Abstract:
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a system and method of allocating a resource based on myriad input data. In some embodiments, the myriad input data include membership information, claims data, transactional data, etc. The myriad input data are sorted and organized in a meaningful association relationship before applied to a resource allocation modeling algorithm. The resource allocation modeling algorithm provides estimated resource necessary for the application chosen. For example, an insurance company may use membership information, claims data, transactional data, etc., to estimate how much reserves or funds it should hold to cover future claims within a certain timeframe.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/387,190, filed Dec. 23, 2015, which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Certain institutions are required to have enough resources to cover any incurred or future costs. Sometimes, the existence of these allocated resources or funds is mandated by governing bodies, for example, country and state governments. In some examples, financial institutions are required to have a certain amount of reserve money as a percentage of deposits in order to be able to cover daily withdrawals or emergency withdrawals from their customers. In another example, insurance companies are required to hold enough reserve money to cover any incurred claims. 
         [0003]    The process of determining an amount of reserve money currently employed by insurance companies is conservative due to volatility in current reserving models. Sometimes information needed to accurately predict the required reserve amount is not received until months later. Current methodologies deal with this information lag by providing an incredible margin of safety that burdens institutions with requirements to hold a large amount of capital on hand in the form of reserves money. Large amount of capital on hand may adversely impact an institution&#39;s ability to invest in the future. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Embodiments of the disclosure provide a system and method of allocating a resource based on myriad input data. In some embodiments, the myriad input data include membership information, claims data, transactional data, etc. The myriad input data are sorted and organized in a meaningful association relationship before being applied to a resource allocation modeling algorithm. The resource allocation modeling algorithm provides estimated resources necessary for the application chosen. For example, an insurance company may use membership information, claims data, transactional data, etc., to estimate how much reserve money or funds it should hold to cover future claims within a certain timeframe. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, a method for estimating reserves for an insurance carrier using a data platform configured to collect data from one or more source systems is provided. The method includes: collecting reserves relevant data from one or more data source systems over a system defined time period; converting the reserves relevant data into a reserves relevant data matrix, wherein the reserves relevant data matrix comprises a plurality of features based on the reserves relevant data that are organized based on the system defined time period; storing the reserves relevant data matrix at a reserves database of the data platform; executing a predictive model for each of the plurality of features of the reserves relevant data matrix to extrapolate a trend for each individual feature; and combining the trend for each individual feature to obtain a reserves estimate. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, a method for geographically allocating reserves for an insurance carrier using a data platform configured to collect data from one or more source systems is provided. The method includes: collecting reserves relevant data from one or more data source systems from a plurality of geographic regions over a system defined time period; converting the reserves relevant data into a reserves relevant data matrix, wherein the reserves relevant data matrix comprises a plurality of features based on the reserves relevant data that are organized based on the plurality of geographic regions and the system defined time period; storing the reserves relevant data matrix at a reserves database of the data platform; executing a predictive model for each of the plurality of features of the reserves relevant data matrix to extrapolate a trend for each individual feature within a geographic region of the plurality of geographic regions; and combining the trend for each individual feature within the geographic region to obtain a reserves estimate for the geographic region. 
         [0007]    In a further embodiment, a user interface for interacting with reserves relevant data collected from reserves relevant data sources and being utilized for estimating reserves for an insurance carrier is provided. The user interface includes a predictive variable interface configured to display the reserves relevant data collected from the reserves relevant data sources, wherein the predictive variable interface displays the reserves relevant data over a selected time period. The user interface further includes a predictive model interface configured to display, over the defined time period, a predictive model performance and a predictive model variance for reserves estimates made based on the reserves relevant data over the selected time period. 
         [0008]    In yet another embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium containing computer executable instructions for estimating reserves for an insurance carrier using a data platform configured to collect data from one or more source systems is provided. The computer readable instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps including: collecting reserves relevant data from one or more data source systems over a system defined time period; converting the reserves relevant data into a reserves relevant data matrix, wherein the reserves relevant data matrix comprises a plurality of features based on the reserves relevant data that are organized based on the system defined time period; storing the reserves relevant data matrix at a reserves database of the data platform; executing a predictive model for each of the plurality of features of the reserves relevant data matrix to extrapolate a trend for each individual feature; and combining the trend for each individual feature to obtain a reserves estimate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  provide an embodiment of a system schematic for determining cash reserves; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  provides an exemplary graphical comparison between different methods of predicting required reserves; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  provides a method of estimating reserves for a financial institution using the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  provides an estimation of localized reserves modeling, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  provides a screen shot of a data visualization tool, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  provides another screen shot of the data visualization tool, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  provides another screen shot of the data visualization tool, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  provides another screen shot of the data visualization tool, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  provides another screen shot of the data visualization tool, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  provides another screen shot of the data visualization tool, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  provides an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Embodiments of the disclosure describe a system for determining reserves an institution should have on hand to cover various operational challenges. A goal of the provided system is to utilize recent data combined with other data to increase granularity of information and apply a prediction methodology to the collected data to determine a reserve amount. In some embodiments, this system may be used in the medical insurance field. The medical insurance field will be used as an example in describing exemplary features of the system. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate an embodiment of a reserves determination system  100  in the context of a medical insurance provider.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate an embodiment of a single system using two figures such that the system is more easily readable. For brevity sake, we will refer from here on to  FIG. 1 , which is collectively meant to refer to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  as illustrating the reserves determination system  100 . 
         [0022]    In  FIG. 1 , information flow is shown to progress from Source Systems  104  to Data Platform  102  and then to Analytic Solutions  106 . Source Systems  104  may include, for example, information obtained from an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), databases processing real time eligibility (RTE), call centers like Automated Systems Design (ASD), a Navigator for collecting member events, claims database (Claims dB), enterprise data warehouse (EDW), a membership database (AMRS), and Plan Design. Navigator is the institution&#39;s personal website where clients may make queries. Plan Design is a particular plan offered, which may include information relating to copayments, out of pocket maximums, coverage in and out of network, cost of emergency room (ER) visits, premium services, etc. 
         [0023]    The Source Systems  104  may provide data relating to claims data, transactional data, pre-certifications, eligibility request, membership data, prescription data, benefits data, ASD calls, episodes of care, weather, care management, provider contracts, lab results, etc. Claims data may include claims paid and incurred within a timeframe. For example, claims data may include paid and incurred claims in the current month, claims paid and incurred one month ago, claims currently pending, and account payable (AP) held claims. AP held claims are claims held while information related to the claim is being investigated. The number of pre-certifications over a timeframe may be collected, for example, over the past 90 days. Pre-certification procedures are performed before certain activities to ensure a client or patient knows insurance coverage for procedures, and the data obtained during the pre-certification process may allude to future costs the insurance provider should anticipate. The number of eligibility requests over a period of time, for example, 15 days, may be obtained. All of this data may provide an indication of future claims, and, therefore, is useful for determining the amount of reserves the insurance provider should hold. 
         [0024]    Membership data and benefits data may include age information, gender information, deductibles, out of pocket (OOP) maximums, co-insurance, etc. Prescription data and transaction data over a certain time period may provide insight to future costs. For example, number of new prescriptions in the past 28 days and the number of prescriptions in the past 28 days may be collected. Patient expenditure on transactions like non-prescription medication, other therapies, or over the counter diagnoses or monitoring devices may also be classified under transactional data collected. In certain aspects, information like bed days, that is, the number of days a patient is housed in a care facility is a lead indicator for predicting future expenditure. In other examples, episodes of care data which provide average episodes of care dollars are used as input data to the system. Episodes of care correspond to a collection of claims that are grouped together for certain conditions. For example, a heart attack or pregnancy may have a collection of claims for an episode of care. These episodes may be chronic or non-chronic as evidenced in the distinction between pregnancy and diabetes. In some instances, weather related information may be collected. These include road accident and ski accident data. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  shows example frequencies or time periods associated with the different information sources under Source Systems  104 . In addition to the different time periods, some show different modalities of achieving information transfer to the Data Platform  102 , for example, through Script or Sqoop. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , Sqoop is used to input data into Apache Hadoop, and Script is used in general to depict customized scripts and modeling for the information flow. 
