IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,249,899
Granted Patent B1
US 8,249,899 · App. 12/098,005 · Granted Aug 21, 2012

Systems and methods for accident notification

Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,249,899
App. No.
12/098,005
Granted
Aug 21, 2012
Kind
B1
Abstract

The described embodiments contemplate a system, method and computer-readable medium with computer-executable instructions for accident notification. The novel system includes subsystems for testing an automobile, or a part of an automobile, and comparing the result of the test with a baseline result. The test may use various detectors, including radio frequency identification tags embedded in the paint of an automobile, magnetic variances caused by metal deformation, or electrical changes in a circuit. The test may be used for various purposes, including determining that an accident has occurred, verifying the authenticity of a repair part, or for processing an insurance claim.

Claims (76)

1. A method for an insurance company to process an insurance claim submitted by a customer, comprising:

executing program code on one or more machines to perform:

receiving an insurance claim to perform a repair of a part on an automobile;

determining an amount of the insurance claim;

depending on the amount of the insurance claim, sending a request to test the automobile, wherein the test comprises:

transmitting a first testing signal to the part;

determining a first response to the first testing signal, wherein the first response indicates a first number of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags mixed in with paint applied to a surface of the part;

comparing the first response to a first expected value, wherein the first expected value indicates an expected number of remaining RFID tags;

transmitting a second testing signal to the part;

determining a second response to the second testing signal, wherein the second response indicates a second number of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags mixed in with paint applied to the surface of the part; and

comparing the first number of RFID tags to the second number of RFID tags to determine whether a minor deviation exists between the first and second numbers; and

approving the insurance claim when the first and second numbers are within a predefined range of the first expected value, and when the minor deviation exists between the first and second numbers; and

processing the insurance claim.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the part is a body panel of the automobile.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first expected value is a value that indicates that the body panel is damaged.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first expected value is a value created when the automobile was tested proximate to the time of manufacturing.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein executing program code on the one or more machines causes the one or more machines to perform testing a replacement part for the part, wherein the testing the replacement part comprises:

transmitting a third testing signal to the replacement part;

determining a third response to the third testing signal;

comparing the third response to a second expected value; and

authenticating the replacement part if the third response is within a certain range from the second expected value.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein executing program code on the one or more machines causes the one or more machines to perform denying the insurance claim if the first response is not within a certain range from the first expected value.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the test further comprises:

comparing the first response to a test pattern of RFID tags to determine whether an arrangement of RFID tags has changed;

identifying a change in the arrangement of RFID tags; and

recommending replacement of the part based on the change.

8. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon for an insurance company to process an insurance claim submitted by a customer, the computer-readable instructions comprising instructions to:

receive an insurance claim to perform a repair of a part on an automobile;

determine an amount of the insurance claim;

depending on the amount of the insurance claim, send a request to test the automobile, wherein the test comprises:

transmitting a first testing signal to the part;

determining a first response to the first testing signal, wherein the first response indicates a first number of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags mixed in with paint applied to a surface of the part;

comparing the first response to a first expected value, wherein the first expected value indicates an expected number of remaining RFID tags;

transmitting a second testing signal to the part;

determining a second response to the second testing signal, wherein the second response indicates a second number of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags mixed in with paint applied to the surface of the part; and

comparing the first number of RFID tags to the second number of RFID tags to determine whether a minor deviation exists between the first and second numbers; and

approve the insurance claim when the first and second numbers are within a predefined range of the first expected value, and when the minor deviation exists between the first and second numbers; and

process the insurance claim.

9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the part is a body panel of the automobile.

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the first expected value is a value that indicates that the body panel is damaged.

11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the first expected value is a value created when the automobile was tested proximate to the time of manufacturing.

12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , further comprising instructions to:

transmit a third testing signal to a replacement part;

determine a third response to the third testing signal;

compare the third response to a second expected value; and

authenticate the replacement part if the third response is within a certain range from the second expected value.

13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , further comprising instructions for denying the insurance claim if the first response is not within a certain range from the first expected value.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the instructions to test further comprise instructions to:

compare the first response to a test pattern of RFID tags to determine whether an arrangement of RFID tags has changed;

identify a change in the arrangement of RFID tags; and

recommend replacement of the part based on the change.

15. A system for an insurance company to process an insurance claim submitted by a customer, comprising at least one subsystem that:

receives an insurance claim to perform a repair of a part on an automobile;

determines an amount of the insurance claim;

depending on the amount of the insurance claim, sends a request to test the automobile, wherein the test comprises:

transmitting a first testing signal to the part;

determining a first response to the first testing signal, wherein the first response indicates a first number of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags mixed in with paint applied to a surface of the part;

comparing the first response to a first expected value, wherein the first expected value indicates an expected number of remaining RFID tags;

transmitting a second testing signal to the part;

determining a second response to the second testing signal, wherein the second response indicates a second number of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags mixed in with paint applied to the surface of the part; and

comparing the first number of RFID tags to the second number of RFID tags to determine whether a minor deviation exists between the first and second numbers; and

approves the insurance claim when the first and second numbers are within a predefined range of the first expected value, and when the minor deviation exists between the first and second numbers; and

processes the insurance claim.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the part is a body panel of the automobile.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the first expected value is a value that indicates that the body panel is damaged.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the first expected value is a value created when the automobile was tested proximate to the time of manufacturing.

19. The system of claim 15 , further comprising at least one subsystem that:

transmits a third testing signal to a replacement part;

determines a third response to the testing signal;

compares the third response to a second expected value; and

authenticates the replacement part if the third response is within a certain range from the second expected value.

20. The system of claim 15 , further comprising at least one subsystem that denies the insurance claim if the first response is not within a certain range from the first expected value.

21. The system of claim 15 , further comprising at least one subsystem that:

compares the first response to a test pattern of RFID tags to determine whether an arrangement of RFID tags has changed;

identifies a change in the arrangement of RFID tags; and

recommends replacement of the part based on the change.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 28, 2008
From: MEDINA, REYNALDO, III; OAKES, CHARLES L., III
To: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
Reel/Frame 021009/0662 →