  100  for the various networked devices  120   a - 1 . Networked devices  120   a - 1  may include various sensors, modules and mechanisms including: a lighting control  120   a , video monitoring  120   b , water usage monitoring  120   c , fire and smoke detection  120   d , personal emergency response systems  120   e , leak detection  120   f , smart panels  120   g , centralized monitoring  120   h , appliance monitoring  120   i , electronic locks,  120   j , locations based services  120   k  and temperature monitoring  120   l . System  100  enables the user to maintain and enforce individual preferences associated with one or more of components or modules including lighting control  120   a , video monitoring  120   b , water usage monitoring  120   c , fire and smoke detection  120   d , personal emergency response systems  120   e , leak detection  120   f , smart panels  120   g , centralized monitoring  120   h , appliance monitoring  120   i , electronic locks,  120   j , locations based services  120   k  and temperature monitoring  120   l.    
         [0022]    Devices  120   a - 1  and the central controller unit  110  typically are located in a physical place that enables the client devices  120   a - 1  to interact and communicate with one another. In one implementation, for example, devices  120   a - 1  may be physically located in a personal residence such as a single-family dwelling, a house, a townhouse, an apartment, or a condominium as well as a commercial building or factory. Devices  120   a - 1  may include one or more portable computing devices that may be taken outside of the structure and still remain connected to the central control unit  110  located within the structure through network  130 . 
         [0023]    Devices  120   a - 1  may include one or more sensor based computing devices, one or more special-purpose computers e.g., devices specifically programmed to communicate with the central control unit  110 , or a combination of one or more sensor based computing devices and one or more special-purpose computers. Other examples of devices include a workstation, a server, an appliance e.g., a refrigerator, a microwave, and an oven, an intelligent household device e.g., a thermostat, a security system, an HVAC system, and an audio system, a device, a component, other physical or virtual equipment, or some combination of these elements capable of responding to and executing instructions within the system architecture shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0024]    Referring still to  FIG. 1 , central control unit  110  may include a specialized computer having an internal or external storage for storing data and programs such as an operating system and one or more application programs. Examples of application programs include authoring applications capable of generating documents or other electronic content; client applications capable of communicating with other computer users, accessing various computer resources, and viewing, creating, or otherwise manipulating electronic content; and browser applications capable of rendering standard Internet content. In some embodiments, central control functions may be partially or wholly integrated with mobile device  140  such as control via an app that may integrate with central control unit  110 . 
         [0025]    Central control unit  110  also includes a central processing unit for executing instructions in response to commands from a client controller. In one implementation, the central control unit  110  includes one or more of the application programs installed on the internal or external storage of the general-purpose computer. In another implementation, the client controller includes application programs externally stored in and executed by one or more devices external to the computer. Central control unit  110  may be in communication with one or more third party central monitoring systems  160 ,  170  to enable data access and sharing related to one or more of the lighting control  120   a , video monitoring  120   b , water usage monitoring  120   c , fire and smoke detection  120   d , personal emergency response systems  120   e , leak detection  120   f , smart panels  120   g , centralized monitoring  120   h , appliance monitoring  120   i , electronic locks,  120   j , locations based services  120   k  and temperature monitoring  120   l . Data related to one or more the lighting control  120   a , video monitoring  120   b , water usage monitoring  120   c , fire and smoke detection  120   d , personal emergency response systems  120   e , leak detection  120   f , smart panels  120   g , centralized monitoring  120   h , appliance monitoring  120   i , electronic locks,  120   j , locations based services  120   k  and temperature monitoring  120   l  may be utilized by a third party entity to determine a condition or state of the building or home  150  and such data may be used to improve conditions such as safety, security, temperature and environmental and physical conditions of the home or building. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows an example system architecture  200  that may be used for sensor control and analysis for one or more building structures.  FIG. 2  shows an example computing device  210  that may be used to implement features describe above for managing building and risk data in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Computing device  210  may be integrated as part of remote computing device  230  in some embodiments. 
