Patent Issued for Systems And Methods For Automatically Updating Data Representative Of Insurance Related Information (USPTO 10,262,376)

2019 APR 29 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (Bloomington, Illinois, United States) has been issued patent number 10,262,376, according to news reporting originating out of Alexandria, Virginia, by NewsRx editors.

The patent’s inventors are Widener, Dean Justin (Normal, IL); Schuster, David Kuriyan (Bloomington, IL).

This patent was filed on June 13, 2017 and was published online on April 29, 2019.

From the background information supplied by the inventors, news correspondents obtained the following quote: “Currently, data representative of insurance related information, such as insurance claim information, is manually updated. Typically, an insurance customer contacts an insurance agent via telephone and conveys update information. The insurance agent, in turn, manually updates data representative of the insurance related information based on her own knowledge and based on the information provided by the insurance customer.

“For example, an insurance customer may experience a vehicle accident and be in need of a rental vehicle. The insurance customer may call an insurance agent to initiate the claim process and to request a rental vehicle. If the insurance customer’s insurance policy provides for rental vehicle coverage, the insurance agent may update data representative of the insurance claim to include associated vehicle rental information. On the other hand, if the insurance customer’s insurance policy does not provide for rental vehicle coverage, the insurance agent may inform the insurance customer of the fact and not update the data representative of the insurance claim.

“Systems and methods are desired that enable an insurance customer to enter updates to data representative of insurance related information without the assistance of an insurance Agent. Moreover, systems and methods are desired that compare data representative of desired updates to data representative of insurance related information, entered by an insurance customer, to update rules and that update the data representative of insurance related information if the data representative of the desired updates satisfies the update rules.”

Supplementing the background information on this patent, NewsRx reporters also obtained the inventors’ summary information for this patent: “A computer-implemented method of automatically updating data representative of insurance related information may include receiving, at a processor of a computing device, current data, wherein the current data is representative of current insurance related information. The method may further include generating, using a processor of a computing device, a current display based on the current data, wherein the display presents current insurance related information to an insured individual. The method may also include receiving, at a processor of a computing device, change data from the insured individual, where the change data is representative of desired change information associated with the current insurance related information. The method may yet further include receiving, at a processor of a computing device, update rules data, wherein the update rules data is representative of rules related to updates to the current insurance related information that are permitted by an insured individual. The method may even yet further include determining, using a processor of a computing device, whether at least one change to the current insurance related information is acceptable based on the change data and the update rules data.

“In another embodiment, a computer system for automatically updating data representative of insurance related information may include a current data receiving module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to receive current data, wherein the current data is representative of current insurance related information. The computing system may also include a current display generating module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to generate a current display based on the current data, wherein the display presents current insurance related information to an insured individual. The computer system may further include a change data receiving module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to receive change data from the insured individual, where the change data is representative of desired change information associated with the current insurance related information. The computer system may yet further include an update rules data receiving module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to receive update rules data, wherein the update rules data is representative of rules related to updates to the current insurance related information that are permitted by an insured individual. The computer system may even yet further include an acceptable change determining module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to determine whether at least one change to the current insurance related information is acceptable based on the change data and the update rules data.

“In yet a further embodiment, a tangible computer-readable memory storing instructions for automatically updating data representative of insurance related information may include a current data receiving module that, when executed by a processor of a client device, causes the processor of the client device to receive current data from a remote computing device, wherein the current data is representative of current insurance related information. The instructions may also include a current display generating module that, when executed by a processor of a client device, causes the processor of the client device to generate a current display based on the current data, wherein the display presents current insurance related information to an insured individual. The instructions may further include a change data receiving module that, when executed by a processor of a remote computing device, causes the processor of the remote computing device to receive change data from the insured individual via a client device, where the change data is representative of desired change information associated with the current insurance related information. The instructions may yet further include an update rules data receiving module that, when executed by a processor of a remote computing device, causes the processor of the remote computing device to receive update rules data, wherein the update rules data is representative of rules related to updates to the current insurance related information that are permitted by an insured individual. The instructions may even yet further include an acceptable change determining module that, when executed by a processor of a remote computing device, causes the processor of the remote computing device to determine whether at least one change to the current insurance related information is acceptable based on the change data and the update rules data.”

