Auto repair estimate, text and graphic system

• US 5,432,904 A
• Filed: 11/09/1993
• Issued: 07/11/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CCC Information Services, Inc.
• Original Assignee: CCC Information Services, Inc.
• Inventors: Wong, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Application Number:
  US08/247,241
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 395/161, 395/147, 395/135, 395/160, 395/157, 395/156, 364/401, 364/424.03, 364/424.04, 364/512, 434/373, 434/374
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

A computer system including a processor, a display monitor and a mass storage device serving as a main memory for storing digital data. The digital data include information stored in digital form for a multiplicity of vehicles. A data base is provided of a plurality of groups of parts, a plurality of associated parts graphics, and a plurality of costs for repairing the parts and for replacing groups of parts. The method and apparatus include inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle to the processor. The display monitor displays a list of groups of parts for the damaged vehicle. In response to selecting a particular group of parts, a parts description from the data base of the first group of parts is then displayed. A parts graphic may be displayed from the list of groups of parts, along with costs data including parts costs, repair time and painting time. The method and apparatus compare the sum of the costs for repairing a part of a vehicle versus the cost for replacing a part of a vehicle. Additionally, overlapping costs between two or more panels are determined, and subtracted from the total cost to repair. An electronic camera may be used for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of the damaged vehicle. The electronic photograph is transferred from the camera through a data port to the memory of the processor.

Claims

1. A system including a processor having a data port, a display, memory means for storing digital data for a multiplicity of vehicles, said digital data including a data base of a plurality of groups of parts and a plurality of associated parts graphics, comprising:

camera means for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of a damaged vehicle;

interface means for transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means through said data port of said processor to said memory means;

said processor means further comprising;

means for inputting vehicle-identification data of said damaged vehicle to said processor;

first means, responsive to the vehicle-identification data, for displaying, on said display, said electronic photograph and a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

second means, responsive to selecting a first group of parts from said list of groups of parts, for displaying, on said display, said electronic photograph and a parts description from said data base of the first group of parts;

graphics means, responsive to selecting a first part from the parts description, for retrieving from said memory means a first parts graphics, stored in digital form and associated with said first part, said graphics means loading said first parts graphics into a first memory buffer, with said first memory buffer separate from said memory means, said graphics means generating, in digital form, a first magnified graphics of said first parts graphics and said graphics means loading said first magnified graphics into a second memory buffer, with said second memory buffer separate from said memory means and said first memory buffer, said second memory buffer storing the first magnified graphics simultaneously as said first memory buffer stores said first parts graphics;

third means, responsive to loading said first parts graphics into said first memory buffer, for displaying, on said display, said electronic photograph and said first parts graphics; and

fourth means, responsive to selecting said first magnified graphics, for swapping said first magnified graphics from said second memory buffer with said first parts graphics on said display, and displaying said electronic photograph with said first magnified graphics.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fourth means responsive to selecting said first parts graphics swaps said first parts graphics with said first magnified graphics on said display, and displays said electronic photograph with said first parts graphics.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1 further including text means, responsive to selecting said first part from said parts description, for retrieving from said memory means text information, stored in digital form and associated with said first part, said text means loading said text information into a third memory buffer with said third memory buffer separate from said memory means, said first memory buffer and said second memory buffer;

and wherein said third means displays, on said display, said text information on top of said first parts graphics.

4. The system as set forth in claim 3 further including:

fifth means for scrolling a text window over said first parts graphics.

5. A system including a processor having a display and memory means for storing digital data for a multiplicity of vehicles, said digital data including a data base of a plurality of groups of parts and a plurality of associated parts graphics, comprising:

means for inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle to said processor;

first means, responsive to the vehicle-identification data, for displaying on said display, a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

second means, responsive to selecting a first group of parts from said list of groups of parts, for displaying, on said display, a parts description from said data base of the first group of parts;

graphics means, responsive to selecting a first part from the parts description, for retrieving from said memory means a parts graphics, stored in digital form and associated with said first part, for loading said parts graphics into a first memory buffer with said first memory buffer separate from said memory means, generating, in digital form, a magnified graphics from said parts graphics and for loading said magnified graphics into a second memory buffer, with said second memory buffer separate from said memory means, said second memory buffer storing the magnified graphics simultaneously as said first memory buffer stores the parts graphics;

third means responsive to loading said parts graphics into said first memory buffer for displaying, on said display, said parts graphics from said first memory buffer; and

fourth means responsive to selecting said magnified graphics for swapping said magnified graphics from said second memory buffer with said parts graphics on said display.

6. The system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said fourth means responsive to selecting said parts graphics swaps said parts graphics with said magnified graphics on said display.

7. The system as set forth in claim 5 further including text means, responsive to selecting said first part from said parts description, for retrieving from said memory means text information, stored in digital form and associated with said first part, said text means loading said text information into a third memory buffer with said third memory buffer separate from said memory means;

and wherein said third means displays, on said display, said text information on top of said parts graphics.

8. The system as set forth in claim 7 further including:

fifth means for scrolling a text window over said parts graphics.

9. The system as set forth in claim 5 further comprising:

said processor having a data port;

camera means for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

interface means for transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means through said data port to said memory means of said processor; and

wherein said display displays said electronic photograph on said display with said list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle.

10. The system as set forth in claim 5 further comprising:

said processor having a data port;

camera means for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

interface means for transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means through said data port to said memory means of said processor; and

wherein said display displays said electronic photograph on said display with said parts description.

