VEHICLE CHECK IN METHOD

• US 20110093160A1
• Filed: 10/19/2009
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: B & G Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: B & G Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Ramseyer, Robert
• Application Number:
  US12/581,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20110093160A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

A method for managing vehicle check in at an automotive service center in which vehicle identification data is downloaded together with odometer data and diagnostic codes, if any, to a handheld device connected to the diagnostic port on the vehicle. The device then wirelessly transmits the data from the device to a programmed computer at the service center. Warranty/maintenance information is then obtained either from a database stored at the service center or from a remote computer. The remote computer then determines the recommended service for the vehicle and prints a work order containing that recommended service.

Claims

1. A method for managing vehicle check in at an automotive service center comprising the steps of:

downloading vehicle identification data, odometer data and diagnostic codes, if any, to a device connected to a diagnostic port on the vehicle,

wirelessly transmitting said data from said device to a programmed computer at the service center,

transmitting a warranty/maintenance/service contract request from said service center computer to a remote computer,

said service center computer receiving reply data representing warranty/maintenance/service contract and/or repair/vehicle history information for the vehicle,

determining recommended service as a function of said odometer data, warranty/maintenance and/or repair information and diagnostic codes, and

printing a report containing said recommended service with dealer-specific pricing.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the vehicle identification data comprises a vehicle identification number (VIN).

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said downloading step comprises the steps of determining the protocol for downloading the odometer data as a function of the VIN.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of said service center computer receiving data representing warranty/maintenance and/or repair information for the vehicle further comprises the step of said service center computer receiving data representing warranty/maintenance and/or repair information for the vehicle from a remote computer.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said step of said service center computer receiving data representing warranty/maintenance and/or repair information for the vehicle from a remote computer comprises the step of communicating between said service center computer and said remote computer over the World Wide Web.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising the step of updating the service records for the vehicle.

7. A method for managing vehicle check in at an automotive service center comprising the steps of:

downloading vehicle identification data, odometer data and diagnostic codes, if any, to a device connected to a diagnostic port on the vehicle,

wirelessly transmitting said data from said device to a programmed computer at the service center, and

programmatically entering the VIN and odometer into a work order.