Method for extensible device assessment and dynamic policy configuration

Abstract

To provide methods for extensible device assessment and dynamic policy configuration.SOLUTION: A method includes: presenting a primary device associated with a device owner for assessment of insurability and / or warrantability; performing a diagnostic assessment of one or more features of the primary device; analyzing diagnostic assessment results regarding the primary device, through the use of one or more of an app installed on the primary device, a software development kit installed via an app previously installed on the primary device, and a web-based interface visiting, by the primary device, a web page which is configured to communicate with the primary device to initiate one or more diagnostic tests on the primary device; analyzing results of the diagnostic tests; and storing the analyzed results in a database record associated with an identifier of the primary device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the full benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 045,026, filed June 26, 2020, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXTENSIBLE DEVICE ASSESSMENT AND DYNAMIC POLICY CONFIGURATION," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0002] (Technical field) The present invention relates to systems and methods for assessing and mitigating risk, and more particularly to systems and methods for performing diagnostics on a mobile device and recommending insurance based on the results of the diagnostics, as well as identifying and recommending insurance coverage for additional detectable devices. [Background technology]

[0003] Today, the use of mobile devices is widespread, and an increasing number of people utilize such devices in their daily lives. As used herein, the term “mobile device” generally refers to any electronic device that can be moved from place to place. Examples of such mobile devices include, but are not limited to, mobile phones (more commonly known as “mobile phones”), smart watches, smart jewelry, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, intelligent devices for the “Internet of Things” (or “IoT”), drone devices, mobile subscriber communication devices, tablet computers, media players, smart vehicles, laptop computers, and devices with wireless intelligent agents installed, such as Alexa, Google Voice, Siri, and Cortana. Furthermore, IoT capabilities are also increasingly associated with electronic products that are less mobile but still considered to have significant value, such as so-called “smart” televisions, home electronics and sensors, refrigerators, washing machines, and other appliances.

[0004] Driven by a desire for expanded features and functionality, consumers purchase millions of such devices each year to replace worn, damaged, partially non-functional, or slow-operating devices, or simply to acquire the latest products based on consumer loyalty or to show off new models to friends and acquaintances. Furthermore, as newly released devices incorporate more features and capabilities, the cost of such devices has increased significantly, and in some cases, the cost of handheld mobile devices can exceed that of laptop computers and even desktop computers. Thus, the trend toward including more advanced "smart" capabilities in mobile and non-mobile devices corresponds to increased costs, as does the need to provide insurance for devices presented for evaluation, as well as for additional "discoverable" devices that can be associated with the authorized user or owner of the presented device. Furthermore, because many existing insurance policies require in-person visits and apply only to new or recently purchased devices, there is a need to provide insurance or coverage for (a) devices that are not new or within a specified period of time (e.g., within 30 days) of initial purchase, and (b) devices that are not physically present with the person directly requesting insurance or coverage. What is also needed is a system and method for providing insurers and vendors with the opportunity to securely offer more comprehensive device insurance coverage (and thus improved profit opportunities with managed risk) while reducing the likelihood of insurance fraud. Summary of the Invention

[0005] As used herein, the term "device" generally refers to an electronic device, a mobile device, a vehicle, a personal electronic device such as a smartwatch or smart jewelry, or any device that may be the subject of a warranty or insurance policy. A primary device may be the device initially presented for evaluation, while a secondary device may be the device subsequently identified by the primary device owner and covered by insurance or warranty coverage. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "mobile device," "mobile electronic device," or "device" generally refer to any electronic device capable of moving from place to place and having components (such as a display or screen) that may fail or be damaged. A mobile device may be a standalone device such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a mobile subscriber communication device, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a digital camera, a video camera, a video game console, a media player, a global positioning system (GPS), a universal serial bus (USB) key, a mobile weapon, a smartwatch or jewelry, embedded electronics, and combinations thereof. A mobile electronic device may also be any electronic device integrated with another system or device. For example, a stereo, global positioning system, or other electronic device contained within a vehicle may be utilized in conjunction with the present invention. Software for implementing the methods of the present invention may be (1) installed onto the mobile device or (2) downloaded onto the mobile device indirectly or directly by an authorized user at any time, via the Internet, SMS text message, via wireless communication with an app provisioning store, or any other suitable manner and at any suitable time for implementing the methods of the present invention. For example, the software may be installed on the device when the device is purchased, or downloaded after the device is purchased, or even after the device is damaged or malfunctions.A mobile device may be insured against loss or theft, and the systems and methods of the present invention may operate as part of or in addition to an insurance policy on the mobile device. Also, as used herein, additional devices other than the primary device that are detectable by or within the knowledge of the device owner may be referred to as "secondary devices," and may include, for example and without limitation, one or more of a modem, router, smart appliance, IoT device, smart hub, house alarm, smart TV, tablet, streaming device, desktop computer, computer peripheral, printer, smart charger, smart watch, smart personal device, and vehicle. The illustration of FIG. 6 further illustrates a secondary device of the present invention in the context of device discovery.

[0006] The present invention provides a system and method for evaluating an identified device (a "primary device") and providing insurance / guarantee coverage not only to the identified device but also to additional secondary devices based on the evaluation and detection of associated devices.

[0007] Such secondary devices are preferably under the ownership or control of the primary device owner, but may be associated with other owners or parties, who may elect to determine coverage for such devices. Also provided are systems and methods for scalable device evaluation and dynamic insurance policy configuration, in which a collection of detected / identified devices may be evaluated for insurability and policy options presented to the primary device owner to insure none, or selectively insure some or all of the detected / identified devices. Systems and methods are also provided for enabling coverage updates for a collection of identified / detected devices over time, so that comprehensive insurance / warranty policies can be dynamically modified as factors affecting device coverage change, such as when devices are added or removed from ownership, become older or obsolete, or premiums become higher or lower. For example, one of the many dynamic factors affecting coverage costs and risk may be the aging of components, such as batteries or mechanical buttons, switches, and jacks, which become more likely to fail over time. Also influencing the dynamics affecting coverage are risk factors such as the mobile device's usage profile, the device's age, and the risk of loss based on known component failure history. Accordingly, in such cases, a sliding scale of coverage may be provided, where policy coverage limits may automatically decrease or prorate over time, coverage caps may be imposed or adjusted, or the owner may choose to pay a higher deductible and / or premium to continue coverage for failures or losses related to such device functionality. Meanwhile, premiums may be adjusted, coverage amounts may be adjusted, as the overall value of the insured device decreases over time due to aging and / or wear and tear of functionality, or any other combination of factors may result in coverage that is affordable for the end user and beneficial for the insurance company.Additionally, in certain embodiments, claim limits may be adjusted periodically or based on analysis of device operating conditions or usage profiles, and such adjustments may be particularly important to insurance / warranty providers when there are indications of a high-risk environment, aging devices, or a person with a history of high claims. Additionally, aspects of the device diagnostic and evaluation process may determine that a device has not been tampered with or reported lost and / or stolen before coverage is granted by the insurance company / warranty provider.

[0008] Currently, consumers who want to insure their electronic devices must apply for insurance when the device is new, which is most commonly done in person in a retail setting such as a store. Because insurance companies want to minimize the possibility of fraudulent insurance claims (e.g., someone who damages the device applies for insurance after the fact), consumers may have difficulty obtaining insurance coverage for their electronic devices if the device is not new or if it was purchased within a short period of time (e.g., 30 days) from the retail store. Meanwhile, insurance companies would like to be able to sell more insurance for devices that are not newly acquired or that the vendor does not currently see, but are often prevented from doing so to avoid the risk of losses due to fraud.

[0009] Thus, the technical advantages of the present invention are numerous, for example, embodiments of the present invention make it easier for customers to insure a wide range of devices; extend insurance to "known" or "low risk" customers' devices; reduce fraud risk, especially if the customer successfully completes diagnostic software on the customer's primary / secondary devices; reduce fraud risk by extending diagnostic testing to the customer's other devices where possible; increase insurance company revenue by offering expanded coverage; offer financial sales incentives to OEMs, maintenance facilities, warranty providers, and sales agents; expand the customer base by allowing primary insured customers to nominate "family and friends" to be added for additional insurance coverage, providing a financial incentive to do so where possible; and provide a mechanism for people to build a manifest of their personally owned devices to more easily obtain insurance coverage in the event of a single item or catastrophic loss (phone outage vs. house burned down). Both insurance providers wanting to manage risk and optimize pricing points and consumers wanting to manage insurance plans / coverage on a device-by-device basis can benefit from aspects of the present invention; the marketplace for applications can include OEMs, mobile operators, and warranty providers, who can benefit from offering insurance and paying commissions, thereby increasing their commissions through the sale of additional insurance policies or riders. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In one embodiment, a method of the present invention is a computer-implemented method including: submitting a primary device associated with a device owner for an insurability and / or warrantability evaluation; performing a diagnostic evaluation of one or more features of the primary device; analyzing results of the diagnostic evaluation for the primary device and storing the analyzed results in a database record associated with an identifier of the primary device; identifying one or more secondary devices associated with the device owner; associating a unique secondary device identifier with each identified secondary device, respectively, and storing the respective secondary device identifier for each identified secondary device in a database record; determining whether a diagnostic evaluation can be performed for each identified secondary device, and if so, performing a diagnostic evaluation of one or more device features of such identified secondary device and storing results of the diagnostic evaluation in a database record associated with the respective secondary device identifier; analyzing the database records of the diagnostic evaluation of the primary device and the diagnostic evaluation of each identified secondary device, respectively, and determining insurance or warranty coverage options based on results of the analysis of the diagnostic evaluation; and presenting a list identifying the primary device and the identified secondary devices along with respective insurance or warranty coverage options for the device owner. The primary device may include any type of device suitable for evaluation of the present invention, such as one of a smartphone, a mobile electronic device, a desktop computer, a tablet, or a smart vehicle. The secondary device may include one or more of a modem, a router, a smart appliance, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a smart hub, a home alarm, a smart TV, a tablet, a streaming device, a desktop computer, a computer peripheral, a printer, a smart charger, a smart watch, a smart personal device, and a vehicle.Also, the primary device may comprise a mobile smartphone, and the method may further include installing an app on the primary device to perform a diagnostic evaluation of one or more functions of the primary device, which may further include performing a diagnostic evaluation of the one or more functions of the primary device in a remote server communicatively coupled to the primary device.

