System and method for processing work products for vehicles via the world wide web

• US 8,725,544 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2013
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audatex North America LLC
• Original Assignee: Audatex North America Incorporated (Solera Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Griffin, Stan, Desai, Pankaj, Larson, Sonja, Cooperrider, Robert, Fitzpatrick, John W., Gorelov, Sergey, Vahidi, Seyed Reza
• Primary Examiner(s): Frenel, Vanel
• Application Number:
  US13/897,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20140025403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 705/4, 705/35, 705/36.R, 705/14, 705/305
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/06 Asset management; Financial planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

A method and system for receiving data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle and transmitting a valuation report for the damaged vehicle over the world wide web. The system includes a client computer and a web server that are coupled through an electronic communication network such as the internet. The web server contains a web site that contains a plurality of web pages. Each web page allows an operator to enter the insurance claim data. The data can be processed into a valuation report by a separate valuation server. The valuation report can be transmitted to the client computer through the web server. A claims adjuster can access the web server by merely entering a uniform resource locator (“URL”) into a web browser. The adjuster does not have to dial directly into the valuation server.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining an automobile insurance claim valuation report of a damaged vehicle, comprising:

receiving a uniform resource locator over an electronic communication network from a client computer;

providing a web site that corresponds to the uniform resource locator, the web site provides at least one web page that allows an operator to input data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle;

receiving data relating to the insurance claim;

processing the entered data to generate a valuation report for the damaged vehicle, the processing includes translating a request from the client computer into at least one call to a component object model that includes a program to generate the valuation report with the data; and

,

transmitting the valuation report to the client computer over the electronic communication network through the web site.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes an original equipment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein data includes aftermarket equipment.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes a vehicle option.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes a vehicle condition.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes a vehicle identification number that is included in the valuation report.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the valuation report is transmitted to a plurality of client computers.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the valuation report from a valuation server to a web server before transmitting the valuation report to the client computer.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the client computer request is translated by an active server page.

10. A system for obtaining an automobile insurance claim valuation report for a damaged vehicle, comprising:

a web server that provides access to a web site that has at least one web page which allows for receipt of data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle and transmission of a valuation report for the damaged vehicle, the valuation report is generated with a process that includes translating a request into at least one call to a component object model that includes a program to generate the valuation report with said data; and

,

a client computer coupled to said web server, said client computer can allow for the input of data into said web pages, and receive the valuation report.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a valuation server coupled to said web server, said valuation server processes the data and generates the valuation report.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said valuation server contains an original equipment guide database that processes the data for the valuation report.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said web server allows for input of aftermarket equipment.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein said web server allows for input of a vehicle option.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein said web server allows for input of a vehicle condition.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein said web server allows for input of a vehicle identification number that is included with the valuation report.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the request is translated by an active server page.

18. A server for receiving data relating to insurance claims for a damaged vehicle and for causing transmission of a valuation report for the damaged vehicle, comprising:

a memory device;

a communication port; and

,

a processor that is coupled to said memory device, and said communication port, said processor operates in accordance with instructions to provide access to a web site that has at least one web page, the at least one web page allows for receipt of data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle and transmission of a valuation report for the damaged vehicle, the valuation report is generated with a process that includes translating a request into at least one call to a component object model that includes a program to generate the valuation report with said data.

19. The server of claim 18, wherein said web site allows for input of aftermarket equipment.

20. The server of claim 18, wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle option.

21. The server of claim 18, wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle condition.

22. The server of claim 18, wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle identification number that is included in the valuation report.

23. The server of claim 18, wherein the request is translated by an active server page.

24. A computer program storage medium that can cause a computer to receive data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle and transmission of a valuation report for the damaged vehicle, comprising:

a computer readable storage medium that contains a computer program which causes a server to provide access to a web site that has at least one web page, the at least one web page allows for receipt of data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle and transmission of a valuation report for the damaged vehicle, the valuation report is generated with a process that includes translating a request into at least one call to a component object model that includes a program to generate the valuation report with said data.

25. The storage medium of claim 24, wherein said web site allows for input of aftermarket equipment.

26. The storage medium of claim 24, wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle option.

27. The storage medium of claim 24, wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle condition.

28. The storage medium of claim 24, wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle identification number that is included in the valuation report.

29. The storage medium of claim 24, wherein the request is translated by an active server page.

30. A method for obtaining an automobile insurance claim valuation report of a damaged vehicle, comprising:

receiving a uniform resource locator over an electronic communication network from a client computer;

providing a web site that corresponds to the uniform resource locator, the web site provides at least one web page that allows an operator to input data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle;

receiving data relating to the insurance claim;

processing the entered data to calculate estimate data;

processing the entered data to generate a valuation report for the damaged vehicle; and

,

transmitting the valuation report to the client computer over the electronic communication network through the web site.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the data includes an original equipment.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein data includes aftermarket equipment.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the data includes a vehicle option.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein the data includes a vehicle condition.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein the data includes a vehicle identification number that is included in the valuation report.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein the valuation report is transmitted to a plurality of client computers.

37. The method of claim 30, further comprising transmitting the valuation report from a valuation server to a web server before transmitting the valuation report to the client computer.

38. A system for obtaining an automobile insurance claim valuation report for a damaged vehicle, comprising:

a web server that provides access to a web site that has at least one web page which allows for receipt of data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle, calculation of estimate data from the received data, and transmission of a valuation report for the damaged vehicle that is generated with the received data; and

,

a client computer coupled to said web server, said client computer can allow for the input of data into said web page, and receive the valuation report.

39. The system of claim 38, further comprising a valuation server coupled to said web server, said valuation server processes the data and generates the valuation report.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein said valuation server contains an original equipment guide database that processes the data for the valuation report.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein said web server allows for input of aftermarket equipment.

42. The system of claim 38, wherein said web server allows for input of a vehicle option.

43. The system of claim 38, wherein said web server allows for input of a vehicle condition.

44. The system of claim 38, wherein said web server allows for input of a vehicle identification number that is included with the valuation report.

45. A server for receiving data relating to insurance claims for a damaged vehicle and for causing transmission of a valuation report for the damaged vehicle, comprising:

a memory device;

a communication port; and

,

a processor that is coupled to said memory device, and said communication port, said processor operates in accordance with instructions to provide access to a web site that has at least one of web page, the at least one web page allows for receipt of data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle, calculation of estimate data from the received data, and transmission of a valuation report for the damaged vehicle that is generated with the received data.

46. The server of claim 45, wherein said web site allows for input of aftermarket equipment.

47. The server of claim 46, wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle option.

48. The server of claim 45, wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle condition.

49. The server of claim 45, wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle identification number that is included in the valuation report.

50. A computer program storage medium that can cause a computer to receive data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle and transmission of a valuation report for the damaged vehicle, comprising:

a computer readable storage medium that contains a computer program which causes a server to provide access to a web site that has at least one web page, the web page allows for receipt of data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle, calculation of estimate data from the received data, and transmission of a valuation report for the damaged vehicle generated with the received data.

51. The storage medium of claim 50, wherein said web site allows for input of aftermarket equipment.

52. The storage medium of claim 50, wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle option.

53. The storage medium of claim 50, wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle condition.

54. The storage medium of claim 50, wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle identification number that is included in the valuation report.