SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PART IDENTIFICATION

A system and method for identifying parts on a vehicle and maintaining the parts within a system is disclosed. The system and method include submitting a vehicle identification number (VIN) to determine demand for parts associated with the vehicle identified by the VIN, generating a product delivery record (PDR) for at least one of the parts, entering the PDR of the at least one of the parts into a tracking system, determining the ultimate destination for the vehicle identified by the VIN, on a condition that the vehicle is destined to be dismantled, creating at least one dismantle report associated with either the vehicle or the parts, printing tags associated with the parts being dismantled from the vehicle, the tags providing at least one of routing or destination information for the part, and locating the parts based on the tag based on the routing or destination information.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the identification of parts in the automotive industry, and more particularly, to a system and method for part identification.

BACKGROUND

Salvage part supply companies routinely use software that utilizes year, make and model of vehicle in conjunction with Hollander numbers to identify parts. Hollander numbers describe a system used by the Hollander Interchange Manual that links vehicle part numbers with vehicle parts that are interchangeable. The Hollander numbers can be used to look up a part number and car to find parts that will perform the same function when replaced or modified. The numbers lead to a variety of parts options and also are used to sell parts online and for inventory at auto salvage yards. While these identification criteria have proven useful in establishing an effective part numbering system, there are occasions when the system fails to supply enough descriptive granularities to properly identify a part.

For example, there are instances where existing identification methods can identify general attributes of a part such as the part type, including bumper, door panel, or the like, for example, and the year make and model of vehicle it fits. However, existing systems may not be able to identify more detailed attributes of the part, such as trim level or type, including premium leather package, or leather color, for example. Therefore, a need exists to provide a system and method for identification of parts that provides additional descriptive granularity to more accurately identify a part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and method for identifying parts on a vehicle and maintaining the parts within the system is described. The system and method includes submitting a vehicle identification number (VIN) to determine demand for one or a series of parts associated with the vehicle identified by the VIN, generating a product delivery record (PDR) for at least one of the one or series of parts associated with the vehicle identified by the VIN, entering the PDR of the at least one of the one or series of parts associated with the vehicle identified by the VIN into a tracking system, determining the ultimate destination for the vehicle identified by the VIN, on a condition that the vehicle is destined to be dismantled, creating at least one dismantle report associated with either the vehicle identified by the VIN or the at least one the one or series of parts associated with the vehicle identified by the VIN, printing tags associated with the parts being dismantled from the vehicle, the tags providing at least one of routing or destination information for a part identified using the VIN of the vehicle, and locating the parts based on the tag based on the routing or destination information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention includes a part identification method that uses a vehicle's seventeen character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to identify a part to provide additional information that is not conveyed using the Hollander numbers and year, make and model of the vehicle. Utilizing simplified databases that maintain detailed information on parts ordered by VIN, the VIN is capable of providing part details that cannot be accessed by the Hollander/year, make, and model combination. Once a part has been identified by VIN, its corresponding Hollander number can be readily obtained, as well, thereby enabling backward compatibility with legacy systems. However, having access to the additional attributes provided by the VIN based identification system, such as trim level, color, and the like, greatly increases the probability of obtaining the exact part required and minimizes the instances of “similar” parts being provided instead of the correct part being provided.

A system and method for identifying parts on a vehicle and maintaining the parts within the system is disclosed. The system and method include submitting a vehicle identification number (VIN) to determine demand for one or a series of parts associated with the vehicle identified by the VIN, generating a product delivery record (PDR) for at least one of the one or series of parts associated with the vehicle identified by the VIN, entering the PDR of the at least one of the one or series of parts associated with the vehicle identified by the VIN into a tracking system, determining the ultimate destination for the vehicle identified by the VIN, on a condition that the vehicle is destined to be dismantled, creating at least one dismantle report associated with either the vehicle identified by the VIN or the at least one the one or series of parts associated with the vehicle identified by the VIN, printing tags associated with the parts being dismantled from the vehicle, the tags providing at least one of routing or destination information for a part identified using the VIN of the vehicle, and locating the parts based on the tag based on the routing or destination information.

