Patents by Inventor Eric Bellas

Eric Bellas 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).

  • Publication number: 20240143806
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to file documents, share policy information, and/or comply with an audit. The data security techniques disclosed herein also enable the use of smart contracts to transfer funds associated with payment obligations and/or other forms of blockchain based payments, comply with anti-money laundering requirements, report industry data, validate interest payments and/or maintain agent sales data. Data security may be achieved through the use of public key/private key encryption techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Vicki King, Burton J. Floyd, David Turrentine, Steven T Olson, Timothy Caleb Wells, Corin Rebekah Chapman, Edward W. Breitweiser, Robert Gomez, Shelia Cummings Smith
  • Patent number: 11954214
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to share policy information. The policy information may be associated with a smart contract. Accordingly, the policy information may be encrypted using a public key for the smart contract and compiled into a block of the blockchain. In response to a request to provide access to the information to a particular node, the private key for the smart contract may be encrypted using the public key for the particular node and compiled into a block of the blockchain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Vicki King, Burton J. Floyd, David Turrentine, Steven T. Olson, Timothy Caleb Wells, Corin Rebekah Chapman, Edward W. Breitweiser, Robert Gomez, Shelia Cummings Smith
  • Publication number: 20240111881
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing a blockchain comprising a plurality of immutable sales records corresponding to sales made by agents of an entity are provided. According to certain aspects, a transaction request indicating a sale made by an agent of the entity may be received at a first node. A block including a sales record indicating the sale made by the agent may be added to a blockchain and transmitted to another node for validation. The first node may add the block to a copy of the blockchain, where the block may be identified by a hash value that references a previous block in the blockchain that includes at least one additional sales record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Vicki King, Burton J. Floyd, David Turentine, Steven T. Olson, Timothy Caleb Wells, Corin Rebekah Chapman, Edward W. Breitweiser, Robert Gomez, Shelia Cummings Smith
  • Publication number: 20240095846
    Abstract: A shared ledger operated by a group of network participants according to a set of consensus rules manages and resolves subrogation claims between a clamant and a defendant with arbitration. Evidence regarding the value of the subrogation claim is sent to the shared ledger by the parties to the subrogation claim such as sending data to a smart contract deployed on the shared ledger. The parties to the subrogation claim or entities that are not parties to the subrogation claim may broadcast data relating to fault to the blockchain. The data relating to fault may be evaluated by the parties or entities acting on the parties' behalf to determine fault. A fault determination may be broadcast to the blockchain based upon the analysis of the data relating to fault. Once the claim is resolved, arbitrator may release funds on the chain to the prevailing party or may accept confirmation that any payments have been made between the parties off-chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Shawn M. Call, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Douglas A. Graff, William J. Leise, Vicki King, Jacob J. Alt, Eric R. Moore, Stacie A. McCullough
  • Patent number: 11922511
    Abstract: A method for identifying a primary vehicle associated with a user of a mobile device includes receiving an indication of a vehicle entry event from a mobile device and retrieving sensor data from the mobile device. The method further includes receiving an indication of a vehicle exit event from the mobile device, generating a trip log including portions of the sensor data, and storing the trip log in a trip database. A server, or other suitable computing device, then analyzes the trip log and a plurality of previously stored trip logs in the trip database to determine a primary vehicle corresponding to the user of the mobile device. The method may allow a computing device to assign gathered mobile device data to a specific household vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas U. Christopulos, Nicholas R. Baker, Eric Bellas, Benjamin F. Bowne
  • Patent number: 11914728
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to file documents, share policy information, and/or comply with an audit. The data security techniques disclosed herein also enable the use of smart contracts to transfer funds associated with payment obligations and/or other forms of blockchain based payments, comply with anti-money laundering requirements, report industry data, validate interest payments and/or maintain agent sales data. Data security may be achieved through the use of public key/private key encryption techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Vicki King, Burton J. Floyd, David Turrentine, Steven T. Olson, Timothy Caleb Wells, Corin Rebekah Chapman, Edward W. Breitweiser, Robert Gomez, Shelia Cummings Smith
  • Publication number: 20240046367
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating an indication of whether a vehicle crash has occurred is presented. It may be determined whether data output by a base sensor(s) of a mobile computing device indicates that a vehicle crash condition has occurred. An additional sensor(s) of the mobile computing device may begin outputting additional sensor data when the data output by the base sensor(s) indicates that the vehicle crash condition has occurred. The additional sensor(s) may be caused to output the additional sensor data for an amount of time after the additional sensor(s) begins outputting the additional sensor data. An indication of whether a crash of a vehicle has occurred may be generated based on the additional sensor data output by the additional sensor(s) for the amount of time after the additional sensor(s) begins outputting the additional sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Gregory Dwayne Carter, Ronald R. Duehr, Jeffrey David Hevrin, Sara Elizabeth Collins
  • Patent number: 11880228
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing a blockchain comprising a plurality of immutable sales records corresponding to sales made by agents of an entity are provided. According to certain aspects, a transaction request indicating a sale made by an agent of the entity may be received at a first node. A block including a sales record indicating the sale made by the agent may be added to a blockchain and transmitted to another node for validation. The first node may add the block to a copy of the blockchain, where the block may be identified by a hash value that references a previous block in the blockchain that includes at least one additional sales record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Vicki King, Burton J. Floyd, David Turrentine, Steven T. Olson, Timothy Caleb Wells, Corin Rebekah Chapman, Edward W. Breitweiser, Robert Gomez, Shelia Cummings Smith
  • Patent number: 11861715
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating an indication of whether a vehicle crash has occurred is presented. It may be determined whether data output by a base sensor(s) of a mobile computing device indicates that a vehicle crash condition has occurred. An additional sensor(s) of the mobile computing device may begin outputting additional sensor data when the data output by the base sensor(s) indicates that the vehicle crash condition has occurred. The additional sensor(s) may be caused to output the additional sensor data for an amount of time after the additional sensor(s) begins outputting the additional sensor data. An indication of whether a crash of a vehicle has occurred may be generated based on the additional sensor data output by the additional sensor(s) for the amount of time after the additional sensor(s) begins outputting the additional sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Gregory Dwayne Carter, Ronald R. Duehr, Jeffrey David Hevrin, Sara Elizabeth Collins
  • Patent number: 11861729
    Abstract: A shared ledger operated by a group of network participants according to a set of consensus rules manages and resolves subrogation claims between a clamant and a defendant with arbitration. Evidence regarding the value of the subrogation claim is sent to the shared ledger by the parties to the subrogation claim such as sending data to a smart contract deployed on the shared ledger. The parties to the subrogation claim or entities that are not parties to the subrogation claim may broadcast data relating to fault to the blockchain. The data relating to fault may be evaluated by the parties or entities acting on the parties' behalf to determine fault. A fault determination may be broadcast to the blockchain based upon the analysis of the data relating to fault. Once the claim is resolved, arbitrator may release funds on the chain to the prevailing party or may accept confirmation that any payments have been made between the parties off-chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Shawn M. Call, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Douglas A. Graff, William J. Leise, Vicki King, Jacob J. Alt, Eric R. Moore, Stacie A. McCullough
  • Publication number: 20230401648
    Abstract: A shared ledger operated by a group of network participants according to a set of consensus rules manages and resolves subrogation claims between a clamant and a defendant. Evidence regarding the value of the subrogation claim is sent to the shared ledger by entities involved in the claim such as sending to a smart contract deployed on the shared ledger. The parties to the subrogation claim may supplement evidence and settlement proposals on the blockchain by broadcasting a transaction or sending data to the smart contract. Once the claim is resolved, the parties may settle the subrogation payment off-chain or may transact a token having value on the chain. A subrogation smart contract may be programmed to release funds under certain conditions including holding a bond by a claimant and/or upon final resolution of the subrogation claim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Eric Bellas, Douglas A. Graff, William J. Leise, Vicki King, Jacob J. Alt, Eric R. Moore, Stacie A. McCullough
  • Patent number: 11836723
    Abstract: The present methods and systems relate to using and accessing data stored in a blockchain, and in particular, interacting with the blockchain and users via smart contracts to handle account funding and distribution methods. The methods and systems include receiving a transaction from a participant, and verifying the transaction, such as by accessing a smart contract stored on the blockchain and checking a set of parameters against a set of conditions stored in the smart contract. Depending on whether the set of parameters satisfy the conditions, the results may be communicated to participants about the success or failure of the transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Jacob J. Alt, Robert Alpine Jennings, Amber Nelson-Wolfe, Shyam Tummala, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King, Charles H. Roscow, Scott Shoop, Greg Hayes
  • Publication number: 20230385940
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for creating, maintaining, and interacting with a distributed ledger for VIN recordkeeping related to a particular vehicle. The systems and methods include the use of smart contracts, and receiving information about the vehicle, such as a description of the vehicle, whether the vehicle is covered by insurance, financial information related to the vehicle, and any maintenance data about the vehicle. This information may be used to create a distributed ledger for the particular vehicle, and during the vehicle's lifetime events related to the vehicle may be recorded in the distributed ledger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: William J. Leise, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King
  • Publication number: 20230386275
    Abstract: A method includes receiving initial sensor data and additional sensor data; and generating combined sensor data. A computing device for includes one or more processors; and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors, the one or more memories including non-transitory computer executable instructions stored therein that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive initial sensor data and additional sensor data; and generate combined sensor data. A computer readable storage medium includes non-transitory computer readable instructions stored thereon for generating data regarding a vehicle crash, wherein the instructions when executed on one or more processors cause the one or more processors to: receive initial sensor data and additional sensor data; and generate combined sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Gregory D. Carter, Ronald R. Duehr, Jeffrey David Hevrin, Sara Elizabeth Collins
  • Publication number: 20230350869
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to systems and methods for using a blockchain to record information related to processes and services in the vehicle industry. The systems and methods may include (1) receiving an indication of vehicle being involved a vehicle collision and a vehicle VIN; (2) accessing, at a memory, a loss history blockchain associated with the vehicle using the VIN as a key; (3) receiving vehicle sensor data generated or collected prior to, during, and/or after the vehicle collision; (4) creating a block to add to the loss history blockchain that includes the vehicle sensor data, or otherwise updating the loss history blockchain with the vehicle sensor data associated with the vehicle collision; (5) analyzing the vehicle sensor data to reconstruct the vehicle collision; and/or (6) updating the loss history blockchain to include and/or indicate the reconstructed vehicle collision by including the created block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: William J. Leise, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King
  • Patent number: 11783425
    Abstract: A shared ledger operated by a group of network participants according to a set of consensus rules manages and resolves subrogation claims between a clamant and a defendant. Evidence regarding the value of the subrogation claim is sent to the shared ledger by entities involved in the claim such as sending to a smart contract deployed on the shared ledger. The parties to the subrogation claim may supplement evidence and settlement proposals on the blockchain by broadcasting a transaction or sending data to the smart contract. Once the claim is resolved, the parties may settle the subrogation payment off-chain or may transact a token having value on the chain. A subrogation smart contract may be programmed to release funds under certain conditions including holding a bond by a claimant and/or upon final resolution of the subrogation claim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Eric Bellas, Douglas A. Graff, William J. Leise, Vicki King, Jacob J. Alt, Eric R. Moore, Stacie A. McCullough
  • Publication number: 20230316414
    Abstract: A shared ledger operated by a group of network participants according to a set of consensus rules manages and resolves subrogation claims between a clamant and a defendant with arbitration. Evidence regarding the value of the subrogation claim is sent to the shared ledger by the parties to the subrogation claim, such as sending data to a smart contract deployed on the shared ledger. The parties to the claim may request arbitration, especially after attempts to settle the claim on-chain between the two parties have failed. An arbitrator may request evidence from the parties and/or request responses from the parties to accept damages calculations and/or settlement offers. Once the claim is resolved, the arbitrator may release funds on the chain to the prevailing party or may accept confirmation that any payments have been made between the parties off-chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Shawn M. Call, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Douglas A. Graff, William J. Leise, Vicki King, Jacob J. Alt, Eric R. Moore, Stacie A. McCullough
  • Patent number: 11776061
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for creating, maintaining, and interacting with a distributed ledger for VIN recordkeeping related to a particular vehicle. The systems and methods include the use of smart contracts, and receiving information about the vehicle, such as a description of the vehicle, whether the vehicle is covered by insurance, financial information related to the vehicle, and any maintenance data about the vehicle. This information may be used to create a distributed ledger for the particular vehicle, and during the vehicle's lifetime events related to the vehicle may be recorded in the distributed ledger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: William J. Leise, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King
  • Publication number: 20230298108
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed with respect to using a distributed ledger, such as a blockchain, for tracking changes for a user. Example methods may include implementing one or more servers, each of the one or more servers maintaining a copy of a distributed ledger; detecting a change in a policy or claim status for a user; responding to the detection of the change, including: (i) generating, via a server of the one or more servers, a transaction record for the distributed ledger including data corresponding to the change; (ii) generating a hash value representative of at least the transaction record using at least a generated nonce value; and (iii) storing the transaction record and the hash value to each copy of the distributed ledger at the one or more servers; and performing a function based upon the transaction record stored to the distributed ledger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Ronny S. Bryant, Stacie A. McCullough, Mitchell J. Hill, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Eric Bellas, Vicki King, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth
  • Patent number: 11756354
    Abstract: A method includes receiving initial sensor data and additional sensor data; and generating combined sensor data. A computing device for includes one or more processors; and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors, the one or more memories including non-transitory computer executable instructions stored therein that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive initial sensor data and additional sensor data; and generate combined sensor data. A computer readable storage medium includes non-transitory computer readable instructions stored thereon for generating data regarding a vehicle crash, wherein the instructions when executed on one or more processors cause the one or more processors to: receive initial sensor data and additional sensor data; and generate combined sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Gregory D. Carter, Ronald R. Duehr, Jeffrey David Hevrin, Sara Elizabeth Collins