MOBILE SYSTEM FOR GENERATING A DAMAGED VEHICLE INSURANCE ESTIMATE

• US 20150106133A1
• Filed: 10/13/2014
• Published: 04/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audatex North America LLC
• Original Assignee: Audatex North America Incorporated (Solera Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Smith, John Martin Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 10,748,216 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

An apparatus and method for generating a damaged vehicle estimate for a damaged vehicle. A mobile device is used to capture a photo image of the damaged vehicle and receive vehicle information from a user. The mobile device displays a graphical image of the damaged vehicle. A user can provide input on the graphical image that indicates a location of damage on the damaged vehicle. The photo image, marked graphical image and the vehicle information are transferred from the mobile device to a computer where a damaged vehicle estimate is generated. The damaged vehicle estimate is transferred to the mobile device and displayed to a user.

Claims

1. A method for generating a damaged vehicle estimate for a damaged vehicle, comprising:

capturing a photo image of the damaged vehicle with a mobile device;

displaying a graphical image of the damaged vehicle on the mobile device;

receiving user input on the graphical image that indicates a location of damage on the damaged vehicle, to create a marked graphical image;

receiving user input regarding vehicle information into the mobile device;

transferring the photo image, the marked graphical image and the vehicle information from the mobile device to a computer;

generating a damaged vehicle estimate at the computer;

transferring the damaged vehicle estimate to the mobile device; and

,

displaying the damaged vehicle estimate on the mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the marked graphical image is created by tapping a screen of the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of displaying a graphical overlay that is located at a predetermined orientation relative to a screen of the mobile device and aligning the image of the vehicle with the graphical overlay.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle information includes a vehicle make, a vehicle model and a vehicle year.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the graphical overlay is generated from a three dimensional model of an undamaged vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying on the mobile device a listing of repair shops for the damaged vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a cell phone.

8. A non-transitory computer program storage medium, comprising computer-readable instructions for generating a damaged vehicle estimate for a damaged vehicle, execution of said computer-readable instructions by at least one processor of a mobile device performs the steps of:

capturing a photo image of the damaged vehicle with the mobile device;

displaying a graphical image of the damaged vehicle on the mobile device;

receiving user input on the graphical image that indicates a location of damage on the damaged vehicle, to create a marked graphical image;

receiving user input regarding vehicle information into the mobile device;

transferring the photo image, the marked graphical image and the vehicle information from the mobile device to a computer;

receiving a damaged vehicle estimate at the mobile device; and

,

displaying the damaged vehicle estimate on the mobile device.

9. The non-transitory computer program storage medium of claim 8, wherein the marked graphical image is created by tapping a screen of the mobile device.

10. The non-transitory computer program storage medium of claim 8, further comprising the steps of displaying a graphical overlay that is located at a predetermined orientation relative to a screen of the mobile device and aligning the image of the vehicle with the graphical overlay.

11. The non-transitory computer program storage medium of claim 8, wherein the vehicle information includes a vehicle make, a vehicle model and a vehicle year.

12. The non-transitory computer program storage medium of claim 10, wherein the graphical overlay is generated from a three dimensional model of an undamaged vehicle.

13. The non-transitory computer program storage medium of claim 8, further comprising displaying on the mobile device a listing of repair shops for the damaged vehicle.

14. The non-transitory computer program storage medium of claim 8, wherein the mobile device is a cell phone.