FIG. 1illustrates a system100for providing the part identification of the present invention. In addition to providing the part identification of a vehicle110using the VIN of the vehicle, system100calculates or determines the value of the vehicle110based on the sum of the values of the parts identified as being within the vehicle. The value of the vehicle110may be used in bidding on salvaged or totaled vehicles at auction, or otherwise may be used to determine whether to purchase a vehicle.

A VIN, also referred to as a chassis number, is a unique code, including a serial number, used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles, towed vehicles, motorcycles, scooters and mopeds, as defined in ISO 3833. VINs are based on two related standards, originally issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)—ISO 3779 and ISO 3780, respectively. Compatible but different implementations of these ISO standards have been adopted by the European Union and the United States, respectively. Although the implementations generally provide the same information.

Generally, the VIN is 17 digits and includes a world manufacturer identifier, an indication of “the general characteristics of the vehicle,” and an indication that provides “clear identification of a particular vehicle.”

More specifically, the first three characters of the seventeen-character VIN uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle using the world manufacturer identifier or WMI code. The first character of the WMI is the region in which the manufacturer is located.

The fourth to eighth positions in the VIN are the vehicle descriptor section (VDS). The VDS is used to identify the vehicle type, and may include information on the automobile platform used, the model, and the body style. Each manufacturer has a unique system for using this field. Specifically, the eighth digit may be used to identify the engine type whenever there is more than one engine choice for the vehicle. For example, for the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette, U is for a 6.0 L V8 engine, and E is for a 7.0 L V8.

The ninth position in the VIN may be used as a check digit.

The tenth to seventeenth positions are used as the vehicle identifier section (VIS). These positions may be used to identify the individual vehicle in question and may include information on options installed or engine and transmission choices.

System100includes an example device101in which one or more features of the disclosure can be implemented. The device101can include, for example, a computer, a gaming device, a handheld device, a set-top box, a television, a mobile phone, or a tablet computer. The device101includes a processor102, a memory104, a storage106, one or more input devices, and one or more output devices. The device101can also optionally include an input driver112and an output driver114. It is understood that the device101can include additional components not shown inFIG. 1.

In various alternatives, the processor102includes a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a CPU and GPU located on the same die, or one or more processor cores, wherein each processor core can be a CPU or a GPU. In various alternatives, the memory104is be located on the same die as the processor102, or is located separately from the processor102. The memory104includes a volatile or non-volatile memory, for example, random access memory (RAM), dynamic RAM, or a cache.

The input driver112communicates with the processor102and any input devices, and permits the processor102to receive input from the input devices. The output driver114communicates with the processor102and any output devices, and permits the processor102to send output to the output devices. It is noted that the input driver112and the output driver114are optional components, and that the device101will operate in the same manner if the input driver112and the output driver114are not present.

The device101may include, or be linked to, a database120, which may include information that is indexed according to the VIN of the vehicles, as well as, a mapped part list for each of the respective vehicles. The database120may provide the ability to transition between the VIN of a vehicle and the Hollander numbers of the parts, as necessary.

Interconnected with the device101may be a user interface125. This user interface125may be located proximate to the computing system device101, or if the device101is located remotely, the user interface125may be provided at a salvage yard, for example. User interfaces125attached to other devices101may also connect with the computing system via the network130or other accessing mechanism in order to provide information, such as VIN numbers, and determine the value of the vehicle110identified by such a VIN. By way of example, such a user interface125interconnected with a device101may be an individual computing device, such as a laptop, iPhone, or iPad that may be on-site with a user where an available vehicle is located or going to be located. Another user interface125interconnected with a device101may be located proximate to the salvage area150or disassembly area160. This user interface125interconnected with device101may enable interaction with the system100to identifying parts entering, or going to enter, the salvage area150or disassembly area160.