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“What is claimed is:

“1. A computer-implemented method for an insured individual to automatically determine whether a change to an insurance claim is available via an insurance policy of the insured individual, the method comprising: automatically receiving, by a processor of a computing device, current valid insurance claim data in response to an action by the insured individual, via a user input device, wherein the current valid insurance claim data is representative of information related to an existing valid insurance claim; automatically generating, by a processor of a computing device, a current display, on a display device connected to the computing device, based on the current valid insurance claim data, wherein the display presents current valid insurance claim related information to the insured individual including a cause of loss and an assigned vendor for correction of the loss; automatically receiving, by a processor of a computing device, current valid insurance claim change data from the insured individual via a user input device, where the current valid insurance claim change data is representative of desired insurance claim change information associated with the current valid insurance claim data, and wherein the desired insurance claim change information pertains to the assigned vendor; automatically receiving, by a processor of a computing device, update rules data from an update rules data database stored on a memory of the computing device, wherein the update rules data is representative of rules related to updates to the current valid insurance claim data that are permitted by the insured individual in accordance with the insurance policy of the insured individual; automatically determining, by a processor of a computing device, whether at least one change to the current valid insurance claim data is acceptable based on the current valid insurance claim change data and the update rules data; if the at least one change to the current valid insurance claim data is determined, by the processor of the computing device, to be acceptable, the current valid insurance claim data is automatically changed, by the processor of the computing device, based on the current valid insurance claim change data and the processor automatically provides an indication to the insured individual that the at least one change is acceptable; and if the at least one change to the current valid insurance claim data is determined, by the processor of the computing device, to not be acceptable, the current valid insurance claim data remains unchanged and the processor automatically provides an indication to the insured individual that the at least one change is not acceptable.

“2. The method of claim 1, wherein the current insurance related information is representative of an insurance claim.

“3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating, using a processor of a computing device, updated insurance related data, based on the change data, when the processor determines that at least one change to the current insurance related information is acceptable, wherein the updated insurance related data is representative of updated insurance related information.

“4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: generating, using a processor of a computing device, an updated display based on the updated insurance related data, wherein the updated display indicates changes to the current insurance related information that have been accepted.

“5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating, using a processor of a computing device, rejection data, based on the change data, when the processor determines that at least one change to the current insurance related information is not acceptable, wherein the rejection data is representative of reasons for rejection information.

“6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: generating, using a processor of a computing device, a rejection display based on the rejection data, wherein the rejection display indicates at least one reason why at least one change has been rejected.

“7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating, using a processor of a computing device, insurance agent data based on the change data when the processor is unable to determine whether, or not at least one change to the current insurance related information is acceptable.

“8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: generating, using a processor of a computing device, an insurance agent display based on the insurance agent data, wherein the insurance agent display indicates that the processor was unable to determine whether, or not at least one change is acceptable.

“9. A computer system for an insured individual to automatically determine whether a change to an insurance claim is available via an insurance policy of the insured individual, the computer system comprising: a current data receiving module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to automatically receive current valid insurance claim data in response to an action by the insured individual, via a user input device, wherein the current valid insurance claim data is representative of information related to an existing valid insurance claim; a current display generating module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to automatically generate a current display based on the current valid insurance claim data, wherein the display presents current valid insurance claim related information to an insured individual; a change data receiving module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to automatically receive current valid insurance claim change data from the insured individual, where the current valid insurance claim change data is representative of desired insurance claim change information associated with the current valid insurance claim data; an update rules data receiving module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to automatically receive update rules data, wherein the update rules data is representative of rules related to updates to the current valid insurance claim related data that are permitted by the insured individual in accordance with the insurance policy of the insured individual; an acceptable change determining module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to automatically determine whether at least one change to the current valid insurance claim data is acceptable based on the current valid insurance claim change data and the update rules data; if the at least one change to the current valid insurance claim data is determined, by the processor of the computing device, to be acceptable, the current valid insurance claim data is automatically changed, by the processor of the computing device, based on the current valid insurance claim change data and the processor automatically provides an indication to the insured individual that the at least one change is acceptable; and if the at least one change to the current valid insurance claim data is determined, by the processor of the computing device, to not be acceptable, the current valid insurance claim data remains unchanged and the processor automatically provides an indication to the insured individual that the at least one change is not acceptable.

