U.S. patent application number 16/507993 was filed with the patent office on 2021-01-14 for display tool.
The applicant listed for this patent is The Prudential Insurance Company of America. Invention is credited to Jeff Lee Dennie, Brian James Perra, Christopher Brian Potter, Michelle Nicole Samuel, Caroline Frances Stephani, Lisa Marie Wark.
Application Number | 20210011907 16/507993 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004244464 |
Filed Date | 2021-01-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210011907 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Potter; Christopher Brian ;
et al. |
January 14, 2021 |
DISPLAY TOOL
Abstract
An apparatus includes a display, a memory, and a hardware
processor. The processor accesses a database that includes initial
assumptions, current assumptions, values of a life insurance policy
over time, transactions, and payments. The processor displays on a
first region of the display a baseline curve, a historical
performance curve, and an in-force curve. The processor further
displays on various other regions of the display a series of points
representing the transactions, a current policy value, a first link
to download a first file, a second link to display the current
assumptions, a third link to download a second file, a fourth link
to display the initial assumptions, a fifth link to open an
in-force illustrator used to generate an illustration, a sixth link
to create or update a new baseline, a seventh link to display the
payments, and an eighth link to display the transactions.
Inventors: |
Potter; Christopher Brian;
(Mooresville, NC) ; Perra; Brian James; (Andover,
MN) ; Stephani; Caroline Frances; (Maple Grove,
MN) ; Wark; Lisa Marie; (Zimmerman, MN) ;
Dennie; Jeff Lee; (Champlin, MN) ; Samuel; Michelle
Nicole; (West Lafayette, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Prudential Insurance Company of America |
Newark |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004244464 |
Appl. No.: |
16/507993 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/248 20190101;
G06F 16/252 20190101; G06Q 40/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 16/248 20060101
G06F016/248; G06Q 40/08 20060101 G06Q040/08; G06F 16/25 20060101
G06F016/25 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a display; a memory; a hardware
processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the hardware
processor configured to: access a database storing: a set of
initial assumptions; a set of current assumptions; a set of values
of a life insurance policy over time, comprising an initial value
and a current value; a list of transactions; and a list of
payments; display on a first region of the display defined by a
vertical price axis and a first horizontal time axis: a baseline
curve comprising a first series of points representing a first
illustration of values for the life insurance policy over time, the
first illustration based on the set of initial assumptions and the
initial value; a historical performance curve comprising a second
series of points representing the set of values of the life
insurance policy over time; and an in-force curve comprising a
third series of points representing a second illustration of values
for the life insurance policy over time, the second illustration
based on the set of current assumptions and the current value;
display on a second region of the display located below the first
region of the display and defined by a second horizontal time axis
a fourth series of points representing the list of transactions;
display on a third region of the display located above the first
region of the display the current value; display on a fourth region
of the display located below the second region of the display: a
first link to download a first file comprising an in-force
illustration, the in-force illustration comprising the second
illustration; a second link to display the set of current
assumptions; a third link to download a second file comprising a
baseline illustration, the baseline illustration comprising the
first illustration; and a fourth link to display the set of initial
assumptions; display on a fifth region of the display located below
the second region of the display and to the right of the fourth
region of the display: a fifth link to open an in-force illustrator
used to generate an illustration; and a sixth link to create or
update a new baseline; and display on a sixth region of the display
located below the second region of the display and to the right of
the fifth region of the display: a seventh link to display the list
of payments; and an eighth link to display the list of
transactions.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further
configured to: in response to a user selecting the first link, save
the first file in the memory; in response to the user selecting the
second link, display the set of current assumptions; in response to
the user selecting the third link, save the second file in the
memory; in response to the user selecting the fourth link, display
the set of initial assumptions; in response to the user selecting
the seventh link, display the list of payments; and in response to
the user selecting the eighth link, display the list of
transactions.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further
configured to: in response to the user selecting the fifth link,
display a first form for input of a first set of parameters used to
define the illustration; and in response to a user selecting the
sixth link, display a second form for input of a second set of
parameters used to define the new baseline.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the processor is further
configured to: receive the first set of parameters from the first
form; in response to receiving the first set of parameters: produce
a third file comprising the illustration; and save the third file
to the memory. receive the second set of parameters from the second
form; and in response to receiving the second set of parameters:
determine a fifth series of points representing the new baseline,
based on the second set of parameters; and display in the first
region of the display the fifth series of points.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further
configured to: determine that a first transaction has occurred that
is not in the list of transactions; and in response to determining
that the transaction has occurred, display on a seventh region of
the display located to the left of the first region of the display
a first notification.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processor is further
configured to: determine that a second transaction that is in the
list of transactions will occur within a set time interval; and in
response to determining that the second transaction will occur
within the set time interval, display in the seventh region a
second notification.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further
configured to: display a ninth link to create a model scenario; in
response to the user selecting the ninth link: display a third form
for input of a third set of parameters used to define a possible
event for the model scenario; receive the third set of parameters;
and in response to receiving the third set of parameters: determine
a sixth series of points, based on the second set of parameters,
representing the model scenario based on the possible event; and
display, in the first region of the display, the sixth series of
points.
8. A method comprising: accessing a database storing: a set of
initial assumptions; a set of current assumptions; a set of values
of a life insurance policy over time, comprising an initial value
and a current value; a list of transactions; and a list of
payments; displaying on a first region of a display defined by a
vertical price axis and a first horizontal time axis: a baseline
curve comprising a first series of points representing a first
illustration of values for the life insurance policy over time, the
first illustration based on the set of initial assumptions and the
initial value; a historical performance curve comprising a second
series of points representing the set of values of the life
insurance policy over time; and an in-force curve comprising a
third series of points representing a second illustration of values
for the life insurance policy over time, the second illustration
based on the set of current assumptions and the current value;
displaying on a second region of the display located below the
first region of the display and defined by a second horizontal time
axis a fourth series of points representing the list of
transactions; displaying on a third region of the display located
above the first region of the display the current value; displaying
on a fourth region of the display located below the second region
of the display: a first link to download a first file comprising an
in-force illustration, the in-force illustration comprising the
second illustration; a second link to display the set of current
assumptions; a third link to download a second file comprising a
baseline illustration, the baseline illustration comprising the
first illustration; and a fourth link to display the set of initial
assumptions; displaying on a fifth region of the display located
below the second region of the display and to the right of the
fourth region of the display: a fifth link to open an in-force
illustrator used to generate an illustration; and a sixth link to
create or update a new baseline; and displaying on a sixth region
of the display located below the second region of the display and
to the right of the fifth region of the display: a seventh link to
display the list of payments; and an eighth link to display the
list of transactions.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: in response to a user
selecting the first link, saving the first file in a memory; in
response to the user selecting the second link, displaying the set
of current assumptions; in response to the user selecting the third
link, saving the second file in the memory; in response to the user
selecting the fourth link, displaying the set of initial
assumptions; in response to the user selecting the seventh link,
displaying the list of payments; and in response to the user
selecting the eighth link, displaying the list of transactions.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: in response to the
user selecting the fifth link, displaying a first form for input of
a first set of parameters used to define the illustration; and in
response to a user selecting the sixth link, displaying a second
form for input of a second set of parameters used to define the new
baseline.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving the first
set of parameters from the first form; in response to receiving the
first set of parameters: producing a third file comprising the
illustration; and saving the third file to the memory; receiving
the second set of parameters from the second form; and in response
to receiving the second set of parameters: determining a fifth
series of points representing the new baseline, based on the second
set of parameters; and displaying in the first region of the
display the fifth series of points.
12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining that a
first transaction has occurred that is not in the list of
transactions; and in response to determining that the transaction
has occurred, displaying on a seventh region of the display located
to the left of the first region of the display a first
notification.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: determining that a
second transaction that is in the list of transactions will occur
within a set time interval; and in response to determining that the
second transaction will occur within the set time interval,
displaying in the seventh region a second notification.
14. The method of claim 8, further comprising: displaying a ninth
link to create a model scenario; in response to the user selecting
the ninth link: displaying a third form for input of a third set of
parameters used to define a possible event for the model scenario;
receive the third set of parameters; and in response to receiving
the third set of parameters: determining a sixth series of point,
based on the second set of parameters, representing the model
scenario based on the possible event; and displaying, in the first
region of the display, the sixth series of points.
15. A system comprising: a display; a storage element; a processing
element communicatively coupled to the storage element, the
processing element operable to: access a database storing: a set of
initial assumptions; a set of current assumptions; a set of values
of a life insurance policy over time, comprising an initial value
and a current value; a list of transactions; and a list of
payments; display on a first region of the display defined by a
vertical price axis and a first horizontal time axis: a baseline
curve comprising a first series of points representing a first
illustration of values for the life insurance policy over time, the
first illustration based on the set of initial assumptions and the
initial value; a historical performance curve comprising a second
series of points representing the set of values of the life
insurance policy over time; and an in-force curve comprising a
third series of points representing a second illustration of values
for the life insurance policy over time, the second illustration
based on the set of current assumptions and the current value;
display on a second region of the display located below the first
region of the display and defined by a second horizontal time axis
a fourth series of points representing the list of transactions;
display on a third region of the display located above the first
region of the display the current value; display on a fourth region
of the display located below the second region of the display: a
first link to download a first file comprising an in-force
illustration, the in-force illustration comprising the second
illustration; a second link to display the set of current
assumptions; a third link to download a second file comprising a
baseline illustration, the baseline illustration comprising the
first illustration; and a fourth link to display the set of initial
assumptions; display on a fifth region of the display located below
the second region of the display and to the right of the fourth
region of the display: a fifth link to open an in-force illustrator
used to generate an illustration; and a sixth link to create or
update a new baseline; display on a sixth region of the display
located below the second region of the display and to the right of
the fifth region of the display: a seventh link to display the list
of payments; and an eighth link to display the list of
transactions; in response to a user selecting the first link, save
the first file in the storage element; in response to the user
selecting the second link, display the set of current assumptions;
in response to the user selecting the third link, save the second
file in the storage element; in response to the user selecting the
fourth link, display the set of initial assumptions; in response to
the user selecting the seventh link, display the list of payments;
in response to the user selecting the eighth link, display the list
of transactions; in response to the user selecting the ninth link,
display the glossary; and in response to the user selecting the
tenth link, display the list of frequently asked questions.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processing element is
further operable to: in response to the user selecting the fifth
link, display a first form for input of a first set of parameters
used to define the illustration; and in response to a user
selecting the sixth link, display a second form for input of a
second set of parameters used to define the new baseline.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processing element is
further operable to: receive the first set of parameters from the
first form; in response to receiving the first set of parameters:
produce a third file comprising the illustration; and save the
third file in the storage element; receive the second set of
parameters from the second form; and in response to receiving the
second set of parameters: determine a fifth series of points
representing the new baseline, based on the second set of
parameters; and display in the first region of the display the
fifth series of points.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the processing element is
further operable to: determine that a first transaction has
occurred that is not in the list of transactions; and in response
to determining that the transaction has occurred, display on an
eighth region of the display located to the left of the first
region of the display a first notification.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the processing element is
further operable to: determine that a second transaction that is in
the list of transactions will occur within a set time interval; and
in response to determining that the second transaction will occur
within the set time interval, display in the eighth region a second
notification.
20. The system of claim 15, wherein the processing element is
further configured to: display on a seventh region of the display a
ninth link to create a model scenario; in response to the user
selecting the ninth link: display a third form for input of a third
set of parameters used to define a possible event for the model
scenario; receive the third set of parameters; and in response to
receiving the third set of parameters: determine a sixth series of
points, based on the second set of parameters, representing the
model scenario based on the possible event; and display, in the
first region of the display, the sixth series of point.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to an improved graphical
user interface.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In a variety of industries, it is standard practice for
companies to provide information to their consumers and producers
(agents who sell directly to consumers) in the form of multi-page
documents. For example, customers commonly receive information
about accounts, opportunities, and policies through such
documents.
SUMMARY
[0003] In a variety of industries, it is standard practice for
companies to provide information to their consumers and producers
(agents who sell directly to consumers) in the form of multi-page
documents. For example, consumers commonly receive information
about accounts, opportunities, and policies through such documents.
With the explosion of the Internet and the use of personal
computers, companies have also begun to provide consumers and
producers electronic access to the information contained in such
documents, by developing graphical user interfaces through which
the consumers and producers can view such information. However,
such graphical user interfaces tend to be quite complex, given the
large volume of data to which they provide access. Given the
limited display area of a typical computer monitor, such graphical
user interfaces are generally unable to present all the data
contained in traditional multi-page documents to a user on a single
display page. As a result, such graphical user interfaces
frequently contain a large number of menus and linked pages that
users may find difficult to navigate through. For example, if
accessing a particular piece of information first requires a user
to click through two menus and six links, the user may simply avoid
accessing this information.
[0004] As discussed above, such issues exist in a variety of
industries in which graphical user interfaces are used to present
information traditionally contained in multi-page documents to
producers and/or consumers. As a specific example, in the life
insurance industry, companies traditionally provide information
about their insurance policies to consumers and producers in the
form of illustrations. For example, an "as sold" illustration
provides information reflecting the original intent of the consumer
in purchasing the policy, a "baseline" illustration provides
information reflecting the current intent of the consumer, and an
"in force" illustration provides information regarding the likely
future performance of the policy over time, given the policy's
actual, historic performance. Such illustrations are typically 20
to 30 pages in length and are filled with a large quantity of
numbers and disclosures. Currently available graphical user
interfaces are unable to display this information in an easy to
understand format, making it difficult for producers to actively
monitor the policies they have sold to consumers. This can lead to
a variety of issues. For example, a producer may be unaware that a
policy owner has initiated large withdrawals or loans against
his/her policy that put the policy in danger of lapsing. Without
such knowledge, the producer may be unable to counsel the policy
owner about the effect of such actions in time to prevent the
lapse.
[0005] This disclosure contemplates a display tool that addresses
one or more of the above issues. This tool provides an improved
graphical user interface for use in a variety of industries,
through which a user can access a given piece of information
provided by the graphical user interface directly from the main
page of the interface (either by viewing the information directly
on the main page of the graphical user interface, by following a
single link, of a set of such links displayed on the main page, to
the particular information, or by expanding an additional section
of the interface, display on the main page).
[0006] While this disclosure contemplates the use of the display
tool in any industry, for ease of explanation and understanding but
not by way of limitation, this disclosure describes the tool as
implemented for the life insurance industry. Such an implementation
simplifies the process by which life insurance policy producers
monitor the policies they have sold; rather than requiring
producers to search through multiple complex documents stored at a
variety of locations, accessible only by clicking through multiple
links, the display tool provides a producer with any information
the producer may want to know about a given policy directly from
the main page of the graphical user interface for that particular
policy. For example, in certain embodiments, the tool accesses
information about a policy that is stored in a database and then
uses this information to display the expected and historical values
of the policy over time in an easy to understand, graphical format.
This graphical information is presented to a user on a first region
of a display. Various other regions of the display are used to
provide links to other types of policy information. In this manner,
certain embodiments of the tool provide an improved user interface
that is easier to navigate than previous interfaces. Certain
embodiments of the display tool are described below.
[0007] According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a
display, a memory, and a hardware processor communicatively coupled
to the memory. The hardware processor accesses a database. The
database includes a set of initial assumptions, a set of current
assumptions, a set of values of a life insurance policy over time,
a list of transactions, and a list of payments. The set of values
of the life insurance policy over time includes an initial value
and a current value. The processor displays on a first region of
the display defined by a vertical price axis and a first horizontal
time axis a baseline curve, a historical performance curve, and an
in-force curve. The baseline curve includes a first series of
points representing a first illustration of values for the life
insurance policy over time. The first illustration is based on the
set of initial assumptions and the initial value. The historical
performance curve includes a second series of points representing
the set of values of the life insurance policy over time. The
in-force curve includes a third series of points representing a
second illustration of values for the life insurance policy over
time. The second illustration is based on the set of current
assumptions and the current value. The processor further displays
on a second region of the display located below the first region of
the display and defined by a second horizontal time axis a fourth
series of points representing the list of transactions. The
processor also displays on a third region of the display located
above the first region of the display the current value. The
processor additionally displays on a fourth region of the display
located below the second region of the display a first link to
download a first file, a second link to display the set of current
assumptions, a third link to download a second file, and a fourth
link to display the set of initial assumptions. The first file
includes an in-force illustration and the second file includes a
baseline illustration. The in-force illustration includes the
second illustration and the baseline illustration includes the
first illustration. The processor further displays on a fifth
region of the display located below the second region of the
display and to the right of the fourth region of the display a
fifth link to open an in-force illustrator used to generate an
illustration, and a sixth link to create or update a new baseline.
The processor also displays on a sixth region of the display
located below the second region of the display and to the right of
the fifth region of the display a seventh link to display the list
of payments and an eighth link to display the list of
transactions.
[0008] According to another embodiment, a method includes accessing
a database. The database stores a set of initial assumptions, a set
of current assumptions, a set of values of a life insurance policy
over time, a list of transactions, and a list of payments. The set
of values of the life insurance policy over time includes an
initial value and a current value. The method also includes
displaying on a first region of a display defined by a vertical
price axis and a first horizontal time axis a baseline curve, a
historical performance curve, and an in-force curve. The baseline
curve includes a first series of points representing a first
illustration of values for the life insurance policy over time. The
first illustration is based on the set of initial assumptions and
the initial value. The historical performance curve includes a
second series of points representing the set of values of the life
insurance policy over time. The in-force curve includes a third
series of points representing a second illustration of values for
the life insurance policy over time. The second illustration is
based on the set of current assumptions and the current value. The
method additionally includes displaying on a second region of the
display located below the first region of the display and defined
by a second horizontal time axis a fourth series of points
representing the list of transactions. The method further includes
displaying on a third region of the display located above the first
region of the display the current value. The method also includes
displaying on a fourth region of the display located below the
second region of the display a first link to download a first file,
a second link to display the set of current assumptions, a third
link to download a second file, and a fourth link to display the
set of initial assumptions. The first file includes an in-force
illustration and the second file includes a baseline illustration.
The in-force illustration includes the second illustration and the
baseline illustration includes the first illustration. The method
additionally includes displaying on a fifth region of the display
located below the second region of the display and to the right of
the fourth region of the display a fifth link to open an in-force
illustrator used to generate an illustration and a sixth link to
create or update a new baseline. The method further includes
displaying on a sixth region of the display located below the
second region of the display and to the right of the fifth region
of the display a seventh link to display the list of payments, and
an eighth link to display the list of transactions.
[0009] According to a further embodiment, a system includes a
display, a storage element, and a processing element
communicatively coupled to the storage element. The processing
element is operable to access a database. The database stores a set
of initial assumptions, a set of current assumptions, a set of
values of a life insurance policy over time, comprising an initial
value and a current value, a list of transactions, and a list of
payments. The set of values of the life insurance policy over time
includes an initial value and a current value. The processing
element is further operable to display on a first region of the
display defined by a vertical price axis and a first horizontal
time axis a baseline curve, a historical performance curve, and an
in-force curve. The baseline curve includes a first series of
points representing a first illustration of values for the life
insurance policy over time. The first illustration is based on the
set of initial assumptions and the initial value. The historical
performance curve includes a second series of points representing
the set of values of the life insurance policy over time. The
in-force curve includes a third series of points representing a
second illustration of values for the life insurance policy over
time. The second illustration is based on the set of current
assumptions and the current value. The processing element is
further operable to display on a second region of the display
located below the first region of the display and defined by a
second horizontal time axis a fourth series of points representing
the list of transactions. The processing element is also operable
to display on a third region of the display located above the first
region of the display the current value. The processing element is
additionally operable to display on a fourth region of the display
located below the second region of the display a first link to
download a first file, a second link to display the set of current
assumptions, a third link to download a second file, and a fourth
link to display the set of initial assumptions. The first file
includes an in-force illustration and the second file includes a
baseline illustration. The in-force illustration includes the
second illustration and the baseline illustration includes the
first illustration. In response to a user selecting the first link,
the processing element is operable to save the first file in the
storage element. In response to the user selecting the second link,
the processing element is operable to display the set of current
assumptions. In response to the user selecting the third link, the
processing element is operable to save the second file in the
storage element. In response to the user selecting the fourth link,
the processing element is operable to display the set of initial
assumptions. The processing element is further operable to display
on a fifth region of the display located below the second region of
the display and to the right of the fourth region of the display a
fifth link to open an in-force illustrator used to generate an
illustration and a sixth link to create or update a new baseline.
The processing element is also operable to display on a sixth
region of the display located below the second region of the
display and to the right of the fifth region of the display a
seventh link to display the list of payments and an eighth link to
display the list of transactions. In response to the user selecting
the seventh link, the processing element is operable to display the
list of payments. In response to the user selecting the eighth
link, the processing element is operable to display the list of
transactions.
[0010] Certain embodiments provide one or more technical
advantages. For example, an embodiment enables policy producers to
access all relevant information about an insurance policy they have
sold using a single graphical user interface, rather than having to
search through multiple documents and pages. As another example, an
embodiment provides graphical representations of insurance policy
illustrations that are easier to understand than the tables and
lists of numbers that are traditionally used in the industry. As a
further example, an embodiment provides a policy producer with up
to date information about the policies he/she has sold, each time
he/she uses the tool. Certain embodiments may include none, some,
or all of the above technical advantages. One or more other
technical advantages may be readily apparent to one skilled in the
art from the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure,
reference is now made to the following description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an example system;
[0013] FIGS. 2A and 2B provide a comparison between a traditional
policy illustration and a graphical depiction of the policy
illustration information generated by the system of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 presents an example graphical user interface
generated by the system of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 presents a flowchart illustrating the process by
which the system of FIG. 1 displays the graphical user interface of
FIG. 3 on a display;
[0016] FIG. 5 presents an example of the information displayed on
the graphical user interface of FIG. 3 in response to a user
selecting a link to display a set of assumptions;
[0017] FIG. 6 presents an example of the information displayed on
the graphical user interface of FIG. 3 in response to a user
selecting a link to display a list of payments;
[0018] FIG. 7 presents an example of the information displayed on
the graphical user interface of FIG. 3 in response to a user
selecting a link to display a list of transactions;
[0019] FIG. 8 presents an example of a form displayed on the
graphical user interface of FIG. 3 in response to a user selecting
a link to create an illustration;
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates the process by which a user of the system
of FIG. 1 creates a new baseline;
[0021] FIG. 10 presents an example of a form displayed on the
graphical user interface of FIG. 3 in response to a user selecting
a link to create a model scenario, along with example output
generated by the system of FIG. 1 in response to a user entering
information into the form;
[0022] FIG. 11 presents a flowchart illustrating the process by
which the system of FIG. 1 displays information on the graphical
user interface of FIG. 3 in response to a user selecting various
links displayed on the main page of the graphical user
interface;
[0023] FIG. 12 presents an example of the information displayed on
the graphical user interface of FIG. 3 in response to a user
selecting a notification link;
[0024] FIG. 13 presents a flowchart illustrating the process by
which the system of FIG. 1 displays a notification link on the
graphical user interface of FIG. 3; and
[0025] FIGS. 14A and 14B present examples in which the graphical
user interface of FIG. 3 displays policy illustration data over
different timescales, including an annual timescale and a lifetime
timescale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Embodiments of the present disclosure and its advantages are
best understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 14 of the drawings,
like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the
various drawings.
[0027] In a variety of industries, it is standard practice for
companies to provide information to their consumers and producers
(agents who sell directly to consumers) in the form of multi-page
documents. For example, consumers commonly receive information
about accounts, opportunities, and policies through such documents.
With the explosion of the Internet and the use of personal
computers, companies have also begun to provide consumers and
producers electronic access to the information contained in such
documents, by developing graphical user interfaces through which
the consumers and producers can view such information. However,
such graphical user interfaces tend to be quite complex, given the
large volume of data to which they provide access. Given the
limited display area of a typical computer monitor, such graphical
user interfaces are generally unable to present all the data
contained in traditional multi-page documents to a user on a single
display page. As a result, such graphical user interfaces
frequently contain a large number of menus and linked pages that
users may find difficult to navigate through. For example, if
accessing a particular piece of information first requires a user
to click through two menus and six links, the user may simply avoid
accessing this information.
[0028] As discussed above, such issues exist in a variety of
industries in which graphical user interfaces are used to present
information traditionally contained in multi-page documents to
producers and/or consumers. As a specific example, in the life
insurance industry, companies traditionally provide information
about their insurance policies to consumers and producers in the
form of illustrations. For example, an "as sold" illustration
provides information reflecting the original intent of the consumer
in purchasing the policy, a "baseline" illustration provides
information reflecting the current intent of the consumer, and an
"in force" illustration provides information regarding the likely
future performance of the policy over time, given the policy's
actual, historic performance. Such illustrations are typically 20
to 30 pages in length and are filled with a large quantity of
numbers and disclosures. Currently available graphical user
interfaces are unable to display this information in an easy to
understand format, making it difficult for producers to actively
monitor the policies they have sold to consumers. This can lead to
a variety of issues. For example, a producer may be unaware that a
policy owner has initiated large withdrawals or loans against
his/her policy that put the policy in danger of lapsing. Without
such knowledge, the producer may be unable to counsel the policy
owner about the effect of such actions in time to prevent the
lapse.
[0029] This disclosure contemplates a display tool that addresses
one or more of the above issues. This tool provides an improved
graphical user interface for use in a variety of industries,
through which a user can access a given piece of information
provided by the graphical user interface directly from the main
page of the interface (either by viewing the information directly
on the main page of the graphical user interface, by following a
single link, of a set of such links displayed on the main page, to
the particular information, or by expanding an additional section
of the interface, display on the main page).
[0030] While this disclosure contemplates the use of the display
tool in any industry, for ease of explanation and understanding but
not by way of limitation, this disclosure describes the tool as
implemented for the life insurance industry. Such an implementation
simplifies the process by which life insurance policy producers
monitor the policies they have sold; rather than requiring
producers to search through multiple complex documents stored at a
variety of locations, accessible only by clicking through multiple
links, the display tool provides a producer with any information
the producer may want to know about a given policy directly from
the main page of the graphical user interface for that particular
policy. For example, in certain embodiments, the tool accesses
information about a policy that is stored in a database and then
uses this information to display the expected and historical values
of the policy over time in an easy to understand, graphical format.
This graphical information is presented to a user on a first region
of a display. Various other regions of the display are used to
provide links to other types of policy information. In this manner,
certain embodiments of the tool provide an improved user interface
that is easier to navigate than previous interfaces. The display
tool will be described in more detail using FIGS. 1 through 14.
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100. As seen in FIG. 1,
system 100 includes a network 115, a database 120, a user 110, and
a display tool 105. Generally, display tool 105 accesses database
120 over network 115 to obtain information about a life insurance
policy A. Display tool 105 then presents this information to user
110 in the form of a graphical user interface displayed on display
165. The format and components of the graphical user interface are
described in detail below, in the discussion of FIGS. 3 through
14.
[0032] Network 115 facilitates communication between and amongst
the various components of system 100. This disclosure contemplates
network 115 being any suitable network operable to facilitate
communication between the components of system 100. Network 115 may
include any interconnecting system capable of transmitting audio,
video, signals, data, messages, or any combination of the
preceding. Network 115 may include all or a portion of a public
switched telephone network (PSTN), a public or private data
network, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network
(MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a local, regional, or global
communication or computer network, such as the Internet, a wireline
or wireless network, an enterprise intranet, or any other suitable
communication link, including combinations thereof, operable to
facilitate communication between the components.
[0033] Database 120 stores information about a group of life
insurance policies that producers have sold to consumers.
Specifically, for a given life insurance policy A, database 120
stores initial assumptions 125 that capture a policy owner's
expectations regarding policy A on the date of inception, which are
used to generate a baseline policy illustration for policy A,
current assumptions 130 used to determine an in-force policy
illustration for policy A, policy values 135 of life insurance
policy A over time, including initial value 135A and current value
135B, a list of payments 140 that a consumer has applied to policy
A, a list of scheduled transactions 145 that a consumer is
scheduled to perform on policy A, and a list of completed
transactions 150 that a consumer has performed on policy A.
[0034] This disclosure contemplates that the set of initial
assumptions 125 and the set of current assumptions 130 can include
values such as the desired death benefit, the desired rate of
return, the policy premium, desired distributions from the policy,
and included policy riders. In certain embodiments, the set of
initial assumptions 125 and the set of current assumptions 130 are
the same. This may occur when a policy consumer has not sought to
change any of the attributes of his/her policy during the lifetime
of the policy.
[0035] As seen in FIG. 1, display tool 105 includes a processor
155, a memory 160, and a display 165. This disclosure contemplates
processor 155 and memory 160 being configured to perform any of the
functions of display tool 105 described herein. Generally, display
tool 105 implements display controller 170 and illustration
calculator 175. In certain embodiments, display tool 105 also
implements transaction monitor 180.
[0036] Illustration calculator 175 uses initial assumptions 125 and
initial policy value 135A to determine a first series of points
representing a first illustration of values for life insurance
policy A over time, from the policy inception date to a future
date. Illustration calculator 175 also uses current assumptions 130
and current policy value 135B to determine a second series of
points representing a second illustration of values for life
insurance policy A over time, from the current date to a future
date. Illustration calculator 175 then passes the first
illustration and the second illustration to display controller 170,
which displays a baseline curve including the first series of
points and an in-force curve including the second series of points
on a first region of display 165.
[0037] Illustration calculator 175 may be a software module stored
in memory 160 and executed by processor 155. An example algorithm
for illustration calculator 175 is as follows: access database 120;
copy initial assumptions 125 and initial value 135A for policy A
from database 120 and store these values in memory 160; evenly
split a date range starting from the policy inception date to a
given future date into a set number intervals, each interval
associated with a starting date; for each of the set number of
intervals: {determine the expected value of policy A on the
starting date associated with the interval, given initial value
135A and initial assumptions 125; send the expected value to
display controller 170}; access database 120; copy current
assumptions 130 and current value 135B for policy A from database
120 and store these values in memory 160; evenly split a date range
starting from the current date to a given future date into a set
number of intervals, each interval associated with a starting date;
for each of the set number of intervals: {determine the expected
value of policy A on the starting date associated with the
interval, given the current value 135B and current assumptions 130;
send the expected value to display controller 170}; delete the
copies of initial assumptions 125, initial value 135A, current
assumptions 130 and current value 135B stored in memory 160.
[0038] In certain embodiments, in response to receiving various
inputs 185 from user 110, illustration calculator 175 additionally
generates a traditional illustration document, as discussed in
further detail below, in the discussion of FIG. 8; updates baseline
curve 310, as discussed in further detail below, in the discussion
of FIG. 9; and/or determines the effect of hypothetical changes in
policy parameters on in-force curve 314, as discussed in further
detail below, in the discussion of FIG. 10.
[0039] Display controller 170 receives information from database
120 and illustration calculator 175, along with user inputs 185,
and uses this information to display a graphical user interface on
display 165. For example, in certain embodiments, display
controller 170 receives a first series of points representing a
first illustration of values for life insurance policy A over time,
from the policy inception date to a future date, and a second
series of points representing a second illustration of values for
life insurance policy A over time, from the current date to a
future date, from illustration calculator 175, along with policy
values 130 from database 120. Display controller 170 then uses this
information to display a baseline curve, an in-force curve, and a
historical performance curve in a first region of display 165. In
addition, display controller 170 displays links to further policy
information on various other regions of display 165. A detailed
description of the types of policy information and links displayed
by display controller 170 on display 165 is presented below, in the
discussion of FIGS. 3 and 4. In certain embodiments, display
controller 170 additionally causes display 165 to present further
information about policy A in response to user 110 selecting one of
the links displayed by display controller 170 on display 165. In
certain further embodiments, display controller 170 additionally
causes display 165 to present further information about policy A in
response to user 110 expanding one or more regions of display 165.
A detailed description of the types of further policy information
presented on display 165 in response to user 110 selecting one of
the links displayed by display controller 170 on display 165 is
provided below, in the discussion of FIGS. 5 through 11.
[0040] Display controller 170 may be a software module stored in
memory 160 and executed by processor 155. An example algorithm for
display controller 170 is as follows: receive a first series of
points representing a first illustration of values for life
insurance policy A on a first set of dates and a second series of
points representing a second illustration of values for life
insurance policy A on a second set of dates, from illustration
calculator 175; display the first series of points and the second
series of points in a first region of display 165; access database
120; copy those policy values 130 from database 120 for dates that
coincide with the first set of dates; display the copied policy
values 130 in the first region of display 165; display a set of
links to additional policy information on display 165; in response
to a user selecting a link to display additional policy
information, display the additional policy information associated
with the link on display 165.
[0041] In certain embodiments, display tool 105 also includes
transaction monitor 180. In certain such embodiments, transaction
monitor 180 monitors completed transactions 150 stored in database
120. If transaction monitor 180 determines that a transaction
stored in completed transactions 150 is not included in the list of
scheduled transactions 145 stored in database 120, transaction
monitor 180 communicates this information to display controller
170, which causes display 165 to display a first notification on a
region of display 165 to the left of the first region. In further
embodiments, transaction monitor 180 determines that a transaction
in the list of scheduled transactions 145 is set to occur within a
given period of time. Transaction monitor 180 then communicates
this information to display controller 170, which causes display
165 to display a second notification on the region of display 165
to the left of the first region. In certain embodiments the first
notification and the second notification displayed by display
controller 170 on display 165 correspond to links that a user 110
can select to obtain information either about the unscheduled
transaction, in the case of the first link, or the upcoming
transaction, in the case of the second link. In certain
embodiments, display controller 170 causes display 165 to display
only a single notification link regardless of the number of
notifications communicated to display controller 170 by transaction
monitor 180.
[0042] In certain embodiments, in addition to causing display
controller 170 to display a notification on display 165,
transaction monitor 180 sends a message 190 to user 110 containing
the notification. This disclosure contemplates that message 190 can
be an SMS text message, an electronic mail message, an application
push-notification message, or any other type of electronic message
communicated by display tool 105 to user 110. Sending message 190
to user 110 in addition to displaying a notification link on
display 165 may be desirable for those users 110 who do not
regularly view the graphical user interface of display tool 105.
Providing messages 190 to such users 110 in addition to displaying
a notification link on the graphical user interface, will likely
provide such users 110 with additional time during which they can
contact policy owners to warn them about the risk of their policies
lapsing and/or notify them that they should take distributions from
their policies prior to the lapse and/or scheduled distribution
date.
[0043] Transaction monitor 180 may be a software module stored in
memory 160 and executed by processor 155. An example algorithm for
transaction monitor 180 is as follows: access database 120; compare
the list of completed transactions 150 to the list of scheduled
transactions 145; determine that a transaction in the list of
completed transactions 150 is not in the list of scheduled
transactions 145; communicate to display controller 170 that an
unscheduled transaction has occurred, along with the details of the
unscheduled transaction; determine that a transaction in the list
of scheduled transactions 145 is set to occur within a given period
of time; communicate to display controller 170 that a scheduled
transaction is set to occur, along with the details of the
scheduled transaction.
