Next generation imaging system analytical management method and device

#The present disclosure generally relates to methods and devices for managing the analysis of images stored in a next generation imaging system.

#Corporations, such as insurance providers, may accumulate a large number of image files, including photographs and scanned documents, through normal business practices. For example, numerous photographs of an insured's property, such as a vehicle or a house, may be taken for each claim of loss that is filed. In some instances, video, captured from a drone or a handheld video camera or smartphone, and/or audio, captured from a standalone microphone or a smartphone, may also be submitted as part of a claim. In addition, documents, such as insurance policies, medical records, certificates, legal documents, and the like, may be scanned so that they can be accessed on electronic devices. Typically, the image, video, audio, and document files are stored in a repository or database. However, if the corporation is large, then there may be multiple repositories that are geographically separated. Also, there may be multiple types of repositories, such as one repository for each type of file.

#To process claims and maintain up-to-date records, various groups within the corporation may wish to extract data from the files. For example, a first group may wish to access images or video and audio of a vehicle that has been in a vehicle collision to view the damage done. A second group may wish to access images or video and audio of a house that has been damaged. Other groups may wish to access images of documents to extract text contained in the documents. Each group may utilize one or more software applications which analyze the images to extract data. Currently, there is no system that allows each group to run their software on the target files. Additionally, some groups may have partial, or even no, access to the files, or may not even know where the images are stored. Furthermore, since files are added to repositories every day, groups may not be aware that there are new files which may need to be analyzed.

#The Figures described below depict various aspects of methods and devices disclosed therein. It should be understood that each Figure depicts an embodiment of a particular aspect of the disclosed methods and devices, and that each of the Figures is intended to accord with a possible embodiment thereof. Further, wherever possible, the following description refers to the reference numerals included in the following Figures, in which features depicted in multiple Figures are designated with consistent reference numerals. The present embodiments are not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the Figures.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment in which various embodiments of a computing device, configured to manage the analysis of image, video, audio, and document files stored in a repository, may operate, the environment including the repository and a plurality of electronic devices, which may transmit files through a communication network to the repository;

#FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate at least a portion of an exemplary computer-implemented method for managing the analysis of image, video, audio, and document files stored in a repository; and

#The Figures depict exemplary embodiments for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the systems and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.

#The present embodiments described in this patent application and other possible embodiments address a computer-centric challenge or problem with a solution that is necessarily rooted in computer technology and may relate to, inter alia, methods and devices for managing the analysis of image, video, audio, and document files stored in a repository. The files may be accumulated by a corporation, such as an insurance or financial services provider, through normal business practices. The file repository may be stored in a Hadoop database, as an example, and may reside in a computer server. The image files may include photographic images, taken with a standalone camera or a smartphone. The photographic images may include photographs of an insured's property, such as a vehicle, a house, or a personal article, in either damaged or undamaged condition. In some instances, the images may also include photographs of individuals. The photographic image files may be stored in known image data formats, such as jpeg, gif, tiff, and the like.

#The video files may include video (moving image) data captured with a handheld video/picture camera, a camcorder, a smartphone, or the like. The video files may also be captured by a drone. In addition, the video files may include integrated audio or sound. The video of the video files may show undamaged or damaged houses, vehicles, motorcycles, boats, or other property. The video may also show individuals providing statements or other information relating to insurance, underwriting, or financial services. The video files may be stored in known video data formats, such as mp4, wmv, mov, avi, fly, and so forth.