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Insurance Abstract
A method of managing risk in an electronic content insurance system
includes an electronic actuarial agent detecting a risk factor present
in a computing environment. The method continues with the electronic
actuarial agent assigning a probability that the risk factor will
be a cause of a loss of a content object stored in the computing
environment, and the electronic actuarial agent performing one of
notifying a user of the computing environment of the risk factor
and acting to mitigate the risk factor.
Insurance Claims
1. A method of managing risk in an electronic content insurance
system, comprising: an electronic actuarial agent detecting a risk
factor present in a computing environment; the electronic actuarial
agent assigning a probability that the risk factor will be a cause
of a loss of a content object stored in the computing environment;
and the electronic actuarial agent performing one of notifying a
user of the computing environment of the risk factor and acting
to mitigate the risk factor.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the risk factor pertains to a
user behavior.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the user behavior pertains to
a need for the user to perform a corrective to mitigate the risk
factor.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the risk factor pertains to detecting
a software component having reduced effectiveness and wherein the
performing step further comprises the electronic actuarial agent
acting to direct the importing of an additional software component.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing step further comprises
acting to store content objects at another location within the computing
environment.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the electronic actuarial
agent reviewing content objects that have been recently stored within
the computing environment and acting to store content objects at
the another location within the computing environment, based on
the type of data recently stored.
7. The method of claim 5, further comprising the electronic actuarial
agent assigning value to a content object.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the assigning step is brought
about by the electronic actuarial agent reading a value indicator
associated with the type of content object.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the assigning step is brought
about by the electronic actuarial agent querying a commercial content
provider for a monetary value of the content object.
10. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising the electronic
actuarial agent changing a premium amount responsive to detecting
the risk factor.
11. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising the electronic
actuarial agent changing a premium amount responsive to detecting
the mitigation of the risk factor.
12. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising the electronic
actuarial agent insuring additional coverage without changing a
premium amount.
13. An electronic actuarial agent, comprising: a content steward
module that detects one or more risk factors in a computing environment
that can contribute to a loss of content objects stored within the
computing environment; a risk factor probability module that estimates
a likelihood that the one or more of the risk factors will contribute
to the loss of content objects stored within the computing environment;
and a risk mitigation module that selects a course of action to
mitigate the risk factor based on the estimate performed by the
risk factor probability module.
14. The electronic actuarial agent of claim 13, further comprising:
a reporting module that transmits information about the one or more
risk factors to an insurer.
15. The electronic actuarial agent of claim 14, wherein the reporting
module additionally transmits the selected course of action to mitigate
the one or more risk factors to the insurer.
16. The electronic actuarial agent of claim 13, wherein the computing
environment includes a plurality of content object storage locations,
and wherein the type of content object stored at the plurality of
locations influences the action taken by the risk mitigation module.
17. The electronic actuarial agent of claim 13, wherein the risk
mitigation module acts to modify a software module running on a
processor within the computing environment.
18. The electronic actuarial agent of claim 13, wherein the risk
mitigation module acts to inform a user that a change in a hardware
module of the computing environment can mitigate the one or more
risk factors.
19. The electronic actuarial agent of claim 13, wherein the risk
mitigation module acts to inform a user that an alternative to using
a hardware module of the computing environment can mitigate the
one or more risk factors.
20. The electronic actuarial agent of claim 13, wherein the risk
factor probability module determines a change in an electronic content
insurance premium based on the estimated likelihood that the one
or more of risk factors will contribute to the loss of content objects
stored within the computing environment.
21. The electronic actuarial agent of claim 13, wherein the one
or more risks factors is selected from the group consisting of:
a usage pattern of a component of the computing environment; the
presence of a virus scanning software package on a component of
the computing environment; a version of a virus scanning software
package on a component of the computing environment; a frequency
at which backups of a component of the computing environment is
performed; and the mobility of a component of the computing environment;
a measure of the scarcity of the content being insured; a user's
history of human-error induced content loss; the presence of a firewall
within the computing environment; age of the content being insured;
age of one or more components of the computing environment; physical
location of a component of the computing environment containing
the insured content; crime rate of the area in which the computing
environment is located; and claim history of a user of the computing
environment.
22. An electronic content insurance system, comprising: a plurality
of components of a computing environment, each of the plurality
having a content storage device; and an electronic actuarial agent,
which is at least occasionally coupled to each of the plurality
of components, for determining a level of risk that one or more
of the plurality of components will experience a loss of content
stored on the content storage device of each of the plurality of
components.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the electronic actuarial agent
is a hardware module having a wireless connection to each of the
plurality of components.
24. The system of claim 22, wherein the electronic actuarial agent
is coupled to an electronic content backup service for archiving
content stored on at least some of the content storage devices.
25. The system of claim 22, wherein the electronic actuarial agent
includes an interface to the Internet for downloading software modules
that, when run on one or more of the plurality of components, lowers
the level of risk that one or more of the plurality of components
will experience a loss of content.
26. The system of claim 22, wherein the electronic actuarial agent
includes a user interface that prompts a user to take particular
actions that reduce the level of risk that one or more of the plurality
of components will experience a loss of content.
27. The system of claim 22, wherein the electronic actuarial agent
examines a plurality of content objects and stores at least one
of the plurality of content objects in another location within the
computing environment based on a file type of the one of the plurality
of content objects.
28. The system of claim 22, wherein the electronic actuarial agent
influences a content insurance premium amount based on the level
of risk that one or more of the plurality of components will experience
a loss of content.
29. The system of claim 22, wherein the electronic actuarial agent
makes use of statistical data from a plurality of users in order
to determine a content insurance premium amount.
30. An electronic content insurance system, comprising: means for
coupling to a plurality of components of a computing environment,
each of the plurality of components having content stored on a storage
device associated with each of the plurality of components; and
means for determining a level of risk that one or more of the storage
devices associated with each of the plurality of components will
experience a loss of content.
31. The electronic content insurance system of claim 30, additionally
comprising: means for determining a content insurance premium based
on a level of risk that one or more of the storage devices associated
with each of the plurality of components will undergo a loss of
content.
32. The electronic content insurance system of claim 30, additionally
comprising means for performing a back up of certain data stored
on at least one of the plurality of components.
33. A method insuring against a loss of content objects, comprising:
an electronic actuarial agent determining that a risk factor exists
within a computing environment; without input from a user, mitigating
the risk factor; and backing up at least some of the content objects.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the mitigating step includes
importing a version of a virus scanning software package on a component
of the computing environment.
Insurance Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] As computerized equipment, including desktop and portable
computing devices, digital entertainment devices, digital cameras,
and processor-based communication devices becomes more and more
pervasive, the amount of data under the care of the typical computer
user continues to increase. For instance, in the 1980s, the average
user may have owned only a few compact disc (CD) audio recordings
and perhaps a handful of general-purpose "floppy" diskettes
containing other data. In the 1990s, the average user continued
to accumulate audio recordings on compact discs, and began storing
photographs and video content on laptop and desktop computer hard
drives. In the current decade, these trends continue as videocassette
recorders are replaced by digital versatile disc (DVD) recorders
and analog cameras are replaced by their digital counterparts. As
these technologies progress into the future, users can expect to
find themselves having to manage ever-increasing amounts of digital
data.
[0002] Although the quality of digital storage media continues
to improve, these media are nonetheless subject to catastrophic
failure. For example, CDs and DVDs containing a user's favorite
audio recordings or movies can become scratched from wear and rough
handling. In another example, the hard disk of a desktop or a laptop
computer can experience a "head crash" or other mechanical
failure that renders the disk inoperative. In a further example,
the integrity of the data stored on a laptop or desktop computer
hard drive can become compromised due to the infection of the computer
system by a virus or other malicious software. Finally, flash memory
cards used in digital cameras, which may store all the of the user's
pictures of his or her most recent vacation, can become lost or
misplaced when the user returns home.
[0003] A popular approach toward preserving digital data involves
a user storing single copies of compact discs (CDs), digital versatile
discs (DVDs), and digital camera flash memory cards in a safe place.
A more advanced user might occasionally back up the hard drive of
a laptop or desktop computer, when the user remembers to do so.
However, even though the computing industry regularly extols the
virtues of backing up important digital data, many users do not
take the time to back up their digital data. These users simply
hope that the integrity of their digital media will never be compromised,
and that they will be one of the "lucky" ones who never
experience a significant loss of irreplaceable digital data.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic content insurance
system according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic actuarial agent
used in the electronic content insurance system of FIG. 1 according
to an embodiment of the invention.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of managing risk in an
electronic content insurance system according to an embodiment of
the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0007] An electronic content insurance system provides a means
of preserving content stored at various locations within a user's
computing environment. In the context of the present invention,
the term "content" is intended to mean electronic information
that has value to a user. Thus, content may include commercially-produced
electronic information such as audio recordings, movies, electronic
games, software packages, and other electronically encoded information.
Content can also include personally-produced information, such as
digital photographs and home movies recorded by way of a digital
camcorder. Content can also include electronic information that
represents both commercially-produced and personally-produced information.
An example of such content can be a music compilation or "mix
CD" in which the user has spent time and effort arranging and
perhaps modifying various commercially-produced audio recordings.
An individual element of content, or content object, may range from
an electronic business card consisting of only a few hundred bytes
of data to a large software package consisting of many gigabytes
of information.
[0008] In the context of the present invention, the term "loss"
implies damage to the media that stores a content object to the
extent that the content object cannot be recovered. Thus, "loss"
can imply damage to a computer hard drive that renders the content
objects stored on the drive as unrecoverable. Loss can also include
corruption of the drive by a virus. Loss can also imply damage to
an individual CD, DVD, or other commercially-produced media that
renders the media unplayable in a CD or DVD player.
[0009] Embodiments of the present invention may include hardware
or software modules that interface with peer computing, digital
entertainment, storage, and other processor-based devices within
a user's computing environment. This allows the back up and the
secure storage of the user's content, while requiring only minimal
user involvement. Risk factors that increase the probability of
a loss of content can be identified and mitigated, either automatically
and without user involvement, or by way of identifying the risk
factor to the user so that the user can take corrective action.
Additionally, as new components are introduced into the computing
environment, the content stored on the new components can be automatically
discovered and stored in a more secure location. Further, in the
event that one or more of the content storage devices associated
with each of the components of the computing environment does experience
a loss of content, the system provides for the reimbursement of
at least the value of the commercially-provided content.
[0010] Embodiments of the invention also include a content insurance
provider that replaces commercially-produced content in the event
of damage to the CDs and DVDs that store the user's audio recordings,
games, and movies. When the user takes corrective action to mitigate
a detected risk factor and thus lower the probability of a loss
of content, the content insurance provider can, in turn, lower the
premium paid by the user. Alternatively, the user may choose to
insure previously uninsured content for the same premium. In either
case, the user is motivated to take measures to reduce the risk
of a loss of content upon being notified that a risk factor has
been detected. Consequently, the content insurance provider and
the user have fewer claim-related transactions to prosecute.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic content insurance
system according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1, computing
environment 100 represents a user's home network of computing, entertainment,
and communications devices, each of which store content objects.
Personal computer 101 and personal computer 105 may represent desktop,
laptop, or handheld computing devices located in various rooms of
a user's house or other dwelling. Media hub 110 represents a storage
facility in which a user may store one or more DVDs, CDs, or other
commercially-produced content. Docking station 160 represents a
facility that accepts mobile device 150 and is primarily responsible
for removing or copying content stored on the mobile device. In
FIG. 1, mobile device 150 may represent the user's camera-equipped
cellular telephone, digital camera, or portable solid-state audio
device, such as an iPod.TM..
[0012] At least occasionally coupled to personal computer 101,
personal computer 105, media hub 110, and docking station 160, is
electronic actuarial agent 120. Electronic actuarial agent 120 is
contemplated as including both hardware and software modules that
establish a communications path with components of the user's computing
environment and automatically discover if new content has been stored
on the particular component. Thus, for example, in the event that
the user has just returned from vacation, the user may place a digital
camera loaded with vacation pictures atop docking station 160, thus
enabling electronic actuarial agent 120 to remove digital pictures
and digital movie clips from the camera and store these in secure
storage module 140. In another example, if the user has just purchased
music from an on-line music store, electronic actuarial agent 120
may detect and automatically back up the recently-purchased music.
In the event that content objects stored within the user's computing
environment are lost, insurer 170 can contact commercial content
provider 180 so that the lost content objects can be replaced or
the user can be reimbursed for the replacement value of the lost
content objects. In the context of the present invention, the term
"commercial content provider" may include the content
distributor, the content owner, such as Disney for example, or any
other business entity that sells, distributes, or licenses commercially-available
content.
[0013] In other embodiments of the invention, electronic actuarial
agent 120 may not take such an active role in moving or copying
content to and from the various locations within computing environment
100. In these embodiments, electronic actuarial agent 120 performs
more of a managerial role in which various components in the computing
environment are directed to perform specific tasks, rather than
those tasks being performed exclusively by actuarial agent 120.
[0014] Returning to the embodiment of FIG. 1, when new content
has been detected within the computing environment, the decision
as to whether or not to back up the content can be a function of
the file type of the detected content, with certain file types being
considered more valuable than others. Thus, in the event that content
in the form of digital pictures has been detected, the user may
wish to immediately and automatically move or copy these content
objects to a secure storage device. In this case, all digital pictures
may be assigned a certain value indicator by electronic actuarial
agent 120 and backed up accordingly. In other cases, the user may
assign a value indicator to the various individual pictures so that
important pictures, as designated by the user, can be backed up
immediately while less important content objects are backed up later,
or not at all. In this embodiment, other types of content objects,
such as contact information from a user's cellular telephone may
represent another example of low-value content that the user does
not wish to have immediately backed up, if at all. For still other
content objects, such as commercially-produced DVD movies, a commercial
content provider may be queried so that the monetary value of the
purchased content can be determined and the content insurance premium
can be calculated. In this example, the commercially-produced DVD
movies are not backed up, although a record of the user's purchase
of the movie is recorded by insurer 170.
[0015] In addition to immediately storing content objects into
secure storage module 140 so that this content can be readily available
to the user, electronic content backup service 190 can provide secure
storage of hard-to-replace content objects. In the embodiment of
FIG. 1, secure storage module 140, behind firewall 130, represents
a local server that is the least vulnerable to content loss than
perhaps all of the components in the user's computing environment.
Thus, for example, secure storage module 140 may be physically located
in the most secure area of the user's house and run the most robust
virus protection software as well as having other fault tolerant
attributes.
[0016] For longer term content storage, which may imply years or
even decades, electronic content backup service 190 provides an
offsite content storage facility. Electronic content backup service
190 may employ one or more redundant arrays of inexpensive disks
(RAIDs) in order to provide highly reliable mass storage of the
user's older and scarcer content. The content backup service can
also include an automatic format upgrade service wherein content
objects stored in older formats, such as photographs stored in older
versions of the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) standard,
are automatically copied to a newer JPEG standard or other future
image format. This ensures that content objects are stored both
in their original format as well as being stored in a current and
widely-accepted standard.
[0017] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, it is contemplated that electronic
actuarial agent 120 communicates with the various other components
of the user's computing environment by way of wireless interfaces.
Thus, computers 101 and 105, for example, may be moved to other
locations within the user's home without requiring a wired connection
to electronic actuarial agent 120. It is additionally contemplated
that electronic actuarial agent 120 is capable of automatically
discovering components that have been newly added to computing environment
100.
[0018] In FIG. 1, electronic actuarial agent 120 occasionally or
periodically evaluates the usage pattern of various components in
the computing environment to identify ways of reducing the risk
that a given component will experience a hardware or software failure
that could result in the loss of one or more content objects. Thus,
for example, in the event that the user is in the habit of leaving
personal computer 101 running without executing any processing tasks,
electronic actuarial agent 120 may suggest to the user that the
computer's hard drive is experiencing unnecessary wear and that
perhaps computer 101 ought to be shut off more regularly, thus extending
the life of the hard drive. In another example, where the user is
switching computer 101 between the ON and OFF state numerous times
between certain hours of the day, electronic actuarial agent 120
may recommend to the user that the computer simply be left in the
ON state between these hours, and switched OFF during the remainder
of the day.
[0019] Electronic actuarial agent 120 may also detect risk factors
pertaining to software components that may protect against loss
of content. These could include antivirus software, automatic back
up software, or perhaps even disk defragmentation software that
helps reduce wear on the disk components when the disk is being
accessed. For example, in the event that actuarial agent 120 detects
that the presence of a virus scanning software package loaded onto
one or more of computers 101 and 105 could mitigate the risk of
losing content stored on the computer, the actuarial agent may automatically
download or otherwise import the latest virus definitions into computers
101 and 105. Additionally, electronic actuarial agent 120 may instruct
one or more of the personal computers 101 and 105 to execute a virus
detection program on a regular basis.
[0020] In other embodiments of the invention, electronic actuarial
agent 120 may determine that one or more of the components in the
computing environment is a laptop computer that is being regularly
removed and returned to the user's home. Thus, due to a higher probability
of the laptop computer being stolen or damaged in transit, actuarial
agent 120 may prompt the user to back up the mobile device up more
frequently than other components in the computing environment. More
frequent backups may also be suggested for components in the computing
environment that are older and perhaps less reliable than other
components.
[0021] Electronic actuarial agent 120 may also consider the location
of a component of the computing environment within the user's dwelling.
Thus, a media hub located in the playroom, where the children in
the house are allowed to play "dodge ball" may present
an increased risk factor than a similar media hub placed in the
living room. In a broader sense, the content insurance premium may
be linked to at least some factors that determine a conventional
(e.g. fire) insurance premium. For example, a user having a computing
environment physically located in an older wooden building, without
fire suppression sprinklers may pay a higher electronic content
insurance premium than a user having a computing environment located
in a more modern, concrete building.
[0022] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, it is contemplated that electronic
actuarial agent 120 is flexible and able to detect a wide range
of risk factors as determined by the insurer. The agent (120) generally
operates in a manner that benefits both insurer 170 and the user
of computing environment 100 to reduce the risk of a loss of electronic
content to an acceptable level. Other exemplary considerations used
in determining the risk factors that influence the electronic content
insurance premium might include, but are not limited to the following:
[0023] 1. The relative scarcity of commercially-produced content:
This may include rare audio CDs, DVD movies, and games that may
have been difficult to acquire thus are not readily available from
a commercial content provider.
[0024] 2. The age of the commercially-produced content: This may
include older audio CDs, DVD movies, and games that are currently
out-of-print and thus not readily available from a commercial content
provider.
[0025] 3. The previous claim history of a particular user: A user
having a history of making more claims may present a higher risk
than a user making fewer claims over the same period. This may include
making claims in which human error is the cause of the loss of content.
For example, a user having a history of dropping a laptop computer
and irreparably damaging the computer's hard drive may present a
higher risk when insuring additional computers within the user's
computing environment.
[0026] 4. The presence of an Internet firewall: A user having an
Internet firewall may be expected to have fewer virus-related content
losses than a user whose computing environment does not include
a firewall.
[0027] 5. The crime rate of the user's location: A user located
in an area having a high rate of burglary, arson, or other property
crime may present a higher risk than user's located in other areas.
[0028] 6. The use of statistical data from a plurality of users.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, personal computers 101 and 105, as well
as media hub 110, and docking station 160 all include conduct monitor
102. Conduct monitor 102 represents a trusted hardware or software
module that monitors the compliance of a component of computing
environment 100 with various risk mitigating strategies. For example,
in the event that the user agrees to install a virus scanning software
package so that the user's premium amount can be lowered, conduct
monitor 102 verifies that, indeed, the software package has been
installed. This provides a closed loop system in which the computing
environment can be monitored to ensure that risk mitigating actions,
as recommended by electronic actuarial agent 120 are carried out
as promised by the user.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic actuarial agent
used in the electronic content insurance system of FIG. 1 according
to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 2, electronic actuarial
agent 120 includes central processing unit 250, which is coupled
to memory 200 by way of memory bus 270. Memory bus 270 may be, for
example, a data bus with an accompanying control/address bus. Stored
within the address space of memory 200 and executable by central
processing unit 105 are content steward module 210, risk factor
probability module 220, risk mitigation module 230, and reporting
module 240.
[0031] Content steward module 210 functions to detect risk factors
in the computing environment that can contribute to a loss of content
objects stored at the various locations within the computing environment.
Thus, content steward module 210 maintains a list of behaviors that
could be considered to be higher risk and determines if those behaviors
are taking place at a particular time. For example, content steward
module 210 may maintain a log of the number of hours that a particular
desktop computer has been left ON without significant activity,
or how many times in one day the computer has been turned OFF and
then ON, or whether or not the most current version of antivirus
software has been installed on the computer.
[0032] Risk factor probability module 220 functions to estimate
the probability that one or more of the risk factors detected by
content steward module 210 will contribute to a loss of content.
Thus, for example, in the event that the user does not make use
of even the most rudimentary virus scanning software, risk factor
probability module 220 may assign a large probability value to reflect
an outstanding likelihood that a loss of content will occur.
[0033] Risk mitigation module 230 functions to select a course
of action to mitigate the risk factor based on the estimate performed
by risk factor probability module 220. Thus, for those risk factors
that represent a serious vulnerability to content loss, risk mitigation
module 230 may automatically take action to mitigate the detected
risk. For example, in the event that a critical update to the computer's
virus-scanning software is needed, risk mitigation module 230 may
simply contact an appropriate Internet website and download the
latest virus definitions. In another example, in the event that
risk mitigation module 230 detects that a back up has not been performed
for some time, a back up may be immediately scheduled and executed.
For other detected risk factors, such as those pertaining to the
age of a component of the computing environment for example, risk
mitigation module 230 may simply notify the user that the content
loss insurance premium could be lowered if the user were to upgrade
the hard drive of an older desktop computer with a newer and more
reliable hard drive.
[0034] Reporting module 240, by way of network interface 280 that
interfaces to the Internet (290), serves to report detected risk
factors as well as any actions taken to mitigate these risk factors
to the insurer, such as insurer 170 of FIG. 1. This allows the user's
content insurance premium to be immediately adjusted in response
to automatic or user-performed actions taken to mitigate a detected
risk. Reporting module 240 also reports to the insurer when a loss
of content has occurred so that the lost content can be identified
and replaced.
[0035] In an embodiment related to those of FIGS. 1 and 2, the
functions performed by electronic actuarial agent 120 can be incorporated
into one or more of personal computers 100 and 105, thus eliminating
the need for a separate, dedicated processing resource. In this
embodiment, memory 200 (FIG. 2) is populated with software modules
that are used to execute the functions performed by actuarial agent
120, along with the other, more conventional, business, personal,
and/or entertainment applications executed by the personal computer.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of managing risk in an
electronic content insurance system according to an embodiment of
the invention. The method of FIG. 3 can be practiced using the system
of FIG. 1. The method of FIG. 3 begins at step 300, in which an
electronic actuarial agent detects a risk factor present within
a computing environment. At step 310, the electronic actuarial agent
assigns a probability that the detected risk factor will be a cause
of a loss of content stored within the computing environment. Step
310 can also include recalculating an electronic content insurance
premium based on the detected risk factor.
[0037] At step 320, a decision is made as to whether or not to
automatically take action to mitigate the detected risk. An example
of an action that may be taken automatically may include downloading
an update to an antivirus software package, or storing important
personally-produced content in a more secure location. In the event
that the decision of step 320 is that automatic action should not
be taken, step 330 is performed in which the user is notified that
an action to mitigate the detected risk should be taken so that
the electronic content insurance premium can be reduced. At step
340, after an appropriate waiting period, a determination is made
as to whether the user has taken measures to mitigate the detected
risk. In the event that the user has not taken the necessary steps
to mitigate the detected risk, step 345 is performed in which the
insurer is informed that no action has been taken. In turn, the
insurer may upwardly adjust the premium amount paid by the user.
[0038] In the event that the user has taken action to mitigate
the risk, step 350 is performed in which the user selects to insure
additional content not currently covered, such as recently-purchased
movies, additional digital pictures, and so forth. If the user does
have additional content to be insured, step 355 is performed in
which the additional content is included in the electronic content
insurance policy. In the event that the user does not have additional
content to be insured, step 360 is performed in which the user's
premium is adjusted downward.
[0039] In some embodiments of the invention, not all of steps 300
through 350 are performed. Thus, another method of managing risk
in an electronic content insurance system may include an electronic
actuarial agent detecting a risk factor present in a computing environment
(step 300); the electronic actuarial agent assigning a probability
that the risk factor will be a cause of a loss of a content object
stored in the computing environment (step 310); and the electronic
actuarial agent performing either step 320 in which the electronic
actuarial agent automatically acts to mitigate the risk factor,
or performing step 330 in which the user of the computing environment
is notified of the risk factor.
[0040] While the present invention has been particularly shown
and described with reference to the foregoing preferred and alternative
embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that many
variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. This
description of the invention should be understood to include the
novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein,
and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any
novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. The foregoing
embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element is
essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this
or a later application. Where the claims recite "a" or
"a first" element or the equivalent thereof, such claims
should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such
elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
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