11. The system as set forth in claim 5 further comprising:

said processor having a data port;

camera means for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

interface means for transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means through said data port to said memory means of said processor; and

wherein said display displays said electronic photograph on said display with said first part.

12. A system including a processor having a display and memory means for storing digital data for a multiplicity of vehicles, said digital data including a data base of a plurality of groups of parts and a plurality of associated parts graphics, comprising:

means for inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle to said processor;

first means, responsive to the vehicle-identification data, for displaying on said display, a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

second means, responsive to selecting a first group of parts from said list of groups of parts, for displaying, on said display, a parts description from said data base of the first group of parts;

graphics means, responsive to selecting a first part from the parts description, for retrieving from said memory means a parts graphics, stored in digital form and associated with said first part, and loading said parts graphics into a first memory buffer with said first memory buffer separate from said memory means, generating, in digital form, a magnified graphics into a second memory buffer, with said second memory buffer separate from said memory means, said second memory buffer storing the magnified graphics simultaneously as said first memory buffer stores the parts graphics; and

third means, responsive to loading said parts graphics into said first memory buffer, for displaying, on said display, said parts graphics.

13. The system as set forth in claim 12 further comprising fourth means responsive to selecting said magnified graphics for swapping said magnified graphics with said parts graphics on said display.

14. The system as set forth in claim 12 further including text means, responsive to selecting said first part from said parts description, for retrieving from said memory means text information, stored in digital form and associated with said first part, said text means loading said text information into a third memory buffer, with said third memory buffer separate from said memory means;

and wherein said third means displays, on said display, said text information on top of said parts graphics.

15. The system as set forth in claim 14 further including:

fourth means for scrolling a text window over said parts graphics.

16. The system as set forth in claim 15 further including fifth means, responsive to selecting said parts graphics, for swapping said parts graphics with said magnified graphics on said display.

17. The system as set forth in claim 12 further comprising:

said processor having a data port;

camera means for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

interface means for transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means through said data port to said memory means of said processor; and

wherein said display displays said electronic photograph on said display with said list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle.

18. The system as set forth in claim 12 further comprising:

said processor having a data port;

camera means for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

interface means for transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means through said data port to said memory means of said processor; and

wherein said display displays said electronic photograph on said display with said parts description.

19. The system as set forth in claim 12 further comprising:

said processor having a data port;

camera means for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

interface means for transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means through said data port to said memory means of said processor; and

wherein said display displays said electronic photograph on said display with said first part.

20. A system including a processor having a display and memory means for storing digital data for a multiplicity of vehicles, said digital data including a data base of a plurality of groups of parts and associated costs for repairing said groups of parts and costs for replacing said groups of parts, comprising:

means for inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle to said processor;

first means responsive to the vehicle-identification data for displaying, on said display, a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

second means responsive to selecting a first group of parts from said list of groups of parts for displaying on said display, a parts description of the first group of parts;

cost means responsive to selecting a first part from the parts description for retrieving from said memory means a first cost for repairing said first part, said cost means responsive to selecting a second part from the parts description for retrieving from said memory means a second cost for repairing said second part;

wherein said cost means responsive to selecting said first part and said second part retrieves from said memory means a replacement cost for said first group and compares said replacement cost with a first sum of said first cost and said second cost for determining which of said replacement cost and said first sum have a lower cost; and

third means for displaying on said display said lower cost.

21. The system as set forth in claim 20 wherein said cost means responsive to selecting a third part from the parts description retrieves from said memory means a third cost for repairing said third part, said cost means computes a second sum of said first cost, said second cost and said third cost and determines which of said second sum and said replacement cost have a lowest cost;

and

said third means displays on said display said lowest cost.

22. The system as set forth in claim 20 wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting a plurality of parts from the parts description, retrieves from said memory means a plurality of costs associated with said plurality of parts for repairing said plurality of parts, with said cost means, responsive to selecting said first part, said second part, and said plurality of parts, comparing said replacement cost with a third sum of said first cost, said second cost and said plurality of costs for determining which of said replacement cost and said third sum have a lowest cost;

and

said third means displays on said display said lowest cost.

23. A system including a processor having a display and memory means for storing digital data for a multiplicity of vehicles, said digital data including a data base of a plurality of-groups of parts and a plurality associated parts graphics, comprising:

means for inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle to said processor;

first means, responsive to the vehicle-identification data, for displaying on said display, a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

second means, responsive to selecting a first group of parts from said list of groups of parts, for displaying, on said display, a parts description from said data base of the first group of parts;

graphics means, responsive to selecting a first part from the parts description, for retrieving from said memory means a parts graphics, stored in digital form and associated with said first part, and loading said parts graphics into a first memory buffer, with said first memory buffer separate from said memory means;

third means, responsive to loading said parts graphics into said first memory buffer, for displaying on said display, said parts graphics;

cost means, responsive to selecting said first part from the parts description, for retrieving from said memory means a first cost for repairing said first part, said cost means, responsive to selecting a second part from the parts description, for retrieving from said memory means a second cost for repairing said second part;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting said first part and said second part, retrieves from said memory means a replacement cost for said first group of parts and compares said replacement cost with a first sum of said first cost and said second cost for determining which of said replacement cost and said first sum have a lower cost; and

wherein said third means displays on said display said lower cost.

24. The system as set forth in claim 23 wherein said graphics means generates, in digital form, a magnified graphics from said parts graphics and loads said magnified graphics into a second memory buffer, with said second memory buffer separate from said memory means;

and further including fourth means responsive to selecting said magnified graphics for swapping said magnified graphics with said parts graphics on said display.

25. The system as set forth in claim 23 further including text means, responsive to selecting said first part from said parts description, for retrieving from said memory means text information, stored in digital form and associated with said first part, said text means loading said text information into a third memory buffer, with said third memory buffer separate from said memory means;

and with said third means displaying, on said display, said text information on top of said parts graphics.

26. The system as set forth in claim 25 further including:

fourth means for scrolling a text window over said parts graphics.

27. The system as set forth in claim 23 further comprising:

said processor having a data port;

camera means for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

interface means for transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means through said data port to said memory means of said processor; and

wherein said display displays said electronic photograph on said display with said list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle.

28. The system as set forth in claim 23 further comprising:

said processor having a data port;

camera means for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

interface means for transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means through said data port to said memory means of said processor; and

wherein said display displays said electronic photograph on said display with said parts description.

29. The system as set forth in claim 23 further comprising:

said processor having a data port;

camera means for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

interface means for transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means through said data port to said memory means of said processor; and

wherein said display displays said electronic photograph on said display with said first part.

30. The system as set forth in claim 23 wherein said cost means responsive to selecting a third part from the parts description retrieves from said memory means a third cost for repairing said third part, said cost means computes a second sum of said first cost, said second cost and said third cost and determines which of said second sum and said replacement cost have a lowest cost;

and

said third means displays on said display said lowest cost.

31. The system as set forth in claim 23 with said cost means, responsive to selecting a plurality of parts from the parts description, retrieving from said memory means a plurality of costs associated with said plurality of parts for repairing said plurality of parts, and with said cost means, responsive to selecting said first part, said second part, and said plurality of parts, comparing said replacement cost with a third sum of said first cost, said second cost and said plurality of costs for determining which of said replacement cost and said third sum have a lowest cost;

and

wherein said third means displays on said display said lowest cost.

32. A system including a processor having a display and memory means for storing digital data for a multiplicity of vehicles, said digital data including a data base of a plurality of groups of parts and associated costs for repairing said groups of parts and for replacing said groups of parts, comprising:

means for inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle to said processor;

first means responsive to the vehicle-identification data for displaying, on said display, a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

second means, responsive to selecting a first group of parts from said list of groups of parts, for displaying on said display, a parts description of the first group of parts;

cost means, responsive to selecting a first part from the parts description of the first group of parts, for retrieving from said memory means a first cost for repairing said first part, said cost means, responsive to selecting a second part from the parts description of the first group of parts, for retrieving from said memory means a second cost for repairing said second part;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting said first part and said second part, retrieves from said memory means a first replacement cost for said first group of parts and compares, said first replacement cost with a first sum of said first cost and said second cost for determining which of said first replacement cost and said first sum have a first lower cost;

wherein said second means, responsive to selecting a second group of parts from said list of groups of parts, displays on said display, a parts description of the second group of parts;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting a third part from the parts description of the second group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a third cost for repairing said third part, and wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting a fourth part from the parts description of the second group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a fourth cost for repairing said fourth part;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting said third part and said fourth part, retrieves from said memory means a second replacement cost for said second group of parts and compares said second replacement cost with a second sum of said third cost and said fourth cost for determining which of said second replacement cost and said second sum have a second lower cost;

overlap means, responsive to said first lower cost and said second lower cost, for determining any overlap cost and subtracting from a third sum of said first lower cost and said second lower cost the overlap cost to produce a net cost; and

third means for displaying on said display said net cost.

33. The system as set forth in claim 32 wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting a fifth part from the parts description of a third group of parts from said list of groups of parts, retrieves from said memory means a fifth cost for repairing said fifth part, said cost means computes a fourth sum of said first cost, said second cost, said third cost, said fourth cost and said fifth cost, retrieves from said memory means a third replacement cost for said third group of parts and determines which of said fourth sum and said third replacement cost have a lowest cost;

and

wherein said third means displays on said display said lowest cost.

34. The system as set forth in claim 32 with said cost means, responsive to selecting a plurality of parts from any parts description from said list of groups of parts, for retrieving from said memory means a plurality of costs associated with said plurality of parts for repairing said plurality of parts, said cost means, responsive to selecting said first part, said second part, said third part, said fourth part and said plurality of parts compares a third replacement cost of said first part, said second part said third part, said fourth part and said plurality of darts with a fourth sum of said first cost, said second cost, said third cost, said fourth cost and said plurality of costs, for determining which of said third replacement cost and said fourth sum have a lowest cost;

and

said third means displays on said display said lowest cost.

35. A system including a processor having a display and memory means for storing digital data for a multiplicity of vehicles, said digital data including a data base of a plurality of groups of parts and a plurality of associated parts graphics, comprising:

means for inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle to said processor;

first means, responsive to the vehicle-identification data for displaying on said display a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

second means, responsive to selecting a first group of parts from said list of groups of parts, for displaying, on said display, a first parts description from said data base of the first group of parts;

graphics means, responsive to selecting a first part from the first parts description, for retrieving from Said memory means a first parts graphics, stored in digital form and associated with said first part, and loading said first parts graphics into a first memory buffer, with said first memory buffer separate from said memory means; and

third means, responsive to loading said first parts graphics into said first memory buffer, for displaying, on said display, said first parts graphics;

cost means, responsive to selecting said first part from the first parts description of the first group of parts, for retrieving from said memory means a first cost for repairing said first part, said cost means responsive to selecting a second part from the first parts description of the first group of parts, for retrieving from said memory means a second cost for repairing said second part;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting said first part and said second part, retrieves from said memory means a first replacement cost for said first group of parts and compares said first replacement cost with a first sum of said first cost and said second cost for determining which of said first replacement cost and said first sum have a first lower cost;

wherein said second means, responsive to selecting a second group of parts from said list of groups of parts, displays, on said display, a second parts description from said data base of the second group of parts;

wherein said graphics means, responsive to selecting a third part from the second parts description, retrieves from said memory means a second parts graphics, stored in digital form and associated with said third part, and loading said second parts graphics into said first memory buffer;

wherein said third means, responsive to loading said second parts graphics into said first memory buffer, displays, on said display, said second parts graphics;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting said third part from the second parts description of the second group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a third cost for repairing said third part, said cost means, responsive to selecting a fourth part from the second parts description of the second group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a fourth cost for repairing said fourth part;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting said third part and said fourth part, retrieves from said memory means a second replacement cost for said second group of parts and compares said second replacement cost with a second sum of said third cost and said fourth cost for determining which of said second replacement cost and said second sum have a second lower cost;

overlap means, responsive to said first lower cost and said second lower cost for determining any overlap cost and subtracting from a sum of said first lower cost and said second lower cost the overlap cost to produce a net cost; and

said third means for displaying on said display said net cost.

36. The system as set forth in claim 35 wherein said graphics means generates, in digital form, a magnified graphics from at least one of said first parts graphics and said second parts graphics, and loads said magnified graphics into a second memory buffer, with said second memory buffer separate from said memory means;

and further including fourth means responsive to selecting said magnified graphics for swapping said magnified graphics with at least one of said first parts graphics and said second parts graphics on said display.

37. The system as set forth in claim 35 further comprising:

said processor having a data port;

camera means for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

interface means for transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means through said data port to said memory means of said processor; and

wherein said display displays said electronic photograph on said display with said list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle.

38. The system as set forth in claim 35 further comprising:

said processor having a data port;

camera means for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

interface means for transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means through said data port to said memory means of said processor; and

wherein said display displays said electronic photograph on said display with at least one of said first parts description and said second parts description.

39. The system as set forth in claim 35 further comprising:

said processor having a data port;

camera means for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

interface means for transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means through said data port to said memory means of said processor; and

wherein said display displays said electronic photograph on said display with at least one of said first parts said second part, said third part and said fourth part.

40. A method using a processor having a display and memory means for storing digital data including a parts graphics, comprising the steps, using said processor, of:

inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle into said processor;

displaying, on said display, a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

selecting from said list of groups of parts a first group of parts for display;

displaying, on said display, said first group of parts;

selecting, from said first group of parts, a first part for display;

loading, in response to selecting said first part, said parts graphics into a first memory buffer, with said first memory buffer separate from said memory means;

generating, from said parts graphics, a magnified graphics in digital form;

loading said magnified graphics into a second memory buffer, with said second memory buffer separate from said memory means, said second memory buffer storing said magnified graphics simultaneously as said first memory buffer stores said parts graphics;

displaying, from said first memory buffer onto said display, said parts graphics;

selecting said magnified graphics for display; and

swapping said magnified graphics, from said second memory buffer onto said display, with said parts graphics.

41. The method as set forth in claim 40 further including the steps, using said processor, of:

retrieving, from said memory means, text information, stored in digital form and associated with said first part;

loading said text information into a third memory buffer, with said third memory buffer separate from said memory means; and

displaying, prior to selecting said magnified graphics, onto said display said text information on top of said parts graphics.

42. The method as set forth in claim 41 further comprising the step of:

scrolling a text window over said parts graphics.

43. A method using a processor having a display and memory means for storing digital data including a first parts graphics and a second parts graphics, comprising the steps, using said processor, of:

inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle into said processor;

displaying, on said display, a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

selecting, from said list of groups of parts, a first group of parts for display;

displaying, on said display, said first group of parts;

selecting, from said first group of parts, a first part for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response to selecting said first part, a first cost for repairing said first part;

loading, in response to selecting said first part, said first parts graphics into a first memory buffer, with said first memory buffer separate from said memory means;

generating from said first parts graphics a first magnified graphics in digital form;

loading said first magnified graphics into a second memory buffer, with said second memory buffer separate from said memory means, said second memory buffer storing said first magnified graphics simultaneously as said first memory buffer stores said first parts graphics;

displaying, from said first memory buffer onto said display, said first parts graphics;

selecting said first magnified graphics for display;

swapping said first magnified graphics, from said second memory buffer onto said display, with said first parts graphics;

selecting, from said first group of parts, a second part for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response to selecting said second part, a second cost for repairing said second part;

loading, in response to selecting said second part, said second parts graphics into said first memory buffer;

generating, from said second parts graphics, a second magnified graphics in digital form;

loading said second magnified graphics into said second memory buffer;

displaying, from said first memory buffer onto said display, said second parts graphics;

selecting said second magnified graphics for display;

swapping said second magnified graphics, from said second memory buffer onto said display, with said second parts graphics;

computing a sum of said first cost and said second cost;

retrieving from said memory means a replacement cost for said first group of parts;

determining a lower cost of said replacement cost and said sum; and

displaying said lower cost on said display.

