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US 2005/0038580 A1Published application
Information about structural integrity of vehicles
OwnerKerri Seim, Randy Gardinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one aspect, data is maintained indicative of an aspect of structural integrity of identifiable vehicles after the vehicles have been manufactured, and selected portions of the data are distributed to customers in response to requests.
Claims120
A machine-based method comprising
- maintaining data indicative of an aspect of structural integrity of identifiable vehicles after the vehicles have been manufactured, and
- distributing selected portions of the data to customers in response to requests.
The method of claim If in which the data is acquired by measuring locations on the vehicle and comparing the measurements to predefined values.
A machine-based method comprising
- associating (1) first data indicative of an aspect of structural integrity of an identifiable vehicle as of a first time with (2) second data indicative of the aspect of structural integrity of the identifiable vehicle as of a second time, and
- making the associated data available as a history of the aspect of structural integrity of the identifiable vehicle.
A machine-based method comprising
- receiving data indicative of an aspect of structural integrity of identifiable vehicles after the vehicles have been manufactured, the data being generated by inspection of the vehicles at multiple locations.
A machine-based method comprising
- by inspection, acquiring data indicative of aspects of structural integrity of a vehicle, and
- based on the data and information about an expected structural integrity of the vehicle, indicating one of either (1) that it conforms to the expected structural integrity or (2) that it does not conform to the expected structural integrity.
A machine-based method comprising
- providing to a user upon request a confirmation of whether or not an aspect of structural integrity of an identifiable vehicle complies with an expected structural integrity of the vehicle.
A machine-based method comprising
- maintaining a central database that associates each of a set of vehicle identification numbers of vehicles with data indicative of an aspect of structural integrity of the vehicle, the data being derived from at least one inspection of the vehicle, the inspections of at least some of the different vehicles having been done at different locations.
A machine-based method comprising
- acquiring data indicative of an aspect of structural integrity of a vehicle at an inspection facility, and
- communicating the data from a local device associated with the inspection facility to a device associated with a central database that includes structural integrity data for other vehicles acquired at other inspection facilities.
A machine-based method comprising
- acquiring data indicative of an aspect of structural integrity of vehicles at an inspection facility,
- communicating the data from a local device associated with the inspection facility to a central database,
- maintaining a copy of a portion of the central database on the local device, and
- synchronizing the portion of the database on the local device with the central database.
1 more element
A machine-based method comprising
- communicating electronically from a database to an intermediary, for redistribution to users, data that associates vehicle identification numbers of vehicles with data indicative of structural integrity of the vehicles, and
- providing updates of the data automatically.
A machine-based method comprising
- communicating electronically from a database to a party, for use in making a decision about a vehicle, data that associated vehicle identification numbers of vehicles with measured data indicative of structural integrity of the vehicles.
A machine-based method comprising
- making available to a user of a website, information about vehicles that are identified by vehicle identification numbers, and
- enabling the user to access structural integrity information for a vehicle selected by vehicle identification number.
A machine-based method comprising
- enabling a user to set up equipment to acquire data indicative of an aspect of structural integrity of a vehicle, and
- providing voiced machine prompts to guide the user in correctly setting up the equipment.
A machine-based method comprising
- analyzing original equipment manufacturer's engineering drawings with respect to an aspect of structural integrity of a vehicle, and
- generating a specification for locations at which to measure the aspect of structural integrity for an actual vehicle built according to the engineering drawings.
A machine-based method comprising
- analyzing data indicative of an aspect of structural integrity of vehicles manufactured by a particular manufacturer, and
- identifying possible flaws in vehicle design based on results of the analysis.
A database comprising
- a set of vehicle identifiers, and
- associated with each of the vehicle identifiers, data indicative of an aspect of structural integrity of the vehicle.
A machine-based method comprising
- receiving frame straightness data from multiple locations at a central database, the frame straightness data having been produced by inspecting automobiles for frame straightness at the multiple locations,
- including in the central database information related to comparisons of the straightness data with reference straightness information derived from specification data developed from manufacturers of the automobiles,
- providing the straightness data or the comparison information to users upon request, and
- receiving payment from the users for the data or information.
1 more element
Apparatus comprising
- a port to receive structural integrity data from an inspection device that inspects an automobile for structural integrity, and
- a processing device configured to communicate the structural integrity data to a location in which a central database of structural integrity information and related vehicle identification information is maintained.
A machine-based method comprising
- receiving from a data recorder associated with a vehicle, data obtained at the time of an occurrence of an incident that may have altered a structural integrity of the vehicle,
- after the incident, receiving measurements of the structural integrity of the vehicle, and
- analyzing a relationship between the incident data and the measurements.
A verification inspection workstation comprising
- a housing,
- a computer,
- a monitor, and
- software configured to enable the computer to acquire measured information about the structural integrity of a vehicle and to forward the information electronically to a central server at which information about the structural integrity of other vehicles is stored.
1 more element
The workstation of FIG. 118 also including a laser scanner, targets, and attachments.
A server comprising
- a computer, and
- software configured to enable the computer to maintain measured information, acquired at multiple remote locations, about the structural integrity of vehicles and to distribute the information to users upon request.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.