Patents by Inventor Eric Haefli

Eric Haefli 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: 20240029172
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for analyzing a survivability of a structure is presented. A distance extending radially from the structure defining an area surrounding the structure may be determined. The area surrounding the structure may be scanned to identify surrounding objects. The area surrounding the structure may then be segmented to create a plurality of area segments. A density of surrounding objects in each of the plurality of area segments may be determined. A risk score for each of the plurality of area segments may then be determined based on the density of surrounding objects in each of the plurality of area segments. An overall wind exposure risk value may be provided for further use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventor: Eric Haefli
  • Publication number: 20230394640
    Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing an integrity of a roof covering are presented. An exemplary method includes observing, by an imaging unit, a respective lift for one or more discontinuous roof covering materials of a roof covering of a structure. The exemplary method further includes generating, by one or more processors, an overall roof integrity rating based on the respective lift of one or more of the one or more discontinuous roof covering materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventor: Eric Haefli
  • Patent number: 11816739
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for analyzing a survivability of a structure is presented. A distance extending radially from the structure defining an area surrounding the structure may be determined. The area surrounding the structure may be scanned to identify surrounding objects. The area surrounding the structure may then be segmented to create a plurality of area segments. A density of surrounding objects in each of the plurality of area segments may be determined. A risk score for each of the plurality of area segments may then be determined based on the density of surrounding objects in each of the plurality of area segments. An overall wind exposure risk value may be provided for further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Eric Haefli
  • Patent number: 11776100
    Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing an integrity of a roof covering are presented. An airflow may be directed over one or more shingles or other discontinuous roof covering materials by an airflow unit. A respective lift for each of the discontinuous roof covering materials may then be observed by an imaging unit, and an overall roof integrity rating may then be generated by the one or more processors based on the respective lift of the discontinuous roof covering materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Eric Haefli
  • Patent number: 11676258
    Abstract: A method and system may survey a property using aerial images captured from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a manned aerial vehicle (MAV) or from a satellite device. The method may include identifying a commercial property for a UAV to perform surveillance, and directing the UAV to hover over the commercial property and capture aerial images at predetermined time intervals. Furthermore, the method may include receiving the aerial images of the commercial property captured at the predetermined time intervals, detecting a surveillance event at the commercial property, generating a surveillance alert, and transmitting the surveillance alert to an electronic device associated with an owner of the commercial property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian N. Harvey, Nathan L. Tofte, Roger D. Schmidgall, Michael Jeffrey Aviles, Kyle Pott, Rosemarie Geier Grant, Eric Haefli, Michael Shawn Jacob
  • Publication number: 20230137389
    Abstract: In a computer-implemented method, one or more digital aerial images of a property are received, and processed according to one or more image analysis techniques to determine one or more features of the property, including one or more features of a tree located on or near the property. A time of year corresponding to at least one of the digital aerial images is determined, and the feature(s) of the property and the time of year are analyzed to determine a risk of damage to a structure located on the property. Based at least in part on the risk of damage, a risk output is generated that includes an indication of whether action should be taken to mitigate the risk of damage to the structure, an indication of whether insurance coverage associated with the structure should be offered, and/or a measure of the risk of damage to the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy Joel Davis, Amy Engelhorn, Tami R. Custer, Karen E. Przybylski, Paul C. Szews, Rosemarie Geier Grant, Eric Haefli, Arthur P. Paulette, JR.
  • Publication number: 20230081273
    Abstract: A method and system may survey a property using aerial images captured from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a manned aerial vehicle (MAV) or from a satellite device. The method may include identifying a commercial property for a UAV to perform surveillance, and directing the UAV to hover over the commercial property and capture aerial images at predetermined time intervals. Furthermore, the method may include receiving the aerial images of the commercial property captured at the predetermined time intervals, detecting a surveillance event at the commercial property, generating a surveillance alert, and transmitting the surveillance alert to an electronic device associated with an owner of the commercial property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Brian N. Harvey, Nathan L. Tofte, Roger D. Schmidgall, Michael Jeffrey Aviles, Kyle Pott, Rosemarie Geier Grant, Eric Haefli, Michael Shawn Jacob
  • Patent number: 11568494
    Abstract: In a computer-implemented method, one or more digital aerial images of a property of a current or potential policyholder may be received. The digital aerial image(s) may be processed to determine one or more features of the property, including one or more features of a tree. A predicted location of roots of the tree is determined based upon the tree feature(s). The property feature(s) is/are analyzed to determine a risk of damage to a structure located on the property, by analyzing at least the predicted location of roots of the tree to determine a risk of damage to a foundation of the structure. Based at least in part on this risk, a risk output is generated that includes an indication of whether action should be taken to mitigate the risk of damage and/or whether insurance coverage should be offered, and/or includes a measure of the risk of damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy Joel Davis, Amy Engelhorn, Tami R. Custer, Karen E. Przybylski, Paul C. Szews, Rosemarie Geier Grant, Eric Haefli, Arthur P. Paulette, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220245730
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for analyzing a survivability of a structure is presented. A distance extending radially from the structure defining an area surrounding the structure may be determined. The area surrounding the structure may be scanned to identify surrounding objects. The area surrounding the structure may then be segmented to create a plurality of area segments. A density of surrounding objects in each of the plurality of area segments may be determined. A risk score for each of the plurality of area segments may then be determined based on the density of surrounding objects in each of the plurality of area segments. An overall wind exposure risk value may be provided for further use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventor: Eric Haefli
  • Publication number: 20220207697
    Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing an integrity of a roof covering are presented. An airflow may be directed over one or more shingles or other discontinuous roof covering materials by an airflow unit. A respective lift for each of the discontinuous roof covering materials may then be observed by an imaging unit, and an overall roof integrity rating may then be generated by the one or more processors based on the respective lift of the discontinuous roof covering materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventor: Eric Haefli
  • Patent number: 11348184
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for analyzing a survivability of a structure is presented. A distance extending radially from the structure defining an area surrounding the structure may be determined. The area surrounding the structure may be scanned to identify surrounding objects. The area surrounding the structure may then be segmented to create a plurality of area segments. A density of surrounding objects in each of the plurality of area segments may be determined. A risk score for each of the plurality of area segments may then be determined based on the density of surrounding objects in each of the plurality of area segments. An overall wind exposure risk value may be provided for further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Eric Haefli
  • Patent number: 11308600
    Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing an integrity of a roof covering are presented. One or more roof sections of a structure may be identified with one or more processors. An airflow may then be directed over one or more shingles or other discontinuous roof covering materials of the roof section by an airflow unit. A respective lift for each of the shingles may then be observed by an imaging unit. An adhesion score may then be determined for each of the one or more shingles using the one or more processors. This adhesion score may be based on the respective lift. An overall roof integrity rating may then be generated by the one or more processors, based on the one or more adhesion scores. The overall roof integrity rating may then be provided by the one or more processors to a user of a computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Eric Haefli
  • Patent number: 11069050
    Abstract: A method and system may assess the damage to infrastructure using aerial images captured from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a manned aerial vehicle (MAV) or from a satellite device. Specifically, an item of infrastructure may be identified for assessing damage. The UAV, MAV, or satellite device may then capture aerial images within an area which surrounds the identified infrastructure item. Subsequently, the aerial images may be analyzed to determine a condition and the extent and/or severity of the damage to the infrastructure item. Furthermore, the aerial images along with indications of the extent of the damage may be displayed on a computing device, where one indication of the severity of the damage surrounds another indication of the severity of the damage on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian N. Harvey, Nathan L. Tofte, Roger D. Schmidgall, Michael Jeffrey Aviles, Kyle Pott, Rosemarie Geier Grant, Eric Haefli, Michael Shawn Jacob
  • Patent number: 10825161
    Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing an integrity of a roof covering are presented. One or more roof sections of a structure may be identified with one or more processors. An airflow may then be directed over one or more shingles or other discontinuous roof covering materials of the roof section by an airflow unit. A respective lift for each of the shingles may then be observed by an imaging unit. An adhesion score may then be determined for each of the one or more shingles using the one or more processors. This adhesion score may be based on the respective lift. An overall roof integrity rating may then be generated by the one or more processors, based on the one or more adhesion scores. The overall roof integrity rating may then be provided by the one or more processors to a user of a computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Eric Haefli
  • Patent number: 10825100
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for analyzing a survivability of a structure is presented. A distance extending radially from the structure defining an area surrounding the structure may be determined. The area surrounding the structure may be scanned to identify surrounding objects. The area surrounding the structure may then be segmented to create a plurality of area segments. A density of surrounding objects in each of the plurality of area segments may be determined. A risk score for each of the plurality of area segments may then be determined based on the density of surrounding objects in each of the plurality of area segments. An overall wind exposure risk value may be provided for further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Eric Haefli
  • Patent number: 10755357
    Abstract: In a computer-implemented method, one or more digital aerial images of a property of a current or potential policyholder may be received. The digital aerial image(s) (e.g., camera images, spectrometer images, LiDAR images, etc.) may be processed according to one or more image analysis techniques to determine one or more features of the property. The property feature(s) (e.g., tree heights, distances between trees and homes, sizes and/or masses of tree limbs, presence of ice dams, etc.) may be analyzed to determine a risk of damage to a structure or object located on the property. Based on the risk of damage, a risk output that includes (i) an indication of whether action should be taken to mitigate the risk of damage, (ii) an indication of whether insurance coverage associated with the structure or object should be offered, and/or (iii) a measure of the risk of damage, may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy Joel Davis, Amy Engelhorn, Tami R. Custer, Karen E. Przybylski, Paul C. Szews, Rosemarie Geier Grant, Eric Haefli, Arthur P. Paulette, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10626628
    Abstract: A roof inspection and repair device is disclosed that can be wheeled along a roof to identify loose shingles and dispense the sealant necessary to secure them in place. The roof inspection and repair device has both a blowing system and a sealant dispensing system. The blowing system may include an air tube having an air tube inlet that can be connected to a blower and an air tube outlet. The sealant dispensing system may include one or more sealant storage containers connected to a sealant dispenser by one or more sealant tubes. The roof inspection and repair device may further include a shingle lift mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Eric Haefli
  • Patent number: 10565659
    Abstract: A method and system may display real-time aerial images of insured properties in a neighborhood captured from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a manned aerial vehicle (MAV), or from a satellite device. For example, aerial images of a neighborhood having insured properties, that have been affected by a catastrophe, may be received from the UAV, MAV, or the satellite device. Aerial images of each insured property may be analyzed to determine a damage severity level and assign a damage severity level indicator to the damage severity level. As a result, the property owner may receive a notification that a catastrophe has impacted her neighborhood. Moreover, the real-time images, with damage severity level indicators overlaying the property, may be transmitted via a web page to the property owner's web-enabled device after the property owner logs in to a customer account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian N. Harvey, Nathan L. Tofte, Roger D. Schmidgall, Michael Jeffrey Aviles, Kyle Pott, Rosemarie Geier Grant, Eric Haefli, Michael Shawn Jacob
  • Patent number: 10030399
    Abstract: A roof inspection and repair device is disclosed that can be wheeled along a roof to identify loose shingles and dispense the sealant necessary to secure them in place. The roof inspection and repair device has both a blowing system and a sealant dispensing system. The blowing system may include an air tube having an air tube inlet that can be connected to a blower and an air tube outlet. The sealant dispensing system may include one or more sealant storage containers connected to a sealant dispenser by one or more sealant tubes. The roof inspection and repair device may further include a shingle lift mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Eric Haefli
  • Patent number: 10007992
    Abstract: A method and system may assess the damage to insured properties in a neighborhood using aerial images captured from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a manned aerial vehicle (MAV) or from a satellite device. Specifically, a neighborhood that has been affected by a natural or man-made disaster may be identified for assessing damage. The UAV, MAV, or satellite device may then capture aerial images within an area which surrounds the identified neighborhood. Subsequently, the aerial images may be analyzed to identify insured properties, and determine a condition and the extent and/or severity of the damage to each insured property. Furthermore, the aerial images along with indications of the extent of the damage to each insured property may be displayed on a computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian N. Harvey, Nathan L. Tofte, Roger D. Schmidgall, Michael Jeffrey Aviles, Kyle Pott, Rosemarie Geier Grant, Eric Haefli, Michael Shawn Jacob