Automotive picture and data acquisition center and method

• US 20050231388A1
• Filed: 06/13/2005
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert W. Suggs Sr
• Original Assignee: Robert W. Suggs Sr
• Inventors: Suggs, Robert W. Sr.
• Application Number:
  US11/151,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20050231388A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/937
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2627 for providing spin image effect, 3D stop motion effect or temporal freeze effect 2D image animation in general G06T13/80

Abstract

An apparatus and method for the automatic or semi-automatic acquisition of multiple photographs and VIN-coded information about an automobile. In one embodiment, four height-adjustable, digital cameras are positioned on four corner posts defining a work center. A vehicle is pulled into the center until a stop indicator light is triggered, at which time an attendant scans the bar coded VIN number and reviews the proposed photographs of the vehicle at a work center computer. Once the photographs and data are acceptable, the attendant triggers a download of the information to local and industry databases. Alternate embodiments include Alternate embodiments include work centers with different post configurations, manual entry systems, and completely automated centers.

Claims

1. A system for obtaining, processing, and transferring vehicle identification information, the system comprising:

a first computer which is used to decode a VIN number to obtain vehicle data;

at least one digital camera, such that the digital camera may provide at least one digital image of the vehicle to the first computer;

a monitor in communication with the first computer, the monitor permitting review of the vehicle data, and permitting review of the digital image of the vehicle; and

a communications link between the first computer and a second computer such that the digital image and the vehicle data can be collected, processed, and transferred from the first computer to the second computer substantially in real time.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein

a bar scanner is in communication with the computer, and the bar scanner is used to provide a VIN number to the first computer.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein

there is a bar scanner;

and

there is a data collection device which can capture a signal from the bar scanner, thereby reading the VIN number, such that the VIN number can be transferred to the first computer.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein

the digital camera can be operated by an attendant.

5. A method for updating a vehicle database, the method comprising:

capturing at least one image of a vehicle;

reading the vehicle VIN number;

decoding the VIN number to obtain vehicle data;

combining the image and the vehicle data, such that image is captured and the VIN is read and decoded substantially in real time; and

storing the combined image and the vehicle data on at least one database.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein

the capturing of the image of the vehicle is accomplished in an automatic processing center.

7. A method for updating a vehicle database, the method comprising:

positioning a vehicle in a processing center, the center comprising a plurality of mounted digital cameras;

inputting a VIN number from the vehicle into a computer database;

positioning the cameras at appropriate heights for the vehicle;

capturing at least one image of the vehicle into at least one data file;

decoding the VIN number to obtain vehicle data; and

storing the picture data file and the vehicle data on at least one database.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein

the database is an automotive dealer database.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

accessing the database via the Internet.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein positioning the cameras at appropriate heights for the vehicle is performed by

determining an appropriate height from the VIN number;

and

automatically adjusting the height.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of capturing at least one image of the vehicle into at least one data file is comprised of:

capturing a first image;

examining the first image;

determining if the first image is satisfactory;

if necessary, repeating the following steps until a satisfactory image is obtained;

obtaining a new image if the first image is not satisfactory;

examining the new image; and

determining if the new image is satisfactory; and

accepting the satisfactory image.

12. An improved method for updating a vehicle database with at least one digital image of the vehicle and information derived from the vehicle'"'"'s VIN number, the improvement comprising:

obtaining the digital image with at least one digital camera at the time of processing of the vehicle;

reviewing the quality of the digital image at the time of processing of the vehicle;

acquiring an improved digital image if necessary;

obtaining the VIN number at the time of processing of the vehicle;

decoding the VIN number to obtain vehicle data at the time of processing of the vehicle;

reviewing the vehicle data derived from the VIN number at the time of processing of the vehicle;

preparing at least one data file, the file including the digital image and vehicle data, at a dealer location at the time of processing of the vehicle; and

storing the data file on at least one database at the time of processing of the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the VIN number is obtained with a bar scanner.