NZ299611A - Motor vehicle information system querying government vehicle registation database - Google Patents

Abstract

central computer forming a system server is remotely accessible by remote system users and stores vehicle records each having information relating to a respective vehicle. The remote users may interrogate the central server using vehicle identification data, and in response to such enquiries the server will provide the information relating to the vehicle to which the identification data relates. The vehicle records in the central server are compiled and updated on receipt of a user enquiry or otherwise, by obtaining vehicle information form at least one remote stored government database of vehicle data for a multiple number of vehicles and by also obtaining information from one or more other remote stored data sources.

Description

f 28349 WGN PATENTS FORM 5 Number 299611 PATENTS ACT 1953 Dated 18 March 1997 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION MOTOR VEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEM I, PATRICK RYAN COSTIGAN, a New Zealand citizen, of 62 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement. 1 Intellectual Property Office of NZ 18 MAR 1998 RECEIVED 28349 WGN 2 FIELD OF INVENTION The invention (hereafter referred to as the 'system"), relates in general to computer, network & database systems used by organisations to process government registry 5 transactions for motor vehicles, and to locate and purchase motor vehicle related products and services.

BACKGROUND Each year in New Zealand over $1 billion of government related vehicle transactions are performed. These transactions take place as a matter of law, or well established business practice. Most of these transactions are paper based and inefficient and have created "gaps" in the system which some parties have used to avoid or delay their legal and/or moral obligations. The automotive industry and the Government 15 want to automate these processes to: • reduce the costs & effort of compliance, • increase the accuracy of transactions & data, • "tighten up" vehicle trading to improve vehicle & road safety. • collect missing government revenues, • facilitate the collection, and generate new revenues, • improve customer service and competitive position It would be particularly desirable to provide a computer hardware and software based system which allows these transactions to be performed electronically. The 25 system would incorporate many features which minimise user effort, and improve accuracy, and also introduces many of the "checks & balances" presently missing in the industry by automatically cross checking & directing system users to perform the required transactions.

In addition to just performing electronic government transactions, the system could be enhanced to act as a "one-stop-shop" of other essential information to enhance customer service, improve competitive position, and generate additional sales revenues for organisations such as: • Automobile Dealerships 35 • Vehicle Manufacturers • Boat Brokers t t 28349 WGN Auction Companies Motorcycle Dealers Finance, Insurance, 8s Leasing Companies Service Stations, Vehicle Testing 85 Repair Centres Local Government Authorities Automotive Industry Associations Auto Wreckers 85 Panel Beaters Enforcement Authorities (eg Customs 8s Police) Government Agents The Public etc.

DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART In order that the System may be completely understood and appreciated in its 15 proper context, reference may be made to a number of prior art patents and publications as follows: US Patent No. 5,623,403 Highbloom - System for Proactively 8s Periodically Identifying Non-Compliance with Motor Vehicle Registration Laws.

The prior art system suffers from a number of drawbacks, for example: • Only provides a method for matching vehicle lien data from private finance companies against the Government's vehicle registration data to identify vehicles which have been sold but not had their new registration fees or sales tax paid within a period of time.

• Does not use common lookup keys to extract information about a specific vehicle in real time from various government and private data sources and, use some of the received information as a key to extract related data from other data sources and, combine the information for delivery via a single computer screen or document.

• Does not automatically analyse data from the various data sources to identify discrepancies and missing information and, then automatically advise a System User of the steps/transactions required to capture or correct the data and, enable the System User to actually conduct the required transactions on-line and in real time.

• Does not automatically transfer government registry data, System data, and known User data, to the relevant portions of other government and private 28349 WGN 4 transactions so as to reduce the effort and errors associated with having a person manually enter the data.

• Does not automatically create/update databases of; vehicles for sale, and customer details.

• Does not automatically search databases for vehicle stock or customer anniversary dates etc. and then automatically send the reports to the interested parties.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention provides an unproved or at least alternative computer based method and system to process government registry transaction for motor vehicle and to locate and purchase motor vehicle related products and services.

In broad terms the invention comprises a motor vehicle information system for compiling from different data sources information relating to motor vehicles and receiving and responding to enquiries from remote system users, comprising a central computer forming a system server electronically accessible by remote system users and storing a number of vehicle records each comprising information relating 20 to a vehicle, and arranged to receive vehicle enquiries from system users including vehicle identification data, and responsive to such user enquiries with information relating to the vehicle to which the identification data relates, and arranged to compile and/or update the information in the central server vehicle records on receipt of a user enquiry or otherwise, by obtaining vehicle information from at least 25 one remote government stored database of vehicle data for a multiple number of vehicles and by also obtaining information from one or more other remote stored data sources.

In broad terms the invention also comprises a method of compiling from different 30 data sources information relating to motor vehicles and receiving and responding to enquiries from remote system users, comprising providing a central computer forming a system server which is electronically accessible by remote system users and storing a number of vehicle records each comprising information relating to a vehicle in said system server, receiving in said system server vehicle enquiries from 35 system users including vehicle identification data, and responding to such user enquiries with information relating to the vehicle to which the identification data relates, and compiling and/or updating the information in the central server vehicle 28349 WGN records on receipt of a user enquiry or otherwise by obtaining vehicle information from at least one remote stored database of vehicle data for a multiple number of vehicles and by also obtaining information from one or more other remote stored data sources using data relating to vehicles from the system server vehicle records DEFINITIONS Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The system and method of the invention are further described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show a preferred form of the invention by way of 15 example and without intending to be limiting, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of the preferred form system, Figure 2 shows the information flow 8s features of the preferred form system, Figure 3 is a introduction/menu screen of the preferred form system, showing the basic services, Figure 4 shows a Vehicle Query Screen of the preferred form system and some of 25 the transactions it links to, Figure 5 shows a Vehicle Information Report (VIR) from the preferred form system, Figure 6 shows a vehicle Change of Ownership Screen, Figures 7 and 8 show how change of ownership transactions are linked to the Motor-Match and Customer databases, Figure 9 shows a screen for manually submitting a vehicle to the Motor-Match 35 database, ► 28349 WGN 6 Figures 10 and 11 show Vehicle Search Screens and the associated Contact and Notification Screens, and Figure 12 is a proposed Change Vehicle Liens Screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORM The preferred form of system is shown in general block form in Figure 1. The system comprises a central server 2 comprising memory and operating under the 10 control of application software. The application software functions interactively permitting exchange of information within the system. Users may communicate with the server 2 using a PC such as indicated at 4 over an Internet connection. Users PCs may be loaded with common software such as HTML or JAVA and the Internet connection may be either dial-up or dedicated. A user may use an 15 equivalent Internet appliance instead of a personal computer. A firewall 6 may be interposed between the user PCs and the server 2 for security purposes.

