Smart contracts, blockchains (distributed ledgers), and rights management broadly construed are the themes of today's Spotlight Patents. Assigned to Walmart, the first patent addresses techniques for forecasting deliveries via blockchain smart contracts. Assigned to State Farm, the second patent addresses techniques for a shared ledger operated by a group of network participants according to a set of consensus rules manages and resolves subrogation claims between a clamant and a defendant with arbitration.
11,270,245, "System and method for forecasting deliveries via blockchain smart contracts," assigned to Walmart.
Abstract
A supply chain forecasting system with blockchain controls is discussed. The supply chain forecasting system can include a central computing system communicating with a third party computing system. The central computing system and third party computing system can initiate, adjust, and fulfill smart contracts associated with the delivery of physical objects using blockchain controls.
11,270,383, "Blockchain subrogation claims with arbitration," assigned to State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company.
Abstract
A shared ledger operated by a group of network participants according to a set of consensus rules manages and resolves subrogation claims between a clamant and a defendant with arbitration. Evidence regarding the value of the subrogation claim is sent to the shared ledger by the parties to the subrogation claim, such as sending data to a smart contract deployed on the shared ledger. The parties to the claim may request arbitration, especially after attempts to settle the claim on-chain between the two parties have failed. An arbitrator may request evidence from the parties and/or request responses from the parties to accept damages calculations and/or settlement offers. Once the claim is resolved, the arbitrator may release funds on the chain to the prevailing party or may accept confirmation that any payments have been made between the parties off-chain.
