Computer-based technology for aiding the repair of motor vehicles
First Claim
1. A computer-performed method of parameterizing repair of damage to a motor vehicle by using at least one processor and at least one non-transitory storage device storing executable code, said at least one processor executing said stored executable code to provide a visually-perceptible display on a touch screen display, wherein the touch screen display is provided on a handheld housing containing a camera, the method comprising:
- (1) automatically receiving, with the at least one processor, input indicating dimensions of a dent, the at least one processor automatically analyzing image data from the camera to automatically ascertain extent of damage to the motor vehicle;
(2) automatically receiving, with the at least one processor, touch screen input indicating sharp creases or folds in a repair surface corresponding to the dent;
(3) automatically receiving, with the at least one processor, touch screen input indicating gouges, tears or crushed material in the repair surface;
(4) automatically receiving, with the at least one processor, touch screen input indicating how many hard worked surfaces are subject to repair in repairing the dent;
(5) in response to at least the received inputs, automatically, with the at least one processor, parameterizing at least time and cost to repair the dent;
(6) automatically, with the at least one processor, iterating steps (1)-(5) for each of plural dents in the motor vehicle; and
(7) automatically calculating, with the at least one processor, totalized parameterized repair outputs for use in changing the repair state of the motor vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-assisted inspection system provides computer architectures and software controlled algorithms to automatically provide vehicle inspections and repair recommendations including estimated repair time and cost of depression type damage such as dents. Features provided by a handheld wireless touchscreen based inspection device include flat car part picking, auto grading including seller grading, and automatic calculation of body and bumper dent repair parameters and directions.
142 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A computer-performed method of parameterizing repair of damage to a motor vehicle by using at least one processor and at least one non-transitory storage device storing executable code, said at least one processor executing said stored executable code to provide a visually-perceptible display on a touch screen display, wherein the touch screen display is provided on a handheld housing containing a camera, the method comprising:
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(1) automatically receiving, with the at least one processor, input indicating dimensions of a dent, the at least one processor automatically analyzing image data from the camera to automatically ascertain extent of damage to the motor vehicle; (2) automatically receiving, with the at least one processor, touch screen input indicating sharp creases or folds in a repair surface corresponding to the dent; (3) automatically receiving, with the at least one processor, touch screen input indicating gouges, tears or crushed material in the repair surface; (4) automatically receiving, with the at least one processor, touch screen input indicating how many hard worked surfaces are subject to repair in repairing the dent; (5) in response to at least the received inputs, automatically, with the at least one processor, parameterizing at least time and cost to repair the dent; (6) automatically, with the at least one processor, iterating steps (1)-(5) for each of plural dents in the motor vehicle; and (7) automatically calculating, with the at least one processor, totalized parameterized repair outputs for use in changing the repair state of the motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. In a computing system including a processor, at least one input device, and a display, said computing device including at least one storage device storing executable code to be executed by the processor, said processor at least in part controlling the display to display information that is visually perceptible by a user, said processor accepting input from the user via the at least one input device and affecting the information displayed on the display in order to provide interaction with the user, the display being provided on a handheld housing containing a camera, the computing device processor executing the executable code stored by the storage device to perform the following functions:
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(a) receive inputted length and width dimensions of a dent in a motor vehicle body; (b) receive inputted number of work hardened areas to be repaired; (c) receive inputted number of panel edges to be repaired; (d) receive inputted number of body lines to be repaired; (e) receive inputted additional damage associated with the dent, the computing device processor automatically analyzing image data from the camera to automatically ascertain extent of damage to the motor vehicle; (f) accept and process said inputted number of work hardened areas to be repaired, number of panel edges to be repaired, number of body lines to be repaired, and additional damage associated with the dent to automatically calculate how much time required to repair the dent based on the length and width of the dent, adjusting the calculated repair time based on the input number of work hardened areas, panel edges, body lines, and additional damage; (g) based on the automatically calculated and adjusted time, automatically calculating how much it will cost to repair the dent; and (h) providing an electronic presentation enabling further input to authorize repair. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A non-transitory storage device storing executable instructions that when executed by at least one processor control the processor to parameterize repair of damage to a motor vehicle, said processor being configured to provide a visually-perceptible display on a touch screen display, wherein the touch screen display is provided on a handheld housing containing a camera, the non-transitory storage device storing:
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first instructions controlling the processor to automatically request a user to input dimensions of a dent; second instructions controlling the processor to automatically request the user to input via the touch screen whether there are sharp creases or folds in a repair surface corresponding to the dent; third instructions controlling the processor to automatically request the user to input via the touch screen whether there are gouges, tears or crushed material in the repair surface; fourth instructions controlling the processor to automatically request the user to input via the touch screen how many hard worked surfaces are subject to repair in repairing the dent; fifth instructions controlling the processor to automatically analyze image data from the camera to automatically ascertain extent of damage to the motor vehicle, and in response to at least the received user inputs, automatically parameterize at least time and cost to repair the dent by using a length and width lookup matrix to calculate labor hours based on the width and length parameters, add additional body time based on number of work hard areas, number of panel edges, number of body lines, depth of the dent, sharp crease or fold, crushed metal and other factors; sixth instructions controlling the processor to automatically iterate execution of the first through fifth instructions for each of plural dents in the motor vehicle; and seventh instructions controlling the processor to automatically provide parameterized repair outputs that will result in changing the repair state of the motor vehicle.
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Specification