Patent Issued for Systems and methods for generating a blockchain-based user profile (USPTO 11025409)

2021 JUN 22 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- According to news reporting originating from Alexandria, Virginia, by NewsRx journalists, a patent by the inventors Assam, Lee Marvin John (El Paso, IL, US), Fields, Brian Mark (Normal, IL, US), filed on May 24, 2017, was published online on June 1, 2021.

The assignee for this patent, patent number 11025409, is State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (Bloomington, Illinois, United States).

Reporters obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: “Conventional systems and methods use centralized databases or storage mechanisms to store user information and that can be used to identify users. This centralized database scheme typically allows updates and transactions to occur only in a synchronous fashion, where transactions stored in the database are serialized to occur one at a time. Such transactions are typically controlled and accessed by a single entity, for example, a company or private institution that controls the centralized database or storage mechanism.

“The single entity control paradigm can create issues where the user information can be useful for other purposes because the user information is typically precluded from use in other applications even where the user is willing and able to give permission to use such information. Moreover, the single entity that controls and accesses the user may be reluctant to share the user information with other parties for a variety of privacy or business concerns.”

In addition to obtaining background information on this patent, NewsRx editors also obtained the inventors’ summary information for this patent: “The systems and methods described herein relate to user information as determined from blockchain-based transactions. In various embodiments, a blockchain may be a type of decentralized database network that keeps records of blockchain transactions, which are a type of digital transactions. Rather than having a single entity control a traditional database, a blockchain-based network can include a network of replicated databases that can be synchronized via a public network (e.g., the Internet), and, therefore visible to anyone within the network. Blockchain networks can also, however, be private with restricted membership similar to an intranet.

“As described herein, when a blockchain transaction is executed, it can be grouped together into a cryptographically protected block with other blockchain transactions. In some embodiments, the block of blockchain transactions may be for transactions that occurred within a specific time period, such as within the last 10 minutes, and that are sent to the entire network for updating and storage in the replicated blockchain-based network. Members of the network, including computing nodes as described herein, can compete to validate the blockchain transactions for the network. In various embodiments, the validated transactions may then be added to the blockchain with a timestamp in chronological order. In this way, new blocks of validated transactions can be linked to older blocks, making a chain of blocks that make up the blockchain and show every transaction made in the history of that blockchain. The blockchain can be updated at every node in the blockchain network such that the blockchain is replicated at every node, giving users of the blockchain network the ability to reconcile the transactions of any node against any other node at any given time.

“The blockchain-based network’s decentralized, open, and cryptographic nature allows users to trust each other and execute blockchain transactions in a peer-to-peer fashion, making the need for a single control entity obsolete. The blockchain-based network also provides enhanced security benefits, including discoursing and preventing hacking attacks that commonly impact single control entities such as banks. For example, if a hacker targeted a particular block in a blockchain, the hacker would not only need to hack into that specific block, but all of the proceeding blocks linked to that blockchain spanning the entire history of the blockchain. Moreover, the attacker would also need to perform the same hack on every blockchain in the network, which could be millions, simultaneously, therefore making hacking a blockchain infeasible.

“Accordingly, as described herein, systems and methods are disclosed for validating a user of blockchain-based networks services, including the identification and authority of such a user, based on one or more of user’s blockchain accounts, profiles, or blockchain transactions. The disclosed systems and methods can aggregate various transactions from one or more of the user’s blockchains and analyze those transactions to identify any number of validation events (e.g., trigger events or red flags) for various use cases, for example, using a blockchain-based transactions or information therein to determine to withhold an insurance claim check to a spouse of a user where the user’s blockchain transactions indicate that the user was recently divorced.

“In various embodiments, blockchain-based systems and methods are disclosed for performing blockchain validation of user identity and authority, where one or more processors can receive a first blockchain ID and a second blockchain ID, and where each of the first blockchain ID and the second blockchain ID is associated with a user. In some embodiments, the first blockchain ID can be a first public key associated with a first private key, and the second blockchain ID can be a second public key associated with a second private key. As described herein, public and private keys are cryptographic keys that typically are generated in public-private key pairs and are used in blockchain-based networks to identify a user and protect a user’s resources on a blockchain-based network.

“In some embodiments, the first blockchain ID can be associated with a first blockchain and the second blockchain ID can be associated with a second blockchain. In various embodiments, the first blockchain and/or the second blockchain can also be associated with certain blockchain types including, for example, any of a bank-based blockchain, a bitcoin-based blockchain, an insurance-based blockchain, a public blockchain, or a private blockchain. Each blockchain type may have different characteristics or attributes that may cause the blockchain-based validation system and methods to operate according to the blockchain type. For example, where a blockchain is a private blockchain, and at least in one embodiment, the blockchain-based validation system and methods may receive an indication from the user as to whether a private transaction associated with the user may be accessed.

“In some embodiments, a plurality of blockchain transactions may be aggregated where the plurality of blockchain transactions can include at least a first blockchain transaction associated with the first blockchain and a second blockchain transaction associated with the second blockchain. Based on the first blockchain transaction or the second blockchain transaction, a first validation event providing a first indication of validity for the user may be identified. In some embodiments, the indication of validity can be used to authorize the user for an activity as further described herein.

“In other embodiments, the blockchain-based validation system and methods may be further configured to identify a second validation event based on the first blockchain transaction or the second blockchain transaction, where the second validation event provides a second indication of validity for the user, such that the blockchain-based validation system and methods may determine an updated indication of validity for the user based upon the first validation event and the second validation event.

“As described further herein, each of the first validation event and/or the second validation event can be associated with various event types including, for example, a property purchase event, a vehicle purchase event, a user-life event, a frequency-of-occurrence event, a significant financial event, a location event, or a disputed transaction event.

“In some embodiments, the blockchain-based validation system and methods may be further configured to receive a security-based indicator for the user (e.g., a biometrics security indicator such as a digital finger print), and provide an enhanced indication of validity for the user based on the security-based indicator for the user and the first validation event.

“In various embodiments, systems and methods are disclosed for generating a blockchain-based user profile. For example, a blockchain-based user profile can be associated with a particular user (e.g., an insurance customer who is a user of the blockchain-based network) and can be updated based on one or more of the user’s blockchain transactions. As described herein, in one embodiment, the profile may be used as a customer service tool where a customer service representative uses the blockchain-based user profile to authenticate or validate the user, therefore, requiring less authentication/validation for users or customers with positive profiles, such as a blockchain-based user profile that has little or no negative validation events. In other embodiments, the user profiles may be used to provide benefits and incentives (e.g., insurance discounts or other benefits) to customers with positive profiles. In other embodiments, premiums may be adjusted, for example, increased, for user’s having profiles with negative blockchain validation events.

“In various embodiments, blockchain-based systems and methods are disclosed for generating a blockchain-based user profile. In various aspects, one or more blockchain IDs associated with a user may be received by one or more processors. Each blockchain ID can be associated with a corresponding blockchain in a blockchain-based network. One or more blockchain transactions may be identified that are associated with the one or more blockchain IDs such that a trust profile for the user can be generated based on the one or more blockchain transactions. In some embodiments, the trust profile can be generated also based on non-blockchain transactions, as further described herein. The trust profile can include user information determined from the one or more blockchain transactions or from the non-blockchain transactions. In some embodiments, the user information can include, for example, user tax records, user bills, user social media information, or one or more photos of the user.

“In some embodiments, the blockchain-based systems and methods may further be configured to receive a session blockchain ID from a remote computing device, where the session blockchain ID can be associated with the user. The session blockchain ID may be used to facilitate a chat session, wherein the chat session is operable to receive one or more messages from the remote computing device and to transmit one or more messages to the remote computing device. In some embodiment, the session blockchain ID can be a blockchain ID from one or more blockchain IDs associated with the user. In another embodiment, the session ID and the trust profile can be used to authorize the remote computing device to receive the user information. In still a further embodiment, the blockchain-based system may be configured to request additional user information of the user from the remote computing device.”

There is additional summary information. Please visit full patent to read further.

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“1. A blockchain-based system configured to generate a blockchain-based user profile and facilitate two-way blockchain-based communication, the blockchain-based system comprising: one or more processors communicatively coupled to a blockchain network, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: receive one or more blockchain IDs associated with a first user, wherein each blockchain ID is associated with a corresponding blockchain; identify one or more blockchain transactions associated with the one or more blockchain IDs; generate a trust profile for the first user based on the one or more blockchain transactions, wherein the trust profile includes first user information determined from the one or more blockchain transactions, and a trust factor indicating an authentication level of the user; identify one or more non-blockchain transactions based on the first user information; update the trust profile with the one or more non-blockchain transactions; receive a session blockchain ID, associated with the first user, from a remote computing device, the blockchain ID being different from the session blockchain ID; and initiate a two-way chat session based on the session blockchain ID, wherein the chat session facilitates two-way communication between the remote computing device of the first user and the one or more processors of the blockchain network, wherein the chat session comprises the transmission and receiving of a plurality of messages between the remote computing device of the first user and the one or more processors of the blockchain network.

“2. The blockchain-based system of claim 1, wherein the session blockchain ID is a blockchain ID from the one or more blockchain IDs associated with the first user.

“3. The blockchain-based system of claim 1, wherein the session blockchain ID and the trust profile are used to authorize the remote computing device to receive the first user information.

“4. The blockchain-based system of claim 1, further configured to request additional user information of the first user from the remote computing device.

“5. The blockchain-based system of claim 1 further configured to: receive an additional blockchain ID associated with the first user, wherein the additional blockchain ID is associated with an additional blockchain; identify one or more additional blockchain transactions associated with the additional blockchain ID; and update the trust profile for the first user based on the one or more additional blockchain transactions, wherein the trust profile includes additional user information determined from the one or more additional blockchain transactions.

“6. The blockchain-based system of claim 1 further configured to determine one or more loyalty benefits for the first user based on the trust profile.

“7. The blockchain-based system of claim 1 further configured to update one or more accounts of the first user based on the trust profile.

“8. The blockchain-based system of claim 1, wherein the first user information is associated with one or more of the following: user tax records, user bills, user social media information, or one or more photos of the first user.

“9. The blockchain-based system of claim 1, wherein the trust profile is configured to determine one or more loyalty benefits for the first user base at least in part on the one or more non-blockchain transactions.

“10. The blockchain-based system of claim 1, wherein the trust profile is configured to update one or more accounts of the first user based on the trust profile.

“11. The blockchain-based system of claim 1, wherein the two-way chat session comprises the transmission and receiving of at least texting messages inputted via a chat window of the remote computing device of the first user.

“12. A blockchain-based method for generating a blockchain-based user profile and facilitating two-way blockchain-based communication, the method comprising: receiving, at one or more processors communicatively coupled to a blockchain network, one or more blockchain IDs associated with a first user, wherein each blockchain ID is associated with a corresponding blockchain; identifying, by the one or more processors, one or more blockchain transactions associated with the one or more blockchain IDs; generating, by the one or more processors, a trust profile for the first user based on the one or more blockchain transactions, wherein the trust profile includes first user information determined from the one or more blockchain transactions and a trust factor indicating an authentication level of the user; identify, by the one or more processors, one or more non-blockchain transactions based on the first user information; update, by the one or more processors, the trust profile with the one or more non-blockchain transactions; receiving, by the one or more processors, a session blockchain ID, associated with the first user, from a remote computing device, the blockchain ID being different from the session blockchain ID; and initiating, by the one or more processors, a two-way chat session based on the session blockchain ID, wherein the chat session facilitates two-way communication between the remote computing device of the first user and the one or more processors of the blockchain network, wherein the chat session comprises the transmission and receiving of a plurality of messages between the remote computing device of the first user and the one or more processors of the blockchain network.

“13. The blockchain-based method of claim 12, wherein the session blockchain ID is a blockchain ID from the one or more blockchain IDs associated with the first user.

“14. The blockchain-based method of claim 12, wherein the session blockchain ID and the trust profile are used to authorize the remote computing device to receive the first user information.

“15. The blockchain-based method of claim 12, further configured to request additional user information of the first user from the remote computing device.

“16. The blockchain-based method of claim 12 further configured to: receive an additional blockchain ID associated with the first user, wherein the additional blockchain ID is associated with an additional blockchain; identify one or more additional blockchain transactions associated with the additional blockchain ID; and update the trust profile for the first user based on the one or more additional blockchain transactions, wherein the trust profile includes additional user information determined from the one or more additional blockchain transactions.

“17. The blockchain-based method of claim 12 further configured to determine one or more loyalty benefits for the first user based on the trust profile.

“18. The blockchain-based method of claim 12 further configured to generate the trust profile based on one or more non-blockchain transactions.

“19. The blockchain-based method of claim 12, wherein the first user information is associated with one or more of the following: user tax records, user bills, user social media information, or one or more photos of the first user.

“20. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for generating a blockchain-based user profile, when executed by one or more processors of a first computing device communicatively coupled to a blockchain network, cause the first computing device to: receive, from a second computing device, one or more blockchain IDs associated with a first user, wherein each blockchain ID is associated with a corresponding blockchain; identify one or more blockchain transactions associated with the one or more blockchain IDs; generate a trust profile for the first user based on the one or more blockchain transactions, wherein the trust profile includes first user information determined from the one or more blockchain transactions and a trust factor indicating an authentication level of the user; identify one or more non-blockchain transactions based on the first user information; update the trust profile with the one or more non-blockchain transactions; receive a session blockchain ID, associated with the first user, from the second computing device, the blockchain ID being different from the session blockchain ID; and initiate a two-way chat session based on the session blockchain ID, wherein the chat session facilitates two-way communication between the second computing device of the first user and the one or more processors of the first computing device of the blockchain network, wherein the chat session comprises the transmission and receiving of a plurality of messages between the second computing device of the first user and the one or more processors of the first computing device of the blockchain network.

“21. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further includes instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the first computing device to: generate a new blockchain transaction of the first user; update the trust profile for the first user with user information determined from the new blockchain transaction; and update at least one corresponding blockchain with the new blockchain transaction.”

For more information, see this patent: Assam, Lee Marvin John. Systems and methods for generating a blockchain-based user profile. U.S. Patent Number 11025409, filed May 24, 2017, and published online on June 1, 2021. Patent URL: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=11025409.PN.&OS=PN/11025409RS=PN/11025409

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