Multiple-platform estimating and automatic quoting for network-based parts resale with transferable reports
First Claim
1. An estimating platform for preparing an estimate for a claim to repair an automobile, the estimating platform comprising:
- a computing device having a processor;
an estimating software platform executing on the processor,wherein the estimating software platform presents an input screen to receive an initial estimate from a user to repair the automobile, wherein the initial estimate includes a list of parts needed to repair the automobile,wherein the estimation software platform provides the initial estimate to a part location system via a communication network to request quotes for recycled ones of the parts needed to repair the automobile,wherein the estimating platform receives one or more electronic quotations from the part location system in response to a request for quote (RFQ) automatically generated by the part location system based on the initial estimate and sent from the part location system to one or more supplier computers via the communication network,wherein the electronic quotations specify, for at least one of the parts from one or more of the supplier computers, a current quote price for a recycled part and a quote price for a comparative new part,wherein the estimating platform automatically performs a compliance check on the parts specified by the quotations, andwherein, upon determining that the parts specified by the quotations satisfy the compliance check, the estimating platform automatically incorporates the quotations received from the part location system into the initial estimate to form a final estimate.
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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
8 Claims
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1. An estimating platform for preparing an estimate for a claim to repair an automobile, the estimating platform comprising:
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a computing device having a processor; an estimating software platform executing on the processor, wherein the estimating software platform presents an input screen to receive an initial estimate from a user to repair the automobile, wherein the initial estimate includes a list of parts needed to repair the automobile, wherein the estimation software platform provides the initial estimate to a part location system via a communication network to request quotes for recycled ones of the parts needed to repair the automobile, wherein the estimating platform receives one or more electronic quotations from the part location system in response to a request for quote (RFQ) automatically generated by the part location system based on the initial estimate and sent from the part location system to one or more supplier computers via the communication network, wherein the electronic quotations specify, for at least one of the parts from one or more of the supplier computers, a current quote price for a recycled part and a quote price for a comparative new part, wherein the estimating platform automatically performs a compliance check on the parts specified by the quotations, and wherein, upon determining that the parts specified by the quotations satisfy the compliance check, the estimating platform automatically incorporates the quotations received from the part location system into the initial estimate to form a final estimate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for preparing an estimate for a claim to repair an automobile comprising:
receiving an initial estimate with an estimating software platform executing on a computing device, wherein the initial estimate includes a list of parts needed to repair the automobile; electronically communicating the initial estimate from the estimation software platform to a part location system via a communication network; receiving one or more electronic quotations from the part location system with the estimating platform in response to a request for quote (RFQ) automatically generated by the part location system based on the initial estimate and sent from the part location system to one or more supplier computers via the communication network, wherein the electronic quotations specify, for at least one of the parts, a current quote price from one or more of the suppliers computers for a recycled part and a quote price for a comparative new part; and processing the electronic quotations with the estimating platform to perform a compliance check on the parts specified by the quotations and, upon determining that the parts satisfy the compliance check, automatically incorporate one or more of the quotations received from the part location system into the initial estimate to form a final estimate. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
Specification