“10. The computer system of claim 9, further comprising: an updated insurance related data generating module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to generate updated insurance related data, based on the change data, when the processor determines that at least one change to the current insurance related information is acceptable, wherein the updated insurance related data is representative of updated insurance related information.

“11. The computer system of claim 10, further comprising: an updated display generating module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to generate an updated display based on the updated insurance related data, wherein the updated display indicates changes to the current insurance related information that have been accepted.

“12. The computer system of claim 9, further comprising: a rejection data generating module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to generate rejection data, based on the change data, when the processor determines that at least one change to the current insurance related information is not acceptable, wherein the rejection data is representative of reasons for rejection information.

“13. The computer system of claim 12, further comprising: a rejection display generating module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to generate a rejection display based on the rejection data, wherein the rejection display indicates at least one reason why at least one change has been rejected.

“14. The computer system of claim 9, further comprising: an insurance agent data generating module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to generate insurance agent data based on the change data when the processor is unable to determine whether, or not at least one change to the current insurance related information is acceptable.

“15. The computer system of claim 14, further comprising: an insurance agent display generating module stored on a memory that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to generate an insurance agent display based on the insurance agent data, wherein the insurance agent display indicates that the processor was unable to determine whether, or not at least one change is acceptable.

“16. A tangible computer-readable memory storing instructions for an insured individual to automatically determine whether a change to an insurance claim is available via an insurance policy of the insured individual, the tangible computer-readable memory comprising: a current data receiving module that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to automatically receive current valid insurance claim data in response to an action by the insured individual, via a user input device, wherein the current valid insurance claim data is representative of information related to an existing valid insurance claim; a current display generating module that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to automatically generate a current display based on the current valid insurance claim data, wherein the display presents current valid insurance claim related information to an insured individual; a change data receiving module that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to automatically receive current valid insurance claim change data from the insured individual, where the current valid insurance claim change data is representative of desired insurance claim change information associated with the current valid insurance claim data; an update rules data receiving module that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to automatically receive update rules data, wherein the update rules data is representative of rules related to updates to the current valid insurance claim related data that are permitted by the insured individual in accordance with the insurance policy of the insured individual; an acceptable change determining module that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to automatically determine whether at least one change to the current valid insurance claim data is acceptable based on the current valid insurance claim change data and the update rules data; if the at least one change to the current valid insurance claim data is determined, by the processor of the computing device, to be acceptable, the current valid insurance claim data is automatically changed, by the processor of the computing device, based on the current valid insurance claim change data and the processor automatically provides an indication to the insured individual that the at least one change is acceptable; and if the at least one change to the current valid insurance claim data is determined, by the processor of the computing device, to not be acceptable, the current valid insurance claim data remains unchanged and the processor automatically provides an indication to the insured individual that the at least one change is not acceptable.

“17. The computer system of claim 16, further comprising: an updated insurance related data generating module that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to generate updated insurance related data, based on the change data, when the processor determines that at least one change to the current insurance related information is acceptable, wherein the updated insurance related data is representative of updated insurance related information.

“18. The computer system of claim 17, further comprising: an updated display generating module that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to generate an updated display based on the updated insurance related data, wherein the updated display indicates changes to the current insurance related information that have been accepted.

“19. The computer system of claim 16, further comprising: a rejection data generating module that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to generate rejection data, based on the change data, when the processor determines that at least one change to the current insurance related information is not acceptable, wherein the rejection data is representative of reasons for rejection information.

“20. The computer system of claim 19, further comprising: a rejection display generating module that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to generate a rejection display based on the rejection data, wherein the rejection display indicates at least one reason why at least one change has been rejected.

“21. The computer system of claim 16, further comprising: an insurance agent data generating module that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to generate insurance agent data based on the change data when the processor is unable to determine whether, or not at least one change to the current insurance related information is acceptable.

“22. The computer system of claim 21, further comprising: an insurance agent display generating module that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes the processor to generate an insurance agent display based on the insurance agent data, wherein the insurance agent display indicates that the processor was unable to determine whether, or not at least one change is acceptable.”

For the URL and additional information on this patent, see: Widener, Dean Justin; Schuster, David Kuriyan. Systems And Methods For Automatically Updating Data Representative Of Insurance Related Information. U.S. Patent Number 10,262,376, filed June 13, 2017, and published online on April 29, 2019. Patent URL: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=10,262,376.PN.&OS=PN/10,262,376RS=PN/10,262,376

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