Method and Apparatus for Selling Consumer Products Using High Resolution Images

• US 20060155614A1
• Filed: 10/07/2005
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: VPRO Incorporated
• Original Assignee: VPRO Incorporated
• Inventors: Hodges, Matthew, Woytowick, Dwight
• Application Number:
  US11/163,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20060155614A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

Disclosed are a method and apparatus for collecting information about vehicles. Also disclosed are a method and apparatus for making a market in used vehicles. The method includes collecting image data depicting a vehicle for sale in sufficient detail that visual imperfections are evident in the images when displayed using scan and zoom functions; collecting non-image vehicle data further characterizing the vehicle for sale; compiling the collected data into a searchable database; receiving from a customer a query defining a desired vehicle; displaying data to the customer responsive to the query; selecting a vehicle responsive to an input by the customer; shipping the selected vehicle from a dealer remote from the customer to a dealer local to the customer; and completing a transaction involving the vehicle at the dealer local to the customer. The apparatus includes one or more computers configured and connected to collect, store and display image data depicting a vehicle for sale in sufficient detail that visual imperfections are evident in the images when displayed using scan and zoom functions; collect, store and display non-image vehicle data further characterizing the vehicle for sale; compile the collected data into a searchable database; receive from a customer a query defining a desired vehicle; display data to the customer responsive to the query; select a vehicle responsive to an input by the customer; ship the selected vehicle from a dealer remote from the customer to a dealer local to the customer; and complete a transaction involving the vehicle at the dealer local to the customer.

Claims

1. A method of making a market in used vehicles, comprising:

collecting image data depicting a vehicle for sale in sufficient detail that visual imperfections are evident in the images when displayed using scan and zoom functions;

collecting non-image vehicle data further characterizing the vehicle for sale;

compiling the collected data into a searchable database;

receiving from a customer a query defining a desired vehicle;

displaying data to the customer responsive to the query;

selecting a vehicle responsive to an input by the customer;

shipping the selected vehicle from a dealer remote from the customer to a dealer local to the customer; and

completing a transaction involving the vehicle at the dealer local to the customer.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

during the act of collecting image data, capturing a plurality of images depicting exterior features of a vehicle; and

during the act of displaying data, displaying the plurality of images as a panorama of the exterior features of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

navigating a user viewpoint over the panorama so as to simulate moving around the vehicle to examine substantially all of the exterior thereof.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

providing the image data with sufficient resolution to permit the customer to identify and examine ordinarily visible wear and accident damage to the exterior thereof.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

navigating the user viewpoint to zoom in on a selected point in the panorama.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

during collecting non-image data, associating condition data specific to a particular vehicle using a unique vehicle identifier.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the unique vehicle identifier is a vehicle identification number (VIN).

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the unique vehicle identifier is a hull identification number (HIN).

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

combining condition data obtained from one or more sources taken from the list including manufacturer data, dealer data, insurance data, police records, registration records and owner-input data.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

restricting selecting to fewer than all vehicles conforming to the input by the customer.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

placing a plurality of image capture devices around the vehicle exterior, including at least one pair of adjacent image capture devices; and

controlling the plurality of image capture devices with a central processor.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

computing matching image points in images produced by the pair of adjacent image capture devices; and

joining the images produced by the pair of adjacent image capture devices.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

during the act of collecting image data, capturing a plurality of images depicting interior features of a vehicle; and

during the act of displaying data, displaying the plurality of images as a panorama of the interior features of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein capturing further comprises:

removably mounting an image capture device centrally within the interior of the vehicle;

rotating the image capture device while capturing a substantially continuous sequence of images; and

panning the image capture device while capturing plural sequences of images, whereby

substantially all features of the vehicle interior appear in the captured images.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the features of the vehicle interior appearing in the captured images include depictions of wear to surfaces receiving wear during normal use.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the surfaces include at least one of:

vehicle controls, vehicle seating and vehicle flooring.

17. A method of documenting vehicle condition, comprising:

collecting image data depicting a vehicle whose condition is to be documented in sufficient detail that visual imperfections are evident in the images when displayed using scan and zoom functions;

collecting non-image vehicle data further characterizing the vehicle; and

compiling the collected data into a searchable database.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving a query defining a vehicle whose documented condition is to be examined;

retrieving data from the searchable database; and

displaying data retrieved from the searchable database responsive to the query.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

performing the act of collecting image data both before and after a change in vehicle condition.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the change in vehicle condition includes a change in insurance coverage.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the change in vehicle condition includes infliction of damage to the vehicle.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the change in vehicle condition includes a repair to the vehicle.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising performing at least one of collecting image data and collecting non-image data during the ordinary course of at least one of vehicle use, inspection and repair.