Patents by Inventor Mark Fields

Mark Fields 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: 20230159102
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing real-time feedback to a driver of a vehicle based on real-time datasets is disclosed. The systems and methods include obtaining one or more sets of real-time data associated with a vehicle. Performing one or more operations on the set of real-time data, wherein the one or more operations are based on the set of real-time data. Generating, a feedback alert based on results of the one or more operations and one or more detected real-time behaviors of the vehicle. Providing the feedback alert for presentation at a user interface on-board the vehicle. The real-time data may include contextual data, environmental data, operating data, data for a plurality of drivers, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventor: Brian Mark Fields
  • Publication number: 20230153842
    Abstract: In a computer-implemented method for detecting and acting upon driver behavior while driving with passengers, telematics data is collected by one or more electronic subsystems of a vehicle and/or mobile electronic device of a driver or passenger. The collected data is transmitted to a computer system, and analyzed to identify respective time periods during which the driver of the vehicle drove with and without passengers, and one or more driving behaviors of the driver during those time periods. The method also includes determining, based upon the driving behavior(s) of the driver during the time periods with and without passengers, how the driver modifies his or her driving when driving with or without passengers, and conveying to an entity at least a portion of a driver profile associated with the driver that has been adjusted based upon how the driver modifies his or her driving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Leo Nelson Chan, Jacob J. Alt, Matthew S. Megyese, Steven C. Cielocha, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Brian Mark Fields
  • Patent number: 11645064
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, the operating status of the features, the identity of a vehicle operator, risk levels for operation of the vehicle by the vehicle operator, or damage to the vehicle may be determined based upon sensor or other data. According to further aspects, decisions regarding transferring control between the features and the vehicle operator may be made based upon sensor data and information regarding the vehicle operator. Additional aspects may recommend or install updates to the autonomous operation features based upon determined risk levels. Some aspects may include monitoring transportation infrastructure and communicating information about the infrastructure to vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Chien Che Huang, Mohamed A. Wazeer, Shawn C. Bennett, Steven C. Cielocha, Ronny S. Bryant, Stephen Kohaus, Terry Quakenbush, Richard A. Novak, Craig M. Main, Weixin Wu, Torri Wollenschlager, Carol Marie Csanda, Stacey Gorsuch, Todd Binion, Aaron Scott Chan
  • Publication number: 20230109893
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving safety of one or more vehicle occupants. An example method for improving safety of one or more vehicle occupants includes accessing interior vehicle configuration data that is generated by, or derived from data generated by an interior data collection component, the data representing an interior space of a vehicle; determining, by processing the interior vehicle configuration data, location and orientation of one or more vehicle occupants; selecting a plurality of vehicle safety components to be active based on the location and orientation of the one or more vehicle occupants, and setting the plurality of vehicle safety components to an active state in which the plurality of vehicle safety components are deployed, when an emergency condition is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Scott T. Christensen, Brian Mark Fields, Stephen R. Prevatt, Steve Roberson
  • Publication number: 20230094154
    Abstract: Vehicles may have the capability to navigate according to various levels of autonomous capabilities, the vehicle having a different set of autonomous competencies at each level. In certain situations, the vehicle may shift from one level of autonomous capability to another. The shift may require more or less driving responsibility from a human operator. Sensors inside the vehicle collect human operator parameters to determine an alertness level of the human operator. An alertness level is determined based on the human operator parameters and other data including historical data or human operator-specific data. Notifications are presented to the user based on the determined alertness level that are more or less intrusive based on the alertness level of the human operator and on the urgency of an impending change to autonomous capabilities. Notifications may be tailored to specific human operators based on human operator preference and historical performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Leo Nelson Chan, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Aaron Williams
  • Patent number: 11614849
    Abstract: A system including a display output device, a computer including instructions that when executed by the computer, cause the computer to generate a virtual environment, instantiate one or more virtual devices into the virtual environment, instantiate a user representation into the virtual environment, and display the virtual environment, the one or more virtual devices, and the user representation on the display output device, an input device to receive a movement input associated with movement by the user representation in the virtual environment, and the computer further configured with instructions to move or rotate the one or more virtual devices relative to a point of reference in the virtual environment in response to the movement input, while maintaining the user representation stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Field, Daniel Garden
  • Publication number: 20230070573
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, the operating status and/or configuration of autonomous operation features of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined, such as via an on-board computer system or mobile device, and/or then directly or indirectly wirelessly communicated via data transmission from the vehicle computer system or mobile device to a remote server. An adjustment to one or more risk levels associated with operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may also be determined, and an auto insurance policy, premium, or discount may be adjusted based upon the adjustment to the risk levels and presented to the customer for their review and approval. As a result, insurance cost savings may be passed onto risk averse customers that opt into to a rewards program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Chien Che Huang, Mohamed A. Wazeer, Shawn C. Bennett, Steven C. Cielocha, Ronny S. Bryant, Stephen Kohaus, Terry Quakenbush, Richard A. Novak, Aaron Scott Chan, Craig M. Main, Weixin Wu, Torri Wollenschlager, Carol Marie Csanda, Stacey Gorsuch, Todd Binion
  • Publication number: 20230062843
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the performance of a driver of a vehicle based on changes, over time, in the context and environment in which the vehicle operates, and any resultant driver behavior are disclosed. A set of driver response data is created from based on an analysis of time-series data indicative of the driver's operation of the vehicle in conjunction with time-series data indicative of changes in the vehicle's context/environment. The driver response data indicates the types and magnitudes of the driver's responses to various changes in the vehicle's operating context/environment and the driver's time-to-respond for each of the responses. That is, the driver response data indicates how a driver compensated his or her behavior (if at all) in response to different changes in the vehicle's context and/or environment. The driver response data may be compared to one or more thresholds to determine the driver's performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventor: Brian Mark Fields
  • Patent number: 11593688
    Abstract: In a computer-implemented method of assessing driving performance using route scoring, driving data indicative of operation of a vehicle while the vehicle was driven on a driving route may be received. Road infrastructure data indicative of one or more features of the driving route may also be received. A route score for the driving route may be calculated using the road infrastructure data, and a driving performance score for a driver of the vehicle may be calculated using the driving data and the route score for the driving route. Data may be sent to a client device via a network to cause the client device to display the driving performance score and/or a ranking based on the driving performance score, and/or the driving performance score may be used to determine a risk rating for the driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, J. Lynn Wilson
  • Publication number: 20230053773
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, the operating status of the features, the identity of a vehicle operator, risk levels for operation of the vehicle by the vehicle operator, or damage to the vehicle may be determined based upon sensor or other data. According to further aspects, decisions regarding transferring control between the features and the vehicle operator may be made based upon sensor data and information regarding the vehicle operator. Additional aspects may recommend or install updates to the autonomous operation features based upon determined risk levels. Some aspects may include monitoring transportation infrastructure and communicating information about the infrastructure to vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Chien Che Huang, Mohamed A. Wazeer, Shawn C. Bennett, Steven C. Cielocha, Ronny S. Bryant, Stephen Kohaus, Terry Quakenbush, Richard A. Novak, Craig M. Main, Weixin Wu, Torri Wollenschlager, Carol Marie Csanda, Stacey Gorsuch, Todd Binion, Aaron Scott Chan
  • Publication number: 20230029673
    Abstract: According to certain aspects, a computer-implemented method for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be provided. With the customer's permission, an identity of a vehicle operator may be identified and a vehicle operator profile may be retrieved. Operating data regarding autonomous operation features operating the vehicle may be received from vehicle-mounted sensors. When a request to disable an autonomous feature is received, a risk level for the autonomous feature is determined and compared with a driver behavior setting for the autonomous feature stored in the vehicle operator profile. Based upon the risk level comparison, the autonomous vehicle retains control of vehicle or the autonomous feature is disengaged depending upon which is the safer driver—the autonomous vehicle or the vehicle human occupant. As a result, unsafe disengagement of self-driving functionality for autonomous vehicles may be alleviated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Chien Che Huang, Mohamed A. Wazeer, Shawn C. Bennett, Steven Cielocha, Ronny S. Bryant, Stephen Kohaus, Terry Quakenbush, Richard A. Novak, Aaron Scott Chan, Craig M. Main, Weixin Wu, Torri Wollenschlager, Carol Marie Csanda, Stacey Gorsuch, Todd Binion
  • Patent number: 11560177
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing real-time feedback to a driver of a vehicle based on real-time datasets is disclosed. The systems and methods include obtaining one or more sets of real-time data associated with a vehicle. Performing one or more operations on the set of real-time data, wherein the one or more operations are based on the set of real-time data. Generating, a feedback alert based on results of the one or more operations and one or more detected real-time behaviors of the vehicle. Providing the feedback alert for presentation at a user interface on-board the vehicle. The real-time data may include contextual data, environmental data, operating data, data for a plurality of drivers, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventor: Brian Mark Fields
  • Publication number: 20230017139
    Abstract: In a network of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, an alert may be triggered when one of the vehicles switches from autonomous to manual mode. The alert may be communicated to nearby autonomous vehicles so that drivers of those vehicles may become aware of a potentially unpredictable manual driver nearby. Drivers of autonomous vehicles who may have become disengaged (e.g., sleeping, reading, talking, etc.) during autonomous driving may become re-engaged upon noticing the alert. A re-engaged driver may choose to switch his/her own vehicle from autonomous to manual mode in order to appropriately react to an unpredictable nearby manual driver. In additional or alternative embodiments, the alert may be triggered or intensified when indications of impairment of a nearby driver or malfunction of a nearby vehicle are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Steve Roberson, Brian Mark Fields
  • Patent number: 11532187
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, the operating status and/or configuration of autonomous operation features of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined, such as via an on-board computer system or mobile device, and/or then directly or indirectly wirelessly communicated via data transmission from the vehicle computer system or mobile device to a remote server. An adjustment to one or more risk levels associated with operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may also be determined, and an auto insurance policy, premium, or discount may be adjusted based upon the adjustment to the risk levels and presented to the customer for their review and approval. As a result, insurance cost savings may be passed onto risk averse customers that opt into to a rewards program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Chien Che Huang, Mohamed A Wazeer, Shawn C Bennett, Steven C Cielocha, Ronny S Bryant, Stephen Kohaus, Terry Quakenbush, Richard A Novak, Aaron Scott Chan, Craig M Main, Weixin Wu, Torri Wollenschlager, Carol Marie Csanda, Stacey Gorsuch, Todd Binion
  • Patent number: 11529959
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the performance of a driver of a vehicle based on changes, over time, in the context and environment in which the vehicle operates, and any resultant driver behavior are disclosed. A set of driver response data is created from based on an analysis of time-series data indicative of the driver's operation of the vehicle in conjunction with time-series data indicative of changes in the vehicle's context/environment. The driver response data indicates the types and magnitudes of the driver's responses to various changes in the vehicle's operating context/environment and the driver's time-to-respond for each of the responses. That is, the driver response data indicates how a driver compensated his or her behavior (if at all) in response to different changes in the vehicle's context and/or environment. The driver response data may be compared to one or more thresholds to determine the driver's performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventor: Brian Mark Fields
  • Publication number: 20220392342
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for generating a vehicle-to-vehicle traffic alert and updating a vehicle-usage profile. Various aspects include detecting, via one or more processors associated with a first vehicle, that an abnormal traffic condition exists in an operating environment of the first vehicle. An electronic message is generated and transmitted wirelessly, via a vehicle-mounted transceiver associated with the first vehicle, to alert a nearby vehicle of the abnormal traffic condition and to allow the nearby vehicle to avoid the abnormal traffic condition. The first vehicle receives telematics data regarding operation of the nearby vehicle after the nearby vehicle received the electronic message, and transmits the telematics data to a remote server for updating a vehicle-usage profile associated with the nearby vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Steven C. Cielocha, Jacob J. Alt, Laura A. Uphoff, Leo Nelson Chan, Mohamed A. Wazeer, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Justin Davis Davis, Nathan W. Baumann, Giles Roll
  • Publication number: 20220374996
    Abstract: A system for movement-based device control is presented. The system may include a target device and a control device. The control device may be configured to determine an indication of the target device. The control device may also be configured to detect at least one movement associated with the control device. The movement(s) may correspond to at least one control command associated with the target device. The control device may additionally be configured to generate a control signal indicative of the control command(s) associated with the target device based on the movement(s) associated with the control device. The control device may also be configured to transmit the control signal indicative of the control command(s) associated with the target device to the target device based on the indication of the target device so that the target device is controlled according to the control command(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Lee Marvin John Assam
  • Patent number: 11507086
    Abstract: Vehicles may have the capability to navigate according to various levels of autonomous capabilities, the vehicle having a different set of autonomous competencies at each level. In certain situations, the vehicle may shift from one level of autonomous capability to another. The shift may require more or less driving responsibility from a human operator. Sensors inside the vehicle collect human operator parameters to determine an alertness level of the human operator. An alertness level is determined based on the human operator parameters and other data including historical data or human operator-specific data. Notifications are presented to the user based on the determined alertness level that are more or less intrusive based on the alertness level of the human operator and on the urgency of an impending change to autonomous capabilities. Notifications may be tailored to specific human operators based on human operator preference and historical performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Leo Nelson Chan, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Aaron Williams
  • Patent number: 11500377
    Abstract: According to certain aspects, a computer-implemented method for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be provided. With the customer's permission, an identity of a vehicle operator may be identified and a vehicle operator profile may be retrieved. Operating data regarding autonomous operation features operating the vehicle may be received from vehicle-mounted sensors. When a request to disable an autonomous feature is received, a risk level for the autonomous feature is determined and compared with a driver behavior setting for the autonomous feature stored in the vehicle operator profile. Based upon the risk level comparison, the autonomous vehicle retains control of vehicle or the autonomous feature is disengaged depending upon which is the safer driver—the autonomous vehicle or the vehicle human occupant. As a result, unsafe disengagement of self-driving functionality for autonomous vehicles may be alleviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Chien Che Huang, Mohamed A. Wazeer, Shawn C. Bennett, Steven Cielocha, Ronny S. Bryant, Stephen Kohaus, Terry Quakenbush, Richard A. Novak, Aaron Scott Chan, Craig M. Main, Weixin Wu, Torri Wollenschlager, Carol Marie Csanda, Stacey Gorsuch, Todd Binion
  • Patent number: 11494175
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, a computer-implemented method for real-time determination of the status of autonomous operation features of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be provided. With the customer's permission, the operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be monitored to obtain operating data from one or more autonomous operation features. An operating status of the autonomous features may be determined based upon the operating data. After which, a change in the operating status of the autonomous features may be identified, and a report containing information regarding the change in the operating status of the autonomous features may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Chien Che Huang, Mohamed A Wazeer, Shawn C Bennett, Steven Cielocha, Ronny S Bryant, Stephen Kohaus, Terry Quakenbush, Richard A Novak, Aaron Scott Chan, Craig M Main, Weixin Wu, Torri Wollenschlager, Carol Marie Csanda, Stacey Gorsuch, Todd Binion