DE102023117492A1 - Device and system for recording, registering and assessing damage to vehicles, in particular to facilitate damage settlement, especially for motor vehicle accidents - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for detecting at least one damage to a vehicle, with an image recording device for recording images and an assignment device for assigning the images to the vehicle. According to the invention, the device is characterized in that it contains an OCR detection means for detecting a license plate number of the vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a system for detecting, registering and evaluating damage to vehicles, in particular to facilitate damage settlement, especially for motor vehicle accidents.

Presentation of the state of the art

Damage to vehicles is usually assessed by experts. To do this, the experts must record the damage and carry out investigations.

Systems are known in the prior art which make it possible to record a large number of data elements for claims processing.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention is based on the object of providing a device and a system that enables damage to vehicles to be recorded in a simple and reliable manner. A preferred embodiment of the invention also includes an assessment of at least one damage to the vehicle.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a device according to claim 1 and a system according to claim 8. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Further advantages and special features of the present invention also result from the following presentation of preferred exemplary embodiments.

The invention provides for a device for detecting at least one damage to a vehicle, with an image recording device for recording images and an assignment device for assigning the images to the vehicle, to be designed in such a way that the device has an OCR detection means for detecting a license plate number of the vehicle contains.

The programmatic details of the OCR reading process to convert a license plate image capture into a license plate character string are known in the art and need not be discussed further here; For example, image areas with potential characters are searched for in the image recording and compared with known character shapes, for example using two-dimensional correlation methods, in order to identify the individual characters of the license plate character string in the image recording.

The present application is part of an overarching concept, the aim of which is to carry out processing operations of data elements for efficient damage recording as automated and preferably contactless and/or autonomously and with as little effort as possible.

Definable groups of people can be variably defined - particularly through the use of the control component.

Experts are a group of people with specially defined rights.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the device contains a transmission means for transmitting the license plate number of the vehicle to an external database.

It is expedient to develop the device so that it can receive information about the vehicle via a data interface, in particular from the external database, which is set up to contain information about the vehicle, with an association between the information about the vehicle being based the license plate number of the vehicle can be done.
The device is preferably a user component, for example a smartphone, a smartwatch or a pair of smart glasses.

In particular, the user interface is designed so that it can transmit information that causes data elements to be captured and/or that improves the capture of the data elements. Examples of the information that can be transmitted include data element identifiers, user identifiers, authentication data and notification information.

An advantageous embodiment of the device is characterized in that it contains a camera for taking images, that it contains a means for storing the images and that it contains a means for linking the images with the license plate of the vehicle and for forming a damage assessment file, whereby Both the license plate and the images can be integrated into the damage assessment file.

Preferably, a virtual grid is linked to the respective images so that distortions in the images can be corrected (equalized). Correction of brightness, color and contrast can also be made.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, an evaluation unit is included which is set up to classify recorded images and to provide them with an identification feature based on the classification carried out.

It is expedient to develop the device in such a way that it is designed as a user component and the device is set up in such a way that it can respond to requests for the acquisition of data elements.

The invention furthermore relates to a system for detecting damage to vehicles with interfaces for sending and receiving data from devices, the devices each having an image recording device for recording images and an assignment device for assigning the images to vehicles, as well as an OCR detection means for recording of license plates of the vehicles included.

• Mittels eines Puppeteer Scripts sollen hier (während der Aufnahme des Gutachtens) die Versicherungsdaten des Schädigers eingeholt werden und bei erfolgreicher Response direkt in die Abtretung des Gutachtens mit aufgenommen werden.

The following advantageous method can be carried out with the aid of the device and/or the system:

• Using a puppeteer script, the insurance data of the perpetrator should be obtained (while the report is being recorded) and, if the response is successful, should be included directly in the assignment of the report.

• —> Der Schädiger ist in der ZAOnline Datenbank hinterlegt
• —> Der Schädiger ist nicht hinterlegt
• —> Es kann keine Auskunft gegeben werden

There are 3 possible responses:

• —> The perpetrator is recorded in the ZAOnline database
• —> The perpetrator is not registered
• —> No information can be given

In the first case, the insurance details of the tortfeasor are added to the user entry in the database and the assignment that is currently being recorded. As well as the answer PDF saved in the corresponding Dropbox.

In the second case, a flag with the Firebase User ID is created in the database, which indicates that there is already a request to ZAOnline, but that it is still waiting for a result. A crob job (execution period still unclear) checks for all flags and checks in the ZAOnline portal whether the result is now available. If the result is available, continue as in case 1 (if already entered manually - do not overwrite) and the flag is deleted. If the result is not yet available, the flag is left standing and waiting for the next cron job to be executed.

In the latter case, the flag is deleted and a push notification is sent to the requester. The associated Firebase User ID is stored in the flag.

The cron job is created using Firebase Cloud Functions.

• → Anfrage an KBA gestellt = Flag stehen lassen und auf nächste Antwort warten
• —> Antwort gegeben aus eigener Datenbank = Gibt Response 1 zurück
• —> Antwort des KBA verfügbar = Gibt Response 2 zurück
• —> Das KBA kann keine Auskunft erteilen = Gibt Response 3 zurück

When going through the list located at https://zaonline.qdv-dl.de/inquiries, there are 4 possible scenarios:

• → Request sent to KBA = leave the flag and wait for the next answer
• —> Answer given from our own database = Returns Response 1
• —> KBA response available = Returns Response 2
• —> The KBA cannot provide any information = returns response 3

Further information

Login (user data) → Make a request → Fill out the fields (1,3,5,7), check the box (assignment has been made) → Submit → Print view (send the following download to Dropbox)

 direct browser to zaonline.qdv-dl.de/make-inquirv
 if #cookies-banner-button-consent-selected exists → click
 #login-user-textbox-userLogin → focus → input userName #login-user-textbox-
 userPassword → focus → input password #login-user-button-loginUser → click
 after login redirect
 #navbar-link-make-inquiry → click
 after inquiry redirect
 #make-inquiry-input-registrationNo → focus → input kennzeichen from abtretung
 #make-inquiry-input-caseDate → focus → input tagDesSchaden from abtretung
 #make-inquiry-input-injuredName → focus → input nameGeschaedigter from
 abtretung #make-inquiry-input-reference → focus → input gutachtenld from
 gutachten #make-inquiry-input-checkBox-accepted-privacy-policy-input → set
 checked to true #inquiry-outcome-button-make-third-party-inquiry → click
 after redirect
 check if result is ready (if #inquiry-outcome-button-make-third-party-inquiry exists) 
 if so: #inquiry-outcome-button-download-inquiry-outcome → click save file to
 firebase storage and dropbox
 #inquiry-outcome-label-risk-taker-name-line-0 (Name der Versicherung) → save
 name to Database (Gutachtenld/Abtretung/Firebaseld/versicherungSchaediger)
 (→ maybe also save name to User Obj)
 #inquiry-outcome-label-risk-taker-contract-id (Versicherungsschein Nr.) → maybe
 save number to User Obj
 if not: start a cron flagged with gutachtenId
 cronjob that checks for inquiry status
 for each row check if flag (gutachtenld) matches with aktenzeichen
 if so: check if id*="#inquiries-tableRow-status" innerHtml is one of these Strings
 "Antwort gegeben aus eigener Datenbank" "Antwort des KBA verfügbar""..."
 if so: id*="#inquiries-link-toCaseDetails" → click
 after redirect
 #inquiry-outcome-button-download-inquiry-outcome → click save file to firebase
 storage and dropbox
 if not: continue

