Patents by Inventor James M. Freeman
James M. Freeman 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: 12468039Abstract: In a method and system for scanning a structure, a structure scanner may acquire multiple scans of a surface of a structure. Each of the scans may correspond to different portions of the surface. The property inspection system may generate a 3D model of the surface using the scans. To account for potential changes in position and/or orientation of the structure scanner between scans, the structure scanner may self-calibrate using a fiducial marker. By correcting for changes in position and orientation over time, the structure scanner may accurately map the scans of the different portions of the surface to a 3D model of the surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2023Date of Patent: November 11, 2025Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Patrick H. Boyer, James M. Freeman
-
Publication number: 20250013358Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a selection of a distinct area within an image captured using a client device, and receiving, from the client device, (i) an indication of the selection and (ii) a set of technical capabilities of the client device indicating one or more available communication channels from a set of communication channels. The example method further includes responsive to receiving the indication, retrieving contact information indicating a plurality of contact methods for contacting the first entity represented by the image, and determining a first contact method for contacting the first entity based on the set of technical capabilities of the client device, the first contact method being one of the plurality of contact methods for contacting the first entity. The example method further includes causing the client device to display an interface allowing the user to contact the first entity according to the first contact method.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2024Publication date: January 9, 2025Inventors: James M. Freeman, Vaidya Balasubramanian Pillai
-
Publication number: 20240378813Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Data collected by the UAV corresponding to points on a surface of a structure is received and a 3D point cloud is generated for the structure, where the 3D point cloud is generated based at least in part on the received UAV data. A 3D model of the surface of the structure is reconstructed using the 3D point cloud.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Inventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
-
Patent number: 12099706Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes detecting a distinct area within an image, comparing detected features of the distinct area within the image to reference features corresponding to a reference image, and determining that the detected distinct area matches the reference image based on the comparison between the detected features and the reference features. The method further includes receiving an indication that the user selects the detected distinct area within the image, retrieving contact information corresponding to the reference image, and causing the client device to display an interface allowing the user to contact the entity.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2023Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: James M. Freeman, Vaidya Balasubramanian Pillai
-
Patent number: 12039669Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Data collected by the UAV corresponding to points on a surface of a structure is received and a 3D point cloud is generated for the structure, where the 3D point cloud is generated based at least in part on the received UAV data. A 3D model of the surface of the structure is reconstructed using the 3D point cloud.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2023Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
-
Patent number: 11808856Abstract: In a method and system for scanning a structure, a structure scanner may acquire multiple scans of a surface of a structure. Each of the scans may correspond to different portions of the surface. The property inspection system may generate a 3D model of the surface using the scans. To account for potential changes in position and/or orientation of the structure scanner between scans, the structure scanner may self-calibrate using a fiducial marker. By correcting for changes in position and orientation over time, the structure scanner may accurately map the scans of the different portions of the surface to a 3D model of the surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Patrick H. Boyer, James M. Freeman
-
Publication number: 20230350551Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes detecting a distinct area within an image, comparing detected features of the distinct area within the image to reference features corresponding to a reference image, and determining that the detected distinct area matches the reference image based on the comparison between the detected features and the reference features. The method further includes receiving an indication that the user selects the detected distinct area within the image, retrieving contact information corresponding to the reference image, and causing the client device to display an interface allowing the user to contact the entity.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: James M. Freeman, Vaidya Balasubramanian Pillai
-
Publication number: 20230350067Abstract: In a method and system for scanning a structure, a structure scanner may acquire multiple scans of a surface of a structure. Each of the scans may correspond to different portions of the surface. The property inspection system may generate a 3D model of the surface using the scans. To account for potential changes in position and/or orientation of the structure scanner between scans, the structure scanner may self-calibrate using a fiducial marker. By correcting for changes in position and orientation over time, the structure scanner may accurately map the scans of the different portions of the surface to a 3D model of the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Patrick H. Boyer, James M. Freeman
-
Publication number: 20230290066Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Data collected by the UAV corresponding to points on a surface of a structure is received and a 3D point cloud is generated for the structure, where the 3D point cloud is generated based at least in part on the received UAV data. A 3D model of the surface of the structure is reconstructed using the 3D point cloud.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
-
