Patent Application
20250182216
In recent years, government entities at various levels have faced significant challenges in managing and mitigating damage to public and private facilities caused by vehicular accidents. The current systems and processes in place have proven inadequate in addressing several critical issues, leading to inefficiencies, financial losses, and missed opportunities for cost recovery.
One of the primary problems is the lack of a centralized and efficient method for tracking and documenting damage to government property resulting from accidents. This deficiency has led to numerous instances where repair costs are borne by the state and local government rather than being appropriately charged to the responsible parties or their insurance companies. The disconnection between various government departments, such as state highway patrol, local police, and county law enforcement officers and transportation departments or the owners of the damaged assets private or public, further exacerbates this issue, resulting in lost opportunities for proper documentation and cost recovery from the at fault party. Such state and local governments therefore must bear the responsibility and cost for, fixing repairs in a timely manner and tracking the damages until they are repaired from the time of damage until repaired, including the locations, dates, and times the damages are occurring.
Moreover, the existing accident reporting systems often fail to capture crucial data in a timely and accurate manner. The absence of precise geolocation and timestamp information for accidents has made it challenging to establish a clear link between the damage caused and the responsible parties. This lack of detailed and verifiable information has hindered the government's ability to pursue claims against insurance companies effectively.
Another significant challenge lies in the inefficient monitoring and management of repair processes. Without a system to track repairs in real-time and measure the time between accident occurrence and repair completion, government entities struggle to optimize their response times and demonstrate efficiency in their operations. This lack of transparency and accountability has contributed to prolonged repair times and increased costs.
The financial impact of these systemic shortcomings is substantial. Many government entities find themselves in a position where they are effectively self-insuring against damages caused by accidents, leading to significant budget strains. The inability to efficiently recover costs from responsible parties and their insurance companies has resulted in a net loss situation for many public agencies.
Furthermore, the lack of integration between various systems used by law enforcement, government agencies, and insurance companies has created information silos. This fragmentation of data has made it difficult for relevant parties, including attorneys and insurance adjusters, to access necessary information seamlessly, leading to delays in claim processing and legal proceedings.
In light of these challenges, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive solution that addresses these issues holistically. Such a solution would need to bridge the gaps between various stakeholders, streamline data collection and management processes, and provide tools for efficient cost recovery and repair management. By addressing these critical needs, government entities can potentially transform their approach to accident-related damage management, moving from a position of net loss to one of financial recovery and operational efficiency.
The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a comprehensive system and method for efficiently managing and mitigating damage to public and private facilities caused by vehicular accidents. The system addresses critical challenges faced by government entities in documenting, tracking, and recovering costs associated with accident-related damages.
The preferred embodiment of the invention integrates seamlessly with existing police and government systems, leveraging open API programming to facilitate real-time data exchange The system employs advanced geofencing and timestamping technologies to precisely capture the location and time of each incident, enhancing the accuracy of accident reports and providing irrefutable evidence for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
A key aspect in its preferred configuration is its mobile application, which allows for on-site data collection, including photographs and other pertinent information related to damage to property, in particular government-owned traditional road infrastructure. This is complemented by a desktop application that supports more detailed data entry and report generation. The system's ability to track and monitor repairs in real-time, from the moment of the accident to the completion of repairs, enables government entities to optimize their response times and demonstrate operational efficiency.
The preferred embodiment extends beyond traditional road infrastructure, encompassing a wide range of government properties. It incorporates advanced financial tracking capabilities, allowing government entities to transition from a position of net loss to one of financial recovery. By automating the invoicing and billing processes, the invention streamlines cost recovery from insurance companies.
A notable feature of the system in an embodiment is its potential to complement and enhance existing police accident reporting systems entirely, offering a more efficient and comprehensive solution. While maintaining focus on post-emergency documentation and data management, the system provides comprehensive tools for accident documentation, cost recovery, and infrastructure repair tracking that augment traditional police reporting capabilities. The system's integration capabilities and analytics tools provide valuable insights for urban planning, traffic management, and public safety initiatives, working in conjunction with existing emergency response systems.
The system in an embodiment also comprises a public-facing feature that showcases the financial impact by displaying taxpayer savings on a state-by-state basis, promoting transparency and demonstrating the value of the system to the general public. Furthermore, the system comprises robust data ownership and protection models, ensuring that the system retains full control over the collected and processed information.
This approach safeguards valuable data assets while still facilitating necessary information sharing with stakeholders. The system's flexibility in accordance with the preferred embodiment allows for various implementation models, including the option to operate solely as a technology provider, focusing on software and backend operations while charging a fee per user. This adaptability ensures that the invention can be tailored to meet diverse needs across different jurisdictions and use cases.
By addressing the multifaceted challenges of accident management and infrastructure damage mitigation, the invention represents a significant advancement in public safety and resource management, offering a comprehensive solution that enhances efficiency, reduces administrative burden, and ultimately contributes to safer and more resilient public infrastructure.
An embodiment of the invention provides a comprehensive system and method for efficiently managing and mitigating damage to public and private facilities caused by vehicular accidents. This innovative solution addresses the critical challenges faced by government entities in documenting, tracking, and recovering costs associated with accident-related damages.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the system integrates seamlessly with existing police and government systems, leveraging open API programming to facilitate real-time data exchange between the application and platforms such as the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). This integration enables automatic uploading and association of accident data, ensuring a streamlined and accurate documentation process.
The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a layered architecture centered around a central database system (100) that serves as the core repository for all accident-related information. The user interface layer (101) provides access through both a mobile interface (102) for on-site data collection and a desktop interface (103) for detailed report generation and analysis. The integration layer (104) facilitates seamless communication with external systems (105) through open API programming, enabling automated data exchange with police systems, government platforms, and insurance company databases. The core system layer (106) manages the processing and organization of all collected data, implementing robust security protocols and access controls to maintain data ownership and protection. The analytics engine (107) processes the aggregated data to generate cost estimates, track financial impacts, identify high-risk areas, and provide customizable reporting capabilities for various stakeholders. This layered architecture ensures efficient data flow while maintaining system security and enabling both integrated and standalone operation modes.
The preferred embodiment of the invention employs advanced geofencing and timestamping technologies to precisely capture the location and time of each incident. This feature not only enhances the accuracy of accident reports but also provides irrefutable evidence for insurance claims and legal proceedings. The invention's mobile application allows for on-site data collection, including photographs and other pertinent information, while a companion desktop application supports more detailed data entry and report generation.
A key innovation of an embodiment of the invention is its ability to track and monitor repairs in real-time, from the moment of the accident to the completion of repairs. This feature enables government entities to optimize their response times, demonstrate operational efficiency, and potentially reduce overall costs associated with accident-related damages.
The preferred embodiment of the invention extends beyond traditional road infrastructure, encompassing a wide range of government properties such as telephone poles, signs, and concrete barriers. This comprehensive approach ensures that all types of accident-related damages are properly documented and addressed.
Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention incorporates advanced financial tracking capabilities, allowing government entities to transition from a position of net loss to one of financial recovery. By automating the invoicing and billing processes, the invention streamlines cost recovery from insurance companies, potentially transforming the way governments manage accident-related expenses.
In an embodiment of the invention, the system seamlessly integrates with existing police and government systems through advanced API programming. This integration enables automatic uploading and association of accident data with police systems, streamlining the documentation process and reducing manual data entry errors.
The preferred embodiment utilizes open API programming to establish communication channels with the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and local authority platforms. This allows for real-time data exchange between the invention's application and these established systems, ensuring that all relevant information is captured and synchronized across platforms.
The system's API is designed to extract pertinent information from national records databases and local county/city CRM systems. This includes data such as information about individuals involved (e.g., names, addresses, dates of birth), collision-specific details, environmental impact data (e.g., damage to road barriers, infrastructure), report numbers, information about the officer collecting the data, date and time of the incident, and insurance information for involved parties.
The preferred embodiment of the invention is configured to work in tandem with police and state information aggregation systems. When an officer completes an accident report, the invention's mobile application is automatically configured to allow for the collection of additional data, such as photographs. These photos are then automatically uploaded to the backend system and associated with the corresponding police report.
The system in an embodiment is designed to maintain full functionality even without direct integration with external systems, allowing for manual input of critical information needed to secure pictures, insurance details, and at-fault party identification. When operating in standalone mode, law enforcement officers as users can manually enter key data points directly into the system through both the mobile and desktop applications. The system provides flexibility in this process, allowing users to either type in information directly or associate it with photographs, ensuring that all necessary data can be captured regardless of connectivity to police systems. This manual input capability is crucial for situations where automated data extraction or integration with existing systems is not possible, available, or desired. The system maintains its core functionality of rapid file creation, photo documentation with geofencing and timestamping, and comprehensive accident reporting, while preserving exclusive control over the collected and processed information.
To ensure data integrity and ease of use, the system employs a verification process. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, when an officer uses aspects of the system to input data, the associated application confirms, “Is this the police report that you're referring to?” This step helps prevent errors and ensures that all collected information is correctly associated with the appropriate incident.
The system in an embodiment also provides the capability for information to be manually entered into the software without requiring synchronization with external systems. This manual input functionality allows officers to directly enter accident report information, insurance details, and other critical data through the system's interface, maintaining the independence and self-contained nature of the platform. The manual entry process preserves all core functionalities, including the ability to associate photographs, geolocation data, and timestamps with the incident record, while operating independently of external police or government systems. This flexibility ensures that the system can function effectively in jurisdictions where integration with existing systems is not feasible or desired, while still maintaining robust data collection and management capabilities.
The API is also designed to facilitate bi-directional data transfer. This is particularly important as officers may generate their accident reports at a later time. The system can both push data to police systems and pull information from police reports that an officer has created, ensuring comprehensive and up-to-date records.