For Testing, use the following data: identifier → XX YY 2 tagDesDamage → today's date nameAggrieved → Max Sample Report → Software Test: Sample Report App <iterator>

 direct browser to zaonline.qdv-dl.de/make-inquirv
 if #cookies-banner-button-consent-selected exists → click
 #login-user-textbox-userLogin → focus → input userName #login-user-textbox-
 userPassword → focus → input password #login-user-button-loginUser → click
 after login redirect
 #navbar-link-make-inquiry → click
 after inquiry redirect
 #make-inquiry-input-registrationNo → focus → input indicator from assignment
 #make-inquiry-input-caseDate → focus → input tagDesDamage from assignment
 #make-inquiry-input-injuredName → focus → input nameInjured from
 assignment #make-inquiry-input-reference → focus → input gutachtenld from
 expert opinion #make-inquiry-input-checkBox-accepted-privacy-policy-input → set
 checked to true #inquiry-outcome-button-make-third-party-inquiry → click
 after redirect
 check if result is ready (if #inquiry-outcome-button-make-third-party-inquiry exists) 
 if so: #inquiry-outcome-button-download-inquiry-outcome → click save file to
 firebase storage and dropbox
 #inquiry-outcome-label-risk-taker-name-line-0 (insurance name) → save
 name to Database (Gutachtenld/Assignment/Firebaseld/versicherungSchaediger)
 (→ maybe also save name to User Obj)
 #inquiry-outcome-label-risk-taker-contract-id (insurance certificate number) → maybe
 save number to User Obj
 if not: start a cron flagged with appraisalId
 cron job that checks for inquiry status
 for each row check if flag (gutachtenld) matches with file number
 if so: check if id*="#inquiries-tableRow-status" innerHtml is one of these Strings
 "Answer given from our own database""Answer from the KBA available""..."
 if so: id*="#inquiries-link-toCaseDetails" → click
 after redirect
 #inquiry-outcome-button-download-inquiry-outcome → click save file to firebase
 storage and dropbox
 if not: continue

It is advantageous to design the system, or one or more of the components of the system, in such a way that they interact with user components via a user interface, in particular can respond to requests for the acquisition of data elements. The user component is, for example, a smartphone, a smartwatch or smart glasses. In particular, the user interface is designed so that it can transmit information that causes data elements to be captured and/or that improves the capture of the data elements. Examples of the information that can be transmitted include data element identifiers, user identifiers, authentication data and notification information.

The interaction of the system component with the user components can be realized in various ways.

In principle, it is possible to design several of the system components shown so that they can interact with the user component.

It is expedient to provide an authentication module for exchanging authentication information with the user components of the recipient and/or an app, in particular the user app, so that authentication of the user is facilitated.

• • Auftrags- und Gutachtenbearbeitung
• • Rechnungserstellung
• • Zahlungseingang/Mahnwesen
• • Kommunikation mit Werkstätten
• • Kommunikation mit Versicherungen
• • Kommunikation mit Anwälten
• • Gruppen- und Terminplanung

Users who are authorized as reviewers can implement the following functions in particular:

• • Order and report processing
• • Invoicing
• • Receipt of payment/dunning
• • Communication with workshops
• • Communication with insurance companies
• • Communication with lawyers
• • Group and appointment planning

Preferred aspects of communication with lawyers are:

• - Vorsteuerabzugsberechtigter Mandant?
• - Telefonnummer, Adresse und Mailadresse des Mandanten
• - 30 Sekunden Sprachaufzeichnung zum Unfallhergang
• - Unfallbericht als hochwertiges lesbares PDF
• - Zulassungsbescheinigung als hochwertig lesbares PDF
• - Bankkarte als PDF
• - Aufnahmebogen des Rechtsanwaltes - auf Template ausfüllbar
• - Mandant erhält Großkundenrabatte auf Ersatzteile?
• - Iban für Zahlungen an Mandanten
• - Ist das Fahrzeug des Mandanten Teil-, Vollkasko oder Haftpflichtversichert?
• - Ist das Fahrzeug des Mandanten geleast, finanziert oder bezahlt?

Choosing a lawyer
Power of attorney template with power of attorney from the lawyer
Signature in the app, sent from the app by email.
Word/PDF file with copied information from the database (for transferring/copying)
XML interface for import into legal software
Info to lawyer:

• - Client entitled to input tax deduction?
• - Telephone number, address and email address of the client
• - 30 second voice recording of the accident
• - Accident report as a high-quality, readable PDF
• - Registration certificate as a high-quality, readable PDF
• - Bank card as PDF
• - Lawyer's intake form - fillable on template
• - Client receives major customer discounts on spare parts?
• - Iban for payments to clients
• - Is the client's vehicle partially, fully comprehensive or liability insured?
• - Is the client's vehicle leased, financed or paid for?

Preferred aspects of communication with rental car companies are:

• - Vorsteuerabzugsberechtigter Kunde?
• - Telefonnummer, Adresse und Mailadresse des Kunden
• - Mehrere Sekunden, z.B. 30 Sekunden Sprachaufzeichnung zum Unfallhergang
• - Unfallbericht als hochwertiges lesbares PDF
• - Ist das Fahrzeug des Kunden Teil-, Vollkasko oder Haftpflichtversichert?
• - Ist das Fahrzeug des Kunden geleast, finanziert oder bezahlt?

Option to choose which rental car company is used.
Assignment to the rental car company’s template for direct signing in the app (Sixt, Smile Europcar)
Rental contract on a template from the rental car company for signing directly in the app (Sixt, Smile Europcar)
Shipping directly by email to the rental car company
Info to rental car company:

• - Customer entitled to deduct input tax?
• - Telephone number, address and email address of the customer
• - Several seconds, e.g. 30 seconds of voice recording of the accident
• - Accident report as a high-quality, readable PDF
• - Is the customer's vehicle partially, fully comprehensive or liability insured?
• - Is the customer's vehicle leased, financed or paid for?

Request damage database

A query can be made in a damage database via a set-up interface.

Assignment

Using a template from the appraiser, you can choose whether the processing concerns an order (appraisal) or an assignment (order with assignment in the event of a loss).

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a signature is possible directly in the app; Furthermore, insurance data of the other party involved in the accident can be entered or determined; as well as the telephone number, address and email address of all known participants at a glance.

This information can be displayed via a Graphical User Interface (GUI); The address management is preferably self-learning. Existing data is preferably filled in using autocompletion.

Multi-client capability

Both the app and the system with which the app interacts are multi-client capable, so that multiple users can be used at the same time, each without being able to view the other users' data.

Clients of the software are appraisers, insurance companies, injured parties and lawyers, rental car companies, customers and workshops. They can access data online in which participation was agreed.

Since the system is multi-tenant, it can manage multiple clients simultaneously on the same server or software system. In a particularly preferred embodiment, this means that each user accesses the same software, but uses their own interface and can store individual data. Each client configures their software with their personally required settings.

Although the data from different clients is often stored in the same database, the system keeps them logically separated from each other. This meets the requirements of the GDPR.

Client-dependent and cross-client data

• Mandantenabhängige Daten: betreffen insbesondere die Stammdatenanlage des Mandanten, beispielsweise Mahnungs- und Rechnungswesen, Zahlungen aus Bank zuordnen, sowie Daten zu einzelnen Schadensfällen. Weitere mandantenabhängige Daten sind die Voreinstellung der vorhandenen Prüfgeräte: Lackschichtmesser vorhanden, Profiltiefenmesser vorhanden Cali/ Gutmann/Bosch Diagnosetester Schnittstelle.

With regard to client capability, a distinction is made between client-dependent and cross-client data:

• Client-dependent data: relates in particular to the client's master data system, for example reminders and accounting, assigning payments from banks, as well as data on individual claims. Further client-dependent data is the default setting of the existing testing devices: paint layer meter available, profile depth meter available Cali/Gutmann/Bosch diagnostic tester interface.

Cross-client data affects all clients uniformly. This applies in particular to the templates used. The general system configuration is also controlled via cross-client data.

PDF editor

Combining several templates into one report

Calculation of reduced value

Enter all necessary calculation data

• - Die Marktrelevanz und Faktorenmethode MFM
• - Kasseler Modell
• - BVSK Minderwertberechnung
• - Dr Schlun Minderwertberechnung
• - Hamburger Modell
• - Berechnung nach Halbgewachs
• - 13.DVGT
• - Ruhkopf-Sahm
• - Gerundetes durchschnittsergebnis
• - Von dem jeweiligen Sachverständigen ermittelte Wertminderung mit Begründungstext.

Output of the diminished value results for

• - The market relevance and factor method MFM
• - Kassel model
• - BVSK reduced value calculation
• - Dr Schlun Calculation of reduced value
• - Hamburg model
• - Calculation according to Halbgewachs
• - 13.DVGT
• - Ruhkopf-Sahm
• - Rounded average result
• - Depreciation determined by the respective expert with justification.

Expert data sheet

Overview of the entered or scanned vehicle data PDF from paint thickness measurement and tread depth measurement
Pre-damage recording with informa HIS lighting
Equipping the vehicle with a manual input function
Equipment of the vehicle from VIN query
Plausibility comparison of the equipment

Evaluation:

Agent statistics (where did the order come from)
Agent statistics (who the appraiser brokered orders to) monthly sales/annual sales/previous year comparison
Report/month/year comparison with the previous year via the app as a diagram

Exactly determine the insurance of the other party involved in the accident

The Dutescu app uses the entered vehicle data to independently query the insurer of the person who caused the accident via the insurer's central call portal and enters this into the database as a PDF. The data is evaluated and transferred to the assignment template.
Retrieve weak valuation and output the result as a PDF. This is also possible on the reviewer’s template
Loss of use and rental car cost calculation
Output as PDF on Templete of the report possible
Export/Import
Audatex data exchange via XML file
Winvalue data export via XML file
Weak data interface
Intelligent “app to database” interface that retains data in offline mode and compares it with the database in the background when there is an internet connection.

Reports can also be created as an animated PDF with videos (a compilation of many PDFs).

• Website, auf der Werkstätten (Fachpersonal/Lackierermeister) selber Daten der Kunden eingeben können:
  • Fotos von Zulassung, Unfallbericht, Bankkarte/Iban und Tachostand Telefonnummer und Mailadresse
  • Vorsteuerabzug ja/nein
  • Wiederrufsverzicht Ja/nein
  • Unterschrift
  • Leihwagen nötig?
  • Haben Sie eine Rechtschutzversicherung?
  • Teilkasko Vollkasko oder nur Haftpflicht
  • Wechner RA
  • Leasing/Finanziert/ Bezahlt

The invention further relates to the inclusion of the following aspects:

• Website on which workshops (skilled personnel/master painters) can enter customer data themselves:
  • Photos of registration, accident report, bank card/Iban and odometer reading, telephone number and email address
  • Input tax deduction yes/no
  • Cancellation waiver yes/no
  • Signature
  • Need a rental car?
  • Do you have legal protection insurance?
  • Partial comprehensive insurance, fully comprehensive insurance or liability only
  • Wechner RA
  • Leasing/Financed/Paid

Lawyers, rental car companies, customers and workshops can access data online in which participation was agreed.

The embodiments shown here represent only examples of the present invention and should therefore not be construed as limiting. Alternative embodiments contemplated by those skilled in the art are equally included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (8)

Device for detecting at least one damage to a vehicle, with an image recording device for recording images and an assignment device for assigning the images to the vehicle, characterized in that the device contains an OCR detection means for detecting a license plate number of the vehicle. Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the device contains a transmission means for transmitting the license plate number of the vehicle to an external database. Device according to Claim 2 , characterized in that it can be integrated into a system in which the external database is set up so that it contains information about the vehicle, whereby an association between the information about the vehicle can be made based on the license plate number of the vehicle. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is set up so that it can receive information about the vehicle via a data interface, in particular from the external database which is set up so that it contains information about the vehicle, wherein a Allocation between the information about the vehicle can be done based on the license plate of the vehicle. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed as a user component and the device is set up so that it can respond to requests for the acquisition of data elements. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed as a smartphone, smartwatch or as smart glasses. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains a camera for taking images, that it contains a means for storing the images and that it contains a means for linking the images with the license plate of the vehicle and for forming a damage assessment file, Both the license plate and the images can be integrated into the damage assessment file. System for detecting damage to vehicles, characterized in that it has interfaces for sending and receiving data from devices, the devices each having an image capture device for capturing images and an assignment device for assigning the images to vehicles and an OCR capture means for capture of license plates of the vehicles included.