Patents by Inventor Steve J. Balbach
Steve J. Balbach 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).
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Patent number: 11301890Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 30, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Kerry Cote, Nicholas R. Baker, Mark E. Clauss, Todd Binion, Andrea Lee Rhoades, Steve J. Balbach, Brian Mark Fields, Kyle Pott
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Publication number: 20220067765Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Kerry Cote, Nicholas R. Baker, Mark E. Clauss, Todd Binion, Andrea Lee Rhoades, Steve J. Balbach, Brian Mark Fields, Kyle Pott
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Patent number: 10991170Abstract: A method, implemented in an electronic processing system that includes a memory and one or more processors, includes receiving, at the electronic processing system, sensor data representing information collected by a sensor (i) located on or in a first vehicle and (ii) configured to sense an environment external to the first vehicle, and storing the received sensor data in the memory. The method also includes processing the stored sensor data to determine conditions in which the second vehicle was driven, driving habits of a driver of the second vehicle, and an identifying characteristic of the second vehicle. The method further includes identifying the driver of the second vehicle using the identifying characteristic, and determining a risk level for the driver of the second vehicle using the determined conditions and driving habits.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Todd Binion, Joe Harr, Brian Fields, Steven Cielocha, Steve J. Balbach
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Patent number: 10323956Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2018Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Mark E. Clauss, Steve J. Balbach, Craig Cope, Jeff Riblet
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Patent number: 10223752Abstract: A method includes receiving vehicle sensor data from a second vehicle via one or more wireless signals. The vehicle sensor data is collected by a sensor that is located on or in the second vehicle and configured to sense an environment external to the second vehicle. The vehicle sensor data is received at an electronic processing system, and stored in a memory. A set of one or more characteristics of the environment external to the first vehicle is determined by processing the stored vehicle sensor data, and a risk indicator is determined based on the set of one or more characteristics, a risk indicator. An insurance rating for an insurance policy associated with the first vehicle is determined based on the risk indicator.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Todd Binion, Joe Harr, Brian Mark Fields, Steven Cielocha, Steve J. Balbach
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Patent number: 10140417Abstract: A method includes receiving external data including a plurality of data points indicative of a plurality of respective states of an environment external to a vehicle. The external data is data that was received by the vehicle from a handheld mobile communication device external to the vehicle (e.g., a mobile communication device of a pedestrian) via a wireless link, and is indicative of objects sensed by the handheld mobile communication device. The method also includes storing the external data in a memory, generating a virtual model of an event (e.g., accident) involving at least one vehicle using the stored plurality of data points, and causing the virtual model of the event to be displayed.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Todd Binion, Joe Harr, Brian Fields, Steven Cielocha, Steve J. Balbach
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Patent number: 9959764Abstract: A method includes receiving and storing operational data including a first plurality of data points indicative of a plurality of respective states of an operational parameter of the vehicle at a plurality of respective times, external data including a second plurality of data points indicative of a plurality of respective states of an environment external to the vehicle at a plurality of respective times, and synchronization data. The method also includes generating a virtual model of an event involving the vehicle using the stored data, at least by generating a first visual representation of the plurality of respective states of the operational parameter, generating a second visual representation of the plurality of respective states of the external environment, and using the synchronization data to cause the first visual representation to be displayed simultaneously with, and in a time-aligned manner with, the second visual representation.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Todd Binion, Joe Harr, Brian Fields, Steven Cielocha, Steve J. Balbach
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Patent number: 9939289Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Mark E. Clauss, Steve J. Balbach, Craig Cope, Jeff Riblet
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Patent number: 9892567Abstract: A method, implemented in an electronic processing system that includes a memory and one or more processors, includes receiving, at the electronic processing system, sensor data representing information collected by a sensor (i) located on or in a first vehicle and (ii) configured to sense an environment external to the first vehicle, storing the received sensor data in the memory, and determining, via the one or more processors and based on the stored sensor data, an identifying characteristic of a second vehicle different than the first vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2013Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Todd Binion, Joe Harr, Brian Fields, Steven Cielocha, Steve J. Balbach
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Patent number: 9539901Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Mark E. Clauss, Steve J. Balbach, Craig Cope, Jeff Riblet
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Patent number: 9477990Abstract: A method includes receiving external data including a plurality of data points indicative of a plurality of respective states of an environment external to a vehicle. The external data is data that was received by the vehicle from a handheld mobile communication device of a pedestrian external to the vehicle via a wireless link, and is indicative of objects sensed by the handheld mobile communication device. The method also includes storing the external data in a memory, generating an animated re-creation of an event (e.g., accident) involving at least one vehicle using the stored plurality of data points, and causing the animated re-creation of the event to be displayed.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Todd Binion, Joe Harr, Brian Mark Fields, Steven Cielocha, Steve J. Balbach
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Patent number: 9361650Abstract: A method includes receiving and storing sensor data including a first plurality of data points indicative of a plurality of respective states of the environment external to a vehicle at a plurality of respective times, operational data including a second plurality of data points indicative of a plurality of respective states of an operational parameter of the vehicle at a plurality of respective times, and synchronization data. The method also includes generating a virtual model of an event involving the vehicle using the stored data, at least by generating a first visual representation of the plurality of respective states of the external environment, generating a second visual representation of the plurality of respective states of the operational parameter, and using the synchronization data to cause the first visual representation to be displayed simultaneously with, and in a time-aligned manner with, the second visual representation.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Todd Binion, Joe Harr, Brian Fields, Steven Cielocha, Steve J. Balbach
