Patents by Inventor Shawn McComb

Shawn McComb has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20070174095
    Abstract: A system and method for evaluating the risk of insuring a grower comprises a communications interface for obtaining a geographic area yield (e.g., mean geographic area yield) of a crop for a particular geographic area (e.g., county) for a corresponding time period. A yield monitor or a yield sensor, associated with a ground-based or aerial work vehicle, obtains a benchmark grower yield (e.g., historic grower yield) for a particular grower within the particular geographic area. An analyzer determines a difference between the geographic area yield and the benchmark grower yield (e.g., historic grower yield). An estimator estimates a variability parameter indicative of a variation in forecasted grower yield in the geographic area. A data processor determines a forecasted grower yield, which may deviate from at least one of the geographic area yield (e.g., mean geographic area yield) and the benchmark grower yield, for the corresponding time period based on the difference and the variability parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Shawn McComb, Dermot Hayes, Bruce Babcock
  • Publication number: 20060287896
    Abstract: A method for managing the risk of growing a crop having a defined attribute. A grower is evaluated to determine whether the grower is associated with a qualified geographic zone or zones for growing a particular crop with a defined attribute. A performance predictor estimates or predicts a grower performance for the particular grower consistent with the geographic zone and desired crop attribute. An evaluator determines if the grower as a qualified grower for the particular crop with the defined attribute based on the estimated grower performance meeting or exceeding a threshold value. The evaluator designates the qualified grower as eligible for an attribute endorsement to at least one of a yield-based crop insurance and a revenue-based crop insurance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Shawn McComb, George Muehlbach
  • Publication number: 20060282295
    Abstract: A method of managing the risk of a grower of a crop comprises obtaining individual risk factor data for growing a particular crop in a grower's field or fields and regional risk factor data for a region associated with grower's field or fields. A data processing system determines a regional risk coverage component for the particular crop for the grower's fields based on an assessment of at least one of the individual risk factor data and the regional risk factor data. An insurer, an agent or another recommends an area-based crop insurance plan to achieve the determined regional risk coverage component. An insurer, an agent or another offers an endorsement or crop insurance policy that covers individual risk of the grower at a premium or rate based on an evaluation of the individual risk factor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Shawn McComb, George Muehlbach, Dermot Hayes, Bruce Babcock, Claudio Martinez
  • Publication number: 20060282294
    Abstract: A method for providing risk protection to a grower of a crop comprises reviewing a first crop insurance policy covering a first risk associated with an average yield of a group of growers. An insurer receives an assignment of at least a portion of the indemnification under the first crop insurance policy. An insurer issues a second crop insurance policy in exchange for the assigned indemnification to the first crop insurance policy. The second crop insurance policy covers a second risk associated with an average yield of an individual grower within the group of growers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Shawn McComb, George Muehlbach, Dermot Hayes, Bruce Babcock, Claudio Martinez
  • Publication number: 20060015374
    Abstract: A system and method for managing a crop insurance program facilitates determining an input management plan for application of a crop input to a field within a defined geographic area. A first yield per land unit is measured. The first yield per land unit pertains to a particular crop associated with the field. A second yield per land unit is estimated. The second yield per land unit relates to the particular crop associated with the defined geographic area. A difference or variation is determined between the first yield and the second yield. The determined difference is made available to a receiving entity (e.g., an insurer that is associated with at least one of claims and insurance on the field).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Yanhong Ochs, Shawn McComb
  • Publication number: 20060015360
    Abstract: An insurance product comprises a crop risk insurance policy component that insures against risk of loss for at least drought. An endorsement assembly is associated with the crop risk insurance policy component. The endorsement assembly comprises a grower compliance requirement, a right of payment, and ancillary terms and conditions. The grower compliance requirement requires a grower to comply with a qualified crop input plan for a particular crop in a field. The right of payment is contingent upon a first yield per unit land area of the particular in the field less than second yield per unit land area of a geographic area by more than a threshold amount. The geographic area covers a greater area than the field and is representative of at least one of the soil characteristics and the climate associated with the field. The right of payment is contingent upon compliance of the grower with the ancillary terms and conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Yanhong Ochs, Shawn McComb
  • Publication number: 20060015253
    Abstract: A system and method for managing a crop insurance program facilitates determining an input management plan for application of a crop input to a field within a defined geographic area. A field yield is measured. The field yield pertains to a yield of particular crop associated with a field in a defined geographic area. An aggregate yield is estimated. The aggregate yield relates to the particular crop associated with the defined geographic area. The aggregate yield is scaled to represent a generally equivalent land area to the field. A difference or variation is determined between the field yield and the aggregate yield. The determined difference or indication thereof is made available to a receiving entity (e.g., insurer that is associated with at least one of claims and insurance on the crop in the field).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Yanhong Ochs, Shawn McComb