Odometer Verification via Dual OCR Image Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for updating vehicle mileage in the insurance industry are manual and cumbersome, leading to missed opportunities for policyholders to receive premium discounts due to neglect in reporting.
Innovation Solution
A system that captures odometer images using mobile devices, applies optical character recognition (OCR) processes to calculate mileage, and verifies the accuracy of these calculations by comparing results from different OCR processes, with the option for manual review of potentially fraudulent images, to update insurance policy profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual mileage reporting is used, then policyholders can report mileage, but the process is cumbersome and leads to missed reporting opportunities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical entry of mileage data with automated optical character recognition (OCR) technology. The system captures images of the odometer and uses OCR to automatically extract and verify mileage readings, eliminating the need for policyholders to manually type or input mileage information, thereby making the process more convenient and increasing completion rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image copying of the odometer display as the basis for mileage extraction. Instead of requiring direct input, the system captures a visual copy of the odometer reading and processes it through OCR, allowing policyholders to simply photograph the display rather than manually enter data
2Measurement precision
If single OCR process is used, then processing is fast, but verification accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the OCR verification process into multiple independent stages: first OCR process extracts initial mileage reading, second OCR process extracts verification reading, and comparison logic validates consistency. This segmentation allows each OCR process to operate independently and simply while collectively providing robust verification through multiple checks
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by comparing results from multiple OCR processes. When readings differ, the system flags the discrepancy and requests additional images or manual review, creating a feedback loop that ensures accuracy before finalizing the mileage data
3Reliability
If multiple OCR processes are applied, then verification accuracy improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary OCR processing on captured images immediately upon submission. By initiating multiple OCR processes in parallel rather than sequentially, and by pre-establishing comparison logic, the system reduces the time penalty of multiple verifications while maintaining high reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method streamlines the mileage reporting process, ensuring accurate and efficient verification of odometer readings, which can lead to more accurate risk assessment and premium adjustments, thereby enhancing the estimation of auto insurance policies.
Implementation Method 1
One or more optical character recognition (OCR) processes may be applied to the captured image, by either the mobile computing device or the external computing device, to calculate various odometer mileages
Data Source
AI summary
An odometer verification method includes capturing an odometer image at a threshold date, calculating a first and a second mileage using OCR, determining whether the first and the second mileage match, and updating a user profile associated with the insurance policy. A non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium stores machine readable instructions in a mobile computing device, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to capture an odometer image at a threshold date, calculate a first and a second mileage using OCR, determine whether the first and the second mileage match, and update a user profile. A mobile computing device includes an image capture unit configured to capture an odometer image at a threshold date, perform a first and a second OCR, determine whether the first and the second mileage match, and update the insurance policy user profile of the vehicle.