         [0026]    Data Platform  102  provides an overview of the different modes of organizing the disparate data collected from the Source Systems  104 . EDI and databases storing RTE data provide eligibility data, for example, on a monthly basis and the information obtained is pooled as Eligibility  108 . Member events are provided by ASD and Navigator and processed through extracting, transforming, and loading (ETL)  110  the data to associate member activity with date information. This association creates a reserves relevant data matrix that contains the data from the ASD and Navigator systems organized as features and based on a system defined time period, such as the aforementioned date information. Member events may include phone calls, member online usage, etc. In some examples, members may search for a doctor or a specialist online using a computer or a phone, and this information may be an indicator of a future expense/claim since a specific doctor is being sought after. All of this data is then extracted, transformed and loaded by the ETL  110  into a plurality of features organized over the system defined time period into the reserves relevant data matrix. 
         [0027]    Claims dB, EDW, and AMRS provide additional information about patient medical information. For example, claims data, pre-certifications, bed days, episodes of care, prescription data, and membership information may be combined with patient activity information, associating features provided with date or time information in another extracting, transforming, and loading (ETL)  112 . As such, in the illustrated embodiment, the ETL  112  combines the reserves relevant data matrix created by ETL  110  with data from the Claims dB, EDW and AMRS Source Systems  104 . This combination creates another reserves relevant data matrix containing the data from the various systems from Source Systems  104  organized over the system defined time period. Similar to the above description of ETL  110 , the reserves relevant data matrix created by the ETL  112  also organizes the data from the Source Systems (Claims dB, EDW and AMRS) into a plurality of features organized over the system defined time period. 
         [0028]    The system defined time period can be set by a user of the Data Platform  102 . Further, this time period can be changed based on a desired collection of data to analyze. For instance, in one embodiment, a user may desire to collect and organize all reserves relevant data over a month, while in another embodiment, the user may desire to obtain all reserves relevant data over the past 10 days. As such, the system defined time period is variable and can be set over any time period desired. 
         [0029]    The Data Platform  104  in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1  includes two ETLs  110  and  112 . However, in other embodiments, more or fewer ETLs may be utilized. For instance, a single ETL could collect and convert all of the reserves relevant data into a reserves relevant data matrix over the system defined time period. Additionally, several ETLs may be present, such as an ETL for each input from the Source Systems  104 , which in turn may feed any number of other ETLs for a chain of extracting, transforming, and loading of the data. 
         [0030]    Returning to the illustrated embodiment, all of the Source Systems  104  data collected thus far and the pre-sorting and pooling of the data is further combined and stored in a Reserves database  114 . In some embodiments, the data stored in the Reserves database  114  is monthly data, while in other embodiments the data may be over a period of days. The Reserves database  114  then serves as a repository to supply a feature matrix that when coupled with statistical algorithms like linear regression provides reserve estimates that may be stored in the Reserve Estimates database  118 . In certain embodiments, instead of dealing with large databases, datamarts are used after combining collected data at different stages and extracting important features most relevant to estimating the reserves. 
         [0031]    The different databases in Data Platform  102  are shown as separate databases, but these may be a single or distributed database physically housed at different locations. In some embodiments, Apache Hadoop is used for interfacing with Data Platform  102 , therefore Apache Hive infrastructure is used for data summarization, query, and analysis. In some embodiments, Spark with Scala may be used in addition to the Hadoop framework as shown in  FIG. 1  where Eligibility  108  uses Spark and Scala for increased speed due to in-memory processing of large amounts of data. 
