Automotive Diagnostic and Estimate System and Method
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method for providing users with estimates for vehicle repairs, the method comprising:
- at a system provider server;
receiving vehicle information from a user including at least a location for vehicle repairs;
identifying a problem with the vehicle based on the vehicle information;
determining a repair estimate for repairing the problem based on the identified problem, the vehicle information, and vehicle repair estimate data; and
transmitting the repair estimate to the user.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The method provides users with estimates for vehicle repairs. The user, typically the vehicle owner, provides details sufficient to identify the vehicle, and location details to enable the system to locate suitable mechanics and replacement parts, and determine labor costs and times. The user may provide symptoms of the problem, and the system provider automatically determines the likely cause of the symptoms. Once a diagnosis has been generated, local labor and replacement auto part prices are automatically located, and a repair estimate automatically calculated. The estimate, along with a list of local mechanics with interest or expertise in the particular type of repair, is then automatically communicated to the vehicle owner.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method for providing users with estimates for vehicle repairs, the method comprising:
at a system provider server; receiving vehicle information from a user including at least a location for vehicle repairs; identifying a problem with the vehicle based on the vehicle information; determining a repair estimate for repairing the problem based on the identified problem, the vehicle information, and vehicle repair estimate data; and transmitting the repair estimate to the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for providing users with estimates for vehicle repairs, the system comprising:
one or more system provider servers comprising; a processor; communication circuitry for communicating with one or more mechanics and one or more users; and a memory comprising; communication procedures for communicating with the one or more mechanics and the one or more users; a mechanic database containing a list of mechanics each associated with a particular geographic location; a diagnostics database comprising multiple symptoms and associated vehicle problems; a user database comprising information for multiple users, where each user is associated with a particular vehicle; and a estimate module for determining a repair estimate for repairing a vehicle problem based on an identified problem, vehicle information received from a user, and vehicle repair estimate data stored in the diagnostics database. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs for execution by a computer, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:
receiving vehicle information from a user including at least a location for vehicle repairs; identifying a problem with the vehicle based on the vehicle information; determining a repair estimate for repairing the problem based on the identified problem, the vehicle information, and vehicle repair estimate data; and transmitting the repair estimate to the user.
Specification