System and method for allowing a vehicle owner to obtain a vehicle repair estimate
First Claim
1. A computerized system for preparing and presenting a vehicle cost of repair estimate to a vehicle owner, comprising:
- a server controlled by an entity serving as a third party to one or more repair facilities and the vehicle owner configured to receive from said vehicle owner;
(a) vehicle identification data;
(b) component identification data for one or more components needed to complete a repair to a vehicle identified by said vehicle identification data; and
(c) a geographic location where said repair will take place;
one or more databases for storing;
(a) vehicle manufacturer component cost data relating to various components of said vehicle to be repaired;
(b) vehicle manufacturer labor time data associated with various repairs for said vehicle to be repaired; and
(c) labor rate data associated with said geographic location where said vehicle repair will take place;
wherein said server executes a process, in response to receiving said vehicle identification data, said component identification data and said geographic location, automatically;
(a) searches said one or more databases using said vehicle identification data and said component identification data for one or more components needed to complete a repair for said vehicle;
(b) retrieves vehicle manufacturer component cost data and vehicle manufacturer labor time data for each of said one or more components from said one or more databases;
(c) acquires an average labor rate for said geographic location where said repair will take place;
(d) automatically calculates a cost of repair estimate using said vehicle manufacturer component cost data, said vehicle manufacturer labor time data, and said average labor rate; and
(e) transmits said cost of repair estimate for display to said vehicle owner.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An Internet-based (web-based) system and method for allowing a vehicle owner to obtain a fair repair estimate for a vehicle. The system and method allows information relating to the vehicle to be repaired and the components of the vehicle to be repaired or replaced to be entered by the vehicle owner into the user interface of a repair estimating website. Geographic location information may also be provided to facilitate the preparation of a more accurate estimate. The system and method retrieves necessary information from one or more databases and provides the information to one or more software applications that are used to quickly generate an electronic repair estimate. Various options may be selected to customize the repair estimate and to allow for other actions.
61 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A computerized system for preparing and presenting a vehicle cost of repair estimate to a vehicle owner, comprising:
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a server controlled by an entity serving as a third party to one or more repair facilities and the vehicle owner configured to receive from said vehicle owner; (a) vehicle identification data; (b) component identification data for one or more components needed to complete a repair to a vehicle identified by said vehicle identification data; and (c) a geographic location where said repair will take place; one or more databases for storing; (a) vehicle manufacturer component cost data relating to various components of said vehicle to be repaired; (b) vehicle manufacturer labor time data associated with various repairs for said vehicle to be repaired; and (c) labor rate data associated with said geographic location where said vehicle repair will take place; wherein said server executes a process, in response to receiving said vehicle identification data, said component identification data and said geographic location, automatically; (a) searches said one or more databases using said vehicle identification data and said component identification data for one or more components needed to complete a repair for said vehicle; (b) retrieves vehicle manufacturer component cost data and vehicle manufacturer labor time data for each of said one or more components from said one or more databases; (c) acquires an average labor rate for said geographic location where said repair will take place; (d) automatically calculates a cost of repair estimate using said vehicle manufacturer component cost data, said vehicle manufacturer labor time data, and said average labor rate; and (e) transmits said cost of repair estimate for display to said vehicle owner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computerized method of preparing and presenting a vehicle cost of repair estimate to a vehicle owner, comprising:
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prompting said vehicle owner for vehicle identification data regarding a vehicle to be repaired; prompting said vehicle owner for component identification data regarding one or more components of said vehicle that are to be repaired or replaced; prompting said vehicle owner for a geographic location where said repair will take place; receiving at a server controlled by an entity serving as a third party to one or more repair facilities and the vehicle owner said vehicle identification data, said component identification data, and said geographic location said server; in response to receiving said vehicle identification data, said component identification data, and said geographic location vehicle manufacturer; (a) accessing one or more databases containing vehicle manufacturer component cost data relating to various components of said vehicle to be repaired vehicle manufacturer labor time data associated with various repairs for said vehicle to be repaired, and labor rate data associated with said geographic location where said repair will take place; (b) retrieving vehicle manufacturer component cost data and vehicle manufacturer labor time data for each of said one or more components from said one or more databases; (c) providing an average labor rate for said geographic location where said repair will take place; (d) automatically preparing a cost of repair estimate by using said vehicle manufacturer component cost data, said vehicle manufacturer labor time data, and said average labor rate; and (e) transmitting said cost of repair estimate for display to said vehicle owner. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A computerized method of allowing a vehicle owner to obtain a vehicle cost of repair estimate, comprising:
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receiving at a server controlled by an entity serving as a third party to one or more repair facilities and the vehicle owner vehicle identification data regarding a vehicle to be repaired; receiving at said server component identification data regarding one or more components of said vehicle that are to be repaired or replaced; receiving at said server a geographic location where said repair will take place; accessing at said server one or more databases containing vehicle manufacturer component cost data relating to various components of said vehicle to be repaired, vehicle manufacturer labor time data associated with various repairs for said vehicle to be repaired, and labor rate data associated with said geographic location where said repair will take place, retrieving vehicle manufacturer component cost data and vehicle manufacturer labor time data for each of said one or more components from said one or more databases; acquiring at said server an average labor rate for said geographic location where said repair will take place; automatically generating at said server a cost of repair estimate using said vehicle manufacturer component cost data, said vehicle manufacturer labor time data, and said average labor rate; and transmitting by said server said cost of repair estimate to said vehicle owner. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification