Apparatus and method for identification of transmissions and other parts

• US 20040064384A1
• Filed: 05/22/2003
• Published: 04/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATC Drivetrain, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ATC Drivetrain, Inc.
• Inventors: Miles, David, Arney, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,529,697 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A system and method is provided for identifying an unknown object from an object class such as transmissions, engines, and other parts. The system utilizes a classification scheme configured to distinguish objects of the object class based upon variations observable through visual inspection. In many instances, these variations can be relatively obscure. In use, the system presents sets of options for selection by a user. Each set is directed to a particular feature for distinguishing objects of the object class, and each option represents a distinct configuration for the corresponding feature. The system receives a selection of one of the options from each set of options presented that corresponds to a feature found on the unknown object. Once the system receives sufficient information in accordance with the classification scheme, it presents an identification for the unknown object. Beneficially, identification is accomplished through visual inspection of the unknown object without disassembly or need of substantial familiarity with the system or objects of the object class. In a preferred embodiment, the classification scheme directed to an object class of transmissions and is implemented in decision tree structure in which the sets of options are presented sequentially.

Claims

1. A method for identifying an unknown object of a class of objects, the method comprising:

presenting sets of options to a user based upon a prescribed classification scheme, each set directed to a particular feature for distinguishing objects of the object class and each option representing a distinct configuration for the corresponding feature, the presentation of each set including at least one image of a representative object and a visual reference in conjunction with the image for locating the corresponding feature;

receiving a selection of one of the options from each set of options presented, each selection corresponding to a feature found on the unknown object; and

presenting an identification for the unknown object to an object category of the classification scheme in accordance with the selections received.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the object class consists of transmissions and the first set presented to the user is directed to a feature selected from a group consisting of shift lever orientation, bell-housing cast number, solenoid connection type, housing extension length, and lever-side cast number.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the classification scheme is configured in a decision tree structure.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein an option of each set includes a visual depiction of the distinct configuration of the corresponding feature represented by the option.

5. A method as defined in claim 4, wherein the option having the visual depiction further includes indicia for emphasizing distinctive characteristics of the option.

6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein each option of each set includes a visual depiction of the distinct configuration represented by the option, and each option further includes indicia for emphasizing distinctive characteristics of the option.

7. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein each set is presented such that the options are aligned for side-by-side comparison.

8. A method for identifying an unknown object of a class of objects, the method comprising:

(a) presenting a first set of options to a user based upon a prescribed classification scheme, the first set directed to a first feature for distinguishing objects of the object class and each option representing a distinct configuration of the first feature, the presentation of the first set including at least one image of a representative object and a visual reference in conjunction with the image for locating the first feature on the unknown object;

(b) receiving a selection of one of the options from the first set that corresponds to the particular configuration of the feature found on the unknown object;

(c) sequentially presenting for selection subsequent sets of options, each set directed to a particular feature for distinguishing objects of the object class, each option representing a distinct configuration of the corresponding feature, and the presentation of each set including at least one image of a representative object and a visual reference in conjunction with the image for locating the corresponding feature;

(d) receiving a selection of one of the options from each set of options presented, the selection corresponding to the particular configuration of the feature found on the unknown object;

(e) repeating steps (c)-(d) until sufficient information about the unknown object is received for identifying the unknown object based upon a prescribed classification scheme that distinguishes objects of the object class based upon variations in configuration of features; and

(f) presenting an identification for the unknown object to an object category of the classification scheme in accordance with the selections received.

9. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the classification scheme is configured in a decision tree structure.

10. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein the object class consists of transmissions.

11. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein a first set of options is directed to a feature selected from a group consisting of shift lever orientation, bell-housing cast number, solenoid connection type, housing extension length, and lever-side cast number.

15. A system as defined in claim 11, the user device further having the computer-readable medium and the processor.

16. A system as defined in claim 11, wherein the object class consists of transmissions.

17. A system as defined in claim 11, wherein an option of each set includes a visual depiction of the distinct configuration of the corresponding feature represented by the option.

19. A system as defined in claim 15, wherein each option of each set includes a visual depiction of the distinct configuration represented by the option and each option further includes indicia for emphasizing distinctive characteristics of the option.

12. A method as defined in claim 12, wherein each option of each set includes a visual depiction of the distinct configuration represented by the option, and each option further includes indicia for emphasizing distinctive characteristics of the option.

13. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein each set is presented such that the options are aligned for side-by-side comparison.

14. A system for identifying an unknown object of a class of objects, the system comprising:

a user device having a display and configured to receive input from a user;

a computer-readable medium;

a processor in communication with the input device, the display, and the computer-readable medium; and

computer-readable instructions on the computer-readable medium for execution by the processor, wherein the instructions are configured to

present sets of options to a user based upon a prescribed classification scheme, each set directed to a particular feature for distinguishing objects of the object class and each option representing a distinct configuration for the corresponding feature, the presentation of each set including at least one image of a representative object and a visual reference in conjunction with the image for locating the corresponding feature;

receive a selection of one of the options from each set of options presented, each selection corresponding to a feature found on the unknown object; and

presenting an identification for the unknown object to an object category of the classification scheme in accordance with the selections received.

18. A system as defined in claim 14, wherein the option having the visual depiction further includes indicia for emphasizing distinctive characteristics of the option.