An aspect of the preferred embodiment of the invention is to provide an API that allows insurance companies, law enforcement departments, and attorneys to retrieve information relevant to an accident. This API is designed to facilitate seamless access to critical accident-related data while maintaining data security and privacy.
The API is configured to integrate with various platforms, including national records databases and local county/city CRM systems. It enables authorized parties to extract pertinent information such as individual details of those involved in the accident, collision-specific information, environmental impact data, report numbers, officer information, timestamps, and insurance details.
For insurance companies, the API provides a streamlined method to access accident reports, photographs, and other relevant data necessary for processing claims. The system generates bespoke reports that are easily presentable to insurance companies, including a breakdown of costs and supporting evidence such as photographs and itemized expenses. This feature automates the invoicing and billing processes, potentially expediting the claims settlement process.
Law enforcement departments benefit from the bi-directional data transfer capabilities of the API. It allows for both pushing data to police systems and pulling information from police reports, ensuring that all relevant parties have access to the most up-to-date and comprehensive accident information. This feature is particularly useful when officers generate their accident reports at a later time, as it ensures that all subsequently added information is accessible through the API.
For attorneys, the credentials-based access to the TRAX platform offers a more efficient means of accessing evidence for prosecuting lawsuits. It provides a centralized portal for retrieving all relevant accident data, including photographic evidence, police reports, and insurance information. This comprehensive access to information can potentially streamline the legal process and enhance the ability of attorneys to build and present their cases effectively.
The API is designed with security and privacy in mind. It incorporates authentication and authorization mechanisms to ensure that only authorized parties can access sensitive information. Additionally, the system may implement data anonymization techniques for certain types of queries to protect individual privacy while still providing valuable aggregate data for analysis and reporting purposes.
An aspect of the preferred embodiment of the invention is to connect with external APIs and platforms to retrieve information pertinent to an accident, particularly police report data. This feature enhances the system's ability to gather comprehensive and accurate information about accidents, streamlining the process of data collection and analysis.
The invention's API is designed to interface with various external platforms, including national records databases and local county/city CRM systems. This connectivity allows the system to extract a wide range of relevant data points related to an accident. For instance, the API can retrieve information about individuals involved in the accident, such as names, addresses, and dates of birth. It can also access collision-specific details, environmental impact data (e.g., damage to road infrastructure), report numbers, information about the officer collecting the data, and insurance information for the parties involved.
A key feature of this aspect is the system's ability to integrate seamlessly with police reporting systems. When an officer creates an accident report, the invention's API can automatically detect and associate with that report. This integration allows for the immediate linking of additional data, such as photographs taken at the scene, with the corresponding police report. The system confirms the association by prompting the officer with a verification question: “Is this the police report that you're referring to?” This step ensures accuracy in data association and minimizes the risk of errors.
The API's bi-directional data transfer capability is particularly valuable when retrieving police report data. It allows the system to not only push data to police systems but also pull information from police reports that may be generated or updated at a later time. This ensures that the invention's database remains synchronized with the most current and comprehensive accident information available in police records.
Furthermore, the system is designed to work with the accident report to include photographs of the damage, complete with timestamps and geofencing capabilities that automatically create a defined perimeter around the photographed area. When an officer captures a photo using the mobile application, the system automatically generates coordinates and establishes a geofence around the item being captured, ensuring precise location data for each documented element of the accident scene. These photos and associated geofence data are automatically uploaded to the backend system and associated with the relevant police report. The API also facilitates the extraction of analytics from the report, including details such as the report number, geolocation coordinates, and other fields of information that the officer inputs.
The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a feature that allows private citizens to access information about accidents affecting their property through a user interface. This component integrates seamlessly with the overall system, enhancing its utility for both government entities and private individuals.
The system comprises a web-based portal that allows private citizens to create personal accounts as users and log in securely. Once logged in, in an exemplary embodiment a user is presented with an interactive map interface that displays their local area. This map utilizes the same geolocation and timestamping technologies employed in the law enforcement and government aspects of the system, ensuring accuracy and consistency across all user types.
Users can navigate the map to locate their property or search for a specific address. The system in an exemplary embodiment then displays markers or indicators representing recent accidents or incidents in the vicinity of the selected location. These markers are populated using the data collected by law enforcement officers through the mobile application component of the system.
When a user selects a specific incident marker in accordance with an embodiment, they can access relevant information about the accident, such as the date and time of the incident, type of damage caused (e.g., fence damage, property destruction), status of the incident report, and contact information for the relevant authorities or insurance companies.
In cases where a private citizen's property has been damaged (e.g., a drunk driver damaging a rural barbed wire fence), the system provides additional functionality. The system in an embodiment is configured to enable users to view a redacted version of the official incident report, which includes essential information while protecting sensitive data. The system in an embodiment allows users to access photographs taken by law enforcement at the scene, providing visual documentation of the damage. If available and permissible by law, the system in an embodiment is configured to provide information about the at-fault party's insurance, facilitating the claims process for the property owner. If repairs are being managed through the system, property owners can track the status of repairs, including estimated completion dates. The AI/ML components of the system in an embodiment provide preliminary cost estimates for repairs based on the photographic evidence and historical data.
This private citizen access feature in various embodiments integrates with the core functionalities of the invention, including data collection and storage, geolocation and timestamping, security and privacy measures, and integration with insurance and repair processes.
To facilitate the disclosure of information relevant to how a private citizen's property has been damaged, in an embodiment the system incorporates APIs that allow for secure and controlled access to the necessary data. These APIs are designed to interface with various external platforms, including national records databases and local county/city CRM systems.
The API functionality enables the system to extract and share pertinent information such as accident details, damage assessments, and insurance information, while maintaining data security and privacy. For private citizens, the login credentials or security access rights can be configured to provide access to specific data fields relevant to their property damage, such as: Geolocation data of the incident
The API is designed with security and privacy in mind, incorporating authentication and authorization mechanisms to ensure that only authorized parties can access sensitive information. Additionally, the system in an embodiment implements data anonymization techniques for certain types of queries to protect individual privacy while still providing valuable information to property owners.
By leveraging these APIs, the system in an embodiment facilitates seamless communication between private citizens, insurance companies, and repair services. This integration streamlines the process of documenting damage, filing claims, and initiating repairs, ultimately improving the efficiency of accident-related property damage resolution.
In accordance with various embodiments, the invention incorporates a robust data ownership and protection model that ensures the system retains full control over the collected and processed information, thus safeguarding the valuable data assets generated through its use. The system in an embodiment is configured to maintain a centralized database that stores all collected accident-related information, including photographs, geolocation data, timestamps, insurance details, and repair estimates. This database is owned and controlled exclusively by the system, with stringent access controls and security measures in place to prevent unauthorized access or data leakage.
The automated hazard analysis functionality in accordance with an embodiment comprises a multi-tiered statistical analysis framework to identify and correlate accident patterns with specific infrastructure features and characteristics. The system processes comprehensive datasets encompassing accident frequency, severity metrics, and infrastructure specifications to generate detailed statistical correlations. For highway curve analysis, the system calculates precise percentages of accidents occurring on curved sections compared to straight roadways, while analyzing curve radius measurements, banking angles, and surface characteristics to identify optimal safety parameters. The surface condition analysis incorporates multiple variables including material composition, wear patterns, weather impact data, and maintenance history to establish statistically significant relationships between surface properties and accident occurrence.
The system in accordance with an embodiment implements comparative analysis capabilities to evaluate incident rates between damaged and undamaged highway sections. The analytics engine processes historical accident data alongside infrastructure condition assessments to identify correlations between pre-existing damage and accident frequency. This analysis enables the system to generate predictive models for accident likelihood based on infrastructure condition, supporting data-driven decisions about repair prioritization and resource allocation. The comparative analysis framework incorporates multiple variables including traffic volume, weather conditions, and seasonal factors to ensure accurate assessment of the relationship between infrastructure damage and accident occurrence.
For DOT repair budget forecasting, the system in accordance with an embodiment employs advanced statistical modeling techniques that analyze historical repair costs, accident patterns, and infrastructure deterioration rates. The forecasting engine processes comprehensive datasets including material costs, labor requirements, equipment utilization, and safety measure implementations to generate detailed budget projections. The system continuously updates these forecasts based on new accident data, repair outcomes, and changing market conditions, enabling dynamic budget optimization and resource allocation planning.
The system in accordance with an embodiment implements AI-driven safety protocol optimization through sophisticated material effectiveness analysis capabilities. For reflective versus non-reflective materials, the analytics engine processes accident data correlated with infrastructure component specifications to evaluate safety performance under various conditions. The system analyzes factors including visibility metrics, weather impact, and accident frequency patterns to generate quantitative assessments of material effectiveness. Machine learning algorithms continuously refine these analyses by incorporating new accident data and environmental condition correlations to identify optimal material applications for different infrastructure scenarios.
The infrastructure component analysis framework in accordance with an embodiment employs advanced pattern recognition to evaluate the safety performance of different construction materials and designs. The system processes comprehensive datasets comparing accident characteristics and outcomes between infrastructure segments utilizing different materials such as concrete and hard rubber installations. The analysis engine correlates material properties with accident severity metrics, maintenance requirements, and long-term durability factors to generate evidence-based recommendations for material selection and implementation.
For color impact analysis, the system in accordance with an embodiment utilizes sophisticated computer vision algorithms to evaluate the effectiveness of different color applications in infrastructure safety features. The analytics engine processes accident data in correlation with color-specific visibility metrics, environmental conditions, and human perception factors. The system generates detailed statistical analyses of accident frequency and severity patterns related to different color implementations in signage, barriers, and road markings. Machine learning models continuously refine these analyses by incorporating new accident data and environmental condition correlations, enabling data-driven recommendations for optimal color selection in safety-critical infrastructure components.
