Patents by Inventor Arthur Quentin Smith

Arthur Quentin Smith 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).

  • Patent number: 11972760
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to detecting the use of fake voice command to activate microphones of smart devices. In one embodiment, sound characteristics associated with an audio signal from a microphone of smart device may be compared with other microphones of the smart device in order to detect fake voice commands. In another embodiment, sound characteristics associated with the audio signal from the microphone may be compared with a threshold range of stored sound characteristics in order to detect fake voice commands. In some embodiments, a controller may triangulate a position associated with a source of a sound in order to detect a fake voice command. In a further embodiment, a controller may verify that a user or associated electronic device are near a smart device to authorize a voice command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Carlos J P Chavez, Sacha Melquiades De'Angeli, Oscar Guerra, David M. Jones, Jr., Gregory Brian Meyer, Christopher Russell, Arthur Quentin Smith
  • Patent number: 11782883
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein facilitate the management of personalized life information using a distributed ledger. For example, a distributed ledger system, such as one or more blockchains, may manage personalized life information of one or more individuals to, for example, determine an occurrence of a life event for a first individual based at least in part on personalized life information for the first individual, to access various types of personalized life information for the first individual in response to the determination of the occurrence of the life event for the first individual, and to provide a subset of the personalized life information data for the first individual to a user device associated with a second individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Gabriel Carlos Fernandez, Qunying Kou, Arthur Quentin Smith, Oscar Roberto Tijerina, Mark Paxman Warnick
  • Patent number: 11768506
    Abstract: A system may include a first vehicle and a first control system that may control one or more vehicle operations of the first vehicle. The first control system may perform operations including receiving a first vehicle operation signal from a second control system associated with a second vehicle, sending one or more requests to one or more computing systems for a confirmation of the first vehicle operation signal, and determining a set of vehicle instructions to control the one or more vehicle operations based on whether one or more responses from the one or more computing systems provide the confirmation. The first control system may then control the first vehicle based on the set of vehicle instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Carlos J P Chavez, Sacha Melquiades De'Angeli, David M. Jones, Jr., Gregory Brian Meyer, Christopher Russell, Arthur Quentin Smith
  • Patent number: 11757531
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to preventing laser access to microphones of smart devices. In one embodiment, a microphone of the smart device may be covered with an opaque material such as a cloth cover. The opaque material may serve as a barrier that is impenetrable to light, thereby preventing laser light to reach the microphone. In a further embodiment, a smart device may prevent the one or more microphones of the smart device from receiving an audio command embedded in a light signal by disrupting the light signal, ignoring the audio command, or both. In another embodiment, the smart device may block the audio command from being received at a microphone of a smart device by determining a frequency of the light signal, instructing a laser jammer to transmit a counter light with the frequency to interfere with the light signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Carlos J P Chavez, Sacha Melquiades De'Angeli, Oscar Guerra, David M. Jones, Jr., Gregory Brian Meyer, Christopher Russell, Arthur Quentin Smith
  • Patent number: 11756147
    Abstract: A system and method for ensuring the authenticity of imaged documents by embedding data into the images of such documents. The embedded data can then be extracted and decoded, and used to determine whether a particular document may be fraudulent. The documents may be checks, money orders, contracts, invoices, titles or other legal documents that may need to have their authenticity confirmed to prevent, for example, forged or otherwise false documents from being accepted as genuine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Arthur Quentin Smith
  • Patent number: 11741260
    Abstract: A technique for selectively scrambling data obtained by electronic sensor devices, such as cameras, voice communication devices, and the like, is provided. A payload of the data is scrambled when one or more characteristics of the data indicate that the data may include sensitive information. The scrambled data is transmitted to a target device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Ric M. Pena, Arthur Quentin Smith, Brian Tougas
  • Patent number: 11704728
    Abstract: A method for detecting a fraud attempt in a communication session may include receiving, via at least one processor, a set of data associated with a communication session between a representative of an organization and a user, tagging, via the at least one processor, one or more items of the set of data as one or more tagged data items, applying, via the at least one processor, a fraud detecting algorithm to the one or more tagged data items to determine a percent likelihood of the user attempting to defraud the representative, generating, via the at least one processor, a visualization based on the percent likelihood, and displaying, via the at least one processor, the visualization via an electronic display during the communication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Arthur Quentin Smith, Kevin K. Fiedler, Andrew Jerome Gabriel Higgins
  • Patent number: 11658809
    Abstract: A technique for selectively sending encryption keys is provided that encrypts user data generated as a result of a user interacting with a user device. The encrypted user data may be sent to one or more target devices associated with a third party. When the one or more target devices are authorized to receive an encryption key, the encryption key to decrypt the encrypted user data may also be sent to the one or more target devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Ric M. Pena, Arthur Quentin Smith, Brian Tougas
  • Patent number: 11611550
    Abstract: An authentication system for granting access to an account associated with a user. An authenticator of the authentication system including a processor and a memory, the authenticator configured to: receive a request for authentication that identifies the user; access an authentication account associated with the user, wherein the authentication account indicates a smart device associated with the user; activate a control parameter of the smart device, wherein the control parameter may cause an effect in a media sample from the smart device; receive the media sample from the smart device and determine if the effect corresponding to the control parameter is observed in the media sample; and in response to a determination that the effect is not observed in the media sample, indicate that the request for authentication is a fraudulent request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association ( USAA)
    Inventors: Carlos J P Chavez, Sacha Melquiades De'Angeli, Oscar Guerra, David M. Jones, Jr., Gregory Brian Meyer, Christopher Russell, Arthur Quentin Smith
  • Patent number: 11530929
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to navigational systems, devices, and methods for preparing route guidance information that incorporates user needs—and ensures fulfilment of those needs under a variety of conditions. In particular, this disclosure relates to preparing route guidance information that ensures a user is directed along a route that includes stops where various needs such as e.g. medical, food, or water can be met while also minimizing traffic. Such a system may be useful, for example, when evacuating from a metro region in the face of an oncoming natural disaster such as a hurricane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Arthur Quentin Smith
  • Patent number: 11533342
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and modifying the security configurations of multiple devices is disclosed. The method includes monitoring multiple devices for security triggers and taking action in response to the triggers. The triggers include changes in security configurations, known security issues and pending updates. The devices may be any connected devices, including Internet of Things devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Arthur Quentin Smith
  • Patent number: 11157906
    Abstract: Techniques are described for managing transactions requested by a user, such management based on sensor data that generated by sensor device(s) in proximity to the user. Biometric and/or other types of data may be generated using sensors that are included in a user device, worn by a user, and/or otherwise in proximity to the user. The data may be analyzed to determine a current physical, emotional, and/or intellectual state of the user, such as whether the user is intoxicated, exhausted, angry, depressed, under duress, experiencing dementia, and so forth. If a transaction is detected that conflicts with a previously specified constraint, such as a budget or spending rule of the user, and if the user is currently in an impaired state, action(s) may be taken to manage the transaction. Such action(s) may include blocking the transaction, delaying the transaction, and/or notifying another party to assist the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Arthur Quentin Smith, John C. Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 11019090
    Abstract: A method for detecting a fraud attempt in a communication session may include receiving, via at least one processor, a set of data associated with a communication session between a representative of an organization and a user, tagging, via the at least one processor, one or more items of the set of data as one or more tagged data items, applying, via the at least one processor, a fraud detecting algorithm to the one or more tagged data items to determine a percent likelihood of the user attempting to defraud the representative, generating, via the at least one processor, a visualization based on the percent likelihood, and displaying, via the at least one processor, the visualization via an electronic display during the communication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Arthur Quentin Smith, Kevin K. Fiedler, Andrew Jerome Gabriel Higgins
  • Patent number: 10509956
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method using a trained and activated artificial intelligence entity for detecting in photo images, moving or still, the identity of target people who are present or former members of the U.S. armed services, or are related thereto, from sources available through the Internet or other wide area computer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Arthur Quentin Smith, John C. Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 10425394
    Abstract: Operation of a device may be enabled or disabled by an instruction that may be given in a variety of ways. For example, a device (e.g., a car) may be equipped with a mechanism that disables (“kills”) and/or enables (“unkills”) some or all of the functionality of the car upon receipt of an appropriate instruction. The instruction could be given remotely. For example, the instruction could be given remotely from a wireless telephone by sending appropriate messages through a network. An instruction to re-enable operation of the device could also be given remotely. The honoring of kill and/or unkill instructions could be predicated on some type of authentication, such as the identity of the device from which the instruction is issued, a password, a biometric identification, the location from which the instruction is issued, or some other factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Arthur Quentin Smith
  • Patent number: 10380691
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable instructions to provide, and receive, location-variable insurance. Risk zones may be created that have geographic boundaries. A risk zone is a geographic area that has a risk of loss factor associated with the risk zone. Risk zones may have a temporal range, where the existence, geographic boundaries and risk of loss factor for a risk zone may change with time. A location of a person or thing insured may be determined on an on-going basis, providing the opportunity for continued coverage over a wide range of risk of loss factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Arthur Quentin Smith
  • Patent number: 10372978
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method using a trained and activated artificial intelligence entity for detecting in photo images, moving or still, the identity of target people who are present or former members of the U.S. armed services, or are related thereto, from sources available through the Internet or other wide area computer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: UIPCO, LLC
    Inventors: Arthur Quentin Smith, John C. Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 10169598
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sending and receiving encrypted submessages. Messages could be partitioned into a plurality of submessages based on the content of a message, and such submessages could be individually encrypted and sent over a network. The partitioning could be based on various standards and/or heuristics. In the sending process, submessages could be designated to travel over different networks and networks of different types. Such submessages could then be received and reassembled in spite containing overlapping content with respect to each other, having to contend with copies of submessages, and having accompanying related content (e.g., advertisements) and non-related content (e.g., random bits). Moreover, the sending process could also be performed in real time or in a batched manner, depending on the implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
    Inventors: Reynaldo Medina, III, Arthur Quentin Smith
  • Patent number: 9544652
    Abstract: Cable and satellite television systems, televisions, and universal remotes are used to provide interactive financial self-services to users. The cable or satellite system provides a connection between a user and a financial services company. A television or other display device connects to the cable or satellite system and displays content from the financial services company to a user. The user may enter data and navigate through the content via a back channel using a universal remote or other input device. The user may thus complete the content, such as completing a loan application, opening a bank account, or purchasing insurance. The user may provide authentication information to receive personalized content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Arthur Quentin Smith
  • Patent number: 9535725
    Abstract: Operation of a device may be enabled or disabled by an instruction that may be given in a variety of ways. For example, a device (e.g., a car) may be equipped with a mechanism that disables (“kills”) and/or enables (“unkills”) some or all of the functionality of the car upon receipt of an appropriate instruction. The instruction could be given remotely. For example, the instruction could be given remotely from a wireless telephone by sending appropriate messages through a network. An instruction to re-enable operation of the device could also be given remotely. The honoring of kill and/or unkill instructions could be predicated on some type of authentication, such as the identity of the device from which the instruction is issued, a password, a biometric identification, the location from which the instruction is issued, or some other factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION
    Inventor: Arthur Quentin Smith