[0011] In one aspect, the secondary device of the present invention can comprise a mobile smartphone and can further include remotely installing an app on the secondary device to perform a diagnostic evaluation of one or more functions of the secondary device. Also, identifying one or more secondary devices associated with the device owner can further include one or more of: scanning a network communicatively coupled to the primary device and itemizing devices found to be included in the network; contacting a mobile carrier that provides service to the primary device and obtaining from the mobile carrier a list of devices in a group service plan with the primary device; manually entering information about the one or more secondary devices by the device owner; sending an email or text message to an account accessible by the secondary device, and prompting a user of the secondary device to click on a link to provide information about the secondary device.

[0012] Furthermore, performing a diagnostic evaluation of one or more device functions of the identified secondary device may include requesting the secondary device to perform a self-test and receiving results of the self-test, and embodiments may further include prompting the device owner to select a coverage option from presented coverage options for each of the primary and secondary devices and storing the selection in a database record. Furthermore, presenting the list may further include calculating and displaying to the device owner a total monthly premium for the selected insurance or coverage options, and embodiments of the present invention may further include analyzing one of the primary and secondary devices and updating the database record to reflect the updated analysis. Also, implementations may include re-evaluating each insurance or coverage option and presenting an updated list of options to a user of the primary device.

[0013] The options related to insurance or coverage options may further include the cost of coverage, policy terms, premium payments, claim limits for identified device functionality repairs, device features included in coverage, device features excluded from coverage, and costs for obtaining additional and / or expanded coverage. Additionally, determining whether a diagnostic evaluation should be performed may further include determining that a diagnostic evaluation can be performed on the secondary device at a future time and offering insurance or coverage at an expanded price until such evaluation can be performed. Additional aspects may further include installing a dynamic coverage evaluator app on one or more of the primary and secondary devices, where the dynamic coverage evaluator app may remain active and run in the background on such mobile devices, and further where the dynamic coverage evaluator app accumulates a list of candidate devices communicating with the mobile devices over time, determines whether such candidate devices are already covered under the device owner's insurance policy, and if not, offers to add such uncovered devices to the device owner's insurance policy either periodically or when prompted by the device owner's use of the dynamic coverage evaluator app. Additionally, the primary device identifier may include one or more of the device make, model, IMEI, phone number, device ID, device tag, account number, serial number, and device fingerprint value.

[0014] In yet another aspect of the present invention, performing a diagnostic evaluation of one of the primary device or the secondary device may include obtaining one or more of device identification information, device orientation sensor status, battery status, branding labeling information, location information, memory information, device local radio operation, display status, housing status, device power-on status, and audio status. In this configuration, the device orientation sensor status may include one or more of the operational status and current values of the device's magnetometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, pressure sensor, or sensors used by the device in obtaining its physical orientation. Additionally, the battery status may include one or more of information regarding whether the device's battery is charged, whether the battery can hold a charge, an estimated capacity comparison with the battery's original specifications, maximum and / or minimum battery levels, and current charge type. Additionally, the location information may include one or more of a locale indicator, GPS information, location data service information, connected wireless tower information, and accessed Wi-Fi domains. Additionally, the memory information may include one or more of the device's average memory usage, the device's maximum and minimum memory usage, the device's storage capacity, the storage used by the device, the device's internal memory / storage, and the device's external memory card status and / or capacity, and further, the device local wireless operation may include one or more of the following: operation status and information regarding whether a Wi-Fi connection is not operational, a device uptime value, the amount of data sent or received over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth® operation status, and NFC status. Additionally, the display status information may include one or more test results regarding whether the mobile device's screen is cracked, the location of the crack on the device's screen, the size and extent of the crack on the mobile device's display, the current brightness level of the display, and an indicator of whether the LCD is functioning.In another aspect, the power-on status may include one or more of whether the mobile device is powered on for a predetermined period of time and whether the power button of the mobile device is operational, and the audio status may include whether the volume up or volume down buttons operate within a predetermined range, whether the speaker is outputting audio signals at an expected volume level, whether the microphone is receiving audio input with an acceptable gain, whether the microphone is receiving audio input at a predetermined frequency, and whether the speaker of the mobile device is producing audio signals at a desired amplitude in a frequency range.

[0015] Aspects of the invention may further include identifying one or more secondary devices not directly associated with the device owner and contacting owners of one or more secondary devices not directly associated with the device owner to offer the device owner an incentive to offer insurance or warranty coverage. And in one embodiment, the database record is stored at least in part in a database server managed by a third-party insurance or warranty provider, the database server being communicatively coupled to the primary device. One aspect also includes dynamically adjusting the monthly insurance premium based on usage profiles of the primary and secondary devices, where in some implementations the usage profile includes parameters related to the risk of loss, damage, or deterioration of either the primary or secondary devices over time.

[0016] A system of the present invention is also presented, the system comprising a primary device comprising a mobile device, the primary device comprising: a processor in communication with a memory; a user interface in communication with the processor, the user interface including a touch-sensitive display and a data entry interface; and a communication module in communication with the processor, the communication module configured to provide a communication interface to a third party server further including a database, a server processor, and a server memory, wherein one or more of the memory of the primary device or the server memory, when executed by the processor or the server processor, respectively, perform the following steps: submitting a primary device associated with a device owner for an assessment of insurability and / or warrantability; performing a diagnostic assessment of one or more features of the primary device submitted by the device owner; analyzing results of the diagnostic assessment for the primary device; and registering the analyzed results in a database record associated with an identifier of the primary device in a database. identifying one or more secondary devices associated with the device owner; associating a unique secondary device identifier with each identified secondary device, respectively, and storing the secondary device identifier for each identified secondary device in a database record; determining, for each identified secondary device, whether a diagnostic evaluation is possible, and if so, performing a diagnostic evaluation of one or more device functions of such identified secondary device, and storing results of the diagnostic evaluation in the database record associated with the respective secondary device identifier; analyzing the database records of the diagnostic evaluation of the primary device and the diagnostic evaluation of each identified secondary device, respectively, and determining insurance or warranty coverage options based on the results of the analysis of the diagnostic evaluation; and presenting a list identifying the primary device and the identified secondary devices along with respective insurance or warranty coverage options to the device owner.

[0017] The system of the present invention can be configured to perform the steps of the present invention, whereby the primary device can comprise any type of device suitable for evaluation of the present invention, such as one of a smartphone, a mobile electronic device, a desktop computer, a tablet, or a smart vehicle. The secondary device can include one or more of a modem, a router, a smart appliance, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a smart hub, a home alarm, a smart TV, a tablet, a streaming device, a desktop computer, a computer peripheral, a printer, a smart charger, a smart watch, a smart personal device, and a vehicle. The primary device can also comprise a mobile smartphone, and the method of the present invention can further include installing an app on the primary device to perform a diagnostic evaluation of one or more functions of the primary device, which can further include performing a diagnostic evaluation of one or more functions of the primary device in a remote server communicatively coupled to the primary device.

[0018] The system of the present invention can be configured to perform the steps of the present invention, whereby in one aspect, the secondary device of the present invention can comprise a mobile smartphone and further include remotely installing an app on the secondary device to perform a diagnostic evaluation of one or more functions of the secondary device. Also, identifying one or more secondary devices associated with the device owner can further include one or more of: scanning a network communicatively coupled to the primary device and itemizing devices found to be included in the network; contacting a mobile carrier that provides service to the primary device and obtaining from the mobile carrier a list of devices in a group service plan with the primary device; manually entering information about the one or more secondary devices by the device owner; sending an email or text message to an account accessible by the secondary device; and clicking a link to prompt the user of the secondary device to provide information about the secondary device.

[0019] Furthermore, a system of the present invention can be configured to perform steps of the present invention, whereby performing a diagnostic evaluation of one or more device functions of an identified secondary device can include requesting the secondary device to perform a self-test and receiving results of the self-test, and embodiments can further include prompting the device owner to select a coverage option from presented coverage options for each of the primary and secondary devices and storing the selection in a database record. Furthermore, presenting the list can further include calculating and displaying to the device owner a total monthly premium for the selected insurance or coverage option, and embodiments of the present invention can further include analyzing one of the primary and secondary devices and updating the database record to reflect the updated analysis. Implementations can also include re-evaluating each insurance or coverage option and presenting an updated list of options to the user of the primary device.

[0020] In various system aspects of the present invention, the options related to insurance or coverage options may further include the cost of coverage, policy terms, premium payments, claim limits for repairs of identified device features, device features included in coverage, device features excluded from coverage, and costs for obtaining additional and / or expanded coverage. Additionally, determining whether to perform a diagnostic evaluation may further include determining that a diagnostic evaluation can be performed on the secondary device at a future time and offering insurance or coverage at an expanded price until such evaluation can be performed. Additional aspects may further include installing a dynamic coverage evaluator app on one or more primary and secondary devices, where the dynamic coverage evaluator app may remain active and run in the background on such mobile devices, and further where the dynamic coverage evaluator app accumulates a list of candidate devices communicating with the mobile devices over time, determines whether such candidate devices are already covered under the device owner's insurance policy, and if not, offers to add such uncovered devices to the device owner's insurance policy either periodically or when prompted by the device owner's use of the dynamic coverage evaluator app. Additionally, the primary device identifier may include one or more of the device make, model, IMEI, phone number, device ID, device tag, account number, serial number, and device fingerprint value.

[0021] In yet another aspect of the system of the present invention, performing a diagnostic evaluation of one of the primary device or the secondary device may include obtaining one or more of device identification information, device orientation sensor status, battery status, branding labeling information, location information, memory information, device local radio operation, display status, housing status, device power-on status, and audio status. In this configuration, the device orientation sensor status may include one or more of the operational status and current values of the device's magnetometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, pressure sensor, or sensors used by the device in obtaining its physical orientation. Additionally, the battery status may include one or more of information regarding whether the device's battery is charged, whether the battery is capable of holding a charge, an estimated capacity comparison with the battery's original specifications, maximum and / or minimum battery levels, and current charge type. Additionally, the location information may include one or more of a locale indicator, GPS information, location data service information, connected wireless tower information, and accessed Wi-Fi domains. Additionally, the memory information may include one or more of the device's average memory usage, the device's maximum and minimum memory usage, the device's storage capacity, the storage used by the device, the device's internal memory / storage, and the device's external memory card status and / or capacity, and the device local wireless operation may include one or more of the following: operation status and information regarding whether a Wi-Fi connection is not operational, a device uptime value, the amount of data sent or received over Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth operation status, and an NFC status. Additionally, the display status information may include one or more test results regarding whether the mobile device's screen is cracked, the location of the crack on the device's screen, the size and extent of the crack on the mobile device's display, the current brightness level of the display, and an indicator of whether the LCD is functioning.In another aspect, the power-on status may include one or more of whether the mobile device is powered on for a predetermined period of time and whether the power button of the mobile device is operational, and the audio status may include whether the volume up or volume down buttons operate within a predetermined range, whether the speaker is outputting audio signals at an expected volume level, whether the microphone is receiving audio input with an acceptable gain, whether the microphone is receiving audio input at a predetermined frequency, and whether the speaker of the mobile device is producing audio signals at a desired amplitude in a frequency range.

[0022] Aspects of the system of the present invention may further include identifying one or more secondary devices not directly associated with the device owner and contacting owners of one or more secondary devices not directly associated with the device owner to offer the device owner an incentive to offer insurance or warranty coverage. And in one embodiment, the database record is stored at least in part in a database server managed by a third-party insurance or warranty provider, the database server being communicatively coupled to the primary device. One aspect also includes dynamically adjusting the monthly insurance premium based on usage profiles of the primary and secondary devices, where in some implementations the usage profile includes parameters related to the risk of loss, damage, or deterioration of either the primary or secondary devices over time.

[0023] In yet another embodiment, a method of the present invention includes submitting a primary device associated with a device owner for an insurability and / or warrantability assessment; performing a diagnostic assessment of one or more functions of the primary device; analyzing, by the primary device, diagnostic assessment results regarding the primary device using one or more of an app installed on the primary device, a software development kit installed via a pre-installed app on the primary device, and a web-based interface via visiting a webpage configured to communicate with the primary device to initiate one or more diagnostic tests on the primary device; and analyzing the results of the diagnostic tests and storing the analyzed results in a database record associated with an identifier of the primary device. A further aspect further includes analyzing the database record of the primary device diagnostic assessment to determine insurance or warranty coverage options and presenting insurance or warranty coverage options for the primary device to the primary owner. Furthermore, in one aspect, the primary device is one of a smartphone, a mobile electronic device, a desktop computer, a tablet, or a smart vehicle.

[0024] The primary device may include a mobile smartphone, and the method may further include installing an app on the primary device to perform a diagnostic evaluation of one or more functions of the primary device, and may further include performing a diagnostic evaluation of the one or more functions of the primary device at a remote server communicatively coupled to the primary device.

[0025] In various embodiments, presenting the options further includes calculating and displaying a total monthly premium for the selected insurance or warranty options to the device owner. Aspects may further include reevaluating each insurance or warranty coverage option and presenting the updated options to the primary user. Additionally, the insurance or warranty coverage options may further include the cost of coverage, policy terms and conditions, premium payments, claim limits for identified device feature repairs, device features included in coverage, device features excluded from coverage, and costs to obtain additional and / or expanded coverage.

[0026] In an additional embodiment, the method of the present invention may further include installing a dynamic warranty coverage evaluator app on the primary device, which may remain active and run in the background of such mobile device, and the dynamic warranty coverage evaluator compiles a list of candidate devices that communicate with the mobile device over time, determines whether such candidate devices are already covered under the primary device owner's insurance policy, and if not, proposes adding such uncovered devices to the device owner's insurance policy either periodically or when prompted by the primary owner's use of the dynamic warranty coverage evaluator. In some implementations, the primary device identifier may include one or more of the device make, model, IMEI, phone number, device ID, device tag, account number, serial number, and device fingerprint value. Furthermore, performing a diagnostic evaluation of one of the primary devices may further include obtaining one or more of device identification information, device orientation sensor status, battery status, branding labeling information, location information, memory information, device local radio operation, display status, housing status, device power-on status, and audio status.

[0027] In yet another embodiment, the device orientation sensor status may include one or more of the operational status and current values of the device's magnetometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, pressure sensor, or sensors used by the device in obtaining its physical orientation, and in another aspect, the battery status may include one or more of information regarding whether the device's battery is charged, whether the battery is capable of holding a charge, an estimated capacity comparison with the battery's original specifications, a battery maximum and / or minimum level, and a current charge type. The location information may include one or more of a locale indicator, GPS information, location data service information, connected wireless tower information, and accessed Wi-Fi domains, and in yet another implementation, the memory information includes one or more of the device's average memory usage, the device's maximum and minimum memory usage, the device's storage capacity, storage used by the device, the device's internal memory / storage, and the device's external memory card status and / or capacity. Additionally, the device local wireless operation may include one or more of an operation status and information regarding whether the Wi-Fi connection is not operational, a device uptime value, an amount of data sent or received over Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth operation status, and an NFC status, and in yet another implementation, the display status information includes one or more test results regarding whether the mobile device screen is cracked, the location of the crack on the device screen, the size and extent of the crack on the mobile device display, the current brightness level of the display, and an indicator of whether the LCD is functional.The power-on status may include one or more of whether the mobile device is powered on for a predetermined period of time and whether the power button on the mobile device is operational, and the audio status may include whether the volume up or volume down buttons operate within a predetermined range, whether the speaker is outputting an audio signal at an expected volume level, whether the microphone is receiving audio input with an acceptable gain, whether the microphone is receiving audio input at a predetermined frequency, and whether the speaker of the mobile device is producing an audio signal at a desired amplitude in a frequency range.

[0028] Aspects of the invention may further include identifying one or more secondary devices not directly associated with the device owner and contacting owners of one or more secondary devices not directly associated with the device owner to offer an incentive to the device owner to provide insurance or warranty coverage. Additionally, the database record may be stored, at least in part, in a database server managed by a third-party insurance or warranty provider, the database server being communicatively coupled to the primary device, and aspects may further include dynamically adjusting the monthly insurance premium based on a usage profile of the primary device. In one implementation, the usage profile includes parameters related to the risk of loss, damage, or deterioration over time of either the primary device or the secondary device.

[0029] A more complete understanding of the present invention can be obtained by reference to the detailed description and claims considered in conjunction with the following illustrative figures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 shows a conceptual block diagram of an embodiment of a system of the present invention; [Figure 2]FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system embodiment of the present invention showing a mobile operator in secondary device identification. [Figure 3] 1 shows an exemplary flow diagram of steps used to practice aspects of the present invention; [Figure 4] 3 shows a continuation of an exemplary flow diagram of steps used to practice aspects of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates another system and flow diagram of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates secondary devices that may be detected by aspects of the present invention. [Figure 7] 2 shows another block diagram of a system embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] According to one aspect, the method allows an existing policyholder to run diagnostics on a device (e.g., a phone or tablet) they wish to insure. This ensures that the policyholder obtains the best policy based on the condition of the device. If the condition is not suitable, the primary policyholder may be unable to insure that particular device, may offer a compromise on price or coverage, or may be given the option to test other devices the device owner wishes to insure or cover. The insurance company / coverage provider can configure these diagnostic tests to ensure that key aspects of the device condition are tested and recorded (resulting in reduced risk). The detailed results and details of the diagnostic tests can be viewed in the insurance management portal.

[0032] For example, Figure 1 shows a high-level overview of a system embodiment 105 of the present invention. A primary device 100, which may comprise a mobile telephone device, is communicatively interfaced to a Device Assessment and Insurance Management System (DAIMS) 110, which is preferably implemented in hardware and software on both the device 100 and a remote third-party server, or may be implemented independently on the device 100 or the remote server. DAIMS 110 includes a device detection coordinator 115 to assist in identifying secondary devices for possible consideration of insurance / coverage. It also includes a device diagnostics and assessment function 120, which can diagnose and assess individual device functionality to determine functional status for insurance purposes (e.g., whether any malfunctions are found in the device orientation sensor, device battery, location / geolocation (e.g., GPS), memory status, device local radio operation, display status, housing status, device power-on status, and audio element status). The diagnostics may be performed via an app on the primary device 100, installed and executed on a secondary device (e.g., 150, 160, 165), performed remotely by a server communicatively coupled to the primary device 100 or the secondary device, or a combination thereof.

[0033] An insurance policy evaluator and insurance policy update function 125 is provided to determine whether the primary device 100 or any secondary devices are insured or eligible for coverage, and if so, to calculate the limits and costs of each such coverage. In one embodiment, described in more detail below, a list of devices is presented with options for input by the owner of the primary device 100, allowing selection of a desired coverage configuration based on the device's testing status. As previously mentioned, traditional insurance or surety companies avoid providing coverage for devices not presented to an insurance / surety agency; however, in embodiments of the present invention, described more fully below, insurance companies can offer coverage options with known, more quantifiable risk thresholds. If the primary and secondary devices are periodically revalued as needed, the insurance policy evaluator dynamically quotes coverage options and pricing, allowing the device owner to make appropriate selections based on the updated presentation of coverage. Also shown is a claims submission and adjustment service 130 that integrates interfaces for applied devices (e.g., the primary device and applied secondary devices) with an insurance / underwriting service 135, enabling more automated submission and processing of device claims. Finally, the insurance / underwriting service 135 maintains a remote server with a database 140 that can contain information about the device owner's account, information about the primary device, and information about any secondary devices identified during the discovery process 115. Thus, the DAIMS 110 can be integrated within an app installed on the primary device 100, run remotely (e.g., at the insurance agency 135) on a server associated with the device owner's account, through a browser link to the server, or in a preferred embodiment, through a combination of a mobile app and a remote server.

