351 results about "Vehicle identification number" patented technology

Embodiments described herein provide a vehicle record platform using blockchain technology. Vehicle records are recorded using blocks linked by vehicle identification number. The vehicle record stores historical information about vehicles, including collision information, financing information, transfer of ownership information, and other transaction information.

An application on a mobile device provides for the initiation and submission of an insurance claim by capturing information and images of documents using an image capture capability, then processing the images to extract content which is transmitted to an insurance company for processing of the claim. Documents such as an automobile insurance card (AIC), driver's license, vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate, police report, damage estimate and repair invoice may all be captured and processed by image processing techniques on the mobile device or an image processing unit in order to extract relevant content. Other features and capabilities of the mobile device—such as video and image capture, location-based services, accelerometers and tracking—may automatically populate relevant fields of a claim report and permit the user to upload photographic and video evidence of an accident and related damage.

A method of assessing, pricing, and provisioning distance-based vehicle insurance is disclosed. The method includes receiving a vehicle identification number of a vehicle to be insured from a customer, receiving an preliminary odometer reading of the vehicle to be insured from the customer, and obtaining from the customer a legally binding declaration that the preliminary odometer reading is true and accurate. The method includes insuring the vehicle during a policy period defined by coverage for a preselected number of units distance from the preliminary odometer reading.

In an automobile, communications to and from the automobile are in the form of messages. Such messages are referred to as “electronic car-mail” or “C-mail” messages as each message has a destination or origination address which includes an identifier, e.g., a vehicle identification number (VIN), identifying the automobile. The messages may be delivered to the automobile from a remote server through a communications network, e.g., the Internet. One such message may contain a recall notice to the automobile. Another message may contain just-in-time map information for navigation, depending on the current location of the automobile. Yet another message may contain advertising information concerning selected entities, e.g., restaurants, gas stations, department stores, etc., also depending on the current location of the automobile. The messages transmitted from the automobile to the remote server may contain, e.g., GPS information identifying the location of the automobile, dynamic data furnished by sensors in the automobile for analysis, an odometer reading and a speedometer reading for records, etc.

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.

The present invention relates generally to automatic insurance verification, and more specifically, to a non-invasive method and system for automatically determining, by any person with computer, wireless, or telephone access and in real-time, if an insured object of value is or is not insured irrespective of insurer location, jurisdiction, language, type, time, and also the internal operations, software platform and communications protocols used by insurers and / or governmental entities. It is an insurance verification, not an insurance reporting or tracking system and because it maintains no personal data of any kind, and can modify no record, it can deliver only very limited features regarding reporting or tracking. The present invention can however, provide absolute assurance of current insurance status at all times, provides a unique method of access which resolves all current failures and is non-invasive, providing complete privacy for all parties involved, (the absence of all personal information and the access method used ensures that all access and data is inherently non-invasive). This invention further ensures that any check of status, at insurer or governmental registration, (including “e-registration”, inspection, or any other location and time when and where a jurisdiction or insurer requires such a status check, will result in an instant and totally accurate status response. This system is based upon the assignment of a unique identifier, also known in this present art as a “UC” or “Unique Code” which then provides a method of accurate data, (including status checks), without reliance on “VINs”, (vehicle identification numbers), policy number or other identifiers which are often incorrect. The UC is assigned to any combination of two or more elements that are “gleaned”, (file field extraction and related system and methods), one of which is always current status. The extraction of these selected fields from data streams may be done by a number of prior art techniques, and the three most common have been detailed. First demonstrated to government officials in 1999 as a medical version and later the same year as a vehicle version, it has been demonstrated and documented since to a great many Federal and State governmental entities. This present invention has also been demonstrated to several foreign governments but incorporates no technologies that create any possible security risk for any government, insurer, individual, and especially to the national security of the United States.

Systems and methods for using a mobile device to submit an application for an insurance policy using images of documents captured by the mobile device are provided herein. The information is then used by an insurance company to generate a quote which is then displayed to the user on the mobile device. A user captures images of one or more documents containing information needed to complete an insurance application, after which the information on the documents is extracted and sent to the insurance company where a quote for the insurance policy can be developed. The quote can then be transmitted back to the user. Applications on the mobile device are configured to capture images of the documents needed for an insurance application, such as a driver's license, insurance information card or a vehicle identification number (VIN). The images are then processed to extract the information needed for the insurance application.

A vehicle control system includes a first controller including a wireless mechanism for determining a vehicle identification number. A second controller includes wireless mechanisms for communicating with the first controller and for controlling a velocity of the targeted vehicle without restricting the braking and steering capabilities thereof. The system includes a service provider including a database containing authorization codes unique to vehicle identification numbers. A communications link transmits confidential data streams to the service provider. The communications link includes a wireless cellular telephone network. The system includes a request signal, an authorization signal, and a deactivation signal. The second controller sends the response signal to the first controller, which transmits the request signal to the service provider. An authorization signal is transmitted to the law enforcement officer. The first controller transmits the deactivation signal to the vehicle, causing the second controller to disable selected operating characteristics thereof.

A crash notification system (12) for an automotive vehicle (10) is used to communicate with a communication network (22) and ultimately to a response center (24). The system (12) within vehicle (10) includes an occupant sensor (30) that generates an occupant sensor status signal. A crash sensor (34) a vehicle identification number memory (48), or a vertical acceleration sensor (46) may also be used to provide information to the controller (14). The controller (14) generates a communication signal that corresponds to the occupant sensor status signal and the other information so that appropriate emergency personnel may be deployed.

The invention provides a method for integrating the mobile vehicle with existing or future Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMN). The PLMN may be any existing cellular networks (GSM, CDMA, HSPDA, HSUPA) or future 4G network and future high speed data network WiMAX. Based on the wireless connection with existing public networks, mobile vehicle provides in-vehicle wireless connection. With unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) as the system ID number, the vehicle (including the in-vehicle microcomputer), the public network PLMN, and the management Distributed Database System form a so called Universal Vehicle Communication & Management System (UVCMS). The UVCMS provides a unified management for all vehicles nationwide, some exemplary managements include: 1) Registration; 2) Insurance; 3) Billing (Toll, parking, and fine); 4) User tracking, and stolen car tracking; 5) Speed management; 6) Emergency management; 7) Traffic management; 8) Dangerous driver protection; and 9) Vehicle operational statistics management.

An image processing system may process an image of indicia positioned behind a reflective surface. The indicia may be a vehicle identification number and the reflective surface may be a windshield of a vehicle. The image processing system may receive an initial image of the indicia positioned behind a reflective surface and process the initial image to produce a resulting image. In processing the initial image, the image processing system may identify an interest region of the initial image, where the interest region identifies a portion of the initial image affected by glare caused by the reflective surface, texturize the interest region to account for the glare, and remove a defocusing effect from the initial image to account for blur, reflection, or both, caused by the reflective surface. Then, the image processing system may extract data, such as the vehicle identification number, from the resulting image.

A system and method of diagnosing a vehicle using a smart phone to collect symptomatic data from the user / driver. The symptomatic data is received by the user in response to symptomatic questions displayed on the user's smart phone. The symptomatic questions are generated in response to deriving vehicle characteristic information (i.e., year, make, model, engine) from vehicle identification information (i.e., the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate information). In this regard, vehicle-specific symptomatic questions may be presented to the user so as to ask pertinent questions based on a history of diagnoses of vehicles sharing similar vehicle characteristics.

Embodiments use a vehicle as a payment instrument to complete a payment transaction. A vehicle interface device (VID) coupled to the vehicle is used for transmitting payment account information to a merchant access device. The VID may be registered to the specific vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle. Prior to transmitting the payment account information to the merchant access device, the VID may ensure that a mobile communication device is within the vehicle and / or that the VID is coupled to the correct vehicle. For example, the VID may compare the VIN of the vehicle to the VIN that is programmed to the VID. When the colocation of the VID with the mobile communication device and / or the correct vehicle is confirmed, the VID may forward payment account information to the merchant access device.

A system for diagnosing and repairing vehicles is provided. An example apparatus includes a vehicle interface configured to transmit one or more instructions to an adaptor connected to a vehicle and retrieve an indication of one or more diagnostic trouble codes from the adaptor. The apparatus includes a communication module configured to transmit the diagnostic trouble codes to a remote server along with a user identifier or a vehicle identification number, and receive repair information from the remote server. The apparatus further includes a user interface configured to receive user requests for information and to display information regarding the adaptor, the vehicle information, the one or more diagnostic trouble codes, and / or the repair information. Finally, the apparatus includes a memory and a processor configured to control the vehicle interface, the communication module, the user interface, and the memory.

System and method for providing instant access to information about a vehicles insurance coverage. The linking element physically located on the vehicle body which includes vehicle license plate, or can be installed on vehicle for the specific purpose of retrieving insurance information. Linking element can be, radio frequency identification (RFID) or barcode, or quick response code (QRC) affixed anywhere on vehicle. Authorized users immediately access and retrieve current vehicle insurance coverage from a plurality of information retrieval systems including portable and fixed scanning systems, smart phone or other portable devices based on the linking element. The RFID scanner or smart phone transmit information over a communication link to a database / fileserver containing the most current vehicle insurance information associated with vehicle's vehicle identification number. The RFID reader or smart phone then receives information from the database / fileserver on the specific VIN queried where it is reviewed by an authorized user.

A web based insurance estimating system. The system includes a client computer that can launch client-side integrated processing software through a web-based application. The system also includes a server that generates information for a repair cost estimate web page. The repair cost estimate web page is displayed at the client computer. The repair cost estimate web page has properties that can be configured by a user at the client computer. The server can automatically populate fields of one or more web pages in response to a vehicle identification number entered by the user. The system can provide estimates for vehicles with less than four wheels such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and personal watercraft. One of the insurance damage web pages may graphically identify the location(s) of a paint code plate on a vehicle. The web page may also provide a list of selectable paint codes that allows the user to select a paint code for a vehicle.

An image processing system may process an image of indicia positioned behind a reflective surface. The indicia may be a vehicle identification number and the reflective surface may be a windshield of a vehicle. The image processing system may receive an initial image of the indicia positioned behind a reflective surface and process the initial image to produce a resulting image. In processing the initial image, the image processing system may identify an interest region of the initial image, where the interest region identifies a portion of the initial image affected by glare caused by the reflective surface, texturize the interest region to account for the glare, and remove a defocusing effect from the initial image to account for blur, reflection, or both, caused by the reflective surface. Then, the image processing system may extract data, such as the vehicle identification number, from the resulting image.

A system for electronically determining vehicle data, such as a vehicle identification number (VIN), of a serviced vehicle, correlating the data with vehicle refrigerant requirements, and controlling servicing equipment according to the requirements, includes an OBD II interface and a module configured to automatically determine the vehicle data from the ECU through the OBD II port. The module may, for example, determine a year, make and model from a VIN and correlate that information with charging requirement data for the vehicle. The charging requirement data is supplied to the microcontroller of a recharging station.

A system and method of diagnosing a vehicle using a smart phone to collect symptomatic data from the user / driver. The symptomatic data is received by the user in response to symptomatic questions displayed on the user's smart phone. The symptomatic questions are generated in response to deriving vehicle characteristic information (i.e., year, make, model, engine) from vehicle identification information (i.e., the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate information). In this regard, vehicle-specific symptomatic questions may be presented to the user so as to ask pertinent questions based on a history of diagnoses of vehicles sharing similar vehicle characteristics.

This document outlines a system and device for detecting incorrect or absent information related to legal operation of a motor vehicle. Information is periodically gathered by an in-vehicle system capable of reading RFID-tagged documents (such as registration and insurance) and vehicle features (such as license plate and vehicle identification number). Radio-frequency transmission of the information (or an abbreviated version thereof) is performed on receipt of a valid RF activation signal from a portable or fixed-location extra-vehicle reading system. Upon receipt of the information, the extra-vehicle reading system ensures that no discrepancy in on-vehicle information is present by performing a local check and consulting an authoritative database. If a discrepancy is encountered, information is missing, or the authoritative database entry is flagged, law-enforcement officials are notified. The system may also be used for detection of moving infractions such as speeding and red light violations and logging of vehicle locations for security purposes.

