Automotive picture and data acquisition center and method
First Claim
1. A system for obtaining, processing, and transferring vehicle identification information, the system comprising:
- a first computer which is used to decode a VIN number to obtain vehicle data;
at least one digital camera, such that the digital camera may provide at least one digital image of the vehicle to the first computer;
a monitor in communication with the first computer, the monitor permitting review of the vehicle data, and permitting review of the digital image of the vehicle; and
a communications link between the first computer and a second computer such that the digital image and the vehicle data can be collected, processed, and transferred from the first computer to the second computer substantially in real time.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for the automatic or semi-automatic acquisition of multiple photographs and VIN-coded information about an automobile. In one embodiment, four height-adjustable, digital cameras are positioned on four corner posts defining a work center. A vehicle is pulled into the center until a stop indicator light is triggered, at which time an attendant scans the bar coded VIN number and reviews the proposed photographs of the vehicle at a work center computer. Once the photographs and data are acceptable, the attendant triggers a download of the information to local and industry databases. Alternate embodiments include Alternate embodiments include work centers with different post configurations, manual entry systems, and completely automated centers.
23 Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A system for obtaining, processing, and transferring vehicle identification information, the system comprising:
-
a first computer which is used to decode a VIN number to obtain vehicle data;
at least one digital camera, such that the digital camera may provide at least one digital image of the vehicle to the first computer;
a monitor in communication with the first computer, the monitor permitting review of the vehicle data, and permitting review of the digital image of the vehicle; and
a communications link between the first computer and a second computer such that the digital image and the vehicle data can be collected, processed, and transferred from the first computer to the second computer substantially in real time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A method for updating a vehicle database, the method comprising:
-
capturing at least one image of a vehicle;
reading the vehicle VIN number;
decoding the VIN number to obtain vehicle data;
combining the image and the vehicle data, such that image is captured and the VIN is read and decoded substantially in real time; and
storing the combined image and the vehicle data on at least one database. - View Dependent Claims (6)
-
-
7. A method for updating a vehicle database, the method comprising:
-
positioning a vehicle in a processing center, the center comprising a plurality of mounted digital cameras;
inputting a VIN number from the vehicle into a computer database;
positioning the cameras at appropriate heights for the vehicle;
capturing at least one image of the vehicle into at least one data file;
decoding the VIN number to obtain vehicle data; and
storing the picture data file and the vehicle data on at least one database. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. An improved method for updating a vehicle database with at least one digital image of the vehicle and information derived from the vehicle'"'"'s VIN number, the improvement comprising:
-
obtaining the digital image with at least one digital camera at the time of processing of the vehicle;
reviewing the quality of the digital image at the time of processing of the vehicle;
acquiring an improved digital image if necessary;
obtaining the VIN number at the time of processing of the vehicle;
decoding the VIN number to obtain vehicle data at the time of processing of the vehicle;
reviewing the vehicle data derived from the VIN number at the time of processing of the vehicle;
preparing at least one data file, the file including the digital image and vehicle data, at a dealer location at the time of processing of the vehicle; and
storing the data file on at least one database at the time of processing of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (13)
-
Specification