Patents Assigned to Guard Insurance Group
  • Patent number: 8838466
    Abstract: An invention for tracking the status, physical location, and logical location of a workflow object as an object of a particular process is created and progresses logically through the phases of associated with the lifecycle. The workflow object remains, at all times, physically stored in an object repository. Each workflow object has at least one embedded new technology file system (NTFS) tag, wherein the NTFS tag is extended as the workflow object progresses through the phases of a workflow cycle. The embedded and extended NTFS tags define a state of the object progressing through said phases of said workflow cycle. Such embedded and extended NTFS tags can be extracted to obtain properties, methods, and events associated with a requested object, and a GUI displays the extracted information indicating status, physical location, and logical location of one or more workflow objects in a workflow cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: John H. Richardson, Carl J. Witkowski
  • Patent number: 8600780
    Abstract: A system/method of determining a cost of workers compensation insurance for a selected period based upon monitoring, collecting and communicating data representative of a risk's payroll characteristics during said selected period, wherein the cost is adjustable by relating the payroll characteristics to predetermined actuarial rates. The system/method: determines an initial profile and a base cost of workers compensation insurance, monitors data elements representative of payroll and business status of a risk during the selected period; identifies and analyzes data elements that have a pre-identified relationship to the risk's insurability; consolidates the analyzed data elements for identifying a surcharge or discount to be applied to the base cost; and produces a final cost of workers compensation insurance for the selected period from the base cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: John H Richardson, Carl J Witkowski
  • Patent number: 8538783
    Abstract: A system/method implemented at an insurance company estimates a final premium charge and more accurate real time estimate during the lifetime of the policy for workers compensation insurance associated with a risk based on: receiving real-time payroll data associated with the risk; monitoring the received real-time payroll data to identify and record raw data elements that have an identified relationship with any of, or a combination of, the following: the risk's business operation, insurability of the risk, character of the risk, or rating parameters associated with the risk's policy; and determining the final premium charge of workers compensation insurance for the risk based on a premium modification that increases or decreases a premium charge based on an evaluation of the recorded raw data elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: Carl J Witkowski, John H Richardson
  • Patent number: 8538781
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a business's operational characteristics and employee classifications, in real time, to obtain increased amounts of data relating to the total compensation for purposes of providing a more accurate determination of a cost of insurance for the risk, on a real-time basis, and to bill such charges directly to the risk according to their unique finance plan in direct relation to their payroll cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: John H. Richardson, Carl J. Witkowski
  • Patent number: 8538784
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining a cost of workers compensation insurance for a selected time period based upon monitoring, collecting and communicating data representative of the risk's business characteristics, whereby the cost is adjustable by relating the business characteristics to predetermined standards. The system predetermines a risk profile and a base cost of workers compensation insurance based on said risk profile, monitors a plurality of data elements representative of an operating state of the risk or a payroll modification during the selected time period, collects selected data elements out of the plurality of data elements when said ones are determined to have a pre-selected relationship to the risk's business operations, consolidates the selected ones for identifying a surcharge or discount to be applied to the base cost, and produces a final cost for the selected time period from the base cost and the surcharge or discount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: Carl J Witkowski, John H Richardson
  • Patent number: 8402056
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed to resolve, protect against and/or defend an employer liability claim. Input notes are received as formatted text and are stored in a database, wherein the stored text, after submission, are editable for a pre-determined time period and, after expiration of the pre-determined time period, the submission being non-editable and being locked in the database for historical archival. The locked notes are output as part of a judicial proceeding associated with the employer liability claim initiated by the employee, wherein the employer liability claim is resolved, protected against and/or defended based on the locked notes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: Carl J. Witkowski, John H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 8028075
    Abstract: A remote communication system and method are disclosed. An environment is identified defining a plurality of semaphore flags communicated between a first and a second computer as part of a remote session (i.e., the first computer remotely controlling the second computer via the remote session), with each semaphore flag defining an action associated with the remote session. A first application, via a unidirectional communication with the environment, modifies at least one semaphore flag associated with the environment (e.g., modifying commands to open or close files, keyboard scan codes, cursor position, mouse position, clipboard data, screen resolution, or channel administration), wherein the modified semaphore flag is extracted by an interceptor associated with the second computer and, the interceptor, based on a look-up, executes a pre-defined action affecting the remote session, wherein the pre-defined action being different than the modified semaphore flag's associated action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: John H Richardson, Carl J Witkowski
  • Patent number: 7966407
    Abstract: A remote communication system and method are disclosed. An environment in an electronic device, such as a computer based device, is identified defining a plurality of parameters communicated between the electronic device and a remote computer as part of a remote session (i.e., the electronic device remotely controlling the remote computer via the remote session), with each parameter defining an action associated with the remote session. A first application, via a unidirectional communication with the environment, modifies at least one parameter associated with the environment (e.g., modifying keyboard scan codes, cursor position, mouse position, clipboard data, screen resolution, or channel administration). A network device (e.g., a router, a switch, a hub, a repeater, a multilayer switch, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: John H Richardson, Carl J Witkowski
  • Patent number: 7945681
    Abstract: A first computer remotely controls, using a remote control application over a network (such as a WAN), a remote session on a second computer over a first network. The disclosed method (as implemented in a first application in the first computer) involves identifying clipboard data (associated with a copy, cut or paste operation) shared between a first and second computer during the remote session, temporarily storing the shared clipboard data, modifying, (via the first application in a unidirectional manner) the clipboard data associated with said environment, wherein the modified clipboard data is extracted by an interceptor associated with the second computer. The second computer, based on a look-up of clipboard values, executes a pre-defined action affecting the remote session, wherein the pre-defined action is different than the copy, cut, or paste operation. After executing the pre-defined action, the clipboard data is restored from the computer storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: Carl J Witkowski, John H Richardson
  • Patent number: 7917635
    Abstract: A first and second environment define parameters communicated between a first computer remotely controlling a second computer (a first remote session) and between the second computer remotely controlling the first computer (a second remote session), with each parameter defining an action associated with the first or second remote session. A first application, via a unidirectional communication with the first environment, modifies a first parameter, wherein the first parameter is extracted by a first interceptor (associated with the second computer) that, based on a look-up, executes a pre-defined action (different than the first parameter's associated action) affecting the first remote session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: Carl J Witkowski, John H Richardson
  • Patent number: 7912966
    Abstract: A remote communication system and method are disclosed. An environment is identified defining a plurality of parameters communicated between an electronic device (or a computer-based device) and a remote computer as part of a remote session (i.e., the electronic device remotely controlling the remote computer via the remote session), with each parameter defining an action associated with the remote session. A first application (associated with the electronic device), via a unidirectional communication with the environment, modifies at least one parameter associated with the environment (e.g., modifying keyboard scan codes, cursor position, mouse position, clipboard data, screen resolution, or channel administration), wherein the modified parameter is extracted by an interceptor associated with the remote computer and, the interceptor, based on a look-up, executes a pre-defined action affecting the remote session, wherein the pre-defined action being different than the modified parameter's associated action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: Carl J Witkowski, John H Richardson
  • Patent number: 7860868
    Abstract: A system for the entry of medical notes, wherein the medical notes, after submission, are stored is non-editable form and are locked in a database for historical archival. In one scenario, the entered medical notes are editable and can be deleted for a pre-set time period, wherein, after the expiration of the pre-set time period, the entered medical notes are stored is non-editable form and are locked in a database for historical archival. Filters can be used to categorize and render the stored medical notes based on a set of categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: Carl J. Witkowski, John H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 7860869
    Abstract: A system for the entry of legal notes, wherein the legal notes, after submission, are stored is non-editable form and are locked in a database for historical archival. In one scenario, the entered legal notes are editable and can be deleted for a pre-set time period, wherein, after the expiration of the pre-set time period, the entered legal notes are stored is non-editable form and are locked in a database for historical archival. Filters can be used to categorize and render the stored legal notes based on a set of categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: Carl J. Witkowski, John H. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20100191736
    Abstract: A system for the entry of medical notes, wherein the medical notes, after submission, are stored is non-editable form and are locked in a database for historical archival. In one scenario, the entered medical notes are editable and can be deleted for a pre-set time period, wherein, after the expiration of the pre-set time period, the entered medical notes are stored is non-editable form and are locked in a database for historical archival. Filters can be used to categorize and render the stored medical notes based on a set of categories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: Carl J. Witkowski, John H. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20100185469
    Abstract: A system and method for the automatic linking of expired, current, and future insurance policies is provided. Within each insurance policy is a plurality of conditions frequently used in the determination of an insurance policy premium or rate quote. Such terms are calculated based upon information either associated with or obtained from a particular policyholder. By automatically linking policy information and policy terms from prior insurance policies, information previously submitted by a policyholder or calculated in regards to activity on a particular policy is used in automatic calculation and generation of a future policy term. Thus, straight-thru processing is achieved via organizing of prior policies for assistance in renewals, loss ratio calculations, shifts in payroll numbers (i.e., the number of employees insured under a single policy), and previous claim activity under the same type of policy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: John H. Richardson, Carl J. Witkowski
  • Publication number: 20100179841
    Abstract: A system/method of determining a cost of workers compensation insurance for a selected period based upon monitoring, collecting and communicating data representative of a risk's payroll characteristics during said selected period, wherein the cost is adjustable by relating the payroll characteristics to predetermined actuarial rates. The system/method: determines an initial profile and a base cost of workers compensation insurance, monitors data elements representative of payroll and business status of a risk during the selected period; identifies and analyzes data elements that have a pre-identified relationship to the risk's insurability; consolidates the analyzed data elements for identifying a surcharge or discount to be applied to the base cost; and produces a final cost of workers compensation insurance for the selected period from the base cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: John H. RICHARDSON, Carl J. WITKOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20100179840
    Abstract: A system/method implemented at an insurance company estimates a final premium charge and more accurate real time estimate during the lifetime of the policy for workers compensation insurance associated with a risk based on: receiving real-time payroll data associated with the risk; monitoring the received real-time payroll data to identify and record raw data elements that have an identified relationship with any of, or a combination of, the following: the risk's business operation, insurability of the risk, character of the risk, or rating parameters associated with the risk's policy; and determining the final premium charge of workers compensation insurance for the risk based on a premium modification that increases or decreases a premium charge based on an evaluation of the recorded raw data elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: CARL J WITKOWSKI, John H. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20100179842
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining a cost of workers compensation insurance for a selected time period based upon monitoring, collecting and communicating data representative of the risk's business characteristics, whereby the cost is adjustable by relating the business characteristics to predetermined standards. The system predetermines a risk profile and a base cost of workers compensation insurance based on said risk profile, monitors a plurality of data elements representative of an operating state of the risk or a payroll modification during the selected time period, collects selected data elements out of the plurality of data elements when said ones are determined to have a pre-selected relationship to the risk's business operations, consolidates the selected ones for identifying a surcharge or discount to be applied to the base cost, and produces a final cost for the selected time period from the base cost and the surcharge or discount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: Carl J. WITKOWSKI, John H. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20100138352
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed to resolve, protect against and/or defend an employer liability claim. Input notes are received as formatted text and are stored in a database, wherein the stored text, after submission, are editable for a pre-determined time period and, after expiration of the pre-determined time period, the submission being non-editable and being locked in the database for historical archival. The locked notes are output as part of a judicial proceeding associated with the employer liability claim initiated by said employee, wherein the employer liability claim is resolved, protected against and/or defended based on the locked notes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: Carl J. Witkowski, John H. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20100131511
    Abstract: A system for the entry of legal notes, wherein the legal notes, after submission, are stored is non-editable form and are locked in a database for historical archival. In one scenario, the entered legal notes are editable and can be deleted for a pre-set time period, wherein, after the expiration of the pre-set time period, the entered legal notes are stored is non-editable form and are locked in a database for historical archival. Filters can be used to categorize and render the stored legal notes based on a set of categories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Guard Insurance Group
    Inventors: Carl J. Witkowski, John H. Richardson