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: 20210264529
    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 a vehicle being involved a vehicle collision and a VIN of the vehicle; (2) transmitting the indication of the vehicle being involved in a vehicle collision and the VIN to a plurality of nodes of a loss history blockchain; (3) accessing the loss history blockchain associated with the vehicle using the VIN as a key; (4) creating a new block including the indication of a vehicle being involved in a vehicle collision and/or insurance claim information; and/or (5) updating the loss history blockchain with the new block by forming a consensus on the new block with the plurality of nodes of the loss history blockchain to facilitate maintaining the loss history blockchain up-to-date.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: William J. Leise, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King
  • Publication number: 20210264362
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed with respect to using a distributed ledger, such as a blockchain, for managing claim payment activity. In particular, the distributed ledger may be utilized to track the status of a claim and to track payment activity associated with the claim. For example, the distributed ledger may be utilized to track estimates, offers, settlements, and payouts relating to insurance claims relating to injuries, property damage, (e.g., to homes, automobile, personal articles, or other insured assets), and other expenses (e.g., payments to vendors such as car repair shops, car rental companies, cleaning companies, contractors, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    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
  • Publication number: 20210264382
    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 methods and systems may include (1) receiving, a vehicle loss notification from at least a first participant, wherein the vehicle loss notification comprises a vehicle identifier (e.g., VIN), a driver identifier (e.g., SSN), insurance claim information, an insurance policy number, and/or a vehicle loss report; (2) accessing, at a memory coupled with a processor, the loss history blockchain using the vehicle identifier and/or the vehicle loss notification; (3) updating, at the memory, a block stored at the memory using the vehicle identifier, the driver identifier, and the insurance claim information, and/or vehicle loss report; and/or (4) transmitting, via the processor coupled with the network interface, the block to at least a second participant to facilitate maintaining up-to-date the loss history blockchain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: William J. Leise, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King
  • Publication number: 20210264526
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed with respect to using a distributed ledger for use with vehicle sensor data and usage based systems. These usage based systems may be opt-in programs wherein a driver volunteers to install one or more vehicle sensors configured to monitor various characteristics associated with a vehicle (e.g., speed, acceleration, cornering, braking, path, etc.) that are utilized to develop a profile including information quantifying, for example, a driver's habits. Advantageously for the driver, such a profile can be utilized to reward safe drivers with lower insurance rates, including lower usage-based insurance rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Ronny S. Bryant, Stacie A. McCullough, Mitchell J. Hill, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Eric Bellas, Vick King, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth
  • Publication number: 20210264531
    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 that an insurance claim has been filed and/or information detailing the insurance claim; (2) identifying and accessing a loss history blockchain associated with the individual or the insured asset; (3) updating a block to reflect or indicate the insurance claim and/or information detailing the insurance claim; and/or (4) adding the block to the loss history blockchain to facilitate maintaining up-to-date the loss history blockchain detailing the loss history associated with the individual or the insured asset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: William J. Leise, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King
  • Publication number: 20210264539
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for interacting with a blockchain that stores financial data. The systems and methods may include (1) receiving, by one or more processors financial data from one or more remote computing devices; (2) detecting, by the one or more processors, a financial event for the vehicle from analysis of the financial data; (3) identifying, by the one or more processors, the VIN of the vehicle when the financial event for the vehicle is detected; (4) generating, by the one or more processors, a transaction (i) including the vehicle's VIN, (ii) describing the financial event for the vehicle, and (iii) detailing a current status, owner, and location of the vehicle; and/or (5) transmitting, from one or more processors to a server, the transaction to facilitate maintaining a VIN-based distributed ledger detailing financial events for the particular vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: William J. Leise, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King
  • Publication number: 20210241380
    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: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    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: 20210234670
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: William J. Leise, Douglas A. Graff, Stacie A. McCullough, Shawn M. Call, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Jacob J. Alt, Eric R. Moore, Vicki King
  • Patent number: 11069162
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating vehicle crash data is presented. The method may include determining whether sensor data output of a sensor of a mobile computing device within a vehicle indicates that a crash of a vehicle has occurred. The method may further include displaying a notification prompting a user of the mobile computing device to confirm that the crash of the vehicle has occurred and receiving an indication from the user that the crash of the vehicle has occurred. Still further, the method may include transmitting the sensor data output to a remote computing device and receiving a communication from the remote computing device, wherein the communication prompts the user to take a post-crash action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    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
  • Publication number: 20210216525
    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: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: William J. Leise, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King
  • Publication number: 20210201315
    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 to provide bank card activation services using smart contracts. The methods and systems include (1) receiving a credit card application package associated with a credit card, wherein the credit card application package includes credit card information and a set of user information, (2) verifying the credit card information and the set of user information, (3) checking the credit card information and the set of user information against the smart contract stored on the blockchain, wherein the smart contract includes a set of conditions, and (4) activating the credit card when the credit card information and the set of user information satisfy the set of conditions stored in the smart contract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Jacob J. Alt, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King, Charles H. Roscow, Scott Shoop, Greg Hayes, Robert Alpine. Jennings, Amber Nelson-Wolfe, Shyam Tummala
  • Patent number: 11037246
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: William J. Leise, Douglas A. Graff, Stacie A. McCullough, Shawn M. Call, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Jacob J. Alt, Eric R. Moore, Vicki King
  • Patent number: 11037384
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating vehicle crash data is presented. It may be determined whether a first mobile computing device has detected that a crash of a vehicle has occurred. It may also be determined whether a second mobile computing device(s) has detected that the crash has occurred. Sensor data output by at least one sensor of the first mobile computing device and/or the second mobile computing device(s) may be received when it is determined that the first mobile computing device and/or the second mobile computing device(s) has detected that the crash has occurred. Vehicle crash data may be generated based on such sensor data, and may include an initial confirmation that the crash has occurred, an indication of crash severity, an indication of a number of vehicle occupants, and/or an indication that the crash has not occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    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: 11037377
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    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
  • Publication number: 20210174609
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    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
  • Publication number: 20210166327
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for interacting with smart contracts stored on a blockchain to control vehicle related activity. The systems and methods may include (1) receiving one or more transactions from one or more computing devices, the transactions associated with a particular vehicle and include a VIN for the vehicle and indicative of at least one of a trigger condition associated with the vehicle; (2) compiling the one or more transactions into a block of transactions; (3) distributing the block to a plurality of validation entities to form a consensus on an update to the distributed ledger; (4) routing the one or more transactions within the block to respective smart contracts associated with the VIN; and/or (5) automatically executing an action the particular smart contract directs should be performed in response to the particular trigger condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: William J. Leise, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King
  • Publication number: 20210166233
    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: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Jacob J. Alt, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King, Charles H. Roscow, Scott Shoop, Greg Hayes, Robert Alpine Jennings, Amber Nelson-Wolfe, Shyam Tummala
  • Publication number: 20210133888
    Abstract: Systems and methods track a vehicle identifier or VIN on a blockchain maintained by a plurality of participants. One method may include (1) receiving, at a processor, a notification of a vehicle loss report from a first participant; (2) storing, at a memory coupled with the processor, the vehicle loss report on the blockchain; (3) generating, at the processor, a coverage amount based upon the vehicle loss report; (4) generating, at the processor, an order based upon the notification, wherein the order includes a repair assignment and a replacement vehicle request; (5) storing, at the memory, the repair assignment on the blockchain; (6) transmitting, at the processor, the order to at least a second participant; (7) receiving, at the processor, a repair estimate from the second participant; and/or (8) transmitting, at the processor, the repair estimate and the coverage amount to the first participant to facilitate maintaining a blockchain up-to-date.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: William J. Leise, Jacob J. Alt, Jaime Skaggs, Eric Bellas, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Vicki King
  • Patent number: 10949926
    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: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    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
  • Patent number: 10943307
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for interacting with smart contracts stored on a blockchain to control vehicle related activity. The systems and methods may include (1) receiving one or more transactions from one or more computing devices, the transactions associated with a particular vehicle and include a VIN for the vehicle and indicative of at least one of a trigger condition associated with the vehicle; (2) compiling the one or more transactions into a block of transactions; (3) distributing the block to a plurality of validation entities to form a consensus on an update to the distributed ledger; (4) routing the one or more transactions within the block to respective smart contracts associated with the VIN; and/or (5) automatically executing an action the particular smart contract directs should be performed in response to the particular trigger condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    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