Patents by Inventor Brian M. Fields
Brian M. Fields 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).
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Patent number: 11977874Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, an identity of a vehicle operator may be determined and a vehicle operator profile and/or operating data regarding autonomous operation features of the vehicle may be received after the vehicle operator opts into a rewards program and agrees to share their data. Autonomous operation and vehicle operator risk levels associated with operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined. Based upon the risk levels and/or comparison thereof, one or more autonomous operation features may be disengaged. A preparedness level of the vehicle operator to assume or reassume control of operating the vehicle is determined prior to disengagement. If satisfactory, an alert is presented to the vehicle operator prior to disengagement of the autonomous operation features.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance CompanyInventors: Brian Mark Fields, Chien Che Huang, Mohamed A. Wazeer, Shawn C. Bennett, Steven C. Cielocha, Ronny S. Bryant, Stephen Kohaus, Terry Quakenbush, Richard A. Novak, Aaron Scott Chan, Craig M. Main, Weixin Wu, Torri Wollenschlager, Carol Marie Csanda, Stacey Gorsuch, Todd Binion
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Publication number: 20240144807Abstract: A system for detecting water damage to a structure may include a plurality of energy-harvesting sensors on or within the structure, each sensor being configured to (i) generate sensor data indicative of one or more characteristics of air, construction materials, and/or water within the structure and (ii) generate power for operating the sensor responsively to an external stimulus other than an electrical power source. One or more processors of the system receive sensor data generated by the energy-harvesting sensors, detecting water damage to the structure by analyzing at least the sensor data, and cause an indication of the detected water damage to be presented to a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Shawn M. Call, Jaime Skaggs, Matthew S. Megyese
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Publication number: 20240141628Abstract: A computer-implemented method of monitoring water usage includes generating and receiving first water usage data indicating a first plurality of water usage events associated with a structure, each of the first plurality of water usage events being associated with a respective location and/or entity. The method may also include generating, based upon the first water usage data, a baseline water usage model representing water usage over time locations and/or entities, and generating second water usage data indicating a second plurality of water usage events associated with the structure, each of the second plurality of water usage events being associated with a respective location and/or entity. The method may also include detecting, based upon the second water usage data and the baseline water usage model, anomalous water usage associated with a particular location and/or entity, and causing an indication of the anomalous water usage to be presented to a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Shawn M. Call, Jaime Skaggs, Matthew S. Megyese
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Publication number: 20240143875Abstract: In a computer-implemented method of detecting or predicting water intrusion into a structure from an external environment, data indicative of one or more factors associated with the external environment is received. The method also includes detecting or predicting water intrusion into the structure by analyzing at least the data indicative of the one or more factors associated with the external environment, and causing an indication of the detected or predicted water intrusion to be presented to a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Shawn M. Call, Jaime Skaggs, Matthew S. Megyese
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Publication number: 20240142337Abstract: In a computer-implemented method of detecting or predicting water damage within a structure, sensor data indicative of one or more conditions associated with the structure is generated. The condition(s) include at least one characteristic of air, construction materials, or water within the structure. The method may also include receiving the sensor data and data indicative of one or more other factors associated with an interior of the structure, detecting or predicting water damage to the structure by jointly analyzing the sensor data and the data indicative of the one or more other factors, and causing an indication of the detected or predicted water damage to be presented to a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Shawn M. Call, Jaime Skaggs, Matthew S. Megyese
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Patent number: 11970089Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling an interior configuration of a vehicle following a collision. Sensor data that includes, or is derived from data that includes, data collected by one or more sensors is received, and a vehicle accident condition indicative of an accident having occurred is detected by processing the sensor data. After detecting the vehicle accident condition, an actuator component is caused to prevent a passenger from adjusting an interior vehicle component outside a predetermined range of physical configurations, while allowing the passenger to adjust the interior vehicle component within the predetermined range of physical configurations.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2022Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Scott T. Christensen, Brian M. Fields, Stephen R. Prevatt, Steve Roberson
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Patent number: 11954482Abstract: According to certain aspects, a computer-implemented method for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be provided. With the customer's permission, an identity of a vehicle operator may be identified and a vehicle operator profile may be retrieved. Operating data regarding autonomous operation features operating the vehicle may be received from vehicle-mounted sensors. When a request to disable an autonomous feature is received, a risk level for the autonomous feature is determined and compared with a driver behavior setting for the autonomous feature stored in the vehicle operator profile. Based upon the risk level comparison, the autonomous vehicle retains control of vehicle or the autonomous feature is disengaged depending upon which is the safer driver—the autonomous vehicle or the vehicle human occupant. As a result, unsafe disengagement of self-driving functionality for autonomous vehicles may be alleviated.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance CompanyInventors: Brian Mark Fields, Chien Che Huang, Mohamed A. Wazeer, Shawn C. Bennett, Steven Cielocha, Ronny S. Bryant, Stephen Kohaus, Terry Quakenbush, Richard A. Novak, Aaron Scott Chan, Craig M. Main, Weixin Wu, Torri Wollenschlager, Carol Marie Csanda, Stacey Gorsuch, Todd Binion
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Patent number: 11928738Abstract: Systems and methods relating to improving the experience of gig-economy workers are disclosed, with particular reference to gig-economy work involving vehicle use. During or after performance of gig-economy work, data automatically collected may be used to generate and present recommendations or education points to gig-economy workers. Such recommendations may include targeted alerts to notify gig-economy workers of high-demand situations or to coordinate between gig-economy workers and gig-economy customers. Alerts may be generated based upon current excess demand for gig-economy services, as well as gig-economy worker availability and preferences. For example, alerts may be generated in response to detecting emergency conditions in an area in order to mobilize a large number of gig-economy transportation service providers.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Hannah Estes, Audrey Schwartz, Michael DiBenedetto, James P. Rodriguez, Anna Zarkoob, Ben Tucker, Dar Beachy, Elijah Abella, Diana Sherwood, Emily Bryant, Kristin Sellers, Brian M. Fields, Hanpei Zhang
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Publication number: 20240053816Abstract: The following relates generally to using augmented reality (AR) for inspection of a property. In some examples, underlay layer data may be received (e.g., from a camera of an AR viewer device); and overlay layer data may be received (e.g., from a different camera or other overlay layer device). An AR display may be created by correlating the underlay layer data with the overlay layer data. A property inspection indicia may be identified based upon the correlated overlay layer data.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Brian M. Fields, Nathan L. Tofte, Aaron C. Williams, Joseph P. Harr, Vicki King
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Publication number: 20240051563Abstract: The following generally relates to using Augmented Reality (AR) to enhance the in-vehicle experience. In some examples, AR techniques are applied to provide AR indications of vehicle safety indicia to alert vehicle occupants to information that may not otherwise be perceptible. In other example, AR techniques are applied to provide emergency vehicle warnings to improve the likelihood of safe responses thereto. In yet other examples, AR techniques are applied to generated personalized outdoor displays, for example, to ameliorate conditions that may impair safe operation of a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Brian M. Fields, Nathan L. Tofte, Aaron C. Williams, Joseph P. Harr, Vicki King
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Publication number: 20240053162Abstract: The following generally relates to using Augmented Reality (AR) to enhance pedestrian navigation. In some examples, AR techniques are applied to provide AR indications of a location of a group member that includes two or more AR devices. In these examples, AR techniques may be applied to determine a relative position of the group member and/or provide navigational guidance to the group member. In other examples, AR techniques are applied to provide AR-assisted pedestrian guidance. In these examples, AR techniques may be applied to present an AR display that includes information for a point of interest along a route.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Brian M. Fields, Nathan L. Tofte, Aaron C. Williams, Joseph P. Harr, Vicki King
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Publication number: 20240054779Abstract: The following generally relates to using Augmented Reality (AR) to enhance pedestrian navigation. In some examples, AR techniques are applied to provide AR indications of a location of a group member that includes two or more AR devices. In these examples, AR techniques may be applied to determine a relative position of the group member and/or provide navigational guidance to the group member. In other examples, AR techniques are applied to provide AR-assisted pedestrian guidance. In these examples, AR techniques may be applied to present an AR display that includes information for a point of interest along a route.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Brian M. Fields, Nathan L. Tofte, Aaron C. Williams, Joseph P. Harr, Vicky King
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Publication number: 20240054733Abstract: The following generally relates to using Augmented Reality (AR) to enhance the in-vehicle experience. In some examples, AR techniques are applied to provide AR indications of vehicle safety indicia to alert vehicle occupants to information that may not otherwise be perceptible. In other example, AR techniques are applied to provide emergency vehicle warnings to improve the likelihood of safe responses thereto. In yet other examples, AR techniques are applied to generated personalized outdoor displays, for example, to ameliorate conditions that may impair safe operation of a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Brian M. Fields, Nathan L. Tofte, Aaron C. Williams, Joseph P. Harr, Vicki King
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Publication number: 20240051562Abstract: The following generally relates to using Augmented Reality (AR) to enhance the in-vehicle experience. In some examples, AR techniques are applied to provide AR indications of vehicle safety indicia to alert vehicle occupants to information that may not otherwise be perceptible. In other example, AR techniques are applied to provide emergency vehicle warnings to improve the likelihood of safe responses thereto. In yet other examples, AR techniques are applied to generated personalized outdoor displays, for example, to ameliorate conditions that may impair safe operation of a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Brian M. Fields, Nathan L. Tofte, Aaron C. Williams, Joseph P. Harr, Vicki King
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Publication number: 20240005376Abstract: Systems and methods relating to improving the experience of gig-economy workers are disclosed, with particular reference to gig-economy work involving vehicle use. Such systems and methods include automatically monitoring and evaluating activities such as driving during performance of gigs, as well as providing recommendations based thereupon. During or after performance of gig-economy work, data automatically collected may be used to generate and present recommendations or education points to the gig-economy worker. Such recommendations may include recommendations to optimize gig metrics of interest to the gig-economy worker. Such recommendations may be related to nearby products or services and may be displayed to gig-economy workers or customers in various embodiments.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2021Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Hannah Estes, Audrey Schwartz, Michael DiBenedetto, James P. Rodriguez, Anna Zarkoob, Ben Tucker, Dar Beachy, Elijah Abella, Diana Sherwood, Emily Bryant, Kristin Sellers, Brian M. Fields, Hanpei Zhang
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Patent number: 11840243Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling operation of a vehicle. An example system for controlling operation of a vehicle includes one or more data collection components and one or more processors. The one or more data collection components are configured to collect data representative of a physical configuration of an interior vehicle component. The one or more processors are configured to access the collected data, determine, by processing the collected data, the physical configuration of the interior vehicle component, select a manner of operation based upon the determined physical configuration of the interior vehicle component, and cause the vehicle to operate according to the manner of operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2020Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Scott T. Christensen, Brian M. Fields, Stephen R. Prevatt, Steve Roberson
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Patent number: 11820306Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dampening impact to a vehicle. The system may include a vehicle frame component; a plurality of adjustable exterior vehicle body components coupled to the frame component, wherein the vehicle body components are on different sides of a vehicle and are configurable to dampen an external force exerted on the vehicle; a plurality of actuator components configured to adjust physical configurations of the vehicle body components relative to the frame component; a component configured to collect data representing an external environment of the vehicle; and one or more processors configured to detect, by processing the data, an external driving condition, wherein the external driving condition is an impending collision between the vehicle and one or more objects external to the vehicle, and when the external driving condition is detected, cause the actuator components to correspondingly adjust the physical configurations of the vehicle body components.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Scott T. Christensen, Brian M. Fields, Stephen R. Prevatt, Steve Roberson
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Patent number: 11783257Abstract: Systems and methods relating to improving the experience of gig-economy workers are disclosed, with particular reference to gig-economy work involving vehicle use. Such systems and methods include automatically monitoring and evaluating activities such as driving during performance of gigs, as well as providing recommendations based thereupon. Transferable tokens may be used to apply information across various types of gig activities. Such a transferable token may represent one or more risk levels associated with a gig-economy worker to provide reputational information between gig-economy platforms or between types of gig-economy activities. Thus, the transferable token may enable a gig-economy worker to transfer high customer ratings across gig-economy platforms.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Hannah Estes, Audrey Schwartz, Michael DiBenedetto, James P. Rodriguez, Anna Zarkoob, Ben Tucker, Dar Beachy, Elijah Abella, Diana Sherwood, Emily Bryant, Kristin Sellers, Brian M. Fields, Hanpei Zhang
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Patent number: 11763669Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time detection and mitigation anomalous behavior of a remote vehicle are provided, e.g., vehicle behavior that is consistent with distracted or unexpectedly disabled driving. On-board and off-board sensors associated with a subject vehicle may monitor the subject vehicle's environment, and behavior characteristics of a remote vehicle operating within the subject vehicle's environment may be determined based upon collected sensor data. The remote vehicle's behavior characteristics may be utilized to detect or determine the presence of anomalous behavior, which may be anomalous for the current contextual conditions of the vehicles' environment. Mitigating actions for detected remote vehicle anomalous behaviors may be suggested and/or automatically implemented at the subject vehicle and/or at proximate vehicles to avoid or reduce the risk of accidents, injury, or death resulting from the anomalous behavior. In some situations, authorities may be notified.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Brian M. Fields, John A. Nepomuceno, Scott Thomas Christensen, Duane Christiansen, Steven C. Cielocha, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Michael Bernico, Nathan L. Tofte, Steve Roberson
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Publication number: 20230286516Abstract: A system and method for measuring a driver’s actual driving behaviors (e.g., acceleration, deceleration) in a manual driving mode to determine their preferred driving style, and then causing an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to operate itself, within limits, in accordance with the drivers’ driving style when operating in a self-driving mode, thereby providing a more familiar and comfortable driving experience for the driver. Data is collected on the actual driving behavior, any pre-existing data is accessed on the actual driving behavior, and the collected data and the pre-existing data are combined. A custom control is then created based upon the combined data, and the custom control is applied to manage the self-driving behavior of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle in a self-driving mode. Additional data continues to be collected on the actual driving behavior, and the custom control is adjusted based upon the collected additional data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Applicant: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance CompanyInventors: Brian M. Fields, Joseph P. Harr, Jeremy Myers