Apparatus and method for identification of transmissions and other parts
First Claim
1. A method for identifying an unknown automotive part assembly from a class of automotive part assemblies using a prescribed classification scheme that distinguishes the unknown automotive part assembly from the class of automotive part assemblies based upon variations in the configuration of certain features, and that results in an ultimate determination of the identity of the unknown automotive part assembly, the method steps comprising:
- (a) presenting on a terminal device, to a user in a computer user interface, a first set of options based upon the prescribed classification scheme, wherein the first set of options is directed to a first feature for distinguishing the unknown automotive part assembly from the class of automotive part assemblies, and wherein each option represents a distinct configuration of the first feature, and wherein the presentation of the first set of options includes at least one image of a representative feature and at least one visual reference in conjunction with the image for locating the first feature on the unknown automotive part assembly;
(b) receiving from the user a selection of one of the options from the first set of options that corresponds to the particular configuration of the feature found on the unknown automotive part assembly and generating a subsequent set of options based upon the selection;
(c) sequentially presenting for selection subsequent sets of options, wherein each set of subsequent options is based upon the previous selection and is directed to an additional distinguishing feature of the unknown automotive part assembly, wherein each option of the subsequent set of options represents a distinct configuration of the corresponding additional feature, and wherein the presentation of each set includes at least one image of a representative feature and a visual reference in conjunction with the image for physically locating the corresponding feature on the unknown automotive part assembly;
(d) receiving, from the user, a selection of one of the options from the subsequent set of options presented, the selection corresponding to the particular configuration of the feature found on the unknown automotive part assembly;
(e) if more information is required to identify the unknown automotive part assembly, repeating steps (c)-(d) to further identify the unknown automotive part assembly based upon the prescribed classification scheme; and
(f) if no more information is required to identify the unknown automotive part assembly, presenting, to the user, an identification for the unknown automotive part assembly in accordance with the selections received.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method is provided for identifying an unknown object from an object class such as transmissions, engines, and other parts. The system utilizes a classification scheme configured to distinguish objects of the object class based upon variations observable through visual inspection. In many instances, these variations can be relatively obscure. In use, the system presents sets of options for selection by a user. Each set is directed to a particular feature for distinguishing objects of the object class, and each option represents a distinct configuration for the corresponding feature. The system receives a selection of one of the options from each set of options presented that corresponds to a feature found on the unknown object. Once the system receives sufficient information in accordance with the classification scheme, it presents an identification for the unknown object. Beneficially, identification is accomplished through visual inspection of the unknown object without disassembly or need of substantial familiarity with the system or objects of the object class. In a preferred embodiment, the classification scheme directed to an object class of transmissions and is implemented in decision tree structure in which the sets of options are presented sequentially.
12 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for identifying an unknown automotive part assembly from a class of automotive part assemblies using a prescribed classification scheme that distinguishes the unknown automotive part assembly from the class of automotive part assemblies based upon variations in the configuration of certain features, and that results in an ultimate determination of the identity of the unknown automotive part assembly, the method steps comprising:
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(a) presenting on a terminal device, to a user in a computer user interface, a first set of options based upon the prescribed classification scheme, wherein the first set of options is directed to a first feature for distinguishing the unknown automotive part assembly from the class of automotive part assemblies, and wherein each option represents a distinct configuration of the first feature, and wherein the presentation of the first set of options includes at least one image of a representative feature and at least one visual reference in conjunction with the image for locating the first feature on the unknown automotive part assembly; (b) receiving from the user a selection of one of the options from the first set of options that corresponds to the particular configuration of the feature found on the unknown automotive part assembly and generating a subsequent set of options based upon the selection; (c) sequentially presenting for selection subsequent sets of options, wherein each set of subsequent options is based upon the previous selection and is directed to an additional distinguishing feature of the unknown automotive part assembly, wherein each option of the subsequent set of options represents a distinct configuration of the corresponding additional feature, and wherein the presentation of each set includes at least one image of a representative feature and a visual reference in conjunction with the image for physically locating the corresponding feature on the unknown automotive part assembly; (d) receiving, from the user, a selection of one of the options from the subsequent set of options presented, the selection corresponding to the particular configuration of the feature found on the unknown automotive part assembly; (e) if more information is required to identify the unknown automotive part assembly, repeating steps (c)-(d) to further identify the unknown automotive part assembly based upon the prescribed classification scheme; and (f) if no more information is required to identify the unknown automotive part assembly, presenting, to the user, an identification for the unknown automotive part assembly in accordance with the selections received. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer software program tangibly embodied in a computer readable medium, the program including machine-readable instructions executable by a computer processor for performing a method for identifying an unknown object of a class of objects using a prescribed classification scheme that results in an ultimate determination of the identity of the unknown object, the program steps comprising:
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(a) presenting to a user in a computer user interface a first set of options based upon the prescribed classification scheme, wherein the first set of options is directed to a first feature for distinguishing the unknown automotive part assembly from the class of automotive part assemblies, and wherein each option represents a distinct configuration of the first feature, and wherein the presentation of the first set of options includes at least one image of a representative feature and at least one visual reference in conjunction with the image for locating the first feature on the unknown automotive part assembly; (b) receiving from the user a selection of one of the options from the first set of options that corresponds to the particular configuration of the feature found on the unknown automotive part assembly and generating a subsequent set of options based upon the selection; (c) sequentially presenting for selection subsequent sets of options, wherein each set of subsequent options is based upon the previous selection and is directed to an additional distinguishing feature of the unknown automotive part assembly, wherein each option of the subsequent set of options represents a distinct configuration of the corresponding additional feature, and wherein the presentation of each set includes at least one image of a representative feature and a visual reference in conjunction with the image for physically locating the corresponding feature on the unknown automotive part assembly; (d) receiving, from the user, a selection of one of the options from the subsequent set of options presented, the selection corresponding to the particular configuration of the feature found on the unknown automotive part assembly; (e) if more information is required to identify the unknown automotive part assembly, repeating steps (c)-(d) to further identify the unknown automotive part assembly based upon the prescribed classification scheme; and (f) if no more information is required to identify the unknown automotive part assembly, presenting, to the user, an identification for the unknown automotive part assembly in accordance with the selections received. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for identifying an unknown object of a class of objects using a prescribed classification scheme that results in an ultimate determination of the identity of the unknown object, the system comprising:
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a database containing sets of options for distinguishing configuration features among the automotive part assemblies that make up the class of automotive part assemblies; a networked computing device, the computing device having access to the database, the computing device executing stored program code, the program steps comprising; (a) presenting to a user in a computer user interface a first set of options based upon the prescribed classification scheme, wherein the first set of options is directed to a first feature for distinguishing the unknown automotive part assembly from the class of automotive part assemblies, and wherein each option represents a distinct configuration of the first feature, and wherein the presentation of the first set of options includes at least one image of a representative feature and at least one visual reference in conjunction with the image for locating the first feature on the unknown automotive part assembly; (b) receiving from the user a selection of one of the options from the first set of options that corresponds to the particular configuration of the feature found on the unknown automotive part assembly and generating a subsequent set of options based upon the selection; (c) sequentially presenting for selection subsequent sets of options, wherein each set of subsequent options is based upon the previous selection and is directed to an additional distinguishing feature of the unknown automotive part assembly, wherein each option of the subsequent set of options represents a distinct configuration of the corresponding additional feature, and wherein the presentation of each set includes at least one image of a representative feature and a visual reference in conjunction with the image for physically locating the corresponding feature on the unknown automotive part assembly; (d) receiving, from the user, a selection of one of the options from the subsequent set of options presented, the selection corresponding to the particular configuration of the feature found on the unknown automotive part assembly; (e) if more information is required to identify the unknown automotive part assembly, repeating steps (c)-(d) to further identify the unknown automotive part assembly based upon the prescribed classification scheme; and (f) if no more information is required to identify the unknown automotive part assembly, presenting, to the user, an identification for the unknown automotive part assembly in accordance with the selections received. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification