Multiple-platform estimating and automatic quoting for network-based parts resale with transferable reports
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving an estimate from a first user over a communication network;
parsing the estimate to extract information that identifies a list of parts needed by the first user;
automatically generating a request for quote (RFQ) using the information extracted from the estimate;
sending the RFQ to suppliers via the communication network;
receiving quotations from at least one of the suppliers via the communication network in response to the RFQ; and
presenting one or more of the quotations received in response to the RFQ to a repair facility via the communication network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A part location system is described that utilizes computer-based techniques for bringing together repair facilities and suppliers to increase the efficiency of locating recycled, used or aftermarket parts using a computer network, such as the Internet. The part location system receives an estimate from a first user over a communication network. The part location system then parses the estimate to extract information that identifies a list of parts needed by the first user and automatically generates a request for quote (RFQ) using the information extracted from the estimate. The part location system then sends the RFQ to suppliers via the communication network. Subsequently, the part location system receives quotations from at least one of the suppliers via the communication network in response to the RFQ and presents the quotations received in response to the RFQ to a repair facility via the communication network.
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Citations
69 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving an estimate from a first user over a communication network; parsing the estimate to extract information that identifies a list of parts needed by the first user; automatically generating a request for quote (RFQ) using the information extracted from the estimate; sending the RFQ to suppliers via the communication network; receiving quotations from at least one of the suppliers via the communication network in response to the RFQ; and presenting one or more of the quotations received in response to the RFQ to a repair facility via the communication network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A device comprising:
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a communication interface to couple the device to a computer network; and a control unit comprising; a processor; a parsing engine executing on the processor that receives an estimate from a remote first user over the computer network and parses the estimate to extract information that identifies a list of parts needed by the remote first user; a request for quote (RFQ) manager executing on the processor that automatically generates an RFQ using the information extracted from the estimate and sends the RFQ to suppliers via the computer network, wherein the RFQ manager receives quotations from at least one of the suppliers via the communication network in response to the RFQ; and a quotation review interface to present one or more of the quotations received in response to the RFQ to a repair facility via the communication network. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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60. A system comprising:
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a repair facility computer coupled to a computer network; a network device coupled to the computer network, wherein a first user uses the network device; a plurality of suppliers'"'"' computers coupled to the computer network; and a part location device coupled to the computer network, wherein the part location device comprises a control unit that comprises; a processor; a parsing engine executed by the processor that receives an estimate from the first user over the computer network and parses the estimate to extract information that identifies a list of parts needed by the first user; a request for quote (RFQ) management module executed by the processor to automatically generate an RFQ using the information extracted from the estimate and send the RFQ to the suppliers'"'"' computers via the computer network, wherein the RFQ management module receives quotations from at least one of the suppliers'"'"' computers via the communication network in response to the RFQ; and a quotation review interface to present one or more of the quotations received in response to the RFQ to the repair facility computer via the communication network. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
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68. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising instructions that cause a programmable processor to:
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receive an estimate from a first user over a communication network; parse the estimate to extract information that identifies a list of parts needed by the first user; automatically generate a request for quote (RFQ) using the information extracted from the estimate; and send the RFQ to suppliers via the communication network; receive quotations from at least one of the suppliers via the communication network in response to the RFQ; and present one or more of the quotations received in response to the RFQ to a repair facility via the communication network. - View Dependent Claims (69)
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Specification