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).
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Patent number: 11756354Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Gregory D. Carter, Ronald R. Duehr, Jeffrey David Hevrin, Sara Elizabeth Collins
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Patent number: 11756128Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed with respect to using a distributed ledger, such as a blockchain, for managing smart vehicle data. The managed data may relate to a detected vehicle event, such as: a motion or position detected by a motion or position sensor as a GPS chip, an accelerometer, a compass, a speedometer, a gyroscope, etc.; braking detected by a braking sensor; turn input detected by a steering wheel sensor; wheel position detected by a wheel sensor; engine temperature detected by a temperature gauge; oil temperature detected by a temperature gauge; a seatbelt status detected by a seatbelt and/or seat sensor; etc.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Ronny S. Bryant, Stacie A. McCullough, Mitchell J. Hill, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Eric Bellas, Vicki King, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth
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Patent number: 11748330Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 5, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: William J. Leise, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King
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Patent number: 11710190Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 25, 2022Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Shawn M. Call, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Douglas A. Graff, William J. Leise, Vicki King, Jacob J. Alt, Eric R. Moore, Stacie A. McCullough
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Publication number: 20230185936Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11652609Abstract: The present embodiments relate to systems and methods for using a blockchain or shared ledger to handle a total loss of a vehicle associated with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). A vehicle lifecycle may be tracked on a blockchain according to VIN. If the vehicle suffers a total loss, a transaction is broadcast to the blockchain to update the shared ledger to record the loss status of the vehicle. The blockchain may also include other information, such as mileage, regarding the vehicle and searchable by VIN. The other information and the loss status may be used to determine whether the vehicle likely represents a total loss.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: William J. Leise, Douglas A. Graff, Stacie A. McCullough, Shawn M. Call, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Jacob J. Alt, Eric R. Moore, Vicki King
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Patent number: 11645264Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 2022Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: William J. Leise, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King
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Publication number: 20230109452Abstract: A computer-implemented method for detecting vehicle crashes is presented. The method may include detecting, at a first mobile computing device a condition corresponding to a potential crash of a vehicle. The method may also include operating a beacon receive mode in response to detecting the potential crash condition, and receiving data from a second mobile computing device operating in a beacon transmit mode, the data indicating that the second mobile computing device detected an actual crash condition of the vehicle. The method may further include confirming, based on the potential crash condition and the data received from the second mobile computing device, that the potential crash is an actual crash.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2022Publication date: April 6, 2023Inventors: Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Gregory Dwayne Carter, Ronald R. Duehr, Jeffrey David Hevrin, Sara Elizabeth Collins
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Publication number: 20230082163Abstract: The present embodiments relate to systems and methods for using a blockchain to record information related to the lifecycle of a vehicle associated with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or other vehicle identifier. For example, the VIN lifecycle process may be used to ensure the transferability of title, including when information relevant to transferability is not easily determinable, such as after a collision occurs. The systems and methods may include the reception of a mileage report corresponding to a vehicle and updating a blockchain to associate the vehicle with mileage information. The systems and methods described herein may allow for using a blockchain which gives the option for private information, and permissioned participants in the blockchain. In particular, the systems and methods allow for a distributed consensus amongst businesses, consumers, and authorities, as to the validity of information and transactions stored on the blockchain.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: William J. Leise, Douglas A. Graff, Stacie A. McCullough, Shawn M. Call, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Jacob J. Alt, Eric R. Moore, Vicki King
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Patent number: 11599653Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20230039746Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20230036367Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Shawn M. Call, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Douglas A. Graff, William J. Leise, Vicki King, Jacob J. Alt, Eric R. Moore, Stacie A. McCullough
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Publication number: 20230013894Abstract: The present embodiments relate to systems and methods for using a blockchain to record information related to the lifecycle of a vehicle associated with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For example, the VIN lifecycle process may be used to develop safety-feature based insurance models. The systems and methods may include calculating a safety rating for a safety feature based upon data accessed at a blockchain. The safety rating may be used to generate a product associated with a new vehicle type, such as an insurance product covering the new vehicle type. The systems and methods described herein may allow for using a blockchain which gives the option for private information, and permissioned participants in the blockchain. In particular, the systems and methods may allow for a distributed consensus amongst businesses, consumers, and authorities, as to the validity of information and transactions stored on the blockchain.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: William J. Leise, Douglas A. Graff, Stacie A. McCullough, Shawn M. Call, Eric` Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Jacob J. Alt, Eric R. Moore, Vicki King
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Patent number: 11556994Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Eric Bellas, Douglas A. Graff, William J. Leise, Vicki King, Jacob J. Alt, Eric R. Moore, Stacie A. McCullough
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Patent number: 11531964Abstract: The present embodiments relate to systems and methods for using a blockchain to record information related to the lifecycle of a vehicle associated with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or other vehicle identifier. For example, the VIN lifecycle process may be used to ensure the transferability of title, including when information relevant to transferability is not easily determinable, such as after a collision occurs. The systems and methods may include the reception of a mileage report corresponding to a vehicle and updating a blockchain to associate the vehicle with mileage information. The systems and methods described herein may allow for using a blockchain which gives the option for private information, and permissioned participants in the blockchain. In particular, the systems and methods allow for a distributed consensus amongst businesses, consumers, and authorities, as to the validity of information and transactions stored on the blockchain.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: William J. Leise, Douglas A. Graff, Stacie A. McCullough, Shawn M. Call, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Jacob J. Alt, Eric R. Moore, Vicki King
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Patent number: 11514176Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20220374549Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Shwn 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
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Publication number: 20220374409Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: William J. Leise, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King
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Patent number: 11501383Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 4, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Shawn M. Call, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Douglas A. Graff, William J. Leise, Vicki King, Jacob J. Alt, Eric R. Moore, Stacie A. McCullough
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Publication number: 20220351205Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: 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