Insurance Policy Management System With Wireless Pen

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computer system for managing an insurance policy. The system includes a printer configured to print visible policy information and invisible coded data tags on print media. The printer is further configured to receive transmitted sensed data associated with the data tags. A pen-type device includes an image sensor configured to sense the data tags and wirelessly transmit the sensed data to the printer. One or more servers are interfaced to the printer via a network. The servers are configured to receive the sensed data from the printer and to perform a task related to the insurance policy based upon the sensed data.

1 . A computer system for managing an insurance policy, the system comprising:
 a printer configured to print visible policy information and invisible coded data tags on print media, and receive transmitted sensed data associated with the data tags;   a pen-type device including an image sensor configured to sense the data tags and wirelessly transmit the sensed data to the printer; and   one or more servers interfaced to the printer via a network, and configured to receive the sensed data from the printer and to perform a task related to the insurance policy based upon the sensed data.   
   
   
       2 . A computer system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the task includes any one or more of the group of: selecting an insurance policy type, retrieving a previous insurance policy quote for re-printing by the printer, generating an insurance policy quote, verifying a signature signed with the pen-type device, and accessing the existing insurance policy. 
   
   
       3 . A computer system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein, subsequent to printing, the print media bears any one or more of the group of: a list of policy types, a quotation identifier input area in which a quotation identifier can be input with the pen-type device, a policy number input area in which a policy number can be input with the pen-type device, a signature area in which a signature can be input with the pen-type device, a reprint quote area which can be selected with the pen-type device to request the reprinting of a quote, and a access policy area which can be selected with the pen-type device to request access to a policy. 
   
   
       4 . A computer system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the task involves enabling access to the insurance policy, only subsequent to said servers verifying a signature signed with the pen-type device. 
   
   
       5 . A computer system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each data tag includes:
 a detection ring for allowing the image sensor to detect the tag; and   an orientation axis located within the detection ring and for allowing the image sensor to determine a planar orientation of the tag.   
   
   
       6 . A computer system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein each data tag further includes data areas located both inside and outside the detection ring. 
   
   
       7 . A computer system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein each data tag further includes a quartet of perspective targets located outside the detection ring.