System And Method To Remotely Inspect Entities For Insurance
Abstract:
A System and method to remotely inspect entities for Insurance comprising a controller
with storage, compute and network communication capability, one or many
Administrator modules that have connectivity to controller and have WebRTC API and
one or many Agent module with flexibility to move around the entity and high resolution
video and picture capability and secure connectivity capability via a high speed
connection and WebRTC API along with barcode scanning and Bluetooth capability.
Specification
Field of Invention
The invention integrates a central insurance company Administrator and vehicle (hereon
referred as entity) Inspector with a secure network to affect an inspection procedure
through the administrator controlled network. A convenient user interface combining
handheld instruments and conventional displays and printers allows the Administrator
and Inspector to interact with the system. The Controller provides storage for programs,
information and processing power to implement entity inspection regimens in logical
order relating to completion of the inspection.
Background of the Invention and Prior Art
India is the 5th largest insurance market in Asia with a $30 billion insurance industry. It's
growing at very high pace due to disposable incomes and savings and increasing
urbanization and awareness, the insurance is expected to grow radically in the new
future. Motor insurance is the largest business segment in the insurance sector in India
as it constitutes 44% of the total insurance market.
Large market size and complex geographical dimensions of India makes Insurance
companies to have presence in all parts of India. This has resulted in many types of
frauds in entity insurance:
Non-existent or phantom entities using fraudulent Vehicle Identification Numbers.
Claims for damage that existed when entity was purchased.
"Paper Car" and counterfeit title frauds using falsified documents.
Salvage schemes involving titles and VIN plates from salvaged entities.
Duplicate car frauds using same VIN plate and documentation.
Duplicate title frauds: to collect claims from sale of entity, and theft claims.
Increasing claim value by adding equipment and accessories not in entity.
Import/Export frauds using authentic documentation for entities residing in
another country.
Staging accidents or claiming accidents that never occurred.
Multiple policy frauds to collect on multiple claims.
Mandatory inspection as a requisite for obtaining entity insurance is the only proven
deterrent to entity insurance fraud. To date, it is the only strategy that has proven
successful in significantly reducing fraudulent claims and stabilizing insurance rates.
The possibility of future claims for the theft of non-existent vehicles or the repair of
vehicles with prior damage is greatly reduced if policy-holder goes through vehicle
inspection process to prove the existence and condition of a entity. The benefits of the
photo inspection process extend far beyond the inspection report itself. In addition to its
deterrent value, photographic evidence also provides an excellent investigative tool.
The major benefit of pre-insurance entity inspection lies in its pro-active rather than
reactive attributes. It allows the insurance carrier to take action to prevent an Insurance
fraud from occurring, rather than passively allowing criminals and dishonest citizens to
create economic havoc for the motoring public.
At present, entity inspection is mostly manually administered by sending an authorized
personal to the entity. Inspector inspects the entity, takes photographs and submits a
physical report to insurance company. Administrator then reviews the reports and
insurance company grants or denies the insurance. Generally, inspection takes place at
a special inspection facility.
Current method has multiple drawbacks:
1. Miss-reporting by individual inspecting the entity, causing loss to insurance
company.
2. If entity is in a remote rural location with no inspection facility, it's not possible to
inspect the entity because of large distances and hence no insurance is
provided. 70% of vehicles are uninsured in rural areas because of non-availability
of inspection facility causing loss of business to insurance industry and high risk
to the owner of entity.
3. Inspection by individual needs a lot of travel and expenses in the form of
conveyance and manpower causing increase in cost of Insurance Company.
Objective of the Invention
The primary objective of the invention is to enable Insurance companies to conduct
entity inspection in remote locations in a reliable, secure and cost effective method. It is
also the objective of the invention to provide a smart, cost effective and effortless
procedure of doing inspection of the entity. Another object of the invention is to devise a
method for logical & flaw less inspection & survey of entities.
A further objective of the invention is to reduce or eliminate miss reporting by
developing cookie-cutter procedure that can reduce human error to the minimal.
Summary of the Invention
The invention integrates a central Administrator and remote entity Inspector with a
secure network to affect an inspection procedure through the Administrator controlled
network comprising of a central computer on one side and hand held device on other
side. A convenient user interface combined with handheld instruments and conventional
displays and printers allows the Administrator and Inspector to interact with the system.
The computer provides storage for programs and information and processing power to
implement entity inspection regimens in logical order relating to completion of the
inspection.
The invention further describes an entity inspection regimens for flawless entity
inspection using computer systems, Administrator controlled network and publically
available information.
Brief Description of the Invention
Described herein are embodiments of remote entity inspection by integrating central
Administrator and remote Entity Inspector with a secure network to effect an inspection
procedure through the Administrator controlled network comprising of a central
computer on one side and hand held device on other side. Administrator will provide
Entity Inspector instructions and method to conduct entity inspection via convenient user
interface. Entity inspector will conduct physical inspection, video inspection, taking
picture of pre-defined pictures of the entity and 30 seconds video of working of the
entity.
In another embodiment, a method to manage inspections remotely using following hitech
systems:
• General purpose Computers that can connect via secure network.