The invention provides a vehicle rental control method and a system thereof. The method comprises the following steps: the vehicle parameters related to a vehicle are collected, a vehicle identification number and a vehicle parameter are sent to a server, the server finds the identification information of the vehicle in a database and sends the vehicle parameter and the identification information as vehicle information to a user terminal, the user terminal displays the vehicle information locally, receives the rental operation of a target vehicle which is not rented, and sends a rental request to the server, the server obtains the current communication paring code of the target vehicle according to the rental request and sends the current communication matching code to the user terminal, and the user terminal establishes the third wireless data channel of a target vehicle vehicle-borne terminal through the current communication matching code and controls the target vehicle through the third wireless data channel by using the vehicle-borne terminal. When the method is applied to hire the vehicle, the manual delivery of a real key is not needed, the rental process of the vehicle is greatly facilitated, the intelligent degree of car rental is improved, and the development of the car rental industry is accelerated.

A crash notification system (12) for an automotive vehicle (10) is used to communicate with a communication network (22) and ultimately to a response center (24). The system (12) within vehicle (10) includes an occupant sensor (30) that generates an occupant sensor status signal. A crash sensor (34) a vehicle identification number memory (48), or a vertical acceleration sensor (46) may also be used to provide information to the controller (14). The controller (14) generates a communication signal that corresponds to the occupant sensor status signal and the other information so that appropriate emergency personnel may be deployed.

A system and method are disclosed for helping a user determine whether a vehicle is subject to a safety recall and assisting the user with addressing incomplete safety recalls. A vehicle identification number (VIN) may be extracted from an image of a vehicle captured by a user electronic device and used to request safety recall information from a remote information system, which may provide a list of recalls associated with the vehicle. A list of nearby service centers may be identified based on the physical location of the user electronic device, and service appointments to address any incomplete recalls may be scheduled, either automatically or in response to user input.

A diagnostic scan tool is provided including a connect / configure module for establishing a communication link between the scan tool and a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU). A vehicle specification module operates to identify a vehicle under test in response to receipt of a vehicle identification number (VIN). A trouble code module receives digital trouble codes (DTCs) from the ECU. A freeze frame data module retrieves freeze frame data from the ECU, the retrieved freeze frame data being functionally associated with a highest priority DTC. A database lists possible vehicle defect solutions, indexed to the VIN and the DTCs. A digital signal processor is operative to derive the highest priority DTC from analysis of the retrieved freeze frame data. The digital signal processor further being operative to regulate selection of a most likely vehicle defect solution associated with the VIN and the highest priority DTC.

The present invention provides a system and method for automated configuration of an electronic module within a vehicle. A first vehicle identification number stored in the electronic module is determined and a second vehicle identification number stored in the vehicle is determined. The first vehicle identification number from the electronic module and the second vehicle identification number from the vehicle are compared and the electronic module is configured based on the comparison. A computer usable medium with suitable computer program code is employed to configure an electronic module within a vehicle.

A method and apparatus is used to of validate a vehicle identification number (VIN). At least a first VIN having a plurality of characters in a plurality of positions is received. At least a first character in a first position of the first VIN to inspected to determine if the first character is included in a first set of valid characters. The first character is identified as being in error when the first character is not in the first set of valid characters. The first character is replaced with a substitute character.

A system and method for utilizing a hand held electronic device, such as a smart phone to retrieve and display information related to the vehicle history of a vehicle. In particular, the smart phone may be used to take a picture of the vehicle's vehicle identification number (VIN) and upload the VIN to a remote vehicle history database which matches the VIN with stored vehicle history information. The matched vehicle history information is then analyzed to determine a vehicle history status and a corresponding status indicator is illuminated on the smart phone. The indicator may be red, yellow, green to indicate undesirable, cautionary, and clean vehicle history, respectively.

A method for remotely locking or unlocking vehicle functions including receiving a lock request at a vehicle telematics unit, modifying a vehicle identification number based on the request and locking or unlocking at least one vehicle function based on the modified vehicle identification number and the lock request.

Systems and methods are disclosed for determining the disposition of a shipped good, such as a car, damaged during transit. After the damage is detected, a digital image of the is obtained. The image is uploaded to a server typically along with the vehicle identification number and / or other identification data. The server determines the appropriate individual(s) to be contacted, and generates a notification message, typically including the URL of a web site where further information can be obtained. The appropriate individual (“user”) logs onto the server to view the digital images and provides input regarding the disposition of the good. The user may direct the damaged car to a repair shop, a dealer, or another destination. Alternatively, the user may indicate delivery of the car as originally planned. The server may notify other systems of the disposition as well. Other embodiments apply to the disposition of delivered packages.