While the system in accordance with an embodiment is designed to integrate with existing police and government platforms, it does so through carefully controlled APIs that allow for data exchange without compromising ownership or control. These APIs are configured to push selected data to external systems or pull necessary information from them, but the system in the preferred embodiment is configured such that the core data repository remains under the exclusive control of the system.
An embodiment incorporates advanced encryption and data protection mechanisms to ensure that even when data is shared with authorized parties, it remains secure and cannot be retained or repurposed without explicit permission. This approach allows the system to maintain its role as the authoritative source of accident-related information while still facilitating necessary information sharing with stakeholders such as law enforcement, insurance companies, and property owners.
To further reinforce data ownership, the system in an embodiments comprises an aspect to provide a comprehensive audit trail that tracks all data access, modifications, and sharing activities. This ensures accountability and allows for the detection of any unauthorized attempts to extract or replicate the system's proprietary data.
The system's user interface and backend processes in an embodiment are designed to prevent direct access to raw data by external parties. Instead, the system provides controlled views and reports that present necessary information without exposing the underlying data structures or allowing for bulk data extraction.
By maintaining strict control over its data assets, the system in an embodiment preserves its value proposition and competitive advantage. This approach also ensures compliance with data protection regulations and allows for the implementation of data monetization strategies, such as providing aggregated analytics or insights derived from the collected information.
The concept of data ownership extends to the AI/ML components of the system in accordance with various embodiments, which continuously learn and improve based on the accumulated data. The insights and models generated through this process in accordance with an exemplary configuration remain proprietary assets of the system, further enhancing its value and capabilities over time.
An embodiment of the invention incorporates enhanced data collection and association features to ensure comprehensive and accurate documentation of accident-related information. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes the ability to manually input the at-fault party's insurance information. The system provides flexibility in this process, allowing users to either type in the information directly or associate it with a photograph.
For instance, in an exemplary embodiment a law enforcement officer at the scene can take a photo of the insurance certificate, optionally using a smartphone operating an app relevant to the system, and the system will automatically extract and store the relevant details. Alternatively, if a physical insurance document is not available, the officer can manually enter the insurance policy information into the system in accordance with an embodiment. This dual-input method ensures that critical insurance data is captured accurately, even in situations where physical documentation may be missing or damaged.
An embodiment of the invention also includes a feature for creating a geofence and timestamp for each accident, providing precise location and time data for police presence at the scene.
When an officer arrives at an accident site and uses the app to create a photo (e.g., capturing an image of damaged property), the system automatically generates a date, coordinates, and establishes a geofence around the item being captured. This geofencing capability not only pinpoints the exact location of the accident but also helps in defining the affected area, which can be crucial for subsequent investigations or repair work. The timestamp feature in the preferred embodiment of the invention works in conjunction with the geofencing to provide a comprehensive record of police activity at the scene. It records the exact time when photos are taken, when the officer arrives, and any other significant events during the documentation process.
In an embodiment of the invention, the user interface of both the mobile app and desktop app provides intuitive tools for defining and adjusting geofences around accident sites. The preferred embodiment allows users to create geofences through multiple methods, catering to various user preferences and situational requirements.
On the mobile app in an exemplary embodiment, when an officer captures a photo of the accident scene or damaged property, the system automatically generates a default geofence based on the device's GPS coordinates. The user can then fine-tune this geofence by using touch gestures on the screen. Pinch-to-zoom functionality allows the user to expand or contract the geofence area, while drag-and-drop enables repositioning of the geofence center point. For more precise control, the mobile app interface in an exemplary embodiment includes a slider that allows users to adjust the radius of the geofence in predefined increments (e.g., feet or meters).
Additionally, in accordance with embodiments, users can manually input exact coordinates or addresses to define the geofence boundaries, which is particularly useful when the accident location is known but the officer is not physically present at the scene.
The desktop app in accordance with an exemplary embodiment offers similar functionality with enhanced capabilities for complex geofence shapes. Users can utilize drawing tools to create custom polygonal geofences, which is beneficial for accidents covering irregular areas or multiple city blocks. The desktop interface also provides options for importing geofence data from other mapping software or databases, allowing for seamless integration with existing systems. Both the mobile and desktop apps feature a map view where users can visualize the defined geofence overlaid on satellite imagery or street maps. This visual representation in accordance with embodiments helps ensure accuracy and allows for easy adjustments. The interface also displays key information such as the geofence area size, perimeter length, and central coordinates.
An important aspect of the preferred embodiment is the ability to associate multiple geofences with a single accident report. This feature is particularly useful for accidents involving multiple vehicles or spanning a large area. Users can create, name, and manage multiple geofences within the same interface, with each geofence linked to specific elements of the accident report (e.g., vehicle positions, debris fields, or damaged infrastructure).
The system in an embodiment also allows for the dynamic updating of geofences as new information becomes available or as the accident scene evolves. Users can modify existing geofences or add new ones throughout the duration of the accident investigation and subsequent repair processes. Each modification is logged with a timestamp, maintaining a comprehensive record of how the defined area changed over time. This precise timing information critical in accordance with an embodiment of the invention for establishing the sequence of events, verifying response times, and supporting potential legal proceedings.
Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention is designed to automatically create an accident report based on this geofence and timestamp data. This feature ensures that all collected information, whether gathered through the police report or manually entered, is inserted at the proper stage of the documentation process. The combination of geofencing and precise timestamping provides an irrefutable record of the accident scene, enhancing the credibility and usefulness of the collected data for various stakeholders, including insurance companies, legal professionals, and government agencies.
An embodiment of the invention comprises aspects to complement and enhance existing police accident reporting systems entirely, offering a comprehensive and integrated solution for accident documentation and management. This replacement capability is built upon the system's advanced features for automatic report generation, geofencing, and precise timestamping. For example, the system's ability to automatically create accident reports based on geofence and timestamp data represents a significant advancement over traditional reporting methods. As officers collect information at the accident scene using the mobile application, the system continuously aggregates and organizes this data. The geofencing feature automatically defines the boundaries of the accident scene, while precise timestamping records the exact sequence of events and data collection.
This automated report generation ensures that all collected information, whether gathered through traditional police reporting methods or manually entered into the system, is seamlessly inserted at the appropriate stage of the documentation process. This integration eliminates the need for duplicate data entry and reduces the risk of transcription errors that can occur when transferring information between multiple systems.
The system's ability to create a comprehensive and irrefutable record of the accident scene enhances its value to various stakeholders. Insurance companies can benefit from the detailed, time-stamped photographic evidence and precise location data when processing claims. Legal professionals can leverage the system's comprehensive reports, which include all relevant data points, to build stronger cases. Government agencies can use the standardized, detailed reports for improved analysis and decision-making regarding infrastructure maintenance and safety improvements.
Furthermore, the system's integration capabilities allow it to communicate with existing police and government databases through open API programming. This feature enables the automatic uploading and association of accident data with police systems, streamlining the documentation process and reducing manual data entry errors. The bi-directional nature of this integration ensures that the system can both push data to police systems and pull information from police reports, maintaining consistency across all platforms.
The potential for this system in an embodiment to replace existing police accident reporting systems is further enhanced by its ability to generate bespoke reports tailored to the needs of different stakeholders. These reports can include detailed breakdowns of costs, supporting evidence such as photographs, and itemized expenses, all of which are crucial for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
The preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates both mobile and desktop application configurations to optimize data collection and report generation processes.
The mobile phone application, or mobile app, in an exemplary embodiment comprises
features for collecting photographs and other on-site data at accident scenes. This mobile app allows law enforcement officers to easily capture visual evidence of damage to public infrastructure, including geolocation data and timestamps. The mobile app is configured to work seamlessly with existing police report systems, automatically uploading captured photos and associating them with the corresponding accident report. Key features of the mobile app in an embodiment comprise the ability to create a new file for each accident scene, a user-friendly interface for capturing multiple photographs, automatic geostamping (latitude and longitude) of captured images, integration with police/state information aggregation systems, and real-time data synchronization with the central database.
The preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates a feature that creates a new file immediately upon an officer opening the mobile application and capturing photographs at an accident scene. This rapid file creation process is designed to maximize the “first record” effect, ensuring that critical data is captured and centralized as quickly as possible.
When an officer arrives at an accident scene and opens the mobile application, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the system automatically prepares to create a new incident file. As soon as the officer captures the first photograph, the system instantaneously generates a new file associated with that incident. This file is assigned a unique identifier, which may be synchronized with existing police report numbering systems if integration is enabled.
The photograph captured by the officer is automatically geotagged and timestamped, providing crucial metadata about the location and time of the incident. This geolocation data is used to create a geofence around the accident site, which can be useful for subsequent analysis and repair operations.
Simultaneously with the file creation, the system sends automated alerts to relevant parties. These alerts are customizable based on the specific implementation but typically include the property owner (e.g., California Department of Transportation), which notifies the appropriate government agency responsible for the damaged infrastructure. The alert system also notifies the system's dispatch team to begin coordinating any necessary immediate responses or resource allocations. Additionally, the estimation team is alerted to start preliminary damage assessment based on the incoming photographic evidence.
The alert system in accordance with the preferred embodiment is configured such that it utilizes secure communication protocols to ensure that sensitive information is protected while being transmitted to the relevant parties. The alerts can be configured to provide varying levels of detail based on the recipient's role and authorization level. This immediate file creation and notification process serves several critical functions. It ensures that data collection begins as soon as possible, minimizing the risk of lost or forgotten information. It allows for rapid response and resource allocation by notifying relevant parties immediately. It creates a clear timestamp for the beginning of the incident documentation, which can be important for legal and insurance purposes. It initiates the automated workflow within the system, triggering subsequent processes such as damage assessment and cost estimation.
