FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an automated assistance system. The present invention has particular but not exclusive application for an automated assistance system for obtaining assistance. The patent specification describes this use but it is by way of example only and the invention is not limited to this use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Assistance systems are used to assist customers when an event occurs. Typically, it requires customers to provide information to relevant assistance providers to obtain assistance.

For example, when a person is involved in an incident, such as a car accident, an insurance claim needs to be lodged with the relevant insurance provider. An insurance representative then reviews information in the claim and determine a payment amount based on an insurance agreement.

Typically, the customer calls the insurance representative over the phone or sends the claim to the insurance representative via email.

One problem is that it is difficult for a person to provide all required information over phone or email. Some information may be missed or lost.

Another problem is that it may take a lot of time for the insurance representative to chase up all required information that has not been initially provided.

A further problem is that some information which can only be captured in real time may not be provided if it was missed.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above mentioned problems and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention broadly resides in an automated assistance system, including a code means which contains information linked to a service associated with a service provider, wherein a user’s mobile computing device can interact with the code means to access the service of the service provider, and wherein information from the user’s mobile computing device can be transmitted to the service provider.

In one embodiment, the user’s mobile computing device can interact with the code means to access a software application of the service provider. In another embodiment, the user’s mobile computing device can interact with the code means to access a website of the service provider. In a further embodiment, the user’s mobile computing device can interact with the code means to access a third party platform associated with the service provider.

Preferably the code means is a QR code. Preferably the QR code is generated based on an information flow supplied by the service provider. In one embodiment, the QR code contains a link associated with the software application. In another embodiment, the QR code contains a link associated with the website. In a further embodiment, the QR code contains a link associated with the third party platform. In one embodiment, the code means is a RFID tag. In another embodiment, the code means is an NFC tag. In a further embodiment, the code means is a barcode.

In one embodiment, the code means is attached to a user’s asset, such as a vehicle. In another embodiment, the code means is sent to the user via a message. In a further embodiment, the code means is provided to the user via an email.

Preferably the information transmitted from the user’s mobile computing device is stored in a database of a provider’s server. In one embodiment, the information transmitted from the user’s mobile computing device is stored in a database of a third party platform associated with the service provider. In another embodiment, the information transmitted from the user’s mobile computing device is stored in a database of the user’s mobile computing device.

Preferably the information transmitted from the user’s mobile computing device includes a description of an event. In one embodiment, the description includes pictures and/or videos of the event. In another embodiment, the description includes a GPS location of the event. In a further embodiment, the description includes a witness statement of the event. In another embodiment, the description includes environment conditions associated with the event, such as road conditions. Preferably the information transmitted from the users’ mobile computing device includes information associated with the user. In one embodiment, the information includes the user’s ID information, such as a driver license, and/or a passport. In another embodiment, the information includes a registration number of the user’s vehicle. In a further embodiment, the information includes contact information of the user, such as a phone number and/or an email address.

Preferably the user’s mobile computing device includes means to read the code means. In one embodiment, the user’s mobile computing device is a mobile phone which includes a camera to read the code means. In another embodiment, the user’s mobile computing device is a laptop which includes and/or is connected to a camera to read the code means. In a further embodiment, the user’s mobile computing device is a computer which includes and/or is connected to a camera to read the code means.

In one embodiment, the service provider is an insurance provider. In another embodiment, the service provider is a roadside assistance provider.

In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a method for obtaining assistance from a service provider, including the steps of generating a code means associated with the service provider; providing the code means to a user; interacting with the code means via a user’s mobile computing device to access the service associated with the service provider, and transmitting information from the user’s computing device to the service provider.

Preferably the method further includes the step of associating the code means with an asset of the user. In one embodiment, the asset is a vehicle.

Preferably the step of generating a code means associated with a service provider includes generating a QR code associated with the service provider. In one embodiment, the step of generating a code means associated with a service provider includes generating a RFID tag associated with the service provider. In another embodiment, the step of generating a code means associated with a service provider includes generating an NFC tag associated with the service provider. In a further embodiment, the step of generating a code means associated with a service provider includes generating a barcode associated with the service provider. In one embodiment, the step of providing the code means to a user includes attaching the code means to the user’s asset. In another embodiment, the step of providing the code means to a user includes sending the code means to the user’s mobile computing device via a message. In a further embodiment, the step of providing the code means to a user includes sending the code means to the user’s mobile computing via an email.

In one embodiment, the code means includes information identifying the asset.

In a further aspect, the present invention broadly resides in an automated assistance system, including a code means associated with a vehicle, wherein a user’s mobile computing device can interact with the code means to access a service of a service provider associated with the vehicle, and wherein information from the user’s mobile computing device can be transmitted to the service provider.

Preferably the code means is attached to the vehicle. In one embodiment, the code means can be sent to the user’s mobile computing device via a message. In another embodiment, the code means can be sent to the user’s mobile computing device via an email.

Preferably the code means contains information associated with the vehicle. In one embodiment, the information includes a registration number of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the information includes an owner’s information of the vehicle.

Preferably the information transmitted from the user’s mobile computing device includes a description of an event. In one embodiment, the description includes pictures and/or videos of the event. In another embodiment, the description includes a GPS location of the event. In a further embodiment, the description includes a witness statement of the event. In another embodiment, the description includes environment conditions associated with the event, such as road conditions. In one embodiment, the event is a car accident.

Preferably the information transmitted from the users’ mobile computing device includes information associated with the user. In one embodiment, the information includes the user’s ID information, such as a driver license, and/or a passport. In another embodiment, the information includes a registration number of a user’s vehicle. In a further embodiment, the information includes contact information of the user, such as a phone number and/or an email address.

Preferably the service provider is an insurance provider. In one embodiment, the service provider is a roadside assistance provider.

In another embodiment, the present invention resides in a vehicle including an automated assistance system as described in this specification. Preferably the code means is attached to an inside of a glovebox. In another embodiment, the code means is attached to a sun visor of the vehicle.

The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of an automated assistance system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a flow diagram of the automated assistance system of Figure 1 , and

Figure 3 is a flow diagram of the automated assistance system when a car accident occurs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figure 1 , there is shown a schematic view of an automated assistance system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The automated assistance system 10 has a user’s mobile computing device 12, a QR code 14 associated with a service provider (not shown), and a service provider’s computing device 16. There is no limitation of the amount and type of the user’s computing device 12 and the service provider’s computing device 16. The user’s computing device 12 and the service provider’s computing device 16 can be a smart phone, laptop, computer or any other kind of electronic device. In use, the user’s computing devices 12 scans the QR code 14, and transmits information to the service provider’s computing device 16.

With reference to Figure 2, there is show a flow diagram 20 of the automated assistance system 10.

At step 22, the QR code 14 is generated associated with the service provider.

At step 24, the user’s mobile computing device 12 scans the QR code 14.

At step 26, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is guided to a software application and/or a website and/or a third party platform associated with the service provider, such as Facebook or Instagram or ManyChats.

At step 28, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is prompted to upload information about an event and information associated with the user and/or the user's vehicle. The information contains description about the event, the user’s ID information, the registration number of the vehicle, GPS location of the event, and a witness statement. The information can be photos, voice and/or videos.

At step 30, the service provider’s computing device 16 access the information provided by the user’s mobile computing device 12 and determine a payment amount based on an agreement.

With reference to Figure 3, there is shown a flow diagram 40 of the automated assistance system 10 when a car accident occurs.

At step 42, a user’s mobile computing device 12 scans the QR code 14 associated with an insurance provider (not shown)

At step 44, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is guided to a software application and/or a website and a third party platform associated with the insurance provider.

At step 46, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is prompted to answer whether the user is at accident scene right now.

If yes, the process goes to step 48 to obtain the GPS location of the accident and a registration number of the user’s vehicle (not shown).

At step 50, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is prompted to answer whether the user has a dash cam.

If yes, the process goes to step 52 to require the user to upload pictures captured by dash cam, the user’s phone number, email, photos of front and back of the user’s driver’s license. At step 54, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is prompted to answer whether there are other vehicles involved.

If yes, at step 56, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is required to provide information of the user’s vehicle and other involved vehicle(s), including photos of front of the vehicles, rear of the vehicles, driver’s side of the vehicles, and passenger's side of the vehicles.

At step 58, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is required to upload a video of the accident scene.

At step 60, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is required to upload a voice record to describe the accident.

At step 62, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is required to describe the road conditions, including whether the road is wet or sealed.

At step 64, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is prompted to answer whether there are any witnesses.

If yes, at step 66, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is required to provide a witness statement, including the amount of the witnesses, photos of front and back of the driver’s license of the witnesses, phone numbers and/or email addresses of the witnesses.

At step 68, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is prompted to answer whether police has been called to the accident.

If yes, at step 70, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is prompted to answer whether there has been an alcohol test.

If yes, at step 72, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is prompted to answer whether the alcohol is under a legal limit.

If yes, at step 74, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is prompted to answer whether there has been a drug test.

If yes, at step 76, the user’s mobile computing device 12 is prompted to answer whether the drug test is positive or negative.

At step 78, all collected information will be sent and stored in a database of the service provider and/or a third party platform.

At step 80, the service provider’s computing device 16 access the collected information provided by the user’s mobile computing device 12, and determine a payment amount based on the collected information and an insurance agreement. ADVANTAGES

An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the automated assistance system includes that information can be transmitted by scanning a code means. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the automated assistance system is that real time information can be captured and transmitted. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the automated assistance system is that it provides an efficient and cost-less way to collect information.

VARIATIONS While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.