COMPUTER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALCULATING AND DISPLAYING VEHICLE LOAN PARAMETERS

• US 20080027856A1
• Filed: 07/26/2006
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LendingTree LLC (Tree.com Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: LendingTree LLC (Tree.com Incorporated)
• Inventors: Owens, Tim, Blamy, Jennifer, Mick, Erick
• Application Number:
  US11/459,941
• Publication Number:
  US 20080027856A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/38
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof

Abstract

A computer implemented method and system for displaying and calculating a vehicle loan can include input fields for adjusting parameters associated with the vehicle loan. The system can provide selectable gauges that can be used to adjust parameters of the vehicle loan. The gauges can comprise analog displays that include an indicator, such as a needle or graphical blocks. The indicator can be selected and repositioned. The gauges can have a design, shape, and feel that resemble gauges of a vehicle, like an automobile. The gauges can display relative values that simulate relative values found in a vehicle, like an automobile. The system can comprise a three tier computer architecture with a computer server, a back-end system, and a client computer. In one exemplary embodiment, the software can run on the client computer and then access certain graphical files for the gauges that can be stored on the computer server.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for displaying and calculating a vehicle loan, comprising:

displaying a gauge on a display device comprising a range of values that correspond to the vehicle loan;

receiving input comprising one of a selection of a region on a gauge and insertion of a number in a field;

calculating a parameter of the vehicle loan based on the input;

redisplaying the gauge with an indicator pointing to a value corresponding to the input; and

displaying a number in the field corresponding to one of the input and calculated parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein redisplaying the vehicle gauge with a value comprises looking up a value in a table that corresponds with the calculated parameter.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising scaling the range of values that correspond with gauge values of an automobile.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying a vehicle gauge on a display device further comprises displaying a gauge comprising an analog indicator.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the analog indicator comprises a needle.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the analog indicator comprises a graphical block.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying a gauge on a display device comprises displaying a gauge comprising a range of values corresponding to a vehicle loan term.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying a gauge on a display device comprises displaying a gauge comprising a range of values corresponding to a vehicle loan amount.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying a gauge on a display device comprises displaying a gauge comprising a range of values corresponding to a vehicle loan annual percentage rate.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying a gauge on a display device comprises displaying a gauge comprising a range of values corresponding to a vehicle loan interest rate.

11. A computer-implemented method for displaying and calculating a vehicle loan, comprising:

displaying a gauge on a display device comprising a range of values that correspond to the vehicle loan;

receiving input comprising one of a selection of a region on a gauge and insertion of a number in a field;

calculating a parameter of the vehicle loan based on the input; and

redisplaying the gauge with an indicator pointing to an increment of a scale on the gauge.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the gauge comprises a scale corresponding to an interest rate of the vehicle loan.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the gauge comprises a scale corresponding to a loan term for the vehicle loan.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the gauge comprises a scale corresponding to a loan amount for the vehicle loan.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the gauge comprises a scale corresponding to a monthly payment for the vehicle loan.

16. A system for displaying and calculating a vehicle loan, comprising:

a processing unit;

a memory storage device;

a display device coupled to the processing unit for displaying data; and

a program module, stored in said memory storage device for providing instructions to said processing unit;

said processing unit responsive to said instructions of said program module and operable for

displaying a gauge on the display device comprising a range of values that correspond to the vehicle loan;

calculating a parameter of the vehicle loan based on input;

redisplaying the gauge with an indicator pointing to an increment of a scale on the gauge.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said processing unit is further operable for receiving input comprising one of a selection of a region on a gauge and insertion of a number in a field.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said processing unit is further operable for displaying a number in the field corresponding to one of the input and calculated parameter.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the gauge comprises a circular analog measuring device.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the gauge comprises a bar chart that is adjustable.