[0034] Summarizing more generally with respect to the device discovery coordinator 115, embodiments of the present invention provide several ways to conveniently add devices to existing insurance policies. FIG. 1 illustrates a communication coupling 145 to a generalized network 155, which may include a wired connection and / or wireless protocols. Known secondary devices 150 may be directly identified by the device owner for possible analysis and inclusion in the insurance policy. Additionally, the device owner / potential policyholder can utilize the device discovery coordinator 115 to perform a scan to identify other connected devices 160 visible through a connection 161 to the network 155. These secondary devices 160 include any electronic device communicatively coupled to the primary device 100 that the company desires to insure, such as a smartwatch, television, router, printer, Bluetooth products and accessories, game console, other phones, tablet, etc. Additionally, as described more fully with respect to Figure 2, the device discovery coordinator 115 can interface 166 with a mobile network operator (MNO) to obtain a list of system-identified secondary devices 165 for which the primary device owner may have obtained mobile service; these may typically occur in a friends and family plan or through a shared wireless account. As shown in Figure 2, an MNO device discovery coordinator 210 (e.g., an application programming interface or API) can provide an interface with the MNO to accept the primary account owner's (or primary device owner's) identification 220 and then utilize a lookup function from the MNO's database 280 to identify group account plans, shown at 230, frequently called contacts for a submitted inquiry, or other devices owned by the primary device owner that are visible to the MNO.

[0035] A candidate device list is generated (240) and sent (166) via the MNO device discovery coordinator 210 to the DAIMS 110 of FIG. 1 (as shown in simplified form in FIG. 2) to further augment the list of secondary devices for possible inclusion in insurance or warranty coverage. Finally, the devices selected by the device owner for insurance coverage can be selected as is and added to the new quote.

[0036] Thus, the present invention allows for expanded insurance coverage, i.e., the primary policyholder has the option to insure more devices once they accept the estimated premium and add it to their bill. Furthermore, for secondary devices for which diagnostics have not yet been performed, the device owner is offered coverage at an initial, higher price; however, if the primary device owner performs a diagnostic and evaluation on such devices, the insurer can offer a different price after receiving the diagnostic results, which may be substantially lower based on risk reduction. Also, if the diagnostic results indicate that one or more components of the device are damaged (e.g., a cracked display is detected), a modified insurance option may be offered at a lower price, providing coverage only for the device's components that are in acceptable working order, or offering a reduced replacement value if the damaged device is lost entirely. Furthermore, with optional permission granted by the device owner, diagnostics may be automatically installed on secondary devices and run at a future time when their execution is most desirable (e.g., in the background during a standby period) or when the current user of the device is prompted to initiate a test (e.g., a mirror-based display test).

[0037] Without aspects of the present invention, candidate items for insurance may not be permitted to be covered by insurance or warranty if they are not directly presented, and without aspects of the present invention, it may be practically impossible to determine the exact list of other devices that the primary account holder wishes to insure and to evaluate the operating condition of such devices for insurance, warranty, and fraud mitigation purposes.

[0038] The method of the present invention is illustrated in flowchart 300 of FIG. 3 . A device owner presents a primary device associated with the device for an insurability and / or warrantability evaluation (305). During this process, the device owner provides sufficient information to uniquely identify the primary device, such as a phone number, IMEI, or any other unique ID associated with the primary device. If the device is a mobile device, an app may be installed on the primary device. A diagnostic evaluation of one or more features of the primary device is then performed (310). The diagnostics may be performed by an installed app, by diagnostics performed via a web-based interface to a remote server, or by any combination of the two approaches. In other words, if the primary device is a mobile smartphone, the analysis may further include installing an app on the primary device to perform a diagnostic evaluation of one or more features of the primary device, or alternatively, or in combination, performing an evaluation of the primary device at a remote server communicatively coupled to the primary device. The diagnostic results are analyzed, and the results for the primary device are stored in a database record (315) associated with the primary device's identifier (e.g., a device list record entry for the mobile device). In one embodiment, the database record is stored at least in part on a database server managed by a third-party insurance or warranty provider, the database server being communicatively coupled to the primary device. In various embodiments, the primary device identifier may include one or more of the device make, model, IMEI, phone number, device ID, device tag, account number, serial number, and a unique device fingerprint value. In one embodiment, the process continues with identifying 320 one or more secondary devices associated with the device owner, and the device owner may be requested to have appropriate user permissions to allow access to information about the detected secondary devices.While the discovery step 320 can be fully automatic in some embodiments, the device owner can also manually submit information about secondary devices for which coverage is desired. The discovery step 320 can include identifying one or more secondary devices associated with the device owner and further includes one or more of: scanning a network communicatively coupled to the primary device and itemizing devices found to be included in the network; contacting a mobile carrier that provides service to the primary device and obtaining from the mobile carrier a list of devices in a group service plan with the primary device; manual entry of information about one or more secondary devices by the device owner; or sending an email or text message to an account accessible by the secondary device and prompting the user of the secondary device to click on a link providing information about the secondary device. In one embodiment, the discovery step 320 includes, for example, scanning by the primary device a local area network (LAN) to which the device is connected to obtain a list of IP addresses on the network and querying each IP address for a hostname and / or media access control (MAC) address. Additionally, during the detection step 320, a unique secondary device identifier is associated with each identified secondary device, and the respective secondary device identifier and data regarding each identified secondary device are stored in a database record.

[0039] In step 325, for each identified secondary device, it is determined whether a diagnostic evaluation of each secondary device should be performed. In some cases, secondary devices such as mobile devices lend themselves to comprehensive diagnostic techniques, while other types of secondary devices, such as simple IoT devices, may not be able to be diagnosed remotely or fully, in which case information and limitations regarding the diagnostic are recorded in the respective device's database record (326). Additionally, determining whether a diagnostic evaluation should be performed for the secondary device may further include determining that a diagnostic evaluation can be performed for the secondary device at a future time and offering insurance or warranty coverage at an extended price until such an evaluation can be performed. If a diagnostic is to be performed for a particular secondary device, a diagnostic evaluation of one or more device functions of such identified secondary device is performed (327). In one embodiment, if the secondary device is a mobile smartphone, the process further includes remotely installing an app on the secondary device to perform a diagnostic evaluation of one or more functions of the secondary device. In yet another aspect, performing a diagnostic evaluation of one or more device functions of the identified secondary device includes requesting the secondary device to perform a self-test and receiving results of the self-test. Regardless of whether a test is performed, the results of the diagnostic evaluation (or limited evaluation) are stored in the database record associated with each secondary device identifier, and the database record is updated (330) to include the secondary device associated with the primary device, and the database record includes any evaluation and diagnostic results.In one embodiment, the Full Device List (FDL) stored in the database may include one or more of the following: device description information, assigned phone number, assigned hostname, assigned MAC address, model / serial number, IMEI of the referenced device, identification information such as the owner and authorized user of the referenced device, whether the device is mobile, mobile carrier ID, device location, diagnostic tests performed and results of the diagnostics, functional relationship with a primary device (e.g., a mobile phone on a family plan), insurance / warranty information (e.g., insurance policy / coverage related information), and referral source / payment share configuration for referral incentive payments.

[0040] Process 300 continues in FIG. 4. Once the database is fully updated, the database records are analyzed for the primary device diagnostic assessment and each identified secondary device diagnostic assessment to determine insurance or coverage options (335); during this process, a risk assessment / analysis is performed based on the condition and type of each device listed in the database, as well as cost considerations and policy limits and exclusions. The risk analysis may be further based on device usage profiles, assessment and diagnostic results, device owner account history, and other factors discussed herein. Further, calculations are performed to prepare insurance / coverage proposals and coverage terms and limits for each item in the full device list. A list identifying the primary device and the identified secondary devices, along with the respective insurance or coverage options for each device (and package), is then presented to the primary owner (340). Presenting the list may further include calculating and displaying to the device owner the total monthly premium for the selected insurance or coverage options. For example, options related to insurance or coverage options may include the cost of coverage, policy terms, premium payments, claim limits for repairing identified device features, device features included in coverage, device features excluded from coverage, and costs to obtain additional and / or expanded coverage. The primary device owner may then be prompted (345) to select a coverage option from the presented coverage options for each of the primary and secondary devices, and the selections are updated and stored in the database record. The insurance company / coverage provider may then access the database record, generate a bill, and bill the primary device owner for the configured insurance policy. However, over time, the needs of the device owner may change (e.g., as new devices are added, old / failed devices are discarded, etc.), as do the owner's associated devices.In this manner, the primary device owner can access the full device list and update coverage options over time as desired (350), and in one embodiment, the primary device owner can reevaluate each of their insurance or coverage options and review the updated list of options for adjusted policy coverage selection. In other embodiments, the discovery process is re-run periodically, which may be adjustable by the primary device owner. The discovery process may be run completely independent of the primary device owner's input, and if no additional candidate devices are found, in one embodiment, the owner may not be contacted, thus minimizing interaction with the primary device owner. Additional aspects are described below.

[0041] Yet another implementation includes installing a dynamic coverage evaluator app on one or more primary and secondary devices, which can remain active and run in the background of such mobile devices. The dynamic coverage evaluator accumulates a list of candidate devices that communicate with the mobile device over time, determines whether such candidate devices are already insured under the primary device owner's insurance policy, and, if not, suggests adding such uninsured devices to the device owner's insurance policy either periodically or when prompted by the primary owner's use of the dynamic coverage evaluator. In this manner, automatic updates can be performed to provide the primary device owner with the most relevant and meaningful coverage options for consideration. Furthermore, the device owner's insurance policy can periodically terminate devices that have not communicated with the primary device within a predetermined period, e.g., a one-year period. In one embodiment, the device owner's insurance policy terminates devices whose assigned MAC addresses have not been identified on the local area network (LAN) by the primary device within a predetermined period. In yet another aspect, monthly premiums can be dynamically adjusted based on the usage profiles of the primary and secondary devices. The usage profile includes parameters related to the risk of loss, damage, or deterioration of either the primary or secondary device over time.

[0042] In various implementations, performing a diagnostic evaluation of one of the primary or secondary devices includes obtaining one or more of device identification information, device orientation sensor status, battery status, branding labeling information, location information, memory information, device local radio operation, display status, housing status, device power-on status, and audio status. For example, the device orientation sensor status may include one or more of the operation status and current values of the device's magnetometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, pressure sensor, or sensors used by the device in obtaining its physical orientation. The battery status may include one or more of information regarding whether the device's battery is charged, whether the battery can hold a charge, an estimated capacity comparison with the battery's original specifications, maximum and / or minimum battery levels, and the current charge type. The location information may include one or more of a locale indicator, GPS information, location data service information, connected wireless tower information, and accessed Wi-Fi domains. The memory information may include one or more of the device's average memory usage, the device's maximum and minimum memory usage, the device's storage capacity, the storage used by the device, the device's internal memory / storage, and the device's external memory card status and / or capacity. Additionally, the device local wireless operation may include one or more of the following: operation status and information regarding whether a Wi-Fi connection is not operational, a device uptime value, the amount of data sent or received via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth operation status, and NFC status. Various information regarding the device's display may be included, and the display status information may include one or more test results regarding whether the mobile device's screen is cracked, the location of the crack on the device's screen, the size and extent of the crack on the mobile device's display, the current brightness level of the display, and an indicator of whether the LCD is functioning.Additionally, the power-on status may include one or more of whether the mobile device is powered on for a predetermined period of time and whether the power button of the mobile device is operational, and the audio status may include whether the volume up or volume down buttons operate within a predetermined range, whether the speaker is outputting audio signals at an expected volume level, whether the microphone is receiving audio input with an acceptable gain, whether the microphone is receiving audio input at a predetermined frequency, and whether the speaker of the mobile device is producing audio signals at a desired amplitude in a range of frequencies.

[0043] Aspects of the invention may offer financial incentives to device owners or insurance agents to extend devices acquired during the discovery process and potentially offer insurance / warranty coverage to additional identified parties. For example, one embodiment includes identifying one or more secondary devices not directly associated with the device owner and offering the device owner an incentive to contact owners of the one or more secondary devices not directly associated with the device owner and offer insurance or warranty coverage to them.

[0044] Additional aspects of the present invention provide additional benefits to device owners in terms of updating / replacing detected and identified devices. For example, a trade-in offer for one or more of the devices in the full device list may be presented to the device owner, along with the proposed device warranty coverage. In one embodiment, the identification information of the devices in the list and their diagnostic status information can be collected and sent to a third-party device recycler. After receiving a response from the third-party recycler, the offer can be extended to the device owner, and if the device owner follows up on the offer by clicking a user link to the recycler's website with the relevant offer information, the offer can include a benefit commission to the warranty / insurance agency. For example, the presented information could display something like, "Do you have an iPhone 7 in good to excellent condition? Interested in trading it in? Trade-in price $115 (click here for more information)."

[0045] In related embodiments, if the device owner consents, all or part of the information collected in the full device list can be provided to additional third parties for additional purposes; for example, if an OEMS or other equipment vendor has an outdated or malfunctioning device in the manifest, the information can be used to provide / replace the device with minimal difficulty. Furthermore, a software configuration manifest can be obtained for all device owner's devices so that account holders can more easily update outdated software if they so desire. Additionally, regardless of whether the primary user chooses to insure or obtain warranty coverage for the devices in the manifest, device fingerprints for the devices can be maintained, thereby streamlining recovery / replacement of auxiliary devices in the event of loss (such as loss due to theft or fire), particularly in the case of comprehensive home insurance policies.

[0046] A system of the present invention is further presented, the system comprising a primary device comprising a mobile device, the primary device comprising: a processor in communication with a memory; a user interface in communication with the processor, the user interface including a touch-sensitive display and a data entry interface; and a communication module in communication with the processor, the communication module configured to provide a communication interface to a third party server, the third party server further including a database, a server processor, and a server memory, wherein one or more of the memory of the primary device or the server memory, when executed by the processor or the server processor, respectively, perform the following steps: submitting the primary device associated with a device owner for an assessment of insurability and / or warrantability; performing a diagnostic assessment of one or more features of the primary device submitted by the device owner; analyzing results of the diagnostic assessment for the primary device; and registering the analyzed results in a database record associated with an identifier of the primary device in a database. identifying one or more secondary devices associated with the device owner; associating a unique secondary device identifier with each identified secondary device, respectively, and storing the respective secondary device identifier and data for each identified secondary device in a database record; determining, for each identified secondary device, whether a diagnostic evaluation should be performed, and if so, performing a diagnostic evaluation of one or more device functions of such identified secondary device, and storing results of the diagnostic evaluation in the database record associated with the respective secondary device identifier; analyzing the database record for the primary device diagnostic evaluation and each identified secondary device diagnostic evaluation, respectively, to determine options for insurance or warranty coverage; and presenting a list identifying the primary device and the identified secondary devices along with respective options for insurance or warranty coverage to the primary owner.The various steps described above with respect to FIGS. 3-4 may also be included in and processed by the disclosed system.

[0047] In yet another embodiment, the entire device list or database record associated with the primary device can be stored in a blockchain database format. One advantage of this data structure is its incorruptible nature; rather, uncontrolled or unauthorized changes to the database can be easily detected. Furthermore, in some implementations, the blockchain data structure can provide for automated policy execution features, including payments, premium value updates, automatic price adjustments, and rebates based on changing risk and package coverage (e.g., value pricing). Privacy can also be protected through encryption, regardless of whether the data records are implemented in a blockchain or other traditional database structure. In one embodiment, claims can be submitted, tracked, and resolved through the same blockchain for each applicable device (through this process, the policy can be verified to ensure it does not expire too easily, and the policy terms can be reviewed). The blockchain aspect also helps insurance companies detect database corruption or hacks—for example, when a fraudster fraudulently adds a broken device to the list with information indicating that the device is fully functional, attempting to submit a fraudulent claim. In yet another aspect, policy resale or vendor intervention can be applied in various scenarios, for example, automated policies vs. mobile device policies vs. home policies, by pruning portions of the blockchain to allow for application by a different vendor.

[0048] Additional methods of the present invention include diagnostic analysis of a primary mobile device without first considering any secondary devices, and diagnostics regarding the primary device can be performed via various techniques, such as locally, remotely via a web-based interface, via a software development kit, or any combination thereof. Thus, a method is presented that includes submitting a primary device associated with a device owner for an insurability and / or warrantability assessment; performing a diagnostic assessment of one or more functions of the primary device; analyzing diagnostic assessment results regarding the primary device by using one or more of: an app installed on the primary device; a software development kit installed via a pre-installed app on the primary device; or a web-based interface by the primary device accessing a web page configured to initiate one or more diagnostic tests on the primary device and then communicate with the primary device to analyze the results of the diagnostic tests; and storing the analyzed results in a database record associated with an identifier of the primary device. After the results of the diagnostics are analyzed, insurance / warranty options can be presented to the primary owner of the primary device.

[0049] Similar tests may be performed on the primary device only, as in the case of the primary or secondary device described above, and results regarding insurance options, modifications, and usage profiles may similarly apply only to the primary device.

[0050] Yet another method of the present invention can be used in parallel with the others disclosed above. In this aspect, the device owner sends a link to the phone / tablet to which the device owner is connected (sometimes referred to as a "family device"). The link may be sent via a third-party app (e.g., Messenger, WhatsApp, etc.) or may direct to a webpage where the user (family member) can run specific diagnostic tests to determine the device's condition, such as checking the touchscreen or screen glass. These tests are also configurable, giving insurance companies the option to collect the most important information about the device and manage risk. Diagnostic results for these tested devices are also available in the management portal. Once the test is successfully performed, the detailed results (pass or fail) determine the device's status (eligible or ineligible for insurance). The primary policyholder can view the status of each device and select eligible devices to add to a new quote.

[0051] The primary policyholder can select several connected and family devices to form a new quote. The quote details can be reviewed by the primary policyholder before they decide to commit and "add to bill." Also, after a policy renewal, the primary policyholder can continue to use the app to view their inventory of protected devices, along with policy and premium details.

[0052] As an optional incentive, to reward and engage policyholders, once they have completed their purchase, they are given the option to avail a discount or "bonus" by inviting a friend to use the app (or use their insurance company). This is done by sharing a referral link using a third-party application (SMS, WhatsApp, etc.).

[0053] In addition to the methods described above, one proposed implementation includes a method utilizing the following steps.

[0054] 1. Open a "master account" with your insurance company. (This step can be done after step 2, but it's listed as the first step here so that the reference to a "master account" makes sense.)

[0055] 2. A diagnostic application is installed (and executed) on the primary device, or a web-based service running on a remote server (in communication with the primary device) is used to run diagnostic tests on the device owner's primary device. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments, the primary device may be a non-mobile device, such as a desktop computer, smart television, or IoT-connected device. In other embodiments, the primary device may be designated by the device owner via a web-based interface, and diagnostics may be performed remotely.

[0056] 3. The warranty / insurance coverage available for the primary device is defined depending on the diagnostic test results, and the device is added to a device list maintained electronically by the insurance provider. For example, if the diagnostic test indicates that the GPS functionality is not operational, the device may only be covered under "broken glass" insurance rather than full insurance coverage.

[0057] 4. Steps 2-3 can be repeated for any additional mobile devices owned by the device owner or their family members, and these devices are also added to the device list. This can be done locally by the device owner after logging into their account (running further diagnostic tests if necessary), or remotely, with the device owner sending an invitation from their primary device to their family members' devices, prompting them to perform steps 2-3. Criteria may vary depending on the device owner; for example, devices belonging to a primary device owner may undergo a more stringent regime when the account is initially opened, which may include requiring the primary device owner to provide proof of identity.

[0058] 6. Steps 2-3 can be repeated for any non-mobile devices owned by the primary device owner, and these devices will also be added to the device list. Network-connected devices, such as modern home appliances, can be added by performing a scan of the local area network. Devices without network connectivity (or even non-digital devices) can be added along with any additional evidence of ownership by recording their characteristics using another device, for example, by taking a photo of the device using a "master device."