Users may also communicate with the server 2 through a call centre 8 using a fax or telephone. A call centre operator accesses the server 2 using Internet terminals 20 10. Information is then conveyed to the user by voice or fax. The system may provide 0800 and 0900 services, voice and text recognition and/or IVR technology Alternatively, users may communicate with the server 2 using a radio paging service, electronic data interchange (EDI) or e-mail facilities (not shown).

The server 2 communicates with a number of data sources 12. These data sources 12 include private and government data stored on, for example, CD-ROM, floppy disks or tapes, Internet web sites, databases and computer servers. These data sources 12 may be accessed by dedicated and dial-up telecommunications facilities 30 using e-mail, electronic data interchange (EDI) and/or communications via Internet web sites. The data sources 12 may also be stored locally on CD-ROMs, floppy disks or other digital storage media.

Alternatively, the user may be provided with terminal emulation or Telnet facilities 35 to directly access data sources 12. 28349 WGN 7 Where necessary, the system converts or translates information from one format to another so that information can be collected and distributed using various communications protocols and devices most appropriate to system users and information suppliers. Translations and conversions supported include: • EDI to electronic mail and vice versa, • Electronic mail to facsimile and vice versa, • EDI to facsimile and vice versa.

The system may either communicate with the server 2 in real time or alternatively may extract information in batch mode, or from a web site or other intermediary delivery mechanism.

Operation of the system according to the application software is illustrated in Figure 15 2.

Common Key A system user supplies a vehicle identification means 14 comprising one or more of the following pieces of data; • the registration/plate number of a vehicle, • the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of a vehicle, • the chassis number of a vehicle, • the details of a vehicle owner, • some other unique identifier of a vehicle or vehicle owner.

This is used as the key(s) to extract relevant pieces of information about the specific vehicle (or owner) from various public and private data sources 12. These data sources include government databases such as Motor Vehicle Registries (MVR) 8s Motor Vehicle Securities Registries (MVSR), Internet web sites, CD-ROMs, vehicle 30 valuations etc. For example, the vehicle identification means 14 may be used as a common key to extract vehicle liens information from the MVSR database, and to extract vehicle description and ownership information from the MVR database.

Link Data The system is also capable of using data extracted from one database as a key to look-up and extract data from (or submit data to) one or more other data sources, web sites etc. For example, the vehicle owner details obtained from the I f 28349 WGN 8 Government's MVR database may be used to access and extract relevant information about the owner from a police database and a drivers license database. Whereas the MVR's vehicle description (make model & year) will be used as a key to extract vehicle valuation data from another database (such as that provided by Dealer's Guide). The vehicle description may also be used to extract specifications and an image of the vehicle from another database, CD-ROM, or other data source Combine Data - Vehicle Query Screen & Vehicle Information Report (VIR) The system combines and stores the various data as a new database record 16 in 10 the system. The data can then be displayed on-line as a Vehicle Query Screen', and/or produced as a document called a 'VIR' 18. The Vehicle Query Screen and the VIR each contain some or all of the following; a physical description of the vehicle, details of the vehicle owner(s) past & present, • the vehicle owner's drivers license details, any liens/securities associated with the vehicle, the insurance status of the vehicle, the vehicle odometer reading 8s verification, the vehicle's registration, licensing, and safety inspection status, 20 • specific (8s related) vehicle market valuations, an image or representative graphic of the vehicle, the mechanical condition and/or repair history of the vehicle, miscellaneous notes about the owner and/or vehicle, police status of the vehicle and/or its owner, • parking tickets associated with the vehicle, road user charges or outstanding road tariffs associated with the vehicle.

The Vehicle Query Screen' and *VIR' 18 may be used by car dealerships, vehicle auctioneers, insurance and finance and leasing companies for example, to confirm 30 the integrity of any vehicle they deal with. For example, car dealerships may generate a VIR for every trade-in vehicle considered, and issue a current VIR for every vehicle they sell to a customer. Likewise, before financing, insuring or leasing a vehicle, a VIR would be generated and filed with the policy. VIRs can be requested by the Police on vehicles of interest, or by service stations and testing stations as 35 part of their inspection 85 repair procedures. Vehicle auctioneers would also generate a VIR to confirm the status of each vehicle they sell to their buyers. 28349 WGN 9 The VIR would give businesses and the public greater confidence in the vehicles they purchase, insure or finance etc. The intent is to have the VIR become an industry standard document which functions much like a LIM (Land Information 5 Memorandum) does in the real estate industry. The VIR would become a common document which is either required by law, or requested as part of good business practice.

Analyse Data The system may then analyse and 'cross-check' information it holds on a vehicle, vehicle owner, system user etc. to identify instances of data discrepancies, for example errors, missing data, illegal status, expired or cancelled licenses etc (indicated at 20). Any discrepancies will be detailed 8s flagged within the system. For example, the vehicle owner and vehicle description information obtained from the 15 two Government databases (MVSR 85 MVR) are checked for consistency, and/or the vehicle VIN number will be verified against the vehicle type. The system generates (and delivers) a discrepancy report 22.

Link Transactions Based upon the analysis of the information held by the system, the system may be arranged with a compliance means to identify what further data needs to be collected, and therefore what other transactions need to be performed to ensure; the vehicle itself, the sale or purchase of the vehicle, and/or the insuring or financing of the vehicle, etc. complies with regulations or good business practice. The system 25 then prompts the user to perform the required transactions or, automatically display the relevant transaction screen(s), in a logical order.

The order of transactions will depend upon the type of system user (determined by the user's PIN) and the activities being performed. For example, if a vehicle is to be 30 sold to a member of the public and the vehicle's registration, safety inspection, license or other certification has expired, then the user will be directed to complete these transactions before the sale and 'Change of Ownership' can be finalised. This in turn may be followed by a suggestion to perform a Vehicle Insurance' transaction. Whereas if another car dealer is purchasing a vehicle, inspection and 35 insurance transactions are unnecessary and would not automatically appear. t 28349 WGN 10 Some of the other 'checks 8s balances' performed by the system are; • ensure a valid WOF, registration, and paid up license before selling a vehicle to a member of the public. • no WOF, license etc. if car is de-registered. • verify a vehicle buyers ID and ensure a valid drivers license before performing a change of ownership etc. • check for outstanding parking tickets, unpaid registrations (from continuos licensing) etc before performing a change of ownership. • ensure a "written off vehicle is de-registered. • no insurance without a vehicle valuation check and drivers license status check. • check for insurance coverage on a vehicle when processing damage claims • no financing processed without a vehicle valuation check, credit check, verification of valid registration, and liens check. • check VIN for accuracy against vehicle description and/or manufacturer's lists. • unpaid vehicle licenses are paid before change of ownership. • compare and correct vehicle descriptions and vehicle ownerships between government registries like the MVR and MVSR. • check for a valid RUC license.

To accomplish this, the system may be arranged to conduct real time 8s batch processing, document printing, billing and collecting of fees, for the following motor vehicle related transactions; • initial vehicle registration, • re-licensing of vehicles and drivers • changing vehicle ownership details, • vehicle safety inspections, 'certificates 8& warrants of fitness' • registration, amendments and cancellation of vehicle liens/securities, 30 • Road User Certificates 8s Road User Charges, • collection of miscellaneous notes relating to the vehicle and/or vehicle owner, • customs, duty 8s excise transactions, • processing 8s renewal of drivers licenses, • paying of traffic 8s parking violations.

The system may also be provided with action means providing a facility for canying out the required actions identified by the compliance means. Such action means I 28349 WGN 1 1 may include facilities to process vehicle registration, licensing, and inspection transactions (eg, WOF's, RUC's, registrations, COF's), process vehicle securities (eg, add, change and delete liens), and recommend and perform transactions such as arranging vehicle finance, insurance and/or vehicle extended warrantees. These actions may be conducted electronically.

In a preferred form the action means submits data already available to or known by the system to reduce manual data entry.

Transfer Data The system may make use of Internet IP addresses, CLID, and/or PINs to identify a system user and confirm their right to use the system. The system may then extract relevant details about the user from various databases and will automatically transfer/copy this information to other transactions the user may wish to perform. 15 Similarly the details of a vehicle and/or its owner etc. may be transferred automatically to the appropriate parts of other transactions. Automatic data transferring will be used throughout the system to reduce the errors 85 effort associated with manual entry of data by a person.

For example, during the purchase of a trade-in vehicle by a Car Dealer, the details of the vehicle and the seller (previous owner) would come from the 'Vehicle Query' results. While the details of the buyer (car dealer) would come from the system This data would then be inserted automatically into the appropriate fields of a 'Change of Ownership' transaction.

Reports Data stored within the system can be formed into reports, all of which can be displayed on-line, printed on paper, or transmitted electronically via e-mail, fax, or a direct data link. Some of these reports include: • A Vehicle Information Report (VIR)' 18 showing description, ownership, liens status, police status, market value, mileage etc. for a particular registered vehicle.

• A 'Discrepancy Report' 22 detailing any data inconsistencies between information sources. This report may be generated automatically by the 35 system and sent to the appropriate parties at scheduled times for further action. * 28349 WGN 12 • A Vehicle Search Report' listing descriptions, locations 8g prices for specific vehicles for sale • Billing reports outlining the number, type, and time of transactions performed by each system user.

• Statistics reports 24 showing vehicle price trends, number of vehicles registered per year etc.

• A 'Change of Ownership Report' for vehicles with liens registered against them.

• Marketing reports showing, sales by Dealership, customer sales anniversary dates, etc.

• A Vehicle Market Values Report' showing sales prices for various vehicle models.

Stock Location Service ("Motor-Match") Vehicle dealers are constantly looking for good vehicles to stock their yards, and 15 often turn to other dealers, trade-ins, importers, and vehicle auctions. However the increasing popularity of public vehicle fairs with their wider selection of vehicles, pose new competitive pressures upon car dealers. Therefore the location of good stock is becoming increasingly important for dealers When a customer wants a particular vehicle model, a dealer may phone a handful of other dealers to locate a car. This is a time consuming and often unsuccessful exercise The system may have the facility to streamline this process by providing a stock database 26 called 'Motor-Match' for dealers to buy 86 sell vehicles with each other in New Zealand and overseas. Dealers are then able to quickly locate specific 25 vehicles for themselves or their customers by searching the database using criteria such as; the physical vehicle description, the location, and/or the price of a vehicle. This will also reduce the auction 8s car transport costs for dealers since unwanted trade-ins can be directly traded with other dealers.

Dealers have the opportunity to register an interest in particular vehicles. The system may then periodically search the database for a period of time specified by the dealer and automatically notify the dealer when a vehicle (s) is located that matches the criteria. The notification will take place either by fax, e-mail, pager, direct data facility, or human operator. The Motor-Match database may be linked to 35 other third party vehicle location services or databases, for example Japanese vehicle auction companies. This will allow system users to locate, search or advertise vehicles on other systems. : 28349 WGN 13 Automatic Database Updating Although vehicles can be manually added and deleted from the Motor-Match database, the system can also virtually eliminate this effort for car dealers. This makes the database more accurate and very simple to use. This may be accomplished by providing a stock database updating means automatically adding (or deleting) vehicles to the database whenever the System is used to perform a government 'Change of Ownership' transaction. When a Dealer purchases a vehicle, it can be added to the stock database as a 'vehicle for sale'. Conversely, when a dealer sells a vehicle to the public, the system will automatically delete the vehicle from the stock database. The system will automatically know when a dealer is a seller or a buyer by matching ownership details with a list of known Licensed Motor Vehicle Dealers.

Database Partitions The Motor-Match database may be partitioned and records stored so that dealers can advertise vehicles to several audiences such as; everyone (public), only registered system users (System), only related dealerships (Franchise), or only for themselves to see (Private). The ability to store information privately means Motor-Match can be used by dealers as a internal system for tracking their own confidential vehicle inventories.

Customer Database The system may also be provided with a customer database 28. The customer database operates in a similar manner to the Motor-Match database except it contains records relating to a dealer's customers. Although a dealer can populate and update the database manually, the system is designed to automatically add new customers whenever a dealer performs a 'Change of Ownership' to sell a vehicle to a member of the public. However, unlike the Motor-Match database, customer records are not automatically deleted, and customer database records are entered in a private partition as a default.

A dealer can manually search this database by vehicle and/or a person's name. The system can automatically generate reports such as, showing the approaching sales anniversary dates for a dealer's customers, making the database very useful for marketing purposes. The system will also be able to extract the sales prices for various vehicles to generate reports showing approximate market values for various * 28349 WGN 14 vehicle models and years. This market valuation information will in turn be referenced when the system performs a vehicle query transaction or generates a VIR.

Manual & Automatic Database Searching A system user may be provided with the facility to perform both manual and automatic searching of the system's various databases. An automatic search can also be issued whereby the system will periodically scan a database for records matching particular search criteria and generate a report of its findings.

Automatic Notification The results of various system reports and searches can be automatically sent to the intended recipient via e-mail, fax, pager, direct data facility, or by a human operator.

Display of Images The system can supplement any text based descriptions obtained from the database(s) with a specific (or representative) image of a vehicle or vehicle owner The image may be stored within a remote database and delivered to the user along 20 with the text information, or the image may be extracted from a local storage device attached to the system user's local access terminal/workstation such as a hard disk or CD-ROM drive. Images will also be selected based upon key identifier(s) used to identify the vehicle or owner in the database(s).

Advertising & Publishing Many companies recognise the explosive growth of the Internet as a powerful advertising and publishing medium. When properly used as a marketing channel it can generate significant revenues at a fraction of traditional costs. Unfortunately a general web presence often involves waiting for your prospective customers to 30 connect to, and regularly use the Internet. Even then they may only stumble across your site amongst a sea of distractions and competitors.

The system of the invention on the other hand, is an "industry specific Internet" or "Intranet" where all users are involved with vehicles, or buyers of vehicles, and 35 access the system on a daily basis. This provides an unequalled opportunity for organisations to publish information, advertise products, and conduct transactions with a captive audience of pre-qualified prospects who have known automotive > 28349 WGN 15 interests and needs. The system will consolidate information from various sources into a single interface, creating the "critical mass" of information needed to attract users.

Publishing and advertising is further enhanced by the system's use of the latest Internet "push technologies" which will automatically deliver specific information to specific users without any effort on their part. This provides a vast improvement over the "hit and miss" approach to advertising on the wide open Web. Companies can also use electronic mailing lists to communicate with any number of their 10 customers, members, 8s prospects immediately and at negligible cost (eg. price updates, industry alerts 8s surveys).

Electronic Commerce Electronic commerce practices can significantly reduce overheads and improve 15 competitive position. One example shows that Internet based businesses can eliminate agent, broker and tele-sales commissions giving customers a 25% saving over competitors. In other instances sales costs of $200 can be reduced to $1 via the Internet.

The system may be provided with the facility to support electronic commerce transactions whereby a system user can sell or purchase various products 8s services related to motor vehicles. Again the system may automatically provide known data such as vehicle description, vehicle owner 8s system user details (originally obtained from reliable government data sources) to perform these 25 transactions, keep a record of the transactions, perform the required electronic debits and credits, and calculate commissions. A product supplier may in turn use the system to respond with a verification of the business transaction The communication can take place in real time on-line, via e-mail, a fax facility, or via a direct data link to the supplier of the product or service.

For example: After purchasing a new vehicle, a customer requests that it be insured. The system automatically inserts all the details about the vehicle, its value, and the new owner into an electronic insurance application form, and sends it directly to an insurance company on-line. The insurance company responds with 35 its approval and a policy document by fax. The system automatically calculates an insurance sales commission and debits and credits the appropriate bank accounts. 28349 WGN 16 Advertising, Publishing & E-Commerce Capabilities Industry Associations: Newsletters, industry bulletins, membership lists, surveys, codes of conduct, discussion forums.

Vehicle Auctioneers.

Auction items 8s schedules, submission forms, sales statistics Vehicle Manufacturers: New vehicle models, road tests, option sheets, VIN decoding Finance, Insurance dm Special offers, premium calculators, application forms, Leasing Co's extended warrantee policies, lease agreements, insurance policies, finance applications etc.

Panel Beaters 8s Garages: Parts catalogues, repair manuals, inspection codes 8s diagrams Miscellaneous: Car transport services, auto accessories, valet services, credit checks Government Registries: Regulations, statistics, vehicle inspection codes Dealer Guide: Residual value calculations, market statistics, on-line subscriptions, new product advertising Police 8s Customs Depts: Transport Act 8s customs regulations, imported vehicle procedures, excise duty 8s declaration forms On-Line Help & Tutorial The system may provide an on-line help facility to explain the layout of various screens and the meaning of various fields. These may be contact sensitive so a system user can place a cursor over a field and get specific help by "right clicking" the mouse.

A "wizard" utility may also be incorporated into the system to direct a system user to perform the required transactions in the correct order. For example: • A car dealer uses Motor-Match to locate the desired model of a car for a customer.

• The dealer contacts the other dealer to arrange a sales commission and the 15 vehicle's delivery by telephone, fax or e-mail.

• The customer's trade-in is checked for ownership, registered liens, legal status (licensed or stolen), and its market value. 28349 WGN 17 • If the dealer accepts the trade-in, he changes the ownership into his name, adds the vehicle to his private inventory list, and simultaneously advertises the trade-in to other dealers via Motor-Match.

• A description of the 'new' vehicle, the dealer and customer data is 5 automatically entered into a loan 8& insurance application form which is sent electronically to a finance 85 insurance company.

• The finance 8s insurance companies use the system to check the customers credit rating, drivers license status, verify the new vehicles value, and submit a quotation.

• The buyer accepts the quotation and the system electronically sends the completed and approved insurance policy and/or finance agreement to the appropriate company, and prints the required documents for the buyer The system registers a lien against the vehicle if financing is accepted.

• The dealer ensures the new vehicles registration, licensing, and WOF are up to 15 date, collects any road user charges and prints the required certificates.

• The dealer transfers the new vehicle ownership to the customer, simultaneously removing that vehicle from the dealer's stock inventory, but adding the buyer 8g vehicle details to the System's customer contact database.

• The dealer prints a VIR summarising all the details of the new vehicle and 20 gives it to the buyer.

During operation of the system, various screens are displayed to the user as shown in Figures 3 to 12.

The system screen of Figure 3 is displayed as an introduction menu screen showing the basic services offered by the system.

Figure 4 shows the vehicle query screen of the system. In addition to vehicle description data, the vehicle query screen may retrieve and display LTSA 30 registration data 30, MVSR lien data 32, dealers guide valuations 34, and police information 36. In a preferred form the vehicle query screen contains links to further screens for example options to print VIR 18, change owner, change lien, issue warrant of fitness, issue RUC, renew licence, register vehicle, insure vehicle and finance.

Figure 5 illustrates a typical vehicle information report (VIR) 18 In a preferred form the information displayed on the VIR 18 includes vehicle description data, 28349 WGN 18 ownership history, odometer readings, WOF, and registration expiry dates, registered liens, estimated market value, and further notes Figure 6 illustrates a typical change of ownership screen displaying previous vehicle 5 owner data and permitting entry of new vehicle owner data. In a preferred form the nature of the transaction, whether the vehicle is being sold from a member of the public to a dealer, between dealers, between members of the public, or from a dealer to a member of the public, may be manually identified by the user, or may be automatically identified by the system.

On submitting change of ownership data the system may alert the user to action required for example warrants of fitness or road user charges, that the transaction will incur a fee, whether the user wishes to advertise the vehicle, that a particular error has occurred, or the transaction has completed successfully.

Figure 7 illustrates operation of the system and screens displayed with a typical vehicle trade-in. Details are first retrieved using the vehicle queiy screen and change of ownership details then entered using the change of ownership screen. Government registry information is then up-dated and the trade-in is checked. 20 Details are entered in the Motor- Match stock database 26. The vehicle record is then checked for matches against active searches registered by users, and any matches are notified.

Figure 8 illustrates a typical vehicle sale. Details are first retrieved by the vehicle 25 query screen and details entered in the change of ownership screen. Government registry information is then updated. The user has the option of printing a VIR 18 before or after the sale. As a result of the change of ownership, the Motor-Match stock database 26 and customer database 28 are automatically updated.

Vehicle records are then checked against previously stored user searches and the user is notified of any matches.

Figure 9 illustrates a screen for manually submitting vehicle data to the Motor-Match stock database 26. In a preferred form the user may enter vehicle 35 description data and present vehicle owner data before submitting the vehicle for sale in the Motor-Match stock database 26.

I * 28349 WGN 19 Figure 10 illustrates a typical vehicle stock locator screen allowing the user to enter vehicle search criteria, with the system displaying vehicle search results As illustrated, contact with the owner can be automatically made by electronic mail or 5 fax and may incorporate a message which may be personalised.

Figure 11 illustrates various screens allowing the user to select options for automated vehicle search services.

Figure 12 illustrates a typical screen of vehicle liens displaying information on vehicle description, registered liens to be either deleted or added, and options to have certificates printed. Suitable errors are provided to the user for example alerting the user that only the registered lien holder can delete the lien.

The foregoing describes a preferred form of the invention. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof, as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims (50)

20 2996lt WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A motor vehicle information system for compiling from different data sources information relating to motor vehicles and receiving and responding to enquiries from remote system users, comprising a central computer forming a system server electronically accessible by remote system users and storing one or more vehicle records each comprising information relating to a vehicle, and arranged to receive vehicle enquiries from system users including vehicle identification data, and responsive to such user enquiries with information relating to the vehiple to which the identification data relates, and arranged to/compile and/or update the information in the central server vehicle records on receipt of k user enquiry or otherwise, my obtaining vehicle information from at least one remote /tored government database or vehicle data for a multiple number of vehicles and by gflso obtaining information fro/n one or more other remote stored data sources.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle information obtained from the remote stored government database is retrieved using a first key, the information obtained from the /emote stored data sources is retrieved using as a second key data relating to vehicle^from the system server vehicle records, and the second key differs from the first key. t 1 / .

3. A system according to claim 1 for claim 2 wherein said at least one remote database supplies motor vehicle securities data or motor vehicle registration data supplied or maintained by or with the authority of a Government agency.

4. A system according to anft one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said remote data source(s) include a vehicle market valuat/on database and the system is arranged to retrieve vehicle market valuation information/from the vehicle market valuation database.

5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 arranged to respond to user * r^^UALPpmvomrri enquiries with information on vehicle description, vehicle own©F,4ggal siarasjor liens I 1 9 NOV 1399 receivfd 9611 WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1 A motor vehicle information system for compiling from different data sources information relating to motor vehicles and receiving and responding to enquiries from remote system users, comprising a central computer forming a system server electronically accessible by remote system users and storing one or more vehicle records each comprising information relating to a vehicle, and arranged to receive vehicle enquiries from system users including vehicle identification data, and responsive to such user enquiries with information relating to the vehicle to which the identification data relates, and arranged to compile and/or update the information in the central server vehicle records [on receipt of a user enquiry or otherwise], by obtaining vehicle information from at least one remote stored government database of vehicle data for a multiple number of vehicles on receipt of said user enquiry and by also obtaining information from one or more other remote stored data sources on receipt of a user enquiry or otherwise, said vehicle information being obtained from said at least one remote stored government database and said one or more other remote stored data sources using said vehicle identification data or some portion thereof. 2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle information obtained from [the] said at least one remote stored government database is retrieved using a first key, the information obtained from [the] said one or more other remote stored data sources is retrieved using as a second key data relating to vehicles from [the] said system server vehicle records, and fthej said second key differs from [the] said first key. 3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said at least one remote stored government database supplies motor vehicle securities data or motor vehicle registration data, supplied or maintained by or with the authority of a Government agency. 4. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said one or more other remote stored data source(s) include a vehicle market valuation database and the system is arranged to retrieve vehicle market valuation information from the vehicle market valuation database. 5 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 arrange 1 to r^pnggi ts>FUfr£2enqui nes with 2 3 mar 2001 received NOW AMENDE! 21 - 29 9 6 1 1 status.

6. A system according to cLaim 6 arranged to respond to user enquiries with market valuation information relatingAo a motor vehicle.

7. A system according/to any one of the preceding claims arranged to compare corresponding informatioiy obtained from the remote database(s) and data source(s) and identify and output data discrepancies.

8. A system according to claim 7 are&nged to automatically identify data discrepancies, generate a discrepancy report apd distribute the discrepancy report. 9. A system according to any one of/claims 1 to 8 arranged to identify vehicle registration, licensing and inspection transactions, vehicle securities transactions, vehicle finance, vehicle insurance, vehicle extended warranties or vehicle leasing required or recommended actions. 10. A system according to claim 9 arranged to automatically prompt or direct the system users to undertake the required or recommended actions. 11. A system according to claim 9 or claim 10 arranged to carry out the required action(s/using the information compiled from different data sources. 12. /A system according 16 any one of the preceding claims further comprising a customer database of recoras relating to vehicle description and vehicle owner, and arranged to maintain the records stored in the customer database relating to vehicle description and vehicle owner. 13. A system according to claim 12 arranged to add records to the customer database ' whenever a motorised/vehicle dealer sells a vehicle to a b^ ^ 0FP^WV0FflCE 1 9 NOV 1999 received AS 21 611 information on vehicle description, vehicle owner, legal status, or liens status. 6. A system according to [claim 6] any one of claims 1 to 4 arranged to respond to user enquiries with market valuation information relating to a motor vehicle. 7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims arranged to compare corresponding information obtained from [the] said at least one remote stored government database(s) and said one or more other remote stored data source(s) and identify and output data discrepancies. 8 A system according to claim 7 arranged to automatically identify data discrepancies, generate a discrepancy report and distribute the discrepancy report

9. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 arranged to identify vehicle registration, licensing and inspection transactions, vehicle securities transactions, vehicle finance, vehicle insurance, vehicle extended warranties or vehicle leasing required or recommended actions.

10. A system according to claim 9 arranged to automatically prompt or direct the system users to undertake the required or recommended actions.

11. A system according to claim 9 or claim 10 arranged to carry out the required action(s) using the information compiled from different data sources.

12. A system according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a customer database of records relating to vehicle description and vehicle owner, and arranged to maintain the records stored in the customer database relating to vehicle description and vehicle owner

13. A system according to claim 12 arranged to add records to the customer database whenever a motonsed vehicle dealer sells a vehicle to a buyer 14. A system according to claim 12 or claim 13 arranged to retrieve and output records from the Customer database based on user specified criteria. intellectual property office of n.z. 2 3 mar 2001 RECEIVED «• 2» y 611 '-22-

14. A system according to claim 12 or claim 13 arranged to retrieve and output records from the Customer database based on user specified criteria.

15. A system according to claim 14 arranged to automatically and periodically retrieve and output records from the customer database.

16. A system according to yany one of the preceding claims further comprising a stock database of records relating to vehicle description and vehicle owner, and arranged to maintain the records stored in the stock database Relating to vehicle description and vehicle owner.

17. A system according to claim 16 arranged to add records to the stock database whenever a motorisea vehicle dealer purchases' a vehicle.

18. A system according to claim 16 or claim 17 arranged to delete records from the stock database whenever a motorised vehicle dealer sells a vehicle to a buyer.

19. A system according to any one of claims 16 to 18 arranged to retrieve and output records from the stock database based/on user specified criteria.

20. A system according to clainyl 9 arranged to automatically and periodically retrieve and output records from the stocWdatabase.

21. / A system according to apy one of the preceding claims arranged to be accessed and operate over the Internet.

(2. A motor vehicle Information system substantially as herein described with Preference to the accompanying figures.

23. A method of compiling from different data sources information relating to motor vehicles and receiving and responding to enquiries from remJte system^^f^i^Mlig 1 9 NOV 1999 J2f CFIVED 22 15. A system according to claim 14 arranged to automatically and periodically retrieve and output records from the customer database. 16. A system according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a stock database of records relating to vehicle description and vehicle owner, and arranged to maintain the records stored in the stock database relating to vehicle description and vehicle owner. 17. A system according to claim 16 arranged to add records to the stock database whenever a motorised vehicle dealer purchases a vehicle. 18. A system according to claim 16 or claim 17 arranged to delete records from the stock database whenever a motorised vehicle dealer sells a vehicle to a buyer. 19. A system according to any one of claims 16 to 18 arranged to retrieve and output records from the stock database based on user specified criteria. 20 A system according to claim 19 arranged to automatically and periodically retrieve and output records from the stock database. 21. A system according to any one of the preceding claims arranged to be accessed and operate over the Internet, wherein said at least one remote stored government database comprises a first remote stored government database supplying motor vehicle securities data and a second remote stored government database supplying motor vehicle registration data, both being supplied by or maintained by or supplied with the authority of. a Government agency. 22 A motor vehicle information system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures. 23 A method of compilmg from different data sources information relating to motor vehicles and receiving and responding to enquiries from remote system users, comprising providing a central computer forming a system server which is electromcafr^|ccc^t^^^^n Dte system users and storing one or more vehicle records each comprisi ig in^MtiS^ i^l^ting t) a vehicle 2 3 mar 2001 received NOW AMENDED >»"" -23- providing a central computer forming a system server which is electronically accessible by remote system users and storing one or more vehicle records each comprising information relating to a vehicle in said system server, receiving in said system server vehicle enquiries from system users including vehicle identification data, and responding to such user enquiries with information relating to the vehicle to which the identification data relates, and compiling and/or updating the information in the central server vehicle records on receipt of a user enquiry or otherwise by obtaining vehicle information from at least one remote stored government database of vehicle data/for a multiple number of vehicles and by <^so obtaining information from one or moye other remote stored data sources. 24. A metnod according to claim 23 wherein the vehicle information obtained from the remote stored government database is retrieved using a first key, the information obtained from the remote stored data sources is retrieved using as a second key data relating to vehicles ijrom the system server vehicle records, and t]ae second key differs from the first key. 25. / A method according to claim 23 or claim 24 wherein said at least one remote database comprises a Motor Vehicle Securities Register or Motor Vehicle Register maintained by or with the authority of a Government agency. 16. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 25 wherein said data source(s) f include a vehicle market valuation database and the method includes retrieving vehicle market valuation information from the vehicle market valuation database(s). 27. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 26 including responding to user enquiries with information on vehicje description, vehicle owner, legal status or liens status. 28. A method according to claim 27 including respondii valuation information relating to a motor vehicle. 299611 in said system server, receiving in said system server vehicle enquiries from system users including vehicle identification data, and responding to such user enquiries with information relating to the vehicle to which the identification data relates, and compiling and/or updating the information in the central server vehicle records [on receipt of a user enquiry or otherwise] by obtaining vehicle information from said at least one remote stored government database of vehicle data for a multiple number of vehicles on receipt of said user enquiry and by also obtaining information from said one or more other remote stored data sources on receipt of said user enquiry or otherwise, said vehicle information being obtained from said at least one remote stored government databases and said one or more other remote stored data sources using said vehicle identification data or some portion thereof.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein the vehicle information obtained from [the] said at least one remote stored government database is retrieved using a first key, the information obtained from [the] said one or more other remote stored data sources is retrieved using as a second key data relating to vehicles from the system server vehicle records, and [the] said second key differs from [the] said first key

25. A method according to claim 23 or claim 24 wherein said at least one remote stored database comprises a Motor Vehicle Securities Register or Motor Vehicle Register maintained by or with the authority of a Government agency.

26. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 25 wherein said data source(s) include a vehicle market valuation database and the method includes retrieving vehicle market valuation information from the vehicle market valuation database(s)

27. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 26 including responding to user enquiries with information on vehicle description, vehicle owner, legal status or liens status

28. A method according to claim [27] 26 including responding to user enquiries with market valuation information relating to a motor vehicle. INTELLECTUAL property 29. A method according to any one of claims 23 to [: -8] 2^Ffi!i9&iffFc^rtiprisin \ comparing 2 3 mar 2001 received 299611 24-

29. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 28, further comprising comparing corresponding information obtained from the remote database^ and data source(s) and identifying and outputting da/ia discrepancies. 30. A method according to claim 29 including automatically identifying data discrepancies, generating a discrepancy report and distributing the discrepancy report. 31. A method accoraing to claim 30 including automatically prompting or directing the system users to undertake the required or recommended actions. 32. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 31 further comprising identifying vehicle registration, licensing and inspection,/vehicle securities transactions, vehicle finance, vehicle insurance, vehicle extended /warranties or vehicle leasing required or recommended/ actions. 33. A method according to claim 32/further comprising carrying out the required action(s) using the information compiled from different data sources. 34. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 33, further comprising storing and maintaining a customer database <)f records relating to vehicle description and vehicle owner. 35/ A method according to olaim 34 including adding records to the customer database /henever motorised vehicle dealer sells a vehicle to a buyer. 36. A method according to claim 34 or claim 35 including retrieving and outputting records from the customer database based on user specified criteria. 37. A method according to claim 3 6 including automatic; and outputting recoras from the customer database. 24 corresponding information obtained from [the] said at least one remote stored government database(s) and said one or more other remote stored data source(s) and identifying and outputting data discrepancies.

30. A method according to claim 29 including automatically identifying data discrepancies, generating a discrepancy report and distributing the discrepancy report.

31. A method according to claim 30 including automatically prompting or directing the system users to undertake the required or recommended actions.

32. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 31 further comprising identifying vehicle registration, licensing and inspection, vehicle securities transactions, vehicle finance, vehicle insurance, vehicle extended warranties or vehicle leasing required or recommended actions.

33. A method according to claim 32 further comprising carrying out the required action(s) using the information compiled from different data sources.

34. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 33, further comprising storing and maintaining a customer database of records relating to vehicle description and vehicle owner.

35. A method according to claim 34 including adding records to the customer database whenever motorised vehicle dealer sells a vehicle to a buyer.

36. A method according to claim 34 or claim 35 including retrieving and outputting records from the customer database based on user specified criteria.

37. A method according to claim 36 including automatically and periodically retrieving and outputting records from the customer database. 38. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 37, further comprising storing and maintaining a stock database of records relating to vehiclej"^jq^e5i^p^^i^^^^p t>wner. "office of nz. 2 3 mar 2001 received «• NOW 29 9 6 1 1 -25-

38. A method according to any one>6f claims 23 to 37, further comprising storing and maintaining a stock database of records relating to vehicle description arid vehicle owner. 39. A method according to claim 38 including adding records/to the stock database whenever a motorised vehicle dealer purchases a vehicle. / 40. A method according to claim 38 or claim 39 including deleting records from the stock database whenever a/motorised vehicle dealer sells arvehicle to a party who is not a motorised vehicle dealer. / 41. A method according to any one of claims 38 to 40, further comprising retrieving and outputting recoras from the stock database based on user specified criteria. 42. A method^ according to claim 41 including the step of automatically and periodically retrieving and outputting record/from the stock database. 43. A memod according to any one ofclaims 23 to 42 including allowing said system to be accessed and operated over the Internet. 44. PL method of compiling from/different data sources information relating to motor vehicles and receiving and responding to enquiries from remote system users substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures. \ IWt®WtfPwSivoSc£ ' 9 1939 I —RECEIVED I AS 25 1 1

39. A method according to claim 38 including adding records to the stock database whenever a motorised vehicle dealer purchases a vehicle.

