Timothy L Larson

US Patent:

62633228, Jul 17, 2001

Filed:

Jul 7, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/111024

Inventors:

Tom Kirkevold - Elk Grove CA
Mark Erdrich - Elk Grove CA
Steven F. Johnson - Kalamazoo MI
Scott E. McIntyre - Carpinteria CA
Robert J. Pfistor - Santa Barbara CA
Nicholas J. Colarelli - Creve Coeur MO
Timothy A. Larson - Ferguson MO
Timothy A. Strege - Ballwin MO
Arthur J. Blumenthal - West Chester PA
Christopher H. Johnson - Valley Park MO
Ken Brookings - Sandpoint ID
Roger Butler - Allentown PA

Assignee:

Hunter Engineering Company - Bridgeton MO

International Classification:

G06F 1760

US Classification:

705400

Abstract:

An integrated automotive repair shop network is designed to greatly enhance the efficiency and quality of diagnostic and repair work performed in an automotive repair shop. The network employs a data entry terminal for the entry of routine customer information into a shop management system, including the identification of the vehicle to undergo diagnosis or repair. The shop management system is configured to generate an appropriate repair order. Computerized diagnostic and repair devices linked through the network to the shop management system are configured to access the customer information contained in the repair orders, as well as to extract relevant technical specifications, service bulletins, parts listings, and prior services records from interconnected information databases. Each computerized diagnostic and repair device provides updated information to the repair shop management system upon the completion of a diagnostic routine, enabling other computerized diagnostic and repair devices to access the most current vehicle parameters. Completed repair orders are stored in a customer information database for rapid retrieval and display of the prior work history for each vehicle serviced.