James Harrison Busch

US Patent:

6397131, May 28, 2002

Filed:

May 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/577110

Inventors:

James L. Busch - Renton WA
Michael E. Sterling - Issaquah WA

Assignee:

Management Systems Data Service, Inc. - Issaquah WA

International Classification:

G06G 700

US Classification:

701 29, 701 34, 701 31

Abstract:

Computer-based methods and systems for facilitating the inspection of a vehicle to detect the presence of damage and problems with previous repair and to guide the inspection, estimation, and repair of direct and indirect damage are provided. Exemplary embodiments provide an inspection facilitator, which includes an inspection engine and an inspection interface. The inspection engine and inspection interface can be implemented as an expert system, which directs a technician or apparatus to perform a uniform inspection process. When used to detect prior damage and problems with previous repair, the inspection facilitator, after receiving vehicle specific information, first directs and guides an inspection of the underbody of the vehicle to detect gross-level or relevant damage and repair. The inspection facilitator then dynamically directs and guides an inspection of the outerbody of the vehicle based upon the nonconformities indicated in response to each directed inspection task. When used to guide an inspection, estimate, and/or repair of direct and indirect damage, the inspection facilitator first directs an inspection of direct damage.

US Patent:

60526319, Apr 18, 2000

Filed:

Aug 8, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/907714

Inventors:

James L. Busch - Renton WA
Michael E. Sterling - Issaquah WA

Assignee:

Management Systems Data Service, Inc. ("MSDS, Inc.") - Issaquah WA

International Classification:

G06G 700
G06F 1760

US Classification:

701 29

Abstract:

Computer-based methods and systems for facilitating the inspection of a vehicle to detect the presence of prior damage and problems with previous repair are provided. Exemplary embodiments provide an inspection facilitator, which includes an inspection engine and an inspection interface. The inspection engine and inspection interface are implemented as an expert system, which directs a technician or apparatus to perform a uniform inspection process. The inspection facilitator, after receiving vehicle specific information, first directs and guides an inspection of the underbody of the vehicle to detect gross level damage or repair. The inspection facilitator then dynamically directs and guides an inspection of the outerbody of the vehicle based upon the nonconformities indicated in response to each directed inspection task. The areas to be inspected and inspection tasks are determined dynamically by comparing nonconformity input to facts and rules programmed into the inference engine of the inspection facilitator in combination with retrieved manufacturing specifications and industry standard repair procedures.