[0059] In one aspect, if permission is granted by the primary owner, the dynamic insurance coverage evaluator can remain active and running on the primary mobile device for a period of time after installation. The evaluator can accomplish various purposes, including accumulating a list of candidate devices that communicate with the primary mobile device over time, determining whether such devices are already covered under the primary mobile device owner's insurance policy, and, if not, offering such uncovered devices for addition to the insurance policy either periodically or when prompted by the primary owner's use of the insurance evaluator. With the primary account owner's permission, the insurance policy evaluator can access certain access logs stored on the mobile device or an external server, such as a mobile carrier server, to compile a list of candidate devices for insurance. In one embodiment, when prompted, or alternatively at a predetermined time period, the list is presented to the primary account owner, showing the list of insured devices, any associated coverage, and identified candidates for addition to the list. Alternatively, the app can evaluate the conditions of use of alternative devices (when, where, by whom, how often, amount and frequency of movement, risk factors such as age of the user), and the app can present a list of known devices by coverage level (sufficient coverage, insufficient coverage (suggesting additional coverage), or excessive coverage (presenting an opportunity to save money on the policy). Policy payments can then be adjusted based on dynamic coverage of the primary and secondary devices together and can change based on coverage allocated to the secondary mobile device. Certain incentives (such as blanket coverage or package deals) may also be offered to encourage the primary owner to add devices to the list that the insured might not consider adding, for example, coverage for inexpensive IoT devices.In yet another embodiment, a "hub" component, such as a router or smart speaker (e.g., Google Home, Alexa), is designated as the "home" hub by the primary device owner, and this device can install capabilities or software that accumulate and maintain a usage log of device access, thus further adding to the list of potential accessible devices. During the discovery process, device classes can be created, such as IoT or wireless-enabled medical devices, that may not be added to the list for privacy reasons. In yet another embodiment, device usage can be tracked over time, and a risk profile can be created and automatically metered based on device usage criteria; therefore, insurance rates can be dynamically adjusted for all devices in the primary owner's account list; for example, rates should increase if the primary device owner's child frequently takes their phone to the beach and therefore poses a higher risk of injury due to their usage profile.

[0060] 7. The full device list (i.e., the list of devices added to the insurance plan in steps 3-6) and insurance plan proposals (i.e., pricing and coverage per device) are presented to the primary device owner.

[0061] 8. The primary device owner selects which devices they want to cover and authorizes the insurance plan for billing.

[0062] 9. Additionally (and optionally), the Primary Device Owner may share the app with other users for financial compensation (not protected under the insurance policy).

[0063] 10. Additionally, the Primary Device Owner can review the monthly premium, list of protected devices, and add or remove devices from an approved insurance plan at any time.

[0064] Another alternative illustration of the systems and methods 500 of the present invention, including the above-mentioned aspects and others, is shown in FIG.

[0065] In an additional aspect, the presentation application accessed by the primary device may also provide claims submission / adjustment functionality to automate or assist the user in submitting and tracking claims submitted to insurance agents. Coverage amounts, provided payment amounts, and payment or non-payment reasons provided to the primary device owner may be verified. Device replacements may also be tracked if proposed as a result of a claim on the provided insurance policy.

[0066] With respect to the mobile device diagnostic techniques described above, embodiments of the present invention communicate directly with the mobile device hardware via a serial or USB-type connection, enabling relevant information to be obtained from the device without first installing an app on the mobile device. In various embodiments of the present invention, detailed product, vendor, and status information can be obtained quickly from the mobile device, even when the mobile display is not functioning or the mobile device battery is discharged. Furthermore, diagnostic and certain provisioning operations can be performed by a host system connected to the mobile device without the need to install an app on the mobile device. Furthermore, in various embodiments, mobile carriers can perform analysis and mobile device provisioning in a retail setting without the need to purchase additional hardware other than a computer system configured to operate the methods of the present invention along with an interface cable, as described herein. In a retail environment or kiosk, the mobile device may connect to a test system via a USB cable, and a web browser configured with a plug-in can run on the retailer / kiosk computer or tablet to perform diagnostic testing and / or provisioning of the connected mobile device in accordance with aspects of the present invention described herein.

[0067] In additional embodiments of the present invention, a full serial connection is established between the mobile device and the host system, and advanced analysis, diagnostics, and provisioning functions such as erasure can be performed without a user or test system having to first install an app on the mobile device. Furthermore, various embodiments can diagnose and provision a mobile device without rooting or modifying the mobile device from a factory default state.

[0068] Aspects of the present invention may also include installing a security application on a provided mobile device, such as a primary device, and performing a device audit function whereby device configuration parameters are obtained for the mobile device, determining a unique device ID for the mobile device from the device configuration parameters, storing the device configuration parameters in an insurance tracking database in a record associated with the device ID, and associating the device ID in the insurance tracking database with an authorized user of the mobile device. The audit function may be performed by a security application on the mobile device, by a computing device attached to the mobile device, or a combination thereof. Any suitable device configuration parameters may be included in the insurance tracking database, including parameters such as device type, manufacturer, model number, serial number, manufacturing date, hardware configuration list, memory capacity, software manifest, list of enabled features, list of disabled features, electronic serial number, ESN, IMEI number, International Mobile Equipment Identifier number, IMSI number, International Mobile Subscriber Identity number, UIMID number, and user identity module identifier. An embodiment involving a SIM card (such as a replaceable subscriber identity module commonly used in mobile phones) using the method of the present invention also includes determining that at least one of the stored device configuration parameters includes an IMSI number within the device's SIM, and flagging the parameter indicating that any mobile device possessing a SIM with the IMSI contained within the SIM should be covered under the offered insurance policy in an insurance tracking database.Another implementation includes receiving an insurance claim for a loss event related to a mobile device, determining that a SIM card associated with the mobile device was inserted into a secondary mobile device before the reported loss date of the mobile device, retrieving from an insurance tracking database an IMSI number associated with the SIM card of the mobile device, submitting a query to a mobile network operator including the IMSI number and a date of first use on a currently operational mobile device, and finding from the mobile network operator that the date of first use of the IMSI on the current mobile device precedes the reported loss date of the mobile device and precedes the installation date of a security application on the mobile device, thereby assessing the likelihood of fraud. Any suitable type of identifier may be utilized in conjunction with embodiments of the present invention, and a method is provided that comprises computing an electronic device fingerprint that uniquely identifies the mobile device with respect to device fingerprints or unique electronic representations of hardware components, and storing the fingerprint in an insurance tracking database as associated with an authorized user.

[0069] Device location can also be utilized to assist in detecting and deterring fraud in connection with insurance policies for mobile devices. In one embodiment, a method is provided for obtaining mobile device location information corresponding to a device ID via a provided interface to a mobile carrier and storing the location information in an insurance tracking database record associated with the device ID. The location of a mobile device can be obtained by any conventional method of obtaining mobile device location information corresponding to a device ID and storing the location information in an insurance tracking database record associated with the device ID, such as via a provided interface to a location-as-a-service provider.

[0070] The exemplary system shown in FIG. 1 may alternatively be shown in FIG. 7 and comprises a mobile device 800 (which in some embodiments may comprise one of primary device 100 or secondary devices 150, 160, 165) including a processor 810 coupled to memory 820, which in one embodiment may include volatile memory, non-volatile memory (such as FLASH memory), or a combination thereof. A communication module 830 comprises a wireless transceiver 840 for wirelessly communicating with one or more servers, such as a host server 860 and other entities, via an antenna 850, although those skilled in the art will understand that a wired connection may be established to provide connectivity instead of or in addition to a wireless connection. The mobile device also includes a user interface 870 coupled to the processor 810. The mobile device 800 may include any suitable power source, such as a battery 801. The mobile device 800 may include any other desired components, such as a global positioning system (GPS) that provides geolocation information for locating the mobile device. Some or all of the components of the mobile device 800 may include (or communicate with) a hardware identification module (not shown), such as a universal subscriber identity module and / or a removable user identity module. The hardware identification module may be coupled to the processor 810 and may include an identifier that can be compared to a predetermined identifier to determine whether the hardware of the mobile device 800 has been altered. The hardware identification module (and the predetermined identifier) may include any suitable identifier, such as an electronic serial number, a local area identity identifier, an integrated circuit identifier, an international mobile subscriber identifier, an authentication key identifier, and / or an operator-specific emergency number identifier. The identifier may be stored in memory 820 and transmitted to the host server 860 for comparison with the predetermined identifier.

[0071] The functionality of the mobile device 800, including the methods described (in whole or in part) herein, may be implemented through a processor 810 executing computer-readable instructions stored in memory 820 of the mobile device 800. The memory 820 may store any computer-readable instructions and data, including software applications, user-installed or third-party installed "apps," applets, and embedded operational code.

[0072] Furthermore, software applications can be configured to operate with minimal underlying hardware capabilities. For example, the application can be launched before the mobile device establishes a network connection. Such a situation can occur, for example, when a software application is installed on a SIM card in a mobile device and launches before other software in the mobile device operating system. Alternatively, or additionally, a data element such as a link or URL (Universal Resource Locator) can reside on the SIM card, and launching an application such as a browser using the URL or link can cause the application referenced by the link or URL to be loaded onto the mobile device from a remote server and / or executed directly from the remote server.

[0073] Software for performing the methods of the present invention may reside on the device or be downloaded by the mobile device by an authorized user, and / or may further reside in memory 16 of host server 860 and be executable by server processor 14. The functionality of mobile device 800 and host server 860 may also be implemented through various hardware components that store machine-readable instructions, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), graphics processing units (GPUs), and neural network processing or simulation circuitry. Systems according to embodiments of the present invention may operate in conjunction with any desired combination of software and / or hardware components.

[0074] Processor 810 retrieves and executes instructions stored in memory 820 to control the operation of mobile device 800. Similarly, server processor 14 retrieves and executes instructions stored in server memory 16 to control the operation of host server 860. Any number and type of processor, such as integrated circuit microprocessors, microcontrollers, and / or digital signal processors (DSPs), can be used with the present invention. Memory 820 stores instructions, data, messages transmitted from (or received by) mobile device 800, and any other suitable information, and server memory 16 similarly stores instructions, data, messages transmitted from (or received by) host server 860, and any other suitable information. Memory 820 and server memory 16 operating with the present invention can include any combination of different memory storage devices, such as a hard drive, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, or any other type of volatile and / or non-volatile memory. Data can be stored in memory 820 or server memory 16 in any desired manner.

[0075] The communication interface 830 communicates with one or more servers, such as a host server 860, or other suitable entities. Similarly, the communication interface 18 of the host server is configured to communicate with the mobile device 800, a general network such as the Internet, or any other suitable entity. Any suitable communication devices, components, systems, and methods may be used with the present invention. For example, the wireless transceiver 840 may be configured to communicate using any number and types of cellular protocols, such as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Personal Communications Services (PCS), Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA), Time Division Synchronous CDMA (TD-SCDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), and / or Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA). A mobile device operating with the present invention may alternatively (or additionally) include wireless transceiver(s) (and associated components) and communicate using any other method of wireless communication protocol, such as ISO 14443 protocol, ISO 18000-6 protocol, Bluetooth protocol, Zigbee protocol, Wibree protocol, WiFi protocol, IEEE 802.15 protocol, IEEE 802.11 protocol, IEEE 802.16 protocol, Ultra Wideband (UWB) protocol, IrDA protocol, and combinations thereof, and further, communication interface 18 of host server 860 may be configured to operate with such protocols and communicate with mobile device 800 or any other device. Antenna 850 may be configured to transmit and receive any wireless signal in any format and may be equipped with multiple different antennas to transmit and receive using different wireless protocols.

[0076] The communications module 830 may communicate with the server 860 or another device using any other form of connection, such as a wired internet connection, a wireless internet connection, a cellular network connection (including a data link connection), a WLAN connection, a WWAN connection, an optical connection, a Firewire® connection, a Thunderbolt connection, a Lightning port connection, an e-SATA connection, a USB connection, a mobile device sync port connection, a powerline connection, and / or a security cable. The communications module 830 may be used to communicate with one or more companion devices to monitor the location or status of the mobile device 800 (e.g., by monitoring whether the communications link between the mobile device and the companion device is intact), as well as to communicate with any number of other devices to assist in tracking / locating a lost or stolen mobile device 800.

[0077] Mobile device 800 includes a user interface 870. User interface 870 may include any number of input devices (not shown) for receiving commands, data, and other suitable input from a user, as well as any number of output devices (not shown) for providing data, notifications, and other suitable information to the user from mobile device 800. Similarly, host server 860 includes a user interface 15 and may include any number of input devices (not shown) for receiving commands, data, and other suitable input from a user or a third party, as well as any number of output devices (not shown) for providing data, notifications, and other suitable information from host server 860 to the user / third party.

[0078] Any number of input devices, such as a touchpad, touchscreen, mouse / trackball / trackpad, microphone, and / or alphanumeric keypad, can be included in the user interface 870, 15, allowing a user to input commands and data into the mobile device 800 and the host server 860. For purposes of this application, the term "touchscreen" can include a display integrated with or proximate to a touch interface that can determine when a user applies a physical connection proximate to the display. The touchscreen can have sensors that can measure parameters from user interaction; such sensors can measure capacitance, resistance, pressure, or differential readings resulting from the movement of a "touch" onto the screen. The user interface 870 can be configured to detect the pressure applied by the user to the keys of a keypad (implemented virtually on the display or as a physical array of key switches), as well as the time interval between key presses to determine whether the current user is authorized to use the device. The user interface 870 can also include a microphone that allows a user to provide audio data to the mobile device 800, as well as one or more cameras that allow the mobile device to capture still or video images. Similarly, the user interface 15 of the host server 860 may include a microphone that allows the user to provide audio data to the host server 860, as well as one or more cameras that allow the server 860 to capture still or video images. In one embodiment, the mobile device 800 includes a front-facing camera 874 that faces the user when the device is operating, and a rear-facing camera 872 on the opposite side of the mobile device. The mobile device 800 may include voice recognition software for processing language input via the user interface 870.The user interface 870, and similarly, the server user interface 15, may also include any number of suitable output devices, such as a display screen for visually displaying information (e.g., video and text) and / or a speaker for providing audible output. The mobile device's display may be configured to sense user touch by any suitable means, such as capacitive sensing, pressure sensing, gel displacement sensing, resistive sensing, or any other suitable or conventional touch transmission technology utilized by those skilled in the relevant art. The mobile device 800 may be configured to provide a word, phrase, tone, recorded music, or any other type of audible output to the user through the speaker. As described above, the user interface 870 may be activated to provide information and / or interfere with operation of the mobile device 800 when an unauthorized user attempts to use the mobile device 800. For example, the lighting level of the display may be adjusted to draw attention to the mobile device, and an unpleasant and / or loud sound may be played through the speaker.

[0079] The mobile device 800 may include one or more biometric devices configured to receive biometric information, such as a fingerprint scanner, an iris scanner, a retina scanner, and / or a breath analyzer. Input devices such as a microphone or camera may also be utilized to perform biometric analysis, such as voice analysis or facial recognition. Additionally, the mobile device may include a magnetometer (such as may be utilized in an electronic compass) for measuring magnetic fields, a MEMS or other type of gyroscope for measuring attitude, and an accelerometer for measuring changes in motion of the mobile device.

[0080] Information provided or received by the user interface 870, 15 may be in any suitable format. For example, a user interface that communicates information to a user in an audible format may first provide a data header, followed by the data value, allowing the user to identify the data. The user interface 870, 15 may provide information in any number of desired languages, regardless of whether the information is provided audibly or visually.

[0081] The user interface 870, 15 may also provide / receive information to the user in a machine-readable format. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, for example, the user interface 870 of the mobile device 800 may send and receive messages using dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tones. The mobile device 800 and host server 860 may be configured to send, receive, and process machine-readable data in any standard format (such as an MS Word document, an Adobe PDF file, an ASCII text file, a JPEG, or other standard format) as well as any proprietary format. Additionally, machine-readable data to or from the user interface 830, 15 may be encrypted to protect the data from unintended recipients and / or improper use. In other embodiments, the user must enter a passcode to enable use of some or all of the functionality of the mobile device 800. Any other user interface features may be utilized to enable a human or non-human user to interact with one or more devices operating in conjunction with the present invention.

[0082] Mobile device 800 may include any other suitable features, components, and / or systems. For example, mobile device 800 may be configured to preserve its battery life by shutting off some or all of its components, such as the camera or microphone. Components may be selectively shut down in response to security breach events, as well as in response to commands from an authorized user or security authority. Alternatively, mobile device 800 may be configured to overutilize its components to drain the battery as quickly as possible, limiting the usefulness of mobile device 800 to unauthorized users, for example.

[0083] The mobile device 800 can be configured to implement one or more security measures to protect data, restrict access, or provide any other desired security functionality. For example, the mobile device 800 can encrypt transmitted data and / or data stored within or created by the device itself. Such security measures can be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Any data encryption or protection method can be utilized with the present invention, such as public / private key encryption systems, data scrambling methods, hardware and software firewalls, tamper-resistant or tamper-responsive memory storage, or any other method or technique for protecting data. Similarly, passwords, biometrics, access cards or other hardware, or any other system, device, and / or method can be employed to restrict access to any device operating with the present invention.

[0084] Host server 860 communicates with mobile device 800, authorized users, unauthorized users, security authorities, and other entities to monitor mobile device 800, protect against unauthorized use, and mitigate harm associated with a security breach event or attempted fraud. Host server 860 may include any number of separate computer systems, processors, and memory storage devices, as well as any other suitable entities. Host server 860 may include or communicate with one or more databases 880 that store information about authorized users and mobile device 800 to monitor and track mobile device 800 and provide instructions to mobile device 800 in the event of a security breach event.

[0085] For example, database 880 may store a usage profile of a mobile device, enabling software on host server 860 to detect whether continued use of the mobile device deviates from the usage profile by a predetermined threshold or whether the mobile device has suffered a loss event that results in a fault condition in mobile device 800. Host server 860 may also receive, process, and store (e.g., in database 880) information from mobile device 800. Host server 860 may process any type of data in any format to achieve any purpose, such as receiving and processing environmental parameters captured by the mobile device to track the placement and location of mobile device 800, as described above. Database 880 may also store location information that can be used to determine whether mobile device 800 is operating in a valid location (e.g., "whitelisted" and "blacklisted," as described above). Database 880 may also store neural network training data, in which example images of malfunctions in the mobile device are correspondingly associated with identified malfunction classes, outputs, or conditions. The neural network training data can be expanded or otherwise modified to improve the accuracy of device malfunction recognition. Additionally, database 880 can store the results of the health and operational analysis of mobile device 800, along with identification information and historical operational information associated with mobile device 800. In this manner, mobile device operational analysis can be tracked and analyzed over time by server 860 to identify trends that may indicate a pending failure of at least one component of mobile device 800.

[0086] A database 880 in communication with host server 860 may also store data archived from mobile device 800 for recovery if mobile device 800 is lost or stolen, or if the data on mobile device 800 is corrupted (e.g., by a virus or other malicious program). The functions of host server 860 may be performed automatically or semi-automatically, such as via software / hardware running on one or more computer systems and / or by one or more human operators.

[0087] The host server 860 may include one or more system processors 14 that retrieve and execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory 16 to control (at least in part) the operation of the host server 860. Any number and type of conventional computer, computer system, computer network, computer workstation, minicomputer, mainframe computer, or computer processor, such as an integrated circuit microprocessor or microcontroller, may be used with the present invention. A computer system used in accordance with aspects of the present invention may include an operating system 43 (e.g., Windows NT / 95 / 98 / 2000 / XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 10, OS2, UNIX, Linux, Solaris, MacOS, etc.) and various conventional support software and drivers typically associated with a computer. In certain embodiments, dedicated applications may be provided or executed, in whole or in part, by the system processor to perform the methods of the present invention.