• Central Server to store and process the test regimens.
• Hand-held device with ability to take high-resolution pictures and videos at 30
frames per second.
• High-speed network connectivity that can transmit high resolution images and
video securely and in real time.
• WebRTC API or any abstraction including EasyRTC API availability for video
chatting. WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) is an Application
Programming Interface (API) definition drafted by the World Wide Web
Consortium (W3C) that supports browser-to-browser applications for voice
calling, video chat, and P2P file sharing without plugins.
• The high-tech system includes a barcode scanner and Bluetooth connectivity.
Entity inspection regimens will provide the Administrator and Inspector with a stepwise
procedure to collect information including textual and photographic and validating it with
internal and external agencies using Administrator controlled network. Physical
Inspection of the entity by Inspector will include streaming video inspection by
Administrator remotely. Administrator will guide Inspector on specific steps about taking
picture of entity from all sides with pre-defined angles, specific components and 30
seconds video of working of the entity.
H
Example: Inspection of Car will include taking picture of car from front/back/left/right/,
number plate. Engine No. Chassis No., ODO meter, copy of RC, total 10-12 pictures
and 30 seconds video to see that if car is functioning properly.
Detailed description of tlie Figures and Invention
Fig 1 illustrates Administrator Controlled Network
Fig 2 illustrates process of the invention
Pic 3 shows front top view of the entity
Pic 4 shows front bottom view of the entity
Pic 5 shows rear top view of the entity
Pic 6 shows rear bottom view of the entity
Entity inspection system and procedure is designed to verify and document the
existence of the entity, as well as its condition and existing options and accessories.
The primary goal of the inspection process is to help lower the cost of insurance
coverage for physical damage by significantly reducing opportunities for fraudulent
claims and also provide inspection facility for rural India at very low cost.
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Fig 1: Administrator Controlled Network
There are three main modules of the invention - Administrator, Controller and Agent.
One Controller can handle multiple Administrator modules and one Administrator
module can handle multiple Agent modules via the controller. Communication between
Administrator and Agent module happens via secure channel controlled by
Administrator - Administrator controlled network. Administrator, using Administrator
module, can have video conversation, give instructions and request pictures & videos
through Inspector using Agent module. Administrator can review the information and
visuals via video stream on Administrator console (3A) and approve it via a convenient
user interface. This will initiate further steps in the insurance procedure.
Herein invention is now described with respect to the Fig1:
Invention comprises of three main modules - Agent, Controller and Administrator - and
Third Party server connectivity.
6
Agent (1) is a flexible device that can be moved around the entity. Agent can be
general-purpose computer (1A or 1B) or a hand held device (1C) mounted on special
contraption or otherwise to allow it to move around the entity at specified height and
leveled to the ground. Agent module (1) is capable of taking high-resolution pictures,
scanning, videos at 30 frames per second and Bluetooth connectivity. It allows highspeed
connectivity to transmit images and video securely and in real time to the
Controller (2). To allow video conversation between the Administrator and Inspector,
Agent is equipped with WebRTC API. Agent is equipped with barcode scanning
capability for faster data input.
Administrator (3) can be flexible or fixed console (3A) connected to Controller (2). This
module is equipped with ability to render images and play video, communicate with
Controller (2) for additional information. This module is also equipped with WebRTC API
to enable video conversation with Agent module (1).
Controller comprises three units - Storage (2A), Compute (2B) and connectivity.
Storage (2A) is used for storing and logging all the conversation between 1 and 3 and
also to store the application along with pictures and video. Compute unit (2B) is used to
analyze the data submitted by the agent for authenticity and verifying it with third party.
Following section describes the process for using the device and corresponding steps.
LV
2. Login to Agent's account
using Agent Module
3. Collects Entity and Entity
owner information
5a. Agent to try again at
another time
4. Requests an Administrator
session by submitting tlie
request
-(£>•
6. Session established and
Administrator is able to instruct
Agent through audio-visual
methods
Inspection
Complete
12. Controller transmits report
to Insurance Company
11. Controller saves the
information along with final
report
10. Administrator generates the
report
9. Administrator closes
connection once satisfied;
System checl
Documents
Application Documents
| # |
Name |
Date |
| 1 |
2495-del-2014-Abstract.pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 1 |
2495-del-2014-GPA.pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 2 |
2495-del-2014-Claims.pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 2 |
2495-del-2014-Form-9.pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 3 |
2495-del-2014-Description (Complete).pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 3 |
2495-del-2014-Form-5.pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 4 |
2495-del-2014-Form-1.pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 4 |
2495-del-2014-Form-3.pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 5 |
2495-del-2014-Form-2.pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 6 |
2495-del-2014-Form-1.pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 6 |
2495-del-2014-Form-3.pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 7 |
2495-del-2014-Description (Complete).pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 7 |
2495-del-2014-Form-5.pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 8 |
2495-del-2014-Claims.pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 8 |
2495-del-2014-Form-9.pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 9 |
2495-del-2014-Abstract.pdf |
2014-11-14 |
| 9 |
2495-del-2014-GPA.pdf |
2014-11-14 |