WO 2017/070753 A1 - Technology Adapted To Configure Computer Systems To Perform Management, And Enable Streamlined User-configuration, Of Complex Autonomous Peer-to- Peer Transaction Frameworks - The Lens

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to technology adapted to configure computer systems to perform management, and enable streamlined user-configuration, of complex autonomous peer-to-peer transaction frameworks. Embodiments include computer platforms that enable users to self- generate complex group structures that participate in such autonomous peer-to-peer transaction frameworks, and platforms that enable those frameworks to be autonomously managed on an ongoing basis. Examples are described by reference to a particular practical implementation environment for this form of technology, relating to risk management groups (for instance in the context of crowd funded insurance). However, the underlying computing technology finds broader application. That is, although certain applications of the technology are described by reference to real-world applications in risk management and insurance spaces, it should be appreciated that the core substance of the invention is the underlying computer technology that enables such applications.

Claims

1 . A computer system configured to enable streamlined user-configuration of complex autonomous peer-to-peer transaction frameworks, and cause autonomous management of such frameworks, the system including :
a group generation interface that is configured to enable a group controller user to define a new group, wherein the group generation interface is accessed by the group controller user via a user interface rendered at a client terminal operated by the group controller user, wherein defining data representative of the new group includes accessing a rule generation interface thereby to define a plurality of rules;
a rule generation interface that is configured to enable the group controller user to define rules for the new group, wherein rule generation interface is accessed by the group controller user via a user interface rendered at a client terminal operated by the group controller user, wherein the rule generation interface enables the group control user to access, select, and customise a plurality of rule templates thereby to define a plurality of rules, wherein the plurality of rules include:
(i) participation eligibility rules, which define computer-verifiable conditions for a given user to be accepted as a group participant;
(ii) member-to-group payment rules, wherein the member-to-group payment rules define rules for triggering and/or verifying electronic transactions from a given group participant to a defined monitorable electronic funds management service; and
(iii) group-to-member payment rules, wherein the group-to-member payment rules define rules for digitally verifying real-world events, determining payment values, and triggering electronic transactions to a given group participant;
a data management subsystem that is configured to manage a database that maintains records representative of the groups defined via the group generation interface;
an implementation subsystem that is configured to monitor for a set of predefined events defined by the rules, and in response to observance of a given one of the predefined events, trigger a process based on one or more of the rules, wherein the implementation subsystem is configured to provide:
(i) a member-to-group transaction interface that is configured to trigger and verify periodic payments for each group participant to the group in accordance with the member-to-group payment rules for the group; and
(ii) a claim determination interface that is configured to receive, via a user interface accessed by a given participant user, a claim request associated with the given participant user and a group in which that participant user participates, wherein the claim determination interface is configured to cause execution of a claim determination process in respect of the claim request based on the group-to-member payment rules for the associated group.
A system according to claim 1 including a group access interface that is configured to enable a participant user to view data representative of a plurality of groups defined by group controller users, and selectively provide a participation request associated with selected one of the groups, wherein the group access interface is accessed by the participant user via a user interface rendered at a client terminal operated by the participant user;
A system according to claim 2 including a participation approval module that is configured to process a plurality of participation requests from participant users, wherein each participation request is associated with: (i) a particular participant user associated with a unique participant user record; and (ii) a particular group; and wherein the participation approval module is configured to make an approval determination for a given participation request based upon processing of the participant user record associated with the particular user and the participation eligibility rules for the particular group;
A system according to claim 1 wherein the rule generation interface is configured to enable the group controller user to define member-to-group payment rules, wherein the member to group payment rules include a rule to set a participation unit cost based on a group participant vote.
A system according to claim 1 wherein the participation eligibility rules include a rule defining a threshold level of member-member endorsement required for participation in a given group.
A system according to claim 5 wherein a group controller endorses a first group of members, and further members are endorsed via a chained member-member endorsement process originating from the first group of members.
A system according to claim 6 including maintaining a record of member-member endorsements.
A system according to claim 1 wherein the member-to-group payment rules include rules for determining a cost for participation in the group.
A system according to claim 8 wherein the rules for determining a cost for participation in the group enable any one or more of: (i) a mathematical formula defined by a group controller; (ii) a formula defined by a vote; and (iii) a rule defined by the history of claims for similar groups.
A system according to claim 1 wherein the member-to-group payment rules include a rule enabling periodic payments.
1 1 . A system according to claim 10 wherein the periodic payments are dynamically defined based on claim amounts during a defined period.
A system according to claim 1 wherein the group-to-member payment rules include rules enabling utilising one or more third party assessors.
A system according to claim 1 wherein the group-to-member payment rules include one or more of: rules requiring publication in a defined manner of a defined market event; rules requiring publication in a defined manner of defined natural event; and rules requiring trust- based claim validation via member-member endorsement.
A system according to claim 1 wherein the group-to-member payment rules include rules enabling a vote of all or a subset of group participants to approve/reject a given claim request.
A system according to claim 1 wherein the group-to-member payment rules include rules defining a protocol for managing inequality between: (i) a value associated claim fund derived from member-to-group payments; and (ii) a value associated with claim requests.
A system according to claim 17 wherein a given rule enables re-insurance to cover a shortfall in the claim fund derived from member-to-group payments based on a value associated with claim requests.
A system according to claim 1 wherein participation of a user in a given group is defined by association of one or more participation units to that member.
A system according to any preceding claim including a group merge module, wherein the group merge module is configured to enable merging a first group and a second group, wherein: the first group has a first time bucket definition; the second group has a second different time bucket definition that is an integral multiple of the first time bucket definition; and wherein the merging include transitioning to a common time bucket definition.
A system according to claim 1 wherein the rule generation interface is configured to enable defining of a member-to-group payment rules based on a one sided market driven risk pricing mechanism.
A system according to claim 1 wherein the rule generation interface is configured to enable defining of a group-to-member payment rules that enable automated approval of group-to- member payments based on a participant trust value derived from a participant voting process.
21 . A computer implemented method, performed by one or more server devices, configured to enable user-driven formation and implementation of community funded insurance arrangements, the method including:
providing a group generation interface that is configured to enable a group controller user to define a new group, wherein the group generation interface is accessed by the group controller user via a user interface rendered at a client terminal operated by the group controller user, wherein defining data representative of the new group includes accessing a rule generation interface thereby to define a plurality of rules including:
(i) participation eligibility rules for participation in a community funded insurance arrangement;
(ii) member-to-group payment rules, relating to insurance premiums; and
(iii) group-to-member payment rules, relating to insurance claims;
updating a database to maintain a record representative of the new group;
providing a group access interface that is configured to enable a participant user to view data representative of a plurality of groups defined by group controller users, and selectively provide a participation request associated with selected one of the groups, wherein the group access interface is accessed by the participant user via a user interface rendered at a client terminal operated by the participant user;
operating a participation approval module that is configured to process a plurality of participation requests from participant users, wherein each participation request is associated with: (i) a particular participant user associated with a unique participant user record; and (ii) a particular group; and wherein the participation approval module is configured to make an approval determination for a given participation request based upon processing of the participant user record associated with the particular user and the participation eligibility rules for the particular group;
providing member-to-group payment interface that is configured to enable a given participant user to, following a positive approval determination, provide electronic payment of an insurance premium in accordance with the member-to-group payment rules for the group in respect of which the positive approval determination is made; and
providing a claim determination interface that is configured to receive, via a user interface accessed by a given participant user, a claim request associated with the given participant user and a group in which that participant user participates, wherein the claim determination interface is configured to perform a claim determination process in respect of the claim request based on the group-to-member payment rules for the associated group.
A method according to claim 21 wherein the participation eligibility rules include a rule defining a threshold level of member-member endorsement required for participation in a given group.
A method according to claim 22 wherein a group controller endorses a first group of members, and further members are endorsed via a chained member-member endorsement process originating from the first group of members.
A method according to claim 23 including maintaining a record of member-member endorsements.
A method according to claim 21 wherein the member-to-group payment rules include rules for determining a cost for participation in the group.
A method according to claim 25 wherein the rules for determining a cost for participation in the group enable any one or more of: (i) a mathematical formula defined by a group controller; (ii) a formula defined by a vote; and (iii) a rule defined by the history of claims for similar groups.
A method according to claim 21 wherein the member-to-group payment rules include a rule enabling periodic payments.
A method according to claim 27 wherein the periodic payments are dynamically defined based on claim amounts during a defined period.
A method according to claim 21 wherein the group-to-member payment rules include rules enabling utilising one or more third party assessors.
A method according to claim 21 wherein the group-to-member payment rules include rules requiring publication in a defined manner of a defined market event.
31 . A method according to claim 21 wherein the group-to-member payment rules include rules requiring publication in a defined manner of defined natural event.
A method according to claim 21 wherein the group-to-member payment rules include rules requiring trust-based claim validation via member-member endorsement.
A method according to claim 21 wherein the group-to-member payment rules include rules enabling a vote of all or a subset of group participants to approve/reject a given claim request.
A method according to claim 21 wherein the group-to-member payment rules include rules defining a protocol for managing inequality between: (i) a value associated claim fund derived from member-to-group payments; and (ii) a value associated with claim requests.
A method according to claim 24 wherein a given rule enables re-insurance to cover a shortfall in the claim fund derived from member-to-group payments based on a value associated with claim requests.
A method according to claim 21 wherein participation of a user in a given group is defined by association of one or more participation units to that member.
A computer implemented method, performed by one or more server devices, configured to enable generation and management of group structures, the method including: enabling users to create and/or join groups, wherein each group is associated with rules defining member-to- group payments to provide a claim fund and rules defining group-to-member payments that are claims against the claim fund.
A computer system configured to perform a method according to any one of claims 21 -37.
A computer program configured to perform a method according to any one of claims 21 -37.
A non-transitory carrier medium carrying computer executable code that, when executed on a processor, causes the processor to perform a method according to any one of claims 21 -37.
41 . Subject matter as described herein.