Patents by Inventor John C. Hopkins

John C. Hopkins 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: 11937429
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated structure having vertically-stacked conductive levels alternating with dielectric levels. A layer over the conductive levels includes silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron and phosphorus. In some embodiments the vertically-stacked conductive levels are wordline levels within a NAND memory array. Some embodiments include an integrated structure having vertically-stacked conductive levels alternating with dielectric levels. Vertically-stacked NAND memory cells are along the conductive levels within a memory array region. A staircase region is proximate the memory array region. The staircase region has electrical contacts in one-to-one correspondence with the conductive levels. A layer is over the memory array region and over the staircase region. The layer includes silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron and phosphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin B. Dorhout, Fei Wang, Chet E. Carter, Ian Laboriante, John D. Hopkins, Kunal Shrotri, Ryan Meyer, Vinayak Shamanna, Kunal R. Parekh, Martin C. Roberts, Matthew Park
  • Patent number: 11790097
    Abstract: Aspects herein relate to storing information concerning rights and liabilities or other records on distributed ledgers. A method disclosed can include identifying a transferor blockchain associated with rights and liabilities for transfer from a transferor to an acquirer, identifying an acquirer blockchain associated with the acquirer, creating an interim blockchain including the rights and liabilities, generating entries to the transferor blockchain removing the rights and liabilities, and generating entries to the acquirer blockchain adding the rights and liabilities. Another method disclosed can include identifying a critical record of a party, identifying a blockchain associated with the party, and generating an entry on the blockchain associated with the critical record, the entry having permissions related to at least the party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Gopinath Rangan, John C. Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 11669909
    Abstract: Vehicle inspection systems and methods are disclosed. A system disclosed includes a drone vehicle configured to fly in a vicinity of the damaged vehicle at an accident scene. The drone includes at least one camera for taking imagery of the damaged vehicle at an accident scene in support of a damage assessment and a frame coupling the drone vehicle and the at least one camera. A computing device is in communication with the at least one camera to receive the imagery from the at least one camera for purposes of damage assessment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: John C. Hopkins, William J. Cunningham, David P. Dixon
  • Patent number: 11334882
    Abstract: Techniques are described for managing ownership and transfers of physical objects using information stored on a distributed ledger such as a blockchain. A distributed ledger may securely store object data describing the current owner(s) of an object, the previous owner(s) of the object, the history of transfers of the object, and/or other information regarding the object. Use of a distributed ledger may provide an immutable, readily auditable record of the current ownership and ownership history of the object. Each user participating in the system may be assigned a unique identifier to be used for conducting transactions on the distributed ledger network. A user may also be provided with a digital security token such as a cryptographic key that is useable to authenticate the user and enable access to the object data stored on the distributed ledger(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Hudson R. Jameson, Seth Ethington, John C. Hopkins, III, Benjamin D. Ethington, Jonathan F. Cholak
  • Patent number: 11157906
    Abstract: Techniques are described for managing transactions requested by a user, such management based on sensor data that generated by sensor device(s) in proximity to the user. Biometric and/or other types of data may be generated using sensors that are included in a user device, worn by a user, and/or otherwise in proximity to the user. The data may be analyzed to determine a current physical, emotional, and/or intellectual state of the user, such as whether the user is intoxicated, exhausted, angry, depressed, under duress, experiencing dementia, and so forth. If a transaction is detected that conflicts with a previously specified constraint, such as a budget or spending rule of the user, and if the user is currently in an impaired state, action(s) may be taken to manage the transaction. Such action(s) may include blocking the transaction, delaying the transaction, and/or notifying another party to assist the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Arthur Quentin Smith, John C. Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 11132678
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for managing financial transactions by controlling the purchase of allowed and disallowed purchase items. A transaction control card is used to purchase a purchase item. Account information related to the transaction control card and purchase item data related to the purchase item is then processed to determine whether the purchase item is disallowed for purchase by any single, or combination of, disallowed purchase item data parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
    Inventors: Reynaldo Medina, III, Arthur Q. Smith, John C. Hopkins, Bradly J. Billman, Teddy Voutour
  • Patent number: 11023604
    Abstract: Aspects herein relate to storing information concerning rights and liabilities or other records on distributed ledgers. A method disclosed can include identifying a transferor blockchain associated with rights and liabilities for transfer from a transferor to an acquirer, identifying an acquirer blockchain associated with the acquirer, creating an interim blockchain including the rights and liabilities, generating entries to the transferor blockchain removing the rights and liabilities, and generating entries to the acquirer blockchain adding the rights and liabilities. Another method disclosed can include identifying a critical record of a party, identifying a blockchain associated with the party, and generating an entry on the blockchain associated with the critical record, the entry having permissions related to at least the party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Gopinath Rangan, John C. Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 10762572
    Abstract: Disclosed are vehicle inspection systems and methods, and more particularly, systems and methods for appraising the damage caused to a vehicle during an accident and in certain embodiments for dispositioning the vehicle from the accident scene. The disclosed appraisal systems can include one or more cameras, scanner and sensors and a computing device. The cameras can be mounted to a recovery vehicle, for example, for taking imagery of the damaged vehicle at an accident scene. The computing device receives the imagery from each camera and/or sensors/scanners and communicates the data and imagery to a remote server for use in a damage assessment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: John C. Hopkins, William J. Cunningham, David P. Dixon
  • Patent number: 10586062
    Abstract: Aspects herein relate to storing information concerning rights and liabilities or other records on distributed ledgers. A method disclosed can include identifying a transferor blockchain associated with rights and liabilities for transfer from a transferor to an acquirer, identifying an acquirer blockchain associated with the acquirer, creating an interim blockchain including the rights and liabilities, generating entries to the transferor blockchain removing the rights and liabilities, and generating entries to the acquirer blockchain adding the rights and liabilities. Another method disclosed can include identifying a critical record of a party, identifying a blockchain associated with the party, and generating an entry on the blockchain associated with the critical record, the entry having permissions related to at least the party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Gopinath Rangan, John C. Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 10521780
    Abstract: Techniques are described for managing a transaction, such as a purchase of a vehicle or other product, using one or more blockchains. The completion of a transaction may be facilitated by providing an information portal, such as one or more application user interfaces, to enable the buyer, seller, or other parties to readily access blockchain-stored information that is relevant to the transaction. In some examples, where the product to be purchased is a vehicle (e.g., car, truck, motorcycle, boat, etc.), the blockchain-stored information may include information regarding the loan, title, insurance, driver's license or other identification verification, vehicle ownership history, inspection history, repair history, lien information, and so forth. The portal also enables a point of contact to be maintained between the buyer and a lender during the process of purchasing the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: John C. Hopkins, III, Bharat Prasad, Hudson R. Jameson, Gopinath Rangan
  • Patent number: 10509956
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method using a trained and activated artificial intelligence entity for detecting in photo images, moving or still, the identity of target people who are present or former members of the U.S. armed services, or are related thereto, from sources available through the Internet or other wide area computer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Arthur Quentin Smith, John C. Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 10372978
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method using a trained and activated artificial intelligence entity for detecting in photo images, moving or still, the identity of target people who are present or former members of the U.S. armed services, or are related thereto, from sources available through the Internet or other wide area computer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: UIPCO, LLC
    Inventors: Arthur Quentin Smith, John C. Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 10368202
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for wireless device communication. A wireless device may be engaged in a wireless data communication session within a local geographic region. The wireless device may be tracked within the local geographic region. The targeted information may be provided to the wireless device regarding the local geographic region based on the tracking of the wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: John C. Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 10229409
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for managing financial transactions by controlling the purchase of allowed and disallowed purchase items. A transaction control card is used to purchase a purchase item. Account information related to the transaction control card and purchase item data related to the purchase item is then processed to determine whether the purchase item is disallowed for purchase by any single, or combination of, disallowed purchase item data parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
    Inventors: Reynaldo Medina, III, Arthur Q. Smith, John C. Hopkins, Bradly J. Billman, Teddy Voutour
  • Patent number: 10163161
    Abstract: A graphical representation is provided that displays a user's insurance coverage via the graphical representation, the user may request information about various aspects of the coverage and/or may request to chat or speak with a representative that specializes in a particular coverage area. The graphical representation may show how the user's insurance coverage compares to population groups and medians. A user may adjust the coverage on the graphical representation and be provided with a revised premium amount. The user may select this coverage to be implemented and the user's policy may be appropriately revised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: John C. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 10140479
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for providing multifactor authentication with a wearable user authentication factor. A multi-factor authentication module is implemented to use a plurality of authentication factors, including a unique tag identifier associated with an electronic tag embedded within a wearable article, such as a ring or watch, for the authentication of a user. A user of a wearable user authentication factor approaches a multi-factor terminal, which detects the electronic tag and reads its unique identifier. The user is then requested to provide a predetermined biometric feature, such as a fingerprint, to a biometric reader. The biometric feature is processed to generate a unique biometric identifier. The unique identifier of the electronic tag and the unique biometric identifier is then submitted to a multi-factor authentication module, which compares it to authentication information associated with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
    Inventor: John C. Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 9824244
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for providing multifactor authentication with a wearable user authentication factor. A multi-factor authentication module is implemented to use a plurality of authentication factors, including a unique tag identifier associated with an electronic tag embedded within a wearable article, such as a ring or watch, for the authentication of a user. A user of a wearable user authentication factor approaches a multi-factor terminal, which detects the electronic tag and reads its unique identifier. The user is then requested to provide a predetermined biometric feature, such as a fingerprint, to a biometric reader. The biometric feature is processed to generate a unique biometric identifier. The unique identifier of the electronic tag and the unique biometric identifier is then submitted to a multi-factor authentication module, which compares it to authentication information associated with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: John C. Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 9801025
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for wireless device communication. A wireless device may be engaged in a wireless data communication session within a local geographic region. The wireless device may be tracked within the local geographic region. The targeted information may be provided to the wireless device regarding the local geographic region based on the tracking of the wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: John C. Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 9510147
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for wireless device communication. A wireless device may be engaged in a wireless data communication session within a local geographic region. The wireless device may be tracked within the local geographic region. The targeted information may be provided to the wireless device regarding the local geographic region based on the tracking of the wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: John C. Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 9501663
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for masking the identity of a human agent by transforming a live video transmission into a persona video transmission. A request is received from a user for a videoconference with a human agent. A persona is selected and associated with a human agent. The videoconference is then conducted, using data associated with the persona to transform the live video transmission of the human agent into a persona video transmission, which is correlated to the live video transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: John C. Hopkins, III, Erasmo Sanchez, Jr.