AUTOMOBILE IDENTIFICATION LABELING AND TRACKING SYSTEM

• US 20070229236A1
• Filed: 06/04/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ward Kraft, Inc. (W/K Holding Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ward Kraft, Inc. (W/K Holding Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Mercer, Merlin, Triplett, Lance, Sisseck, Mary, Zimmer, Duane, Harman, James, Cowan, Billy, Harman, Loyce
• Granted Patent: US 7,681,921 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/425.500
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/14 Layer or component removable to expose adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1476 Release layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/149 Sectional layer removable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/15 Sheet, web, or layer weakened to permit separation through thickness

Abstract

A system, method, computer program, and business form that may be used to more quickly, accurately, and efficiently label, identify, track, and inventory new and previously-owned vehicles on an auto dealer'"'"'s lot. Many aspects may also be used to track other objects such as hotel keys. The computer program and method include the steps of: receiving vehicle information for at least one vehicle to be delivered to the auto dealer; storing the vehicle information in a vehicle database accessible by the computer; receiving data obtained from the vehicle when the vehicle is delivered to the auto dealer; comparing the data to the vehicle database to determine if vehicle information has been received for the vehicle; and directing a printer to print at least a portion of the vehicle information on an identifier to be applied to the vehicle if the data corresponds to the vehicle information in the vehicle database.

Claims

1. A business form for use by an auto dealer to identify a vehicle, the business form comprising:

a first web portion including a removable window sticker on which vehicle information relating to the vehicle may be printed and that may be adhered to a window of the vehicle; and

a second web portion merged with the first web portion and including a removable key tag label on which vehicle information relating to the vehicle may be printed and that may be attached to a key of the vehicle.

2. The business form as set forth in claim 1, the first web portion further including a removable stock label sticker on which information relating to the vehicle may be printed and that may be placed on a windshield of the vehicle.

3. The business form as set forth in claim 2, the business form further including an RFID tag coupled with the window sticker, an RFID tag coupled with the key tag label, and an RFID tag coupled with the stock label sticker.

4. The business form as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second web portion includes a plurality of key tag labels.

5. The business form as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first web portion includes a plurality of stock label stickers.

6. The business form as set forth in claim 1, the vehicle information including a vehicle identification number (VIN) for the vehicle.

7. The business form as set forth in claim 6, the vehicle information further including a cost for the vehicle, a list of all options installed on the vehicle, and a description of all warranties for the vehicle.

8. The business form as set forth in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a new vehicle and the vehicle information is received electronically from a manufacturer of the vehicle.

9. The business form as set forth in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a previously-owned vehicle and the vehicle information is obtained from a source of used vehicle information.