[0044] Processor 155 is any electronic circuitry, including, but
not limited to microprocessors, application specific integrated
circuits (ASIC), application specific instruction set processor
(ASIP), and/or state machines, that communicatively couples to
memory 160 and controls the operation of display tool 105.
Processor 155 may be 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, 64-bit or of any other
suitable architecture. Processor 155 may include an arithmetic
logic unit (ALU) for performing arithmetic and logic operations,
processor registers that supply operands to the ALU and store the
results of ALU operations, and a control unit that fetches
instructions from memory and executes them by directing the
coordinated operations of the ALU, registers and other components.
Processor 155 may include other hardware and software that operates
to control and process information. Processor 155 executes software
stored on memory to perform any of the functions described herein.
Processor 155 controls the operation and administration of display
tool 105 by processing information received from network 115, user
110, and memory 160. Processor 155 may be a programmable logic
device, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, any suitable
processing device, or any suitable combination of the preceding.
Processor 155 is not limited to a single processing device and may
encompass multiple processing devices.
[0045] Memory 160 may store, either permanently or temporarily,
data, operational software, or other information for processor 155.
Memory 160 may include any one or a combination of volatile or
non-volatile local or remote devices suitable for storing
information. For example, memory 160 may include random access
memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), magnetic storage devices,
optical storage devices, or any other suitable information storage
device or a combination of these devices. The software represents
any suitable set of instructions, logic, or code embodied in a
computer-readable storage medium. For example, the software may be
embodied in memory 160, a disk, a CD, or a flash drive. In
particular embodiments, the software may include an application
executable by processor 155 to perform one or more of the functions
described herein.
[0046] Display 165 is a screen used by display tool 105 to display
information stored in database 120 and/or generated from
information stored in database 120. Display tool 105 displays this
information on display 165 in the form of a graphical user
interface. In certain embodiments, display 165 is a standard
display used in a laptop computer. In certain other embodiments,
display 165 is an external display device connected to a laptop or
desktop computer. In further embodiments, display 165 is a standard
touch-screen liquid crystal display found in a typical smartphone
or tablet.
[0047] In certain embodiments, display tool 105 provides policy
producers with easily accessible information about the life
insurance policies they manage, by presenting this information in
the form of an unconventional graphical user interface on display
165. This graphical user interface displays graphical
representations of the expected performance of the policy over
time--starting from the date of policy inception--along with the
actual performance of the policy, and a illustration for future
policy performance in a first region of display 165. Such graphical
representations are easier to understand than the tables and lists
of numbers that typically make up the policy illustrations that are
traditionally presented to producers in the life insurance
industry. The graphical user interface also displays various links
to additional policy information in further regions of display 165,
enabling a user 110 to access all relevant information about a
policy directly from the main page of the graphical user interface,
rather than having to search through multiple documents and pages
stored at various locations for such information, as was
traditionally the case.
[0048] FIGS. 2A and 2B provide a comparison between a traditional
life insurance policy illustration and an example graphical
depiction of information contained in such an illustration, as
generated by display tool 105 of FIG. 1. As can be seen in FIG. 2A,
life insurance policy information is typically presented to
producers through multi-page life insurance policy illustrations,
which each contain various numbers and tables. On the other hand,
FIG. 2B presents an example graphical depiction of life insurance
policy information as generated by display tool 105. From a
comparison of these two presentation types, it is reasonable to
assume that a producer will spend considerably more time analyzing
the data presented in FIG. 2A to obtain the basic understanding of
the behavior of a life insurance policy that he/she could obtain
simply by glancing at the data presented in FIG. 2B.
[0049] FIG. 3 presents an example graphical user interface 302
displayed by display tool 105 on display 165. Graphical user
interface 302 includes a first region 304 of display 165 defined by
a vertical price axis 306 and a first horizontal time axis 308.
First region 304 includes a baseline curve 310, a historical
performance curve 312, and an in-force curve 314. Baseline curve
310 includes a first series of points representing a first
illustration of values for the life insurance policy over time,
where the first illustration is based on the set of initial
assumptions 125 and the initial value 135A of the policy.
Historical performance curve 312 includes a second series of points
representing the set of values 135 of the life insurance policy
over time. In-force curve 314 includes a third series of points
representing a second illustration of values for the life insurance
policy over time, where the second illustration is based on the set
of current assumptions 130 and the current value 135B of the
policy. In-force curve 314 will likely be different from baseline
curve 310 in situations in which a policy owner has modified
current assumptions 130 from initial assumptions 125 and/or
performed unscheduled transactions with his/her policy.
[0050] This disclosure contemplates that the set of initial
assumptions 125 and the set of current assumptions 130 can include
values such as the desired death benefit, the desired rate of
return, the policy premium, desired distributions from the policy,
and included policy riders. In certain embodiments, the set of
initial assumptions 125 and the set of current assumptions 130 are
the same. This may occur when a policy consumer has not sought to
change any of the attributes of his/her policy during the lifetime
of the policy.
[0051] Graphical user interface 302 also includes a second region
315 located below first region 304 and defined by a second
horizontal time axis 316 of the same scale as first horizontal time
axis 308. Second region 315 includes a fourth series of points 318A
and 318B representing transactions from the list of completed
transactions 150. By illustrating the timings of completed
transactions, display tool 105 enables a user 110 to easily
understand the causes of any unexpected deviations of the
historical performance curve 312 from the baseline curve 310.
[0052] Above first region 304, graphical user interface 302 also
includes a third region 320 of display 165. Third region 320
includes current value 322 of the life insurance policy. In certain
embodiments, third region 320 includes additional up-to-date
information about the life insurance policy, including a current
rate of return 324 of the life insurance policy, a current net
death benefit amount 330 for the life insurance policy, and a
predicted lapse date (if any) 332 for the life insurance policy
determined from the in-force illustration curve 314. In certain
embodiments, third region 320 also includes information that
provides a comparison between the actual performance of the policy
and the excepted performance of the policy, based on the consumer's
intentions on the date of the policy inception. For example, third
region 320 may additionally include a current expected value 326 of
the policy determined from the baseline illustration curve 310, a
current expected rate of return 328 of the policy determined from
the current expected value 326, a current expected net death
benefit amount 334 determined from the initial assumptions 125, and
an expected lapse date (if any) 336 for the life insurance policy
determined from the baseline curve 310. This comparison enables a
producer to clearly see the impact of any unscheduled transactions
and/or modifications in policy assumptions that a policy owner has
made on the current value of his/her policy. In certain
embodiments, graphical user interface 302 can expand third region
320 to display additional policy information, in response to a user
110 clicking to access a drop-down section of third region 320.
[0053] Below second region 315, graphical user interface 302
includes a fourth region 338, a fifth region 348, and a sixth
region 354, each of which include a series of links that user 110
can select to obtain additional information about the life
insurance policy. For example, fourth region 338 includes a first
link 340 to download a first file that includes the in-force
illustration document for the policy and a second link 342 to
display the set of current assumptions 130 for the policy. Fourth
region 338 also includes a third link 344 to download a second file
that includes the baseline illustration document and a fourth link
346 to display the set of initial assumptions 125 used to generate
the baseline illustration. The behavior of display tool 105 in
response to user 110 selecting either second link 342 or fourth
link 346 is described in detail below, in the discussion of FIG.
5.
[0054] To the right of fourth region 338, graphical user interface
302 includes fifth region 348. Fifth region 348 includes a fifth
link 350 to open an in-force illustrator application and a sixth
link 352 to create or update a new baseline curve. The in-force
illustrator application is used to generate a traditional
illustration document. The behavior of display tool 105 in response
to a user selecting fifth link 350 is described in detail below in
the discussion of FIG. 8, and the behavior of display tool 105 in
response to user 110 selecting sixth link 352 is described in
detail below in the discussion of FIG. 9.
[0055] To the right of fifth region 348, graphical user interface
302 includes sixth region 354. Sixth region 354 includes a seventh
link 356 to display the list of payments 140, and an eighth link
358 to display the list of scheduled transactions 145 and the list
of complete transactions 150. The behavior of display tool 105 in
response to a user selecting seventh link 356 is described in
detail below in the discussion of FIG. 6 and the behavior of
display tool 105 in response to a user selecting eighth link 358 is
described in detail below in the discussion of FIG. 7.
[0056] In certain embodiments, graphical user interface 302
additionally includes a seventh region 360 to the left of first
region 304. Seventh region 360 displays a series of links 360A
through 360F to resources that are available to producers. For
example, link 360A provides a link to general information about
graphical user interface 302, link 360B provides a link to a
training module that provides training on the use of graphical user
interface 302, link 360C provides a link to a glossary of terms,
link 360D provides a link to instructions on how to set a new
baseline curve 310 in first region 304, link 360E provides a link
to a set of frequently asked questions and answers, and link 360F
provides a link to a prospectus and monthly performance review.
