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.
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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.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A system for obtaining, processing, and transferring vehicle identification information, the system comprising:
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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)
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Specification