Method of providing diagnostic information in connection with the sale of pre-owned vehicles

• US 20070016483A1
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation (Innova Telematics Solutions)
• Original Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation (Innova Telematics Solutions)
• Inventors: Chenn, Ieon
• Granted Patent: US 7,603,293 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification

Abstract

A method of assisting sellers and buyers in the sale and purchase of a vehicle is provided. The method may comprise the steps of communicating a vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic data (e.g., OBD codes, etc.) with a provider. The method may further comprise the step of analyzing the communicated diagnostic data. The method may also comprise the step of preparing a vehicle diagnostic report based on the communicated diagnostic data. The method may also comprise the step of uploading the prepared report to a report database retrievable by a buyer.

Claims

1. A method of assisting sellers and buyers in the sale and purchase of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

a) communicating a vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic data with a diagnostic report provider;

b) analyzing the communicated diagnostic data;

c) preparing a vehicle diagnostic report based on the communicated diagnostic data; and

d) uploading the prepared report to a report database retrievable by a buyer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic data are OBD codes.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the received codes are analyzed based on a vehicle diagnostic database, problem description database and a service advisor'"'"'s review of the codes.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the prepared report comprises general vehicle information, a problem description, a repair estimate, and a reliability index.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the report database is a website.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the analyzing step comprises the step of:

i) correlating the received codes to detect whether the codes have been tampered with prior to receipt of the codes by the diagnostic report provider.

7. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

e) receiving payment to permit access to the uploaded report; and

f) permitting the buyer to access the prepared report upon receipt of the payment.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein a provider receives payment from the buyer to access the prepared report.

9. A method of purchasing a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

a) inspecting a vehicle for sale;

b) inspecting a diagnostic report based on diagnostic data downloaded from a computer of the vehicle, the diagnostic report containing information regarding a condition of the vehicle; and

c) purchasing the vehicle upon confirmation of the diagnostic report.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the diagnostic report is confirmed by a third party.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the diagnostic data are OBD trouble codes.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the diagnostic report contains the OBD trouble codes downloaded from the vehicle'"'"'s computer, and confirmation of the downloaded OBD codes is a condition of the sale of the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the diagnostic report contains an assessment of vehicle condition rendered by a diagnostic report provider, and confirmation of the vehicle condition assessment is a condition of the sale of the vehicle.