The system in the preferred embodiment is configured to function in both online and offline modes, ensuring that file creation and initial data capture can occur even in areas with limited connectivity. In offline mode, the system stores the file locally on the officer's device and synchronizes with the central database once a connection is reestablished.
The preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates functionality for manual input of critical information needed to secure pictures, insurance details, and at-fault party identification. This aspect ensures that the system can operate effectively even in situations where automated data capture or integration with existing systems is not possible or sufficient.
The mobile application interface in an embodiment is designed to allow law enforcement officers to manually enter key data points directly into the system. This includes the ability to type in insurance information for the at-fault party if a physical insurance document is not available or if the officer prefers manual entry over photographic capture. The system provides flexibility in this process, allowing users to either type in the information directly or associate it with a photograph.
For securing pictures, the system allows officers to manually associate photographs with specific incidents or damage types, even if the automatic geolocation or timestamping features are not functioning. This ensures that visual evidence can always be properly categorized and linked to the correct incident file.
The at-fault party identification can also be manually input into the system in accordance with an embodiment. Law enforcement officers can enter details such as the driver's name, license information, and vehicle details through text fields in the application interface. This manual input capability is crucial for situations where automated data extraction from driver's licenses or vehicle registration documents is not possible or accurate.
The system is designed to accommodate both automated and manual data entry, allowing for seamless operation in various scenarios. This hybrid approach ensures that all necessary information can be captured and secured, regardless of technological limitations or unique circumstances at the accident scene. This also has the critical benefit in accordance with an intended use of the system to allow a user to rapidly connect information using the mobile application while in proximity to a hazardous accident scene, and then move to a safer location out of harms way and utilize a laptop operating the desktop application to manually enter information with an off-screen keyboard.
To maintain data integrity, the manual input process in an embodiment includes verification steps to confirm the accuracy of entered information. This in an embodiment comprises prompts for the officer to double-check critical details before finalizing the incident report.
The desktop computer application is optimized for typing-intensive tasks, such as creating detailed accident reports. This configuration recognizes that officers may need to complete more comprehensive documentation after leaving the accident scene, often from their vehicle or office. The desktop application in an embodiment includes a robust interface for typing and editing accident reports, integration with the mobile app to seamlessly incorporate field-collected data, access to the central database for retrieving and updating accident information, and tools for analyzing and categorizing accident data.
Both the mobile and desktop applications in accordance with various embodiments are designed to work in tandem, ensuring a smooth workflow from initial data collection via the mobile app at the accident scene, to later input by a police officer at a safer location away from the accident scene via the desktop computer application, to the completion of comprehensive reports. This dual-application approach allows for efficient data capture in the field and more detailed documentation in a controlled environment, optimizing the overall accident reporting and management process.
In an embodiment of the invention, the system incorporates advanced features to assist law enforcement officers in generating, retrieving, and communicating police reports related to accidents. The preferred embodiment utilizes a sophisticated data management system that seamlessly integrates with existing police and government platforms to streamline the report generation process. When an officer initiates a new accident report, the system in an embodiment automatically populates relevant fields with data collected from the geofencing and timestamping features. This includes precise location coordinates, date and time of the incident, and any other pertinent information captured at the scene. The officer can then add additional details through a user-friendly interface, either on the mobile app at the scene or later using the desktop application.
The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a specific requirement for law enforcement officers to provide four key pieces of information when documenting an accident scene: pictures, insurance of the at-fault party, accident report number, and driver's name.
Pictures: The system utilizes a mobile application that allows officers to capture photographic evidence at the accident scene. These photos are automatically geotagged and timestamped, providing crucial visual documentation of the damage and accident site. The mobile application and/or desktop application in an embodiment is designed to prompt officers to take multiple photos, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the incident.
Insurance of At-Fault Party: Officers are required to collect and input the insurance information of the at-fault party into the system. This can be done by either taking a photograph of the insurance certificate or manually entering the policy details into the mobile application. The system is configured to extract relevant information from insurance documents using optical character recognition (OCR) technology, streamlining the data entry process.
Accident Report Number: Each incident is assigned a unique accident report number. This number serves as a key identifier for the case within the system, linking all related data and documents. The mobile application is designed to either generate this number automatically or allow officers to input an existing report number from their department's system, ensuring seamless integration with existing police protocols.
Driver's Name: Officers are required to input the name of the driver(s) involved in the accident, particularly the at-fault party. This information can be entered manually or captured through a photograph of the driver's license, which the system can then process using OCR technology.
The system is designed to ensure that all four of these key pieces of information are collected before an incident report can be considered complete. This requirement is enforced through the user interface of the mobile application, which guides officers through each step of the data collection process. Once these four key pieces of information are captured, the system automatically creates a new file and sends an alert to relevant parties, such as the property owner (e.g., Department of Transportation) and the system's dispatch or estimator operators. This immediate file creation and notification process ensures rapid response and efficient management of the incident.
The collection of these four key pieces of information forms the foundation for the system's subsequent processes, including damage assessment, cost estimation, insurance claims, and repair management. By standardizing and enforcing the collection of this critical data, the invention in an embodiment ensures consistency and completeness in accident reporting, which is essential for its effective operation across various jurisdictions and use cases.
An embodiment of the invention employs natural language processing and machine learning algorithms to assist in report generation. These technologies help in categorizing the type of accident, identifying key elements from officer inputs, and suggesting relevant fields to be completed based on the specific accident scenario. This intelligent assistance in the context of an embodiment is recognized by the inventor not only to speed up the report creation process but also to ensure consistency and completeness across different reports.
An important aspect of the system in an exemplary embodiment is its ability to retrieve and incorporate data from various external sources to enrich the police report. The API of the preferred embodiment can access national records databases, local county/city CRM systems, and other relevant platforms to pull in additional information such as driver histories, vehicle registrations, and prior incidents at the same location. This comprehensive data integration provides a more complete picture of the accident context, potentially aiding in subsequent investigations or legal proceedings.
Once the police report is generated, the system in accordance with an embodiment facilitates seamless communication with external systems. The preferred embodiment includes functionality to automatically notify relevant parties, such as insurance companies, legal departments, and government agencies, about the new report. These notifications can be customized or customized based on the specific requirements of each stakeholder, ensuring that only pertinent information is shared while maintaining data privacy and security.
The system also supports the dynamic updating of police reports as new information becomes available. For instance, if additional witnesses come forward or new evidence is discovered, officers can easily append this information to the existing report. Each update is logged with a timestamp, maintaining a clear audit trail of how the report evolved over time.
An embodiment of the invention comprises a system for dynamically updating police reports as new information becomes available. This aspect ensures that accident reports remain comprehensive and up-to-date throughout the investigation and resolution process. When new information needs to be added to an existing report, the system provides a user-friendly interface for officers to input additional data. This interface is accessible through both the mobile app and desktop application, allowing for updates to be made from the field or office.
The system in an exemplary embodiment prompts users to categorize the type of new information being added, such as witness statements, physical evidence, or supplementary photographs. Each update to the report is automatically tagged with metadata, including the timestamp of the addition, the identity of the officer making the update, and the category of information being added. This metadata is critical in the context of an embodiment for maintaining a clear and detailed audit trail of how the report has evolved over time.
The system in an embodiment also employs version control mechanisms to track changes to the report. This allows authorized users to view previous versions of the report, compare changes between versions, and if necessary, revert to earlier versions. This feature is particularly useful in cases where conflicting information may be received over time, allowing investigators to easily trace the development of the accident narrative.
To ensure data integrity and prevent unauthorized modifications, the preferred embodiment implements a multi-level approval process for significant updates. For instance, major changes to the report might require approval from a supervising officer before being permanently added to the official record. The system also facilitates the integration of new information from external sources. For example, if additional data is received from insurance companies, medical facilities, or forensic labs, it can be seamlessly incorporated into the existing report. The API of the preferred embodiment allows for automated updates from these external systems, reducing the need for manual data entry and minimizing the risk of transcription errors. Furthermore, the system includes intelligent notification features that alert relevant
stakeholders when significant updates are made to a report. These notifications can be customized based on the type of update and the specific needs of different agencies or departments involved in the accident investigation and resolution process.
Furthermore, the preferred embodiment includes advanced analytics capabilities that can extract valuable insights from the aggregated police report data. These analytics can help identify accident hotspots, common contributing factors, and trends in property damage, providing valuable information for urban planning, traffic management, and public safety initiatives.
The preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates a notification system that provides updates to officers about the status of cases they have initiated. These notifications are configured as push notifications in the primary embodiment, though they may also be delivered through email, SMS, through the application itself, or via other communication mediums.
The system sends notifications to the initiating officer at key milestones throughout the case lifecycle, including when a claim is started, when an estimate is performed, when repair crews begin their work, and when repairs are completed. These automated updates are specifically delivered to the officer who originally initiated the case by using the system.
This notification feature serves multiple purposes: it reinforces to the police officer that actions have been taken in response to their case initiation, demonstrates that their efforts to report the incident have produced tangible results, maintains the officer's awareness of case progression, and ensures the officer knows that potential roadway hazards identified during accident documentation have been addressed.
An embodiment of the invention therefore comprises analytics capabilities that can extract valuable insights from the aggregated police report data. These analytics leverage machine learning and data mining techniques to process large volumes of accident reports and identify meaningful patterns and trends. The system can analyze historical accident data to identify accident hotspots-locations where accidents occur more frequently than expected. This information in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is visualized through heat maps overlaid on city or regional maps, allowing authorities to easily pinpoint areas that may require increased attention or safety improvements.
The preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates the ability to integrate with existing police systems while maintaining standalone functionality, providing a flexible and robust solution for accident data management. The system in an exemplary embodiment utilizes open API programming to establish communication channels with existing police platforms, such as the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and local authority systems. This integration allows for automatic uploading and association of accident data between the invention's application and established police systems, ensuring seamless data exchange and reducing manual data entry errors.
The API is designed to extract pertinent information from national records databases and local county/city CRM systems. This includes data such as individual details of those involved in accidents, collision-specific information, environmental impact data, report numbers, officer information, timestamps, and insurance details. The bi-directional nature of the API allows the system to both push data to police systems and pull information from police reports, ensuring comprehensive and up-to-date records.
To maintain standalone functionality, the system in an embodiment is configured to work in parallel with existing police accident reporting processes. When an officer completes an accident report in their department's system, the invention's mobile application is automatically configured to allow for the collection of additional data, such as photographs. These photos are then automatically uploaded to the backend system and associated with the corresponding police report.
The system incorporates a verification process to ensure data integrity and ease of use. When an officer inputs data, the application confirms, “Is this the police report that you're referring to?” This step helps prevent errors and ensures that all collected information is correctly associated with the appropriate incident.
In cases where officers generate their accident reports at a later time, the system's ability to pull information from subsequently created police reports ensures that all relevant data is captured and synchronized. This feature is particularly important for maintaining consistency between the database and official police records.
The standalone capabilities of the system are maintained through its ability to manually input and store critical information, even in situations where integration with police systems is not immediately available or feasible. The mobile application allows for the manual entry of key data points, such as the at-fault party's insurance information, accident report numbers, and driver details.
Furthermore, the system's database is designed to store and manage all collected data independently, ensuring that the invention in an embodiment preserves its ability function effectively even without constant connectivity to police systems. This design allows for offline data collection and subsequent synchronization when connectivity is restored, providing flexibility in various operational scenarios.
By combining integration capabilities with standalone functionality, the invention offers a comprehensive solution that can adapt to different jurisdictional requirements and technological infrastructures while ensuring consistent and efficient accident data management. The preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to create cost estimates based on collected photographs of accident-related damages.
The system utilizes AI/ML algorithms to analyze the photographic evidence captured at accident scenes. These algorithms are trained to recognize various types of damage to public infrastructure, such as guardrails, concrete barriers, signs, and other government property. When photographs are uploaded to the system, the AI/ML component in an embodiment automatically processes the images to identify and categorize the extent and type of damage. Based on this analysis, the system can generate preliminary cost estimates for repairs.
The AI/ML integration takes into account various factors when creating these cost estimates, including the type of infrastructure damaged, the severity of the damage, historical repair costs for similar incidents, current material and labor costs, and geographic location-specific factors. By leveraging machine learning, the system in an embodiment continuously improves its estimation accuracy over time as it processes more incidents and receives feedback on actual repair costs.
This AI/ML-driven cost estimation feature provides several benefits. It enables rapid generation of initial cost estimates, which can be used to expedite the claims process with insurance companies. It helps standardize the estimation process, reducing potential discrepancies between different human estimators. Additionally, it identifies patterns in damage types and costs, potentially leading to insights for improving infrastructure design or maintenance practices.
By evaluating the details captured in police reports, the analytics engine can also determine common contributing factors to accidents. This may include environmental conditions (e.g., poor lighting, road surface issues), driver behaviors (e.g., speeding, distracted driving), or vehicle-related factors (e.g., brake failures, tire blowouts). The system uses natural language processing to extract these factors from narrative descriptions in reports and categorizes them for statistical analysis.
An embodiment also tracks trends in property damage over time. In an example, this includes analyzing the types of infrastructure most frequently damaged (e.g., guardrails, traffic signals, utility poles), the severity of damage, and associated repair costs. By correlating this information with accident causes and locations, the system can provide valuable insights for urban planning and infrastructure design.
These analytics capabilities offer significant value for various stakeholders in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.
In an example, urban planners can use the data to inform decisions about road design, traffic flow management, and placement of safety features. In another example, traffic management authorities can leverage the insights to optimize traffic signal timing, implement targeted speed enforcement, or deploy variable message signs in high-risk areas. In yet another example, public safety agencies can use the data to allocate resources more effectively, focusing on areas and times with the highest accident risk. In a further example, insurance companies can benefit from more accurate risk assessments based on detailed accident trends and property damage patterns.
The system's comprehensive approach to police report management, from initial generation through data retrieval and communication to external systems, represents a significant advancement in accident reporting processes. By automating data collection, ensuring accuracy through geofencing and timestamping, and facilitating seamless information sharing, the preferred embodiment streamlines the entire workflow for law enforcement and related agencies.
The integration with existing platforms, such as the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and local authority databases, ensures that the system can be readily adopted without disrupting established processes. This interoperability also enables a more holistic view of accident data across jurisdictions, potentially revealing broader patterns and trends that might not be apparent when examining data from a single agency. By leveraging advanced technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing, and geospatial analysis, the system not only improves the efficiency of report generation and management but also enhances the quality and usefulness of the data collected. This, in turn, supports more informed decision-making across various domains, from law enforcement strategies to urban development policies. As such, the preferred embodiment of the invention represents a transformative approach to accident reporting and analysis, offering potential benefits in terms of public safety, resource allocation, and urban planning.
An embodiment of the invention incorporates search functionality that allows users with proper credentials to view accident data on interactive maps with customizable date ranges and filters. This feature enhances the system's ability to provide comprehensive insights and support data-driven decision-making across various domains. The search interface in an exemplary embodiment is designed with a user-friendly map-based visualization that displays accident locations as pinpoints or heat maps, depending on the zoom level and data density. Users can interact with the map to zoom in on specific areas or pan across different regions, providing both broad overviews and detailed local insights.
An aspect of this search functionality in an embodiment is the ability to filter and customize date ranges. Users can select specific time periods, such as the current year, last month, or custom date ranges, to focus their analysis on relevant timeframes. This temporal flexibility allows for the identification of seasonal trends, the impact of specific interventions, or long-term patterns in accident occurrences.
The system in an embodiment implements a robust credential-based access control mechanism to ensure that sensitive information is only accessible to authorized personnel. Different levels of access can be configured, allowing for tailored views based on user roles and responsibilities. For example, law enforcement officials might have access to detailed accident reports, while urban planners might see aggregated data for infrastructure planning purposes.
The search functionality includes a variety of filters to refine the displayed data. These filters may include:
Users in an exemplary embodiment utilize aspects of the system to combine multiple filters to create highly specific queries, enabling detailed analysis of accident patterns and trends. The system's backend is designed to efficiently process and retrieve large volumes of geospatial and temporal data, ensuring responsive performance even when dealing with extensive datasets spanning multiple jurisdictions. This is achieved through optimized database structures and query algorithms specifically tailored for geospatial data analysis in accordance with an embodiment.
To support comprehensive analysis, the search results in an embodiment are not limited to visual representations on the map. The system also provides options to generate detailed reports, statistics, and data exports based on the selected filters and date ranges. These outputs can include metrics such as accident frequency, average repair costs, most common damage types, and other relevant analytics. The search functionality in an embodiment is integrated with the system's machine learning and natural language processing capabilities. This integration allows for advanced features such as predictive hotspot identification, where the system can highlight areas with a high likelihood of future accidents based on historical data and current conditions.
By providing this powerful search and visualization tool, the preferred embodiment of the invention enables stakeholders to gain deeper insights into accident patterns, identify high-risk areas, and make data-driven decisions for improving public safety and infrastructure management.
An embodiment of the invention further comprises a public-facing feature that showcases the financial impact of the system by displaying how much money is being saved for taxpayers on a state-by-state basis. This feature is designed to provide transparency and demonstrate the value of the system to the general public. The public-facing interface presents a user-friendly visualization, such as an interactive map of the United States, where users can easily view the cumulative savings for each state.
The system in an embodiment calculates these savings by comparing the historical costs of accident-related repairs (which were previously absorbed by the government) against the amounts successfully recovered from insurance companies through the use of the system. The savings data is updated in real-time as new claims are processed and settled, providing an up-to-date representation of the system's financial impact.
The system in an embodiment provides users with the capability interact with the map to view detailed breakdowns for each state, including metrics such as total number of claims processed, average savings per claim, and year-over-year comparisons. To ensure accuracy and maintain public trust, the system implements rigorous data validation and auditing processes. The displayed savings figures are based on verifiable data from insurance claim settlements and repair cost records, providing a reliable representation of the system's financial benefits. This public-facing feature not only serves as a powerful tool for demonstrating the system's value to taxpayers but also supports government transparency initiatives.
By making this information readily accessible, the preferred embodiment fosters public engagement and understanding of the efforts being made to manage and mitigate the costs associated with accident-related damages to public infrastructure.
An embodiment of the invention incorporates a credential system that allows certain authorized users to access and analyze accident data on a national or even global scale. This high-level access is designed for senior officials, policymakers, and researchers who require a comprehensive view of accident trends and patterns across multiple jurisdictions. The system in an exemplary embodiment implements a multi-tiered authentication mechanism that grants different levels of data access based on the user's role, security clearance, and specific needs.
The system in an embodiment implements an AI vision system for accident interpretation and analysis. The computer vision algorithms process accident scene photographs and documentation as captured or uploaded via other aspects of the application to extract critical information about infrastructure damage patterns, accident characteristics, and environmental factors.
The AI vision system's cross-referencing capabilities in an embodiment implement a multi-stage automated analysis process for comparing accident documentation against existing infrastructure records. When accident data is captured, the system's computer vision algorithms first process the photographic evidence to identify and classify specific infrastructure elements, damage patterns, and environmental conditions present at the accident scene. This processed visual data is then automatically cross-referenced against the system's central database containing detailed infrastructure specifications, historical maintenance records, and previous incident documentation. The cross-referencing engine employs pattern recognition algorithms to analyze the extracted visual features against documented infrastructure characteristics, comparing factors such as material types, structural configurations, and wear patterns. The system simultaneously validates location data through geofencing protocols to ensure precise matching of visual evidence with corresponding infrastructure records. Through continuous machine learning optimization, the analysis engine identifies correlations between current accident characteristics and historical incident patterns, enabling automated detection of recurring damage patterns and potential infrastructure vulnerabilities.
For automated hazard analysis, the system in an embodiment implements a multi-layered machine learning framework that processes and correlates diverse data inputs. The AI engine first ingests accident scene photographs through computer vision algorithms that identify and classify infrastructure elements, damage patterns, and environmental conditions. This visual analysis is combined with precise location data captured through the system's geofencing protocols and comprehensive infrastructure documentation from the central database. The machine learning models then execute a sequential analysis process: first identifying infrastructure condition anomalies by comparing current visual data against baseline specifications and maintenance records; next evaluating environmental risk factors through analysis of weather data, lighting conditions, and seasonal patterns; then detecting recurring patterns in accident occurrence by correlating incident characteristics with specific infrastructure features such as highway curves, surface materials, and safety installations. The AI engine employs predictive modeling to generate automated safety improvement recommendations based on statistical analysis of historical incident data, infrastructure performance metrics, and identified risk patterns.
The AI vision system in an embodiment comprises an integration framework with the analytics engine to enhance hazard assessment through pattern recognition and predictive modeling capabilities. The integration architecture enables real-time processing of accident scene data through multiple analytical pathways: the computer vision components analyze visual documentation to identify infrastructure damage patterns and hazard indicators; the pattern recognition algorithms correlate current accident characteristics against historical incident data to detect recurring risk factors; and the predictive modeling engine generates automated risk assessments based on infrastructure specifications and accident history. The system's machine learning models continuously optimize hazard detection accuracy through automated feedback loops—as new accident data is processed, the AI engine refines its pattern recognition parameters and predictive algorithms based on validated outcomes.
Users with the highest level of credentials in accordance with an embodiment are permitted to view aggregated data for the entire United States, comparing statistics and trends across states, or even access international data if the system is implemented globally. This broad-scale view enables the identification of macro-level patterns, the assessment of policy impacts across different regions, and the facilitation of cross-jurisdictional collaboration in accident prevention and infrastructure management strategies. The systemin an embodiment ensures data privacy and security through advanced encryption and anonymization techniques, allowing for comprehensive analysis while protecting sensitive information.
The analytics related features for real-time monitoring and efficiency in an embodiment extend to tracking of accident-related repairs. This system in an embodiment provides a comprehensive solution for tracking the entire lifecycle of an accident, from occurrence to the completion of repairs. It enables real-time monitoring of repairs through its integrated mobile and desktop applications.
In an exemplary embodiment, repair crews can use the mobile app to document their work progress, capturing photos and updating the status of repairs as they are completed. These updates are instantly synchronized with the central database, allowing supervisors and other authorized personnel to monitor the repair process in real-time through the desktop application.
The system in an embodiment incorporates timestamp and geofencing verification features to ensure accurate documentation throughout the repair process. When repair crews arrive at the accident site, the mobile application automatically validates their location against the original geofence coordinates established during the initial accident documentation. Each photograph taken before repairs begin, during the repair work, and after completion is automatically tagged with precise timestamp data and verified against the established geofence parameters to confirm the repairs are being performed at the correct location. This location verification process creates an auditable trail of repair activities, as the system continuously cross-references the repair crew's location data with the original accident coordinates stored in the central database. The synchronized geofencing and timestamp data provide verifiable evidence that repairs were conducted at the correct location and allow for precise tracking of repair duration and completion times.
A key feature of the system in the preferred embodiment is its ability to track the time between the occurrence of an accident and the completion of repairs. The associated timestamp functionality, which is integral to the accident documentation process, serves as the starting point for this tracking. As repair crews update the status of their work, the system continuously calculates and records the time elapsed since the accident occurred. This data is crucial for assessing response times and overall efficiency of the repair process.
The preferred embodiment of the invention includes analytics tools that allow measurement of efficiency in repair times. By aggregating data from multiple accidents and repair jobs, the system can calculate average repair times for different types of damage and compare these to established state benchmarks. The analytics engine can generate reports showing how often and by what margin the repair times beat the state averages.
The repair documentation workflow (300) in an embodiment provides a comprehensive system for tracking and verifying repair activities from initial documentation through completion. The before repair documentation phase (301) captures the initial state of the damaged infrastructure, with photographs automatically tagged with geolocation data and timestamps to establish a baseline for repair verification.
During repair tracking (302) enables real-time monitoring of repair progress through continuous documentation and status updates. Repair crews can capture ongoing work while the system automatically validates their location against the original accident coordinates. The after repair verification phase (303) requires final documentation of completed repairs, including photographic evidence that demonstrates the restoration of the damaged infrastructure.
The geofence validation overlay (304) provides continuous location verification throughout the repair process, ensuring all documentation and work is performed at the correct site. The system automatically cross-references repair crew locations with the original accident coordinates stored in the central database. The repair status timeline (305) tracks the progression of repairs from initiation to completion, providing stakeholders with real-time visibility into repair duration, milestone achievements, and overall project status.
Furthermore, the system in an embodiment allows for the creation of custom efficiency metrics and goals. For example, agencies can set target response times for different types of accidents or damage severity levels. The real-time monitoring capabilities of the system then allow supervisors to identify when repairs are at risk of exceeding these targets, enabling proactive management of resources to ensure timely completion.
The invention in an embodiment also facilitates the analysis of factors that contribute to faster or slower repair times. By correlating repair duration data with other variables such as time of day, weather conditions, or specific repair crew assignments, the system can identify patterns that impact efficiency. This information can be used to optimize resource allocation and improve overall response times. By leveraging advanced data analytics and real-time reporting capabilities, the system thus comprises critical aspects that enable agencies and other stakeholders to continuously improve their accident response and repair processes, potentially leading to significant cost savings and improved public safety.
The preferred embodiment of the invention encompasses analysis of repairs relevant to a wide range of public infrastructure and assets that may be damaged in vehicular accidents.
In an exemplary embodiment, the asset categories includes telephone pole, which are essential components of communication infrastructure. The system can document and track damage to telephone poles, facilitating faster repairs and more accurate cost recovery from responsible parties.
Further, in an exemplary embodiment, signs, including traffic signs, street signs, and informational signs, are also anticipated for consideration within the system. This ensures that damage to these critical elements of traffic management and public information can be properly documented, repaired, and billed to the appropriate parties.
Jersey barriers and concrete barriers, often used for traffic separation and safety purposes, are another important element included in the system in an example. These structures frequently sustain damage in vehicular accidents, and their inclusion allows for more efficient tracking of repair needs and costs.
The system in an embodiment is configured to document and track damage to a comprehensive range of roadway infrastructure and safety elements. This includes crash prevention devices, cable barriers, and various types of barriers designed to control traffic flow and enhance safety. The system can document damage to right-of-way areas and medians, including ruts and erosion damage, as well as curb damage that may result from vehicular accidents. The system's documentation capabilities extend to all types of real property damage, encompassing debris removal requirements, painting and refinishing needs, and the replacement of reflective materials that are critical for roadway safety. The system is also configured to track damage to gates, various types of fencing, and concrete structures, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all potential accident-related infrastructure impacts. This broader scope of damage tracking enhances the system's ability to generate more accurate cost estimates and helps agencies allocate resources more effectively for repairs across different types of infrastructure. The system's database is specifically designed to store and categorize these various types of damage, enabling detailed analytics and reporting that can inform future infrastructure improvements and maintenance strategies.
The system comprises a database in an exemplary embodiment to enable more accurate cost estimation for repairs. By tracking repair costs across various types of infrastructure, the system can provide more precise budgeting forecasts and help agencies allocate resources more effectively. Furthermore, the system enhances its ability to generate detailed analytics and reports on damage patterns across different types of property. This broader dataset allows for more comprehensive trend analysis, helping agencies identify recurring issues and prioritize preventative measures or infrastructure improvements. As such, in an embodiment the invention significantly enhances its value as a comprehensive tool for managing and mitigating the impact of vehicular accidents on public infrastructure. This broader coverage aligns with the system's overall goal of improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing public safety through better management of accident-related damages and repairs.
The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises features for tracking the financial impact of accident-related damages and repairs, enabling government agencies to demonstrate a transition from net losses to net profits by effectively charging insurance companies. In an exemplary embodiment, the system provides tools for monitoring and analyzing the costs associated with property damage and repairs. By tracking expenses related to each incident, including labor costs, materials, and equipment usage, and storing them within a communicatively connected database, the system can generate detailed financial reports. These reports allow government agencies to accurately assess the total cost of damages and repairs over time.
The analytics dashboard (400) in an embodiment provides a comprehensive interface for monitoring and analyzing accident-related data and financial metrics. The financial metrics panel (401) displays real-time tracking of costs and recoveries, enabling government agencies to quantify the transition from net losses to net profits through insurance claims.
The repair status tracker (402) provides visibility into ongoing repair projects, with status indicators showing progression from initial documentation through completion. This feature enables efficient resource allocation and project management across multiple repair initiatives. The accident volume analysis component (403) generates visualizations of accident patterns and frequencies, helping identify trends and high-risk areas.
The ROI calculator (404) processes financial data to demonstrate the system's value, comparing historical repair costs against recovered amounts from insurance claims. The state-by-state analysis interface (405) provides a public-facing visualization of taxpayer savings across different jurisdictions, promoting transparency and accountability in the management of accident-related infrastructure repairs.
Simultaneously, the system in an embodiment captures and manages information about the at-fault parties and their insurance providers. This data is crucial for initiating and tracking claims against insurance companies. The preferred embodiment includes functionality to automatically generate invoices or estimates based on the documented damages and repair costs. These invoices can be seamlessly directed toward the appropriate insurance companies, streamlining the billing process.