[0088] The specific implementations shown and described herein are illustrative of the present invention and its best mode and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional data storage, data transmission, and other functional aspects of the system may not be described in detail. The methods shown in the various figures may include more, fewer, or other steps. Moreover, steps may be performed in any suitable order without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures are intended to represent example functional relationships and / or physical couplings between the various elements. Many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may exist in an actual system.

[0089] Changes and modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention, as set forth in the following claims, which exemplify non-limiting embodiments of the invention. [Appendix 58] Presenting a primary device associated with the device owner for an insurability and / or warrantability assessment; performing a diagnostic evaluation of one or more functions of the primary device; an app installed on the primary device; and a software development kit installed via a pre-installed app on the primary device; and a web-based interface for visiting a web page configured to communicate with the primary device to initiate, by the primary device, one or more diagnostic tests on the primary device; analyzing the diagnostic evaluation results for the primary device using one or more of: analyzing the results of the diagnostic test and storing the analyzed results in a database record associated with an identifier of the primary device; A method comprising: [Appendix 59] analyzing the database record of the primary device diagnostic evaluation to determine insurance or warranty coverage options; presenting the primary owner with insurance or warranty coverage options for the primary device; 59. The method of claim 58, further comprising: [Appendix 60] 59. The method of claim 58, wherein the primary device is one of a smartphone, a mobile electronic device, a desktop computer, a tablet, or a smart vehicle. [Appendix 61] 59. The method of claim 58, wherein the primary device is a mobile smartphone, further comprising installing an app on the primary device to perform the diagnostic evaluation of one or more functions of the primary device. [Appendix 62] 62. The method of claim 61, further comprising performing the diagnostic evaluation of one or more functions of the primary device at a remote server communicatively coupled to the primary device. [Appendix 63] 60. The method of claim 59, wherein presenting options further includes calculating and displaying to the device owner a total monthly premium for the selected insurance or protection options. [Appendix 64] 60. The method of claim 59, further comprising re-evaluating each insurance or coverage option and presenting updated options to the primary user. [Appendix 65] 59. The method of claim 58, wherein the options for insurance or coverage options include the cost of coverage, policy terms, premium payments, claim limits for identified device feature repairs, device features included in coverage, device features excluded from coverage, and costs to obtain additional and / or expanded coverage. [Appendix 66] and installing a dynamic assurance coverage evaluator app on the primary device, wherein the dynamic assurance coverage evaluator app can remain active and run in the background of such mobile device, and the dynamic assurance coverage evaluator comprises: accumulating a list of candidate devices that communicate with the mobile device over time; determining whether such candidate device is already covered under the primary device owner's insurance policy; and otherwise, offering to add such uncovered devices to the device owner's insurance policy either periodically or when prompted by the primary owner's use of a dynamic coverage evaluator. [Appendix 67] 59. The method of claim 58, wherein the primary device identifier can include one or more of a device make, model, IMEI, phone number, device ID, device tag, account number, serial number, and device fingerprint value. [Appendix 68] 59. The method of claim 58, wherein performing a diagnostic evaluation of one of the primary devices includes obtaining one or more of device identification information, device orientation sensor status, battery status, branding labeling information, location information, memory information, device local radio operation, display status, housing status, device power-on status, and audio status. [Appendix 69] 69. The method of claim 68, wherein the device orientation sensor status may include one or more of the device's magnetometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, pressure sensor, or an operational status and current value of a sensor used by the device to obtain its physical orientation. [Appendix 70] 69. The method of claim 68, wherein the battery status may include one or more of information regarding whether the device's battery is charging, whether the battery can hold a charge, an estimated capacity comparison with the battery's original specifications, battery maximum and / or minimum levels, and a current charge type. [Appendix 71] 69. The method of claim 68, wherein the location information can include one or more of a locale indicator, GPS information, location data service information, connected wireless tower information, and accessed Wi-Fi domains. [Appendix 72] 69. The method of claim 68, wherein the memory information includes one or more of average memory usage of the device, maximum and minimum memory usage of the device, storage capacity of the device, storage used by the device, internal memory / storage of the device, and external memory card status and / or capacity of the device. [Appendix 73] 69. The method of claim 68, wherein the device local wireless operation includes one or more of an operational status and information regarding whether a Wi-Fi connection is not operational, a device uptime value, an amount of data sent or received over Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth operational status, and an NFC status. [Appendix 74] 69. The method of claim 68, wherein the display status information includes one or more test results regarding whether the mobile device screen is cracked, the location of the crack on the device screen, the size and extent of the crack on the mobile device display, the current brightness level of the display, and an indicator of whether the LCD is functional. [Appendix 75] 69. The method of claim 68, wherein the power-on status includes one or more of whether the mobile device is powered on for a predetermined period of time and whether a power button on the mobile device is operational. [Appendix 76] 69. The method of claim 68, wherein the audio status can include whether a volume up or down button operates within a predetermined range, whether a speaker is outputting an audio signal at an expected volume level, whether a microphone is receiving audio input with an acceptable gain, whether a microphone is receiving audio input at a predetermined frequency, and whether a speaker of the mobile device is producing an audio signal at a desired amplitude in a frequency range. [Appendix 77] 59. The method of claim 58, further comprising: identifying one or more secondary devices not directly associated with the device owner; and contacting an owner of the one or more secondary devices not directly associated with the device owner to offer the device owner an incentive to offer insurance or warranty coverage. [Appendix 78] 59. The method of claim 58, wherein the database records are stored in a database server managed at least in part by a third-party insurance or warranty provider, the database server being communicatively coupled to the primary device. [Appendix 79] 59. The method of claim 58, further comprising dynamically adjusting a monthly insurance premium based on a usage profile of the primary device. [Appendix 80] 80. The method of claim 79, wherein the usage profile includes parameters related to the risk of loss, damage, or deterioration over time of either the primary or secondary device.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising: Presenting a primary device associated with the device owner for an assessment of insurability and / or warrantability; performing a diagnostic evaluation of one or more functions of the primary device; an app installed on the primary device; and a software development kit installed via a pre-installed app on the primary device; and a web-based interface for visiting a web page configured to communicate with the primary device to initiate, by the primary device, one or more diagnostic tests on the primary device; analyzing the diagnostic evaluation results for the primary device using one or more of: analyzing the results of the diagnostic test and storing the analyzed results in a database record associated with an identifier of the primary device; A method comprising:

2. analyzing the database records of diagnostic evaluations of the primary device to determine insurance or warranty coverage options; presenting the device owner with insurance or warranty coverage options for the primary device; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the primary device is one of a smartphone, a mobile electronic device, a desktop computer, a tablet, or a smart vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the primary device is a mobile smartphone, and further comprising installing an app on the primary device to perform the diagnostic evaluation of one or more functions of the primary device.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising performing the diagnostic evaluation of one or more functions of the primary device at a remote server communicatively coupled to the primary device.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein presenting options further comprises calculating and displaying to the device owner a total monthly premium for the selected insurance or protection options.

7. The method of claim 2 , further comprising reevaluating each insurance or coverage option and presenting updated options to a user of the primary device.

8. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the options related to insurance or coverage options include the cost of coverage, policy terms, premium payments, claim limits for identified device feature repairs, device features included in coverage, device features excluded from coverage, and costs to obtain additional and / or expanded coverage.

9. and installing a dynamic assurance coverage evaluator app on the primary device, wherein the dynamic assurance coverage evaluator app can remain active and run in the background of such mobile device, the dynamic assurance coverage evaluator app: accumulating a list of candidate devices that communicate with the mobile device over time; determining whether such candidate device is already covered under the device owner's insurance policy; and if not, offering to add such uncovered devices to the device owner's insurance policy either periodically or when prompted by the device owner's use of the dynamic coverage evaluator app.

10. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the primary device identifier may include one or more of a device make, model, IMEI, phone number, device ID, device tag, account number, serial number, and device fingerprint value.

11. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein performing a diagnostic evaluation of one of the primary devices includes obtaining one or more of device identification information, device orientation sensor status, battery status, branding labeling information, location information, memory information, device local radio operation, display status, housing status, device power-on status, and audio status.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the device orientation sensor status can include one or more of an operational status and current value of a device's magnetometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, pressure sensor, or sensors used by the device in obtaining its physical orientation.

13. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the battery status can include one or more of information regarding whether a device's battery is charging, whether the battery can hold a charge, an estimated capacity comparison with the battery's original specifications, a battery maximum and / or minimum level, and a current charge type.

14. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the location information can include one or more of a locale indicator, GPS information, location data service information, connected wireless tower information, and accessed Wi-Fi domains.

15. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the memory information includes one or more of an average memory usage of the device, a maximum and minimum memory usage of the device, a storage capacity of the device, storage used by the device, internal memory / storage of the device, and an external memory card status and / or capacity of the device.

16. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the device local wireless operations include one or more of an operation status and information regarding whether a Wi-Fi connection is not operational, a device uptime value, an amount of data sent or received over Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth operation status, and an NFC status.

17. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the display status information includes one or more test results regarding whether the mobile device screen is cracked, the location of the crack on the device screen, the size and extent of the crack on the mobile device display, the current brightness level of the display, and an indicator of whether the LCD is functional.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the device power-on status includes one or more of whether a mobile device is powered on for a predetermined period of time and whether a power button on the mobile device is operational.

19. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the audio status can include whether a volume up or down button operates within a predetermined range, whether a speaker is outputting an audio signal at an expected volume level, whether a microphone is receiving audio input with an acceptable gain, whether a microphone is receiving audio input at a predetermined frequency, and whether a speaker of a mobile device is producing an audio signal at a desired amplitude in a frequency range.

20. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying one or more secondary devices not directly associated with the device owner; and contacting an owner of the one or more secondary devices not directly associated with the device owner to offer the device owner an incentive to offer insurance or warranty coverage.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the database records are stored in a database server managed at least in part by a third-party insurance or warranty provider, the database server being communicatively coupled to the primary device.

22. The method of claim 1 , further comprising dynamically adjusting a monthly insurance premium based on a usage profile of the primary device.

23. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the usage profile includes parameters related to the risk of loss, damage, or deterioration of either the primary or secondary device over time.

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