The parts may enter via the entering of a vehicle110identified by the VIN, and may be disassembled at a disassembly area160the salvage area150, or may be previously disassembled before entering the yard. Once disassembled, the system100may provide a destination for the parts, or groups of parts, from the vehicle associated with the VIN. This may include parts destined to go to a selected reseller170, parts destined for a reseller who has placed a requisition for the parts, where the requisition is met by the parts of the vehicle identified by the VIN. This location may range from a pile to a bin155, as appropriate. A bin165within disassembly area160may be used to stage parts as they are disassembled from the vehicle110.

Operationally, a VIN for a vehicle110may be input into a user interface125of a device101within system100. System100may utilize processor102via output driver114to access a database120. In accessing the database120, the demand for the parts of the vehicle110may be determined. The VIN number may be used to determine the value of each of the respective parts on the vehicle110. As would be understood by those possessing an ordinary skill in the art, demand plays a factor in the value of a given part or set of parts. For example, the demand associated with a gear box affects the price and therefore the value of the gear box. From the demand for each part of vehicle110, a value of the vehicle110may be determined. A PDR may be created within device101for the vehicle110. The PR may include determining the destination of vehicle110and/or parts of the vehicle110and designating the vehicle110as a dismantle.

System100includes a series of printing devices capable of printing tags for marking parts of vehicle110to aid in locating and tracking the parts. That is, the system100may provide a printer or series of printers, or other marking means, to allow for the marking and designating of parts, as the parts enter the salvage area150or are disassembled or dismantled in the disassembly area160from the vehicle.

FIG. 2Aillustrates a user input screen270for entering information regarding a vehicle of interest. Input screen270may allow a user to enter the VIN of a vehicle. The input screen270may include other information and other formatting as would be understood by those possessing an ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, inputs may include scanners to scan the VIN or other parts, cameras to image a vehicle or specific parts and use an automated process of recognition of the vehicle of the part, for example, and other techniques for identifying vehicles.

Input screen270may include inputs for stock number, site, VIN, engine no., engine code, year, model, style, external color, notification date, purchase date, class, claim/lot number, stall, default PDR, MVR created, license plate, registration date, figured by, buyer name, tow request, expected delivery, arrival, clearance, entity purchased from, contact, information on towability, pickup location, and whether the title is junked. Input screen270may include other pertinent information about the vehicle as well. This information may be entered using a freeform user entry block or may have designated information blocks that may be added or included. Each entry or piece of information may be entered manually, or may be developed or determined from the VIN, as described herein.

FIG. 2Billustrates an input200through which damage to the vehicle may be entered into the system100. In determining the value or parts available based on the VIN of the vehicle an accounting need be made for any damage on the vehicle. Using input200the damage to a prospective or accepted vehicle may be entered. While input200is illustrative only, and other inputs may be used to convey damage or other information into system100, input200enables a description of inputting damage to the vehicle. As would be understood by those possessing an ordinary skill in the pertinent art, depictions of the inside of the vehicle, the engine compartment, and other elements of the vehicle may be depicted in order for system100to be provided information to assess the value of the vehicle.

As depicted, input200includes a vehicle210including a front bumper215and a rear bumper205. Wheels220may be included within input200, including left rear wheel220a, left front wheel220b, right rear wheel220c, and right front wheel220d, collectively referred to as wheels220. Further, input200may include door collectively referred to as doors225, including back left door2250a, front left door225b, back right door225c, and front right door225d. As would be understood to those with skill in the art, other vehicles may include more or less doors, such as two-door vehicles, three-door hatchback and the like. Based on an entered VIN number input200may account for such variations in vehicles, or alternatively, a user may account for such variations in selecting aspects of input200.

Input200may include roof230, rear window235, front window240, door or side windows245, including back left door window245a, front left door window245b, back right door window245c, and front right door window245d. Input200may include the hood250and trunk255, grill260and rear grill265, by way of examples only.

