System and method for automatic identification of vehicle identification number
AssigneeCarfax, Inc.
InventorsDavid L. Silversmith, Renan Ayrault
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle history information system is provided for obtaining vehicle history information associated with a vehicle identification number (VIN). The vehicle history information system includes a VIN identification module adapted to identify at least one VIN in an electronic file, a database having vehicle history records relating to vehicle history of one or more vehicles, and a vehicle history report module adapted to retrieve vehicle history records associated the VIN identified. A method and a computer readable storage medium having instructions for obtaining vehicle history information are also provided.
Claims48
A vehicle history information system for obtaining vehicle history information associated with a vehicle identification number (VIN) comprising:
- a VIN identification module adapted to automatically electronically search an electronically displayable file, containing a plurality of vehicle information, to identify at least one VIN in the electronically displayable file;
- a database having vehicle history records relating to a vehicle history of one or more vehicles;
- and
- a vehicle history report module adapted to retrieve vehicle history records associated with said at least one VIN identified by said VIN identification module.
A method of obtaining vehicle history information associated with a vehicle identification number (VIN) comprising:
- providing a database having vehicle history records relating to vehicle history of one or more vehicles;
- automatically electronically parsing an electronically displayable file, containing a plurality of vehicle information, to identify at least one VIN in said electronically displayable file;
- and
- retrieving from said database, vehicle history records associated with said at least one VIN identified in said electronic file.
A computer readable storage medium comprising:
- instructions for automatically electronically parsing an electronically displayable file containing a plurality of vehicle information;
- and
- instructions for identifying at least one VIN in said electronically displayable file while parsing said electronically displayable file by identifying a character string having 17 characters in said electronically displayable file.
A computer executable vehicle identification number (VIN) identification module adapted to automatically electronically search an electronically displayable file, containing a plurality of vehicle information, and identify at least one VIN in the electronically displayable file by identifying a character string having 17 characters, and performing at least one verification check to verify that said identified character string is a VIN.
A method of identifying at least one vehicle identification number (VIN) in an electronic file comprising:
- automatically electronically parsing an electronically displayable file, containing a plurality of vehicle information to identify a character string in said electronically displayable file having 17 characters;
- and
- performing at least one verification check to verify that said identified character string is a VIN.
A vehicle history information system for obtaining vehicle history information associated with a vehicle identification number (VIN) comprising:
- a VIN identification module adapted to identify a plurality of VINs in an electronic file, said VIN identification module further adapted to provide a listing of said plurality of VINs and to delete any duplicate VINs;
- a database having vehicle history records relating to a vehicle history of one or more vehicles;
- and
- a vehicle history report module adapted to retrieve vehicle history records associated with said plurality of VINs identified by said VIN identification module.
A vehicle history information system for obtaining vehicle history information associated with a vehicle identification number (VIN) comprising:
- a VIN identification module adapted to identify a plurality of VINs in an electronic file, said VIN identification module further adapted to provide a listing of said plurality of VINs and to sort said plurality of VINs;
- a database having vehicle history records relating to a vehicle history of one or more vehicles;
- and
- a vehicle history report module adapted to retrieve vehicle history records associated with said plurality of VINs identified by said VIN identification module.
A method of obtaining vehicle history information associated with a vehicle identification number (VIN) comprising:
- providing a database having vehicle history records relating to vehicle history of one or more vehicles;
- electronically parsing an electronic file to identify a plurality of VINs in said electronic file;
- providing a listing of said plurality of VINs and deleting any duplicate VINs;
- and
- retrieving from said database, vehicle history records associated with said plurality VINs identified in said electronic file.
A method of obtaining vehicle history information associated with a vehicle identification number (VIN) comprising:
- providing a database having vehicle history records relating to vehicle history of one or more vehicles;
- electronically parsing an electronic file to identify a plurality of VINs in said electronic file;
- providing a listing of said plurality of VINs and sorting said plurality of VINs;
- and
- retrieving from said database, vehicle history records associated with said plurality of VINs identified in said electronic file.
A computer readable storage medium comprising:
- instructions for parsing an electronic file;
- instructions for identifying a plurality of VINs in said electronic file;
- instructions for listing of said plurality of VINs;
- and
- instructions for deleting any duplicate VINs.
A computer readable storage medium comprising:
- instructions for parsing an electronic file;
- instructions for identifying a plurality of VINs in said electronic file;
- instructions for listing of said plurality of VINs;
- and
- instructions for sorting said plurality of VINs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.