Patent ID: 6338045
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
A computer-implemented method of managing an inventory of vehicles and parts associated with said vehicles using a central computer system and at least one remote computer system operatively connected to said central computer by a communications link to exchange data therebetween, the method comprising the steps of:creating a master file within said central computer, said master file containing stored vehicle information; inputting to said remote computer system vehicle information related to each vehicle, said vehicle information including a unique identification number, said unique identification number comprising a vehicle identification number for each said vehicle, and a part number and a serial number for each said part; communicating said inputted vehicle information to said central computer; storing said inputted vehicle information in at least one of a plurality of storage files; comparing said inputted vehicle information in a first of said plurality of storage files with said stored vehicle information in said master file; activating an alarm if a discrepancy exists between said inputted vehicle information in said first of said plurality of storage files and said stored vehicle information in said master file; inputting to said remote computer system maintenance information related to said vehicle, said maintenance information including a unique maintenance identification number, said unique maintenance identification number including said vehicle identification number; a part removed part number and a part removed serial number for each part removed from said vehicle; or a part added part number and a part added serial number for each part added to said vehicle; communicating said maintenance information to said central computer; storing said maintenance information in a second of said plurality of storage files; comparing said maintenance information in said second of said plurality of storage files with said vehicle information in said master file; activating an alarm if a discrepancy exists between said second of said plurality of storage files and said master file; updating said plurality of storage files with said maintenance information in the absence of said discrepancy; and updating said master file with said vehicle information in said plurality of storage files once said plurality of storage files is updated.