ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 9 -- United States Patent no. 12,354,250, issued on July 8.

"Automated damage severity assessment system and method" was invented by Christopher R. McKinney (Port Charlotte, Fla.) and Robert Crain (Port Charlotte, Fla.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "An automated damage severity assessment system and method is disclosed. The present system scans and assesses roof damage, and generates a damage severity report without the oversight of a roof inspector. The system comprises a central database of reference images and data that is constantly reviewed and updated to ensure accuracy of the reports, and aims to reduce the errors and waste inherent in the current methods."

The p...