Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8160904?dq=7,181,560
Timestamp: 2015-05-05 15:06:07
Document Index: 746472069

Matched Legal Cases: ['arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 120', 'arty 115', 'arty 120', 'arty 115', 'arty 120', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115', 'arty 115']

Patent US8160904 - System and method to provide process status update information - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsDisclosed are systems and methods to provide process status update information. The systems and methods provide techniques to communicate with a party about a process in which the party has an interest, provide the party with an identifier, the identifier related to the party and the process, and provide...http://www.google.com/patents/US8160904?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8160904 - System and method to provide process status update informationAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS8160904 B1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/733,799Publication dateApr 17, 2012Filing dateApr 11, 2007Priority dateApr 11, 2007Publication number11733799, 733799, US 8160904 B1, US 8160904B1, US-B1-8160904, US8160904 B1, US8160904B1InventorsArthur Q. SmithOriginal AssigneeUnited Services Automobile Association (Usaa)Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (13), Non-Patent Citations (6), Classifications (8), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetSystem and method to provide process status update information
US 8160904 B1Abstract
provide an audible update about the process associated with the identifier. Description
FIG. 6 b is a screenshot illustrating an embodiment of a provider login website used in the method to provide process status update information of FIGS. 1 d, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 a. FIG. 6 c is a screenshot illustrating an embodiment of a process status updater multiple party status listing website used in the method to provide process status update information of FIGS. 1 d, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 a. FIG. 6 d is a screenshot illustrating an embodiment of a process status updater login website used in the method to provide process status update information of FIGS. 1 d, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 a. FIG. 6 e is a screenshot illustrating an embodiment of a process status updater single party listing website used in the method to provide process status update information of FIGS. 1 d, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 a. FIG. 6 f is a screenshot illustrating an embodiment of a process status updater bid indicator website used in the method to provide process status update information of FIGS. 1 d, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 a. FIG. 6 g is a screenshot illustrating an embodiment of a process status updater bid listing website used in the method to provide process status update information of FIGS. 1 d, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 a. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The method 150 then proceeds to step 310 where the appraisal or appraisals are conducted. The appraiser or appraisers identified in step 302 of the method 150 inspect the damaged property on the date set in step 306 of the method 150. Each of the appraisers then submit a �bid�, or an amount they would require to repair the damaged property, to the insurance provider 110. The insurance provider 110 then adds the appraisal bid or bids to the bid database 110 g in the insurance process claim entry of the party 115. The method 150 then proceeds to step 312 where the process status updater is updated with the appraisal bids. The bid retrieval and posting engine 110 f is operable to periodically access the bid database 110 g such as, for example, on a set time schedule, when a new bid on the insurance claim process is received from an appraiser, when an update is made by the update engine 110 a, or with a variety of other update methods, and provide any information that has changed since the previous update to the process status updater such as, for example, the company making a bid, the amount of the bid, and/or the date that the bid was received.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 a and 6 c, the method 600 proceeds to step 610 where the party 115 accesses the process status updater using the identifier supplied to the party 115 at step 208 of the method 150. In an embodiment, the identifier 604 a may be an alphanumeric string such as, for example, �Ace314hit16�. The party 115 may then access a process status updater website 604 that includes a plurality of identifiers and updates. The party 115 then finds the identifier 604 a �Ace314hit16�. An update 604 b is located adjacent the identifier 604 a and includes updated information such as, for example, �total loss amount set at $4,000�, about the insurance claim process of the party 115. The website 604 further includes an alphabet index list 604 c or other means to allow parties with identifiers to quickly access their identifier in the process status updater website in order to find the information on their process. Parties other than party 115 can use the process status updater website 604 to get updates on other processes by referencing their distinct identifier and finding the update adjacent their identifier, such as, for example, �Appraisal planned Oct. 5, 2007�, �Appraiser assigned�, �Police report received�, �Estimate $13,700�, �Finished, pick up vehicle�, �Please call�, �Deposit made�, �Received digital photo�, �Total loss amount set at $9,100�, �Waiting for digital photo�, and/or a variety of other updates that may be posted on the process status updater website 604 with the update engine 110 a. In an embodiment, the information provided to the party 115 using a first identifier is different from the information provided to the party 120 using a second identifier. In an embodiment, the provider 110 may be a membership organization, the party 115 may be a member of the membership organization, the party 120 may not be a member of the membership organization, and the party 115 may be able to access information such as member benefits, specific details about an appraiser, or a range of appraisals for similarly appraised property from a given appraiser, that the party 120 is not able to access. In an alternative embodiment, the process status updater may include an automated phone system that the party 115 can call and provide the identifier to hear recorded updates about the insurance claim process of the party 115. In an alternative embodiment, the process status updater may include an automated phone system that contacts the party 115, prompts the party for the identifier, to provides recorded updates about the insurance claim process of the party 115.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 a, 6 d and 6 e, in an alternative embodiment, the method 600 proceeds to step 610 where the party 115 accesses the process status updater using the identifier supplied to the party 115 at step 208 of the method 150. In an embodiment, a process status updater website 606 may be used and the identifier may be an user identification 606 a such as, for example, �Ace314hit16�, and a password 606 b that the party 115 provides in order to access a process status updater website 608. In an embodiment, the identifier may be just the user identification 606 a. The process status updater website 608 includes a plurality of dates 608 a and a plurality of updates 608 b each located adjacent a respective date such that the party may review the updates on their process that have occurred since the process began.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 a, 6 f and 6 g, in an alternative embodiment, the method 600 proceeds to step 610 where the party 115 accesses the process status updater using the identifier supplied to the party 115 at step 208 of the method 150. In an embodiment, a process status updater website 610 may be used after the party 115 provides the user identification 606 a such as, for example, �Ace314hit16�, and the password 606 b at process status updater website 608. A process status updater website 610 is then provided which includes a date 610 a, an �Appraisal bidding initiated� update 610 b located adjacent the date 610 a, and a bids link 610 c. If the party 115 accesses the bids link 610 c, the party 115 is directed to a process status updater website 612 that includes a plurality of appraisal numbers 612 a, an appraiser identification 612 b located adjacent each appraisal number 612 a, an appraisal amount 612 c located adjacent each appraiser identification 612 b, and a date received 612 d located adjacent each appraisal amount 612 c. The appraisal numbers 612 a, appraiser identifications 612 b, appraisal amounts 612 c, and dates received 612 d are collected by the bid retrieval and posting engine 110 f from the bid database 110 g and updated on the process status updater website 612. In an embodiment, the parties 115, 120 and 125 may be appraisers who are bidding to repair damage done to property, and each appraiser may have an identifier to access the process status updater website 612 such that each appraiser is able to review the appraisal amounts submitted by other appraisers. Thus, the process status updater website 612 creates a bidding situation where an appraiser may lower their appraisal amount to repair damaged property if another appraiser has underbid their previous bid. In an embodiment, after a predetermined time, bids are not accepted or posted to the process status updater website 612.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS5950169 *Nov 9, 1995Sep 7, 1999Ccc Information Services, Inc.System and method for managing insurance claim processingUS6388579Dec 22, 1999May 14, 2002Intelligent Vehicle Systems, Inc.Apparatus and system for remotely updating and monitoring the status of a vehicleUS6658586May 9, 2000Dec 2, 2003Andrew E. LeviMethod and system for device status trackingUS6766307 *May 11, 2000Jul 20, 2004Clicknsettle.Com, Inc.System and method for providing complete non-judicial dispute resolution management and operationUS6845448Jan 7, 2000Jan 18, 2005Pennar Software CorporationOnline repository for personal informationUS7069227Feb 3, 2000Jun 27, 2006Zansor Systems, LlcHealthcare information networkUS7272610 *Nov 4, 2002Sep 18, 2007Medrecon, Ltd.Knowledge management systemUS7933786 *Nov 1, 2005Apr 26, 2011Accenture Global Services LimitedCollaborative intelligent task processor for insurance claimsUS7953615 *Apr 3, 2001May 31, 2011Mitchell International, Inc.System and method of administering, tracking and managing of claims processingUS20010025275 *Dec 11, 2000Sep 27, 2001Nobuaki TanakaSystem for internet connections, method for calculating connection fees for network connection services, billing system for network connection services, and system for network connection managementUS20030144887 *Nov 7, 2002Jul 31, 2003Debber J. DaleSystem and method for electronically creating, filing and approving applications for insurance coverageUS20040172310 *Feb 19, 2003Sep 2, 2004William AtleeElectronic insurance application fulfillment system and methodUS20070226018 *Mar 1, 2007Sep 27, 2007Paul GrossSystem and method for managing an insurance claim* Cited by examinerNon-Patent CitationsReference1 *Gale, Sarah Fister. "Save money: Manage health benefits online." Workforce Nov. 1, 2001; pp. 64-68 (4 pages).2 *Hoehne, Richard. "Portals enable E-business on demand." National Underwriter Mar. 31, 2003 (1 page).3 *iVoice Deploying IVR System for Summit Insurance. Business Wire Feb. 10, 2004, p. 1, (3 pages).4 *Jackson, Donald R. "Insurance on the Internet." LIMRA's MarketFacts Quarterly Apr. 1, 2003 (7 pages).5 *Rosso, Anne. "Automating the Call." Collector Oct. 1, 2006 (5 pages).6 *Silvestri, Fred. "Opening the Door to a Claims Portal." Canadian Underwriter Feb. 1, 2006 (2 pages).* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification705/4International ClassificationG06Q40/00Cooperative ClassificationG06Q40/08, G06Q10/10, G06Q30/0278European ClassificationG06Q40/08, G06Q30/0278, G06Q10/10Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJul 3, 2012CCCertificate of correctionJun 20, 2007ASAssignmentFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SMITH, ARTHUR Q.;REEL/FRAME:019456/0023Effective date: 20070530Owner name: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA), TEXRotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services