Vehicle Inspection Authorization System for Damage Attribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Potential vehicle purchasers face inconvenience in inspecting vehicles without a third party, leading to uncertainty about the vehicle's condition before inspection, as damage attribution becomes an issue without a witness.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle inspection authorization information management system that includes an authorized vehicle information creation unit, inspecting user detection unit, and action management unit, utilizing a processor and nonvolatile memory to communicate with user terminals, recommending photography of the vehicle when the inspecting user is near, and transmitting images to both the inspecting and authorizing users for documentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a vehicle inspection is conducted without the presence of a third party, then the convenience for potential purchasers is improved, but the reliability of damage attribution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience for potential purchasersVSAvoiddamage attribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing images of the vehicle's condition before the inspecting user begins their inspection. The image acquisition unit captures photos at predetermined timings (when the inspecting user approaches the vehicle, during inspection, and after inspection), creating a time-stamped visual record that establishes the vehicle's state prior to any potential damage. This preliminary documentation resolves the contradiction by providing reliable damage attribution evidence without requiring a third party to be physically present during the inspection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of vehicles available for inspection is increased by using privately owned vehicles, then the versatility of the inspection system is improved, but the risk of damage and disputes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of vehicles available for inspectionVSAvoidrisk of damage and disputes
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates visual copies (images) of the vehicle's condition at various stages of the inspection process. Instead of relying on physical presence or complex monitoring systems, the image acquisition unit generates photographic copies that document the vehicle's state. These image copies serve as evidence that can be referenced later to resolve any disputes about damage, thereby enabling the system to accommodate more privately owned vehicles without increasing risk. The copying mechanism transforms the intangible risk into tangible, verifiable visual records.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If automatic image capture is performed at multiple timings, then the reliability of vehicle condition recording is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle condition recordingVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs self-service mechanisms where the image acquisition unit automatically captures images based on predetermined conditions without requiring manual intervention. The control unit automatically determines when images should be captured (when the inspecting user approaches, during inspection, and after inspection) and triggers the image acquisition accordingly. This automation reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining high reliability through consistent, timed documentation at all critical stages of the inspection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20240296242A1System, method and storage medium for vehicle inspection authorization information management
Publication Date: 2024.09.05 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • US20240296242A1 patent drawing
  • US20240296242A1 patent drawing
  • US20240296242A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Vehicle inspection authorization information management system includes an authorized vehicle information creation unit configured to communicate with an inspecting user terminal possessed by a user to inspect an authorized vehicle to transmit vehicle information, a parking position, and a parking start time to the inspecting user terminal, the inspecting user detection unit configured to communicate with the inspecting user terminal to acquire a location of the inspecting user terminal and determine if a distance between a location of the inspecting user terminal and the parking position is equal to or less than a first determination value, and the action management unit configured to issue a photographing recommendation information to the inspecting user terminal to prompt photographing of the authorized vehicle by the inspecting user when the distance between the location of the inspecting user terminal and the parking position is equal to or less than the first determination value.