APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF AUCTION ITEM INFORMATION

• US 20130259313A1
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Published: 10/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KAR Auction Services Incorporated (OPENLANE, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MobileTrac, LLC (OPENLANE, Inc.)
• Inventors: Irish, James Michael, Breed, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,725,581 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/104
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0627 using item specifications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/224 of printed characters having additional code marks or containing code marks

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for efficient delivery of a plurality of information regarding items for auction. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a server entity adapted to communicate with a plurality of information sources (such as sources having vehicle history information, estimated valuation information, etc.) The server entity compiles information received from the plurality of sources and formats the information for efficient delivery to a client device via e.g., SMS based text messaging, internet-based instant messaging, or the like. In another salient aspect of the invention, a client enters an auction identification number (AID) rather than a longer alpha-numeric VIN or other identification number. The server entity may also calculate and communicate estimates and/or alerts/reminders of when bidding will begin for particular items for auction which the client has expressed interest in. Exemplary client interface and business methods are also given.

Claims

1-41. -41. (canceled)

42. A client device capable of data communication with one or more communication networks, comprising:

a data capture apparatus;

at least one interface configured to communicate with one or more entities of said one or more communication networks; and

a digital processor, said processor having at least one computer program configured to run thereon, said at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed;

enable a user of the client device to generate a request for information, said request for information comprising at least one element for identifying at least one item for auction, the at least one element obtained via said data capture apparatus;

transmit said request to said one or more entities of said communication network via said at least one interface; and

in response to said request, receive information regarding said at least one item for auction.

43. The client device of claim 42, wherein said data capture apparatus comprises a camera.

44. The client device of claim 42, further comprising an optical character recognition (OCR) algorithm configured to convert image data obtained via said data capture apparatus into an appropriate format for inclusion as said at least one element in said request for information.

45. The client device of claim 42, wherein said at least one element for identifying at least one item for auction comprises at least a portion of a vehicle identification number (VIN) of a vehicle for auction obtained via said data capture apparatus.

46. The client device of claim 42, further comprising a display element configured to display said information regarding said at least one item for auction.

47. The client device of claim 46, wherein said client device comprises a mobile handset, said at least one interface comprises a cellular interface, and said information regarding said at least one item is particularly configured to display on said display element.

48. The client device of claim 42, wherein said information regarding said at least one item for auction comprises information relating to an estimated value of said at least one item for auction.

49. The client device of claim 42, wherein said information regarding said at least one item for auction comprises information regarding a vehicle history.

50. The client device of claim 42, further comprising an optical character recognition (OCR) algorithm configured to receive an unformatted version of said at least one element from said data capture apparatus and generate a formatted version of said at least one element for use in at least said request for information.

51. A method of providing information useful in making vehicle purchase decisions, said method comprising:

receiving a message requesting information regarding at least one vehicle from a mobile device, said message comprising at least a portion of a vehicle identification number (VIN) for said at least one vehicle, said at least portion of said VIN comprising textual data derived from an image;

requesting information regarding said vehicle from an entity that compiles vehicle information, said request comprising information relating to said at least said at least portion of said VIN;

receiving at least one vehicle history report from said entity, said vehicle history report comprising at least information enabling a user to make said purchase decision; and

formatting said at least one vehicle history report into a format suitable for transmission to said mobile device.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein said image comprises an image obtained via at least one of:

(i) a camera integrated into said mobile device, and/or (ii) a scanner device in communication with said mobile device.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein said mobile device comprises a mobile telephone or smartphone, and said message is sent via a wireless cellular network associated with said mobile telephone or smartphone.

54. An apparatus configured to provide information relating to one or more vehicles in an auction, said apparatus comprising:

an interface configured to enable communication between said apparatus and one or more client devices;

an interface configured to enable communication between said apparatus and one or more vehicle information sources;

a digital processor; and

a storage apparatus in data communication with the processor and comprising at least one computer program configured to run on the processor, said at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed;

receive a message from said at least one client device requesting information regarding said one or more vehicles, said message identifying said one or more vehicles by providing at least a portion of vehicle identification information associated therewith, said at least a portion of said vehicle identification information obtained from information scanned or captured using an application running on said at least one client device;

request information regarding said one or more vehicles from said one or more vehicle information sources using at least said at least a portion of said vehicle identification information;

receive said information regarding said one or more vehicles, said information regarding said one or more vehicles comprising information useful in making purchasing decisions during said auction; and

transmit said information regarding said one or more vehicles to said at least one client device.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein said information regarding said one or more vehicles comprises one or more of:

an accident history of said vehicle; and

/or

an estimated value of said vehicle.

56. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein said plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed, cause verification of at least one of said one or more client devices via login information received therefrom, said login information identifying a user of said at least one client device as one of a plurality of subscribers.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said login information identifying said user of said at least one client device as said one of said plurality of subscribers comprises a password or login identification associated with an account associated to said one of said plurality of subscribers.

58. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said at least one computer program is further configured to, when executed if said login information cannot be verified, provide at least a portion of said login information or temporary login information at least one second client device, said at least one second client device being associated with said one subscriber.

59. A method of obtaining vehicle information regarding a vehicle for sale at a mobile device, said method comprising:

receiving an image at said device obtained via a camera function on said mobile device;

using an optical character recognition (OCR) program to convert image into VIN data at least vehicle identification number (VIN) data related to said vehicle for sale;

sending a request message from said mobile device to a server via said SMS, said request message comprising said converted VIN data, said request message causing said server to communicate with at least one additional server, compile said vehicle information, and format said vehicle information; and

receiving from said server said formatted vehicle information;

wherein said formatted vehicle information comprises one or more of;

an accident history of said vehicle for sale, and/or an estimated value of said vehicle for sale.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein said VIN data comprises at least one of (i) a string of 17 alpha-numeric characters representative of said VIN (ii) a shortened string of numbers representative of said VIN, and/or (iii) a barcode representative of said VIN.