System And Process For Digital Certification Of Pre-Owned Vehicles And Equipment
Patent No. US12118571 (titled "System And Process For Digital Certification Of Pre-Owned Vehicles And Equipment") was filed by Fmreps Consulting Enterprises Llc on Sep 19, 2022.
What is this patent about?
’571 is related to the field of automating the certification process for pre-owned vehicles. Traditionally, certifying a used car involved manual inspections, paperwork, and data entry, leading to inefficiencies and errors. The background highlights the increasing popularity of Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programs and the need for a more reliable and trustworthy system to manage the inspection and certification process, minimizing clerical errors and providing accurate, real-time information to all stakeholders.
The underlying idea behind ’571 is to create a digital workflow that streamlines the CPO process from initial VIN entry to final certification. This involves automating eligibility checks, generating vehicle-specific inspection forms, tracking the inspection process, and providing real-time data to dealers, manufacturers, and auditors. The system aims to reduce errors, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall integrity of the CPO program.
The claims of ’571 focus on a computer-readable medium and an automated method for certifying pre-owned vehicles. The claims cover generating GUIs for different stakeholders (technicians, managers, administrators), receiving a VIN, checking eligibility, obtaining vehicle history reports, generating inspection forms tailored to the specific vehicle, receiving user input from the inspection forms, and generating a digital certification. The claims also emphasize providing real-time information and reporting capabilities through the GUIs.
In practice, the invention uses a network of computing devices and a central server to manage the CPO process. A technician uses a portable device to input the VIN and conduct the inspection, following on-screen prompts and checklists. The system automatically checks the VIN against databases for eligibility and recalls, and pulls vehicle history reports. The inspection data is then reviewed by a manager, who can approve the certification. The system then updates the inventory and generates a digital certification, providing a complete record of the process.
The key differentiation from prior approaches lies in the integrated and automated nature of the system. Unlike manual processes or fragmented software solutions, ’571 provides a comprehensive platform that connects all stakeholders and streamlines every step of the CPO process. The system's ability to generate vehicle-specific inspection forms, track the inspection process in real-time, and provide data-driven insights to management sets it apart from traditional methods, leading to improved efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2010s when ’571 was filed, portable computing devices were commonly used in enterprise settings at a time when systems typically relied on client-server architectures for data management. Generating user interfaces on such devices was standard practice, when hardware or software constraints made real-time data processing and display non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because the amended claims provide for integration into a practical application. Specifically, the examiner stated that the claims, while reciting generic devices with GUIs, display data in real time and provide tabs on the administrator GUI, which is more than mere data display. The examiner also stated that prior art does not teach sending a VIN to vehicle history reporting agencies, receiving a vehicle history report, generating on-screen inspection forms and checklists automatically populated with VIN-specific items and certification program requirements, providing an alert to a second device for certification authorization, and generating a second GUI providing real-time information with selectable tabs for open and completed inspections inputted by multiple GUIs.
Claims
This patent contains 22 claims, with independent claims 1, 9, and 17. The independent claims are directed to a non-transitory computer-readable medium, an automated method, and a system, respectively, all for certifying pre-owned vehicles. The dependent claims generally elaborate on and add detail to the features and functionalities described in the independent claims.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.
Date
Description
Get instant alerts for new documents
US12118571
- Application Number
- US17947373
- Filing Date
- Sep 19, 2022
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Apr 30, 2038
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents