Online method and system for issuing vehicle repossession assignments to vehicle repossession contractors

• US 20030154119A1
• Filed: 02/13/2002
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Collins, Kevin, Westbrook, James D., Roberts, Raymond Edward, Stoliker, Jason
• Application Number:
  US09/683,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20030154119A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063114 Status monitoring or status determination for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

An online method and system for issuing vehicle repossession assignments to vehicle repossession contractors. The invention includes at least one server computer configured to host a secure online account for a vehicle repossession contractor. The online account is remotely and securely accessible by the contractor and maintains at least one vehicle repossession assignment assigned to the contractor. Vehicle repossession agents access the server computer, define contractor profiles and assign new vehicle repossession assignments to contractors via the contractor'"'"'s online accounts. Contractors remotely access their online accounts to receive new repossession assignments, accept or reject the assignments, and input feedback regarding a completed repossession assignment. Server computer may be additionally configured to page or otherwise initiate notification to a contractor that a new repossession assignment is pending at the contractor'"'"'s online account.

Claims

1. An online system for issuing vehicle repossession assignments to vehicle repossession contractors, the system comprising at least one server computer operably serving at least one client computer, the at least one server computer configured to:

(i) host a secure online account for a vehicle repossession contractor wherein the online account is securely and remotely accessible by the contractor;

(ii) receive input assigning at least one vehicle repossession assignment to the contractor wherein the at least one vehicle repossession assignment is added to the contractor'"'"'s online account; and

(iii) receive input containing feedback from the contractor regarding a vehicle repossession assignment that has been completed.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one server computer is additionally configured to receive input from the contractor accepting or declining the at least one vehicle repossession assignment.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one server computer is additionally configured to receive input defining a profile for the contractor.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the feedback includes a vehicle condition report for a repossessed vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the feedback includes an invoice for a vehicle repossession assignment that has been performed.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the feedback includes a listing of personal property found within a vehicle that has been repossessed.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one server computer is additionally configured to receive input and present output suspending or canceling a pending repossession assignment.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one server computer is additionally configured to initiate a notification to the contractor indicating that a new vehicle repossession assignment is pending at the contractor'"'"'s online account.

9. An online method for delivering vehicle repossession assignments, the method comprising:

establishing a secure online account for a vehicle repossession contractor wherein the online account is securely and remotely accessible by the contractor;

delivering at least one vehicle repossession assignment to the contractor wherein the at least one vehicle repossession assignment is added to the contractor'"'"'s online account; and

receiving input from the contractor containing feedback regarding a completed vehicle repossession assignment.

10. The method of claim 9 additionally comprising receiving input from the contractor accepting or declining the at least one vehicle repossession assignment.

11. The method of claim 9 additionally comprising defining an online profile for the contractor.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the feedback includes an online vehicle condition report for a repossessed vehicle.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the feedback includes an online invoice for a vehicle repossession assignment that has been performed.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the feedback includes an online listing of personal property found within a vehicle that has been repossessed.

15. The method of claim 9 additionally comprising suspending or canceling a pending repossession assignment.

16. The method of claim 9 additionally comprising notifying a contractor that a new vehicle repossession assignment is pending at the contractor'"'"'s online account.

17. An online system for issuing vehicle repossession assignments to vehicle repossession contractors, the system comprising:

(i) a means for hosting a secure online account for a vehicle repossession contractor wherein the online account is securely and remotely accessible by the contractor; and

(ii) a means for assigning at least one vehicle repossession assignment to the contractor wherein the at least one vehicle repossession assignment is added to the contractor'"'"'s online account; and

(iii) a means for receiving input from the contractor containing feedback regarding a completed vehicle repossession assignment.

18. The system of claim 17 additionally comprising a means for receiving input from the contractor accepting or declining the at least one vehicle repossession assignment.

19. The system of claim 17 additionally comprising a means for defining a profile for the contractor.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the feedback includes a vehicle condition report for a repossessed vehicle.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein the feedback includes an invoice for a vehicle repossession assignment that has been performed.

22. The system of claim 17 wherein the feedback includes a listing of personal property found within a vehicle that has been repossessed.

23. The system of claim 17 additionally comprising a means for suspending or canceling a pending repossession assignment.

24. The system of claim 17 additionally comprising a means for initiating a notification to the contractor indicating that a new vehicle repossession assignment is pending at the contractor'"'"'s online account.