Patent ID: 6308120
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: G08G

Abstract:
A method of tracking and disseminating vehicle repair record and service status information at a plurality of geographically remote service locations, comprising the steps of:maintaining vehicle repair record and service status information for a plurality of vehicles at a local communications terminal using a vehicle status database, said vehicle status database operably coupled to at least one of said local communications terminals;creating a service event notification pertaining to one of said vehicles using said local communications terminals;collecting a plurality of said service event notifications into a vehicle service status file;uploading said vehicle service status file from said local communications terminals to a regional communications terminal using an electronic network;generating an availability prediction for each said vehicle contained in said vehicle status database based on the vehicle service status information contained in said vehicle status database;collecting a plurality of said vehicle service status files into a vehicle service status report at each of said regional communications terminals;transmitting said vehicle service status report from each of said regional communications terminals to a central equipment manager; andtransmitting said vehicle service status report from said central equipment manager to each of said local communications terminals and regional communications terminals, such that each local service location having said local communications terminal is provided with current vehicle repair record and service status information regardless of the geographic region in which the vehicle is located.