System and method for providing a score for a used vehicle

• US 10,380,654 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2013
• Issued: 08/13/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Experian Information Solutions Incorporated (Experian plc)
• Original Assignee: Experian Information Solutions Incorporated (Experian plc)
• Inventors: Hirtenstein, Edith, Nemtuda, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Campbell, Shannon S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nelson, Freda A
• Application Number:
  US13/758,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20130173481A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,381 Days
• Field of Search: 705 2661, 705 35, 705400, 705 261, 705306, 701 296
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0278 Product appraisal
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering

Abstract

One embodiment of the system and method described herein provides a score generator system that generates an automated vehicle specific valuation of a used car based on the physical and historical attributes of that vehicle. This score may indicate the likelihood that the vehicle will be on the road in a specific period of time. The score may give an absolute percentage of such likelihood or it may give a value relative to all other used vehicles in a database, all other used vehicles of the same make/model/year, or a certain subset of the vehicles in a database. In one embodiment, the score generator system includes a data link module for linking vehicle data and filter module for applying a multi-level filters that process the linked vehicle data.

Claims

1. A vehicle scoring system comprising:

a network interface configured to provide remote access to the vehicle scoring system by a user;

a processor configured to execute a set of instructions;

a first memory storing the set of instructions, the set of instructions including instructions to;

provide an interface for operation by the user at a remote computing device, and

receive an electronic request, via the interface and from the user via the remote computing device, regarding a score of a vehicle to be provided in real-time, the request including identifier data including at least one of a vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle, a license plate data of the vehicle, or other identifier data of the vehicle;

a decoder module electronically accessible by the processor, the decoder module configured to;

parse the electronic request to dynamically identify a set of request attribute data related to factors of the vehicle, wherein a subset of the set of request attribute data includes request classification attribute data;

a data storage module, electronically accessible by the processor, the data storage module configured to;

use the identifier data or data from the set of request attribute data as a request identifier to select a rule set from a set of rules, the set of rules comprising;

(a) a first set of rules for linking the request identifier with stored records using the first set of rules, and (b) a second set of rules for linking the request identifier with stored records using the second set of rules, where the first set of rules is different from the second set of rules;

use the selected rule set to link the request identifier with data corresponding to one or more of a plurality of vehicles from at least one of a third party information database, an industry publication database, a safety ratings database, or a vehicle specification database, the plurality of vehicles including the vehicle; and

store the linked data according to one or more unique identifiers;

a precompilation module configured to;

identify a target precompiled hypothetical vehicle data record associated with the request identifier selected from a plurality of precompiled hypothetical vehicle data records and stored in a second memory, wherein the target precompiled hypothetical vehicle data record includes a plurality of data fields, wherein each data field stores data corresponding to a feature of the hypothetical vehicle data record and wherein the plurality of precompiled hypothetical vehicle data records includes precompiled hypothetical vehicle data records corresponding to a plurality of vehicles;

a filter module executed by the vehicle scoring system and configured to;

select one or more preset filters to filter the linked data;

automatically adjust the one or more preset filters, based on the linked data, to identify extraneous data sets that are irrelevant to the linked data to eliminate the extraneous data sets from additional processing;

filter the linked data using the selected, adjusted one or more preset filters to limit extraneous data from the linked data; and

assign a plurality of values to a plurality of the factors for the vehicle within the linked data using the target precompiled hypothetical vehicle data records,

a clock system indicating current date information;

a modeling module executed by the vehicle scoring system and configured to;

access the clock system to determine current date information associated with the electronic request;

select one or more models configured to indicate likelihood that a vehicle will remain on the road in a specific period of time and to determine weights for the assigned plurality of values that correspond to a selection of a subset of the plurality of factors for the vehicle for use in scoring the vehicle; and

generate a vehicle score based on the one or more selected models, and using one or more of the plurality of values, the determined weights, and the selection of the subset of the plurality of factors, wherein the vehicle score corresponds to a total value independent of or dependent on total values of each of a plurality of other vehicles or provides a total ranking independent of or dependent on total rankings of each of the plurality of other vehicles; and

an output module configured to;

generate a standardized graphic view that simplifies a comparison of the vehicle with one or more of the plurality of vehicles, the graphic view comprising a secure, electronic score tile including an uneditable representation of the vehicle score and a range of scores for the one or more of the plurality of vehicles; and

automatically generate and transmit to the remote computing device an electronic data packet configured to cause generation of a user interface that displays;

(A) an output box displaying at least a predefined subset of the plurality of factors and corresponding relative risk and assigned values as generated by the filter module and the modeling module, and

(B) the score tile, including;

(1) a numerical value representing the vehicle score and a numerical range having a high threshold and a low threshold, the numerical range representing the range of scores and the vehicle score indicative of a total score or ranking of the vehicle based on the plurality of factors and

(2) an additional indicator based on the vehicle score, wherein the vehicle score falls within the range of scores, and wherein the vehicle score of the score tile is updated each time the score tile is rendered.

2. The vehicle scoring system of claim 1, wherein the factors include a first factor and a second factor, and wherein a first relative importance value of the first factor is higher than a second relative importance value of the second factor.

3. The vehicle scoring system of claim 1, wherein the additional indicator of the vehicle score is a letter grade selected from a preselected range.

4. The vehicle scoring system of claim 1, wherein the output module comprises a web server.

5. The vehicle scoring system of claim 1, wherein the data storage module comprises a plurality of databases.

6. The vehicle scoring system of claim 1, wherein the modeling module uses at least a portion of the linked data to determine what types of data to use for determining the vehicle score.

7. The vehicle scoring system of claim 1, wherein the modeling module uses at least a portion of the linked data to determine relative values of different types of data to use for determining the vehicle score.

8. The vehicle scoring system of claim 1, wherein the indication of the vehicle score is a point grade where the high threshold is 999 and the low threshold is 100.

9. A method of scoring a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing an interface, via a processor, for operation by a user at a remote computing device over a network accessed by a network interface;

receiving an electronic request, via the interface, from the user via the remote computing device regarding a score of a vehicle to be provided in real-time, the request including identifier data including at least one of a vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle, a license plate data of the vehicle, or other identifier data of the vehicle;

parsing the electronic request to dynamically identify a set of request attribute data related to factors of the vehicle, wherein a subset of the set of request attribute data includes request classification attribute data;

using the identifier data or data from the set of request attribute data as a request identifier to select a rule set from a set of rules, the set of rules comprising;

(a) a first set of rules for linking the request identifier with stored records using the first set of rules, and (b) a second set of rules for linking the request identifier with stored records using the second set of rules, where the first set of rules is different from the second set of rules;

using the selected rule set to link the request identifier with data corresponding to one or more of a plurality of vehicles from at least one of a third party information database, an industry publication database, a safety ratings database, or a vehicle specification database, the plurality of vehicles including the vehicle;

storing the linked data according to one or more unique identifiers;

identifying a target precompiled hypothetical vehicle data record associated with the request identifier selected from a plurality of precompiled hypothetical vehicle data records and stored in a memory, wherein the target precompiled hypothetical vehicle data record includes a plurality of data fields, wherein each data field stores data corresponding to a feature of the hypothetical vehicle data record and wherein the plurality of precompiled hypothetical vehicle data records includes precompiled hypothetical vehicle data records corresponding to a plurality of vehicles;

selecting one or more preset filters to filter the linked data;

automatically adjusting the one or more preset filters, based on the linked data, to identify extraneous data sets that are irrelevant to the linked data to eliminate the extraneous data sets from additional processing;

filtering, via a filter module, the linked data using the selected, adjusted one or more preset filters to limit extraneous data from the linked data;

assigning a plurality of values to a plurality of the factors for the vehicle within the linked data using the target precompiled hypothetical vehicle data records,

accessing a clock system to determine current date information associated with the electronic request;

selecting one or more models configured to indicate likelihood that a vehicle will remain on the road in a specific period of time and to determine weights for the assigned plurality of values that correspond to a selection of a subset of the plurality of factors for the vehicle for use in scoring the vehicle;

generating a vehicle score based on the one or more selected models, and using one or more of the plurality of values, the determined weights, and the selection of the subset of the plurality of factors, wherein the vehicle score corresponds to a total value independent of or dependent on total values of each of a plurality of other vehicles or provides a total ranking independent of or dependent on total rankings of each of the plurality of other vehicles;

generating a standardized graphic view that simplifies a comparison of the vehicle with one or more of the plurality of vehicles, the graphic view comprising a secure, electronic score tile including an uneditable representation of the vehicle score and a range of scores for the one or more of the plurality of vehicles; and

automatically generating and transmitting to the remote computing device an electronic data packet configured to cause generation of a user interface that displays;

(A) an output box displaying at least a predefined subset of the plurality of factors and corresponding relative risk and assigned values as generated by the filter module and the modeling module, and

(B) the score tile, including;

(1) a numerical value representing the vehicle score and a numerical range having a high threshold and a low threshold, the numerical range representing the range of scores and the vehicle score indicative of a total score or ranking of the vehicle based on the plurality of factors and

(2) an additional indicator based on the vehicle score, wherein the vehicle score falls within the range of scores, and-wherein the vehicle score of the score tile is updated each time the score tile is rendered.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the factors include a first factor and a second factor, and wherein a first relative importance value of the first factor is higher than a second relative importance value of the second factor.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the additional indicator of the vehicle score is a letter grade selected from a preselected range.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining what types of data are used for determining the vehicle score based on at least a portion of the linked data.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the indication of the vehicle score is a point grade where the high threshold is 999 and the low threshold is 100.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions configured to cause one or more computer processors to perform operations comprising:

providing an interface for operation by a user at a remote computing device over a network accessed by a network interface;

receiving an electronic request, via the interface, from the user via the remote computing device regarding a score of a vehicle to be provided in real-time, the request including identifier data including at least one of a vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle, a license plate data of the vehicle, or other identifier data of the vehicle;

parsing the electronic request to dynamically identify a set of request attribute data related to factors of the vehicle, wherein a subset of the set of request attribute data includes request classification attribute data;

using the identifier data or data from the set of request attribute data as a request identifier to select a rule set from a set of rules, the set of rules comprising;

(a) a first set of rules for linking the request identifier with stored records using the first set of rules, and (b) a second set of rules for linking the request identifier with stored records using the second set of rules, where the first set of rules is different from the second set of rules;

using the selected rule set to link the request identifier with data corresponding to one or more of a plurality of vehicles from at least one of a third party information database, an industry publication database, a safety ratings database, or a vehicle specification database, the plurality of vehicles including the vehicle;

storing the linked data according to one or more unique identifiers for the plurality of vehicles;

identifying a target precompiled hypothetical vehicle data record associated with the request identifier selected from a plurality of precompiled hypothetical vehicle data records and stored in a memory, wherein the target precompiled hypothetical vehicle data record includes a plurality of data fields, wherein each data field stores data corresponding to a feature of the hypothetical vehicle data record and wherein the plurality of precompiled hypothetical vehicle data records includes precompiled hypothetical vehicle data records corresponding to a plurality of vehicles;

selecting one or more preset filters to filter the linked data;

automatically adjusting the one or more preset filters, based on the linked data, to identify extraneous data sets that are irrelevant to the linked data to eliminate the extraneous data sets from additional processing;

filtering, via a filter module, the linked data using the selected, adjusted one or more preset filters to limit extraneous data from the linked data;

assigning a plurality of values to a plurality of the factors for the vehicle within the linked data using the target precompiled hypothetical vehicle data records,

accessing a clock system to determine current date information associated with the electronic request;

selecting one or more models configured to indicate likelihood that a vehicle will be on the road in a specific period of time and to determine weights for the assigned plurality of values that correspond to a selection of a subset of the plurality of factors for the vehicle for use in scoring the vehicle;

generating a vehicle score based on the one or more selected models, and using one or more of the plurality of values, the determined weights, and the selection of the subset of the plurality of factors, wherein the vehicle score corresponds to a total value independent of or dependent on total values of each of a plurality of other vehicles or provides a total ranking independent of or dependent on total rankings of each of the plurality of other vehicles;

generating a standardized graphic view that simplifies a comparison of the vehicle with one or more of the plurality of vehicles, the graphic view comprising a secure, electronic score tile including an uneditable representation of the vehicle score and a range of scores for the one or more of the plurality of vehicles;

automatically generating and transmitting to the remote computing device an electronic data packet configured to cause generation of a user interface that displays;

(A) an output box displaying at least a predefined subset of the plurality of factors and corresponding relative risk and assigned values as generated by the filter module and the modeling module, and

(B) the score tile, including;

(1) a numerical value representing the vehicle score and a numerical range having a high threshold and a low threshold, the numerical range representing the range of scores and the vehicle score indicative of a total score or ranking of the vehicle based on the plurality of factors and

(2) an additional indicator based on the vehicle score, wherein the vehicle score falls within the range of scores, and wherein the vehicle score of the score tile is updated each time the score tile is rendered.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the factors include a first factor and a second factor, and wherein a first relative importance value of the first factor is higher than a second relative importance value of the second factor.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the additional indicator of the vehicle score is a letter grade selected from a preselected range.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise determining relative values of different types of data used to determine the vehicle score based on at least a portion of the linked data.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the indication of the vehicle score is a point grade where the high threshold is 999 and the low threshold is 100.