Patent ID: 7529697

Claim:
A method for identifying an unknown automotive part assembly from a class of automotive part assemblies using a prescribed classification scheme that distinguishes the unknown automotive part assembly from the class of automotive part assemblies based upon variations in the configuration of certain features, and that results in an ultimate determination of the identity of the unknown automotive part assembly, the method steps comprising: (a) presenting on a terminal device, to a user in a computer user interface, a first set of options based upon the prescribed classification scheme, wherein the first set of options is directed to a first feature for distinguishing the unknown automotive part assembly from the class of automotive part assemblies, and wherein each option represents a distinct configuration of the first feature, and wherein the presentation of the first set of options includes at least one image of a representative feature and at least one visual reference in conjunction with the image for locating the first feature on the unknown automotive part assembly; (b) receiving from the user a selection of one of the options from the first set of options that corresponds to the particular configuration of the feature found on the unknown automotive part assembly and generating a subsequent set of options based upon the selection; (c) sequentially presenting for selection subsequent sets of options, wherein each set of subsequent options is based upon the previous selection and is directed to an additional distinguishing feature of the unknown automotive part assembly, wherein each option of the subsequent set of options represents a distinct configuration of the corresponding additional feature, and wherein the presentation of each set includes at least one image of a representative feature and a visual reference in conjunction with the image for physically locating the corresponding feature on the unknown automotive part assembly; (d) receiving, from the user, a selection of one of the options from the subsequent set of options presented, the selection corresponding to the particular configuration of the feature found on the unknown automotive part assembly; (e) if more information is required to identify the unknown automotive part assembly, repeating steps (c)-(d) to further identify the unknown automotive part assembly based upon the prescribed classification scheme; and (f) if no more information is required to identify the unknown automotive part assembly, presenting, to the user, an identification for the unknown automotive part assembly in accordance with the selections received.