AUTOMOBILE HISTORY INFORMATION DELIVERY SYSTEM

• US 20120084179A1
• Filed: 10/04/2011
• Published: 04/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auto Data Direct, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Charles Howard, Christopher Gamache, Jiwan Cha, Sarah Kathryn Mcrae
• Inventors: McRae, Sarah Kathryn, Howard, Charles, Keels, Thomas, Gamache, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 8,781,910 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.61
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation

Abstract

A system and method for providing ready access to information about a vehicle offered for sale. A linking element is physically located on the vehicle. The linking element can assume many forms, with one example being a printed QR code on a “buyers guide” sticker or a separate sticker. A prospective purchaser uses a smart phone or other portable device to retrieve information based on the linking element. The smart phone then transmits this information over a communication link to a database containing information on many vehicles. The smart phone then receives the information back from the database on the specific vehicle queried where it may be reviewed by the user.

Claims

1. A method for providing ready access for a user to information about a vehicle offered for sale by a seller, further comprising the steps of

a. providing a linking element physically located on said vehicle;

b. providing a scanning device to read said linking element;

c. wherein said scanning device has a communication link;

d. wherein said linking element directs said scanning device to a database server containing said information about said vehicle offered for sale;

e. wherein said scanning device accesses and retrieves said information via said communication link; and

f. wherein said information is stored on said scanning device such that said user can access said information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said linking element is a quick response code.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a report physically located on said vehicle.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said report includes said linking element and further comprises:

a. providing a plurality of top level indicators; and

b. providing a descriptive summary identifying said vehicle which said report is physically located on.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said seller collects data upon purchase of said vehicle from a purchaser, and wherein said user must complete a title application form having a plurality of data fields for a permanent tag at some time after said purchase, further comprising the steps of:

a. providing a database on a file server having said data collected by said seller;

b. providing a temporary tag including a linking element;

c. wherein said scanning device captures said linking element and through said communication link accesses a web-site having said title application form;

d. wherein said data collected by said seller populates said data fields on said title application form;

e. wherein said linking element accesses said title application form which corresponds to said purchaser.

f. wherein said scanning device retrieves said information via said communication link; and

g. wherein said information is stored on said scanning device such that said user can access said information.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein said report is a buyer'"'"'s guide having said linking element.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said information is transmitted to a plurality of computing devices.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said information is transmitted to a device capable of producing a copy of said information.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said scanning device is a smart phone.

10. A method for providing ready access to information about a vehicle offered for sale, further comprising the steps of:

a. providing a quick response code physically located on said vehicle, wherein said quick response code stores a Uniform Resource Locator;

b. providing a scanning device having the ability to capture said quick response code and access said Uniform Resource Locator;

c. wherein said Uniform Resource Locator directs said scanning device through a communication link to a web-site having a database server containing said information about said vehicle offered for sale;

d. wherein said scanning device retrieves said information via said communication link; and

e. wherein said information is stored on said scanning device such that said user can access said information.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

a. providing a report including said quick response code;

b. providing a plurality of top level indicators; and

c. providing a descriptive summary identifying said vehicle which said report is physically located on.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said seller collects data upon purchase of said vehicle from a purchaser, and wherein said user must complete a title application form having a plurality of data fields for a permanent tag at some time after said purchase, further comprising the steps of:

a. providing a database having said data collected by said seller;

b. providing a temporary tag including a second quick response code;

c. wherein said scanning device captures said second quick response code and through said communication link and accesses a web-site having said title application form;

d. wherein said data collected by said seller populates said data fields on said title application form;

e. wherein said linking element accesses said title application form which corresponds to said purchaser.

f. wherein said scanning device retrieves said title application form via said communication link; and

g. wherein said title information form is stored on said scanning device such that said user can access said information.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of providing a buyer'"'"'s guide including said linking element.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said information is transmitted to at least one computer.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of providing a buyer'"'"'s guide having said quick response code.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said information is transmitted to a plurality of computing devices.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said information is transmitted to a device capable of producing a copy of said information.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein said scanning device is a smart phone.