U.S. patent application number 13/335476 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-28 for systems and methods for client-related risk zones.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY. Invention is credited to Dean M. Collins, John P. O'Connor.
Application Number | 20120166229 13/335476 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46318167 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120166229 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Collins; Dean M. ; et
al. |
June 28, 2012 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CLIENT-RELATED RISK ZONES
Abstract
Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture that
provide for outputting and utilization of risk zone information are
provided. In some embodiments, risk zone information may be
utilized to select, price, and/or manage an insurance policy.
Inventors: |
Collins; Dean M.;
(Manchester, CT) ; O'Connor; John P.; (Granby,
CT) |
Assignee: |
THE TRAVELERS INDEMNITY
COMPANY
Hartford
CT
|
Family ID: |
46318167 |
Appl. No.: |
13/335476 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61427201 |
Dec 26, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 40/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/4 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 40/08 20120101
G06Q040/08 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: determining, by a specially-programmed
processing device, data descriptive of a level of risk for at least
one of a particular object and an area; processing, by the
specially-programmed processing device, the risk data to determine
the level of risk associated with a business insurance product;
providing, by the specially-programmed processing device, a
graphical interface representing the level of risk of the at least
one of the particular object and the area; receiving, by the
specially-programmed processing device and in response to the
providing, an indication from a client; and determining, by the
specially-programmed processing device, business insurance data
based on the indication from the client.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the data
descriptive of the risk level comprises: receiving, from a sensor
associated with the client, the data.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular object comprises
an object for which a business insurance policy based on the
business insurance data is not written.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing comprises
determining a qualitative representation of the risk level.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication from the client
comprises an indication that the client has accessed the
interface.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication from the client
comprises an indication that the client has complied with a risk
level requirement of a business insurance policy associated with
the insurance information.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the indication comprises
telematics data associated with the client.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication from the client
comprises a client selection made via the graphical interface.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the business insurance data
comprises one or more of: (i) an insurance premium amount; (ii) an
insurance deductible amount; (iii) an insurance discount amount;
(iv) an insurance surcharge amount; and (v) a reward points
amount.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selling the business
insurance product to the client, the insurance product being based
at least in part on the business insurance data.
11. An apparatus, comprising: an electronic processing device; and
a memory device in communication with the electronic processing
device, the memory device storing specially-programmed instructions
that when executed by the electronic processing device result in:
determining data descriptive of a level of risk for at least one of
a particular object and an area; processing the risk data to
determine the level of risk associated with a business insurance
product; providing a graphical interface representing the level of
risk of the at least one of the particular object and the area;
receiving, in response to the providing, an indication from a
client; and determining business insurance data based on the
indication from the client.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the determining of the data
descriptive of the risk level comprises: receiving, from a sensor
associated with the client, the data.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the particular object
comprises an object for which a personal insurance policy based on
the business insurance data is not written.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing comprises
determining a qualitative representation of the risk level.
15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the indication from the
client comprises an indication that the client has accessed the
interface.
16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the indication from the
client comprises an indication that the client has complied with a
risk level requirement of a business insurance policy associated
with the business insurance information.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the indication comprises
telematics data associated with the client.
18. A non-transitory article of manufacture storing instructions
that when executed by a processing device result in: determining
data descriptive of a level of risk for at least one of a
particular object and an area; processing the risk data to
determine the level of risk associated with a business insurance
product; providing a graphical interface representing the level of
risk of the at least one of the particular object and the area;
receiving, in response to the providing, an indication from a
client; and determining business insurance data based on the
indication from the client.
19. The article of manufacture of claim 18, wherein the particular
object comprises an object for which a personal insurance policy
based on the personal insurance data is not written.
20. The article of manufacture of claim 18, wherein the indication
from the client comprises an indication that the client has
complied with a risk level requirement of a business insurance
policy associated with the business insurance information.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the indication comprises
telematics data associated with the client.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit and priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/427,201, filed
on Dec. 26, 2010 and titled "RISK ZONES", which application is
hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0002] This application is also related to U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/334,897 filed on Dec. 22, 2011 in the name of Collins
et al. and titled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CUSTOMER-RELATED RISK
ZONES".
BACKGROUND
[0003] People, animals (pets, livestock, and wildlife), machines
(vehicles and equipment), buildings, and businesses, are constantly
subject to varying degrees and types of risk. While insurance
companies often attempt to educate their clients regarding ways to
minimize risk, general risk-avoidance strategies or best-practices
are often insufficient to prevent reoccurrence of various accident
and/or loss events. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide
information and/or other mechanisms to clients that would help
reduce occurrences of accidents and/or losses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] An understanding of embodiments described herein and many of
the attendant advantages thereof may be readily obtained by
reference to the following detailed description when considered
with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to some
embodiments;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a process according to some
embodiments;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system according to some
embodiments;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a method according to some
embodiments;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a process according to some
embodiments;
[0010] FIG. 6 is an example interface according to some
embodiments;
[0011] FIG. 7 is an example interface according to some
embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 8 is an example interface according to some
embodiments;
[0013] FIG. 9 is an example interface according to some
embodiments;
[0014] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an apparatus according to some
embodiments; and
[0015] FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C, and FIG. 11D are perspective
diagrams of exemplary data storage devices according to some
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Embodiments described herein are descriptive of systems,
apparatus, methods, interfaces, and articles of manufacture for
determination and utilization of client-related risk zones. In some
embodiments, for example, various risks associated with areas,
objects, individuals, time periods, weather conditions, etc., may
be monitored, aggregated, analyzed, tabulated, graphed, mapped,
and/or otherwise processed and/or presented.
[0017] It may be beneficial, for example, for an insurance policy
on an object (e.g., person, business, and/or thing/item) to be
structured to take into account the zones of risk within which the
object exists, operates, passes through, and/or is otherwise
associated. While standard insurance policies are written to take
into account certain specific types of risk (e.g., how many miles
are driven per year and/or the age and/or gender of the primary
driver), for example, such determinations are generic and are often
mostly or entirely not in the control of the insured (e.g., the
insured is not likely to change gender or switch jobs to reduce
commuting mileage just to qualify for a lower insurance
premium).
[0018] Accordingly, in some embodiments, systems, apparatus,
methods, interfaces, and articles of manufacture may comprise
gathering and/or aggregating or otherwise determining risk data
associated with various areas and/or objects and presenting such
data in a manner that is useful to people, such as insurance
clients (or anyone else desiring to be aware of, manage, and/or
reduce risk in their lives), or to insurance companies for use in
assessing, rating and/or pricing an insurance product. Insurance
products may include any type of insurance products or services,
including but not limited to property and casualty insurance
(including but not limited to business/commercial insurance,
auto/motor, personal property, real property, watercraft, aircraft,
spacecraft, general liability, professional, D&O, E&O,
employer liability, business torts, surety and fidelity bonds,
product liability, or any other type of insurance coverage).
[0019] In some embodiments, insurance policies and/or premiums
thereof may be based (at least in part) on risk zones associated
with insured client (and/or potential client). An insurance company
may, for example, determine risk data, process the risk data,
provide the risk data (e.g., to one or more clients), receive an
indication in response to the providing of the risk data (e.g., a
selection of a risk-related option and/or an indication of an
action and/or activity of a client), and/or determine insurance
information (e.g., premium levels, surcharges, discounts,
deductible levels, and/or rewards) based on the received
indication.
[0020] As used herein, the term "client" may generally refer to any
type, quantity, and or manner of entity with or for which policy,
risk, telematics, and/or premium information may be determined in
accordance with embodiments described herein. A client may
comprise, for example, a business, company, and/or other entity
that seeks to price and/or obtain an insurance and/or other
underwriting policy as described herein. A client may have an
existing business relationship with other entities described
herein, such as an insurance company for example, or may not yet
have such a relationship--i.e., a "client" may comprise a
"potential client".
[0021] Client-related risk data may comprise, for example, risk
data provided by a client, risk data provided to a client, risk
data descriptive of one or more areas or objects associated with
the client (e.g., risk data for a road that the client's fleet
vehicles travel on and/or risk data for an object that the client's
business frequently interfaces with--directly or indirectly, such
as a copier or a furnace, respectively), risk data utilized to
price, select, sell, and/or underwrite an insurance product (or
product offering) for the client, and/or any combinations
thereof.
[0022] As used herein, the term "risk zone" may generally refer to
an object and/or area (or portion of either) for which data
indicative of risk is known, provided, obtained, and/or otherwise
determined. The data indicative of risk may, for example, comprise
data descriptive of events that have occurred in association with
the object and/or area such as accidents, crimes, and/or other
forms or types of losses or casualties. Risk data utilized to
define risk zones may include, but is not limited to, car accident
data, police logs or reports, insurance loss data, hospital data,
veterinary data, forest and/or wildlife data, and/or environmental
data. In some embodiments, risk data and/or risk zones developed
therefrom may comprise sub-categories, such as the type of motor
vehicle accident being categorized into car vs. car, car vs. truck,
car vs. deer, car vs. guardrail, etc., and/or being segmented into
different times of day, days of the week, weeks, months, seasons,
etc.
[0023] Turning first to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a system 100
according to some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the
system 100 may comprise a plurality of risk zone data devices
106a-n. The risk zone devices 106a-n may collect and/or store data
descriptive and/or indicative of a level of risk of one or more
objects and/or areas (e.g., zones). The risk zone devices 106a-n
may, for example, comprise one or more databases, third-party data
devices, sensors (e.g., web-based cameras and/or motion sensors, or
other risk sensors such as one or more telematic devices as
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/316,754 filed on
Dec. 12, 2011 and titled "MONITORING CLIENT-SELECTED VEHICLE
PARAMETERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLIENT PREFERENCES", the telematic
monitoring and data concepts and descriptions of which are hereby
incorporated by reference herein), and/or sensing devices
configured and/or situated to determine risk zone data. In some
embodiments, the risk zone data gathered and/or stored by one or
more of the risk zone data devices 106a-n can be queried,
collected, sensed, looked-up, and/or otherwise obtained and/or
determined by a risk zone processing device 110. The risk zone
processing device 110 may, for example, comprise one or more
computers and/or servers in communication with the risk zone
devices 106a-n. The risk zone processing device 110 may, in some
embodiments, offer the risk zone information for sale and/or
subscription to various entities, for various purposes.
[0024] According to some embodiments for example, the system 100
may also or alternatively comprise one or more of an insurance
device 120a, a shopping device 120b, a navigation device 120c, an
advertising device 120d, a prioritization device 120e, and/or any
other risk zone data device 120f. Any or all risk zone data
collected, aggregated, and/or processed by the risk zone processing
device 110, for example, may be provided to any or all of the
insurance device 120a, the shopping device 120b, the navigation
device 120c, the advertising device 120d, the prioritization device
120e, and/or the other risk zone data device 120f. In some
embodiments, any or all of the components 106a-n, 110, 120a-f of
the system 100 may be similar in configuration, quantity, and/or
functionality to any similarly-named and/or numbered components
described in accordance with embodiments herein.
[0025] The insurance device 120a may comprise, for example, a
device (and/or system) owned and/or operated by or on behalf of or
for the benefit of an insurance company (and/or a client thereof).
The insurance company may utilize risk zone information, in some
embodiments, to manage, analyze, design, rate, price, and/or
otherwise structure, sell, underwrite, and/or purchase insurance
products. Risk zone information may, for example, enhance the
accuracy of insurance risk assessments and thus lead to more
profitable, affordable, and/or reliable insurance product
offerings. In some embodiments, risk zone information may be
utilized to provide discounted premiums and/or other incentives or
benefits to insurance clients. An insurance company may provide a
discount to a client willing to allow the insurer (or a third-party
benefiting the insurer) access to risk zone information (such as
number of "near-misses" while driving automobile fleet and/or
business vehicle and/or while driving on a particular road or
stretch thereof), for example, and/or may utilize risk zone
information to note that a municipality and/or business qualifies
for a reduced insurance rate and/or risk rating (or should be
charged a higher rate due to an increased risk rating for being in
a particular risk zone). In some embodiments, insurance premiums,
deductibles, surcharges, discounts, and/or rewards may be based on
whether or not a client accesses and/or utilizes risk zone
information.
[0026] The shopping device 120b may, according to some embodiments,
comprise a device (and/or system) that is utilized to incorporate
risk zone information into shopping-related decision making
processes. Retailers and/or other merchants may, in some
embodiments, utilize risk zone information to affect pricing,
stocking, and/or staffing decisions, such as by analyzing which
areas of a store or aisle are most prone to shop-lifting and/or
which areas and/or types of products are most likely to cause
spills, slips, and/or falls.
[0027] The navigation device 120c may, according to some
embodiments, comprise a device configured to make and/or facilitate
navigational decisions based on risk zones. Risk zone data for
certain roadways at certain times, for example, may be utilized to
plot routes that are likely to be least (or less) risky (e.g., to
avoid routes that have high number of car accidents, car jackings,
vehicle thefts, cargo thefts, etc.). In some embodiments,
navigational routing may be altered (e.g., a "detour" function)
and/or set based (at least in part) on risk zone information. A
navigation device 120c that provides routing instructions from a
first point to a second point, for example, may take into account
not only the available routes, distances, and/or likely travel
times during routing and/or re-routing calculations, but may also
take into account risk zone information--e.g., by avoiding or
suggesting the avoidance of high-risk areas in association with
possible routes (and/or detour routes) between the first and second
points.
[0028] In some embodiments, the advertising device 120d may
comprise a device (and/or system) utilized by and/or on behalf of
one or more advertising entities. Advertisers may, for example,
utilize risk zone information to structure, place, analyze, and/or
otherwise manage advertisements and/or advertising campaigns--such
as prioritizing which advertisements get displayed and/or when or
where (e.g., for companies that provides services that may be of
use to people who have been affected by a high risk zone effect).
For example, a high auto accident risk zone may be good area to
billboard advertise for, e.g., law firms, tow trucks, auto-body
shops, and/or hospitals).
[0029] According to some embodiments, the prioritization device
120e may comprise a device that otherwise makes and/or facilitates
prioritization decisions based on risk zone data. The order of
performing errands or tasks may be prioritized based on risk
associated with the objects to be visited (e.g., time-based risk),
for example, providing a suggestion that a client "go to customer
#1's service call first", "then pick up supplies at the warehouse",
because going to the warehouse at the current time of day is more
likely to result in an accident (compared to the suggested
time--e.g., after having conducted the service call). In some
embodiments, overall and/or "blended" risk zones may be utilized
for navigation and/or prioritization. While a first road may be
more risky (in general and/or at the current time) than a second
road, for example, the first road may allow a person to arrive at a
product delivery location during a time of less risk at the
location, while the second and less risky road would not. Thus, the
overall risk of a route, itinerary, and/or schedule may be
determined and/or managed (e.g., to reduce expected and/or relative
risk). Similarly, while a particular time can be established at
which an assembly line will be less risky (e.g., fewer incidents
per unit time than other times of the day, week, month, etc.), some
embodiments may combine items on an itinerary, such as delivering
material to the assembly line and printing invoices, to determine
that the assembly line should be visited at a different (and
perhaps even riskier) time, e.g., to avoid and/or reduce risk at a
location/device where the invoices are printed (for which risk may,
for example, be a more difficult and/or serious affair than would
otherwise be experienced).
[0030] The other risk zone data device 120f may comprise any other
type and/or configuration of device that may be utilized to make
and/or facilitate decision making processes based at least in part
on risk zone information. The other risk zone data device 120f, for
example, may comprise a device configured to monitor and/or analyze
risk zone data for determining and/or suggesting a variety of
activities, actions, avoidance practices, scheduling, and/or other
guidance for a client based on risk zone data. In some embodiments,
for example, a other risk zone device 120f may comprise a Personal
Computer (PC), smart phone, fitness device, automation controller,
security system, software application, web-based interface and/or
tool that, any other network device and/or any combinations
thereof, that facilitate provision of risk zone data to a client.
In some embodiments, the other risk zone device 120f may comprise a
device configured to monitor and/or analyze risk zone data for
event planning, crowd control, etc. Furthermore, any industry that
can benefit from the use of risk zone information may use this
information. For example, advertising/marketing and/or promotional
agencies/businesses may utilize risk zone data pertaining to stores
to determine the effectiveness of advertisements, crowd control
services or government agencies/police may utilize risk zone data
to determine where to place staff and how many resources are needed
for a given event, business consulting firms may use such data for
helping businesses determine where to locate the next store,
banks/lending institutions may use risk zone data to determine
which businesses to lend money to, and/or businesses may use risk
zone levels to determine appropriate staffing levels.
[0031] In some embodiments, various user interfaces (e.g., the
interfaces 600, 700, 800, 900 of FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and/or
FIG. 9 herein) may be utilized to enhance the ability to comprehend
and/or utilize risk zone data/indices (which may often represent
complex risk zone metrics, calculations, and/or concepts). An
application for a mobile device (such as an Apple.RTM. iPhone.RTM.
application, for example) may, in some embodiments, provide a
visual indication of various risk zone metrics for stores,
entertainment venues (such as amusement parks), restaurants, roads,
buses, trains, etc., that are nearby and/or are otherwise of
interest. According to some embodiments, risk zone data may be
depicted visually on a map and/or as a layer on a map, such as may
be provided, for example, by Google.RTM. Maps. Such
visually-depicted risk zone information may comprise real-time,
delayed, historical (e.g., historical aggregate, average, trend),
and/or predicted data. In such a manner, for example, a client of
risk zone data may utilize a mobile and/or other device to view a
map of risk zone data that allows the client to plan
travel/transportation, business deliveries, service calls, and/or
other tasks with an eye toward how "risky" such endeavors may be.
In some embodiments, viewing and/or utilization of risk zone data
may qualify the client for reduced insurance premiums and/or
deductibles, insurance discounts, and/or other rewards.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a process 200
according to some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the
process 200 may be performed and/or implemented by and/or otherwise
associated with one or more specialized and/or specially-programmed
computers (e.g., the risk zone processing device 110 of FIG. 1),
computer terminals, computer servers, computer systems and/or
networks, and/or any combinations thereof (e.g., by one or more
insurance company and/or underwriter computers). The process
diagrams and flow diagrams described herein do not necessarily
imply a fixed order to any depicted actions, steps, and/or
procedures, and embodiments may generally be performed in any order
that is practicable unless otherwise and specifically noted. Any of
the processes and methods described herein may be performed and/or
facilitated by hardware, software (including microcode), firmware,
or any combination thereof. For example, a storage medium (e.g., a
hard disk, Random Access Memory (RAM) device, cache memory device,
Universal Serial Bus (USB) mass storage device, and/or Digital
Video Disk (DVD); e.g., the data storage devices 1140a-d of FIG.
11A, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C, and/or FIG. 11D herein) may store thereon
instructions that when executed by a machine (such as a
computerized processor) result in performance according to any one
or more of the embodiments described herein.
[0033] According to some embodiments, the process 200 may comprise
one or more actions associated with risk zone data 202a-n. The risk
zone data 202a-n of one or more objects and/or areas that may be
related to and/or otherwise associated with an insurance product
and/or policy, for example, may be determined, calculated,
looked-up, retrieved, and/or derived. In some embodiments, the risk
zone data 202a-n may be gathered as raw data directly from one or
more risk zone data sources as described herein and/or configured
to record data indicative of a level of risk of the object and/or
area.
[0034] As depicted in FIG. 2, risk zone data 202a-n from a
plurality of data sources may be gathered. The plurality of risk
zone data 202a-n may comprise information indicative of a level of
risk of a single object or area or may comprise information
indicative of a level of risk of a plurality of objects and/or
areas and/or types of objects and/or areas. First risk zone data
202a may, for example, be descriptive of insurance company claim
data (or insurance industry loss data--e.g., Comprehensive Loss
Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) data, available from a third-party
data source such as the Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO)),
and/or may comprise federal, state, regional, town/local, and/or
municipal data reports, such as police reports, fire department
reports, Department of Transportation (DOT) reports, and/or
Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) reports, providing accident or
crime data at various locations. Other risk zone data 202n may
comprise, in some embodiments, public news and/or weather feeds
and/or databases regarding accident or crime stories at various
locations and weather conditions. In some embodiments, the first
risk zone data 202a may comprise other private, public or volunteer
first responder data reports, such as hospital reports,
ambulance/EMT data, tow truck data, American Automobile Association
(AAA) data, National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA)
data, and the like (e.g., providing accident and/or crime data at
various locations).
[0035] In some embodiments, the risk zone data 202a-n may be
descriptive of police report and/or other crime data for businesses
such as supermarkets in a particular geographic region. In some
embodiments, the risk zone data 202a-n may be descriptive of an
average number of injuries per hour at a particular location and/or
within a particular area (e.g., building, city, road, county,
state, geographic and/or topographic area), while other risk zone
data 202a-n may be descriptive of a number of experienced
malfunctions and/or failed safety inspections at a particular
drawbridge.
[0036] According to some embodiments, the process 200 may also or
alternatively comprise one or more actions associated with risk
zone processing 210. As depicted in FIG. 2, for example, some or
all of the risk zone data 202a-n may be determined, gathered,
transmitted and/or received, and/or otherwise obtained for risk
zone processing 210. In some embodiments, risk zone processing 210
may comprise aggregation, analysis, calculation, filtering,
conversion, encoding and/or decoding (including encrypting and/or
decrypting), sorting, ranking, de-duping, and/or any combinations
thereof.
[0037] According to some embodiments, a processing device may
execute specially programmed instructions to process (e.g., the
risk zone processing 210) the risk zone data 202a-n to define a
risk zone metric and/or index. Such a risk zone metric may, for
example, be descriptive (in a qualitative and/or quantitative
manner) of historic, current, and/or predicted risk levels of an
object and/or area. In some embodiments, the risk zone metric may
be time-dependent (e.g., a level of risk of a computer network
being down may be determined based on any given time of day), time
or frequency based (e.g., accidents per hour), and/or an average,
mean, and/or other statistically normalized value (e.g., an
index).
[0038] According to some embodiments, there may be a correlation
between the risk level and weather events when determining risk of
loss. For example, a given risk level may correlate to a higher
risk when there is ice, snow, or rain likely to occur, than when it
is dry.
[0039] In some embodiments, the process 200 may also or
alternatively comprise one or more actions associated with
insurance underwriting 220. Insurance underwriting 220 may
generally comprise any type, variety, and/or configuration of
underwriting process and/or functionality that is or becomes known
or practicable. Insurance underwriting 220 may comprise, for
example, simply consulting a pre-existing rule, criteria, and/or
threshold to determine if an insurance product may be offered,
underwritten and/or issued to clients, based on any relevant risk
zone data 202a-n. One example of an insurance underwriting 220
process may comprise one or more of risk assessment 230 and/or
premium calculation 240 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2). In some
embodiments, while both the risk assessment 230 and the premium
calculation 240 are depicted as being part of an exemplary
insurance underwriting 220 procedure, either or both of the risk
assessment 230 and the premium calculation 240 may alternatively be
part of a different process and/or different type of process
(and/or may not be included in the process 200, as is or becomes
practicable and/or desirable).
[0040] The risk zone data 202a-n and/or a result of the risk zone
processing 210 may, for example, be determined and utilized to
conduct risk assessment 230 for any of a variety of purposes. In
some embodiments, the risk assessment 230 may be conducted as part
of a rating process for determining how to structure an insurance
product and/or offering. A "rating engine" utilized in an insurance
underwriting process may, for example, retrieve a risk zone metric
(e.g., provided as a result of the risk zone processing 210) for
input into a calculation (and/or series of calculations and/or a
mathematical model) to determine a level of risk or the amount of
risky behavior likely to be associated with a particular object
and/or area. In some embodiments, how often a client travels
through a high risk zone route may correspond to a high risk zone
metric associated with that client. In some embodiments, the risk
assessment 230 may comprise determining that a client views and/or
utilizes risk zone information (e.g., made available to the client
via the insurance company and/or a third-party).
[0041] According to some embodiments, the process 200 may also or
alternatively comprise one or more actions associated with premium
calculation 240 (e.g., which may be part of the insurance
underwriting 220). In the case that the process 200 comprises the
insurance underwriting 220 process, for example, the premium
calculation 240 may be utilized by a "pricing engine" to calculate
(and/or look-up or otherwise determine) an appropriate premium to
charge for an insurance policy associated with the object and/or
area for which the risk zone data 202a-n was collected and for
which the risk assessment 230 was performed. In some embodiments,
the object and/or area analyzed may comprise an object and/or area
for which an insurance product is sought (e.g., the analyzed object
may comprise an automobile for which an automobile insurance policy
is desired or a business for which business insurance is desired).
