Patents by Inventor Todd Binion

Todd Binion 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: 10922756
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing insurance policies associated with properties may be provided. A property may be populated with a plurality of smart devices or devices that are connected to a central controller, such as via wired or wireless communication. The plurality of devices may be covered by an insurance policy, such as a homeowners, renters, or personal articles insurance policy. The central controller may detect an insurance-related event and may retrieve sensor data and pricing information from one or more of the devices. The central controller may assess damage to the devices and may generate a proposed insurance claim based upon damage to the identified devices. Additionally, the central controller may facilitate a processing of the proposed insurance claim with a customer and an insurance provider. The smart devices may be, or be attached to, appliances, electronics, computers, televisions, jewelry, vehicles, furniture, or other equipment or personal belongings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Shawn M. Call, Daryoush Hakimi-Boushehri, John H. Weekes, Ronny S. Bryant, Jennifer Criswell, Todd Binion, Jackie O. Jordan, II, Elisabeth McDermeit, John Donovan
  • Publication number: 20210042843
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically mitigating risks of insurance-related events to a property are provided. According to certain aspects, a smart home controller or insurance provider remote processor may analyze data received from a plurality of smart devices disposed on, within, or proximate to a property, as well as data received from an insurance provider. If it is determined that an actual or potential risk of property damage exists, the smart home controller or insurance provider remote processor may automatically issue commands to one or more smart devices to take actions that mitigate the risk. The smart home controller may also transmit information about the actual or potential risks and any mitigative actions to an insurance provider. The insurance provider remote processor may interpret the transmitted data to perform insurance activities, such as providing a discount and/or adjusting an insurance premium or policy associated with the property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Ronny S. Bryant, Shawn M. Call, Daryoush Hakimi-Boushehri, John H. Weekes, Jennifer Criswell, Todd Binion, Jackie O. Jordan, II, Elisabeth McDermeit, John Donovan
  • Publication number: 20210041868
    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 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    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: 20210042805
    Abstract: A trusted data bank organizes and manages access to streams of personal data owned by users with their permission. The data bank accepts incoming streams of personal data from users (such as financial, utility account, medical, insurance, activity, hobby, life style, consumer preferences, commercial transactions, telematics or smart home data, etc.), and applies user-defined privacy directives. The data bank receives personal data stream criteria and offers for goods, services, discounts, or incentives from personal data consumers (end users). The data bank may compare available streams of personal data and associated privacy directives for potential matches with criteria specified by consumers of personal data, and display offers to qualifying owners of personal data streams. If the owner accepts the offer, the data bank facilitates supplying the personal data stream to the consumer of personal data, and retains the ability to discontinue access to the stream at the owner's request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Mark E. Clauss, Todd Binion
  • Publication number: 20210041879
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, vehicle operation safety may be enhanced. An environmental or weather condition (e.g., hail, storm, wind) may be identified that presents a hazard to an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle. With the customer's permission, when it is determined that the vehicle is parked in an unprotected location, a protected or covered location to park the vehicle may be identified, a route to that location may be determined, and the vehicle may be directed to travel automatically to the protected location under the operation of autonomous operation features. Insurance discounts or cost savings may be provided to risk averse insurance customers based upon the self-parking functionality that will reduce or mitigate damage to insured vehicles caused by adverse conditions, falling trees or power lines, hail, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    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: 10915965
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, a computer-implemented method for generating or updating usage-based insurance policies for autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles may be provided. A request to generate an insurance quote may be received via wireless communication, and with the customer's permission, risk levels associated with intended usage by the customer of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined. An insurance policy may be adjusted based upon the risk levels and the intended vehicle usage. The insurance policy may then be presented on the customer's mobile device for review and approval. In some aspects, the vehicle may be rented, and the intended vehicle usage is measured in distance or duration of vehicle operation. Insurance discounts may be provided to risk averse vehicle owners based upon low risk levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    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
  • Publication number: 20210031779
    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, with the customer's permission, a vehicle operator in an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined by a sensor disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle or a mobile computing device associated with the vehicle operator. A determination may be made as to whether the vehicle operator is authorized to operate the vehicle based upon the determined identity of the vehicle operator; and if the vehicle operator is not authorized, an alert may be generated and/or the vehicle may be caused to not operate. Alternatively, autonomous operation features may be automatically engaged to automatically drive the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to a safe location when the operator is not authorized. Insurance discounts may be provided based upon the anti-theft functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    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: 20210031791
    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: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    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
  • Publication number: 20210031756
    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 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    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
  • Patent number: 10846800
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically mitigating risks of insurance-related events to a property are provided. According to certain aspects, a smart home controller or insurance provider remote processor may analyze data received from a plurality of smart devices disposed on, within, or proximate to a property, as well as data received from an insurance provider. If it is determined that an actual or potential risk of property damage exists, the smart home controller or insurance provider remote processor may automatically issue commands to one or more smart devices to take actions that mitigate the risk. The smart home controller may also transmit information about the actual or potential risks and any mitigative actions to an insurance provider. The insurance provider remote processor may interpret the transmitted data to perform insurance activities, such as providing a discount and/or adjusting an insurance premium or policy associated with the property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronny S. Bryant, Shawn M. Call, Daryoush Hakimi-Boushehri, John H. Weekes, Jennifer Criswell, Todd Binion, Jackie O. Jordan, II, Elisabeth McDermeit, John Donovan
  • Patent number: 10832299
    Abstract: A trusted data bank organizes and manages access to streams of personal data owned by users with their permission. The data bank accepts incoming streams of personal data from users (such as financial, utility account, medical, insurance, activity, hobby, life style, consumer preferences, commercial transactions, telematics or smart home data, etc.), and applies user-defined privacy directives. The data bank receives personal data stream criteria and offers for goods, services, discounts, or incentives from personal data consumers (end users). The data bank may compare available streams of personal data and associated privacy directives for potential matches with criteria specified by consumers of personal data, and display offers to qualifying owners of personal data streams. If the owner accepts the offer, the data bank facilitates supplying the personal data stream to the consumer of personal data, and retains the ability to discontinue access to the stream at the owner's request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark E. Clauss, Todd Binion
  • Patent number: 10831204
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, vehicle operation safety may be enhanced. An environmental or weather condition (e.g., hail, storm, wind) may be identified that presents a hazard to an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle. With the customer's permission, when it is determined that the vehicle is parked in an unprotected location, a protected or covered location to park the vehicle may be identified, a route to that location may be determined, and the vehicle may be directed to travel automatically to the protected location under the operation of autonomous operation features. Insurance discounts or cost savings may be provided to risk averse insurance customers based upon the self-parking functionality that will reduce or mitigate damage to insured vehicles caused by adverse conditions, falling trees or power lines, hail, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    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: 10831191
    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: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    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
  • Patent number: 10832270
    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: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    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: 10824415
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. In certain aspects, with the customer's permission, a computer-implemented method for updating an autonomous operation feature may be provided. An indication of a software update associated with the autonomous operation feature may be received, and several autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles having the feature may be identified. The update may be installed within the several vehicles, such as via wireless communication. Also, a change in a risk level associated with the update to the autonomous operation feature may be determined, and an insurance discount may be determined or adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM 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: 10825083
    Abstract: A method for buying and selling vehicles includes receiving information identifying a vehicle, retrieving condition data corresponding to the vehicle from a condition database, wherein a device inside the vehicle generates at least some of the condition data while the vehicle is being operated, and analyzing the condition data to determine a condition of the vehicle, wherein the condition of the vehicle relates to at least one of a quality or a value of the vehicle. Further, the method includes communicating an indication of the vehicle condition to an end user device, and, in response to the indication of the vehicle condition, receiving an offer to purchase the vehicle. A notification is generated based on the offer to purchase the vehicle, wherein the notification indicates a status of a purchase of the vehicle according to the offer to purchase the vehicle, and the notification is communicated to the end user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Todd Binion, Kelly S. Minter, Heidi Brown-McCreery, Michael Harris, Jeremy Myers, Brian Fields, Joe Harr
  • Patent number: 10824144
    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: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    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: 10821971
    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: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    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
  • Patent number: 10733671
    Abstract: Methods and systems for predictively generating an insurance claim in response to detecting an imminent insurance-related event are provided. According to certain aspects, a smart home controller or insurance provider remote processor may store a first set of data received from smart devices disposed on, or proximate to, a property. This data may be analyzed to detect that an insurance-related event is imminent and calculate a likelihood that a property owner will file an insurance claim in response to damage caused by the imminent insurance-related event. If there is a sufficient likelihood that an insurance claim will be filed, the smart home controller or remote processor may store a second set of data received from the smart devices. Subsequently, according to certain aspects, the second set of data may be analyzed to prepopulate an automatically generated insurance claim with information detailing damage to the property caused by the insurance-related event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Daryoush Hakimi-Boushehri, Jackie O. Jordan, II, Shawn M. Call, John H. Weekes, Ronny S. Bryant, Jennifer Criswell, Todd Binion, Elisabeth McDermeit, John Donovan
  • Patent number: 10719879
    Abstract: Methods and systems for offering and providing trip-based vehicle insurance are provided. Information is received regarding a vehicle operator and a vehicle, and trip-based insurance policies including quantities of vehicle use units are offered to the customer. Based on selected coverage types, the insurance provider may generate an insurance quote for a policy having an amount of the vehicle use units and may facilitate a purchase transaction with the customer for the insurance policy. Once a policy is selected and purchased, the system and method monitor vehicle use to determine each use of a vehicle use unit. Each vehicle use unit generally corresponds to one vehicle trip, but additional vehicle trip limitations may be added that may result in additional charges when exceeded during the course of a vehicle trip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher E. Gay, Scott Thomas Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Steve Cielocha, Todd Binion