Systems and methods for claims processing via mobile device

• US 8,755,779 B1
• Filed: 07/25/2008
• Issued: 06/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Original Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Inventors: Burks, Rickey Dale, Oakes, Charles L. III, Bueche, Michael P. Jr., Billman, Bradly Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Siddiqui, Kashif
• Assistant Examiner(s): Iqbal, Khawar
• Application Number:
  US12/180,119
• Time in Patent Office: 2,153 Days
• Field of Search: 4554141-4143, 455/404, 455/418, 705/4, 705/37
• US Class Current: 455/414.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for the processing of information collected by a mobile device at the site of an incident. An incident information processing system, comprising an incident location information module, receives incident information provided in a communication originated from a mobile device. The received incident information is processed by the incident location information module to provide location information, which is then used to provide incident response services. Image and audio information relating to the incident are likewise provided by the mobile device for processing into incident information. Incident statement questions are generated by the incident information processing system and are then presented via the mobile device for response by various parties associated with the incident. Responses to the questions are collected via the mobile device, processed into incident statements, and stored in the incident information and claims repository.

Claims

1. A system, comprising processing logic operable to:

receive from a mobile device, wirelessly communicated incident information of an incident from said mobile device, wherein said incident information comprises audio information and non-audio mobile device identification information;

determine a type of communication protocol through which the incident information is being transmitted, wherein the communication protocol comprises one of a first type and a second type;

identify a user of said mobile device through utilization of a first process if the non-audio mobile device identification information is of the first type and through utilization of a second process if the non-audio mobile identification information is of the second type;

correlate said incident information with an identity of the user of said mobile device, wherein said user is an insured of an insurance policy;

retrieve insurance policy information associated with said user from a database; and

use said incident information and said insurance policy information to generate incident claim information.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said incident information comprises location information that is used to determine a location of the incident.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said incident information comprises image information, wherein said image information comprises at least one of:

a graphic image of an incident;

a still image of an incident;

a photographic image of an incident;

or

a video image of an incident.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said audio information comprises at least one of:

a statement from an insured;

a statement from a claimant;

a statement from a witness;

or

a statement from a responder to an incident.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said claim information is used to initiate the generation of an insurance claim, wherein said claim is against said insurance policy.

6. A computer-implementable method for processing incident information, comprising:

receiving from a mobile device incident information of an incident, wherein said incident information comprises audio information and non-audio mobile device identification information;

determining a type of communication protocol through which the incident information is being transmitted, wherein the communication protocol comprises one of a first type and a second type;

identifying a user of said mobile device through utilization of a first process if the communication protocol is of the first type and a second process if the communication protocol is of a second type;

correlating said incident information with an identity of the user of said mobile device, wherein said user is an insured of an insurance policy; and

retrieving insurance policy information associated with said user from a database; and

using said incident information and said insurance policy information to generate incident claim information.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said incident information comprises location information that is used to determine a location of an incident.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said incident information comprises image information, wherein said image information comprises at least one of:

a graphic image of an incident;

a still image of the incident;

a photographic image of the incident;

or

a video image of the incident.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said audio information comprises at least one of:

a statement from an insured;

a statement from a claimant;

a statement from a witness;

or

a statement from a responder to an incident.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein said claim information is used to initiate generation of an insurance claim resulting from said incident, wherein said claim is against said insurance policy.

11. A non-transitory computer-usable medium embodying computer program code, the computer program code comprising computer executable instructions configured for:

receiving from a mobile device, wirelessly communicated non-audio mobile device identity information;

determining a type of communication protocol through which the non-audio mobile information is being transmitted, wherein the communication protocol comprises one of a first type and a second type;

using a first process to determine an identity of a user of the mobile device if the communication protocol is of the first type and using a second process to determine an identity of the user if the communication protocol is of a second type;

retrieving user information associated with said user from a database;

receive wirelessly communicated incident information from said user using said mobile device;

determine a location of said mobile device; and

process said user information, incident information and location information to generate an incident response action.

12. The computer usable medium of claim 11, wherein said incident information comprises location information that is used to determine a location of an incident.

13. The computer usable medium of claim 11, wherein said incident information comprises image information, wherein said image information comprises at least one of:

a graphic image of an incident;

a still image of the incident;

a photographic image of the incident;

or

a video image of the incident.

14. The computer usable medium of claim 11, wherein said incident information comprises audio information, wherein said audio information comprises at least one of:

a statement from an insured;

a statement from a claimant;

a statement from a witness;

or

a statement from a responder to an incident.

15. The computer usable medium of claim 11, wherein said claim information is used to initiate the generation of an insurance claim resulting from an incident, wherein said claim is against said insurance policy.