Patents by Inventor Leo Nelson Chan

Leo Nelson Chan 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: 11970180
    Abstract: Vehicles may have autonomous capabilities that permit the vehicle to navigate according to varying levels of participation by a human operator. A human operator may be associated with a driving capability profile and the environment surrounding a vehicle may be associated with an environmental risk profile. A vehicle, or another party in communication with a vehicle, may determine whether, based on the human operator's driving capability profile and the environmental risk profile, it is likely that the vehicle will be navigated more safely if there is a change to the vehicle's autonomous capabilities and a corresponding change to the human operator's driving responsibilities. If it is determined that a change in autonomous vehicle capability is likely to increase safe navigation of the vehicle, an insurer may offer an insurance premium cost reduction if the human operator agrees to the proposed change in autonomous capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Leo Nelson Chan, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Aaron Williams
  • Patent number: 11948138
    Abstract: A method includes determining a fuel amount; providing navigation directions; determining a vehicle arrival; transmitting a fuel purchase request; controlling a tank cover; receiving fuel; detecting that a tank is full; and transmitting a stop fueling request. A computer system includes a processor configured to: determine a fuel amount; provide navigation directions; determine a vehicle arrival; transmit a fuel purchase request; cause a pump to provide fuel; control a tank cover; detect that a tank is full; and transmit a stop fueling request. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing thereon a set of instructions that, when executed on a processor, causes the processor to: determine a fuel amount; provide navigation directions; determine a vehicle arrival; transmit a fuel purchase request; cause a pump to provide fuel; control a tank cover; detect that fuel tank is full; and transmit a stop fueling request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Leo Nelson Chan, Justin Davis
  • Publication number: 20240095761
    Abstract: In a computer-implemented method, alert responsiveness data indicating how responsive a driver is to one or more types of vehicle alerts is received. The method also includes generating or modifying a driver profile associated with the driver, the driver profile including alert responsiveness profile information based upon the alert responsiveness data, and identifying, based at least upon the generated or modified driver profile, a suggested vehicle type. Identifying the suggested vehicle type includes determining that the generated or modified driver profile meets a set of one or more matching criteria associated with the suggested vehicle type at least in part by determining that the alert responsiveness profile information meets one or more criteria indicative of reliability of the suggested vehicle type. The method also includes causing an indication of the suggested vehicle type to be displayed to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Leo Nelson Chan, Jacob J. Alt, Matthew S. Megyese, Steven C. Cielocha, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Brian Mark Fields
  • Publication number: 20240043015
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of assessing driver capability for operating an autonomous vehicle includes identifying a human operator of the autonomous vehicle, the human operator being associated with a driving capability profile. The method further includes signaling to the human operator with the signal, the signal requesting a response from the human operator. The method also includes updating, based on the response from the human operator to the signal, the driving capability profile to indicate a level of skill of the human operator at responding to the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Leo Nelson Chan, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Aaron Williams
  • Patent number: 11875366
    Abstract: In a computer-implemented method, telematics data collected during one or more time periods by one or more electronic subsystems of a vehicle, and/or by a mobile electronic device of the driver or a passenger, is received. The telematics data includes operational data indicative of how a driver of the vehicle operated the vehicle. The received telematics data is analyzed to identify driving behaviors of the driver during the time period(s). Based at least upon the driving behaviors, a driver profile is generated or modified. Based at least upon the generated or modified driver profile, a suggested vehicle type is identified, at least by determining that the profile meets a set of one or more matching criteria associated with the suggested vehicle type. An indication of the suggested vehicle type is displayed to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Leo Nelson Chan, Jacob J. Alt, Matthew S. Megyese, Steven C. Cielocha, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Brian Mark Fields
  • Patent number: 11851041
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for estimating slipperiness of a road surface. This estimate may be obtained using an image sensor mounted on a vehicle. The estimated road slipperiness may be utilized when calculating a risk index for the road, or for an area including the road. If a predetermined threshold for slipperiness is exceeded, corrective actions may be taken. For instance, warnings may be generated to human drivers that are in control of driving vehicle, and autonomous vehicles may automatically adjust vehicle speed based upon road slipperiness detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Leo Nelson Chan, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Roxane Lyons, William J. Leise, John A. Nepomuceno, Rajiv C. Shah, Edward P. Matesevac, III, Jennifer Criswell Kellett, Steven Cielocha, Jeremy Myers, Matthew S. Megyese, Jennifer L. Crawford
  • Patent number: 11829978
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media are described for using a vehicle as a payment device. Various aspects may include receiving a selection of a stored financial card or financial account at a vehicle head unit. The selected financial card or financial account may be transmitted to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal for making a payment by transmitting a tokenized card number to the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted over a very short-range communication link to ensure that the transmission is secure. For example, electronic circuitry may be attached to the exterior of the vehicle, where the electronic circuitry may be within a threshold distance (e.g. one inch, three inches, six inches, one foot, three feet, etc.) of the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted from the vehicle head unit to the electronic circuitry and then to the POS terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Leo Nelson Chan, Justin Davis
  • Publication number: 20230376925
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media are described for using a vehicle as a payment device. Various aspects may include receiving a selection of a stored financial card or financial account at a vehicle head unit. The selected financial card or financial account may be transmitted to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal for making a payment by transmitting a tokenized card number to the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted over a very short-range communication link to ensure that the transmission is secure. For example, electronic circuitry may be attached to the exterior of the vehicle, where the electronic circuitry may be within a threshold distance (e.g. one inch, three inches, six inches, one foot, three feet, etc.) of the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted from the vehicle head unit to the electronic circuitry and then to the POS terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Leo Nelson Chan, Justin Davis
  • Patent number: 11787417
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of assessing driver capability for operating an autonomous vehicle includes identifying a human operator of the autonomous vehicle, the human operator being associated with a driving capability profile. The method further includes signaling to the human operator with the signal, the signal requesting a response from the human operator. The method also includes updating, based on the response from the human operator to the signal, the driving capability profile to indicate a level of skill of the human operator at responding to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Leo Nelson Chan, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Aaron Williams
  • Publication number: 20230325936
    Abstract: Systems and methods relate to, inter alia, calculating a collision risk index for an area based upon historical traffic data. The systems and methods may further generate a notification to automatically engage or disengage an autonomous, or semi-autonomous, vehicle control feature in a vehicle based upon the collision risk index for the area. The systems and methods may further transmit the notification to a device of the vehicle to facilitate automatically engaging or disengaging an autonomous, or semi-autonomous, vehicle control feature in the vehicle as the vehicle approaches the area. As a result, vehicle collisions may be reduced, and vehicle safety enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: John A. Nepomuceno, Rajiv C. Shah, Leo Nelson Chan, Steven Cielocha, Roxane Lyons, Matthew S. Megyese, William J. Leise, Jennifer Criswell Kellett, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Jennifer L. Crawford, Jeremy Myers, Edward P. Matesevac, III
  • Publication number: 20230315090
    Abstract: Vehicles may have the capability to navigate according to various levels of autonomous capabilities, the vehicle having a different set of autonomous competencies at each level. In certain situations, the vehicle may shift from one level of autonomous capability to another. The shift may require more or less driving responsibility from a human operator. Sensors inside the vehicle collect human operator parameters to determine an alertness level of the human operator. An alertness level is determined based on the human operator parameters and other data including historical data or human operator-specific data. Notifications are presented to the user based on the determined alertness level that are more or less intrusive based on the alertness level of the human operator and on the urgency of an impending change to autonomous capabilities. Notifications may be tailored to specific human operators based on human operator preference and historical performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Leo Nelson Chan, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Aaron Williams
  • Publication number: 20230297993
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media are described for using a vehicle as a payment device. Various aspects may include receiving a selection of a stored financial card or financial account at a vehicle head unit. The selected financial card or financial account may be transmitted to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal for making a payment by transmitting a tokenized card number to the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted over a very short-range communication link to ensure that the transmission is secure. For example, electronic circuitry may be attached to the exterior of the vehicle, where the electronic circuitry may be within a threshold distance (e.g. one inch, three inches, six inches, one foot, three feet, etc.) of the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted from the vehicle head unit to the electronic circuitry and then to the POS terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Leo Nelson Chan, Justin Davis
  • Publication number: 20230289773
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media are described for using a vehicle as a payment device. Various aspects may include receiving a selection of a stored financial card or financial account at a vehicle head unit. The selected financial card or financial account may be transmitted to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal for making a payment by transmitting a tokenized card number to the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted over a very short-range communication link to ensure that the transmission is secure. For example, electronic circuitry may be attached to the exterior of the vehicle, where the electronic circuitry may be within a threshold distance (e.g. one inch, three inches, six inches, one foot, three feet, etc.) of the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted from the vehicle head unit to the electronic circuitry and then to the POS terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Leo Nelson Chan, Justin Davis
  • Publication number: 20230289772
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media are described for using a vehicle as a payment device. Various aspects may include receiving a selection of a stored financial card or financial account at a vehicle head unit. The selected financial card or financial account may be transmitted to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal for making a payment by transmitting a tokenized card number to the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted over a very short-range communication link to ensure that the transmission is secure. For example, electronic circuitry may be attached to the exterior of the vehicle, where the electronic circuitry may be within a threshold distance (e.g. one inch, three inches, six inches, one foot, three feet, etc.) of the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted from the vehicle head unit to the electronic circuitry and then to the POS terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Leo Nelson Chan, Justin Davis
  • Patent number: 11727495
    Abstract: Systems and methods relate to, inter alia, calculating a collision risk index for an area based upon historical traffic data. The systems and methods may further generate a notification to automatically engage or disengage an autonomous, or semi-autonomous, vehicle control feature in a vehicle based upon the collision risk index for the area. The systems and methods may further transmit the notification to a device of the vehicle to facilitate automatically engaging or disengaging an autonomous, or semi-autonomous, vehicle control feature in the vehicle as the vehicle approaches the area. As a result, vehicle collisions may be reduced, and vehicle safety enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: John A. Nepomuceno, Rajiv C. Shah, Leo Nelson Chan, Steven Cielocha, Roxane Lyons, Matthew S. Megyese, William J. Leise, Jennifer Criswell Kellett, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Jennifer L. Crawford, Jeremy Myers, Edward P. Matesevac, III
  • Patent number: 11709488
    Abstract: Vehicles may have the capability to navigate according to various levels of autonomous capabilities, the vehicle having a different set of autonomous competencies at each level. In certain situations, the vehicle may shift from one level of autonomous capability to another. The shift may require more or less driving responsibility from a human operator. Sensors inside the vehicle collect human operator parameters to determine an alertness level of the human operator. An alertness level is determined based on the human operator parameters and other data including historical data or human operator-specific data. Notifications are presented to the user based on the determined alertness level that are more or less intrusive based on the alertness level of the human operator and on the urgency of an impending change to autonomous capabilities. Notifications may be tailored to specific human operators based on human operator preference and historical performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Leo Nelson Chan, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Aaron Williams
  • Patent number: 11699142
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media are described for using a vehicle as a payment device. Various aspects may include receiving a selection of a stored financial card or financial account at a vehicle head unit. The selected financial card or financial account may be transmitted to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal for making a payment by transmitting a tokenized card number to the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted over a very short-range communication link to ensure that the transmission is secure. For example, electronic circuitry may be attached to the exterior of the vehicle, where the electronic circuitry may be within a threshold distance (e.g. one inch, three inches, six inches, one foot, three feet, etc.) of the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted from the vehicle head unit to the electronic circuitry and then to the POS terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Leo Nelson Chan, Justin Davis
  • Patent number: 11694185
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media are described for using a vehicle as a payment device. Various aspects may include receiving a selection of a stored financial card or financial account at a vehicle head unit. The selected financial card or financial account may be transmitted to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal for making a payment by transmitting a tokenized card number to the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted over a very short-range communication link to ensure that the transmission is secure. For example, electronic circuitry may be attached to the exterior of the vehicle, where the electronic circuitry may be within a threshold distance (e.g. one inch, three inches, six inches, one foot, three feet, etc.) of the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted from the vehicle head unit to the electronic circuitry and then to the POS terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Leo Nelson Chan, Justin Davis
  • Patent number: 11694184
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media are described for using a vehicle as a payment device. Various aspects may include receiving a selection of a stored financial card or financial account at a vehicle head unit. The selected financial card or financial account may be transmitted to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal for making a payment by transmitting a tokenized card number to the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted over a very short-range communication link to ensure that the transmission is secure. For example, electronic circuitry may be attached to the exterior of the vehicle, where the electronic circuitry may be within a threshold distance (e.g. one inch, three inches, six inches, one foot, three feet, etc.) of the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted from the vehicle head unit to the electronic circuitry and then to the POS terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Leo Nelson Chan, Justin Davis
  • Publication number: 20230206203
    Abstract: A method includes determining a fuel amount; providing navigation directions; determining a vehicle arrival; transmitting a fuel purchase request; controlling a tank cover; receiving fuel; detecting that a tank is full; and transmitting a stop fueling request. A computer system includes a processor configured to: determine a fuel amount; provide navigation directions; determine a vehicle arrival; transmit a fuel purchase request; cause a pump to provide fuel; control a tank cover; detect that a tank is full; and transmit a stop fueling request. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing thereon a set of instructions that, when executed on a processor, causes the processor to: determine a fuel amount; provide navigation directions; determine a vehicle arrival; transmit a fuel purchase request; cause a pump to provide fuel; control a tank cover; detect that fuel tank is full; and transmit a stop fueling request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Leo Nelson Chan, Justin Davis