40. A method according to claim 38 or claim 39 including deleting records from the stock database whenever a motorised vehicle dealer sells a vehicle to a party who is not a motorised vehicle dealer.

41. A method according to any one of claims 38 to 40, further comprising retrieving and outputting records from the stock database based on user specified criteria

42. A method according to claim 41 including the step of automatically and periodically retrieving and outputting records from the stock database

43. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 42 including allowing said system to be accessed and operated over the Internet, and wherein said at least one remote stored database comprises a Motor Vehicle Securities Register and a Motor Vehicle Registry supplied by, maintained by or supplied with the authority of a Government agency.

44. A method of compiling from different data sources information relating to motor vehicles and receiving and responding to enquiries from remote system users substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures. 45. A motor vehicle information system for compiling from different data sources information relating to motor vehicles and receiving and responding to enquiries from remote system users, comprising: a central computer accessible by remote system users and storing one or more vehicle records each comprising information relating to a vehicle, and programmed to: receive vehicle enquiries from system users including a unique vehicle identifier, respond to such user enquiries with information from the vehicle record relating to the vehicle to which the [identification data] said unique vehicle identifier relates, process and/or update the information i receipt of a user enquiry or otherwise] said corr intellect- putei?ffy9feMnirig 'vehic cle records ort e information 2 3 mar 2001 received 299611

45. A motor vehicle information system for compiling from different/data sources information relating to motor vehi^es and receiving and responding to inquiries from remote system users, comprising:; a central computer accessible by remote system users and sto/ing one or more vehicle records each comprising information relating to a vehicle, ana programmed to: receive vehicl/ enquiries from system users including a unique vehicle identifier, respond to sfoch user enquiries with information from the vehicle record relating to the veMicle to which the identification data relates, process and/or update the information in the central server vehicle records on receipt of a user enquiry or otherwise, by obtaining vehicle information from at least one remote stored government database ot vehicle data for a multiple number of vehicles and one or more other remote Stored data sources, said vehicle information being obtained from said databases/and said data sources using said received unique vehicle identifier.

46. A system according to claim 45 programmed to compare corresponding information obtained from the remote database/s) and data source(s) and identify and output d&ta discrepancies.

47. / A system according to either of claims 45 or 46 including predifined required or reccrmmended actions and programmed to process and/or analyse the information in the central server and information obtained from the remote database(s) and data source(s) to letermine if one or more of said preferred actions is appropriate and prompt or direct a 'system user to undertake said required/or recommended actions. 48. A system according to any ®ne of claims 45 to 47 wherein the said information obtained from the remote database/s) and data source(s) is submitted to said government databases in an automated manner. 49. A system according to any one of claims 45 to 48 wherein the said information 26 from at least one remote stored government database of vehicle data for a multiple number of vehicles on receipt of said user enquiry and by obtaining vehicle information from one or more other remote stored data sources on receipt of said user enquiry or otherwise, said vehicle information being obtained from said databases and said data sources using said [received] unique vehicle identifier. 46. A system according to claim 45 programmed to compare corresponding information obtained from the remote database(s) and data source(s) and identify and output data discrepancies. 47 A system according to either of claims 45 or 46 including [predifined] predefined required or recommended actions and programmed to process and/or analyse the information in [the central server] said computer and information obtained from the remote database(s) and data source(s) to determine if one or more of said preferred actions is appropriate and prompt or direct a system user to undertake said required or recommended actions.

48. A system according to [any one of] claim [s 45 to] 47 wherein the [sard] information obtained from [the remote database(s) and data source(s)] said system user in response to said required or recommended actions is submitted to said government databases in an automated manner.

49. A system according to any one of claims 45 to 48 wherein the said information obtained from the remote database(s) and data source(s) is used as input data in electronic commerce transactions in an automated manner. 50. A method of compiling from different data sources information relating to motor vehicles and receiving and responding to enquiries from remote system users, using a central computer [forming a system server] which is electronically accessible by remote system users comprising the following steps: a) storing one or more vehicle records each comprising information relating to a vehicle in said [system server, ] computer, b) receiving in said [system server] computer vehicle INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF.FICE. OF N.Z. enquiries from system u: 2 3 mar 2001 ers including received 27- 299611 obtained from the remote databases) and data source(s) is used as input data in electronic commerce transactions In an automated manner.

50. A method of compiling/from different data sources information relating to motor vehicles and receiving and /esponding to enquiries from remoter system users, using a central computer forming A system server which is electronically accessible by remote system users comprising/the following steps: a) storing one or more vehicle records each comprising information relating to a vehicle in said system server, b) receiving \rJsaid system server vehicle enquires from system users including vehicle identification data, and c) responding to such user enquiries with information from the vehicle records relating to the vehicle to which the identificationyaata relates, and d) compiling and/or updating the information in the central server vehicle records on receipt of A user enquiry or otherwise by obtaining vehicle information from at least one remote stored government database of vehic/e data for a multiple number of vehicles and by also obtaining information from one or more other remote stored data sources. vehicle identification data, and c) responding to such user enquiries with information from the vehicle records relating to the vehicle to which the [identification data] said unique vehicle identifier relates, and d) compiling and/or updating the information m [the central server vehicle records on receipt of a user enquiry or otherwise] said computer by obtaining vehicle information from at least one remote stored government database of vehicle data for a multiple number of vehicles on receipt of said user enquiry and by also obtaining information from one or more other remote stored data sources on receipt of said user enquiry or otherwise, said vehicle information being obtained from said databases and said data sources using said unique vehicle identifier. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF NZ. 2 3 mar 2001 received