Input200may be utilized to provide information into system100, for example, in the event that the front bumper215is destroyed in an accident, it may be problematic to account for the value of front bumper215in assessing vehicle210. Further, additional damage may be found on the parts of vehicle210from the front impact, such as grill260. Such damage may or may not be seen in the initial inspection and, as such, vehicle210may be designated for further examination of grill260, for example. By inputting areas of the vehicle that are damaged through input200, system100may determine areas of input and identify parts that may be impacted by such damage. This may benefit by enabling system100to discount the value of a salvaged vehicle by the reduced amount and account for the value of such parts, or by providing a notation that additional inspection is required to determine if the impacted parts can be recovered. As illustrated inFIG. 2, a two-dimensional view of vehicle210is depicted for allowing the input of damage to the vehicle in question.

FIG. 3illustrates a method300for providing the part identification of the present invention that may be performed in the system ofFIG. 1. Method300includes the steps of submitting the VIN to determine demand at step310. As part of identifying the parts, the VIN number may be used to determine the value of each of the respective parts on a vehicle. As would be understood by those possessing an ordinary skill in the art, demand plays a factor in the value of a given part or set of parts. For example, the demand associated with a gear box affects the price and therefore the value of the gear box. The method initiates by inputting or submitting a VIN to determine the demand for the parts associated with the vehicle with that VIN. Once the VIN is submitted, the system queries the database and determines the demand associated with the respective parts from the vehicle identified by the VIN. This includes vehicle parts associated with particular resellers.

Method300includes generating a PDR at step320and entering PDR parts at step330. The information included in a PDR is described here with respect toFIG. 6.

Method300includes determining the destination of vehicle and/or parts of the vehicle at step340and creating a dismantle report and changing the status of the vehicle identified by the VIN at step350. The dismantle report is described in greater detail with respect toFIG. 9.

Method300includes printing tags at step360as is described in greater detail with respect toFIG. 11. System100and method300include locating and tracking the parts at step370and described in greater detail inFIG. 12.

Once the VIN is submitted and the parts identified and valued, such as through inputs200and270, for example, a product delivery record (PDR) may be created. This product delivery record may indicate that parts identified on the vehicle based on the submitted VIN are for delivery to a particular reseller. At this point, the part identification may be associated with the reseller price and the reseller's part description. This allows a reviewer to accurately identify the requested part on the vehicle. This association is depicted inFIG. 4. As illustrated inFIG. 4, a screen400may depict a generic part name and specific part attributes410along with the associated price420and pertinent part data including value430. A generic part name may be, for example, headlight and specific part attributes may include xenon as the type of headlight. The price of this part may be $15.

Additionally, system100may determine the best method of realizing the value in the vehicle identified by the submitted VIN. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the user input screen270ofFIG. 2Amay be overlayed with a pop-up window510providing recommendation for the best course of realizing value from the entered vehicle. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the identified vehicle may be destined for a complete dismantle. Other alternatives to dismantling the vehicle include removal of selected and designated parts, for example.

FIG. 6illustrates a screen depiction600of the type of information contained within system100after the PDR is created and the PDR parts may be entered into the system. This may include all parts on the vehicle identified by the VIN, or just parts having a true recovery opportunity, i.e., those parts that have been identified as needed by a reseller. The PDR parts may be entered in a drop down menu, for example. As illustrated inFIG. 6, a drop down menu may identify the returned price, reseller or redistributor and a part description for any given one of the PDR parts. Once a given part is selected in the drop down menu, the price may dramatically change to the value the reseller or redistributor has offered. This value change is reflected inFIG. 6. In the screen depiction600, there is shown a generic part name column610that provides a generic name of the part or parts that may extend beyond specifics about the part itself. A column620may include the specific part name of the part or parts that may provide additional detail in the name of the part including, but not limited to, color or style information. Pertinent part information may be included in a column630for any part or parts that include additional data regarding a specific part. A price column640and details column650may also be included. These columns may include the price and any other details associated with the part or parts identified.

FIG. 7illustrates the screen depiction600ofFIG. 6providing detail on parts that are in demand and match a line item. If multiple parts were in demand that matched a line item, the selected parts may be identified or highlighted710, such as by using color or bold, for example. In this illustration, a user of system100may select any of a number of categories of parts for viewing including only those parts that have recovery opportunities. System100may enter the parts that have such opportunities without adding the parts into the local inventory, as the local reseller may only pass the parts through to the destined reseller. Alternatively, the status of such parts may be identified in other ways as would be understood by those possessing an ordinary skill in the pertinent arts.