Accordingly, the preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates functionality for the system's dispatch or operator to ensure all necessary information is present to bill the insurance company. This feature is designed to streamline the process of cost recovery and improve the efficiency of accident-related damage management.
When a new file is created following an officer's documentation of an accident scene, the system automatically notifies the dispatch/operator. The dispatch/operator is then responsible for reviewing the collected information to verify its completeness and accuracy for insurance billing purposes.
The system in an embodiment provides a comprehensive checklist or dashboard for the dispatch/operator to review all critical data points required for insurance billing. This typically includes:
In accordance with aspects of the system in an embodiment, the dispatch/operator can access this information through a dedicated interface that highlights any missing or incomplete data fields. If any required information is absent, the system allows the dispatch/operator to flag these items for follow-up, either with the reporting officer or through other means of data collection. In cases where information is incomplete, the dispatch/operator has the ability to manually input or update the necessary details. This may involve utilizing aspects of the system in an embodiment contacting the officer for additional information, cross-referencing with other databases, or reaching out to involved parties directly.
The system in an embodiment also incorporates automated validation checks to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the collected data. For instance, it may cross-reference insurance policy numbers with known databases or verify the format of entered information to reduce errors. Once the dispatch/operator confirms that all required information is present and accurate, they can initiate the billing process directly through the system. This may involve generating an automated invoice or claim form that includes all relevant details necessary for the insurance company to process the claim.
The mobile application interface sequence (200) provides a streamlined workflow for accident documentation and data collection. The NEW FILE tab (201) enables officers to initiate new incident reports, with the system automatically syncing with existing credentials to populate incident numbers. The photo capture interface (202) allows officers to document accident scenes with automatic geolocation tagging and timestamp generation for each photograph taken.
The insurance information input screen (203) provides multiple options for collecting at-fault party information, including manual data entry and photograph capture of insurance documents. Upon successful data collection, the file creation confirmation interface (204) generates a unique identifier for the incident and initiates automated notifications to relevant stakeholders.
The police report integration feature (205) enables seamless association between the collected data and corresponding police reports, either through automatic synchronization with existing police systems or manual entry capabilities. This integration ensures all documented information is properly linked while maintaining the system's ability to function independently of external platforms.
The preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates the use of market rates for materials, labor, equipment, safety, and traffic control in generating cost estimates for repairs. This approach ensures that the estimates produced by the system are accurate, competitive, and reflective of current market conditions. The system's AI/ML components are trained on extensive datasets of historical repair costs and current market pricing information, allowing for real-time adjustments to estimates based on fluctuations in material costs, labor rates, and equipment rental prices.
For materials, the system maintains an up-to-date database of prices for commonly used repair items such as guardrails, concrete, asphalt, signage, and other infrastructure components. This database is regularly updated through integrations with supplier networks and industry pricing indices to ensure accuracy. Labor costs are calculated based on prevailing wage rates for the specific geographic location of the repair, taking into account factors such as overtime, specialized skills, and union requirements.
Equipment costs are estimated using current rental or operational rates for the specific machinery required for each repair job, such as excavators, cranes, or specialized road repair vehicles Safety-related expenses, including personal protective equipment and site safety measures, are factored into the estimates based on industry standards and regulatory requirements. Traffic control costs, which can vary significantly depending on the location and duration of the repair work, are calculated using standardized rates for items such as temporary signage, barriers, and flagging personnel.
By incorporating these market-based rates into its estimation process, the system in accordance with an embodiment provides stakeholders with realistic and defensible cost projections for accident-related repairs. This approach not only enhances the credibility of insurance claims but also supports efficient budgeting and resource allocation for government agencies responsible for infrastructure maintenance and repair.
To demonstrate the transition from net losses to net profits associated with government processing of claims to the insurers of at fault parties after damage is caused to government property, the system in an embodiment employs analytics tools. These tools compare the historical costs of repairs (which were previously absorbed by the government) against the amounts recovered from insurance companies. By visualizing this data over time, government agencies can clearly illustrate the financial benefits of implementing the system.
The invention in an embodiment further comprises features specifically designed to track the government's ability to self-insure. By comprising database configured to store accident-related costs and recoveries, the system provides a clear picture of the government's financial position regarding property damage. The analytics engine in an embodiment calculates key metrics such as the ratio of recovered costs to total damages, the average time to recovery, and the overall financial impact on government budgets. These metrics can be used to assess the viability and efficiency of self-insurance strategies.
An embodiment of the invention incorporates advanced tracking capabilities to monitor and analyze various aspects of accident-related damage management and repair processes. The system includes functionality to track dollars saved and spent associated with accident-related repairs and insurance claims. This feature allows government agencies to quantify the financial impact of implementing the system.
The tracking mechanism in an embodiment, optionally depicted in association with the dashboard described elsewhere herein, records all costs associated with repairs, including materials, labor, equipment, and traffic control measures. It then compares these costs against the amounts recovered from insurance companies, providing a clear picture of the net financial benefit. Time tracking is another crucial component of the system. It monitors the duration from initial file creation to the completion of repairs and claim settlement.
This feature enables agencies to assess and optimize their response times, potentially leading to improved efficiency and cost savings. The system can generate reports showing average processing times, identify bottlenecks in the workflow, and highlight opportunities for process improvements. An embodiment further comprises functionality to identify “problem areas” where accidents frequently occur.
By analyzing the geolocation data associated with each accident report, the system can generate heat maps or other visualizations to highlight locations with higher incident rates. This information can be invaluable for urban planners, traffic engineers, and public safety officials in identifying areas that may require infrastructure improvements or increased safety measures. File status tracking is integrated into the system in an exemplary embodiment, allowing stakeholders to monitor the progress of each case through various stages.
The system in an exemplary embodiment includes status categories such as NEW (for newly created files), In Process (for cases currently being worked on), Scheduled for Repair (for cases where repair work has been planned but not yet executed), and Finished (for completed cases). This status tracking feature provides real-time visibility into the workflow, enabling better resource allocation and management oversight. The system's database in an embodiment is designed to store and manage all this tracking data efficiently, allowing for comprehensive reporting and analysis.
Analytics tools within the system in an embodiment are configured to generate customized reports and dashboards, providing government officials with real-time insights into their accident management processes and financial outcomes. These tools enable agencies to make data-driven decisions about resource allocation, process improvements, and long-term infrastructure planning. By incorporating these tracking capabilities, the invention provides a powerful tool for government agencies to monitor, analyze, and optimize their management of accident-related damages and repairs.
Furthermore, the system in an embodiment comprises aspects directed to the creation of customized financial reports and dashboards. These tools enable government officials to monitor real-time financial data, set targets for cost recovery, and make informed decisions about insurance policies and self-insurance strategies. By providing a comprehensive view of both costs and recoveries, the preferred embodiment of the invention empowers government agencies to optimize their approach to managing accident-related damages. This data-driven approach not only demonstrates the transition from net losses to net profits but also provides valuable insights into the government's capacity for self-insurance, potentially leading to more efficient allocation of public resources and improved financial outcomes.
The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises features for automated invoicing and billing, streamlining the process of recovering costs from insurance companies for damages to public infrastructure. The system is designed to create electronic files specifically for billing insurance companies. This functionality allows for the automatic generation of invoices or estimates based on the documented damages and repair costs. The electronic files are configured to be easily directed toward the appropriate insurance companies, facilitating a more efficient billing process.
A key feature of the system in the preferred embodiment is its ability to generate bespoke reports that are presentable to insurance companies. These reports include a comprehensive breakdown of the costs associated with the accident and repair work. The system aggregates various data points to create these detailed reports, including photographic evidence of the damage, a list of repair costs, labor costs, material costs, equipment usage costs, and any other relevant expenses incurred during the repair process. The bespoke reports are designed to be clear, concise, and easily understandable by insurance company representatives. They provide a transparent, evidence-based view of the damages and associated costs, including by the use of photographs and other evidence data collected and aggregated by other aspects of the system, which can help expedite the claims process and improve the likelihood of full cost recovery.
The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a mobile application with a streamlined user interface designed to maximize efficiency in accident documentation. When the application is opened, users are presented with two primary tabs: “NEW FILE” and “EXISTING FILE”. The system's API is configured to automatically sync with the officer's existing licensed software credentials, which enables automatic population of new incident numbers.
In approximately 95% of cases, the system automatically identifies the relevant report based on geostamping location, presenting officers with the option to click directly on their recently created file (e.g., “FILE #12345”). Upon selecting the file, the interface immediately prompts for photograph capture, allowing officers to take as many pictures as necessary.
For manual data entry scenarios, the NEW FILE tab enables officers to enter incident or case numbers created within their standard reporting systems. The system is designed to auto-populate predefined fields, significantly streamlining the documentation process by converting many traditional form fields into simple checkbox options.
The system's backend interface provides claim pursuers with access to report information necessary for insurance and legal processes. This interface includes status indicators showing whether an incident has an associated insurance claim and the current status of that claim.
The search functionality allows users to query data using various parameters, including a visual map displaying incident locations. The system includes an analytical interface that provides credentialed users access to data and statistics derived from specific queries.
An estimator page, available to authorized users based on use case scenarios, facilitates rapid damage assessment and cost estimation. The repair tracking and status feature enables the capture of additional photographs to support repair documentation and validate completion.
The system is designed to support both app and desktop user applications, with flexibility for time-sensitive environments through a manual page where information can be emailed in a standardized format. This content, while not immediately organized within the system, is captured and monitored internally, allowing internal users to upload and create the appropriate file structure.
The application incorporates advanced capture capabilities, including PDF reader functionality, voice memo recording, and voice-to-text conversion. These features enhance the system's ability to collect and process various types of documentation efficiently.
For general public access, the system includes a separate version with distinct access credentials, enabling non-law enforcement users to capture pertinent incident information regardless of judicial boundaries. This public-facing functionality maintains the system's core capabilities while ensuring appropriate access control and data security.
Furthermore, the system comprises integration with existing police and government databases allows for the automatic inclusion of critical information in these reports, such as accident report numbers, officer information, and other relevant details collected at the scene. This approach in accordance with an embodiment ensures that all necessary information that could be construed as relevant evidence is included in the reports presented to insurance companies, reducing the need for follow-up inquiries and streamlining the overall claims process.
The preferred embodiment of the invention further comprises integration with private insurance systems and facilitates data transfer between government departments. The system in an embodiment allows for the aggregation of police-taken photographs and linking of police reports to private insurance systems. This integration enables a more seamless process for assessing real-time damage to private vehicles and other private property. By aggregating photographs taken by police officers and linking the police report to private systems, insurance companies can more efficiently process claims and assess damages. The invention in an embodiment also includes functionality to integrate with private insurance systems through an open API. This allows for automatic direction of relevant information towards insurance companies, streamlining the process of presenting losses and facilitating more efficient claim processing.
Regarding data transfer between government departments, the invention in an embodiment specifically addresses the issue of information transfer between highway patrol, local police and county law enforcement officials and the department of transportation or local city or county owners. The system is designed to facilitate the transfer of critical information, such as details about who damaged government transportation property (like highway barriers), from the highway patrol to the department of transportation.
Furthermore, the invention enables the transfer of aggregated data about accidents, including the number of accidents at particular locations over specific time periods, associated costs, and details of injuries. This data transfer aspect between departments enhances the ability of government agencies to analyze trends, identify high-risk areas, and make informed decisions about infrastructure improvements and safety measures.
The system's ability to integrate with existing platforms and facilitate data sharing between different entities (both private and governmental) represents a significant advancement in accident reporting and management processes. This interoperability and seamless data transfer capability aligns with the invention's overall goal of improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing public safety through better management of accident-related information and repairs.
The preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates features to provide attorneys with seamless access to evidence for prosecuting lawsuits related to accidents and damages to public infrastructure. The system in an embodiment is designed to allow attorneys to access more seamlessly the evidence necessary to prosecute lawsuits. This functionality enhances the ability of legal professionals to build and present cases related to accident-related damages and insurance claims.
Key aspects of the attorney access feature in an exemplary embodiment include sensitive information pertaining to parties involved, geographical data, responders information, and analytical data.
The system provides a centralized repository of all relevant information collected at the accident scene, including photographs, geolocation data, timestamps, and detailed accident reports. This comprehensive collection of data ensures that attorneys have access to all pertinent evidence in one place, streamlining the process of building a case.
Attorneys in an embodiment are provided access to the photographic evidence captured by law enforcement officers at the scene of the accident. These photographs, which are automatically uploaded and associated with the corresponding police report, provide visual documentation of the damages and the accident scene, crucial for presenting a compelling case in court. The system in an embodiment facilitates attorney access to retrieve detailed accident reports, which include critical information such as the identities of the parties involved, insurance information, and descriptions of the damages. This comprehensive reporting ensures that attorneys have all the necessary background information to pursue legal action effectively.
In an embodiment, the invention's integration with existing police and government databases enables attorneys to access additional relevant information, such as historical accident data for specific locations or patterns of recurring incidents. This broader context can be valuable in establishing liability or demonstrating systemic issues in certain areas. The system's ability to generate bespoke reports, initially designed for insurance companies, can also benefit attorneys. These detailed reports, which include cost breakdowns, repair estimates, and supporting documentation, can serve as valuable evidence in legal proceedings. By providing attorneys with seamless access to this comprehensive set of evidence and documentation, the invention in an embodiment significantly enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of legal proceedings related to accident-caused damages to public infrastructure.
The preferred embodiment of the invention represents a comprehensive and innovative system for managing and mitigating the impact of vehicular accidents on public infrastructure. This system addresses critical gaps in current processes, providing a seamless integration of data collection, analysis, and cost recovery mechanisms.
At its core, the preferred embodiment of the invention combines mobile and desktop applications to facilitate efficient data capture at accident scenes and subsequent detailed documentation. The mobile application enables law enforcement officers to quickly collect photographic evidence and essential data, while the desktop interface supports more comprehensive report generation. This dual-application approach ensures a smooth workflow from initial incident response to final documentation. The system's integration capabilities are a key feature of an embodiment of the invention, allowing for seamless data transfer between various stakeholders, including government departments, private insurance systems, and legal professionals. This interoperability enhances communication and collaboration, streamlining the entire process from accident reporting to cost recovery. Advanced analytics and artificial intelligence components in the preferred embodiment of the invention provide valuable insights and automate critical processes. The system in an embodiment comprises tools to identify accident hotspots, analyze trends, and even generate cost estimates based on photographic evidence, leveraging machine learning to continuously improve its accuracy and efficiency. In an embodiment, the invention's automated invoicing and billing features, coupled with the generation of detailed, customized reports, significantly enhance the government's ability to recover costs associated with damages to public infrastructure. This not only improves financial outcomes but also provides a clear demonstration of the transition from net losses to net profits in managing accident-related damages.
Various embodiments of the invention comprise business models intended to provide flexibility in implementation and revenue generation. These models are designed to accommodate various stakeholder needs and market conditions.
In this model, the system in an embodiment collects accident data, creates repair estimates, bills insurance companies, completes repairs, and shares data with property owners. The process begins with data collection at the accident scene using the mobile application. The AI/ML component then generates cost estimates based on the collected photographic evidence. The system automatically bills the relevant insurance companies using the integrated invoicing features. Repair crews, coordinated through the system, complete the necessary repairs. Finally, all relevant data is shared with property owners through the secure web portal.
This model in an embodiment comprises collecting accident data and creating estimates, then providing the complete file to the property owner for insurance billing. The system retains a percentage of the estimated amount as a fee. The data collection and estimation processes remain the same as in the full circle model. However, instead of handling the billing and repairs, the system generates a comprehensive report for the property owner. This report includes all necessary information for insurance claims, such as accident details, damage photographs, and repair estimates. The property owner then uses this information to bill their insurance company directly.
In this model, the system in an embodiment collects data, creates estimates, bills insurance companies, collects payments, retains a fee, and disburses the remaining balance to the property owner. This approach leverages the system's automated billing and invoicing capabilities while allowing property owners to manage repairs independently. The system's financial tracking features ensure accurate fee calculation and transparent payment distribution.
In an embodiment, the technology can be licensed to state governments, allowing them to implement and manage the system independently. This model involves providing the software, necessary training, and ongoing support to state agencies. The licensing agreement may include terms for regular updates, technical support, and data management protocols. In an embodiment, the system is configured such that states would have the flexibility to integrate the system with their existing infrastructure and customize certain features to meet specific local requirements.
An embodiment of the invention thus includes the capability for the operators of the system to operate solely as a technology provider, focusing on the software and backend operations while charging a fee per user. In an exemplary configuration, the system is configured as a streamlined software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, providing the essential tools for accident documentation, data management, and reporting without direct involvement in the insurance billing or repair processes. The backend infrastructure would be designed to support seamless integration with existing police and government systems through open API programming, allowing for efficient data exchange and synchronization. This approach would enable the system to maintain its core functionality of rapid data collection, centralized storage, and advanced analytics while minimizing operational complexities. The fee-per-user model would provide a scalable revenue stream, allowing government agencies and other authorized users to access the platform's capabilities based on their specific needs and usage levels. This technology-focused approach aligns with the invention's goal of improving efficiency in accident reporting and management while offering flexibility in implementation and monetization strategies.
In an embodiment, the system is configured such that technology underpinning the system is made available to be franchised to local operators who would implement and manage the system in specific geographic areas. Franchisees would receive the software, training, and ongoing support, similar to the licensing model. However, they would operate as independent businesses using the system's brand and technology. This model allows for rapid expansion while maintaining local expertise and relationships. Franchisees could potentially offer additional services tailored to their specific markets.
These business models can be implemented individually or in combination in accordance with various embodiments, depending on market conditions, regulatory environments, and stakeholder preferences. The system's modular design and API integration capabilities allow for flexible implementation of these various models, ensuring that the invention can adapt to diverse business needs and regulatory requirements across different jurisdictions.
By addressing the multifaceted challenges of accident management and infrastructure damage mitigation, an embodiment of the invention represents a significant advancement in public safety and resource management. It offers a comprehensive solution that enhances efficiency, reduces administrative burden, and ultimately contributes to safer and more resilient public infrastructure.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. It is not intended that the invention be limited by the specific examples provided within the specification. While the invention has been described with reference to the aforementioned specification, the descriptions and illustrations of the embodiments herein are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Furthermore, it shall be understood that all aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific depictions, configurations or relative proportions set forth herein which depend upon a variety of conditions and variables. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the invention shall also cover any such alternatives, modifications, variations or equivalents. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/245,676, filed Apr. 30, 2021, entitled “System Facilitating Government Mitigation of Damage at Public and Private Facilities,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/102,572, filed Jan. 27, 2023, entitled “System Facilitating Government Mitigation of Damage at Public and Private Facilities,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. This application is a continuation of PCT Patent Application PCT/US24/61630 filed on Dec. 23, 2024, entitled “Integrated System for Efficient Management and Accident Damage to Public and Private Assets,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17245676 | Apr 2021 | US |
| Child | 19051308 | US | |
| Parent | 18102572 | Jan 2023 | US |
| Child | 19051308 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/US24/61630 | Dec 2024 | WO |
| Child | 19051308 | US |
