Patents by Inventor Thomas Bret Buckingham

Thomas Bret Buckingham 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: 11860918
    Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to providing remote access to electronic documents stored in a server system using a virtual secure room, and include actions of authenticating a user at least partially based on credentials the user, at least partially in response to authenticating the user, providing a secure connection between a computing device of the user and the server system, transmitting at least one electronic document for display to the user on the computing device, monitoring the user, while the at least one electronic document is displayed to the user on the computing device, and selectively closing the secure connection in response to one or more of at least one activity and at least one state of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Thomas Bret Buckingham, Bryan Osterkamp, Orlando Coleman, Brady Justice, Jonathan Neuse, Sean Thomas, Michael Slaugh, Christopher Thomas Wilkinson, Peter Babcock, Justin Ray White, Peter Bradley Sheeran, Angel Ninette Cade
  • Patent number: 11817105
    Abstract: An authentication system may receive non-voice biometric authentication information from a user and authenticate the user via a first authentication method using the non-voice biometric authentication information. After authenticating the user via the first authentication method, the authentication system can enhance or create, based on a verbal request or a verbal command received from the user, a voice profile associated with the user. Once the profile is enhanced or created, the user is enrolled into a voice biometric authentication program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Zakery Layne Johnson, Maland Keith Mortensen, Gabriel Carlos Fernandez, Debra Randall Casillas, Sudarshan Rangarajan, Thomas Bret Buckingham
  • Patent number: 11816199
    Abstract: The technology described herein detects a first device associated with a user that is within a detectable range of a second device. The system requests authentication information. In response to receiving the authentication information, a token generator associated with the user can generate a secure token. The secure token can be sent to the server. Once the secure token is verified, the user is granted access to one or more services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Maland Keith Mortensen, Thomas Bret Buckingham, Gabriel Carlos Fernandez, Debra Randall Casillas
  • Patent number: 11811758
    Abstract: Current embodiments relate to proofing and authenticating digital access and/or control requests. By communicating with various service providers, automatic proofing and/or enrollment for authentication of digital access and/or control services may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Lester, Thomas Bret Buckingham
  • Patent number: 11797657
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes identifying behavioral characteristics of a user related to operation of a computing device prior to an online account session. The method includes comparing the behavioral characteristics to a behavioral profile previously developed based on prior behavioral characteristics of the user, and determining an appropriate mark difficulty level based on a variation between the behavioral characteristics and the behavioral profile. The method includes selecting, from a plurality of prompts stored in a prompt database, a prompt that comprises instructions to draw a mark having the appropriate mark difficulty level, where other prompts of the plurality of prompts comprise instructions to draw other marks different from the mark, and providing the prompt to the user as part of a logon process for the online account session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Brian Christopher Hawes, Karen M. Moritz, Stephen Seyler Aultman, Joseph James Albert Campbell, Debra Randall Casillas, Jonathan Edward Neuse, Sara Teresa Alonzo, Thomas Bret Buckingham
  • Patent number: 11792176
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a scalable, risk-based authentication system including a plurality of fraud monitoring engines configured to: analyze user data and organization data, and generate a set of risk factors based on the user data and the enterprise data; a risk aggregator in communication with the plurality of fraud monitoring engines configured to: receive the set of risk factors, and transform the set of risk factors into risk indicators; and an authentication engine configured to: receive the risk indicators from the risk aggregator, and generate an authentication plan for a requested activity based on the risk indicators and the requested activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Michael W. Lester, Debra Randall Casillas, Richard A. Davey, Michael Frank Morris, Maland Keith Mortensen, John David Row, Thomas Bret Buckingham, Tammy Sanclemente
  • Patent number: 11783020
    Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving a detection of a physical presence of a user and, in response, initiating a start-up process on an enterprise device according to a profile associated with the user are described. Thereafter, the system receives authentication credentials at the enterprise device and the user is granted access to the enterprise device after the authentication credentials are verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Zakery Layne Johnson, John Shelton, Debra Randall Casillas, Thomas Bret Buckingham, Gabriel Carlos Fernandez, Sudarshan Rangarajan, Maland Keith Mortensen
  • Patent number: 11763305
    Abstract: Techniques are described for managing devices, such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, using smart contract(s) on a distributed ledger (e.g., blockchain). Smart contract(s) executing on a distributed ledger may control access to one or more devices in a home or other environment. The smart contract(s) may employ information stored on the distributed ledger and information in a transaction sent to the smart contract(s) to determine whether particular user(s) and/or process(es) may access the device(s), issue commands to the device(s), access data generated by the device(s), and/or control the device(s). The smart contract(s) may provide a secure portal through which user(s) and/or service(s) may access device(s) for command and control of such device(s), and secure access may be based on permission information that is specified or provided by an owner or operator of the device(s) and that is stored on the distributed ledger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Bharat Prasad, Ruthie D. Lyle, Minya Liang, Thomas Bret Buckingham
  • Patent number: 11765158
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for secure access to data actions. In one embodiment, secondary devices are identified based upon communicative coupling with a primary device. The secondary devices are registered as trusted devices for subsequent authentication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Bharat Prasad, Charles Lee Oakes, III, Gunjan C. Vijayvergia, Vijay Jayapalan, Thomas Bret Buckingham
  • Patent number: 11722482
    Abstract: Techniques provided herein relate to electronic data access requests. An access system receives at least one electronic data action request from a client. At least a portion of the data access authentication information is sourced from a secondary device connected to an intermediary device. The electronic data action request is authenticated based upon the data access authentication information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Bharat Prasad, Charles Lee Oakes, III, Gunjan C. Vijayvergia, Vijay Jayapalan, Thomas Bret Buckingham
  • Patent number: 11706231
    Abstract: Techniques are described for managing a network through use of a security device that includes, or has access to, a blockchain node. The security device may manage a network of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices in a home or other environment. The security device may act as an intermediary to manage secure, trusted communications between the IoT device(s) and external service(s). The security device may also provide network security features such as a network firewall. In some implementations, the security device may run a blockchain node, and the blockchain could be used to establish a verifiable home identity. The security device may interact with external resources and/or services, such as utility services, e-commerce services, and so forth, through this secure mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Ruthie D. Lyle, Bharat Prasad, Eric David Schroeder, Minya Liang, Thomas Bret Buckingham, Gabriel C. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 11687934
    Abstract: Techniques are described for determining account features based on a risk assessment. A first set of account features may be determined, including security feature(s) such as mode(s) for authenticating and/or verifying the identity of a user associated with account(s). Based on the first set of features, a risk metric may be determined for the account(s). The risk metric may indicate a risk that fraud may be committed against the account or using the account. Based on the determined risk metric, a second set of account features may be determined for the account(s). The first and second sets of account feature(s) may be applied to the account(s). Disabling a particular feature may cause a reevaluation of the risk metric and a redetermination of the feature sets to be applied to the account(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Thomas Bret Buckingham, Jonathan G. Walters, Jeffrey Walton Easley, Lee Adams
  • Patent number: 11677870
    Abstract: Methods and systems for multiple channel authentication are described. In one embodiment, a request for an interaction is initiated from within a mobile application. The request may include authentication information and contextual information relating to a current exchange between the mobile application and an organization. The user may be authenticated with the authentication information and the request may be routed to a representative based on the contextual information to continue the exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
    Inventors: Anthony Scott Farnsworth, Zakery Layne Johnson, Joshua S. Kerr, Eric Smith, Charles Lee Oakes, III, Thomas Bret Buckingham, Maland Keith Mortensen, John Raymond Harris, Joshua Samuel Leonard, Vijay Jayapalan, Minya Liang, Justin Dax Haslam, Robert Barner, Ross Andrew Thiele
  • Patent number: 11625460
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for interconnecting devices. One of the methods includes authenticating, by a security platform, a user. The method includes generating, by the security platform, an authentication token for the user. The method includes receiving a selection of an IoT application by the user, the IoT application configured to control an IoT device. The method includes providing, by the security platform, the authentication token to the IoT application to authenticate the user with the selected application. The method also includes providing, by the selected application, control of the IoT device to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Thomas Bret Buckingham, James Karras, John Shelton, Michael Wayne Lester, Bharat Prasad, James Eric McCarty, Gabriel C. Fernandez, Debra Randall Casillas, Sudarshan Rangarajan, Christopher Thomas Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 11615210
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for securing data. One of the methods includes receiving one or more network data packets. The one or more network data packets include a token that identifies stored sensitive data. The one or more network data packets are desanitized, by: identifying and extracting, from the one or more network data packets, the token; requesting, from a distributed file system, the stored sensitive data, based upon the token; and receiving, in response to the request, the stored sensitive data as received stored sensitive data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Thomas Bret Buckingham, Donald Nathaniel Holloway, III, Robert Aaron Ghavidel, Jennifer Nannery, Cory Landon Newsom, Robert Lawrence, Huihui Wu, Alejandra Valles
  • Patent number: 11615386
    Abstract: Techniques provided herein relate to registering secondary authentication information with a blockchain. A block chain is stored, having primary authentication information, secondary authentication information, or both that is used in authenticating one or more electronic data action requests provided by a client system to a backend system. The client system, a secondary device, or both registers the secondary device with blockchain node, such that secondary device data is stored as the primary authentication information, the secondary authentication information, or both in the blockchain node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Bharat Prasad, Charles Lee Oakes, III, Gunjan C. Vijayvergia, Vijay Jayapalan, Thomas Bret Buckingham
  • Patent number: 11611555
    Abstract: Current embodiments relate to proofing and authenticating digital access and/or control requests. By communicating with various service providers, automatic proofing and/or enrollment for authentication of digital access and/or control services may be provided. A confidence level may be calculated and data validation performed to ensure accuracy of the data received via the various service providers (e.g., to ensure that two data sets received from two respective service providers of the various service providers pertain to a user).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Lester, Thomas Bret Buckingham
  • Patent number: 11586657
    Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to providing remote access to electronic documents stored in a server system using a virtual secure room, and include actions of authenticating a user at least partially based on credentials the user, at least partially in response to authenticating the user, providing a secure connection between a computing device of the user and the server system, transmitting at least one electronic document for display to the user on the computing device, monitoring the user, while the at least one electronic document is displayed to the user on the computing device, and selectively closing the secure connection in response to one or more of at least one activity and at least one state of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Thomas Bret Buckingham, Bryan Osterkamp, Orlando Coleman, Brady Justice, Jonathan Neuse, Sean Thomas, Michael Slaugh, Christopher Thomas Wilkinson, Peter Babcock, Justin Ray White, Peter Bradley Sheeran, Angel Ninette Cade
  • Patent number: 11507645
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes identifying behavioral characteristics of a user related to operation of a computing device prior to an online account session. The method includes comparing the behavioral characteristics to a behavioral profile previously developed based on prior behavioral characteristics of the user, and determining an appropriate mark difficulty level based on a variation between the behavioral characteristics and the behavioral profile. The method includes selecting, from a plurality of prompts stored in a prompt database, a prompt that comprises instructions to draw a mark having the appropriate mark difficulty level, where other prompts of the plurality of prompts comprise instructions to draw other marks different from the mark, and providing the prompt to the user as part of a logon process for the online account session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Brian Christopher Hawes, Karen M. Moritz, Stephen Seyler Aultman, Joseph James Albert Campbell, Debra Randall Casillas, Jonathan Edward Neuse, Sara Teresa Alonzo, Thomas Bret Buckingham
  • Patent number: 11481509
    Abstract: Techniques are described for managing internet-of-things (IoT) devices, such as managing the storage of data generated by the IoT devices, managing the access, to the data, by users, processes, and/or other entities, managing command and control of the devices, and so forth. In some implementations, an IoT platform is provided for IoT device management, and the IoT platform can be agnostic with respect to providers. For example, the IoT platform may provide one or more common interfaces that enable communications with IoT devices that are manufactured by different device providers. In some implementations, a distributed ledger system (DLS) is employed to facilitate IoT device management. For example, the DLS can act as a gateway and/or overall interface to control access of users, processes, devices, IoT device providers, and/or other entities to the IoT devices and/or to an IoT platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Bharat Prasad, Thomas Bret Buckingham