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Patent number: 9275417Abstract: A method includes receiving and storing sensor data including a first plurality of data points indicative of a plurality of respective states of the environment external to a vehicle at a plurality of respective times, external data including a second plurality of data points indicative of an additional plurality of respective states of the external environment, and synchronization data. The external data is data that was received by the vehicle from a handheld mobile communication device of a pedestrian external to the vehicle via a wireless link, and is indicative of objects sensed by the handheld mobile communication device. The method also includes generating an animated re-creation of an event involving the vehicle using the stored data, and causing the animated re-creation of the event to be displayed.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Todd Binion, Joe Harr, Brian Mark Fields, Steven Cielocha, Steve J. Balbach
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Patent number: 9262787Abstract: A method includes receiving first sensor data representing information collected, during a first time period, by a sensor located on or in a vehicle configured to sense an environment external to the vehicle, storing the data in a memory, processing the data to determine a first set of one or more characteristics of the external environment, and determining, based on the first set of characteristics, a first risk indicator representing a risk of loss during the first time period. The method also includes receiving second sensor data representing information collected, during a second time period, by the sensor, storing the data in the memory, and processing the data to determine a second set of one or more characteristics of the external environment. The method also includes determining, based on the second set of characteristics, a second risk indicator representing a risk of loss during the second time period.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Todd Binion, Joe Harr, Brian Fields, Steven Cielocha, Steve J. Balbach
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Patent number: 9147219Abstract: A method includes receiving and storing sensor data including a first plurality of data points indicative of a plurality of respective states of the environment external to a vehicle at a plurality of respective times, operational data including a second plurality of data points indicative of a plurality of respective states of an operational parameter of the vehicle at a plurality of respective times, and synchronization data. The method also includes generating an animated re-creation of an event involving the vehicle using the stored data, and causing the animated re-creation of the event to be displayed.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Todd Binion, Joe Harr, Brian Fields, Steven Cielocha, Steve J. Balbach
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Publication number: 20150112731Abstract: A method, implemented in an electronic processing system that includes a memory and one or more processors, includes receiving, at the electronic processing system, operational data indicative of when a vehicle is driven according to an automated control mode in which an automated driving system of the vehicle is active, storing the received operational data in the memory, and determining, via the one or more processors and based on the stored operational data, a risk indicator representing a risk of loss associated with the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Todd Binion, Joe Harr, Brian Fields, Steven Cielocha, Steve J. Balbach
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Publication number: 20150112545Abstract: A method includes receiving and storing sensor data including a first plurality of data points indicative of a plurality of respective states of the environment external to a vehicle at a plurality of respective times, operational data including a second plurality of data points indicative of a plurality of respective states of an operational parameter of the vehicle at a plurality of respective times, and synchronization data. The method also includes generating a virtual model of an event involving the vehicle using the stored data, at least by generating a first visual representation of the plurality of respective states of the external environment, generating a second visual representation of the plurality of respective states of the operational parameter, and using the synchronization data to cause the first visual representation to be displayed simultaneously with, and in a time-aligned manner with, the second visual representation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Todd Binion, JOE HARR, BRIAN FIELDS, STEVEN CIELOCHA, STEVE J. BALBACH
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Publication number: 20150112733Abstract: The applications, methods and systems of the present disclosure provide selective and automatic data collection for insurance risk determination purposes. In particular, an insurance application may be stored in a vehicle computing system memory and may be executed by a vehicle computing system processor to collect and store vehicle operation related data. An in-vehicle computing device may transmit the collected data to a remote server via a wireless communication network. Alternatively, the in-vehicle computing device may transmit the collected data to a mobile telephone via a wireless communication network.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Nicholas R. Baker, Steve J. Balbach, Todd Binion, Steven Cielocha
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Publication number: 20150112543Abstract: A method includes receiving and storing sensor data including a first plurality of data points indicative of a plurality of respective states of the environment external to a vehicle at a plurality of respective times, operational data including a second plurality of data points indicative of a plurality of respective states of an operational parameter of the vehicle at a plurality of respective times, and synchronization data. The method also includes generating an animated re-creation of an event involving the vehicle using the stored data, and causing the animated re-creation of the event to be displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Todd Binion, Joe Harr, Brian Fields, Steven Cielocha, Steve J. Balbach
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Publication number: 20150112504Abstract: A method, implemented in an electronic processing system that includes a memory and one or more processors, includes receiving, at the electronic processing system, sensor data representing information collected by a sensor (i) located on or in a first vehicle and (ii) configured to sense an environment external to the first vehicle, storing the received sensor data in the memory, and determining, via the one or more processors and based on the stored sensor data, an identifying characteristic of a second vehicle different than the first vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Todd Binion, Joe Harr, Brian Fields, Steven Cielocha, Steve J. Balbach