Systems and methods for analyzing vehicle sensor data via a blockchain

Abstract

The present embodiments relate to systems and methods for using a blockchain to record information related to processes and services in the vehicle industry. The systems and methods may include (1) receiving an indication of vehicle being involved a vehicle collision and a vehicle VIN; (2) accessing, at a memory, a loss history blockchain associated with the vehicle using the VIN as a key; (3) receiving vehicle sensor data generated or collected prior to, during, and/or after the vehicle collision; (4) creating a block to add to the loss history blockchain that includes the vehicle sensor data, or otherwise updating the loss history blockchain with the vehicle sensor data associated with the vehicle collision; (5) analyzing the vehicle sensor data to reconstruct the vehicle collision; and/or (6) updating the loss history blockchain to include and/or indicate the reconstructed vehicle collision by including the created block.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for verifying existence of data associated with Vehicle Identification Numbers stored on a permissioned blockchain maintained by a plurality of network participants, the method comprising:
 receiving, at a processor coupled with a network interface, one or more request datasets from one or more network participants;   verifying, at the processor, that the one or more network participants have permission to access information stored on the permissioned blockchain using a requestor identifier included in the request dataset for each network participant;   when the one or more network participants have permission:
 accessing, at a memory coupled with the processor, the permissioned blockchain using a Vehicle Identification Number included in each request dataset, and 
 performing, at the processor coupled with the memory, a verification of the existence of data stored in the permissioned blockchain associated with the Vehicle Identification Number; 
   determining that multiple insurance claims have been submitted for a same Vehicle Identification Number; and   in response to the determination that multiple insurance claims have been submitted for the same Vehicle Identification Number, using a smart contract to trigger an alert indicating potentially fraudulent activity.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of network participants comprises a law enforcement agency, a state regulatory agency, an insurance agency, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein each request dataset further comprises a request id, a request type, and a requestor type. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the requestor identifier comprises a hash value associated with a cryptographic key controlled by the corresponding network participant. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein each request dataset further comprises a request type, and wherein performing a verification of the existence of data stored in the permissioned blockchain associated with the Vehicle Identification Number further comprises:
 when the request type is a modification request, transmitting, at the processor coupled with the network interface, an insurance coverage dataset based upon the request dataset and the modification request to at least one other network participant; and   when the request type is a new transaction request, generating and transmitting, at the processor coupled with the network interface, an insurance coverage dataset based upon the request dataset and the new transaction request to at least one other network participant.   
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 5 , wherein the modification request comprises a policy renewal, a policy change, or a policy transfer associated with the Vehicle Identification Number. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 5 , wherein each request dataset further comprises a request type, and wherein the method further comprises transmitting a request notification based upon the verification to the one or more network participants by generating, at the processor, the request notification using the request type and a success indicator indicating whether an insurance coverage dataset was sent to at least one other network participant. 
     
     
         8 . A system for verifying existence of data associated with Vehicle Identification Numbers stored on a permissioned blockchain maintained by a plurality of network participants, the system comprising:
 a network interface configured to interface with a processor;   a memory configured to store non-transitory computer executable instructions and configured to interface with the processor; and   the processor configured to interface with the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the processor to:   receive one or more request datasets from one or more network participants;   verify that the one or more network participants have permission to access information stored on the permissioned blockchain using a requestor identifier included in the request dataset for each network participant;   when the one or more network participants have permission:
 access the permissioned blockchain using a Vehicle Identification Number included in each request dataset, and 
 perform a verification of the existence of data stored in the permissioned blockchain associated with the Vehicle Identification Number; 
   determine if multiple insurance claims have been submitted for a same Vehicle Identification Number; and   in response to a determination that multiple insurance claims have been submitted for the same Vehicle Identification Number, use a smart contract to trigger an alert indicating potentially fraudulent activity.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of network participants comprises a law enforcement agency, a state regulatory agency, an insurance agency, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein each request dataset further comprises a request id, a request type, and a requestor type. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the requestor identifier comprises a hash value associated with a cryptographic key controlled by the corresponding network participant. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein each request dataset further comprises a request type, and wherein perform a verification of the existence of data stored in the permissioned blockchain associated with the Vehicle Identification Number further comprises:
 when the request type is a modification request, generate and transmit an insurance coverage dataset based upon the request dataset and the modification request to at least one other network participant; and   when the request type is a new transaction request, generate and transmit an insurance coverage dataset based upon the request dataset and the new transaction request to at least one other network participant.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the modification request comprises a policy renewal, a policy change, or a policy transfer associated with the Vehicle Identification Number. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each request dataset further comprises a request type, and wherein the processor is further configured to execute the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the processor to transmit a request notification based upon the verification to the one or more network participants by generating the request notification using the request type and a success indicator indicating whether an insurance coverage dataset was sent to at least one other network participant. 
     
     
         15 . A computer-implemented method for verifying existence of data associated with Vehicle Identification Numbers stored on a permissioned blockchain maintained by a plurality of network participants, the method comprising:
 receiving, at a processor coupled with a network interface, a request dataset, wherein the request dataset comprises a requestor identifier and a Vehicle Identification Number;   verifying, at the processor, that the requestor identifier grants permission to access the permissioned blockchain;   when the requestor has permission:
 accessing, at a memory coupled with the processor, the permissioned blockchain using the Vehicle Identification Number, and 
 performing, at the processor coupled with the memory, a verification of the existence of data stored in the permissioned blockchain associated with the Vehicle Identification Number; 
   determining that multiple insurance claims have been submitted for a same Vehicle Identification Number; and   in response to the determination that multiple insurance claims have been submitted for the same Vehicle Identification Number, using a smart contract to trigger an alert indicating potentially fraudulent activity.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of network participants comprises a law enforcement agency, a state regulatory agency, an insurance agency, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein each request dataset further comprises a request id, a request type, and a requestor type. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein the requestor identifier comprises a hash value associated with a cryptographic key controlled by the corresponding network participant. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein each request dataset further comprises a request type, and wherein performing a verification of the existence of data stored in the permissioned blockchain associated with the Vehicle Identification Number further comprises:
 when the request type is a modification request, generating and transmitting, at the processor coupled with the network interface, an insurance coverage dataset based upon the request dataset and the modification request to at least one other network participant; and   when the request type is a new transaction request, generating and transmitting, at the processor coupled with the network interface, an insurance coverage dataset based upon the request dataset and the new transaction request to at least one other network participant.   
     
     
         20 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 19 , wherein each request dataset further comprises a request type, and where in the method further comprises transmitting a request notification based upon the verification to the one or more network participants by generating, at the processor, the request notification using the request type and a success indicator indicating whether an insurance coverage dataset was sent to at least one other network participant.