Patent number: 11740775Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes detecting a distinct area within an image, comparing detected features of the distinct area within the image to reference features corresponding to a reference image, and determining that the detected distinct area matches the reference image based on the comparison between the detected features and the reference features. The method further includes receiving an indication that the user selects the detected distinct area within the image, retrieving contact information corresponding to the reference image, and causing the client device to display an interface allowing the user to contact the entity.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: James M. Freeman, Vaidya Balasubramanian Pillai
-
Patent number: 11694404Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Data collected by the UAV corresponding to points on a surface of a structure is received and a 3D point cloud is generated for the structure, where the 3D point cloud is generated based at least in part on the received UAV data. A 3D model of the surface of the structure is reconstructed using the 3D point cloud.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
-
Publication number: 20220189117Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Data collected by the UAV corresponding to points on a surface of a structure is received and a 3D point cloud is generated for the structure, where the 3D point cloud is generated based at least in part on the received UAV data. A 3D model of the surface of the structure is reconstructed using the 3D point cloud.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
-
Patent number: 11295523Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Data collected by the UAV corresponding to points on a surface of a structure is received and a 3D point cloud is generated for the structure, where the 3D point cloud is generated based at least in part on the received UAV data. A 3D model of the surface of the structure is reconstructed using the 3D point cloud.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
-
Patent number: 11270504Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV receives an instruction to collect information on at least one aspect of a property, and identifies one or more onboard sensors of the UAV to collect the information on the at least one aspect of the property, where the UAV is configured to identify a first set of one or more onboard sensors to collect a first type of data and to identify a second set of one or more onboard sensors to collect a second type of data. The UAV also collects the information on the at least one aspect of the property using the one or more onboard sensors, and identifies, based on the collected information, a type of damage incurred on the at least one aspect of the property.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
-
Patent number: 11170491Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing a physical structure are provided. Information indicative of an infrared image that includes a portion of the physical structure is received, and one or more indicators within the infrared image exceeding a heat threshold are determined. A plurality of characteristics of the one or more indicators are determined. One or more edges of the portion of the physical structure are detected, and an area associated with an intended use of one or more fasteners associated with the physical structure is determined according to the detected edges. An amount of the one or more indicators corresponding to the area is determined, and the one or more indicators are classified as fasteners according to the determined amount. Based on the classification of the one or more indicators, a condition of the physical structure is determined.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: James M. Freeman, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
-
Patent number: 10997668Abstract: A shading system creates a shaded region on a structure, enabling 3D scanning techniques that rely on light detection to generate a 3D model. The shading system includes a vehicle or device that moves the shading system into place. A light, such as a laser dot or line, can be projected onto the shaded region of the structure and detected by a 3D scanner.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: James M. Freeman, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
-
Publication number: 20200387939Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV receives an instruction to collect information on at least one aspect of a property, and identifies one or more onboard sensors of the UAV to collect the information on the at least one aspect of the property, where the UAV is configured to identify a first set of one or more onboard sensors to collect a first type of data and to identify a second set of one or more onboard sensors to collect a second type of data. The UAV also collects the information on the at least one aspect of the property using the one or more onboard sensors, and identifies, based on the collected information, a type of damage incurred on the at least one aspect of the property.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
-
Publication number: 20200387940Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Data collected by the UAV corresponding to points on a surface of a structure is received and a 3D point cloud is generated for the structure, where the 3D point cloud is generated based at least in part on the received UAV data. A 3D model of the surface of the structure is reconstructed using the 3D point cloud.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
-
Patent number: 10730617Abstract: A tethering system for a remote-controlled device including a tether line having a first end adapted to be connected to a ground support and a second end adapted to be connected to the remote-controlled device. The system further includes an anchor-point disposed between the first and second ends of the tether line, the anchor point having an eyelet for securing the tether line and allowing the tether line to slide through the eyelet during use. The anchor-point and eyelet enable the tether line to flex or bend and the remote-controlled device to maneuver one or more of over or around the target area without interfering with any nearby obstructions.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Brian N. Harvey, Nathan L. Tofte
-
Patent number: 10691314Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes detecting a distinct area within an image, comparing detected features of the distinct area within the image to reference features corresponding to a reference image, and determining that the detected distinct area matches the reference image based on the comparison between the detected features and the reference features. The method further includes receiving an indication that the user selects the detected distinct area within the image, retrieving contact information corresponding to the reference image, and causing the client device to display an interface allowing the user to contact the entity.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: James M. Freeman, Vaidya Balasubramanian Pillai