According to some embodiments, the object and/or area analyzed may
be an object and/or area other than the object and/or area for
which insurance is sought (e.g., the analyzed object and/or area
may comprise a tunnel through which the automobile for which the
automobile insurance policy is desired is often driven or a road
which has had a high number of accidents over the past twelve (12)
months, or other desired period).
[0042] According to some embodiments, the process 200 may also or
alternatively comprise one or more actions associated with
insurance policy quote and/or issuance 250. Once a policy has been
rated, priced or quoted and the client has accepted the coverage
terms, the insurance company may, for example, bind and issue the
policy by hard copy and/or electronically to the client/insured. In
some embodiments, the quoted and/or issued policy may comprise a
business insurance policy such as a business liability policy, a
fleet insurance policy, a cargo and/or goods insurance policy,
and/or a workers compensation and/or officers and executives
insurance policy.
[0043] In general, a client may visit a website and/or an insurance
agent, for example, provide the needed information about the client
and type of desired insurance, and request an insurance policy
and/or product. According to some embodiments, the insurance
underwriting 220 may be performed utilizing information about the
potential client and the policy may be issued based on a result
thereof. Insurance coverage may, for example, be evaluated, rated,
priced, and/or sold to one or more clients, at least in part based
on the risk zone data 202a-n. In some embodiments, an insurance
company may have the potential client indicate electronically,
on-line, or otherwise whether they have any risk zone sensing
(e.g., telematics) devices (and/or which specific devices they
have) and/or whether they are willing to install them or have them
installed. In some embodiments, this may be done by check boxes,
radio buttons, or other form of data input/selection, on a web page
and/or via a mobile device application (e.g., via the interfaces
600, 700, 800, 900 of FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and/or FIG. 9
herein).
[0044] In some embodiments, the process 200 may comprise telematics
data gathering, at 252. In the case that a client desires to have
telematics data monitored, recorded, and/or analyzed, for example,
not only may such a desire or willingness affect policy pricing
(e.g., affect the premium calculation 240), but such a desire or
willingness may also cause, trigger, and/or facilitate the
transmitting and/or receiving, gathering, retrieving, and/or other
obtaining of risk zone data 202a-n from one or more telematics
devices. As depicted in FIG. 2, results of the telematics data
gathering at 252 may be utilized to affect the risk assessment 230
and/or the premium calculation 240 (and/or otherwise may affect the
insurance underwriting 220).
[0045] According to some embodiments, the process 200 may also or
alternatively comprise one or more actions associated with claims
260. In the insurance context, for example, after an insurance
product is provided and/or policy is issued (e.g., via the
insurance policy quote and issuance 250), and/or during or after
telematics data gathering 252, one or more insurance claims 260 may
be filed against the product/policy. In some embodiments, such as
in the case that a first object associated with the insurance
policy is somehow involved with one or more insurance claims 260,
first risk zone data 202a of the object or related objects may be
gathered and/or otherwise obtained. According to some embodiments,
such risk zone data 202a-n may comprise data indicative of a level
of risk of the object and/or area (or area in which the object was
located) at the time of casualty or loss (e.g., as defined by the
one or more claims 260). Information on claims 260 may be provided
to the risk zone processing 210, risk assessment 230, and/or
premium calculation 240 to update, improve, and/or enhance these
procedures and/or associated software and/or devices.
[0046] In some embodiments, the process 200 may also or
alternatively comprise insurance policy renewal review 270. Risk
zone data 202a-n may be utilized, for example, to determine if
and/or how an existing insurance policy (e.g., provided via the
insurance policy quote and issuance 250) may be renewed. According
to some embodiments, such as in the case that a client is involved
with and/or in charge of (e.g., responsible for) providing the risk
zone data 202a-n, a review may be conducted to determine if the
correct amount, frequency, and/or type or quality of the risk zone
data 202a-n was indeed provided by the client during the original
term of the policy. In the case that the risk zone data 202a-n was
lacking, the policy may not, for example, be renewed and/or any
discount received by the client for providing the risk zone data
202a-n may be revoked or reduced. In some embodiments, the client
may be offered a discount for having certain risk zone sensing
devices or being willing to install them or have them installed (or
be willing to adhere to certain thresholds based on measurements
from such devices). In some embodiments, analysis of the received
risk zone data 202a-n in association with the policy may be
utilized to determine if the client conformed to various criteria
and/or rules set forth in the original policy. In the case that the
client satisfied applicable policy requirements (e.g., as verified
by received risk zone data 202a-n), the policy may be eligible for
renewal and/or discounts. In the case that deviations from policy
requirements are determined (e.g., based on the risk zone data
202a-n), the policy may not be eligible for renewal, a different
policy may be applicable, and/or one or more surcharges and/or
other penalties may be applied.
[0047] According to some embodiments, the process 200 may comprise
one or more actions associated with risk/loss control 280. Any or
all data (e.g., risk zone data 202a-n and/or other data) gathered
as part of a process for claims 260, for example, may be gathered,
collected, and/or analyzed to determine how (if at all) one or more
of a rating engine (e.g., the risk assessment 230), a pricing
engine (e.g., the premium calculation 240), the insurance
underwriting 220, and/or the risk zone processing 210, should be
updated to reflect actual and/or realized risk, costs, and/or other
issues associated with the risk zone data 202a-n. Results of the
risk/loss control 280 may, according to some embodiments, be fed
back into the process 200 to refine the risk assessment 230, the
premium calculation 240 (e.g., for subsequent insurance queries
and/or calculations), the insurance policy renewal review 270
(e.g., a re-calculation of an existing policy for which the one or
more claims 260 were filed), and/or the risk zone processing 210 to
appropriately scale the output of the risk assessment 230.
[0048] Turning now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a system 300
according to some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the
system 300 may comprise one or more risk zone data gathering
devices 306a-d, a risk zone data aggregator device 308, a risk zone
data processing device 310, a risk zone portal device 380, a
subscriber device 392, and/or a client device 394. According to
some embodiments, any or all of the components 306a-d, 308, 310,
380, 392, 394 of the system 300 may be similar in configuration,
quantity, and/or functionality to any similarly named and/or
numbered components described herein. Fewer or more components
306a-d, 308, 310, 380, 392, 394 and/or various configurations of
the components 306a-d, 308, 310, 380, 392, 394 may be included in
the system 300 without deviating from the scope of embodiments
described herein. While multiples of some components 306a-d are
depicted and while single instances of other components 308, 310,
380, 392, 394 are depicted, for example, any component 306a-d, 308,
310, 380, 392, 394 depicted in the system 300 may be removed from
the system 300, may comprise a single device, a combination of
devices and/or components 306a-d, 308, 310, 380, 392, 394, and/or a
plurality of devices, as is or becomes desirable and/or
practicable.
[0049] According to some embodiments, the system 300 may be
configured to gather, aggregate, and/or process risk zone data
(e.g., the risk zone data 202a-n of FIG. 2 herein) for a plurality
of objects and/or areas. While any type of desired object and/or
area may be monitored and/or analyzed to determine risk zone data
and/or indicators thereof, such objects and/or areas may generally
fall into one or more categories and/or classes. Such categories
may include, but are not limited to, for example, a transportation
conduit category containing a transportation conduit object and/or
area, a location category containing a location object and/or area,
a communication conduit category containing a communication conduit
object and/or area, and/or a mechanical category containing a
mechanical object and/or area.
[0050] As described herein, a transportation conduit object and/or
area may generally comprise one or more transportation pathways
such as sidewalks, paths, streets, highways, canals, seaways and/or
shipping lanes, railroads, aisles in supermarkets, etc. A location
object and/or area may generally comprise one or more physical
locations such as buildings, street corners, intersections,
railroad crossings, stores, shops, malls, entertainment facilities
(e.g., sports tracks, casinos, and/or theatres), bridges, tunnels,
etc. A communication conduit object and/or area may generally
comprise one or more communication pathways such as radio
frequencies, wireless and/or wired networks, computer systems,
electrical wires (e.g., electrical and/or optical transmission
lines that "communicate" electricity and/or optically), websites,
chat rooms, social media sites and/or games, etc. A mechanical
object and/or area may generally comprise one or more vehicles such
as cars, trucks, vans, buses, bicycles, motorcycles, mopeds,
scooters, trolleys, trains, trams, subway cars, ships, boats,
jet-skis/wave runners, and/or one or more elevators, escalators,
drawbridge mechanisms, railroad crossing signals, railroad track
switches, electrical transformers, electrical inverters, electrical
generation equipment and/or machines, cranes, conveyer belts,
factory equipment, and/or portions or parts thereof.
[0051] In some embodiments, the risk zone data gathering devices
306a-d may be in communication with and/or otherwise coupled to
receive data descriptive of the objects and/or areas. The risk zone
data gathering devices 306a-d may be utilized, for example, to
sense (e.g., in the case of a sensor such as a telematics device),
monitor, retrieve (e.g., such as by scanning and/or copying),
store, sort, rank, and/or otherwise organize and/or process data
descriptive of the objects and/or areas. The data gathered may
generally comprise data that is indicative of some measure of risk
of one or more of the objects and/or areas (and/or that is
descriptive of one or more of the objects and/or areas but is
indicative of the risk level of another object and/or area). In
some embodiments, one or more of the risk zone data gathering
devices 306a-n may conduct pre-processing of the gathered data.
Analog data may converted to digital form, for example, data may be
grouped, sorted, and/or cleansed (e.g., duplicate data and/or
outliers may be removed), compressed, and/or encoded or encrypted
data (such as from a "secure" sensor and/or data storage system)
may be decoded or decrypted. Similarly, raw data gathered from one
or more of the objects and/or areas may be encoded and/or encrypted
by a risk zone data gathering device 306a-d (e.g., prior to
transmitting and/or otherwise providing the information to the risk
zone data aggregator device 308).
[0052] In some embodiments, risk zone data may be obtained from a
vendor and/or third-party, such as a police department, fire
department, emergency response unit, roadside assistance
organization, hospital, doctor, insurance company, DOT, Department
of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Homeland Security (DHS),
and/or DMV. Data may also or alternatively be provided by other
vendors and/or state and federal agencies.
[0053] According to some embodiments, the risk zone data aggregator
device 308 may gather, retrieve, sort, rank, store, and/or
otherwise organize and/or obtain risk zone data from one or more of
the risk zone data gathering devices 306a-d (such as by executing
the processes 200, 500 and/or method 400 described in conjunction
with FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and/or FIG. 5 herein, or any portions, steps,
and/or procedures thereof). The risk zone data aggregator device
308 may further filter and/or cleanse the data to eliminate
duplicate data received from the various risk zone data gathering
devices 306a-d. In some embodiments, the risk zone data aggregator
device 308 may comprise a "bot" and/or may store a program that
seeks and retrieves risk zone data from various sources (such as
from the risk zone data gathering devices 306a-d and/or from a
third party-device or system (not explicitly shown in FIG. 3) such
as a police log or a CLUE database). In one embodiment, such as in
the case where each of the risk zone data gathering devices 306a-d
comprises a webcam, for example, the risk zone data aggregator
device 308 may comprise a camera hub, Digital Video Recorder (DVR),
and/or PC configured to receive data from each of the webcams
306a-d. In some embodiments, the risk zone data aggregator device
308 may also or alternatively perform other functions such as data
load management, power distribution (e.g., providing electrical
power to the plurality of risk zone data gathering devices 306a-d,
such as by functioning as Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) in
accordance with the Power over Ethernet (PoE) transmission standard
802.3At.RTM. published by the IEEE, Sep. 1, 2009). In some
embodiments, the risk zone data aggregator device 308 may provide
aggregated risk zone data to the risk zone data processing device
310.
[0054] The risk zone data processing device 310 may, for example,
comprise one or more CPU devices and/or other logic components
(e.g., a computerized and/or electronic processor) coupled to
receive aggregated risk zone data from the risk zone data
aggregator device 308. As described herein, the risk zone data
processing device 310 may perform various processing functions
(such as the processes 200, 500 and/or method 400 described in
conjunction with FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and/or FIG. 5 herein, or any
portions, steps, and/or procedures thereof) on the aggregated risk
zone data, including computation of a risk zone model. The results
of such processing may, according to some embodiments, comprise
definition of one or more risk zone metrics such as risk zone
ranks, scores, tiers, and/or indices associated with the risk zone
model. In some embodiments, the risk zone data processing device
310 may also or alternatively store the aggregated risk zone data.
The risk zone data processing device 310 may comprise, for example,
a plurality of data storage devices (not separately depicted in
FIG. 3; such as the data storage devices 1140a-d of FIG. 11A, FIG.
11B, FIG. 11C, and/or FIG. 11D herein) that store raw,
pre-processed, aggregated, summarized, and/or historical risk zone
data descriptive of the risk of the desired objects and/or areas.
The risk zone data processing device 310 may also or alternatively
store one or more qualitative and/or quantitative risk zone scores,
ranks, tiers, and/or indices associated with the objects and/or
areas. In some embodiments, the risk zone data processing device
310 may also or alternatively perform other functionality such as
facilitating risk assessment and/or premium determinations (e.g.,
the risk zone data processing device 310 may comprise one or more
computers operating a specialized program and/or instructions that
utilize risk zone data to assess risk and calculate premiums for
insurance policies--e.g., the insurance underwriting 220 of FIG.
2).
[0055] Risk zone data and/or a risk zone levels or indices may also
or alternatively be determined for multiple portions and/or parts
of a given object and/or area. For example, in a supermarket, the
deli counter, the various aisles, and/or the check-out counters,
may each have their own respective risk zone data level and/or
rating. In such a case, the overall risk zone rating/level for the
supermarket at any given time may be a combination of each of the
sub-risk zone levels of the object/area (e.g., some mathematical
expression combining each of the risk zone levels of the deli
counter, one or more aisles, and/or one or more check-out counters
of the supermarket). In some embodiments, there may be multiple
and/or sub-risk zone levels or indices that are calculated and
provided for different areas and/or parts of a given object/area,
e.g., Deli-High, Checkout-Low, Aisles-Med. These sub-levels may be
utilized, for example, to predict how risk levels change from one
area/part of an object to another. For example, if the aisles of a
supermarket have a "high" risk zone level but the check-out
counters have a "low" risk zone (e.g., at any particular point
and/or range in time), it may be possible to predict when and/or to
what extent the risk zone level of the check-out counter may
increase. Similarly, if the entry-way risk zone level is "high",
the aisles may experience "high" risk zone levels soon (such as in
the case that risk is based in terms of busyness, as described in
commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/978,535 filed on Dec. 24, 2010, in the name of Collins and
titled "RISK ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL, INSURANCE PREMIUM
DETERMINATIONS, AND OTHER APPLICATIONS USING BUSYNESS", the
busyness concepts of which are hereby incorporated by reference
herein). Such processing and/or predictive modeling may be
performed, for example, by the risk zone data aggregator device 308
and/or the risk zone data processing device 310.
[0056] In some embodiments, the system 300 may include the risk
zone portal device 380 that may, for example, be communicatively
coupled to receive risk zone data and/or metrics from the risk zone
data processing device 310 and/or communicatively coupled to
provide such data and/or metrics to one or more of the subscriber
device 392 and the client device 394. According to some
embodiments, the risk zone portal device 380 may comprise a server
and/or web server configured to function as a "front end" and/or to
provide a Graphical User Interface (GUI) via which subscribers
and/or clients may access and/or purchase risk zone data and/or
metrics. The risk zone portal device 380 may comprise, for example,
an e-commerce "store front" such as may be implemented utilizing
StoreFront.net.TM. provided by StoreFront.RTM. sCommerce of Olathe
(Kansas City metropolitan area), KS, and/or may be sold and/or
provided as an application for a cellular telephone or PDA, such as
an Apple.RTM. iPhone.RTM. application. In such a manner, corporate
clients and/or subscribers may access and/or be provided with risk
zone data for business purposes such as for structuring insurance
policy terms and/or premiums and/or for accessing risk zone data
for informative and/or decision-making purposes (such as which
delivery and/or service customers are situated in high-risk areas,
which routes are least risky for transportation of "target" goods
or commodities, etc.).
[0057] The subscriber device 392 and/or the client device 394 may,
according to some embodiments, be or include any type or
configuration of network device and/or computing device that is or
becomes known or practicable. The subscriber device 392 and/or the
client device 394 may, for example, comprise a telephone (e.g.,
wired or wireless) and/or other communication device associated
with a client of or subscriber to risk zone metrics and/or data as
described herein. In some embodiments, either or both of the
subscriber device 392 and the client device 394 may comprise a
portable device and/or mobile terminal such as a PDA, a cellular
telephone, a GPS navigation device, a laptop and/or tablet
computer, etc. The subscriber device 392 may generally be owned
and/or operated by an entity that owns and/or has access to a
subscription to risk zone data and/or metrics provided by the risk
zone portal device 380. The client device 394 may, in some
embodiments, comprise a subscriber device 392 or may comprise, for
example, a company workstation communicatively coupled to the risk
zone portal device 380, that may comprise a corporate server and/or
corporate-owned and licensed software program and/or package
configured to gather, process, and/or provide (e.g., display) risk
zone data.
[0058] Although the risk zone data gathering devices 306a-d, the
risk zone data aggregator device 308, and the risk zone data
processing device 310 are depicted as separate devices in FIG. 3,
in some embodiments, any or all of the components 306a-d, 308, 310,
380, 392, 394 of the system 300 (such as the risk zone data
gathering devices 306a-d, the risk zone data aggregator device 308,
and the risk zone data processing device 310) may be embodied in a
single device, apparatus, and/or interconnected system. A single
entity (such as an insurance company) may own and/or operate
devices configured and/or coupled to function as any or all of the
components 306a-d, 308, 310, 380, 392, 394 of the system 300, for
example, or a single computer and/or computer server or system may
perform any or all of such functions. In some embodiments, risk
zone data gathering devices 306a-d may also or alternatively
collect, gather, store, and/or provide other types of data such as
environmental conditions (e.g., weather).
[0059] In some embodiments, data indicative of risk zones and/or
risk zone metrics and/or indices may be output and/or provided in
various advantageous forms. Data may be provided utilizing graphs,
charts, tables, maps, and/or other visual and/or tabular forms of
output as is or becomes desirable or practicable. According to some
embodiments, such output may be provided via mobile devices (e.g.,
operated by clients and/or field agents) such as smart phones, PDA
devices, tablet computers (e.g., the Apple.RTM. iPad.TM.), etc.,
and/or via one or more other GUI interfaces such as via a website
and/or kiosk (e.g., via one or more of the interfaces 600, 700,
800, 900 of FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and/or FIG. 9 herein).
[0060] Turning now to FIG. 4, a flowchart of a method 400 according
to some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the method 400
may be performed and/or implemented by and/or otherwise associated
with one or more specialized and/or specially-programmed computers
(e.g., the risk zone processing devices 110, 310 of FIG. 1 and/or
FIG. 3 herein), computer terminals, computer servers, computer
systems and/or networks, and/or any combinations thereof (e.g., by
one or more insurance company and/or underwriter computers). In
some embodiments, a storage medium (e.g., a hard disk, RAM device,
cache memory device, USB mass storage device, and/or DVD; e.g., the
data storage devices 1140a-d of FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C,
and/or FIG. 11D herein) may store thereon instructions that when
executed by a machine (such as a computerized and/or electronic
processor or processing device) result in performance of the method
400 and/or portions thereof.
[0061] According to some embodiments, the method 400 may determine
risk data, at 402. As described herein, for example, data regarding
potential, actual, perceived, and/or predicted risk of an object
and/or area may be received from one or more sources. In some
embodiments, risk data may be retrieved from a data storage device,
such as by utilizing a stored identifier assigned to a particular
area and/or object. In the case that the method 400 comprises an
insurance underwriting, sales, issuance, re-issuance, and/or
evaluation process, risk data associated with an existing or
potential insurance policy may be retrieved from a database. If a
client desires to insure a fleet of vehicles, for example, risk
data regarding the vehicle(s), roads the vehicle(s) is operated on,
an area in which the vehicle(s) is/are garaged, and/or data
regarding characteristics of likely (or allowed) operators of the
vehicle(s) may be obtained.
[0062] In some embodiments, the method 400 may process risk data,
at 404. Risk data received and/or otherwise determined at 402, for
example, may be analyzed to determine a level of risk associated
with the desired policy (e.g., the risk assessment 230 of FIG. 2).
In some embodiments, such as in the case that risk data is
pre-processed and/or processed by a third-party, no analysis and/or
minimal analysis may be needed. Processing the risk data at 404 may
comprise, for example, formatting the risk data for provision to
one or more clients. In some embodiments, the processing may
comprise formatting and/or exporting the risk zone data for
utilization in or by a client's existing software, such as a fleet
vehicle management and/or tracking program or application.
[0063] According to some embodiments, the method 400 may provide
risk data, at 406. The risk data determined at 402 and/or processed
at 404 may, for example, be uploaded to a website, published,
broadcast, transmitted, exported to a client's system, device,
and/or application, and/or otherwise provided to one or more
clients. In some embodiments, the risk data may be provided at 406
via any or all of the interfaces 600, 700, 800, 900 of FIG. 6, FIG.
7, FIG. 8, and/or FIG. 9 herein. In such a manner, for example, a
client may view risk data to make various determinations and/or
plan or effectuate various actions. In the case that the method 400
comprises and/or is associated with an insurance process, the
client may be provided with a discounted premium and/or reduced
deductible in consideration for the client viewing the risk data
provided at 406. It may be determined, for example, that a client
viewing the risk data may be more likely to make safer (i.e., less
risky) decisions after viewing the risk data.
[0064] In some embodiments, the method 400 may receive an
indication in response to providing the risk data, at 408. An
indication that the client actually viewed and/or access the risks
data provided at 406 may, for example, be utilized to determine if
any given insurance discount and/or pricing should be offered
and/or provided to the client. In such a manner, the frequency,
duration, and/or other aspects associated with the client's viewing
and/or utilization of the risk data may be verified and/or
approximated, such as to make sure that only clients who actually
take advantage of the risk data obtain the appropriate reward,
discount, etc. In some embodiments, there may be requirements
regarding how often and/or how long a client views, access, and/or
utilizes the risk data. Such requirements may be verified by
obtaining indications of the client's usage of, for example, a
website, portal, and/or interface via which the risk data is
provided (e.g., at 406). In some embodiments, the received
indication may be indicative of one or more actions and/or
decisions that the client has or will make or implement based on
the risk data. The indication may, for example, be descriptive of a
particular travel route, method, and/or time frame that has been
chosen by the client based on the risk data (e.g., via a navigation
device, trip planning software, delivery and/or service schedule,
and/or via travel itinerary and/or ticket purchases and/or
reservations).
[0065] According to some embodiments, the method 400 may determine
insurance data based on the received indication, at 410. In some
embodiments for example, how (and/or when) the client utilizes the
risk data may be determinative of an insurance premium, deductible,
discount, surcharge, renewal decision, and/or reward. In the case
that a client makes transportation decisions in a manner that is
likely to reduce risk (e.g., based on the risk data), for example,
a reduced insurance premium, reduced deductible, a discount, and/or
a reward may be provided. In some embodiments, such as in the case
that a client views or access the risk data in accordance with
certain requirements (e.g., once a week or every time they activate
their navigational device in their vehicle), a discount, reward,
etc., may also or alternatively be provided. According to some
embodiments, reward points and/or metrics may be calculated based
on the client's utilization of the risk data. Risk data metrics
associated with a client's selection and/or choices may be utilized
to calculate, for example, a number and/or level of reward and/or
compliance points for the client. Different tiers of reward levels
and/or compliance levels may be established, for example, and a
client's points (e.g., based on risk data utilization) may be
tallied to determine which tier and/or level (e.g., of discount,
reward, premium, and/or deductible) the client qualifies for. In
some embodiments, the reward, etc. may be provided to the
client.
[0066] Referring now to FIG. 5, a diagram of a process 500
according to some embodiments is shown. According to some
embodiments, the process 500 may receive risk zone data 502, such
as CLUE data 502a, police data 502b, hospital/ambulance data 502c,
and/or other risk data 502d. The risk zone data 502a-d of one or
more objects and/or areas that may be related to and/or otherwise
associated with an insurance product and/or policy, for example,
may be determined, transmitted, received, calculated, looked-up,
retrieved, and/or derived. In some embodiments, the risk zone data
502a-d may be gathered and/or aggregated as described with respect
to the process 200 of FIG. 2 herein. In some embodiments, some or
all of the risk zone data 502a-d may be obtained from a
third-party. The third-party CLUE data 502a, for example, may
include information relating to insurance claims from the CLUE
database provided by LexisNexis.RTM. Risk Solutions, Inc. of Boca
Raton, Fla., the police report data 502b may comprise data from
police reports available from federal, state, and/or municipal
police departments, the hospital/ambulance data 502c may be
available from various medical facilities and emergency response
units, and/or the other risk data 502d may originate from other
third-party sources, such as fire data from fire departments,
weather data from meteorological departments and/or agencies (such
as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)),
and/or emergency automobile response data from various roadside
assistance organizations and/or related sources (e.g., the
OnStar.RTM. provided by OnStar, LLC of Detroit, Mich.).