         [0032]    The Reserves Model  116  in  FIG. 1  serves to analyze, clean up, and organize data before storing the data in the Reserves Estimates database  118  (or in some cases datamart). In some embodiments, the Reserves Model  116  makes a prediction and stores the predicted results in the Reserves Estimates database  118 . The Reserves Model  116  makes its prediction based on reserves relevant data matrix from Reserves database  114  by applying a data modeling function to the various features collected and organized in the reserves relevant data matrix. In certain embodiments, this data modeling applies a predictive model that develops a trend and extrapolates that trend for each feature organized in the reserves relevant data matrix. The various trends developed for each feature are then combined to obtain the reserves estimate. 
         [0033]    In a particular embodiment, each trend may be assigned a weighting value such that combination with other weighted trends, by the Reserves Model  116 , affects the overall combination determining the reserves estimate. In this manner, certain features can affect the reserves estimate more or less based on the assigned weight. The weight can be assigned per feature either automatically by the Data Platform  102  or via user input at a user interface at the Analytic Solutions  106 . The weight can be applied prior to determining the reserves estimate or post determination when already stored in the Reserve Estimate database  118 . For instance, in one exemplary embodiments, the trends utilized by the Reserves Model  116  may be a cumulative claims paid two months ago assigned a weight of 0.09069, a cumulative claims paid four months ago assigned a weight of −0.03864, a pending claims assigned a weight of 0.35105, claims waiting to be funded assigned a weight of 0.93229, claims waiting to be paid assigned a weight of 0.78372, eligibility requests assigned a weight of 7.78668, and approved bed days assigned a weight of −760.86141. 
         [0034]    Examples of various data/predictive modeling functions are a linear regression, a non-linear regression, a support vector machine, a neural network, a decision tree, a random forest, or a time series analysis. The previous list is not exclusive, as other data/predictive modeling functions may be contemplated. Further, the Reserves Model  116  may apply its data model at various time periods, as requested by a user, or on a system defined/preset basis. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the predictions include statistical reallocation of reserves based on new information, thus providing a feedback system between the Reserves Model  116  and the Reserves Estimates database  118 . In some embodiments, the Reserves Estimates database  118  is organized on a macro level, providing, for example, reserves needed for a certain territory like a country, such as the whole United States. In other embodiments, the Reserves Estimates are organized on a micro level, providing reserves needed for a certain region, like a state or local municipality. In other embodiments, a combination of regions or territories, for example, a grouping of countries or states. These may include reserve estimates for North America, Scandinavia, etc. or reserve estimates for the Northeast or Midwest, etc. In these embodiments, the data collected from Source Systems  104  is done so based on the desired region or regions. The ETL, such as ETLs  110  and  112  will further convert the data such that it is organized not just over the system defined time period but also per region/regions. 
         [0036]    Additionally, in certain embodiments, the Reserves Estimates database  118  may be organized at the individual level. In these embodiments, data from Source Systems  104  may be collected at the individual member level in order to determine an amount of reserves apportioned to the individual member. 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 1 , after the Data Platform  102 , data flows from the Reserves Estimates database  118  towards Analytic Solutions  106 . Analytic Solutions  106  comprises modes of using or displaying information contained in the Reserves Estimates database  118  (embodiments of which are illustrated in  FIGS. 5-10 ). For example, Analytic Solutions  106  may display estimated reserves data in Tableau or other data visualization products. In other embodiments, Analytic Solutions  106  may include creating Reserve Reports in Microsoft Excel or other programs. In some embodiments, a user of the report is able to use new market data to update information in the Reserves Estimates database  118 . For instance, new market data useful for updating information in the Reserves Estimates database  118  would be a change in deductible amounts, eligibility requests and other such data relevant to a certain market, such as healthcare. 
         [0038]    Embodiments of the system thus provided create models at macro, micro, and even individual member levels. The models may be used to predict not just monthly but even daily reserves an institution may be required to hold for dealing with individual transactions. In some embodiments, the different reserves at different levels require different models in the Reserves Model of  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the reserves for market sectors may be important as well in order to figure out reserve breakdown per sector/region. 
         [0039]    Embodiments of the system may be used not just in the medical insurance field, but may be applied for pricing services. In other areas, the system may be used to detect an emerging epidemic in a geographic location based on several future indicators. 
         [0040]    An exemplary embodiment that demonstrates how the system of  FIG. 1  may be used by a medical insurance company will now be discussed. The insurance company may collect data pertaining to pre-certification, eligibility requests, episodes of care, claims, membership benefits, ASD calls, and prescription data. The insurance company receives this information from various sources, for example, through an information exchange and through direct interaction with health care providers or indirectly through patients or users on the insurance company&#39;s website. 
         [0041]    The collected data is aggregated and stored in granular fashion. This means that the data, although aggregated, may be associated with and grouped at an individual member level. After collecting and organizing the data, certain algorithms, such as linear regression and/or other algorithms may be applied to the data. In some instances, the insurance company is able to rank the importance of each collected data or quality of the data based on the age of the data. For example, the insurance company may place more importance on data gathered two months ago relative to data gathered a year ago due to, for example, fluctuation in healthcare prices. The linear regression applied to the data provides information regarding the reserves required for the current model. This reserves information is stored in the Reserves Estimates database  118  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  illustrates an example visualizing a reserves result when using the system of  FIG. 1  to predict reserves required. The medical insurance company is able to generate data on a monthly basis, and applying different algorithms, the system of  FIG. 1  is shown to provide a better estimate of actual claims and is shown to have lower variability than existing methods. The system of  FIG. 1  uses a Data Science (DS) Model which is labeled as “1.” The claims data is starred and as can be shown, the other methods, labeled as “2” and “3” do not track the claims data as well as the system of  FIG. 1 . The mean absolute error is the least for “1,” and the standard deviation is the lowest as well. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  illustrates a method of estimating reserves  300  for a financial institution using the reserves determination system  100  of  FIG. 1 . At step  302 , the Data Platform  102  collects the reserves relevant data from the Source Systems  104 . At step  304 , the Data Platform  102  converts the reserves relevant data into a plurality of features organized over a system defined time period into a reserves relevant data matrix. At step  306 , the Data Platform  102  stores the reserves relevant data matrix at the Reserves database  114 . At step  308 , the Reserves Model  116  executes a data/predictive model for each feature of the reserves relevant data matrix to obtain a data trend for each feature. At step  310 , the Reserves Model  116  combines each extrapolated trend for each feature to obtain a reserves estimate over the system defined time period. As discussed above, in certain embodiments, at step  310 , the Reserves Model  116  also may apply a weighting factor for each trend prior to combining with other weighted trends. At step  312 , the reserves estimate is stored in the Reserves Estimate database  118 . 
         [0044]    At step  314 , the Data Platform  102  (see  FIG. 1 ) determines whether updated reserves and/or market data has been received. Updated reserves data would be additional reserves relevant data from the Source Systems  104  being utilized to supplement the reserves estimate stored in the Reserves Estimate database  118 . Updated market data is received from the Analytic Solutions  106  and may be utilized to update the reserves estimate based on the specific market data. For instance, an example of relevant market data may be a proportion of members in the relevant market, a historical claims volume in the relevant market or the types of insurance plans offered. If the Data Platform  102  determines that no updated reserves and/or market data has been received, then the Data Platform  102  does nothing, at step  316 . If the Data Platform  102  determines that updated reserves and/or market data has been received, then, at step  318 , the Reserves Model  116  updates the reserves estimate based on the updated reserves and/or market data. At step  320 , the updated reserves estimate is stored at the Reserves Estimate database  118 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  illustrates an estimation of localized reserves modeling, according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 4  shows three charts, one illustrating a mean error comparison between two data models per various local markets/geographic regions. Another chart illustrates a max error comparison between the two data models per the same local markets. The third chart illustrates the cumulative membership of the financial institution (such as an insurance company) in the various local markets. These charts would be useful in determining a combination of various data types from the Source Systems  104  (see  FIG. 1 ) and the type of predictive model utilized to give the best results in the reserves estimate. The percent error determination is determined by comparing actual reserves data from the past against a prediction made over the same time period. 
         [0046]    Turning now to  FIGS. 5-10 , various embodiments of the Analytic Solutions  106  (see  FIG. 1 ) are illustrated. Each of these figures represents an embodiment of a user interface/data analysis tool embodied by Analytic Solutions  106 . Utilizing Analytic Solutions  106 , a user is able to review reserves estimate data from the Data Platform  102  and select and/or update the various models applied by the Reserves Model  116  and collected data from the Source Systems  104 . Further, the user may also provide updated market data to the Data Platform  102  as well as update any system defined time period over which data is collected in order to make a reserves estimate. 
         [0047]    The Analytic Solutions  106  illustrated in  FIG. 5  provides a comparison of three models: Pends, Completion Factor and Data Science. For each model, three curves are depicted in the charts on the left. The curve labeled “1” is an unadjusted restated reserves over a specified time period. The curve labeled “2” is an adjusted restated reserves over the specified time period. The curve labeled “3” is a comparison of one of the three models over the specified time period. The charts on the right side of the illustration represent the percent error between the adjusted restated reserves and the model. As can be seen, the Data Science model provides the least error between the adjusted restated reserves and the model prediction. 
         [0048]    The Analytic Solutions  106  illustrated in  FIG. 6  provides charts of various factors organized in the reserves relevant data matrix over the system defined time period. Each chart includes two curves: the curve labeled “1” illustrates actual data from the Source Systems  104 ; and the curve labeled “2” illustrates the predicted trend for that particular data from the Source Systems  104  that is used to formulate the reserves estimate. This embodiment of the Analytic Solutions  106  allows a user to view specific factor based data points utilized in the predictive models. 
         [0049]    The Analytic Solutions  106  illustrated in  FIG. 7  provides a collection of charts illustrating the most relevant factors/data collected from the Source Systems  104  (see  FIG. 1 ). As illustrated, each chart shows a comparison between the data collected from the Source Systems  104  that is most relevant to predicting the restated reserves. Each chart shows a curve “1” that shows the restated reserves, and a second curve labeled “2” that shows data collected from the Source Systems  104 . Utilizing the Analytic Solutions  106  shown in  FIG. 7 , a user is able to review the most relevant data collected from the Source Systems  104 . This data may allow the user to change and update various types of data to provide to the predictive models. 
         [0050]    The Analytic Solutions  106  illustrated in  FIG. 8  provides a comparison of claims data collected from Source Systems  104 .  FIG. 8  shows two charts. The top chart illustrates a number of paid claims over a period of months. The bottom chart illustrates an amount of dollars appropriated for paid claims, pended claims, wait pay, and wait fund over a period of months. 
         [0051]    The Analytic Solutions  106  illustrated in  FIG. 9  provides three charts showing medical utilization. The chart on the top-left portion of  FIG. 9  illustrates a percentage of members that have reached their deductible. Each curve illustrates the percentage of members to reach their deductible over a period of months during a certain calendar year—2014 and 2015, as illustrated. The chart on the top-right of  FIG. 9  illustrates a cumulative number of bed days over a period of 50 days. The chart at the bottom of  FIG. 9  illustrates an amount of paid claim dollars for three places of claim service: (1) outpatient, (2) inpatient, and (3) emergency. Each of these charts illustrates a type of data collected from Source Systems  104  and organized into features over a system defined time period in the reserves relevant data matrix, as discussed in relation to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0052]    The Analytic Solutions  106  illustrated in  FIG. 10  provides a single chart that shows a predicted monthly change in reserves estimated using the previously discussed Data Sciences model. The chart shows a plurality of geographic locations and a shading that reflects a percentage change in reserves for the month for that specific geographic location. This chart is useful for determining how the reserves estimate is predicting an allocation of reserves for a plurality of local geographic regions. 
