Method and system of managing service reminders and scheduling service appointments using mileage estimates

• US 7,542,833 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2004
• Issued: 06/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CDK Global Incorporated
• Original Assignee: The Cobalt Group Incorporated (Automatic Data Processing Incorporated)
• Inventors: Supra, John, Rush, Michael, Kelly, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Black; Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chen; Shelley
• Application Number:
  US10/859,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20040249530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,826 Days
• Field of Search: 701/30
• US Class Current: 701/30
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/007 Wheeled or endless-tracked vehicles G01M17/08 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system for scheduling service appointments based on service reminders sent based on the estimated mileage the vehicle. The mileage of the vehicle can be estimated based on the age of the vehicle, or it can be based on the last known mileage of the vehicle and estimating the additional mileage using average vehicle mileage statistics. The mileage of the vehicle may be estimated based on actual vehicle history, and may be adjusted based on the characteristics of the vehicle, the driver, or the geographic location of the vehicle. Service reminders sent to a recipient include a link to a scheduling server. The scheduling server provides a scheduling page allowing the recipient to view and select from available service time slots at the service shop.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of scheduling a service appointment based on a service reminder for a vehicle, comprising:

a computer system for generating mileage based service reminders retrieving information on the vehicle, the information comprising a vehicle characteristic and a vehicle driver demographic;

the computer system retrieving vehicle mileage statistics, including average daily mileage information, based upon the vehicle characteristic and the vehicle driver demographic included in the retrieved information;

the computer system calculating a current mileage estimate of the vehicle using the vehicle mileage statistics and the vehicle characteristic and vehicle driver demographic included in the retrieved information;

the computer system comparing the current mileage estimate to one or more service reminders; and

the computer system generating a vehicle service reminder for the vehicle if the current mileage estimate of the vehicle is within a mileage window of one or more of the service reminders,

wherein the vehicle service reminder comprises scheduling information to allow a recipient of the service reminder to schedule a service appointment.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle information comprises a vehicle service history, the method further comprising the step of calculating a current mileage estimate of a vehicle component using the current mileage estimate of the vehicle and the vehicle service history.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising:

comparing the current mileage estimate of the vehicle component to the one or more service reminders; and

generating a vehicle service reminder for the vehicle if the current mileage estimate of the vehicle component is within a mileage window of one or more of the service reminders.

2. A computer-implemented method of scheduling a service appointment based on a service reminder for a vehicle, comprising:

a computer system for generating mileage based service reminders retrieving information on the vehicle, the information comprising a vehicle characteristic and a vehicle driver demographic;

the computer system retrieving vehicle mileage statistics based upon the vehicle characteristic and vehicle driver demographic included in the retrieved information;

the computer system calculating an average mileage per time factor for the vehicle based on the vehicle mileage statistics and the retrieved information;

the computer system calculating a current mileage estimate of the vehicle using the calculated average mileage per time factor and the retrieved information;

the computer system comparing the current mileage estimate to one or more service reminders; and

the computer system generating a vehicle service reminder for the vehicle if the current mileage estimate of the vehicle is within a mileage window of one or more of the service reminders,

wherein the vehicle service reminder comprises a scheduling link to a scheduling page.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising sending the vehicle service reminder as an e-mail message to a recipient responsible for the care of the vehicle.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising sending a scheduling page in response to a recipient of the vehicle service reminder clicking on the scheduling link.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the scheduling page includes:

at least one service time slot, and

a selection indicator allowing the recipient to indicate a selection of a particular service time slot.