[0067] According to some embodiments, the process 500 may process
the risk data 504. The process 500 may, for example, filter data
504a and/or remove duplicates 504b. Any or all data 502a-d received
(e.g., at 502) may, for example, be processed as is or becomes
desirable and/or practicable for execution of embodiments described
herein. As depicted in FIG. 5, the processed, filtered, and/or
de-duplicated data may be utilized to determine a risk zone model
506. In some embodiments, the determination of the risk zone model
506 may comprise additional data aggregation and/or processing that
may include analysis, calculation, conversion, encoding, and/or
decoding (including encrypting and/or decrypting), sorting,
ranking, and/or any combinations thereof. According to some
embodiments, the processed data, comprising the risk zone model,
may be output. The process 500 may, for example, output a risk zone
interface 508. In some embodiments, the risk zone interface may be
similar to and/or comprise any or all of the interfaces 600, 700,
800, 900 of FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and/or FIG. 9 herein and/or may
be utilized to graphically display various parameters, metrics,
and/or indices descriptive of the riskiness of various areas and/or
objects.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 6, an example interface 600 according to
some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the interface 600
may be generated and/or presented (e.g., output) by a device such
as the insurance device 120a, the shopping device 120b, the
navigation device 120c, the advertising device 120d, the
prioritization device 120e, and/or the other risk zone data device
120f of the system 100 of FIG. 1 and/or the risk zone portal device
380, the subscriber device 392 and/or client device 394 of the
system 300 of FIG. 3 herein. The interface 600 may, for example,
comprise a map 610 such as may be provided by a mapping
application, website, navigational device, and/or software such as
Google.RTM. maps provided by Google.RTM., Inc. of Mountain View,
Calif. and/or TomTom.RTM. International with U.S. headquarters in
Concord, Mass. In some embodiments, the interface 600 may be
utilized by an insurance client via an electronic device such as a
portable telephone (or smart phone), PDA, and/or portable computer
(such as a laptop, an iPAD.TM. or other similar device). The client
may download an application provided by the client's insurance
provider, for example, login and/or enter the client's insurance
policy number(s) and/or other access code, and access the "Risk
Zones" interface 600 and/or "Risk Zones" map 610 thereof (e.g., for
navigational purposes--such as for planning a vehicle route that
reduces risk exposure and/or reduces insurance premiums), and/or
for obtaining general information about the riskiness of a certain
route or area). In some embodiments, for internet navigational
software or navigational devices, the client may be able to unlock
the "Risk Zones" application by indicating that the client is
insured by a certain insurance company and entering the policy
number or other access code provided to the client by the insurance
company (or third-party). In some embodiments, only clients insured
by certain insurance companies may access the "Risk Zones"
application and there may be a special sign-in window or icon with
the insurance company name on the screen or accessible from a menu
or tab (not shown in FIG. 6). In some embodiments, the application
may be made available for purchase by clients or users who are not
insurance clients.
[0069] As depicted in FIG. 6, map 610 may comprise a navigational
aid that facilitates a user traveling from the location marked "A"
to a location marked "B" (and/or a user planning a delivery and/or
service call, such as routing a commercial vehicle from A to B). As
is typical with mapping and/or navigational tools, a recommended
route 612 between points A and B may be displayed. On the
illustrated map 610 the recommended route 612 is indicated by
shaded, elliptical marks. The recommended route 612 may, for
example, be determined via a typical routing method such as
"maximize highways", "shortest time", "shortest distance", and/or a
"direct" or "easy" route. In some embodiments, the routing method
via which the recommended route 612 is determined may be based on
risk zone information, metrics, and/or indices.
[0070] The interface 600 may, for example, include a risk zone
window 620 via which a user (e.g., a client) of the interface 600
may view (and/or otherwise access) data descriptive of risk zones
associated with the map 610. As depicted in FIG. 6, for example,
the risk zone window 620 may include selectable risk type options
622 operable to overlay on the map 610 various data such as
representing "accidents", "car jackings", "cargo thefts" (which is
the option selected for example purposes in FIG. 6), and/or
"vehicle thefts". By activating one or more of the selectable risk
type options 622, a user may cause the map 610 to display
representations 624a-c of the selected risk zone types (e.g.,
"cargo theft" risk zones may be displayed in the example of FIG.
6). As indicated by the drop-down arrow adjacent to the "accidents"
selectable risk type option 622, in some embodiments sub-windows
and/or drop-down menus may be provided such as to select specific
types of "accidents" (e.g., car vs. animal, fatal accidents,
non-fatal accidents, accidents of certain loss or severity ranges)
and/or narrow the type of accident risk zone(s) desired for display
on the map 610. Thus, in addition to pure number (or quantity) of
accidents in a given area, the accidents (and thus the map
information) may be further classified in terms of accident
"Severity" (e.g., amount of damage to vehicle/property (minor,
moderate, significant, totaled), or level of bodily injury (minor,
serious, death)), and/or accident "Type" (e.g., car-car; multi-car;
car-truck; car-guardrail; car-pole; car-tree; car-animal/person;
etc.).
[0071] According to some embodiments, the risk zone window 620 may
comprise selectable risk zone parameter options 626 such as "day",
"night" (which is the option selected for example purposes in FIG.
6), and/or "other", as shown in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the
risk zone parameter options 626 may include a weather drop-down
(and/or other) menu item that may, for example, allow the user to
filter the map data based on various weather types/events (e.g.,
"any weather", "snow", "rain", etc. " . . . "). By activating one
or more of the selectable risk zone parameter options 626, for
example, a user may cause the map 610 to display the
representations 624a-c of the selected risk zone types (e.g., as
indicated by any or all activated selectable risk type options 622)
as they pertain to various timeframes and/or other selected
parameters (e.g., time of day, historical time window, weather
conditions, etc.). As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the "cargo
thefts" by "night" overlay for "any weather" conditions may be
displayed and/or a filter for the map 610 may cause the
representations 624a-c of risk zones to be displayed.
[0072] In some embodiments, the weather risk zone parameter option
626 in the risk zone window 620 may comprise a "Road Conditions"
option or overlay or filter for the map 610. When this option is
selected, the drop down menu may allow the user to select the type
of road condition such as dry, wet, ice, snow, fog, and the like
(e.g., which may be related to or independent of the weather
conditions). When the user selects a road condition risk zone
parameter option 626, the risk zone representations 624a-c are
filtered based on the selection. For example, if dry road
conditions are selected, only accidents (e.g., in the case that the
"accidents" risk type option 622 is selected) that occurred when
the road conditions were dry remain in the risk zones display and
the colors or highlighting changes accordingly. Similarly, if icy
road conditions are selected, only accidents that occurred when the
road conditions were icy remain in the risk zones display and the
colors or highlighting changes accordingly.
[0073] The risk zone data of a roadway (e.g., a transportation
conduit object), for example, may be represented on the map 610 in
a graphical manner (e.g., the first and/or second representations
624a-b) to represent a total aggregate, average, and/or weighted
risk zone index or metric. The risk zone window 620 may, for
example, comprise a key 628 which in the example interface 600 of
FIG. 6 is descriptive of "high", "moderate", and "low" risk zones.
As depicted, for example, a first section 624a of the roadway
Interstate 91 (I-91) south of Hartford has experienced (and/or is
otherwise associated with) "high" risk zone data for cargo thefts
at night, while a second section 624b of Interstate 91 (I-91) south
of Meriden has experienced (and/or is otherwise associated with)
"low" risk zone data for cargo thefts at night.
[0074] According to some embodiments, depending on the type(s) of
risk zone(s) represented by the map 610, the representations 624a-c
of risk zones may comprise objects and/or methods other than
roadway (or travel way) markup. For example, the risk zones in an
area or region may be represented by a highlighted region 624c,
shown as a "moderate" risk zone area in and around Manchester on
the map 610. In that example, there may be moderate risk zone data
in the region 624c for the parameters selected. In some
embodiments, if the user touches the region 624c or hovers over the
region 624c with a mouse, more detailed information regarding the
reason(s) for the risk zone level may be displayed (e.g., ten (10)
cargo thefts in past five (5) days). In some embodiments, the
routing method for the recommended route 612 may be based on one or
more of these (and/or other) representations of risk zones 624a-c
(and/or the data upon which those representations 624a-c are
based).
[0075] According to some embodiments, for example, the interface
600 may comprise a routing method window 630, which may be used in
addition to or, as an alternative to, the risk zone window 620 to
modify the display. The routing method window 630 may comprise
selectable options 632 which may, as depicted, be similar to the
selectable risk type options 622 presented in the risk zone window
620. The selectable options 632 may, in some embodiments, allow a
user to select and/or set the desired risk type, time-frame,
parameters, and/or period for the routing method. As shown in the
example of FIG. 6, the risk type selectable options 632 are set to
"all", the "day" option for the time of day is selected to set the
timeframe to correspond to daytime risk levels, and the "period"
option is selected (to define the data set to be utilized to
conduct routing calculations) with the period type set to "days"
and the period set to thirty (30) days. The routing method for the
recommended route 612 may accordingly take into account all and/or
overall risk, during the daytime, over the last thirty (30) days,
between and/or around A and B, such as may be determined based on
historic data recorded for such areas. According to some
embodiments, assistance and/or guidance regarding the selectable
options 632 may be provided. In the case that planning a route
based on a selected time-window may be misleading and/or
undesirable (e.g., from a mathematical and/or statistical
perspective), for example, a system and/or device that provides the
interface 600 may suggest to the user that a different time window
(and/or other options) be selected and/or utilized for route
guidance.
[0076] In some embodiments, the routing method window 630 may
comprise a plurality of risk zone-based routing options 634. The
routing options may provide the "Least Risky" route, which would
provide the route having the lowest level of risk. Risk zone data
may be combined and/or analyzed together with typical roadway
and/or travel data, for example, to allow the program underlying
the interface 600 to determine not only the "shortest" route from A
to B, but the "Least Risky & Shortest" route, for example. As
shown, the user may select the routing method to be a "Less Risky"
route, a "Less Risky & Fastest" route, a "Less Risky &
Shortest" route, an overall "Least Risky" route, a "Least Risky
& Fastest" route, and/or a "Least Risky & Shortest" route.
The different risk zone-based routing options 634 are presented for
exemplary purposes only. Fewer, more, and/or different risk
zone-based routing options 634 may be presented to the user and/or
may be utilized to determine the recommended route 612 in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0077] As depicted in the example of FIG. 6, the "Least Risky"
route(s) option is selected. Thus, the recommended route 612
depicted on the map 610 of the interface 600 represents the
determined least risky route and/or routes from point A to point B,
based on daytime overall risk levels as experienced over the last
thirty (30) days (or a different thirty (30) day period). In some
embodiments, such as to potentially obtain more accurate predictive
results such as by taking into account daily, weekly, seasonal,
and/or annual variations in recorded risk zone data, the date of
the future routing prediction may also (or alternatively) be
specified (although it is not in the example of FIG. 6).
[0078] In some embodiments, such as in the case that one of the
"Less Risky" routing methods is chosen, the routing method window
630 may include a risk zone selection/slider bar 636 and/or a risk
zone slider/pointer 638. The risk zone selection bar 636 may, for
example, comprise a graphical icon of a bar representing a range of
risk zone values (e.g., metric and/or index values), from "Least
Risky" to "Most Risky". The risk zone slider 638 may, in some
embodiments, represent the current and/or set value of risk
associated with the desired routing method. As shown, for example,
the risk zone slider 638 is set near the least-risky side of the
risk zone bar 636. In some embodiments, the risk level represented
by the position of the risk zone slider 638 on the risk zone bar
636 may be represented by an indication of the actual value of the
current and/or set or desired risk level (e.g., twenty-five (25) as
shown on the example risk zone bar 636, having an example range of
zero (0) to one hundred (100)).
[0079] The risk zone bar 636 and the risk zone slider 638 may be
utilized, for example, in the case that a "less risky" routing
method is desired, such that the sliding and/or setting of the risk
zone slider 638 may define the specific magnitude that corresponds
to "less", e.g., twenty-five (25) in the example of FIG. 6. In that
example, when the risk zone slider 638 is moved to a new position,
one or more routes having a corresponding risk level may be
highlighted in a different color, for example, on the map 610. In
other embodiments, the user may define their own route(s) and
utilize the risk zone bar 636 and/or risk zone slider 638 to
determine a risk zone rating of the defined route. As the user
slides the slider 638, different routes from A to B may be
highlighted indicating which routes meet the slider-selected risk
zone rating. This may be advantageous, for example, in the case
that the user's insurance company offers reductions in insurance
premiums for clients that conduct themselves (and/or their
businesses) within certain risk zones and/or risk thresholds. To
increase awareness of risk zone locations, the interface 600 may
further provide real time warnings or other notices when the user
is approaching, entering, and/or leaving risk zones. In some
embodiments, such warnings may correspond to the settings the user
has selected in the risk zone window 620 and/or the routing method
window 630. In some embodiments, the interface 600 may comprise an
overlay/filter options button 640 that may allow the user to select
and/or set or define options for the interface 600 in more detail.
Activation and/or selection of the overlay/filter options button
640 may, for example, cause a different interface screen (such as
the interface 800 of FIG. 8) to be displayed (not shown in FIG. 6),
via which user preferences may be set.
[0080] According to some embodiments, an insurance company may
offer tiered discounts and/or premium rate levels for clients who
commit to (and/or who actually do) maintain certain risk zone
parameters within predetermined thresholds. In the case of travel,
for example, trips planned and/or taken (e.g., monitored via GPS in
an in-car navigational device and/or via the client's mobile
communications device) may be tallied with respect to various risk
zone ratings. Overall ratings in certain time periods (e.g.,
exposure to risk per month) and/or a weighted risk zone aggregate
(e.g., frequency of experienced risk levels) may, in some
embodiments, be determined for individual clients, individual
drivers, and/or individual vehicles (or any combinations thereof).
In the case that the tracked metrics fall within predetermined
thresholds (e.g., an average experienced risk level of less than
seventy-five (75) in any given month) the client may qualify for a
reduced premium, discount, and/or other reward (e.g., frequent
flyer miles, reward points, and/or prizes; e.g., ten percent (10%)
off monthly premium). In some embodiments, the user may obtain a
certain number of points for certain risk zone levels and gets a
benefit if the user stays below (or above) a threshold number of
points (over a set period of time). In some embodiments, the user
may obtain benefits if user stays below (or above) a threshold
percentage of trips having a certain risk zone level (over a set
period of time).
[0081] According to some embodiments, desired discount and/or
insurance premium levels may be taken into account in the routing
method for the recommended route 612. Turning to FIG. 7, for
example, an example interface 700 according to some embodiments is
shown. In some embodiments, the interface 700 may be generated
and/or presented (e.g., output) by a device such as the insurance
device 120a, the shopping device 120b, the navigation device 120c,
the advertising device 120d, the prioritization device 120e, and/or
the other risk zone data device 120f of the system 100 of FIG. 1
and/or the risk zone portal device 380, the subscriber device 392
and/or client device 394 of the system 300 of FIG. 3 herein. The
interface 700 may, for example, comprise a map 710 such as the map
610 of the interface 600 of FIG. 6 herein. The interface 700 may,
for example, display a plurality of recommended routes 712a-c
and/or may provide representations 724a-c of various risk zones.
According to some embodiments, the interface 700 may comprise a
routing method window 730 that may comprise a plurality of
selectable risk type options 732 and/or a plurality of routing
method options 734.
[0082] The routing method options 734 may, in accordance with some
embodiments, include one or more options tied to insurance premium
and/or discount levels such as the depicted "Less Costly Route",
"Less Costly & Fastest", "Less Costly & Shortest", "Least
Costly Route(s)", "Least Costly & Fastest", and/or "Least
Costly & Shortest" (and/or other non-depicted options such as
"Maintain 10% Discount" or "Biggest Discount" or "Most Reward
Points", etc.). In such a manner, the routing method may facilitate
the maintenance of the user's activities within the desired
threshold ranges and/or parameters. In some embodiments, a risk
zone knob 736-1 may allow a user to set a scale of insurance
premiums and/or discounts, such as from "Lowest Premium" or
"Biggest Discount" to "Highest Premium" or "Lowest Discount", such
as by turning the knob 736-1 in a positive "+" or negative "-"
direction, as depicted. In some embodiments, the user may utilize a
parameter type box 736-2 such as by selecting from a drop-down list
of available parameter options such as the dollar amount "$" as
depicted, a percentage, tier, level, etc. In some embodiments, a
value of a desired parameter may be displayed and/or directly set
or defined via a parameter entry box 738. As depicted in FIG. 7,
for example, a user has set the interface 700 (and/or the map 710)
to display routes that would result in a thirty dollar ($30)
insurance premium (e.g., per time period such as day, month, etc.),
deductible, discount amount, etc. (e.g., by setting the value
directly via the parameter entry box 738, by specifying the
parameter type via the parameter type box 736-2 and/or by moving
and/or adjusting the risk zone knob 736-1). In such a manner, for
example, the routing method may be set to be based on the effect
that traveling any given route may have on the user's insurance
premiums. In some embodiments, the user may enter a desired
discount (name your "Risk Zone" discount) or a desired premium
(name your "Risk Zone" premium) into the parameter entry box 738
and/or via a set-up screen (not shown) which may set the default
risk zone levels for suggested routes to obtain that discount or
premium. The user may then move the risk zone knob 736-1 from that
default and/or set point to select other possible routes, as
desired. In some embodiments, the risk zone knob 736-1 may comprise
an actual physical object such as a knob, switch, toggle, scroll
button, button, etc., of an apparatus (such as a user's
navigational device and/or PC input device) and/or may comprise a
virtual object such as a virtual and/or simulated knob or device on
a screen and/or touch-screen.
[0083] According to some embodiments, adjustments made utilizing
the risk zone knob 736-1 (and/or data entered via the parameter
entry box 738) may affect the recommended route(s) 712a-c and/or
the displayed risk zone representations 724a-c. Setting the desired
risk zone-related cost level to a first value, for example, may
cause a first recommended route 712a to be displayed and/or
plotted, while changing or setting the desired cost level to a
second or third value may cause a second recommended route 712b or
a third recommended route 712c to be displayed or otherwise output,
respectively. In some embodiments, such as in the case of the
second risk zone representation 724b, which in the example of FIG.
7 depicts an area of risk, altering the desired cost (and/or
reward, deductible, discount, etc.) level may alter the size,
shape, and/or composition of the second representation 724b. At a
first desired cost level, for example, a first area of the second
representation 724b-1 may be identified and/or depicted as an area
associated with a particular level and/or type of risk or cost. As
the desired cost is increased (or decreased), the second
representation 724b may be changed to a second area 724b-2 and then
a third area 724b-3, which in the example of FIG. 7 are shown as
increasingly larger areas. The example of FIG. 7 may represent, for
example, a case where a user desires to see an area (e.g., the
areas 724b-1, 724b-2, 724b-3) where the user may be permitted to
operate their fleet of vehicles (and/or conduct business, etc.),
based on different discount levels or tiers. A first tier of
discount may be available (e.g., five percent (5%)) if the user
limits operations to (or avoids) the first area 724b-1, for
example, and/or a second tier of discount may be available (e.g.,
ten percent (10%)) if the user limits operations to (or avoids) the
second area 724b-2, and/or a third tier of discount may be
available (e.g., twenty percent (20%)) if the user limits
operations to (or avoids) the third area 724b-3--e.g., in the
example, progressively more difficult and/or restrictive
requirements for achieving the increasingly beneficial discount
levels.
[0084] According to some embodiments, although not explicitly shown
in FIG. 7, the interface 700 may facilitate delivery and/or route
planning by suggesting, recommending, and/or displaying various
trip options such as waypoints (e.g., low-risk hubs), rest stops
(e.g., gas stations, truck stops, charging stations, restaurants,
bathrooms), etc. (e.g., any or all of which may be based on risk
zone data). In some embodiments, the areas 724b-1, 724b-2, 724b-3
may be colored, shaded, and/or otherwise displayed or presented to
convey risk level information (e.g., relative, quantitative, and/or
qualitative). The areas 724b-1, 724b-2, 724b-3 may, for example, be
provided in accordance with the key 628 of FIG. 6 herein, such that
they are descriptive of "high", "moderate", and "low" risk zones,
respectively.
[0085] According to some embodiments, the interface 700 may be
utilized to facilitate decision-making regarding various types of
activities and/or with respect to various types of insurance. A
business owner may utilize the interface 700 to determine the best,
least risky, and/or cheapest or otherwise most beneficial manner in
which to conduct various business operations such as, but not
limited to, new client acquisitions (e.g., based on risk/cost of
client location and/or routes available to get there), product
deliveries (e.g., based on risk/cost of client and/or store
locations and/or available routes), service calls (e.g., based on
risk/cost of client and/or store locations and/or available
routes), places to purchase supplies, etc. In such a manner, for
example, the business owner may be able to visualize (e.g., via the
interface 700) areas where insurance may cost less (e.g., by being
presented with insurance values, ranges, etc.).
[0086] In some embodiments, the interface 700 may comprise an
overlay/filter options button 740 that may allow the user to select
and/or set or define options for the interface 700 in more detail.
Activation and/or selection of the overlay/filter options button
740 may, for example, cause a different interface screen (such as
the interface 800 of FIG. 8) to be displayed (not shown in FIG. 7),
via which user preferences may be set.
[0087] Turning to FIG. 8, an example interface 800 according to
some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the interface 800
may be generated and/or presented (e.g., output) by a device such
as the insurance device 120a, the shopping device 120b, the
navigation device 120c, the advertising device 120d, the
prioritization device 120e, and/or the other risk zone data device
120f of the system 100 of FIG. 1 and/or the risk zone portal device
380, the subscriber device 392 and/or client device 394 of the
system 300 of FIG. 3 herein. The interface 800 may, for example,
comprise a window 810 that may provide various options that may
affect how risk information is output and/or provided.
[0088] The interface 800 (and/or window 810) may comprise,
according to some embodiments, a fleet vehicle selection area 842-1
(e.g., in the case of business and/or fleet insurance) and/or an
activity type selection area 842-2 that may allow a user, for
example, to select and/or define one or more fleet vehicles for
which to set options and/or to select and/or define a type of
activity for which the user desires to obtain risk zone and/or
insurance pricing information. Risk data and/or insurance pricing
may vary, for example, based on which fleet vehicle is selected
and/or based on whether the activity is retail delivery, short-haul
trucking, and/or livery (e.g., for business policies, as depicted
in FIG. 8), etc.
[0089] In some embodiments, the interface 800 (and/or window 810)
may comprise one or more operator data areas 844 that allow for the
entry, selection, and/or defining of operator data. The operator
data areas 844 may comprise, for example, an operator
characteristics selection area 844-1 and/or an operator attributes
selection area 844-2. The operator characteristics selection area
844-1 may, in some embodiments, allow the user to select and/or set
data defining characteristics of an operator (e.g., an operator of
an insured vehicle in the example of automobile insurance, e.g., a
fleet driver) such as the operator's age (or age range), gender,
experience level, training, licensing level (e.g., whether the
operator has a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), which option is
selected in the example of FIG. 8), etc. The operator attributes
selection area 844-2 may, in some embodiments, allow the user to
select and/or set data defining attributes of the operator such as
whether the operator is fatigued/tired, how long the operator has
been driving, whether the operator is distracted, utilizing a cell
phone, etc. According to some embodiments, the operator attributes
may be determined via telematics data as described herein (e.g., in
compiling data to output to the user and/or in determining of the
user adheres to various policy requirements--e.g., set by the
user). Risk data and/or insurance pricing may vary, for example,
based on the various characteristics and/or attributes of the
operator (and/or insured, e.g., in the case of non-automotive
insurance policies). In some embodiments, route guidance may be
altered based on the selected characteristics.
[0090] In some embodiments, the interface 800 (and/or window 810)
may comprise one or more vehicle data areas 846 that allow for the
entry, selection, and/or defining of vehicle data. The vehicle data
areas 846 may comprise, for example, a vehicle characteristics
selection area 846-1 and/or a vehicle attributes selection area
846-2. The vehicle characteristics selection area 846-1 may, in
some embodiments, allow the user to select and/or set data defining
characteristics of a vehicle (e.g., a vehicle associated with an
insurance policy) such as the make, model, and/or year of the
vehicle, whether the vehicle has various safety features such as
anti-lock brakes, traction control, side-curtain airbags, a Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), run-flat tires, refrigeration,
Closed-Circuit TV (CCTV) monitored cargo area, reverse warning
beeper, retarder, side-view mirror signals, high-visibility turn
signals, accident avoidance, etc. The vehicle attributes selection
area 846-2 may, in some embodiments, allow the user to select
and/or set data defining attributes of the vehicle such as whether
the vehicle is being utilized to tow (e.g., a trailer, boat, etc.),
and/or whether (and/or what type, weight, etc.) the vehicle is
carrying any sort of internal cargo, etc. In some embodiments, such
as for business insurance applications, characteristics of cargo
may be selected. As shown, for example, whether cargo is classified
as HAZMAT, what class of HAZMAT, and/or what type of cargo (e.g.,
whether the cargo is a "target commodity" that is associated with
higher risk), such as alcohol, tobacco, firearms, electronics
(e.g., consumer electronics), etc. According to some embodiments,
the vehicle attributes may be determined via telematics data as
described herein (e.g., in compiling data to output to the user
and/or in determining of the user adheres to various policy
requirements--e.g., set by the user). Risk data, routing, and/or
insurance pricing may vary, for example, based on the various
characteristics and/or attributes of the vehicle (and/or other
desired object).
[0091] In some embodiments, a report (not shown in FIG. 8) may be
provided to a client based on the utilization of the interface 800
(and/or interfaces 600, 700 of FIG. 6 and/or FIG. 7 herein) and/or
otherwise based on the client's utilization of the risk zone data
presented therein. On-demand and/or periodic (e.g., monthly)
reports detailing how a client's utilization (or non-utilization)
of risk zone information has affected their insurance premium,
deductible, discounts, surcharges, rewards, and/or other insurance
data may, for example, be provided. Such reports may show, in some
embodiments, what tier or level of risk or discount a client has
achieved, provide suggestions regarding how the client may improve
their risk and/or discount level, and/or show what actual discounts
or surcharges have been (or will be, e.g., if the client does not
improve a risk score) applied (e.g., to the client's insurance
and/or other account).
[0092] Referring now to FIG. 9, an example interface 900 according
to some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the interface
900 may be generated and/or presented (e.g., output) by a device
such as the insurance device 120a, the shopping device 120b, the
navigation device 120c, the advertising device 120d, the
prioritization device 120e, and/or the other risk zone data device
120f of the system 100 of FIG. 1 and/or the risk zone portal device
380, the subscriber device 392, and/or the client device 394 of the
system 300 of FIG. 3 herein. The interface 900 may, for example,
comprise a map 910 that may provide various options and/or that may
affect how risk information is output and/or provided.
[0093] The interface 900 (and/or map 910) may comprise, according
to some embodiments, a screen via which navigational routing
suggestions are provided (e.g., a screen of a navigational device
and/or fleet management software device, neither of which is
explicitly shown in FIG. 9). A business insurance client may, for
example, utilize the interface 900 to plan how to conduct various
business operations. In some embodiments, such as described with
respect to FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and/or FIG. 8 herein, the planning may
comprise determining which of a plurality of available and/or
recommended routes 912a-d may be least risky and/or costly (e.g.,
from an insurance perspective).
[0094] According to some embodiments, the business client may
desire to travel from (and/or ship cargo from) Baltimore, Md. to
Dover, Del. As shown in the example interface 900 of FIG. 9, there
may be a plurality of potential and/or recommended routes 912a-d
between Baltimore and Dover. In some embodiments, as described in
reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 herein, one or more of the routes
912a-d may be recommended and/or suggested (explicitly and/or
implicitly) based on relative risk and/or insurance levels such as
risk points and/or insurance premium or payment tiers. According to
some embodiments, the routes 912a-d may comprise recommendations
and/or suggestion of transportation type. The insurance client may
send the desired cargo (e.g., product and/or employee--and/or the
client, such as in the case of personal insurance) via a first
route 912a, for example, which may comprise the illustrated road
route. The first route 912a may, for example, be associated with a
first type of transportation such as wheeled transportation--e.g.,
car, truck, bus. In some embodiments, other transportation options
may be available. The client may, for example, send the cargo via a
second route 912b, which may comprise a less-direct rail route
(e.g., with a stop, changeover, and/or waypoint in Wilmington,
Del.). Or the client may send the cargo via a third route 912c,
which may comprise a water/sea route (e.g., connecting at points
"C", respectively) that utilizes a ferry and/or cargo ship, for
example. In some embodiments, the client may send the cargo via a
fourth route 912d. The fourth route 912d may comprise, for example,
an air trip or flight 912d-1 between BWI and SBY airports, followed
by a ground transportation (e.g., truck, car, rail) link 912d-2
between Salisbury, Md. and the destination at Dover, Del.
[0095] In each case, different risk and/or insurance costs and/or
considerations may be involved. The most direct route, the first
route 912a, may for example, comprise the most dangerous (e.g.,
risky) of the available routes 912a-d. The riskiness may be due to
the route or portions thereof, and/or may be due to the associated
mode(s) of transportation. Road travel may, for example, be the
most risky way to transport cargo between Baltimore and Dover. In
some embodiments, although the third route 912c may be the longest
(in terms of distance and/or time) and/or the fourth route 912d may
be the most expensive (e.g., due to the flight 912d-1), either
route may be the least risky and/or result in the lowest insurance
premium, deductible, surcharge, etc. According to some embodiments,
the respective qualitative and/or quantitative riskiness and/or
costliness of the routes 912a-d may be provided to the client so
that the client may choose an appropriate travel type and/or route
912a-d. In some embodiments, one or more specific routes 9121-d may
be chosen for and/or suggested to the client (e.g., automatically).
In some cases, for example, such as in the case that a client's
insurance policy comprises certain limitations (e.g., not allowed
to cross major bridges), those limitations may be taken into
account by a system or device that provides the interface 900 and
only conforming routes 912a-d may be provided (e.g., the third
and/or fourth routes 912c, 912d, as neither crosses a major
bridge).
[0096] Turning to FIG. 10, a block diagram of an apparatus 1000
according to some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the
apparatus 1000 may be similar in configuration and/or functionality
to any of the risk zone data processing device 310, the risk zone
data gathering devices 306a-d, the risk zone data aggregator device
308, the risk zone portal device 380, the subscriber device 392,
and/or the client device 394, all of FIG. 3 herein. The apparatus
1000 may, for example, execute, process, facilitate, and/or
otherwise be associated with the processes 200, 500 and/or the
method 400 of FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and/or FIG. 5 herein. In some
embodiments, the apparatus 1000 may comprise a processing device
1012, an input device 1014, an output device 1016, a communication
device 1018, and/or a memory device 1040. According to some
embodiments, any or all of the components 1012, 1014, 1016, 1018,
1040 of the apparatus 1000 may be similar in configuration and/or
functionality to any similarly named and/or numbered components
described herein. Fewer or more components 1012, 1014, 1016, 1018,
1040 and/or various configurations of the components 1012, 1014,
1016, 1018, 1040 may be included in the apparatus 1000 without
deviating from the scope of embodiments described herein.
[0097] According to some embodiments, the processor 1012 may be or
include any type, quantity, and/or configuration of processor that
is or becomes known. The processor 1012 may comprise, for example,
an Intel.RTM. IXP 2800 network processor or an Intel.RTM. XEON.TM.
Processor coupled with an Intel.RTM. E7501 chipset. In some
embodiments, the processor 1012 may comprise multiple
inter-connected processors, microprocessors, and/or micro-engines.
According to some embodiments, the processor 1012 (and/or the
apparatus 1000 and/or other components thereof) may be supplied
power via a power supply (not shown) such as a battery, an
Alternating Current (AC) source, a Direct Current (DC) source, an
AC/DC adapter, solar cells, and/or an inertial generator. In the
case that the apparatus 1000 comprises a server such as a blade
server, necessary power may be supplied via a standard AC outlet,
power strip, surge protector, and/or Uninterruptible Power Supply
(UPS) device.
[0098] In some embodiments, the input device 1014 and/or the output
device 1016 are communicatively coupled to the processor 1012
(e.g., via wired and/or wireless connections and/or pathways) and
they may generally comprise any types or configurations of input
and output components and/or devices that are or become known,
respectively. The input device 1014 may comprise, for example, a
keyboard that allows an operator of the apparatus 1000 to interface
with the apparatus 1000 (e.g., by a consumer, such as to purchase
insurance policies priced utilizing risk zone metrics and/or to
monitor risk zone data of local destinations, and/or by an
underwriter and/or insurance agent, such as to evaluate risk and/or
calculate premiums for an insurance policy). In some embodiments,
the input device 1014 may comprise a sensor configured to provide
information such as encoded risk zone information to the apparatus
1000 and/or the processor 1012. The output device 1016 may,
according to some embodiments, comprise a display screen and/or
other practicable output component and/or device. The output device
1016 may, for example, provide insurance and/or investment pricing
and/or risk analysis to a potential client (e.g., via a website)
and/or to an underwriter or sales agent attempting to structure an
insurance (and/or investment) product (e.g., via a computer
workstation). According to some embodiments, the input device 1014
and/or the output device 1016 may comprise and/or be embodied in a
single device such as a touch-screen monitor.
[0099] In some embodiments, the communication device 1018 may
comprise any type or configuration of communication device that is
or becomes known or practicable. The communication device 1018 may,
for example, comprise a network interface card (NIC), a telephonic
device, a cellular network device, a router, a hub, a modem, and/or
a communications port or cable. In some embodiments, the
communication device 1018 may be coupled to provide data to a
client device, such as in the case that the apparatus 1000 is
utilized as a risk zone portal. The communication device 1018 may,
for example, comprise a cellular telephone network transmission
device that sends signals indicative of risk zone metrics to client
and/or subscriber handheld, mobile, and/or telephone devices.
According to some embodiments, the communication device 1018 may
also or alternatively be coupled to the processor 1012. In some
embodiments, the communication device 1018 may comprise an IR, RF,
Bluetooth.TM., Near-Field Communication (NFC), and/or Wi-Fi.RTM.
network device coupled to facilitate communications between the
processor 1012 and another device (such as a client device and/or a
third-party device, not shown in FIG. 10).
[0100] The memory device 1040 may comprise any appropriate
information storage device that is or becomes known or available,
including, but not limited to, units and/or combinations of
magnetic storage devices (e.g., a hard disk drive), optical storage
devices, and/or semiconductor memory devices such as RAM devices,
Read Only Memory (ROM) devices, Single Data Rate Random Access
Memory (SDR-RAM), Double Data Rate Random Access Memory (DDR-RAM),
and/or Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM). The memory device 1040
may, according to some embodiments, store one or more of risk zone
calculation instructions 1042-1, risk assessment instructions
1042-2, premium determination instructions 1042-3, risk zone data
1044-1, telematics data 1044-2, and/or claim/loss data 1044-3. In
some embodiments, the risk zone calculation instructions 1042-1,
risk assessment instructions 1042-2, and/or premium determination
instructions 1042-3 may be utilized by the processor 1012 to
provide output information via the output device 1016 and/or the
communication device 1018 (e.g., the interface(s) 600, 700, 800,
900 and/or map(s) 610, 710 of FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and/or FIG. 9
herein).
[0101] According to some embodiments, the risk zone calculation
instructions 942-1 may be operable to cause the processor 1012 to
process risk zone data 1044-1 telematics data 1044-2, and/or
claim/loss data 1044-3 in accordance with embodiments as described
herein. Risk zone data 1044-1, telematics data 1044-2, and/or
claim/loss data 1044-3 received via the input device 1014 and/or
the communication device 1018 may, for example, be analyzed,
sorted, filtered, decoded, decompressed, ranked, scored, plotted,
and/or otherwise processed by the processor 1012 in accordance with
the risk zone calculation instructions 1042-1. In some embodiments,
risk zone data 1044-1, telematics data 1044-2, and/or claim/loss
data 1044-3 (e.g., any or all of which may be descriptive of how
risky an object and/or area is) may be fed by the processor 1012
through one or more mathematical and/or statistical formulas and/or
models in accordance with the risk zone calculation instructions
1042-1 to define one or more risk zone metrics, indices, and/or
models that may then be utilized for various purposes as described
herein.