[0057] In certain further embodiments, graphical user interface 302
includes a feedback link 362 located below seventh region 352. In
response to a user 110 selecting feedback link 362, display tool
105 displays a form on display 165 into which user 110 can enter
and submit feedback about graphical user interface 302 for receipt
by an administrator of display tool 105.
[0058] By providing a producer access to a wide variety of policy
information directly from the main page of graphical user interface
302 (either by displaying the information directly on the main page
or providing a link to the information on the main page), display
tool 105 greatly simplifies the manner in which the producer
accesses information about a given policy, thereby enabling the
producer to more efficiently monitor his/her policies.
[0059] FIG. 4 illustrates the process by which the system of FIG. 1
displays the main page of graphical user interface 302 on display
165. In step 405, display tool 105 accesses a database 120 storing
a set of initial assumptions 125, a set of current assumptions 130,
a set of values of a life insurance policy over time 135 (including
an initial value 135A and a current value 135B), a list of
transactions (including both scheduled transactions 145 and
completed transactions 150), and a list of payments 140. Using this
information, in step 410, display tool 105 displays on a first
region 304 of display 165 defined by a vertical price axis 306 and
a first horizontal time axis 308 a baseline curve 310, a historical
performance curve 312, and an in-force curve 314. Next, in step
415, display tool 105 displays on a second region 315 of display
165 located below first region 304 of display 165 and defined by a
second horizontal time axis 316 a series of points 318A and 318B
representing the list of completed transactions 150. Display tool
105 then displays on a third region 320 of display 165 located
above first region 304 the current value 322 of the life insurance
policy in step 420. In step 425, display tool 105 displays on a
fourth region 338 of display 165 located below second region 315 a
first link 340 to download a first file comprising an in-force
illustration, a second link 342 to display the set of current
assumptions 130, a third link 344 to download a second file
comprising a baseline illustration, and a fourth link 346 to
display the set of initial assumptions 125. Next, in step 430,
display tool 105 displays on a fifth region 348 of display 165
located below second region 315 and to the right of fourth region
338 a fifth link 350 to open an in-force illustrator and a sixth
link 352 to create or update a new baseline. The in-force
illustrator is used to generate a traditional illustration
document. Finally, in step 435, display tool 105 displays on a
sixth region 354 of display 165 located below second region 315 of
display 165 and to the right of fifth region 348 of display 165 a
seventh link 356 to display the list of payments 140 and an eighth
link 358 to display a list of transactions, including both
scheduled transactions 145 and completed transaction 150.
[0060] In certain embodiments, method 400 contains additional
steps, during which display tool 105 displays additional
information on display 165. For example, in certain embodiments,
display tool 105 also displays in third region 320 of display 165
additional up-to-date information about the life insurance policy,
including a current rate of return 324 of the life insurance
policy, a current net death benefit amount 330 for the life
insurance policy, and a predicted lapse date (if any) 332 for the
life insurance policy determined from the in-force illustration
curve 314. In certain embodiments, display tool 105 also displays
in third region 320 of display 165 information that provides a
comparison between the actual performance of the policy and the
expected performance of the policy, based on the consumer's
intentions on the date of the policy inception. For example,
display tool 105 may additionally display in third region 320 a
current expected value 326 of the policy determined from the
baseline illustration curve 310, a current expected rate of return
328 of the policy determined from the current expected value 326, a
current expected net death benefit amount 334 determined from
initial assumptions 125, and an expected lapse date (if any) 336
for the life insurance policy. This comparison enables a producer
to clearly see the effect of any unscheduled transactions and/or
modifications in policy assumptions that their client has made on
the current value of their policy. In certain further embodiments,
graphical user interface 302 can expand third region 320 to display
additional policy information, in response to a user 110 clicking
to access a drop-down section of third region 320.
[0061] In certain other embodiments, display tool 105 additionally
displays a seventh region 352 to the left of first region 304.
Seventh region 360 includes a series of links 360A through 360F to
resources that are available to producers. For example, link 360A
provides a link to general information about graphical user
interface 302, link 360B provides a link to a training module that
provides training on the use of graphical user interface 302, link
360C provides a link to a glossary of terms, link 360D provides a
link to instructions on how to set a new baseline curve 310 in
first region 304, link 360E provides a link to a set of frequently
asked question and answers, and link 360F provides a link to a
prospectus and monthly performance review.
[0062] In certain further embodiments, display tool 105 also
displays a feedback link 362 located below seventh region 352. In
response to a user 110 selecting feedback link 362, display tool
105 displays a form on display 165 into which user 110 can enter
and submit feedback about graphical user interface 302 for receipt
by an administrator of display tool 105.
[0063] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method
400 depicted in FIG. 4. Method 400 may include more, fewer, or
other steps. For example, steps may be performed in parallel or in
any suitable order. While discussed as display tool 105 (or
components thereof) performing the steps, any suitable component of
system 100 may perform one or more steps of the method.
[0064] FIGS. 5 through 11 illustrate the behavior of display tool
105 in response to user 110 selecting one of the various links
displayed on the main page of graphical user interface 302.
[0065] FIG. 5 presents an example of the type of information
displayed by display tool 105 on graphical user interface 302 in
response to a user 110 selecting second link 342 to view in-force
illustration assumptions. When a user 110 selects second link 342,
display tool 105 displays second page 505 on display 165, where
second page 505 contains the set of current assumptions 130. In
certain embodiments, the set of current assumptions 130 includes a
death benefit 510, a rate of return 515, premium payment amounts
520, distribution amounts 525, and included riders 530. Through
second link 342, this information is accessible to a user 110
directly from the main page of graphical user interface 302. This
may be desirable given that display tool 105 uses the set of
current assumptions 130 to determine the in-force illustration
curve 314. Therefore, a producer may select second link 324 to help
him/her understand the behavior of in-force illustration curve 314,
or to provide a policy owner information about the current
assumptions 130 underlying the owner's life insurance policy. Once
user 110 is finished with this information, he/she can simply
select button 535, which closes second page 505, to return to the
main page of graphical user interface 302.
[0066] In a similar manner, when a user 110 selects fourth link
346, display tool displays a third page containing the set of
initial assumptions 125 on display 165. This disclosure
contemplates that the third page is of the same format as second
page 505 illustrated in FIG. 5; the third page simply illustrates
initial assumptions 125 rather than current assumptions 130 and
refers to the "baseline illustration" rather than the "inforce
illustration." In certain embodiments, the set of initial
assumptions 125 displayed on the third page and the set of current
assumptions 130 displayed on second page 505 have the same values.
This may occur when a policy consumer has not sought to change any
of the attributes of his/her policy during the lifetime of the
policy.
[0067] FIG. 6 presents an example of the type of information
displayed by display tool 105 on graphical user interface 302 in
response to a user 110 selecting seventh link 356 to view a
consumer's payment history. When a user 110 selects seventh link
356, display tool 105 displays fourth page 605 on display 165,
where fourth page 605 contains the list of payments 140. In certain
embodiments, the list of payments 140 is displayed in payment
history region 610. In such embodiments, for each payment in the
list of payments 140, display tool 105 displays the payment date
610A, the payment type 610B, and the payment amount 610C, in
payment history region 610. Examples of payment types include
premium payments and loan repayments. In certain embodiments, life
insurance policy 105 additionally displays baseline illustration
premium schedule 615 on fourth page 605. By displaying baseline
illustration premium schedule 615 along with payment history region
610, display tool 105 enables a user 110 to compare the payments a
policy owner has made to his/her life insurance policy with the
payments the policy owner was scheduled to make (according to the
baseline illustration), thereby easily identifying any
discrepancies. Once user 110 is finished with the policy owner's
payment history, displayed in payment history region 610 on fourth
page 605, he/she can easily return to the main page of graphical
user interface 302, simply by selecting back button 620.
[0068] FIG. 7 presents an example of the type of information
displayed by display tool 105 on graphical user interface 302 in
response to a user 110 selecting eighth link 358 to view a
consumer's transaction history. When a user 110 selects eighth link
358, display tool 105 displays fifth page 705 on display 165, where
fifth page 705 contains completed transactions 150 displayed in
transaction history region 710 and scheduled transactions 145
displayed in baseline illustration assumed transactions region 715.
For each transaction displayed in transaction history region 710,
display tool 105 displays the transaction date 710A, the
transaction type 710B, and the transaction amount 710C. Examples of
transaction types include loans and withdrawals of funds. By
displaying baseline illustration assumed transactions region 715
along with transaction history region 710, display tool 105 enables
a user 110 to compare the transactions a consumer has made using
his/her life insurance policy with the transactions the consumer
was scheduled to make (according to the baseline illustration),
thereby easily identifying any discrepancies. Once user 110 is
finished with the consumer's transaction history displayed in
transaction history region 710 on fifth page 705, he/she can easily
return to the main page of graphical user interface 302, simply by
selecting back button 720.
[0069] FIG. 8 presents an example of the type of information
displayed by display tool 105 on graphical user interface 302 in
response to a user 110 selecting fifth link 350 to open the inforce
online illustrator. In certain embodiments, when a user 110 selects
fifth link 350, display tool 105 displays first form 805 on display
165. First form 805 contains a series of fields 820a through 820i
into which a user 110 can input life insurance policy parameters.
Display tool 105 then uses these parameters to generate a
traditional policy illustration document. In certain embodiments,
display tool 105 saves the traditional policy illustration document
to memory 160.
[0070] In certain embodiments, rather than displaying all of the
fields used by display tool 105 to generate the traditional
illustration document on display 165 at the same time, first form
805 contains links 810a through 810g to subsets of such fields. For
example, when a user 110 selects link 810a, display tool 105
displays fields related to premium changes on first form 805, as
shown in FIG. 8. When a user 110 selects link 810b, display tool
105 displays fields related to death benefit changes. When a user
110 selects link 810c, display tool 105 displays fields related to
underwriting/benefit changes. When a user 110 selects link 810d,
display tool 105 displays fields related to owner changes. When a
user 110 selects link 810e, display tool 105 displays fields
related to distributions. When a user 110 selects link 810f,
display tool 105 displays fields related to illustration
assumptions. Finally, when a user 110 selects link 810g, display
tool 105 displays fields related to reports.
[0071] Once a user 110 has finished inputting parameters into the
various fields--illustrated here as fields 820a through 820i,
representing the subset of fields accessible under the premium
changes link 810a--user 110 may request that display tool 105 use
these parameters to generate a traditional illustration document. A
user does this by selecting link 825. In response to a user
selecting link 825, display tool 105 creates a traditional
illustration document based on the parameters user 110 has entered
into first form 805. In certain embodiments, display tool 105 then
saves the document to memory 160. In this manner, display tool 105
provides users 110 access to life insurance policy information of a
traditional format, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, in addition to the
more easily accessible format illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 3. Once
user 110 is finished generating a traditional illustration
document, user 110 can easily return to the main page of graphical
user interface 302 simply by closing first form 805 using button
830.
[0072] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the process by which a user
110 creates a new baseline curve 310 in first region 304 of
graphical user interface 302, using display tool 105. In step 905,
user 110 selects sixth link 352 to create/update a baseline. In
certain embodiments, in response to user 110 selecting sixth link
352, display tool displays second form 805. In certain such
embodiments (and as illustrated here), second form 805 is the same
as first form 805, described in detail above in the discussion of
FIG. 8. User 110 then enters parameters into second form 805 based
on policy assumptions that best match the policy goals of the
policy owner. Display tool 105 receives these parameters and uses
them to determine a series of points representing a new baseline,
which the tool then displays in first region 304.
[0073] In certain embodiments, display tool 105 receives the
parameters in response to user 110 selecting link 825--to generate
an illustration based on the parameters--as illustrated in step
910. In generating the illustration based on the parameters,
display tool 105 determines a series of points representing the new
baseline. The tool then displays these points as baseline curve 310
in first region 304, in response to user 110 selecting "Set As
Baseline" from action menu 835a, displayed by display tool 105 in
response to user 110 selecting the case history link 835 from first
form 805, as illustrated in step 915. In this manner, user 110 can
easily add or modify a consumer's baseline illustration curve 310
displayed in first region 304 of graphical user interface 302.
[0074] While not illustrated in FIG. 3, in certain embodiments, the
main page of graphical user interface 302 additionally includes a
link to open a model scenario builder page 1005, as illustrated in
FIG. 10. For example, in certain embodiments, the link to open
model scenario builder page 1005 is located in fifth region 348 of
graphical user interface 302, displayed on display 165.
[0075] FIG. 10 presents an example of three forms 1010, 1015, and
1020 displayed on graphical user interface 302 of FIG. 3 in
response to a user 110 selecting a link to open model scenario
builder page 1005, along with output displayed in output region
1050 that is generated by display tool 105 and displayed on display
165 in response to user 110 entering information into the forms.
While the example presented in FIG. 10 illustrates the use of three
forms-1010, 1015, and 1020--this disclosure contemplates life
insurance tool 105 displaying and receiving input from any number
of forms.
[0076] Output region 1050 is similar to first region 304, displayed
by display tool 105 on the main page of graphical user interface
302. For example, both baseline illustration curve 1025 and
in-force illustration curve 1030 are displayed in output region
1050. In addition, display tool 105 displays first scenario curve
1035, second scenario curve 1040, and third scenario curve 145 in
output region 1050. Display tool 105 determines first scenario
curve 1035 from inputs entered by user 110 into fields 1010a,
1010b, and 1010c, located in first form 1010. Display tool 105
determines second scenario curve 1040 from inputs entered by user
110 into fields 1015a, 1015b, and 1015c, located in second form
1015. Finally, display tool 105 determines third scenario curve
1045 from inputs entered by user 110 into fields 1020a, 1020b, and
1020c, located in third form 1020.
[0077] First scenario curve 1035, second scenario curve 1040, and
third scenario curve 1045 may be used by user 110 to investigate
the effect of certain changes to a life insurance policy over time.
For example, a user 110 may use scenario builder page 1005 to
determine the long-term effect of an increase in premium payments
for a policy. In certain embodiments, fields 1010a, 1010b, and
1010c of form 1010 (along with fields 1015a, 1015b, and 1015c of
form 1015 and fields 1020a, 1020b, and 1020c of form 1020) are used
to examine the effects of a change in the net annual rate of return
for a policy, the premium value for the policy, and a premium
drop-in value (i.e., a lump sum additional premium payment) over
time. Scenario builder page 1005 may be desirable for producers 110
who wish to counsel policy owners on the effects of certain policy
actions that they may be considering taking. Additionally, scenario
builder page 1005 may be a useful tool for producers 110 seeking to
better understand the effects of various policy parameters and
actions on the long-term performance of a policy.
[0078] FIG. 11 illustrates the process by which life insurance tool
105 displays information on graphical user interface 302 in
response to a user 110 selecting a link displayed on the main page
of graphical user interface 302.
[0079] In step 1102, display tool 105 determines if user 110
selected first link 340 displayed in fourth region 338. If user 110
selected first link 340, display tool 105 saves a first file
including the in-force illustration in memory 160, in step 1104. If
user 110 did not select first link 340, then in step 1106, display
tool 105 determines if user 110 selected second link 342 displayed
in fourth region 338. If user 110 selected second link 342, display
tool 105 displays the set of current assumptions 130 on display
165, in step 1108. If user 110 did not select second link 342, then
in step 1110, display tool 105 determines if user 110 selected
third link 344 displayed in fourth region 338. If user 110 selected
third link 344, display tool 105 next saves a second file including
the baseline illustration in memory 160, in step 1112. If user 110
did not select third link 344, then in step 1114, display tool 105
determines if user 110 selected fourth link 346 displayed in fourth
region 338. If user 110 selected fourth link 346, display tool 105
displays the set of initial assumptions 125 on display 165, in step
1116.
[0080] This disclosure contemplates that the set of initial
assumptions 125 and the set of current assumptions 130 can include
values such as the desired death benefit, the desired rate of
return, the policy premium, desired distributions from the policy,
and included policy riders. In certain embodiments, the set of
initial assumptions 125 and the set of current assumptions 130 are
the same. This may occur when a policy consumer has not sought to
change any of the attributes of his/her policy during the lifetime
of the policy.
[0081] If user 110 did not select fourth link 346, then in step
1118, display tool 105 determines if user 110 selected fifth link
350 displayed in fifth region 348. If user 110 selected fifth link
350, display tool 105 displays a first form 805 on display 165 for
input of a first set of parameters used to determine a traditional
policy illustration document, in step 1120.
[0082] In certain embodiments, first form 805 contains a series of
fields 820a through 820i into which a user 110 can input the first
set of parameters. In certain further embodiments, rather than
displaying all of the fields used by display tool 105 to generate
the traditional illustration document on display 165 at the same
time, first form 805 contains links 810a through 810g to subsets of
such fields. For example, when a user 110 selects link 810a,
display tool 105 displays fields related to premium changes on
first form 805, as shown in FIG. 8. When a user 110 selects link
810b, display tool 105 displays fields related to death benefit
changes. When a user 110 selects link 810c, display tool 105
displays fields related to underwriting/benefit changes. When a
user 110 selects link 810d, display tool 105 displays fields
related to owner changes. When a user 110 selects link 810e,
display tool 105 displays fields related to distributions. When a
user 110 selects link 810f, display tool 105 displays fields
related to illustration assumptions. Finally, when a user 110
selects link 810g, display tool 105 displays fields related to
reports.
[0083] Next, in step 1122, display tool 105 receives the first set
of parameters. In certain embodiments, display tool 105 receives
the first set of parameters in response to user 110 selecting a
link to generate a traditional illustration document. For example,
user 110 may select link 825, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Display
tool 105 then uses the first set of parameters to create a
traditional illustration document, in step 1124. Finally, in step
1126, display tool 105 saves this document to memory 160.
[0084] If user 110 did not select fifth link 350, then in step
1128, display tool 105 determines if user 110 selected sixth link
352 displayed in fifth region 348. If user 110 selected sixth link
352, display tool 105 displays a second form 805 for input of a
second set of parameters used to determine a new baseline, in step
1130. An example second form 805 is provided in FIG. 8. In certain
such embodiments (and as illustrated here), second form 805 is the
same as first form 805, described in detail above as well as in the
discussion of FIG. 8. As can be seen in FIG. 8, second form 805
contains a series of fields, 820a through 820i, into which user 110
can input life insurance policy parameters. Once user 110 has input
such parameters into second form 805, display tool 105 next
receives the parameters, in step 1132. Display tool 105 then uses
the parameters to determine a fifth series of points representing a
new baseline curve 310, in step 1134. Finally, in step 1136,
display tool 1126 displays the fifth series of points in first
region 304 of display 165.
[0085] In certain embodiments, display tool 105 receives the
parameters in response to user 110 selecting link 825 (which is
used to generate an illustration based on the parameters) as
illustrated in FIG. 9. In generating the illustration based on the
parameters, display tool 105 determines a series of points
representing the new baseline. The tool then displays these points
as baseline curve 310 in first region 304, in response to user 110
selecting "Set As Baseline" from action menu 835a, displayed by
display tool 105 in response to user 110 selecting the case history
link 835 from first form 805, as further illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0086] If user 110 did not select sixth link 352, then in step 1138
display tool 105 determines if user 110 selected seventh link 356
displayed in sixth region 354. If user 110 selected seventh link
354, display tool 105 displays the list of payments 140 on display
165, in step 1140. If user 110 did not select seventh link 356,
then in step 1142 display tool 105 next determines if user 110
selected eighth link 358 displayed in sixth region 354. If user 110
selected eighth link 358, display tool 105 displays both scheduled
transactions 145 and completed transaction 150 on display 165.
[0087] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method
1100 depicted in FIG. 11. Method 1100 may include more, fewer, or
other steps. For example, steps may be performed in parallel or in
any suitable order. While discussed as display tool 105 (or
components thereof) performing the steps, any suitable component of
system 100 may perform one or more steps of the method.
[0088] By providing a producer access to a wide variety of policy
information that the producer can reach directly from the main page
of graphical user interface 302, simply by clicking a single link,
display tool 105 greatly simplifies the manner in which the
producer accesses information about a given policy, thereby
enabling the producer to more efficiently monitor his/her
policies.
[0089] FIG. 12 presents an example of information displayed on
graphical user interface 302, in certain embodiments in which
display tool 105 provides notifications to users 110. In certain
such embodiments, display tool 105 provides notifications to users
110 in response to upcoming scheduled transactions. This may be
desirable, for example, in situations where policy owners are
scheduled to take distributions from their policies. Such policy
owners may be unlikely to take the scheduled distributions without
first receiving notification from the producers 110 who manage
their policies. However, given the large number of policies a
producer 110 typically manages, the producer may easily overlook
scheduled transactions, and fail to notify a policy owner that the
owner should take a distribution from his/her policy. Therefore, by
providing a notification to a producer 110 about an upcoming
distribution that a policy owner is scheduled to take, certain
embodiments enable producers 110 to more reliably notify policy
owners about distributions the owners should take. Display tool 105
is able to provide users 110 with notifications related to upcoming
scheduled transactions by monitoring scheduled transactions 145
stored in database 120. If display tool 105 determines that a
transaction stored in the list of scheduled transactions 145 is
scheduled to occur within a set period of time, it will generate a
notification regarding this transaction, as discussed in further
detail below.
[0090] In certain further embodiments, display tool 105 provides
notifications to users 110 in response to unscheduled transactions.
This may be desirable, for example, in situations where policy
owners have taken distributions from their policies and/or taken
loans out against their policies, either of which may put the
policies in danger of lapsing. By providing a producer 110 with a
notification of such an unscheduled transaction, certain
embodiments may enable a producer to counsel a policy owner about
the effect of his/her action, to help prevent his/her policy from
lapsing. Display tool 105 is able to provide users 110 with
notifications related to unscheduled transactions by monitoring
completed transactions 150 stored in database 120. If display tool
105 determines that a transaction stored in the list of completed
transactions 150 is not also stored in the list of scheduled
transactions 145, it will generate a notification regarding this
transaction, as discussed in further detail below.
[0091] In certain embodiments, display tool 105 provides
notifications to users 110 in the form of a notification link 1205
displayed on the main page of graphical user interface 302 to the
left of first region 304. When a user 110 selects notification link
1205, display tool 105 displays notification page 1210 on display
165, where notification page 1210 contains details of the
notification(s). For example, notification page 1210 illustrated in
FIG. 12 contains details about four notifications--notifications
1215a through 1215d. Once a user 110 has viewed his/her
notifications, the user can return to the main page of graphical
user interface 302 by selecting back button 1220.
[0092] In certain embodiments, display tool 105 additionally
provides notifications to users 110 in the form of an electronic
message 190 sent to user 110. This disclosure contemplates that
message 190 can be an SMS text message, an electronic mail message,
an application push-notification message, or any other type of
electronic message communicated by display tool 105 to user 110.
Sending message 190 to user 110 in addition to displaying
notification link 1205 on display 165 may be desirable for those
users 110 who do not regularly view graphical user interface 302 of
display tool 105. Providing messages 190 to such users 110 in
addition to displaying notification link 1205 on graphical user
interface 302, will likely provide such users 110 with additional
time during which they can contact policy owners to warn them about
the risk of their policies lapsing and/or notify them that they
should take distributions from their policies prior to the lapse
and/or scheduled distribution date.
[0093] FIG. 13 illustrates the process by which the system of FIG.
1 displays a notification link on graphical user interface 302,
displayed on display 165. In step 1305, display tool 105 monitors
completed transactions 150 and determines if a transaction has
occurred that is not in the list of scheduled transactions 145. If
display tool 105 determines that a transaction has occurred that is
not in the list of scheduled transactions 145, display tool 105
next displays a notification link 1205 on display 165, in step
1310. If display tool 105 does not determine that a transaction has
occurred that is not in the list of scheduled transactions 145,
display tool 105 next determines if a transaction that is in the
list of scheduled transactions 145 is set to occur within a given
time interval, in step 1315. In certain embodiments, the given time
interval is set by user 105. If display tool 105 determines that a
transaction that is in the list of scheduled transactions 145 is
set to occur within the given time interval, in step 1320, display
tool 105 displays a notification link 1205 on display 165. Next, in
step 1325, display tool 105 sends an electronic message 190 to user
110 containing the notification.
[0094] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method
1300 depicted in FIG. 13. Method 1300 may include more, fewer, or
other steps. For example, steps may be performed in parallel or in
any suitable order. While discussed as display tool 105 (or
components thereof) performing the steps, any suitable component of
system 100 may perform one or more steps of the method.
[0095] FIGS. 14A and 14B present alternative views of first region
304 of graphical user interface 302. In certain embodiments, first
region 304 of graphical user interface 302 additionally contains
three links-1405, 1410, and 1415--that a user 110 can use to
display baseline illustration curve 310, historical performance
curve 312, and in-force curve 314 over three different timescales.
For example, in response to a user selecting link 1405, display
tool 105 displays baseline illustration curve 310, historical
performance curve 312, and in-force curve 314 over an annual
timescale, as illustrated in FIG. 14A. In response to a user 110
selecting link 1410, display tool 105 displays baseline
illustration curve 310, historical performance curve 312, and
in-force curve 314 over the expected lifetime of the policy, as
illustrated in FIG. 14B. Finally, in response to a user 110
selecting link 1415, display tool 105 may display baseline
illustration curve 310, historical performance curve 312, and
in-force curve 314 over a monthly timescale.
[0096] Enabling a user 110 to display baseline illustration curve
310, historical performance curve 312, and in-force curve 314 over
a variety of different timescales may be desirable to help the user
fully understand the effect of various actions taken on the policy.
For example, as seen in FIG. 14A, baseline curve 310 and in-force
curve 314 appear to have the same values over the annual timescale
illustrated. Therefore, a user 110 viewing only FIG. 14A may assume
that a policy owner has taken actions on his/her policy to fully
compensate for the deviation of historical curve 312 from baseline
curve 310 and to thereby return the policy to its baseline values.
However, by viewing baseline curve 310 and in-force curve 314 on a
much longer timescale, as illustrated in the lifetime view of FIG.
14B, user 110 can clearly see that in-force curve 314 and baseline
curve 310 are not in fact the same.
[0097] Although the present disclosure includes several
embodiments, a myriad of changes, variations, alterations,
transformations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled
in the art, and it is intended that the present disclosure
encompass such changes, variations, alterations, transformations,
and modifications as falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *