Patents by Inventor Gregory Hayward

Gregory Hayward 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: 11526167
    Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle control relating to malfunctions are disclosed. Malfunctioning sensors or software of autonomous vehicles may be identified from operating data of the vehicle, and a component maintenance requirement status associated with such malfunctioning component may be generated. Based upon such status, usage restrictions may be enacted to limit operation of the vehicle while the component is malfunctioning. This may include disabling or restricting use of certain autonomous or semi-autonomous features of the vehicle until the component is repaired or replaced. Repair may be accomplished by automatically scheduling repair of the vehicle or installing an updated or uncorrupted version of a software program, in various embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris
  • Publication number: 20220390245
    Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle routing are disclosed. Roadway suitability for autonomous operation is scored to facilitate use in route determination. Maps of roadways suitable for various levels of autonomous operation may be generated. Such map data may be used by autonomous vehicles or other computer devices in determining routes based upon criteria for vehicle trips. Such routes may be automatically updated based upon changes in road conditions, vehicle conditions, operator conditions, or environmental conditions. Emergency routing using such map data is described, such as automatic routing and travel when a passenger is experiencing a medical emergency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris
  • Publication number: 20220388463
    Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes are described herein. Autonomous operation features and related components can be assessed using direct or indirect data regarding operation. Vehicle collision and/or smart home incident monitoring, damage detection, and responses are also described, with particular focus on the particular challenges associated with incident response for unoccupied vehicles and/or smart homes. Operating data associated with the autonomous vehicle and/or smart home may be received. Within the operating, an unusual condition indicative of a likelihood of incident may be detected. Based on the unusual condition, it may be determined that the incident occurred. Accordingly, a response to the incident may be determined. The response may be implemented by the autonomous vehicle and/or smart home.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris, Scott T. Christensen
  • Publication number: 20220391992
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining fault for an accident involving a vehicle having one or more autonomous (and/or semi-autonomous) operation features and paying claims associated with such accidents are provided. According to certain aspects, operating data from sensors within or near the vehicle may be used to determine the occurrence of a vehicle accident, such as a collision. The operating data may further be used to determine an allocation of fault for the accident between a vehicle operator, the autonomous operation features, or a third party. The allocation of fault may be used to further determine and make claims payments related to the accident. In some embodiments, claims may be rejected based upon the operating data and determined allocation of fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris
  • Patent number: 11513521
    Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomous vehicle recharging or refueling are disclosed. Autonomous vehicles may be automatically refueled by routing the vehicles to available fueling stations when not in operation, according to methods described herein. A fuel level within a tank of an autonomous vehicle may be monitored until it reaches a refueling threshold, at which point an on-board computer may generate a predicted use profile for the vehicle. Based upon the predicted use profile, a time and location for the vehicle to refuel the vehicle may be determined. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be controlled to automatically travel to a fueling station, refill a fuel tank, and return to its starting location in order to refuel when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COPMANY
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris
  • Patent number: 11473919
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of using telematics data associated with an originating vehicle at a destination vehicle is provided. The method may include receiving telematics data associated with the originating vehicle by (1) a mobile device or (2) a smart vehicle controller associated with a driver or vehicle. The mobile device or smart vehicle controller may analyze the telematics data received to determine that (i) a travel event exists, or (ii) that a travel event message or warning is embedded within the telematics broadcast received. If the travel event exits, the method may include automatically taking a preventive or corrective action, at or via the mobile device or smart vehicle controller, which alleviates a negative impact of the travel event on the driver or vehicle to facilitate safer or more efficient vehicle travel. Insurance discounts may be provided to insureds based upon their usage of the risk mitigation or prevention functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Hayward
  • Patent number: 11441916
    Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle routing are disclosed. Roadway suitability for autonomous operation is scored to facilitate use in route determination. Maps of roadways suitable for various levels of autonomous operation may be generated. Such map data may be used by autonomous vehicles or other computer devices in determining routes based upon criteria for vehicle trips. Such routes may be automatically updated based upon changes in road conditions, vehicle conditions, operator conditions, or environmental conditions. Emergency routing using such map data is described, such as automatic routing and travel when a passenger is experiencing a medical emergency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris
  • Patent number: 11436685
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining fault for an accident involving a vehicle having one or more autonomous (and/or semi-autonomous) operation features and paying claims associated with such accidents are provided. According to certain aspects, operating data from sensors within or near the vehicle may be used to determine the occurrence of a vehicle accident, such as a collision. The operating data may further be used to determine an allocation of fault for the accident between a vehicle operator, the autonomous operation features, or a third party. The allocation of fault may be used to further determine and make claims payments related to the accident. In some embodiments, claims may be rejected based upon the operating data and determined allocation of fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris
  • Publication number: 20220244736
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use and determining risks associated with operation of a vehicle having one or more autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, operating data may be recorded during operation of the vehicle. This may include information regarding the vehicle, the vehicle environment, use of the autonomous operation features, and/or control decisions made by the features. The control decisions may include actions the feature would have taken to control the vehicle, but which were not taken because a vehicle operator was controlling the relevant aspect of vehicle operation at the time. The operating data may be recorded in a log, which may then be used to determine risk levels associated with vehicle operation based upon risk levels associated with the autonomous operation features. The risk levels may further be used to adjust an insurance policy associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris
  • Publication number: 20220237718
    Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicle and/or smart homes are described herein. Autonomous operation features and related components can be assessed using direct or indirect data regarding operation. Such assessment may be performed to determine the condition of components for salvage following a collision or other loss-event. To this end, the information regarding a plurality of components may be received. A component of the plurality of components may be identified for assessment. Assessment may including causing test signals to be sent to the identified component. In response to the test signal, one or more responses may be received. The received response may be compared to an expected response to determine whether the identified component is salvageable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris
  • Publication number: 20220223060
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of using telematics data at a destination device is provided. The destination device may be a mobile device associated with a driver, or a smart vehicle controller of a destination vehicle. The telematics data is generated by an originating mobile device (i) having a Telematics Application (or “App”), and (ii) associated with a second driver/vehicle, the telematics data including acceleration, braking, speed, heading, and location data associated with an originating vehicle. The telematics data may be broadcast from the originating mobile device to the destination device that (a) analyzes the telematics data received, (b) determines that an abnormal travel condition exists, and (c) automatically take corrective action that alleviates a negative impact of the abnormal travel condition on the destination vehicle to facilitate safer travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Hayward
  • Patent number: 11386501
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining fault for an accident involving a vehicle having one or more autonomous and/or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, performance data indicative of the performance of the features may be used to determine fault for a vehicle accident, such as a collision, by allocating fault for the accident between a vehicle operator, the autonomous operation features, or a third party. The allocation of fault may be used to determine an adjustment to an insurance policy and/or adjust coverage levels for an insurance policy. The allocation of fault may further be used to adjust risk levels or profiles associated with the autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features, which may be applied to other vehicles having the same or similar features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris
  • Publication number: 20220215479
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, servers, and tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions for creating one or more new insurance policy quotes for a customer associated with a customer vehicle may be may be described. The computer-implemented methods, servers, and instructions may include receiving a coverage type for the customer vehicle, causing usage data corresponding to the coverage type to be tracked, receiving the usage data, generating the new insurance policy quotes corresponding to the coverage type based upon at least the usage data, and causing the new insurance policy quotes to be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Christopher E. Gay, Steven Cielocha, Todd Binion
  • Publication number: 20220180448
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use and determining risks associated with operation of a vehicle having one or more autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, operating data may be recorded during operation of the vehicle. This may include information regarding the vehicle, the vehicle environment, use of the autonomous operation features, and/or control decisions made by the features. The control decisions may include actions the feature would have taken to control the vehicle, but which were not taken because a vehicle operator was controlling the relevant aspect of vehicle operation at the time. The operating data may be recorded in a log, which may then be used to determine risk levels associated with vehicle operation based upon risk levels associated with the autonomous operation features. The risk levels may further be used to adjust an insurance policy associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris
  • Patent number: 11354750
    Abstract: Blockchain techniques for providing insurance to an affinity group may include an enforcement server that receives a plurality of bidding actions (e.g., bid or no-bid) from a plurality of bidding entities in response to an auction of an opportunity to provide insurance for members of the affinity group. The server may compile transactions corresponding to the received bidding actions into a block of transactions (e.g., a round of bidding), distribute the block of transactions to validation entities to form a consensus on the highest bid, and update copies of a distributed ledger with the block of transactions. The server may identify a winning bid and provide affinity group member data to the winning bidding entity, thereby providing consumers with lower cost insurance and/or insurance that is more reflective of actual risk (or lack thereof). The affinity group may be updated over time and re-auctioned using the blockchain techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Leif Agerholm Roll, Eric Webster, Gregory Hayward, Craig Dean Isaacs
  • Patent number: 11348182
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use and determining risks associated with operation of a vehicle having one or more autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, a virtual log of data regarding performance of the features in a virtual test environment may be recorded during operation of the vehicle. This may include information regarding the vehicle, the vehicle environment, use of the autonomous operation features, and/or control decisions made by the features. The control decisions may include evasive maneuvers performed by the vehicle under the control of the features. The performance data in the virtual log may be used to determine risk levels associated with vehicle operation by the autonomous operation features. The risk levels may further be used to adjust an insurance policy associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris, Scott T. Christensen
  • Patent number: 11348193
    Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicle and/or smart homes are described herein. Autonomous operation features and related components can be assessed using direct or indirect data regarding operation. Such assessment may be performed to determine the condition of components for salvage following a collision or other loss-event. To this end, the information regarding a plurality of components may be received. A component of the plurality of components may be identified for assessment. Assessment may including causing test signals to be sent to the identified component. In response to the test signal, one or more responses may be received. The received response may be compared to an expected response to determine whether the identified component is salvageable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris
  • Publication number: 20220164896
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining risk associated with operation of fully autonomous vehicles are provided. According to certain aspects, autonomous operation features associated with a vehicle may be determined, including types and version of sensors, control systems, and software. This information may be used to determine a risk profile reflecting risk levels for a plurality of features, which may be based upon test data regarding the features or actual loss data. Expected use levels may further be determined and used with the risk profile to determine a total risk level associated with operation of the vehicle by the autonomous operation features. The expected use levels may indicate expected vehicle use, as well as traffic, weather, or other conditions in which the vehicle is likely to operate. The total risk level may be used to determine or adjust aspects of an insurance policy associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris
  • Patent number: 11315189
    Abstract: A system and method may create auto insurance quotes using data collected from a device that tracks vehicle usage data and other data. Usage data may be tracked by an On Board Diagnostic (OBD) device or other portable computing device such as a smart phone. Based on a received coverage type, the usage data and other data may be analyzed to determine auto insurance quotes. A potential customer may then purchase an auto insurance policy. Once the purchased policy has been determined to have expired, new usage data will be collected, and new quotes will be created for the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Christopher E. Gay, Steven Cielocha, Todd Binion
  • Patent number: 11288751
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use and determining risks associated with operation of a vehicle having one or more autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, operating data may be recorded during operation of the vehicle. This may include information regarding the vehicle, the vehicle environment, use of the autonomous operation features, and/or control decisions made by the features. The control decisions may include actions the feature would have taken to control the vehicle, but which were not taken because a vehicle operator was controlling the relevant aspect of vehicle operation at the time. The operating data may be recorded in a log, which may then be used to determine risk levels associated with vehicle operation based upon risk levels associated with the autonomous operation features. The risk levels may further be used to adjust an insurance policy associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris