IP Library Granted Patent US 10,713,727
Granted Patent B1
US 10,713,727 · App. 15/624,278 · Granted Jul 14, 2020

Systems and methods for building and utilizing an autonomous vehicle-related event blockchain

Inventors: Matthew L. Floyd (Alpharetta, GA); Alvin Hon-Wai Yu (Johns Creek, GA); Antwuan Murphy (Riverdale, GA); Brittney Benzio (Atlanta, GA); Lindsi Brantley (Atlanta, GA); Matthew S. Delaney (Alpharetta, GA); Matthew Vulich (Marietta, GA); Matthew S. Rodriguez (Dunwoody, GA); Neha Goel (Atlanta, GA); Sabrina Collins (Woodstock, GA); Annie Pudlo Murillo (Roswell, GA)
Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
G06Q40/08G07C5/008G07C5/02G05D1/0088
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,713,727
App. No.
15/624,278
Filed
Jun 15, 2017
Granted
Jul 14, 2020
Kind
B1
Art Unit
3693
USPC
705/4
Abstract

Methods and systems for maintaining and building an autonomous vehicle-related event blockchain are provided. One or more processors may receive indications of autonomous vehicle events. The autonomous vehicle events may include information relating to technology usage and/or operational events. The autonomous vehicle events may be compiled into a log of recorded autonomous vehicle events. Based upon the autonomous vehicle events, an action to implement may be determined. Additionally, the log may be distributed to a public or private network of distributed nodes to form a consensus on an update to the log of record autonomous vehicle events. As a result, the distributed nodes may maintain an up-to-date record of the shared ledger of autonomous vehicle events.

Claims (63)

1. A computer-implemented method of building and utilizing an autonomous vehicle-related event blockchain, the method comprising:

receiving a subscription request associated with a smart contract and pertaining to an autonomous vehicle;

in response to receiving the subscription request, determining, via one or more processors, one or more sensors that generate sensor data relevant to the smart contract;

based upon the sensor data generated by the determined one or more processors, detecting and/or recording, via the one or more processors, sensors, and/or transceivers, autonomous vehicle events, the autonomous vehicle events including autonomous vehicle system or technology usage or operational events;

compiling, via the one or more processors, the autonomous vehicle events into a log of recorded autonomous vehicle events;

determining, via the one or more processors, an action to implement based upon the recorded autonomous vehicle events and/or the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events;

forming a consensus with distributed nodes to update and/or otherwise updating, via the one or more processors, an autonomous vehicle-related blockchain to reflect or otherwise show (i) the autonomous vehicle events recorded, (ii) the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events, and/or (iii) the action to implement; and/or

distributing, via the one or more processors and/or transceivers, the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events and/or the autonomous vehicle-related blockchain to a public or private network of distributed nodes to facilitate maintaining an up-to-date shared ledger of autonomous vehicle events.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , the method further comprising updating the smart contract based upon the blockchain, events records, and/or determined actions to implement.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the determined action to implement based upon the autonomous vehicle events recorded and/or the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events is estimating an actual value of the autonomous vehicle.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the determined action to implement based upon the recorded autonomous vehicle events and/or the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events is estimating a replacement cost of the autonomous vehicle.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the determined action to implement based upon the recorded autonomous vehicle events and/or the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events is generating a usage-based insurance quote for the autonomous vehicle and/or a specific trip.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the determined action to implement based upon the recorded autonomous vehicle events and/or the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events is to determine that the autonomous vehicle was involved in a vehicle collision, and to commence a claim handling process.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the recorded autonomous vehicle events are related to at least one of the following autonomous vehicle systems, features, or technologies:

driver alertness monitoring;

driver responsiveness monitoring;

pedestrian detection;

artificial intelligence;

a back-up system;

a navigation system;

a positioning system;

a security system;

an anti-hacking measure;

a theft prevention system; or

remote vehicle location determination.

8. A computer system configured to build and utilize an autonomous vehicle-related event blockchain, the computer system comprising one or more processors, sensors, and/or transceivers configured to:

receive a subscription request associated with a smart contract and pertaining to an autonomous vehicle;

in response to receiving the subscription request, determine one or more sensors that generate sensor data relevant to the smart contract;

based upon the sensor data generated by the determined one or more processors, detect and/or record autonomous vehicle events, the autonomous vehicle events including autonomous vehicle system or technology usage or operational events;

compile the autonomous vehicle events into a log of recorded autonomous vehicle events;

determine an action to implement based upon the autonomous vehicle events recorded and/or the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events;

form a consensus with distributed nodes to update and/or otherwise update an autonomous vehicle-related blockchain to reflect or otherwise show (i) the recorded autonomous vehicle events, (ii) the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events, and/or (iii) the action to implement; and/or

distribute the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events and/or autonomous vehicle-related blockchain to a public or private network of nodes to facilitate maintaining an up-to-date shared ledger of autonomous vehicle events.

9. The computer system of claim 8 , the computer system further configured to update the smart contract based upon the blockchain, events records, and/or determined actions to implement.

10. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein the determined action to implement based upon the recorded autonomous vehicle events and/or the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events is estimating an actual value of the autonomous vehicle.

11. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein the determined action to implement based upon the autonomous vehicle events recorded and/or the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events is estimating a replacement cost of the autonomous vehicle.

12. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein the determined action to implement based upon the recorded autonomous vehicle events and/or the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events is generating a usage-based insurance quote for the autonomous vehicle and/or a specific trip.

13. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein the determined action to implement based upon the recorded autonomous vehicle events and/or the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events is to determine that the autonomous vehicle was involved in a vehicle collision, and to commence a claim handling process.

14. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein the recorded autonomous vehicle events are related to at least one of the following autonomous vehicle systems, features, or technologies:

driver alertness monitoring;

driver responsiveness monitoring;

pedestrian detection;

artificial intelligence;

a back-up system;

a navigation system;

a positioning system;

a security system;

an anti-hacking measure;

a theft prevention system; or

remote vehicle location determination.

15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing processor-executable instructions, that, when executed, cause one or more processors to:

receive a subscription request associated with a smart contract and pertaining to an autonomous vehicle;

in response to receiving the subscription request, determine one or more sensors that generate sensor data relevant to the smart contract;

based upon the sensor data generated by the determined one or more processors, detect and/or record autonomous vehicle events, the autonomous vehicle events including autonomous vehicle system or technology usage or operational events;

compile the autonomous vehicle events into a log of recorded autonomous vehicle events;

determine an action to implement based upon the autonomous vehicle events recorded and/or the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events;

form a consensus with distributed nodes to update and/or otherwise update an autonomous vehicle-related blockchain to reflect or otherwise show (i) the recorded autonomous vehicle events, (ii) the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events, and/or (iii) the action to implement; and/or

distribute the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events and/or autonomous vehicle-related blockchain to a public or private network of nodes to facilitate maintaining an up-to-date shared ledger of autonomous vehicle events.

16. The computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the one or more processors to update the smart contract based upon the blockchain, events records, and/or determined actions to implement.

17. The computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the determined action to implement based upon the recorded autonomous vehicle events and/or the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events is estimating an actual value of the autonomous vehicle.

18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the determined action to implement based upon the recorded autonomous vehicle events and/or the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events is estimating a replacement cost of the autonomous vehicle.

19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the determined action to implement based upon the recorded autonomous vehicle events and/or the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events is generating a usage-based insurance quote for the autonomous vehicle and/or a specific trip.

20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the determined action to implement based upon the recorded autonomous vehicle events and/or the log of recorded autonomous vehicle events is to determine that the autonomous vehicle was involved in a vehicle collision, and to commence a claim handling process.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2017
From: FLOYD, MATTHEW L.; YU, ALVIN HON-WAI; MURPHY, ANTWUAN; BENZIO, BRITTNEY; BRANTLEY, LINDSI; DELANEY, MATTHEW S.; VULICH, MATTHEW; RODRIGUEZ, MATTHEW S.; GOEL, NEHA; COLLINS, SABRINA; MURILLO, ANNIE PUDLO
To: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
Reel/Frame 042730/0599 →
Continuity (4)
Provisional Application 62457430 · Feb 10, 2017
Provisional Application 62434215 · Dec 14, 2016
Provisional Application 62428223 · Nov 30, 2016
Provisional Application 62425684 · Nov 23, 2016
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