Patents by Inventor Mark E. Clauss

Mark E. Clauss 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: 10351097
    Abstract: In system and methods for theft prevention or mitigation, driver-related data associated with one or more authorized drivers of an insured vehicle may be collected over time. The authorized drivers and the insured vehicle may be covered by an insurance policy issued by an insurance provider. Based upon the collected driver-related data, a database associated with the authorized drivers may be built. Current driver-related data associated with an individual currently driving, attempting to start, or sitting in a seat of the insured vehicle may be collected. It may be determined, using both the database and the current driver-related data, that the individual is not among the authorized drivers. A disablement of an operation of the insured vehicle may be caused, and/or the individual may be caused to be prevented from starting or otherwise operating the insured vehicle, to facilitate preventing or mitigating theft of the insured vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Potter, Mark E. Clauss, Dustin Ryan Carter, Megan Michal Baumann, Atlanta Bonnom, Craig Cope, Jennifer Luella Lawyer, Curtis Simpson, Nathan W. Baumann, Douglas Albert Graff
  • Patent number: 10323956
    Abstract: A method and system may provide speed limit data to users driving in vehicles. A user's client device such as a smart-phone, smart watch, or tablet computer, may provide visual, audible, and/or haptic alerts to the user when the user exceeds a posted speed limit by more than a threshold amount. For example, when the user exceeds the posted speed limit by more than the threshold amount, the user's smart-phone may play a beeping sound and may announce the posted speed limit to the user. A map of a geographic area including the user's travelled route may also be displayed, with annotated areas along the route where the user exceeded the posted speed limit. The map may also include an indication of a proportion of a duration or distance of the route in which the user travelled above the posted speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark E. Clauss, Steve J. Balbach, Craig Cope, Jeff Riblet
  • Patent number: 10295356
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and delivering personalized and relevant notifications to a user are provided. According to certain aspects, a mobile device may receive activity data from a user of the mobile device. The mobile device may identify a set of real-time sensor data relevant to the activity data. The mobile device may generate a notification based on the activity data and the set of real-time sensor data. The mobile device may identify a set of user profile data relevant to the activity data and the set of real-time sensor data, and further identify a set of static data relevant to the set of user profile data. Based on the relevant data, the mobile device may modify the notification. Finally, the mobile device may deliver the notification to the user via a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Craig Cope, Ryan Gross, Mark E. Clauss, Steven Joseph Balbach, Rick Lovings, Jennifer L. Crawford, Vicki King, Daryoush Hakimi
  • Patent number: 10163327
    Abstract: In system and methods for loss mitigation, accident data associated with a vehicle accident involving a driver may be collected. The accident data may be analyzed, and a likely severity of the vehicle accident may be determined based upon the analysis of the accident data. A communication related to emergency assistance or an emergency assistance recommendation may be generated based upon the determined likely severity of the vehicle accident, and transmitted, via wireless communication, from one or more remote servers to a mobile device associated with the driver. A wireless communication from the driver indicating approval or modification of the emergency assistance or emergency assistance recommendation may be received. A third party may be notified, via a communication sent from the remote server(s), of requested emergency assistance as approved or modified by the driver. An estimated insurance claim may also be generated based upon vehicle accident likely severity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Potter, Mark E. Clauss, Dustin Ryan Carter, Megan Michal Baumann, Atlanta Bonnom, Craig Cope, Jennifer Luella Lawyer, Curtis Simpson, Nathan W. Baumann, Douglas Albert Graff
  • Patent number: 10127570
    Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing vehicle operation data associated with a temporary or periodic usage of a vehicle by a driver. In aspects, the driver may associate with an electronic device within the vehicle that may record or collect the vehicle operation data. After the vehicle operation has concluded, the vehicle operation data may be analyzed to assess a performance of the driver during operation of the vehicle, whereby the performance may be influenced by positive or negative driving events. Based on the performance of the driver, a profile or account of the user may be processed accordingly such that the user may be incentivized to modify certain driving behaviors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Kerry Cote, Nicholas R. Baker, Mark E. Clauss, Todd Binion, Andrea Lee Rhoades, Steven J. Balbach, Brian Mark Fields, Kyle Pott
  • Patent number: 10102587
    Abstract: In system and methods for pre-generating insurance claims, accident data associated with a vehicle accident involving a driver may be collected. The accident data may be analyzed, and a likely severity of the vehicle accident may be determined based upon the analysis of the accident data. An estimated insurance claim may be generated based upon the determined likely severity of the vehicle accident, and transmitted, via wireless communication, from one or more remote servers to a mobile device associated with the driver to facilitate presenting all, or a portion of, the estimated insurance claim to the driver or the insured. A wireless communication from the driver or insured indicating approval, rejection or modification of the estimated insurance claim may be received. The estimated insurance claim may be handled in accordance with the approval, rejection or modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Potter, Mark E. Clauss, Dustin Ryan Carter, Douglas Albert Graff, Megan Michal Baumann, Atlanta Bonnom, Craig Cope, Jennifer Luella Lawyer, Curtis Simpson, Nathan W. Baumann
  • Patent number: 10017153
    Abstract: In system and methods for theft prevention or mitigation, driver-related data associated with one or more authorized drivers of an insured vehicle may be collected over time. The authorized drivers and the insured vehicle may be covered by an insurance policy issued by an insurance provider. Based upon the collected driver-related data, a database associated with the authorized drivers may be built. Current driver-related data associated with an individual currently driving, attempting to start, or sitting in a seat of the insured vehicle may be collected. It may be determined, using both the database and the current driver-related data, that the individual is not among the authorized drivers. A disablement of an operation of the insured vehicle may be caused, and/or the individual may be caused to be prevented from starting or otherwise operating the insured vehicle, to facilitate preventing or mitigating theft of the insured vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Potter, Mark E. Clauss, Dustin Ryan Carter, Megan Michal Baumann, Atlanta Bonnom, Craig Cope, Jennifer Luella Lawyer, Curtis Simpson, Nathan W. Baumann, Douglas Albert Graff
  • Patent number: 10013697
    Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing vehicle operation data associated with a temporary or periodic usage of a vehicle by a driver. In aspects, the driver may associate with an electronic device within the vehicle that may record or collect the vehicle operation data. After the vehicle operation has concluded, the vehicle operation data may be analyzed to assess a performance of the driver during operation of the vehicle, whereby the performance may be influenced by positive or negative driving events. Based on the performance of the driver, a profile or account of the user may be processed accordingly such that the user may be incentivized to modify certain driving behaviors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Kerry Cote, Nicholas R. Baker, Mark E. Clauss, Todd Binion, Andrea Lee Rhoades, Steven J. Balbach, Brian Mark Fields, Kyle Pott
  • Patent number: 9939289
    Abstract: A method and system may provide speed limit data to users driving in vehicles. A user's client device such as a smart-phone, smart watch, or tablet computer, may provide visual, audible, and/or haptic alerts to the user when the user exceeds a posted speed limit by more than a threshold amount. For example, when the user exceeds the posted speed limit by more than the threshold amount, the user's smart-phone may play a beeping sound and may announce the posted speed limit to the user. A map of a geographic area including the user's travelled route may also be displayed, with annotated areas along the route where the user exceeded the posted speed limit. The map may also include an indication of a proportion of a duration or distance of the route in which the user travelled above the posted speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark E. Clauss, Steve J. Balbach, Craig Cope, Jeff Riblet
  • Patent number: 9896062
    Abstract: In system and methods for theft prevention or mitigation, driver-related data associated with one or more authorized drivers of an insured vehicle may be collected over time. The authorized drivers and the insured vehicle may be covered by an insurance policy issued by an insurance provider. Based upon the collected driver-related data, a database associated with the authorized drivers may be built. Current driver-related data associated with an individual currently driving, attempting to start, or sitting in a seat of the insured vehicle may be collected. It may be determined, using both the database and the current driver-related data, that the individual is not among the authorized drivers. A disablement of an operation of the insured vehicle may be caused, and/or the individual may be caused to be prevented from starting or otherwise operating the insured vehicle, to facilitate preventing or mitigating theft of the insured vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Potter, Mark E. Clauss, Dustin Ryan Carter, Megan Michal Baumann, Atlanta Bonnom, Craig Cope, Jennifer Luella Lawyer, Curtis Simpson, Nathan W. Baumann, Douglas Albert Graff
  • Patent number: 9783159
    Abstract: In system and methods for theft prevention or mitigation, driver-related data associated with one or more authorized drivers of an insured vehicle may be collected over time. The authorized drivers and the insured vehicle may be covered by an insurance policy issued by an insurance provider. Based upon the collected driver-related data, a database associated with the authorized drivers may be built. Current driver-related data associated with an individual currently driving, attempting to start, or sitting in a seat of the insured vehicle may be collected. It may be determined, using both the database and the current driver-related data, that the individual is not among the authorized drivers. A disablement of an operation of the insured vehicle may be caused, and/or the individual may be caused to be prevented from starting or otherwise operating the insured vehicle, to facilitate preventing or mitigating theft of the insured vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Potter, Mark E. Clauss, Dustin Ryan Carter, Douglas Albert Graff, Megan Michal Baumann, Atlanta Bonnom, Craig Cope, Jennifer Luella Lawyer, Curtis Simpson, Nathan W. Baumann
  • Patent number: 9786154
    Abstract: In system and methods for loss mitigation, accident data associated with a vehicle accident involving a driver may be collected. The accident data may be analyzed, and a likely severity of the vehicle accident may be determined based upon the analysis of the accident data. A communication related to emergency assistance or an emergency assistance recommendation may be generated based upon the determined likely severity of the vehicle accident, and transmitted, via wireless communication, from one or more remote servers to a mobile device associated with the driver. A wireless communication from the driver indicating approval or modification of the emergency assistance or emergency assistance recommendation may be received. A third party may be notified, via a communication sent from the remote server(s), of requested emergency assistance as approved or modified by the driver. An estimated insurance claim may also be generated based upon vehicle accident likely severity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Potter, Mark E. Clauss, Dustin Ryan Carter, Douglas Albert Graff, Megan Michal Baumann, Atlanta Bonnom, Craig Cope, Jennifer Luella Lawyer, Curtis Simpson, Nathan W. Baumann
  • Patent number: 9646346
    Abstract: The devices, methods, systems and computer-readable mediums of the present disclosure provide automatic data collection for insurance rating purposes. In particular, a battery powered Bluetooth device may be attached to a personal item of an insured individual. The Bluetooth device may automatically trigger a mobile telephone to begin storing data related to use of the personal item when the mobile telephone is proximate the Bluetooth device. The mobile telephone may periodically transmit the stored data to a remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark E. Clauss, Richard J. Lovings, David W. Thurber
  • Patent number: 9626723
    Abstract: The devices, methods, systems and computer-readable mediums of the present disclosure provide automatic data collection for insurance rating purposes. In particular, a battery powered Bluetooth device may be attached to a personal item of an insured individual. The Bluetooth device may automatically trigger a mobile telephone to begin storing data related to use of the personal item when the mobile telephone is proximate the Bluetooth device. The mobile telephone may periodically transmit the stored data to a remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark E. Clauss, Richard J. Lovings, David W. Thurber
  • Patent number: 9539901
    Abstract: A method and system may provide speed limit alerts to users driving in vehicles. A user's client device such as a smart-phone, smart watch, or tablet computer, may provide visual, audible, and/or haptic alerts to the user when the user exceeds a posted speed limit by more than a threshold amount. For example, when the user exceeds the posted speed limit by more than the threshold amount, the user's smart-phone may play a beeping sound and may announce the posted speed limit to the user. Moreover, the user's smart-phone may display an indication of the posted speed limit and a graphic notifying the user the she has exceeded the posted speed limit by more than the threshold amount. A map of a geographic area including the user's travelled route may also be displayed, with annotated areas along the route where the user exceeded the posted speed limit by more than the threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark E. Clauss, Steve J. Balbach, Craig Cope, Jeff Riblet
  • Publication number: 20150039353
    Abstract: The devices, methods, systems and computer-readable mediums of the present disclosure provide automatic data collection for insurance rating purposes. In particular, a battery powered Bluetooth device may be attached to a personal item of an insured individual. The Bluetooth device may automatically trigger a mobile telephone to begin storing data related to use of the personal item when the mobile telephone is proximate the Bluetooth device. The mobile telephone may periodically transmit the stored data to a remote server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Mark E. Clauss, Richard J. Lovings, David W. Thurber
  • Publication number: 20150039349
    Abstract: The devices, methods, systems and computer-readable mediums of the present disclosure provide automatic data collection for insurance rating purposes. In particular, a battery powered Bluetooth device may be attached to a personal item of an insured individual. The Bluetooth device may automatically trigger a mobile telephone to begin storing data related to use of the personal item when the mobile telephone is proximate the Bluetooth device. The mobile telephone may periodically transmit the stored data to a remote server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark E. Clauss, Richard J. Lovings, David W. Thurber
  • Patent number: 8666789
    Abstract: The devices, methods, systems and computer-readable mediums of the present disclosure provide automatic data collection for insurance rating purposes. In particular, a battery powered Bluetooth device may be attached to a personal item of an insured individual. The Bluetooth device may automatically trigger a mobile telephone to begin storing data related to use of the personal item when the mobile telephone is proximate the Bluetooth device. The mobile telephone may periodically transmit the stored data to a remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Clauss, Richard J. Lovings, David W. Thurber