VEHICLE REPAIR SHOP PRE-INSPECTION AND POST-INSPECTION VERIFICATION SYSTEM
First Claim
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1. A method of determining a repair status of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving, at a database, diagnostic data generated by the vehicle at a first time, the diagnostic data including vehicle identification information associated with the vehicle;
identifying at the database stored component identification information associated with the vehicle identification information;
identifying at least one vehicle repair based on the diagnostic data received at the first time;
receiving, at the database, one of;
diagnostic data generated by the vehicle indicating a vehicle malfunction at a second time; and
a signal indicating an absence of diagnostic data at the second time;
where the diagnostic data indicating a vehicle malfunction is generated at the second time, generating a first incomplete alert signal in response to receipt of diagnostic data indicating a vehicle malfunction generated by the vehicle at the second time;
receiving, at the database, installed component identification information associated with at least one electrical component installed on the vehicle; and
comparing, at the database, the stored component identification information with the installed component identification information to determine if the at least one electrical component installed on the vehicle is compatible with the vehicle.
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Abstract
A verification system for verifying the thoroughness of automotive repairs. The system is adapted to retrieve electronic data and information from an onboard automobile computer or electronic system after a purported repair has been completed. The presence of fault codes or other problem data is an indication that such repairs have not been completed, while the absence of such fault codes or problem data is an indication that the repairs have been completed thoroughly.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of determining a repair status of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving, at a database, diagnostic data generated by the vehicle at a first time, the diagnostic data including vehicle identification information associated with the vehicle; identifying at the database stored component identification information associated with the vehicle identification information; identifying at least one vehicle repair based on the diagnostic data received at the first time; receiving, at the database, one of; diagnostic data generated by the vehicle indicating a vehicle malfunction at a second time; and a signal indicating an absence of diagnostic data at the second time; where the diagnostic data indicating a vehicle malfunction is generated at the second time, generating a first incomplete alert signal in response to receipt of diagnostic data indicating a vehicle malfunction generated by the vehicle at the second time; receiving, at the database, installed component identification information associated with at least one electrical component installed on the vehicle; and comparing, at the database, the stored component identification information with the installed component identification information to determine if the at least one electrical component installed on the vehicle is compatible with the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. The method recited in claim 10, further comprising the step of receiving a response signal from the electrical component and comparing the received response signal to a predetermined standard.
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11. A method of verifying electrical components on a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving vehicle identification information associated with the vehicle; receiving, from the vehicle, installed component identification information associated with at least one electrical component installed on the vehicle; accessing a database having stored compatible component identification information associated with the vehicle; and comparing the compatible component identification information with the installed component identification information to determine if the at least one electrical component installed on the vehicle is compatible with the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of verifying repair of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving diagnostic data from the vehicle; receiving a first component identification signal for the vehicle, the first component signal identifying electrical components on the vehicle at a first time; generating at a database a repair list based on the received diagnostic data, the repair list including at least one electrical component requiring repair or replacement; receiving a second component identification signal identifying electrical components on the vehicle at a second time; and comparing the first component identification signal with the second component identification signal to determine whether the at least one electrical component require has been repaired or replaced by a component compatible with the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification