Patent ID: 6052631
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: B60R,B62D,G01M,G06Q

Abstract:
A method in a computer system for facilitating inspection of a vehicle to detect problems with unknown repair, the vehicle having an underbody portion and an outerbody portion, the method comprising:(a) receiving vehicle identification information including an indication of vehicle type;(b) retrieving, based upon the received vehicle type, repair specifications and vehicle specifications that include alignment tolerances and;(c) determining whether damage has occurred to the vehicle by,(c1) receiving a plurality of underbody alignment measurements;(c2) comparing the received underbody alignment measurements to the retrieved alignment tolerances; and(c3) indicating a set of alignment nonconformities;(d) when it is determined that damage has occurred to the vehicle, facilitating the detection and location of previously performed repair work to the vehicle by,(d1) using an inference engine, requesting inspection of certain areas of the outerbody portion based upon the indicated alignment nonconformities;(d2) for each of the requested certain areas of inspection, receiving an indication of a current condition of the certain area; and(d3) comparing the received indications of current conditions of the certain areas to the retrieved specifications to identify areas of repair;(e) when repair areas have been identified,(e1) using an inference engine, requesting inspection of further areas;(e2) for each of the requested further areas of inspection, receiving an indication of the current condition of the further area; and(e3) comparing the received indications of current conditions of the further areas to the retrieved repair specifications to identify repair nonconformities and potential safety hazards;(f) determining a conclusion as to whether the vehicle has been properly repaired; and(g) outputting the conclusion.