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: 11808856
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Patrick H. Boyer, James M. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20230350067
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Patrick H. Boyer, James M. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20230350551
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Vaidya Balasubramanian Pillai
  • Publication number: 20230290066
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
  • Patent number: 11740775
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Vaidya Balasubramanian Pillai
  • Patent number: 11694404
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
  • Publication number: 20220189117
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
  • Patent number: 11295523
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
  • Patent number: 11270504
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
  • Patent number: 11170491
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
  • Patent number: 10997668
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
  • Publication number: 20200387939
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
  • Publication number: 20200387940
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
  • Patent number: 10730617
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Brian N. Harvey, Nathan L. Tofte
  • Patent number: 10691314
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Vaidya Balasubramanian Pillai
  • Patent number: 10679262
    Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with a three-dimensional (3D) scanner. The 3D scanner generates 3D data. A point cloud or 3D model is constructed from the 3D data. The point cloud or 3D model is then analyzed to determine the condition of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
  • Patent number: 10663591
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Patrick H. Boyer, James M. Freeman
  • Patent number: 10569650
    Abstract: The method, system, and computer-readable medium facilitates monitoring a vehicle operator during the course of vehicle operation to determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired (e.g., distracted, drowsy, intoxicated) and alerting the vehicle operator using a haptic alert delivered by a wearable computing device worn by the vehicle operator when impairment is detected. The method, system, and computer-readable medium may monitor the vehicle operator, the environment surrounding the vehicle, and/or forces acting on the vehicle using a variety of sensors, including optical sensors or accelerometers. In particular, optical sensors may monitor the vehicle operator to detect eye blinks, head nods, head rotations, and/or gaze fixation. Optical sensors may also monitor the road ahead of the vehicle to detect lane deviation, lane centering, and time to collision. Accelerometers may detect acceleration in the direction of vehicle travel and/or lateral acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Riley, Sr., Gregory Dwayne Carter, James M. Freeman, Vaidya Balasubramanian Pillai, Jason Chang, David W. Thurber
  • Patent number: 10564824
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes detecting a plurality of faces within one or more images, and, for each of the plurality of faces, registering the face with a contact. The method further includes receiving a selection of one of the plurality of faces from a user, and, in response to the selection of the one of the plurality of faces, determining the contact associated with the selected one of the plurality of faces. Still further, the method includes retrieving information about the contact, and generating a list of selectable communication types to be displayed to the user on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Vaidya Balasubramanian Pillai, Matthew Eric Riley, Sr., David W. Thurber, Gregory Dwayne Carter, Jason Chang
  • Patent number: 10515445
    Abstract: 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. Information indicative of an image of the portion of the physical structure, corresponding to the infrared image, is received, and locations of the one or more indicators are determined. The image is analyzed according to the locations of the one or more indicators to determine information indicative of (i) a fastener coupled to the physical structure or (ii) damage to the physical structure, and the one or more indicators are classified according to the analysis. Based on the classification of the one or more indicators, a condition of the physical structure is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II