44. The method as set forth in claim 43 further including the steps, using said processor, of:

retrieving from said memory means text information, stored in digital form and associated with said first part;

loading said text information into a third memory buffer, with said third memory buffer separate from said memory means; and

displaying onto said display said text information on top of at least one of said first parts graphics and said second parts graphics.

45. The method as set forth in claim 44 further comprising the step of:

scrolling a text window over at least one of said first parts graphics and said second parts graphics.

46. The method as set forth in claim 43 further comprising the steps of:

taking with camera means an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means to said memory means of said processor; and

displaying said electronic photograph on said display with said list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle.

47. The method as set forth in claim 43 further comprising the steps of:

taking with camera means an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means to said memory means of said processor; and

displaying said electronic photograph on said display with a parts description.

48. The method as set forth in claim 43 further comprising the steps of:

taking with camera means an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means to said memory means of said processor; and

displaying said electronic photograph on said display with said first part.

49. A method using a processor having a display, and memory means for storing digital data including a first parts graphics and a second parts graphics, comprising the steps, using said processor, of:

inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle into said processor;

displaying, on said display, a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

selecting from said list of groups of parts a first group of parts for display;

displaying, on said display, said first group of parts;

selecting from said first group of parts a first part for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response to selecting said first part, a first cost for repairing said first part;

loading, in response to selecting said first part, said first parts graphics into a first memory buffer, with said first memory buffer separate from said memory means;

displaying, from said first memory buffer onto said display, said first parts graphics;

selecting from said first group of parts a second part for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response to selecting said second part, a second cost for repairing said second part;

loading, in response to selecting said second part, said second parts graphics into said first memory buffer;

displaying, from said first buffer onto said display, said second parts graphics;

computing a sum of said first cost and said second cost;

retrieving from said memory means a replacement cost for said first group of parts;

determining a lower cost of said replacement cost and said sum; and

displaying said lower cost on said display.

50. The method as set forth in claim 49 further comprising the steps of:

taking with camera means an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means to said memory means; and

displaying said electronic photograph on said display with said list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle.

51. The method as set forth in claim 49 further comprising the steps of:

taking with camera means an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means to said memory means and

displaying said electronic photograph on said display with a parts description

52. The method as set forth in claim 49 further comprising the steps of:

taking with camera means an electronic photograph in digital form of said damaged vehicle;

transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means to said memory means; and

displaying said electronic photograph on said display with at least one of said first parts graphics and said second parts graphics.

53. The method as set forth in claim 49 including the steps, using said processor, of:

retrieving from said memory means text information, stored in digital form and associated with said first part;

loading said text information into a second memory buffer, with said second memory buffer separate from said memory means; and

displaying onto said display said text information on top of at least one of said first parts graphics and said second parts graphics.

54. The method as set forth in claim 49 further comprising the step of:

scrolling a text window over at least one of said first parts graphics and said second parts graphics.

55. A system including a processor having a data port, a display, and memory means for snoring digital data for a multiplicity of vehicles, said digital data including a data base of a plurality of groups of parts and a plurality of associated parts graphics, comprising:

camera means for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of a damaged vehicle;

interface means for transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means through said data port to said memory means of said processor;

said processor further comprising,

means for inputting vehicle-identification data of said damaged vehicle to said processor;

first means, responsive to the vehicle-identification data, for displaying on said display said electronic photograph and a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

second means, responsive to selecting a first group of parts from said list of groups of parts, for displaying on said display said electronic photograph and a parts description from said data base of the first group of parts;

graphics means, responsive to selecting a first part from the parts description, for retrieving from said memory means a first parts graphics, stored in digital form and associated with the first part, said graphics means loading said first parts graphics into a first memory buffer, said graphics means generating, in digital form, a first magnified graphics of said first parts graphics and said graphics means loading said first magnified graphics into a second memory buffer;

third means, responsive to loading said first parts graphics into said first memory buffer, for displaying on said display said electronic photograph and said first parts graphics;

fourth means, responsive to selecting said first magnified graphics, for swapping said first magnified graphics from said second memory buffer with said first parts graphics on said display, and displaying said electronic photograph with said first magnified graphics;

cost means, responsive to selecting the first part from the parts description of the first group of parts, for retrieving from said memory means a first cost for repairing the first part, said cost means responsive to selecting a second part from the parts description of the first group of parts for retrieving from said memory means a second cost for repairing the second part;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting the first part and the second part, retrieves from said memory means a replacement cost for said first group of parts and compares said replacement cost with a first sum of the first cost and the second cost for determining which of said replacement cost and said first sum have a lower cost; and

wherein said third means displays on said display said lower cost.

56. The system as set forth in claim 55, wherein:

said cost means, responsive to selecting a plurality of parts from the parts description of the first group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a third cost for repairing said plurality of parts, said cost means computes a second sum of the first cost, the second cost, and said third cost, retrieves from said memory means said replacement cost for said first group of parts and determines which of said second sum and said replacement cost have a lower cost; and

said third means displays on said display said lower cost.

57. A system including a processor having a data port, a display, and memory means for storing digital data for a multiplicity of vehicles, said digital data including a data base of a plurality of groups of parts and a plurality of associated parts graphics, comprising:

camera means for caking an electronic photograph in digital form of a damaged vehicle;

interface means for transferring said electronic photograph from said camera means through said data port to said memory means of said processor;

said processor further comprising,

means for inputting vehicle-identification data

first means, responsive to the vehicle-identification data, for displaying on said display said electronic photograph and a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

second means, responsive to selecting a first group of parts from said list of groups of parts, for displaying on said display said electronic photograph and a parks description from said data base of the first group of parts;

graphics means, responsive to selecting a first pare from the parts description, for retrieving from said memory means a first parts graphics, stored in digital form and associated with the first part, said graphics means loading said first parts graphics into a first memory buffer, said graphics means generating, in digital form, a first magnified graphics of said first parts graphics and said graphics means loading said first magnified graphics into a second memory buffer;

third means, responsive to loading said first parts graphics into said first memory buffer, for displaying on said display said electronic photograph and said first parts graphics;

fourth means, responsive to selecting said first magnified graphics, for swapping said first magnified graphics from said second memory buffer with said first parts graphics on said display, and displaying said electronic photograph with said first magnified graphics;

cost means, responsive to selecting the first part from the parts description of the first group of parts, for retrieving from said memory means a first cost for repairing the first part, said cost means responsive to selecting a plurality of parts from the parts description of the first group of parts for retrieving from said memory means a second cost for repairing said plurality of parts;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting the first part and said plurality of parts, retrieves from said memory means a replacement cost for said first group of parts and compares said replacement cost with a sum of the first cost and the second cost for determining which of said replacement cost and said sum have a lower cost; and

wherein said third means displays on said display said lower cost.

58. A system including a processor having a display and memory means for storing digital data for a multiplicity of vehicles, said digital data including a data base of a plurality of groups of parts consisting of groups of parts and a plurality of associated parts graphics, comprising:

means for inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle to said processor;

first means, responsive to the vehicle-identification data, for displaying on said display a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

second means, responsive to selecting a first group of parts from said list of groups of parts, for displaying on said display a pares description from said data base of the first group of parts;

graphics means, responsive no selecting a first part from the parts description, for retrieving from said memory means a parts graphics, stored in digital form and associated with said first part, and loading said parts graphics into a first memory buffer, with said first memory buffer separate from said memory means;

third means, responsive to loading said parts graphics into said first memory buffer, for displaying on said display said parts graphics;

cost means, responsive to selecting said first part from the parts description, for retrieving from said memory means a first cost for repairing said first part, said cost means, responsive to selecting a second part from the parts description, for retrieving from said memory means a second cost for repairing said second part;

wherein said cost means, responsive no selecting said first part and said second part, retrieves from said memory means a replacement cost for said first group of parts and compares said replacement cost with a first sum of said first cost and said second cost for determining a lower cost of said replacement cost add said first sum; and

wherein said third means displays on said display said lower cost.

59. The system as sen forth in claim 58, wherein:

said cost means, responsive to selecting a plurality of parts from the parts description of the first group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a plurality of costs for repairing said plurality of parts, said cost means computes a third sum of said first cost, said second cost, and said plurality of costs, retrieves from said memory means the first replacement cost for said first group of parts and determines the lower cost of said third sum and said first replacement cost; and

said third means displays on said display said lower cost.

60. A system including a processor having a display and memory means for snoring digital data for a multiplicity of vehicles, said digital data including a data base of a plurality of groups of parts consisting of a plurality of parts and a plurality of associated parts graphics, comprising:

means for inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle to said processor;

first means responsive to the vehicle-identification data, for displaying on said display a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

second means, responsive to selecting a first group of parts from said list of groups of parts, for displaying on said display a parts description from said data base of the first group of parts;

graphics means, responsive to selecting a first part from the parts description, for retrieving from said memory means a parts graphics, stored in digital form and associated with said first part, and loading said parts graphics into a first memory buffer, with said first memory buffer separate from said memory means;

third means, responsive to loading said parts graphics into said first memory buffer, for displaying on said display said parts graphics;

cost means, responsive to selecting said first part from the parts description, for retrieving from said memory means a first cost for repairing said first part, said cost means, responsive to selecting a plurality of parts from the parts description, for retrieving from said memory means a second cost for repairing said plurality of parts;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting said first part and said plurality of parts, retrieves from said memory means a replacement cost for said first group of parts and compares said replacement cost with a sum of said first cost and said second cost for determining a lower cost of said replacement cost and said sum; and

wherein said third means displays on said display said lower cost.

61. A system including a processor having a display and memory means for storing digital data for a multiplicity of vehicles, said digital data including a data base of a plurality of groups of parts consisting of a plurality of parts and associated costs for replacing said plurality of groups of parts and for repairing said plurality of parts, comprising:

means for inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle to said processor;

first means, responsive to the vehicle-identification data, for displaying on said display a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

second means, responsive to selecting a first group of parts from said list of groups of parts, for displaying on said display a parts description of the first group of parts;

cost means, responsive to selecting a first part from the parts description of the first group of parts for retrieving from said memory means a first cost for repairing said first part, said cost means, responsive to selecting a second part from the parts description of the first group of parts, for retrieving from said memory means a second cost for repairing said second part;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting said first part and said second part, retrieves from said memory means a first replacement cost for said first group of parts and compares said first replacement cost with a first sum of said first cost and said second cost for determining a first lower cost of said first replacement cost and said first sum;

wherein said second means, responsive to selecting a second group of parts from said list of groups of parts, displays on said display, a parts description of the second group of parts;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting a third part from the parts description of the second group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a third cost for repairing said third part, and wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting a fourth part from the parts description of the second group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a fourth cost for repairing said fourth part;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting said third part and said fourth part, retrieves from said memory means a second replacement cost for said second group of parts and compares said second replacement cost with a second sum of said third cost and said fourth cost for determining a second lower cost of said Second replacement cost and said second sum;

overlap means, responsive to said first lower cost and said second lower cost, for determining any overlap cost and subtracting from a third sum of said first lower cost and said second lower cost the overlap cost to produce a first net cost; and

third means for displaying on said display said first net cost.