         [0027]    Referring still to  FIG. 2 , the computing device  210  may include a peripheral device interface  212 , a display device interface  214 , a navigation component  216 , a processor  218 , a memory device  220 , a communication interface  222  and a data storage  224 . In operation, computing device  210  is configured to receive and transmit a number of data flows via communications interface  222  including, for example, image, sound and/or video data such as from devices and sensors such as a lighting control  250   a , video monitoring  250   b , water usage monitoring  250   c , fire and smoke detection  250   d , personal emergency response systems  250   e , leak detection  250   f , smart panels  250   g , centralized monitoring  250   h , appliance monitoring  250   i , electronic locks,  250   j , locations based services  250   k  and temperature monitoring  250   l.    
         [0028]    The peripheral device interface  212  may be an interface configured to communicate with one or more peripheral devices such as a variety of sensors, device, cameras and modules. Peripheral devices may include a lighting control  250   a , video monitoring  250   b , water usage monitoring  250   c , fire and smoke detection  250   d , personal emergency response systems  250   e , leak detection  250   f , smart panels  250   g , centralized monitoring  250   h , appliance monitoring  250   i , electronic locks,  250   j , locations based services  250   k  and temperature monitoring  250   l  that are configured to provide safety, security, environmental and other data to controller computing device  210 . 
         [0029]    The peripheral device interface  212  may operate using a technology such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), PS/2, Bluetooth, infrared, firewire, serial port, parallel port, and/or other appropriate technology. Additionally, the peripheral device interface  212  may, for example, receive input data from an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a touch screen, a touch pad, a stylus pad, and/or other device. Alternatively or additionally, the peripheral device interface  212  may communicate output data to a printer that is attached to the computing device  210  via the peripheral device interface  212 . 
         [0030]    The display device interface  214  may be an interface configured to communicate data to display device  234 . The display device  234  may be, for example, a monitor or television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), and/or a display based on a technology such as front or rear projection, light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), or Digital Light Processing (DLP). The display device interface  214  may operate using technology such as Video Graphics Array (VGA), Super VGA (S-VGA), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), or other appropriate technology. The display device interface  214  may communicate display data from the processor  218  to the display device  234  for display by the display device  234 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the display device  234  may be external to the computing device  210 , and coupled to the computing device  210  via the display device interface  214 . 
         [0031]    The memory device  220  of  FIG. 1  may be or include a device such as a Dynamic Random Access Memory (D-RAM), Static RAM (S-RAM), or other RAM or a flash memory. The storage device  224  may be or include a hard disk, a magneto-optical medium, an optical medium such as a CD-ROM, a digital versatile disk (DVDs), or Blu-Ray disc (BD), or other type of device for electronic data storage. 
         [0032]    The communication interface  222  may be, for example, a communications port, a wired transceiver, a wireless transceiver, and/or a network card. The communication interface  222  may be capable of communicating using technologies such as Ethernet, fiber optics, microwave, xDSL (Digital Subscriber Line), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology, wireless cellular technology, and/or any other appropriate technology. 
         [0033]    Remote device  230  may be configured to receive data from and control the operation of peripheral devices including lighting control  250   a , video monitoring  250   b , water usage monitoring  250   c , fire and smoke detection  250   d , personal emergency response systems  250   e , leak detection  250   f , smart panels  250   g , centralized monitoring  250   h , appliance monitoring  250   i , electronic locks,  250   j , locations based services  250   k  and temperature monitoring  250   l . Control may be performed via an app executing on device  230  based on instructions from user  240 . 
         [0034]    Control instructions and data are generally transmitted to and from remote control device  230  to peripheral devices lighting control  250   a , video monitoring  250   b , water usage monitoring  250   c , fire and smoke detection  250   d , personal emergency response systems  250   e , leak detection  250   f , smart panels  250   g , centralized monitoring  250   h , appliance monitoring  250   i , electronic locks,  250   j , locations based services  250   k  and temperature monitoring  250   l  through a wireless network  260 . 
         [0035]    Wireless network  260  may be implemented using any wireless data transmission including but not limited to TDMA, GSM, CDPD, GPRS, EDGE, and UMTS. In a preferred embodiment, a data communications link layer is implemented using one of these technologies, a data communications network layer is implemented with the Internet Protocol (“IP”), and a data communications transmission layer is implemented using the Transmission Control Protocol (“TCP”). In such systems, information between the devices and remote control device  230  are transmitted using an application-level protocol such as, for example, the HyperText Transmission Protocol (“HTTP”), the Wireless Application Protocol (“WAP”), the Handheld Device Transmission Protocol (“HDTP”), or any other data communications protocol as will occur to those of skill in the art. 
         [0036]    As used herein, “TDMA” stands for Time Division Multiple Access, a technology for delivering digital wireless service using time-division multiplexing. “GSM” stands for Global System for Mobile Communications, a digital cellular standard in Europe and Asia. “CDPD” stands for Cellular Digital Packet Data, a data transmission technology developed for use on cellular phone frequencies. “GPRS” stands for General Packet Radio Service, a standard for wireless data communications that supports a wide range of speeds, is an efficient use of limited bandwidth and is particularly suited for sending and receiving small bursts of data, such as e-mail and Web browsing, as well as large volumes of data. “EDGE” stands for Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution, a standard for wireless data communications supporting high data transfer rates. “UMTS” stands for Universal Mobile Telecommunication System, a standard for wireless data communications supporting high data transfer rates and also referred to as W-CDMA for Wideband Code Division Multiple Access. 
         [0037]    Alternatively or additionally, an instance of the computing device  210  may be configured to perform any feature or any combination of features described herein. In such an instance, the memory device  220  and/or the storage device  224  may store instructions which, when executed by the processor  218 , cause the processor  218  to perform any feature or any combination of features described herein. In such an instance, the processor  218  may perform the feature or combination of features in conjunction with peripheral device interface  212 , display interface  214 , memory  220 , communication interface  222 , and/or data storage device  224 . 
         [0038]    Although  FIG. 2  shows that the computing device  210  includes a single processor  218 , single memory device  220 , single communication interface  222 , single peripheral device interface  212 , single display device interface  214 , and single storage device  224 , the computing device may include multiples of each or any combination of these components and may be configured to perform analogous functionality to that described above. 
         [0039]    Each or any combination of the components/modules shown in  FIG. 2  may be implemented as one or more software modules or objects, one or more specific-purpose processor elements, or as combinations thereof. Suitable software modules include, by way of example, an executable program, a function, a method call, a procedure, a routine or sub-routine, one or more processor-executable instructions, an object, or a data structure. In addition or as an alternative to the features of these modules described above with reference to  FIG. 2 , these modules may perform functionality described later herein. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  shows an example system architecture  300  that may be used for risk management and loss control using sensor based data. The example architecture  300  includes a computer system  305  including a data system  310 , a web system  320  and a business terminal  330 , a network  340 , and a plurality of remote handheld computing devices  350   a - n . Data system  310  may include a communications interface  312 , a rules processor  314 , a customer database  316  and a transaction database  318 . 
         [0041]    In one embodiment, business rules processor  314  may include one or more rules and/or predictive models. The rules processor  314  may use the one or more rules and/or predictive models to evaluate certain internet or web data as well as customer data to determine, for example, if a certain event of condition exists at a building or home. Generally, a predictive model takes into account a plurality of parameters, and in embodiments may take into account any number of parameters, such as up to 10 parameters, up to 100 parameters or more parameters. The predictive model may include one or more of neural networks, Bayesian networks (such as Hidden Markov models), expert systems, decision trees, collections of decision trees, support vector machines, or other systems known in the art for addressing problems with large numbers of variables. Preferably, the predictive model is trained on prior data and outcomes. The specific data and outcomes analyzed vary depending on the desired functionality of the particular predictive model. The particular data parameters selected for analysis in the training process are determined by using regression analysis and/or other statistical techniques known in the art for identifying relevant variables in multivariable systems. 
         [0042]    In other embodiments, one or more decision trees, equations or tables may be included with and executed by rules processor  314 . Decision trees may include decisions relating to identified terms and phrases and equivalent terms and phrases, in accordance with text based analysis principles. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, data system  310 , terminal  330 , and remote device  350   a - n  are in communication via a network  340 . Data system  310  shown in  FIG. 3  is an embodiment of a system that might be implemented solely within a single location or be an aggregation of one or more other subsystems including one or more partner, third party administrator and/or vendor subsystems to allow communications and data transfer between the company and representatives, investigators, adjusters, customers, and agents. Data transferred through network  340  to system  310  may pass through one or more firewalls or other security type controls implemented within web system  320  and/or in standalone devices. The firewall allows access to network  340  only through predetermined conditions/ports. In another embodiment, the firewall restricts the Internet IP addresses that may access web system  320 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 3  still, rules processor  314  may include one or more business rules and one or more predictive models, decision trees, equations and/or tables, in conjunction with one or more software modules or objects and one or more specific-purpose processor elements, to perform the processing required by embodiments of the present invention such as for evaluating data to evaluate and mitigate risk with the building or home based on information from the plurality of sensors and additional third party information. For example, security system sensor data may be coupled with third party alarm system monitoring data to determine whether one or more conditions or parameters associated with the home or building should be modified. 
         [0045]    The insureds&#39; information database  316  may store information, data and documents that relate to customers such as home, business and/or automobile related policy information as well as location information. Transaction information database  318  may store information, data and documents from user devices  350   a - n  and remote devices  350   a - n . Insureds&#39; information database  316  and transaction information database  318  may be spread across one or more computer-readable storage media, and may be or include one or more relational databases, hierarchical databases, object-oriented databases, one or more flat files, one or more spreadsheets, and/or one or more structured files. Insureds&#39; information database  316  and transaction information database  318  may be managed by one or more database management systems (not depicted), which may be based on a technology such as Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle Relational Database Management System (RDBMS), PostgreSQL, a NoSQL database technology, and/or any other appropriate technology. Communication between the data system  310  and the other elements in the example architecture  300  of  FIG. 3  may be performed via the communications interface module  312 . 
         [0046]    Referring still to  FIG. 3 , web system  320  may provide a web interface that may be accessed directly by a user such as an insured, a claims representative, an adjuster and other third party entity employing user devices  332   a - n  to communicate and interact with a company representative employing terminal  330 . In certain embodiments, terminal  330  can include, but are not limited to cellular telephones, other wireless communication devices, personal digital assistants, pagers, laptop computers, tablet computers, smartphones, other mobile display devices, or combinations thereof. In embodiments of the present invention, terminal  330  may communicate with the web site system  320  that may be operated by or under the control of an entity or other third party entity such as an outsourced type entity or third party administrator type entity. 
         [0047]    The web site system  320  may include a web application module  322  and a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server module  324 . The web application module  322  may generate the web pages that make up the web site and that are communicated by the HTTP server module  324 . Web application module  322  may be implemented in and/or based on a technology such as Active Server Pages (ASP), PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP), Python/Zope, Ruby, any server-side scripting language, and/or any other appropriate technology. 
         [0048]    The HTTP server module  324  may implement the HTTP protocol, and may communicate HyperText Markup Language (HTML) pages and related data from the web site to/from client devices terminal  334 , user device  350   c , using HTTP. The HTTP server module  324  may be, for example, a Sun-ONE Web Server, an Apache HTTP server, a Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) server, and/or may be based on any other appropriate HTTP server technology. The web site system  320  may also include one or more additional components or modules (not depicted), such as one or more switches, load balancers, firewall devices, routers, and devices that handle power backup and data redundancy. 
         [0049]    Referring still to  FIG. 3 , terminal  330  may include a web browser module  334 , which may communicate data related to the web site to/from the HTTP server module  324  and the web application module  322  in the web site system  320 . The web browser module  334  may include and/or communicate with one or more sub-modules that perform functionality such as rendering HTML (including but not limited to HTML5), rendering raster and/or vector graphics, executing JavaScript, and/or rendering multimedia content. Alternatively or additionally, the web browser module  334  may implement Rich Internet Application (RIA) and/or multimedia technologies such as Adobe Flash, Microsoft Silverlight, and/or other technologies. The web browser module  334  may implement RIA and/or multimedia technologies using one or web browser plug-in modules (such as, for example, an Adobe Flash or Microsoft Silverlight plugin), and/or using one or more sub-modules within the web browser module  334  itself. 
         [0050]    The example architecture  300  of  FIG. 3  may also include one or more wired and/or wireless networks via which communications between the elements and components shown in the example architecture  300  may take place. The networks may be private or public networks, cloud or shared networks and/or may include the Internet. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary computer system  400  for use in an implementation of the invention will now be described. Computer system  400  may be configured to perform pricing, risk management, loss control services and claims evaluation and management for one or more companies and their associated agents, personnel, customers and staff using devices  402 . System  400  may include device  402 , which may be a company agent or vendor terminal or device, a network  404 , a processing and data system  406  and one or more third party servers  408  and one or more sensors  409 . In embodiments of the present invention, processing and data system  406  is responsible for the processing of home or building data to adjust pricing and mitigate risk associated with the home or building. Third party servers may be administered by third party web operators or social media server operators. In processing and data system  406 , a central processing unit or processor  410  executes instructions contained in programs such as policy management application program  414 , stored in storage devices  420 . Processor  410  may provide the central processing unit (CPU) functions of a computing device on one or more integrated circuits. As used herein, the term “processor” broadly refers to and is not limited to a single- or multi-core general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), one or more Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) circuits, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), a system-on-a-chip (SOC), and/or a state machine. 
         [0052]    Storage devices  420  may include suitable media, such as optical or magnetic disks, fixed disks with magnetic storage (hard drives), tapes accessed by tape drives, and other storage media. Processor  410  communicates, such as through bus  411  and/or other data channels, with communications interface unit  412 , storage devices  420 , system memory  430 , and input/output controller  440 . System memory  430  may further include non-transitory computer-readable media such as a random access memory  432  and a read only memory  434 . Random access memory  432  may store instructions in the form of computer code provided by application  414  to implement embodiments of the present invention. One or more computer programs may be stored in memory, or computer usable media, such as storage devices  420  and random access memory  432 , in the form of computer readable program code adapted to be executed by at least one processor, such as a central processing unit  410 . The one or more computer programs may include instructions for performing steps of methods of embodiments of the invention described herein. System  400  further includes an input/output controller  440  that may communicate with processor  410  to receive data from user inputs such as pointing devices, touch screens, and audio inputs, and may provide data to outputs, such as data to video drivers for formatting on displays, and data to audio devices. 
         [0053]    Storage devices  420  are configured to exchange data with processor  410 , and may store programs containing processor-executable instructions, and values of variables for use by such programs. Processor  410  is configured to access data from storage devices  420 , which may include connecting to storage devices  420  and obtaining data or reading data from the storage devices, or placing data into the storage devices. Storage devices  420  may include local and network accessible mass storage devices. Storage devices  420  may include media for storing operating system  422  and mass storage devices such as storage  424  for storing data related to sensor data, including sensor activity information, GIS data and other location based data, policy data including location data, such as physical address data, and address data such as telephone number data and e-mail address data, predictive model data, and property and owner related data. 
         [0054]    Communications interface unit  412  may communicate via network  404  with other computer systems such as third party servers  408  as well as other internal and external servers, computer systems of remote sources of data, and with systems for implementing instructions output by processor  410 . Processing and data system  406  may also be configured in a distributed architecture, wherein databases, data storage devices and processors are housed in separate units or locations. The servers perform primary processing functions and contain at a minimum, a RAM, a ROM, and a general controller or processor. In such an embodiment, each of these servers is attached to a communications hub or port that serves as a primary communication link with other servers, client or user computers and other related devices. The communications hub or port may have minimal processing capability itself, serving primarily as a communications router. A variety of communications protocols may be part of the system, including but not limited to: Ethernet, SAP, SASTM, ATP, Bluetooth, GSM and TCP/IP. Network  404  may be or include wired or wireless local area networks and wide area networks, and over communications between networks, including over the Internet. 
         [0055]    One or more public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud and cloud-like networks may also be implemented, for example, to handle and conduct processing of one or more transactions or processing of embodiments of the present invention. Cloud based computing may be used herein to handle any one or more of the application, storage and connectivity requirements of embodiments of the present invention. For example one or more private clouds may be implemented to store, process and otherwise handle sensor data and pricing data of embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, any suitable data and communication protocols may be employed to accomplish the teachings of embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0056]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary computerized method  500  of the present invention. In one embodiment, the method  500  includes the step of receiving sensor data from a plurality of building sensors, step  510 . The method further continues with validating and storing sensor data in a database, step  520 . The method continues with evaluating and weighting sensor data in view of historical and comparative sensor data, step  530 . The system determines if the sensor data triggers certain data adjustments or control actions, step  540 . If so, the system may transmit control instructions and/or data adjustment instructions, step  550 . For example, if the data includes an indication of a deviation, violation or a breach of a threshold, information may be sent to a remote server to perform a pricing adjustment or to a control unit to initiate an action such as the manipulation of a building component parameter. 
         [0057]    In embodiments, sensor data may be employed for loss control data processing to identify potentially hazardous conditions, services and instructions may be issued to help mitigate the conditions. 
         [0058]      FIG. 6  shows an exemplary database structure  600  that may be implemented as a database as described herein. Database structure  600  may be implemented as an analytic, management, operational, flat-file, rational, or hierarchical database in a standalone, network, or distributed configuration or as part of a database management system (DBMS) that interact with the user, other applications, and the database itself to capture and analyze data for use in loss control and preemptive claim management such as MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, SAP, dBASE, FoxPro, IBM DB2, LibreOffice Base and FileMaker Pro. Database  600  includes a number of database column fields  610 ,  620 ,  630 , and  650  and a number of database rows  660 ,  662 ,  664 ,  666 ,  668  and  669 . Column fields  610 ,  620 ,  630 , and  640  may correspond to one or more fields such as Sensor type  610 , Sensor Data  620 , Use Case Data  630 , and Weighting Data  640 . In database  600 , a certain sensor type  670  may be associated with certain sensor data, along with certain use case data  674 , and weighting data  676 . Weighting data may be a relative weighting, a numerical factor or other weighting methodology to indicate a measure related to the sensor type being used and the actual usage and applicability of the sensor and its usage. In some embodiments, certain sensors may be valued higher than other sensors and certain combinations of sensors alone or together may be valued differentially. Simply the presence of a sensor may have some weight, and additionally, the efficacy and use of the sensor may be weighted proportionally. 
         [0059]      FIG. 7  illustrates another exemplary computerized method  700  of the present invention. In one embodiment, the method  700  includes the step of receiving data indicative of a potential risk condition related to a customer, step  710 . The method further continues issuing instructions to sensor device associated with the building component related to the risk condition, step  720 . The method continues with receiving additional data from sensor devices after instructions implemented, step  730 . The system determines if the additional data demonstrates a mitigation of risk condition, step  740 . If not, the system determines a pricing data adjustment associated with customer, step  750 . The pricing data then is transmitted to the customer device, step  760 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary system implementation  800  of the present invention that includes a handheld computing device  810  that is enable to receive signals and data from a building component  820 . Building component  820  includes one or more sensors  830  that provide information and data about the building component to handheld computing device  810 . Risk conditions associated with the building component  820  may be transmitted as message data  840  via a network  850 . A user of computing device  810  may view message data on a display  860  and may actuate display  860  to control building component  820  in response to the message data  840 . Based on the user&#39;s commands on display  860 , device  810  may transmit control instructions  870  to building component sensor  830  via network  850 . Sensor  830  may be configured to respond to the command, such as via closing the window in this illustrative example, thereby mitigating risk from weather, intrusion, etc and thereby avoiding any rate increase associated with the risk. This activity or transaction data  880  related to the sensor activity and action is also sent to a remote server  890  for administration and management. The activity data  880  may be used to adjust factors such as pricing and discounts for the property related to the building component  820 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 9  illustrates another exemplary system implementation  900  of the present invention that includes a handheld tablet type computing device  910  that is enable to receive signals and data from a variety of building components and sensors  920 ,  922 ,  924 ,  926  and  928 . Components and sensors  920 ,  922 ,  924 ,  926  and  928  provide information and data about an associated building or home to handheld computing device  910 . One of the components such as component  922  may be configured as a central control unit in communication with a network  950 . Risk conditions associated with the building or home may be transmitted as message data  940  via a network  950 . A user of computing device  910  may view message data on a display  960  and may actuate display  960  to control or access additional information from one or more of sensors or components  920 ,  922 ,  924 ,  926  and  928  in response to the message data  940 . Based on the user&#39;s commands on display  960 , device  910  may transmit control instructions  970  to one or more of the components or sensors  920 ,  922 ,  924 ,  926  and  928  via network  950 . One or more of the components or sensors  920 ,  922 ,  924 ,  926  and  928  may be configured to respond to the command thereby mitigating risk from fire, smoke, weather, etc. and thereby avoiding any additional risk increase associated with the risk. This activity or transaction data  980  related to the sensor activity and action is also sent to a remote server  990  for administration and management. The activity data  980  may be used to adjust factors such as pricing and discounts for the property related to the building component  920 . Activity data may include whether a certain sensor such as a smoke detector or fire detector is active or inactive as well as an operating condition of a furnace or boiler or other appliance or device within a building or home. 
         [0062]    In an embodiment, activity data related to a property may be used to determine adjustments and ancillary services for the property using the following equation: 
         [0000]      Adjustments=Type of Sensor×Weighting of Sensor×Frequency of Productive Use
 
         [0063]    The determined data applicability score may be compared to a threshold value that may be set from historical and real time data related to the property and other similar properties. Responsive to the data applicability score being below the threshold value, no pricing adjustments may be made. Responsive to the data applicability score being at or above the threshold, the system proceeds to issuing instructions for adjustment or modification or pricing such as reducing or remove a discount or applying a surcharge. For example, if the theft deterrent system is rarely activated during crucial times such as in the evening, this may affect the pricing in a negative manner since the frequency of product use would be low. The sensor data may be augmented with auxiliary data from third party monitoring systems such as by third party alarm entities. Third party data may include use data, enrollment data, location data, etc. associated with a property. By way of further example, if the remote fire sensor and leak detection sensor remain active during a certain period, this may positively affect pricing as the frequency of productive use would be high. The activity data may also be used to alert one or more third party entities such as law enforcement, public services like fire departments and other entities that may provide coverage for the property. 
         [0064]    Although the methods and features described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-9  are described above as performed using the example architecture  100  of  FIG. 1  and the exemplary system  200  of  FIG. 2 , the methods and features described above may be performed using any appropriate architecture and/or computing environment. Although features and elements are described above in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone or in any combination with or without the other features and elements. For example, each feature or element as described with reference to  FIGS. 1-9  may be used alone without the other features and elements or in various combinations with or without other features and elements. Sub-elements of the methods and features described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-8  may be performed in any arbitrary order (including concurrently), in any combination or sub-combination.