FIG. 8illustrates a presentation800of information regarding the handling of recovered parts entered in system100. In the presentation800, there is shown a generic part name column810that provides a generic name of the part or parts that may extend beyond specifics about the part itself. A column820may provide a description of the part and may include additional details of the part. A price column830and status column840may also be included. These columns may include the price and the current status of the part, such as if the part is going to be dissembled or if the part is already ready for sale. A condition column850may also be provided to provide details on the condition of the product. For example, if the product is an engine, the condition column may provide detail on the number of miles on the engine. Core part information860and recover information870may also be included.

FIG. 9illustrates a dismantling report900of system100. The information within the dismantling report may be included one the vehicle is identified for dismantling, once it is dismantled. Once the information is within system100, the information may remain in the system100until the part no longer is tracked within system100.

Once the vehicle identified by the VIN is designated as being dismantled, based on the destination for the vehicle discussed inFIG. 5, a dismantling report may be created and the vehicle identified as dismantled. Once dismantled the vehicle may no longer be tracked by VIN number, since the vehicle does not exist, and each of the parts within the dismantling report900may be tracked individually. A link that the arts came from a vehicle with an identified and specified VIN may exist. The dismantling report900identifies the real recovery opportunities that exist for the parts and has those parts designated as real recovery earmarked for delivery to the appropriate reseller.

Dismantling report900may be used for each part removed from the vehicle. For example, if a driver door is removed, the dismantling report900may be filled out for that part. Alternatively, the dismantling report900may be filled for each vehicle dismantled to capture the parts from a specific vehicle for example. In either situation, each part is captured and identified.

Dismantling report900may include areas to record and enter information, for the dismantle or along with, such as concurrently, with the dismantle. As illustrated inFIG. 9, information may include model, stock #, year, VIN, vehicle location, vehicle color, production date, PDR#, keys, doors, glass color, wheels, wheel size, fender light, power locks, mileage, transmission, cruise control, radio, air conditioner, power windows, air bags, engine size including number of cylinders, fuel type, drive type, power steering, ABS system, battery, spare wheel, and jack, by way of non-limiting example only. This dismantle report may be filled as the dismantle proceeds. Alternatively, this report may be prefilled based on the VIN of the vehicle.

With the identification of parts based on the VIN of the vehicle and the parts earmarked for delivery, and all other parts from the vehicle, system100provides an opportunity to print tags for each of the respective parts in the respective categories of destination. Those earmarked parts may have tags printed and associated part by part to aid in the respective part reaching the proper destination. An illustration of such a screen1000for the printing of tags is shown inFIG. 10. As illustrated in screen1000, a description of the part may be included within a description column1010, stock number for a part included in the stock number column1020and the site location of the part included in the site column1030. This may be itemized for each part included in a given row.

FIG. 11illustrates a depiction1100of the print screens for printing tags within the present invention. A printer may be located with system100at a printer location1110. Such a printer may print1120a tag associated with a part in the system that is arriving to or headed to the location1110. The tag print1130may be adhered or co-located with the recovered part1140. Using the printed tag1130the recovered part may be tracked and located within system100.

The location of the parts may be identified within the present system as these parts make their way to the appropriate destination and once at their destination.FIG. 12illustrates an illustration1200of location information with system100. For example, bins may be identified for the placement of parts destined for selected resellers, for example. Other locations may be delineated for parts in the inventory process. Individual parts may be tags for warehousing, for example. As may be seen in illustration1200a part description may be included in a first column1210. Other columns of information include status column1215, age column1220, price column1225, type column1230, location column1235, user column1240, date column1245, condition column1250, tag column1255, stock number column1260, site column1265, resolution column1270, comments column1275, invoice number column1280, restocked column1285, dismantled date column1290, and dismantler1295, for example. Specific part attribute may also be included for each of the generic parts included within the illustration.