62. The system as set forth in claim 61, wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting a fifth part from the parts description of the first group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a fifth cost for repairing said fifth part, said cost means computes a fourth sum of said first cost, said second cost, and said fifth cost, retrieves from said memory means the first replacement cost for said first group of parts and determines the first lower cost of said fourth sum and said first replacement cost.

63. The system as set forth in claim 61, wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting a plurality of parts from the parts description of the first group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a plurality of costs for repairing said plurality of parts, said cost means computes a fourth sum of said first cost, said second cost, and said plurality of costs, retrieves from said memory means the first replacement cost for said first group of parts and determines the first lower cost of said fourth sum and said first replacement cost.

64. The system as set forth in claim 61, wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting a fifth part from the parts description of the second group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a fifth cost for repairing said fifth part, said cost means computes a fourth sum of said third cost, said fourth cost, and said fifth cost, retrieves from said memory means the second replacement cost for said second group of parts and determines the second lower cost of said fourth sum and said second replacement cost.

65. The system as set forth in claim 61, wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting a plurality of parts from the parts description of the second group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a plurality of costs for repairing said plurality of parts, said cost means computes a fourth sum of said third cost, said fourth cost, and said plurality of costs, retrieves from said memory means the second replacement cost for Said second group of parts and determines the second lower cost of said fourth sum and said second replacement cost.

66. The system as set forth in claim 61, wherein:

said cost means, responsive to selecting a plurality of parts from the parts description of a plurality of groups of parts, retrieves from said memory means a plurality of costs for repairing said plurality of parts;

said cost means retrieves from said memory means a plurality of replacement costs for said plurality of groups of parts and compares said plurality of replacement costs with a fourth sum of the plurality of costs for determining a third lower cost of said plurality of replacement costs and said fourth sum; and

overlap means, responsive to said first lower cost and said third lower cost, for determining any overlap cost and subtracting from a fifth sum of said first lower cost and said third lower cost the overlap cost to produce a second net cost.

67. A system including a processor having a display and memory means for storing digital data for a multiplicity of vehicles, said digital data including a data base of a plurality of groups of parts consisting of a plurality of parts and associated costs for replacing said plurality of groups of parts and for repairing said plurality of parts, comprising:

means for inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle to said processor;

first means, responsive to the vehicle-identification data, for displaying on said display a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

second means, responsive to selecting a first group parts from said list of groups of parts, for displaying on said display a parts description of the first group of parts;

cost means, responsive to selecting a first part from the parts description of the first group of parts, for retrieving from said memory means a first cost for repairing said first part, said cost means, responsive to selecting a first plurality of parts from the parts description of the first group of parts, for retrieving from said memory means a second cost for repairing said first plurality of parts;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting said first part and said first plurality of parts, retrieves said memory means a first replacement cost for said first group of parts and compares said first replacement cost with a first sum of said first cost and said second cost for determining a first lower cost of said first replacement cost and said first sum;

wherein said second means, responsive to selecting a second group of parts from said list of groups of parts, displays on said display a parts description of the second group of parts;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting a second part from the parts description of the second group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a third cost for repairing said second part, and wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting a second plurality of parts from the parts description of the second group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a fourth cost for repairing said second plurality of parts;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting said second part and said second plurality of parts, retrieves from said memory means a second replacement cost for said second group of parts and compares said second replacement cost with a second sum of said third cost and said fourth cost for determining a second lower cost of said second replacement cost and said second sum;

overlap means, responsive to said first lower cost and said second lower cost, for determining any overlap cost and subtracting from a third sum of said first lower cost and said second lower cost the overlap cost to produce a net cost; and

third means for displaying on said display said net cost.

68. A system including a processor having a display and memory means for storing digital data for a multiplicity of vehicles, said digital data including a data base of a plurality of groups of parts consisting of a plurality of parts and associated costs for replacing said plurality of groups of parts and for repairing said plurality of parts, comprising:

means for inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle to said processor;

first means, responsive to the vehicle-identification data, for displaying on said display a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

second means, responsive to selecting a first group of parts from said list of groups of parts, for displaying on said display a parts description of the first group of parts;

cost means, responsive to selecting a first part from the parts description of the first group of parts, for retrieving from said memory means a first cost for repairing said first part, said cost means, responsive to selecting a second part from the parts description of the first group of parts, for retrieving from said memory means a second cost for repairing said second part, and said cost means, responsive to selecting a first plurality of parts from the parts description of the first group of parts, for retrieving from said memory means a third cost for repairing said first plurality of parts;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting said first part and said second part and said first plurality of parts, retrieves from said memory means a first replacement cost for said first group of parts and compares said first replacement cost with a first sum of said first cost and said second cost and said third coot for determining a first lower cost of said first replacement cost and said first sum;

wherein said second means, responsive to selecting a second group of parts from said list of groups of parts, displays on said display, a parts description of the second group of parts;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting a third part from the parts description of the second group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a fourth cost for repairing said third part, and wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting a fourth part from the parts description of the second group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a fifth cost for repairing said fourth part, and wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting a second plurality of parts from the parts description of the second group of parts, retrieves from said memory means a sixth cost for repairing said second plurality of parts;

wherein said cost means, responsive to selecting said third part and said fourth part and said second plurality of parts, retrieves from said memory means a second replacement cost for said second group of parts and compares said second replacement cost with a second sum of said fourth cost and said fifth cost and said sixth cost for determining a second lower cost of said second replacement cost and said second sum;

overlap means, responsive to said first lower cost and said second lower cost, for determining any overlap cost and subtracting from a third sum of said first lower cost and said second lower cost the overlap Cost to produce a net cost; and

third means for displaying on said display said net cost.

69. A method using a processor having a display and memory means for storing digital data including a parts graphics comprising the steps, using said processor, of:

inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle into said processor;

displaying, on said display, a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

selecting from said list of groups of parts a first group of parts for display;

displaying, on said display, said first group of parts;

selecting from said first group of parts a first part for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response selecting said first part, a first cost for repairing said first part;

selecting from said first group of parts a second part for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response to selecting said second part, a second cost for repairing said second part;

computing a first sum of said first cost and said second cost;

retrieving from said memory means a first replacement cost for said first group of parts;

determining a first lower cost of said first replacement cost and said first sum; and

displaying said first lower cost on said display.

70. The method as set forth in claim 69 further comprising the steps

selecting from said list of groups of parts a second group of parts for display;

displaying, on said display, said second group of parts;

selecting from said second group of parts a third part for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response selecting said third part, a third cost for repairing said third part;

selecting from said second group of parts a fourth part for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response to selecting said fourth part, a fourth cost for repairing said fourth part;

computing a second sum of said third cost and said fourth cost;

retrieving from said memory means a second replacement cost for said second group of parts;

determining a second lower cost of said second replacement cost and said second sum;

comparing said first lower cost and said second lower cost for determining any overlap cost;

subtracting from a third sum of said first lower cost and said second lower cost the overlap cost to produce a net cost; and

displaying said net cost on said display.

71. The method as set forth in claim 69 further comprising the steps of:

selecting from said list of groups of parts a plurality of groups of parts for display;

displaying, on said display, said plurality of groups of parts;

selecting from said plurality of groups of parts a plurality of parts for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response to selecting said plurality of parts, a plurality of costs for repairing said plurality of parts;

computing a second sum of said plurality of costs;

retrieving from said memory means a second replacement cost for said second group of parts;

determining a second lower cost of said second replacement cost and said second sum;

comparing said first lower cost and said second lower cost for determining any overlap cost;

subtracting from a third sum of said first lower cost and said second lower cost the overlap cost to produce a net cost; and

displaying said net cost on said display.

72. A method using a processor having a display and memory means for storing digital data including a parts graphics comprising the steps, using said processor, of:

inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle into said processor;

displaying, on said display, a lien of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

selecting from said list of groups of parts a first group of parts for display;

displaying, on said display, said first group of parts;

selecting from said first group of parts a first part for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response to selecting said first part, a first cost for repairing said first part;

selecting from said first group of parts a first plurality of parts for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response to selecting said first plurality of parts, a second cost for repairing said first plurality of parts;

computing a first sum of said first cost and said second cost;

retrieving from said memory means a first replacement cost for said first group of parts;

determining a first lower cost of said first replacement cost and said first sum; and

displaying said first lower cost on said display.

73. The method as set forth in claim 72 further comprising the steps of:

selecting from said list of groups of parts a second group of parts for display;

displaying, on said display, said second group of parts;

selecting from said second group of parts a second part for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response to selecting said second part, a third cost for repairing said second part;

selecting from said second group of parts a second plurality of parts for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response to selecting said second plurality of parts, a fourth cost for repairing said second plurality of parts;

computing a second sum of said third cost and said fourth cost;

retrieving from said memory means a second replacement cost for said second group of parts;

determining a second lower cost of said second replacement cost and said second sum;

comparing said first lower cost and said second lower cost for determining any overlap cost;

subtracting from a third sum of said first lower cost and said second lower cost the overlap cost to produce a net cost; and

displaying said net cost on said display.

74. A method using a processor having a display and memory means for storing digital data including a parts graphics comprising the steps, using said processor, of:

inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle into said processor;

displaying, on said display, a list of groups of parts for said damaged vehicle;

selecting from said list of groups of parts a first group of parts for display;

displaying, on said display, said first group of parts;

selecting from said first group of parts a first part for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response to selecting said first part, a first cost for repairing said first part;

selecting from said first group of parts a first plurality of pares for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response to selecting said first plurality of parts, a second cost for repairing said first plurality of parts;

computing a first sum of said first cost and said second cost;

retrieving from said memory means a first replacement cost for said first group of parts;

determining a first lower cost of said first replacement cost and said first sum;

selecting from said list of groups of parts a second group of parts for display;

displaying, on said display, said second group of parts;

selecting from said second group of parts a second part for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response to selecting said second part, a third cost for repairing said second part;

selecting from said second group of parts a second plurality of parts for display;

retrieving from said memory means, in response to selecting said second plurality of parts, a fourth cost for repairing said second plurality of parts;

computing a second sum of said third cost and said fourth cost;

retrieving from said memory means a second replacement cost for said second group of parts;

determining a second lower cost of said second replacement cost and said second sum;

comparing said first lower cost and said second lower cost for determining any overlap cost;

subtracting from a third sum of said first lower cost and said second lower cost the overlap cost to produce a net cost; and

displaying said net cost on said display.