Agricultural Management Platform for Forecast-Based Insurance Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Computer-aided agricultural management systems lack effective mechanisms to automatically and specifically protect against singular risks associated with uncontrollable natural events and external influences, such as droughts, hailstorms, and pest infestations, which can lead to crop failures and equipment damage, requiring extensive and often unnecessary insurance coverage.

Innovation Solution

A computer-aided agricultural management system that includes a machine assistance system capable of automatically taking out insurance policies based on specific specifications for units to be insured, using prognosis information from external data sources to determine the probability of damage events and select suitable insurance coverage, thereby limiting insurance protection to targeted areas, periods, and types of damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If comprehensive insurance coverage is taken out for the entire year and company, then protection against all risks is improved, but administrative work and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsurance coverageVSAvoidadministrative work
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically determining insurance requirements based on forecast information before risks materialize. The machine assistance system proactively calculates probability of damage events using weather forecasts, yield data, and planning information, then automatically secures appropriate insurance coverage in advance, eliminating the need for manual administrative work throughout the year.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automating the entire insurance management process. The machine assistance system independently evaluates risk probabilities, selects appropriate insurance products, and executes policy acquisition without farmer intervention. This self-organizing system continuously monitors conditions and adjusts insurance coverage automatically, freeing farmers from administrative burdens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If comprehensive insurance coverage is taken out for the entire company and year, then protection scope is improved, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsurance protectionVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by tailoring insurance coverage to specific local conditions rather than applying uniform coverage across the entire company. It analyzes forecast information, yield data, and planning information at the individual field, crop, or machine level to determine where insurance is actually needed based on localized risk probabilities, ensuring protection is concentrated where risks are most probable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes insurance parameters based on evolving conditions. It continuously updates the probability of damage events using current forecast information, yield data, and planning information, then adjusts insurance coverage parameters (scope, duration, amount) accordingly. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures insurance resources are allocated efficiently to match actual risk levels at any given time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual insurance management is performed, then flexibility in selecting insurance options is improved, but time consumption and administrative burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsurance selection flexibilityVSAvoidadministrative time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The machine assistance system performs self-service by autonomously evaluating multiple insurance options and selecting the most appropriate coverage based on calculated risk probabilities. It independently processes forecast information, yield data, and planning information to determine optimal insurance parameters, eliminating the need for farmers to manually research and compare insurance products while maintaining adaptability to specific needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where it continuously monitors insurance coverage effectiveness against actual risk realizations. By comparing predicted damage probabilities with actual events and outcomes, the system learns and adjusts its insurance selection criteria, improving the flexibility and accuracy of future insurance decisions while maintaining automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3965030A1Computer based agricultural management system
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 CLAAS 365FARMNET GMBH
  • EP3965030A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3965030A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3965030A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a computer-aided agricultural management system for planning, monitoring, and managing work and operational data for the development and execution of agricultural processes, wherein the management system comprises a server platform (5) with at least one database (6) and at least one interface (10) for bidirectional communication with at least one external data source (11), wherein the at least one database (6) is configured for cyclically updatable storage of a data basis relevant for the planning, monitoring, and management of agricultural processes, wherein a machine assistance system (9, 12) is configured to automatically conclude at least one insurance policy via the server platform (5) depending on an input of at least one specific specification by means of an input-output unit (13) of the machine assistance system (9, 12), wherein the machine assistance system (9,12) is set up to determine the probability of occurrence of an insured loss event and to select a suitable insurance policy, taking into account at least one specific input, the stored database and forecast information received from at least one external data source (11).