         [0053]      FIG. 11  illustrates an electronic device  1100  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Electronic devices, for example, servers and terminals comprising the Source Systems  104 , the Data Platform  102  and the Analytic Solutions  106 , in certain embodiments, may be computer devices as shown in  FIG. 11 . The device  1100  may include one or more processors  1102 , memory  1104 , network interfaces  1106 , power source  1108 , output devices  1110 , input devices  1112 , and storage devices  1114 . Although not explicitly shown in  FIG. 11 , each component provided is interconnected physically, communicatively, and/or operatively for inter-component communications in order to realize functionality ascribed to the various entities identified in FIG. Error! Bookmark not defined. To simplify the discussion, the singular form will be used for all components identified in  FIG. 11  when appropriate, but the use of the singular does not limit the discussion to only one of each component. For example, multiple processors may implement functionality attributed to processor  1102 . 
         [0054]    Processor  1102  is configured to implement functions and/or process instructions for execution within device  1100 . For example, processor  1102  executes instructions stored in memory  1104  or instructions stored on a storage device  1114 . In certain embodiments, instructions stored on storage device  1114  are transferred to memory  1104  for execution at processor  1102 . Memory  1104 , which may be a non-transient, computer-readable storage medium, is configured to store information within device  1100  during operation. In some embodiments, memory  1104  includes a temporary memory that does not retain information stored when the device  1100  is turned off. Examples of such temporary memory include volatile memories such as random access memories (RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), and static random access memories (SRAM). Memory  1104  also maintains program instructions for execution by the processor  1102  and serves as a conduit for other storage devices (internal or external) coupled to device  1100  to gain access to processor  1102 . 
         [0055]    Storage device  1114  includes one or more non-transient computer-readable storage media. Storage device  1114  is provided to store larger amounts of information than memory  1104 , and in some instances, configured for long-term storage of information. In some embodiments, the storage device  1114  includes non-volatile storage elements. Non-limiting examples of non-volatile storage elements include floppy discs, flash memories, magnetic hard discs, optical discs, solid state drives, or forms of electrically programmable memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable (EEPROM) memories. 
         [0056]    Network interfaces  1106  are used to communicate with external devices and/or servers. The device  1100  may comprise multiple network interfaces  1106  to facilitate communication via multiple types of networks. Network interfaces  1106  may comprise network interface cards, such as Ethernet cards, optical transceivers, radio frequency transceivers, or any other type of device that can send and receive information. Non-limiting examples of network interfaces  1106  include radios compatible with several Wi-Fi standards, 3G, 4G, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Bluetooth®, etc. 
         [0057]    Power source  1108  provides power to device  1100 . For example, device  1100  may be battery powered through rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries utilizing nickel-cadmium or other suitable material. Power source  1108  may include a regulator for regulating power from the power grid in the case of a device plugged into a wall outlet, and in some devices, power source  1108  may utilize energy scavenging of ubiquitous radio frequency (RF) signals to provide power to device  1100 . 
         [0058]    Device  1100  may also be equipped with one or more output devices  1110 . Output device  1110  is configured to provide output to a user using tactile, audio, and/or video information. Examples of output device  1110  may include a display (cathode ray tube (CRT) display, liquid crystal display (LCD) display, LCD/light emitting diode (LED) display, organic LED display, etc.), a sound card, a video graphics adapter card, speakers, magnetics, or any other type of device that may generate an output intelligible to a user. 
         [0059]    Device  1100  is equipped with one or more input devices  1112 . Input devices  1112  are configured to receive input from a user or the environment where device  1100  resides. In certain instances, input devices  1112  include devices that provide interaction with the environment through tactile, audio, and/or video feedback. These may include a presence-sensitive screen or a touch-sensitive screen, a mouse, a keyboard, a video camera, microphone, a voice responsive system, or any other type of input device. 
         [0060]    The hardware components described thus far for device  1100  are functionally and communicatively coupled to achieve certain behaviors. In some embodiments, these behaviors are controlled by software running on an operating system of device  1100 . 
         [0061]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0062]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0063]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.