Patents by Inventor Thomas Hollenstain

Thomas Hollenstain 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: 11151859
    Abstract: A method for detecting an event occurring during operation of a vehicle includes receiving indications of a plurality of variables from an installed device communicatively coupled to the mobile device via an internal communication link. The method further includes analyzing the received indications of the plurality of variables to detect the event occurring during the operation of the vehicle. Still further, the method includes, upon detecting the event, initiating: (i) a first communication session between the mobile device and an entity outside of the vehicle, and (ii) a second communication session between the mobile device and the installed device, wherein the mobile device forwards content communicated via the first communication session to the installed device via the second communication session such that the installed device presents the content to the vehicle operator. In one aspect, air pressure wave sensor and accelerometer data may trigger automatic crash notifications to emergency responders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Hollenstain, Shawn C. Bennett
  • Patent number: 11069215
    Abstract: A method for detecting events occurring during operation of a vehicle includes monitoring a plurality of variables during operation of the vehicle via an installed device fixedly attached to the vehicle. The method further includes receiving indications of the plurality of variables from the installed device at a mobile device and analyzing the received indications of the plurality of variables to detect if an accident involving the vehicle has occurred. Still further, the method includes, upon detecting the event, transmitting an indication that the accident has occurred and at least some of the indications of the plurality of variables to an entity outside the vehicle and receiving an insurance claim associated with the accident from the entity outside the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Hollenstain, Shawn C. Bennett
  • Patent number: 10347111
    Abstract: A method for detecting an event occurring during operation of a vehicle includes receiving indications of a plurality of variables from an installed device communicatively coupled to the mobile device via an internal communication link. The method further includes analyzing the received indications of the plurality of variables to detect the event occurring during the operation of the vehicle. Still further, the method includes, upon detecting the event, initiating: (i) a first communication session between the mobile device and an entity outside of the vehicle, and (ii) a second communication session between the mobile device and the installed device, wherein the mobile device forwards content communicated via the first communication session to the installed device via the second communication session such that the installed device presents the content to the vehicle operator. In one aspect, air pressure wave sensor and accelerometer data may trigger automatic crash notifications to emergency responders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventors: Thomas Hollenstain, Shawn C. Bennett
  • Patent number: 10043372
    Abstract: A method for detecting an event occurring during operation of a vehicle includes receiving indications of a plurality of variables from an installed device communicatively coupled to the mobile device via an internal communication link. The method further includes analyzing the received indications of the plurality of variables to detect the event occurring during the operation of the vehicle. Still further, the method includes, upon detecting the event, initiating: (i) a first communication session between the mobile device and an entity outside of the vehicle, and (ii) a second communication session between the mobile device and the installed device, wherein the mobile device forwards content communicated via the first communication session to the installed device via the second communication session such that the installed device presents the content to the vehicle operator. In one aspect, air pressure wave sensor and accelerometer data may trigger automatic crash notifications to emergency responders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Hollenstain, Shawn C. Bennett
  • Patent number: 9672719
    Abstract: A method for detecting an event occurring during operation of a vehicle includes receiving indications of a plurality of variables from an installed device communicatively coupled to the mobile device via an internal communication link. The method further includes analyzing the received indications of the plurality of variables to detect the event occurring during the operation of the vehicle. Still further, the method includes, upon detecting the event, initiating: (i) a first communication session between the mobile device and an entity outside of the vehicle, and (ii) a second communication session between the mobile device and the installed device, wherein the mobile device forwards content communicated via the first communication session to the installed device via the second communication session such that the installed device presents the content to the vehicle operator. In one aspect, air pressure wave sensor and accelerometer data may trigger automatic crash notifications to emergency responders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Hollenstain, Shawn C. Bennett