[0102] According to some embodiments, the risk assessment
instructions 1044-2 may be operable to cause the processor 1012 to
perform a risk assessment as described herein (e.g., may be
operable to cause the processor 1012 to process risk zone data
1044-1 telematics data 1044-2, and/or claim/loss data 1044-3 in
accordance with embodiments as described herein). Risk zone data
1044-1, telematics data 1044-2, and/or claim/loss data 1044-3 of an
object and/or area may be analyzed to create loss distributions,
for example, that may be utilized to generate a risk score for an
object being insured. The risk assessment instructions 1042-2 may,
in some embodiments, utilize object data (not explicitly shown in
FIG. 10) to determine relationships between objects for which
insurance is sought and related objects that are not the subject of
an insurance product under evaluation (e.g., the object data may,
in addition to storing information on objects such as vehicles that
are insured, store information relating such vehicles to roads,
intersections, and/or other externality objects that may be related
to the vehicles).
[0103] In some embodiments, the premium determination instructions
1042-3 may be executed by the processor 1012 to calculate an
insurance premium for an insurance product (e.g., based on the risk
zone data 1044-1, the telematics data 1044-2, and/or the claim/loss
data 1044-3) and/or to otherwise be operable to cause the processor
1012 to process risk zone data 1044-1 telematics data 1044-2,
and/or claim/loss data 1044-3 in accordance with embodiments as
described herein. According to some embodiments, the risk
assessment instructions 1042-2 and/or the premium determination
instructions 1042-3 may utilize the claim/loss data 1044-3 to
update and/or revise risk and/or premium determinations,
respectively. The apparatus 1000 may function as a computer
terminal and/or server of an insurance and/or underwriting company,
for example, that is utilized to process insurance applications. In
some embodiments, the apparatus 1000 may comprise a web server
and/or other portal (e.g., an interactive voice response unit
(IVRU)) that provides risk zone data 1044-1 to clients.
[0104] In some embodiments, the apparatus 1000 may comprise a
cooling device 1050. According to some embodiments, the cooling
device 1050 may be coupled (physically, thermally, and/or
electrically) to the processor 1012 and/or to the memory device
1040. The cooling device 1050 may, for example, comprise a fan,
heat sink, heat pipe, radiator, cold plate, and/or other cooling
component or device or combinations thereof, configured to remove
heat from portions or components of the apparatus 1000.
[0105] Any or all of the exemplary instructions and data types
described herein and other practicable types of data may be stored
in any number, type, and/or configuration of memory devices that is
or becomes known. The memory device 1040 may, for example, comprise
one or more data tables or files, databases, table spaces,
registers, and/or other storage structures. In some embodiments,
multiple databases and/or storage structures (and/or multiple
memory devices 1040) may be utilized to store information
associated with the apparatus 1000. According to some embodiments,
the memory device 1040 may be incorporated into and/or otherwise
coupled to the apparatus 1000 (e.g., as shown) or may simply be
accessible to the apparatus 1000 (e.g., externally located and/or
situated).
[0106] Referring to FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C, and FIG. 11D,
perspective diagrams of exemplary data storage devices 1140a-d
according to some embodiments are shown. The data storage devices
1140a-d may, for example, be utilized to store instructions and/or
data such as the risk zone calculation instructions 1042-1, the
risk assessment instructions 1042-2, and/or the premium
determination instructions 1042-3, each of which is described in
reference to FIG. 10 herein. In some embodiments, instructions
stored on the data storage devices 1140a-d may, when executed by a
processor, cause the implementation of and/or facilitate the
processes 200, 500 and/or the method 400 of FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and/or
FIG. 5 herein (or any portions or combinations thereof). The data
storage devices 1140a-d may also or alternatively store data such
as the risk zone data 202a-n, 1044-1, telematics data 1044-2,
and/or claim/loss data 1044-3 as described with reference to FIG. 2
and/or FIG. 10 herein.
[0107] According to some embodiments, the first data storage device
1140a may comprise a CD, CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-Ray.TM. Disc, and/or
other type of optically-encoded disk and/or other storage medium
that is or becomes know or practicable. In some embodiments, the
second data storage device 1140b may comprise a USB keyfob, dongle,
and/or other type of flash memory data storage device that is or
becomes know or practicable. In some embodiments, the third data
storage device 1140c may comprise RAM of any type, quantity, and/or
configuration that is or becomes practicable and/or desirable. In
some embodiments, the third data storage device 1140c may comprise
an off-chip cache such as a Level 2 (L2) cache memory device.
According to some embodiments, the fourth data storage device 1140d
may comprise an on-chip memory device such as a Level 1 (L1) cache
memory device.
[0108] The data storage devices 1140a-d may generally store program
instructions, code, and/or modules that, when executed by a
processing device cause a particular machine to function in
accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. The data
storage devices 1140a-d depicted in FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C,
and FIG. 11D are representative of a class and/or subset of
computer-readable media that are defined herein as
"computer-readable memory" (e.g., non-transitory memory devices as
opposed to transmission devices or media).
[0109] Some embodiments described herein are associated with a
"user device" or a "network device". As used herein, the terms
"user device" and "network device" may be used interchangeably and
may generally refer to any device that can communicate via a
network. Examples of user or network devices include a Personal
Computer (PC), a workstation, a server, a printer, a scanner, a
facsimile machine, a copier, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a
storage device (e.g., a disk drive), a hub, a router, a switch, and
a modem, a video game console, or a wireless phone. User and
network devices may comprise one or more communication or network
components.
[0110] As used herein, the term "network component" may refer to a
user or network device, or a component, piece, portion, or
combination of user or network devices. Examples of network
components may include a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) device
or module, a network processor, and a network communication path,
connection, port, or cable.
[0111] In addition, some embodiments are associated with a
"network" or a "communication network". As used herein, the terms
"network" and "communication network" may be used interchangeably
and may refer to any object, entity, component, device, and/or any
combination thereof that permits, facilitates, and/or otherwise
contributes to or is associated with the transmission of messages,
packets, signals, and/or other forms of information between and/or
within one or more network devices. Networks may be or include a
plurality of interconnected network devices. In some embodiments,
networks may be hard-wired, wireless, virtual, neural, and/or any
other configuration of type that is or becomes known. Communication
networks may include, for example, one or more networks configured
to operate in accordance with the Fast Ethernet LAN transmission
standard 802.3-2002.RTM. published by the Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In some embodiments, a network
may include one or more wired and/or wireless networks operated in
accordance with any communication standard or protocol that is or
becomes known or practicable.
[0112] As used herein, the terms "information" and "data" may be
used interchangeably and may refer to any data, text, voice, video,
image, message, bit, packet, pulse, tone, waveform, and/or other
type or configuration of signal and/or information. Information may
comprise information packets transmitted, for example, in
accordance with the Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) standard as
defined by "Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) Specification" RFC
1883, published by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF),
Network Working Group, S. Deering et al. (December 1995).
Information may, according to some embodiments, be compressed,
encoded, encrypted, and/or otherwise packaged or manipulated in
accordance with any method that is or becomes known or
practicable.
[0113] In addition, some embodiments described herein are
associated with an "indication". As used herein, the term
"indication" may be used to refer to any indicia and/or other
information indicative of or associated with a subject, item,
entity, and/or other object and/or idea. As used herein, the
phrases "information indicative of" and "indicia" may be used to
refer to any information that represents, describes, and/or is
otherwise associated with a related entity, subject, or object.
Indicia of information may include, for example, a code, a
reference, a link, a signal, an identifier, and/or any combination
thereof and/or any other informative representation associated with
the information. In some embodiments, indicia of information (or
indicative of the information) may be or include the information
itself and/or any portion or component of the information. In some
embodiments, an indication may include a request, a solicitation, a
broadcast, and/or any other form of information gathering and/or
dissemination.
[0114] Numerous embodiments are described in this patent
application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The
described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting
in any sense. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely
applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the
disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced with various
modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical,
software, and electrical modifications. Although particular
features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with
reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it
should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in
the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference
to which they are described, unless expressly specified
otherwise.
[0115] Devices that are in communication with each other need not
be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly
specified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only
transmit to each other as necessary or desirable, and may actually
refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For example, a
machine in communication with another machine via the Internet may
not transmit data to the other machine for weeks at a time. In
addition, devices that are in communication with each other may
communicate directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries.
[0116] Further, although process steps, algorithms or the like may
be described in a sequential order, such processes may be
configured to work in different orders. In other words, any
sequence or order of steps that may be explicitly described does
not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed
in that order. The steps of processes described herein may be
performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be
performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as
occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described
after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by
its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated
process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto,
does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are
necessary to the invention, and does not imply that the illustrated
process is preferred.
[0117] "Determining" something can be performed in a variety of
manners and therefore the term "determining" (and like terms)
includes calculating, computing, deriving, looking up (e.g., in a
table, database or data structure), ascertaining and the like.
[0118] It will be readily apparent that the various methods and
algorithms described herein may be implemented by, e.g.,
appropriately programmed general purpose computers and computing
devices. Typically a processor (e.g., one or more microprocessors)
will receive instructions from a memory or like device, and execute
those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes
defined by those instructions. Further, programs that implement
such methods and algorithms may be stored and transmitted using a
variety of media (e.g., computer readable media) in a number of
manners. In some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or custom
hardware may be used in place of, or in combination with, software
instructions for implementation of the processes of various
embodiments. Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specific
combination of hardware and software
[0119] A "processor" generally means any one or more
microprocessors, CPU devices, computing devices, microcontrollers,
digital signal processors, or like devices, as further described
herein.
[0120] The term "computer-readable medium" refers to any medium
that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions or other
information) that may be read by a computer, a processor or a like
device. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not
limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission
media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic
disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media include DRAM,
which typically constitutes the main memory. Transmission media
include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the
wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor.
Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves, light
waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during
RF and IR data communications. Common forms of computer-readable
media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard
disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any
other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical
medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a
FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave,
or any other medium from which a computer can read.
[0121] The term "computer-readable memory" may generally refer to a
subset and/or class of computer-readable medium that does not
include transmission media such as waveforms, carrier waves,
electromagnetic emissions, etc. Computer-readable memory may
typically include physical media upon which data (e.g.,
instructions or other information) are stored, such as optical or
magnetic disks and other persistent memory, DRAM, a floppy disk, a
flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium,
a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape,
any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an
EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, computer
hard drives, backup tapes, Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory
devices, and the like.
[0122] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in
carrying data, including sequences of instructions, to a processor.
For example, sequences of instruction (i) may be delivered from RAM
to a processor, (ii) may be carried over a wireless transmission
medium, and/or (iii) may be formatted according to numerous
formats, standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth.TM., TDMA, CDMA,
3G.
[0123] Where databases are described, it will be understood by one
of ordinary skill in the art that (i) alternative database
structures to those described may be readily employed, and (ii)
other memory structures besides databases may be readily employed.
Any illustrations or descriptions of any sample databases presented
herein are illustrative arrangements for stored representations of
information. Any number of other arrangements may be employed
besides those suggested by, e.g., tables illustrated in drawings or
elsewhere. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databases
represent exemplary information only; one of ordinary skill in the
art will understand that the number and content of the entries can
be different from those described herein. Further, despite any
depiction of the databases as tables, other formats (including
relational databases, object-based models and/or distributed
databases) could be used to store and manipulate the data types
described herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a
database can be used to implement various processes, such as the
described herein. In addition, the databases may, in a known
manner, be stored locally or remotely from a device that accesses
data in such a database.
[0124] The present invention can be configured to work in a network
environment including a computer that is in communication, via a
communications network, with one or more devices. The computer may
communicate with the devices directly or indirectly, via a wired or
wireless medium such as the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token
Ring, or via any appropriate communications means or combination of
communications means. Each of the devices may comprise computers,
such as those based on the Intel.RTM. Pentium.RTM. or Centrino.TM.
processor, that are adapted to communicate with the computer. Any
number and type of machines may be in communication with the
computer.
[0125] The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in
the art, an enabling description of several embodiments and/or
inventions. Some of these embodiments and/or inventions may not be
claimed in the present application, but may nevertheless be claimed
in one or more continuing applications that claim the benefit of
priority of the present application. Applicant intends to file
additional applications to pursue patents for subject matter that
has been disclosed and enabled but not claimed in the present
application.
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