AU2002301438B2 - Vehicle Information System Part 1 - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

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S The invention (hereafter referred to as the 'system'), relates in general to computer, network database systems used by organisations to process government registry transactions for motor vehicles, and to locate and purchase motor vehicle related products and services.

BACKGROUND

00 Each year in New Zealand over $1 billion of government related vehicle transactions are performed.

M These transactions take place as a matter of law, or well established business practice. Most of these F transactions are paper based and inefficient and have created "gaps" in the system which some C parties have used to avoid or delay their legal and/or moral obligations. The automotive industry and the Government 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 generation of new revenues, improve customer service and competitive position provide enhanced consumer protection enhance law enforcement It would be particularly desirable to provide a computer hardware and software based system which allows these transactions to be performed electronically. The 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.

MULTIPLE PLATE PROBLEM Some countries refer to the number plates on vehicles as a 'license plate'. This is because the plates are licensed and linked to a person and must be renewed each year with a sticker attached to them.

These license plates are often moved from vehicle to vehicle as a person buys and sells cars. In New Zealand, number plates are referred to a 'registration plates' because they are issued only once when the vehicle is first registered as entering the NZ fleet. The plates are registered to the vehicle 679401_J.DOC 2 ID and are not linked to a person as they are in other countries. Unless the vehicle has 'personalised O plates', the plate generally stays with the vehicle.

S In many countries every vehicle is given a unique Vehicle Identification Number WVIN). This is S assigned by the manufacturer and includes details of the make, model, location of manufacture, year etc. This makes it very easy to identify a vehicle even if its registration or license plates have been 00 removed or changed. This is why the linking of a plate to a person is not a problem because the VIN Mn can be used to track the vehicles history and legal status.

Mn In NZ, only vehicles which entered the country after 1995 were assigned VINs. However the VINs O used in NZ do not comply with the standard numbering codes used in other countries. This makes it Ni difficult to extract any useful information about the vehicle from the VIN4. The concept (and importance) of VINs is still not fully understood by many people in New Zealand. As such, the level of care when reading and transcribing these numbers is poor. A VIN is a long and complex number comprising a mixture of 17 numbers and letters. and confusing the following characters is common: Q 0 0, 5 S Z, I I etc. Hence VINs are often inaccurately recorded and therefore do not serve as a reliable vehicle identifier.

This is where NZ has a unique problem with the identification of a vehicle and obtaining the histories of same. The vehicle's plate number is the identifier most commonly (and most accurately) used to attach events like unpaid debts securities, damage, oxwnership and stolen flags to. If the vehicle 's plate is to change, then the history and events attached to that vehicle can disappear.

In NZ a vehicle's plates can/will be changed under the following conditions: a) a plate is damaged in an accident b) a plate is lost c) a plate is stolen d) a personalized plate is assigned or removed from a vehicle e) a vehicle is de-registered Once a plate has been physically removed from a vehicle, it becomes very difficult to determine the identify, and full history and legal status of the vehicle. This is especially true if the vehicle was brought into the country prior to 1995 and does not have a VIN.

679401_LDOC ID Here are some particular scenarios: Cla) Scenario 1: A person obtains a loan to buy a pre-1995 vehicle. The finance company registers a security against the vehicle's original plate (say 'ABC 123') in the NZ Government's Motor Vehicle Security Registry (MVSR) or the Personal Property Security Cl Registry (PPSR). Since the vehicle is a pr- 1995 vehicle it does not have a VIN4 number, so no other unique identifier is registered.

00 At some stage later, the person removes the original plate and attaches a personalized plate en to the vehicle (say 'GOOD 1V).

Cl In New Zealand there is no clear mechanism or requirement in law to update the MVSR or the PPSR registry with the new plate. Therefore a person searching the vehicle's current plate 'GOOD 1' would be unaware of the 'hidden security' registered against plate ABC123.

b) Scenario 2: In NZ it is possible to have the registered ownership of the vehicle changed into another persons name without the current owners permission, and without the new owner showing any identification. The registered owner can then request new plates for his new vehicle, citing the previous ones were lost, stolen or damaged. During the change of plate process, no check is done on the old plate' to see if the vehicle was reported stolen. Once the plate has been changed, the vehicle effectively disappears from the police since there is no mechanism or requirement of law to advise the police of a vehicle's change of plate. And should notice of a plate change be given to the police, there is no effective process to ensure the new plate is also flagged as belonging to a stolen vehicle.

The NZ Government (LTSA) does have a vehicle checking service called 'Motochek' which links into the police database to see if a queried vehicle is stolen. However, it only uses the vehicle's current plate to see if there are any police interests in the vehicle. Again the vehicle would come up 'clean' because all the vehicle's current and past identifiers have not been used.

For all the above reasons it is clear that all a vehicle's identifiers must be used to query various databases (eg. securities and police etc.) to obtain a true indication of the vehicles history and legal status. The current invention overcomes these long standing issues and shortcomings by providing a system and method of vehicle checking which uses a vehicles current plate, all past plates, VIN and 679401_1.C D chassis number to perform queries. The invention also undertakes steps to ensure the information S collected is also relevant.

There are additional problems which arise when using multiple plates to check a vehicle's status.

c This occurs when one of the vehicles past plates is a personalised plate which has subsequently been assigned to a different vehicle. The system envisaged will extract information regarding this second vehicle as well. This would also happen if incorrect VINs had been entered into any of the 00 00 data sources searched. Hence the present invention incorporates features which analyse the search results and highlights irrelevant data (information relating to a different vehicle).

The invention is unique and certainly not obvious. This is a serious problem and there has been a S complete lack of any action or solution by the Government, law enforcement authorities, finance companies, and specialist vehicle checking companies. All these parties have serious vested interests in overcoming the problems, but have been unaware of the steps and systems needed to overcome them.

NO PLATE PROBLEM New Zealand imports a greater percentage of used vehicles than most other countries in the world.

These imports come primarily from Japan. There have been many reported instances where the odometers of these cars have been wound-back to show a lower mileage. This is done to improve the re-sale price of the vehicle. This fraud has become so widespread that some government sources estimate the cost to the New Zealand public over the last 7 years to be $4 billion. New Zealand Customs now inspect a portion of the imported vehicles at the border to see if the odometer readings look consistent with the condition of the vehicle. If they are suspicious, then a physical check of the vehicle's odometer may take place. If the inspection reveals that the odometer has been tampered with, then a flag is set on a government database that this has occurred. The problem is it is difficult to visually determine if an odometer should be checked, and Customs lack the physical resources to do the work, so only a very small portion of vehicles are checked. It is clear that a large number of 'wound' vehicles get by. To correct this, efforts are underway to source odometer reading history from overseas so they can be compared with the physical readings on the vehicle once it has been registered in New Zealand.

However none of these vehicles have NZ registration plates assigned to them, and most do not have suitable VIN number assigned either. So the odometer readings can only be linked to the vehicles 679401_I.DOC chassis number, make, model, and year. As such it is necessary for a system such as the present S invention to use the vehicles New Zealand registration plate and/or VIN (when assigned) to obtain S the vehicles chassis number and description from the Government MVR database, and then use these identifiers to obtain the relevant overseas odometer readings.

S In 1999 Japan suffered a major flood where a large volume of cars became flood damaged. Many of these vehicles were written-off in Japan, bought very cheaply and then imported into New Zealand 00 en for resale. The New Zealand Government deem these vehicles to be unsafe and they must go through a more thorough inspection before being allowed on the road. Again, it is up to New en Zealand Customs to use their judgment to determine which vehicles are flood damaged. If so o determined, then the chassis number of the vehicle is recorded on a Government web site. Once C, again it is necessary for a system such as the present invention to use the New Zealand registration plate and/or VIN (when assigned) to obtain the vehicles chassis number and description from the Government MVR database, and then match these identifiers against the flood damage vehicle list published on the Government web site.

In this manner the current invention gets around the 'No Plate Problem' whereby vehicle data is only accessible using a chassis number as a look up key, and the vehicle's description as a supplementary key for validation.

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 Vehicle Manufacturers Boat Brokers Auction Companies Motorcycle Dealers Finance, Insurance, Leasing Companies Service Stations, Vehicle Testing Repair Centres Local Government Authorities Automotive Industry Associations Auto Wreckers Panel Beaters Enforcement Authorities (eg. Customs Police) Government Agents 679401 L.DOC The Public etc.

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C, Similar issues to those above also are present in Australia.

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Cc, DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART 00 In order that the System may be completely understood and appreciated in its proper context, M 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 Periodically Identifying Nonrn Compliance with Motor Vehicle Registration Laws.

C1 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 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.

US Patent 5,521,815 Rose Edward Uniform System for Verifying and Tracking Articles of Value.

SAlthough this prior art may appear to disclose a concept similar to the current invention, it has many differences and drawbacks: 679401_1.DOC

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o *The prior art does consider a centralised computer system for storage of motor vehicle Cl information, and provides for a mechanism for system users to input and extract information ;Z from it. However the key purpose of the system is to create a new identifying number for en articles, such number being different from pre-existing identifying numbers and pre-existing Cl tracking systems. The prior art attempts to solve the problem that the same article may have different identifiers used by different parties such a liens, insurance, registration agencies etc.

00 Mn This makes it difficult to obtain a comprehensive statement of an articles status when only one of these identifiers is used.

o The prior art attempts to address this problem by Furthermore creating a new identifier for Nl the article which is based upon certain attributes of the article. This new identifier is then to be assigned to the article as a replacement or supplement for/to the other pre-existing identifiers. The new identifier can then be supplied to the system and decoded to deliver up the attributes for the article.

However the prior art requires sweeping changes in the way articles are identified, and to work correctly, requires acceptance and implementation of this new coding system by a number of Pr parties.

he current invention seeks to address the same problem that te prior art attempts to -solve.

However the current invention does not need to create yet another new identifier and require that identifier to be accepted and utilised by all parties dealing with the article. Herein lies the main inventive step and advantage of the current invention over the prior art.

The current invention will allow pre-existing tracking systems, the pre-existing and accepted article identifiers, and pre-existing business processes to be used and remain unchanged. This dramatically increases the likelihood of the current invention being implemented and the resulting benefits realised with minimal disruption. The current invention achieves this by implementing a centralised system which uses existing identifiers as keys to extract data directly from existing tracking systems and databases in real time. But the current invention uses a clever means for selecting what article identifiers and what article information to use as keys to extract relevant information from other disparate databases and data sources. It is the use of certain information from certain data sources which increases the ability to compile a comprehensive report on a particular article.

679401_J.DOC S New Zealand patent No. 299,611 Costigan Motor Vehicle Information System Although this prior art disclosed a system and method for collecting information about motor vehicles from a number of data sources: X It does not disclose the specific relationship between the look-up keys the current invention uses 00 n to efficiently extract vehicle data.

No analysis of primary data is undertaken to create alerts and new information over and above n that contained in the original data sources.

It does not provide a mechanism whereby hidden data relating to the vehicle's previous identity I could be obtained, whereby the present invention makes extensive use of past plate and current plate checking.

There is no acknowledgement of, or solution to, the unique 'Past Plates' and 'No Plate' problems that exist in New Zealand.

E There is no mechanism to address the New Zealand 'Police Book' requirements whereby the present invention discloses an automated on-line vehicle tracking database for law enforcement use.

The inventor of the current invention is also the inventor of this prior art, and it is his belief that the present invention introduces new and inventive material that complements and significantly enhances the functionality of the method and system described in his prior art.

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

In one aspect the present invention may be said to consist in a vehicle information system for compiling vehicle information relating to motor vehicles from two or more data sources, the vehicle information system comprising a computer system adapted to: receive a query requesting information on a vehicle, the query comprising vehicle identification data relating to the vehicle, in response to the request, retrieve first vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a first data source operated containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the computer adapted to 6794011.DOC I retrieve the first vehicle information from the first data source using the vehicle identification data S as at least part of a first key, retrieve second vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a S second data source containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the computer adapted to retrieve the second vehicle information using at least some of the first vehicle information as at least part of a second key, compile and store the retrieved first and second vehicle information in a C data store, and provide the first and second vehicle information in response to the query.

00 rn' In another aspect the present invention may be said to consist in a vehicle information system for compiling vehicle information relating to motor vehicles from two or more data sources, the vehicle rr) information system comprising a computer system adapted to: receive a query requesting information on a vehicle, the query comprising vehicle identification data relating to the vehicle, the S vehicle identification data comprising one or more of: registration plate number, licence plate number, vehicle chassis number, vehicle owner details, vehicle identification number, in response to the request retrieve first vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a motor vehicle database containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the computer adapted to retrieve the first vehicle information from a motor vehicle registry using the vehicle identification data as at least part of a first key, retrieve second vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a second data source being one or more of: motor vehicle liens registry database, vehicle valuation database, police database, drivers license database,the data source containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the computer adapted to retrieve the second vehicle information using at least some of the first vehicle information as at least part of a second key, compile and store retrieved first and second vehicle information in a data store, and provide the first and second vehicle information in response to the query as a report.

In another aspect the present invention may be said to consist in a method for compiling vehicle information relating to motor vehicles from two or more data sources, comprising: receiving a query from a user requesting information on a vehicle, the query comprising vehicle identification data relating to the vehicle, in response to receiving the request, retrieving first vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a first data source operated containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the first vehicle information being retrieved from the first data source using the vehicle identification data as at least part of a first key, retrieving second vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a second data source containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the second vehicle information being retrieved using at least some of the first vehicle information as at least part of a second key, compiling and storing the retrieved first and second vehicle information 679401_1.DOC IND in a data store, and providing the first and second vehicle information to the user in response to the O query.

In another aspect the present invention may be said to consist in a method for compiling vehicle S information relating to motor vehicle from two or more data sources, comprising: receiving a query C~1 from a user requesting information on a vehicle, the query comprising vehicle identification data relating to the vehicle, the vehicle identification data comprising one or more of: registration plate 00 rr" number, license plate number, vehicle chassis number, vehicle owner details, vehicle identification number, in response to the request, retrieving first vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a rr" motor vehicle database containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the first vehicle O information being retrieved from the motor vehicle registry using the vehicle identification data as at least part of a first key, retrieving second vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a second remote data source being one or more of: motor vehicle registry database, motor vehicle liens registry database, internet website, CD rom, vehicle valuation database, the remote data source containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the second vehicle information being retrieved using at least some of the first vehicle information is at least part of a second key, compiling and storing retrieve first and second vehicle information in a data store, and providing the first and second vehicle information to the user in response to the query as a report.

In another aspect the present invention may be said to consist in a motor vehicle information system for compiling from different data sources information relating to motor vehicles and receiving and responding to enquiries from an entity; comprising at least one computer electronically accessible by said entity and capable of storing a number of vehicle records each comprising information relating to a vehicle; and programmed to receive vehicle enquiries from said entity which comprises vehicle identification data, and responds to such entity enquiries with information relating to vehicle(s) to which the said vehicle identification data relates; wherein said system is programmed to compile and/or update the information in the system vehicle records on receipt of an entity enquiry or otherwise by obtaining first vehicle information from a motor vehicle register containing vehicle data for a multiple number of vehicles such data supplied or maintained by or with the authority of a Government agency, and by obtaining second vehicle information from a motor vehicle liens register containing vehicle data for a multiple number of vehicles such data supplied or maintained by or with the authority of a Government agency; Wherein said first information is obtained from said motor vehicle register using said vehicle identification data as a first key, said vehicle identification data comprising one or more of the items selected from the following group; a) a vehicle's registration number, b) a vehicle's license plate number, c) a vehicle's 679401 _.DOC ID vehicle identification number (VIN), d) a vehicle's chassis number, e)a vehicle's owner 8 details. Wherein said second information is obtained from said motor vehicle liens register using C~1 said first information from said first data source, or some portion or combination of said first 1 information and said vehicle identification as a second key.

In another aspect the present invention may be said to consist in a motor vehicle information system 00 for compiling from different data sources information relating to motor vehicles and receiving and S responding to enquiries from system users, comprising at least one computer electronically S accessible by said system users and capable of storing a number of vehicle records each comprising Q1 information relating to a vehicle, and programmed to receive vehicle enquiries from said system users which comprises a vehicle identifier, said vehicle identifier comprising at least one of a registration plate number or a vehicle identification number, and responds to such system user enquiries with information on vehicle(s) to which said vehicle identifier relates. Wherein said system is programmed to compile and/or update the information in the system vehicle records by: a) using said vehicle identifier as a key to obtain said vehicle's identification and/or description and/or ownership information from a government motor vehicle registry called NEVDIS; b) using said vehicle's identification information as a key to obtain details of security interests relating to said vehicle from a government registry of vehicle securities called REVS; c) using said vehicle's description information as a key to a data source of vehicle market values so as to obtain the approximate market value of said vehicle; d) using at least one of said vehicle's; chassis number, VIN, plate, as a key against a list of vehicles reported to have been damaged, so as to determine if said vehicle has been previously damaged; e) formatting all or a portion of information obtained on said vehicle into a report for delivery to said system user using at least one of the following methods; printed on paper, displayed on a computer screen, contained within a data file, or conveyed by a human operators voice over the telephone; so that said system user can receive a single report containing important information about a vehicle that has been collected from multiple sources, but with the convenience of the user only having to provide a single vehicle identifier.

In another aspect the present invention may be said to consist in a method of compiling information relating to a vehicle from different data sources and receiving and responding to enquiries from a user on said vehicle, comprising the following steps: a) receiving vehicle identification data from said user that relates to said vehicle to be queried, said vehicle identification data being one or more of the items selected from the following group; i) said vehicle's registration plate number, 679401_J.DOC I ii said vehicle's identification number (VIN), iii) said vehicle's chassis number b) O obtaining first information from a first government database that contains motor vehicle C registration data for a multiple number of vehicles by using said vehicle identification data as a first key and comprising the following steps i) using said vehicle identification data as said first key; S ii) selecting said first government database as the NEVDIS database; iii) receiving from said first government database at least one of said vehicle's; current registration plate, vehicle identification number (VIN), chassis number, make, model, and year as said first information; c) 00 MS) obtaining second information from a second government database that contains security interests for a multiple number of vehicles by using said first information, or some portion or r combination said first information and vehicle identification as a second key and comprising the C following steps i) using at least one of the following items that actually exist for said vehicle as C said second key; said vehicle's registration plate, said vehicle's identification number (VIN), and said vehicle's chassis number; ii) selecting said second government database from at least one of; REVS, a Personal Property Securities Register; iii) receiving the details of any securities, as said second information; so that said user can obtain all securities from multiple data sources comprising those securities that may have been hidden under said vehicle's new and old identities, by using only one vehicle identifier.

In another aspect the present invention may be said to consist in a method of receiving and responding to enquiries from an entity about a vehicle by compiling and storing and reporting information from different data sources relating to said vehicle, comprising: a) obtaining from said entity a VIN number of said vehicle to be queried; b) using said VIN number to query a database of registered vehicles to obtain at least one of; said vehicle's registration plate, VIN number, chassis number; make, model, year; c) using at least one of said vehicle's; registration plate number, said vehicle's VIN number, said vehicle's chassis number that may exist to query a register of motor vehicle securities/liens to obtain the details of liens registered against said vehicle; d) using at least one of said vehicle's; make, model, and year as a key against a vehicle valuation data source, so as to determine the market value of said vehicle; e) combining a portion or combination of the information obtained about said vehicle and formatting it into a report for delivery using at least one of the following methods; printing on paper, display on a computer screen, electronic transmission, or conveyance by voice by a human operator; so that said entity can receive a single report that contains important information about a vehicle that has been collected from multiple sources, but with the convenience of the entity only having to query on source with only one of the vehicle's identifiers.

679401_1.DOC

DEFINITIONS

C1 Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention.

MVR Motor Vehicle Registry, often a public registry run by the government which contains the relationship between vehicles, owners, and registration status. The data contained in this registry is 00 rrn unique in that it is deemed to be the authoritative source of legally valid information. In New Zealand this registry is run by the Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) and is called c, LANDATA.

Liens Registry This is often a public registry run by the government which contains the relationship between vehicles, owners, and security interests. The data contained in this registry is unique in that it is deemed to be the authoritative source of legally valid liens information. In New Zealand this registry is called the Motor Vehicle Securities Registry (MVSR).

Liens An encumbrance placed upon an asset by a party claiming a legal right to that asset under certain conditions. For the purposes of this document a 'lien' and a 'security' are synonymous and used interchangeably.

PPSR This is a registry which contains information about liens and securities registered against any private property such as vehicles, boats, household appliances, etc. A PPSR security on a motor vehicle includes the following details; the motor vehicle's make, model and year; the motor vehicle's plate, VIN and chassis number; the name and contact details of the security holder (creditor); and the name and contact details and date of birth of the debtor; and the type of security; and the effective date and expiry date of the security.

VIN Vehicle Identification Number is an identifier or serial number which is unique to a vehicle.

RUC Road User Certificate is the term used in New Zealand, but the term is to generally refer to a certificate stating a diesel vehicle has pre-paid its road tax.

COF Certificate of Fitness is the term used in New Zealand, but the term is to generally refer to a certificate stating a commercial vehicle has passed a safety inspection.

679401_1.DOC INO WOF Warrant of Fitness is the term used in New Zealand, but the term is to generally refer to a 0 certificate stating a domestic vehicle has passed a safety inspection.

User a person or computer system S In Australia, the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS) provides each registry with real time on-line access to all other registries' vehicle and driver license 00 Mc databases, and nationally compatible written-off vehicle registers (WOVR) may record the details of all written-off vehicles.

The Australian police service's National Vehicles of Interest (NVOI) database that provides police S with a national database of stolen vehicle details, has also been linked to NEVDIS to provide registration officers with on-line access to current stolen vehicle records.

The Australian Register of Encumbered Vehicles (REVS) database provides details of vehicles that have securities or liens registered against them (money owing).

Motor Vehicle Dealer a person or organisation authorised under legislation to buy and sell motor vehicles as part of a business or for the purposes of deriving taxable income. This includes 'Registered Motor Vehicle Traders' as per the Motor Vehicle Sales Act passed in New Zealand in 2003.

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 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 features of the preferred form system, Figure 3 is a introduction/menu screen of the preferred form system, showing the basic services, 679401_1.DOC SFigure 4 shows a Vehicle Query Screen of the preferred form system and some of the transactions it S links to, S Figure 5 shows a Vehicle Information Report (VIR) from the preferred form system, C Figure 6 shows a vehicle Change of Ownership Screen, 00 M 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 database, 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.

Figure 13 illustrates the various flows of information between; the system, the system users, the public, and other data sources.

Figure 14 illustrates how a dealer-to-dealer change of ownership transaction is linked to the police book database.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE 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 control of application software. The computer system may have the instructions for operating the computer system encoded as at least one computer program on a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program, wherein the computer program defines structural and functional interrelationships between the computer program and the medium which permit the computer program's functionality to be realised.

The computer readable medium may include, but not be limited, to optical or magnetic storage media such as a hard drive or CD-ROM.

679401_.DOC NO The application software functions interactively permitting exchange of information within the 0 system. The application software may process information using one or more processors which N1 may be linked by structured communications channels or unstructured communications channels such as the internet. In particular, distributed processing of information using multiple processors such as the processors of computers associated with system users running client software is S considered to be within the scope of the invention. Similarly, the server may include many disparate information storage media which may be linked to the system by structured 00 rn communications channels or unstructured communications channels such as the internet or wireless links.

C) Users may communicate with the server 2 using a PC such as indicated at 4 over an Internet Sconnection or other communications channel. 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 equivalent Internet appliance instead of a personal computer. Other equivalent devices may include but not be limited to, for example, phones, facsimile machines, laptop computers, notebook computers, palmtop computers (PALM PILOT), scanners, cameras, modems, communication access, personal computers PC terminals (NET PC), and network computers A user may also be another computer or software program which makes queries and conducts transactions with the system electronically without direct human involvement. A firewall 6 may be interposed between the user 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 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).

Information may be transferred between server 2 and PC 4 by, for example, via part of a structured communications network or unstructured communications network such as the Internet or a wide area network, and includes Internet type connections, telecommunication (telephone, ISDN, ADSL), VSAT satellite, WAP-enabled devices, short- message service (SMS) enabled devices, and other wire and wireless transmission. Furthermore, data maybe transferred via other distribution channels such as computer networks, on-line systems, cable television, and broadcast television 679401_I.DOC O computer networks, distributed physical storage media including CD-ROMs, on-line systems, cable 0 television, and broadcast television.

The server 2 communicates with a number of data sources 12. These data sources 12 include C private and government data stored on, for example, CD-ROM, floppy disks or tapes, Internet web 1 sites, databases and computer servers. These data sources 12 may be accessed by dedicated and dial-up telecommunications facilities using e-mail, electronic data interchange (EDI) and/or 00 Mc 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 to directly ,1 access data sources 12.

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 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.

679401_1.DOC This is used as the key(s) to extract relevant pieces of information about the specific vehicle (or C1 owner) from various public and private data sources 12. These data sources include government databases such as Motor Vehicle Registries (MVR) Motor Vehicle Securities Registries S (MVSR), a Private Property Securities Registry (PPSR), Internet web sites, CD-ROMs, vehicle S valuations etc. For example, the vehicle identification means 14 may be used as a common key to extract vehicle liens information from the MVSR and/or PPSR databases, and to extract vehicle 00 rn description and ownership information from the MVR database.

C 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 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.

Another example, the system may submit the system user's search VIN, and/or search chassis and/or search plate number to obtain relevant vehicle data from the MVR (LTSA) registry database.

Then the system takes the search VIN, the search plate, and the vehicles past plate (plate history) returned from the MVR (LTSA), and the VIN returned from the MVR (LTSA), and using all those identifiers checks against the liens registry (MVSR and/or PPSR). In this way all liens which may have been lodged against a vehicle under past and present plates are obtained. This is done since a vehicle may have had its VIN incorrectly entered by the system user, or the VIN in the MVSR and/or PPSR is incorrectly recorded, or the plate entered by the system user is new to the vehicle and has not been linked to the vehicle in the liens registry (MVSR and/or PPSR).

Figure 13 shows other possible search keys and the possible information returned from other data sources. This information may then be combined, processed, cross checked, verified, analysed and the results distributed to system users, the public, or data suppliers using on-line, fax, phone, pager, or e-mail methods etc. Figure 13 shows primary search keys (user entered search criteria), and secondary keys (search criteria obtained from the primary search). Some specific examples of the 679401_I.DOC NO information accessed by the system are; vehicle information collected during the process of offering O a vehicle for sale at an auction (eg. condition, mileage, sale price); vehicle information collected ,1 during the importing or exporting of a vehicle (eg. customs data on condition, country of origin, mileage, condition); vehicle information collected by insurance companies as a result of issuing ^c insurance cover or processing an insurance claim (eg. damage and repair histories and costs); vehicle information collected or held by law enforcement agencies (eg. stolen status, vehicle owner's drivers license status, outstanding fines and tickets), vehicle information collected by CM overseas auction companies (eg. vehicle condition, mileage).

C~M The computer system is adapted to perform batch queries to the government databases to update 0 details in the database of vehicle details that may be accessed by system users to thereby maintain C1 the integrity of information in the database of vehicle details.

Combine Data Vehicle Query Screen Vehicle Information Report (VIR) The system combines and stores the various data as a new database record 16 in 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 verification, the vehicle's registration, licensing, and safety inspection status, specific 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, insurance coverage on the vehicle.

679401_1.DOC ID The 'Vehicle Query Screen' and 'VIR' 18 may be used by car dealerships, vehicle auctioneers, S insurance and finance and leasing companies for example, to confirm the integrity of any vehicle 1 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 part of their inspection repair procedures. Vehicle auctioneers would also generate a VIR to 00 Mc confirm the status of each vehicle they sell to their buyers.

Mr The VIR would give businesses and the public greater confidence in the vehicles they purchase, S insure or finance etc. The intent is to have the VIR become an industry standard document which functions much like a LIM (Land Information 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 This whole next section was not in 59374/98 so the meaning of the pink text is uncertain, it could be the difference between 503219 initial spec and 503219 granted spec.. Or pink could be new material in full spec over the provisional.

The system may then analyse and 'cross-check' information it holds on a vehicle, vehicle owner, system user etc. (indicated at 20) in real time to identify instances of data discrepancies, alerts, errors, outstanding fees owing, or missing data for example: Schecking that the vehicle owner and vehicle description information obtained from the Government databases (MVSR and/or PPSR MVR) are consistent., 9 checking of odometer readings from various sources to identify any potential wind-backs (eg.

comparing the mileage readings and the associated dates to see if a lower mileage reading was recorded at a later date).

Sidentifying multiple liens against a single vehicle by checking any liens which may exist against plates previously registered to a vehicle.

e identifying out of date, duplicate, or invalid vehicle liens associated with the vehicle. This is done by comparing the lien registration dates with the current date, and/or by checking to see if the lien registration date the term of the loan results in a date which has passed making the lien effectively expired. Also by checking that the description of the lien vehicle matches the description of the vehicle obtained from the MVR database. Also be ensuring the vehicle is still exists according to the MVR database.

679401_LDOC 21 IN identify and advise of any expired or cancelled licenses, registrations, certificates, or other legal requirements. This will also check to see if expirations are about to occur within a pre-set time.

0 Using the VIN numbering standard to verify a vehicles VIN number matches the vehicle type.

;Z identifying if the vehicle insurance coverage has expired, or is about to expire within a given CC period.

identifying whether the vehicle has been reported stolen or of interest to a third party selected 00 from the group police, an insurance company, a finance company, customs, or a private investigator; identifying if the vehicles registration has expired, or is about to expire within a given period.

Identifying if a vehicle has ever been deregistered for any period of time in its past..

identify any relevant notes in the systems database which match the vehicles past or present plates and/or VINs.

Identify ifa road user certificate (RUC) or diesel certificate has expired or is about to expire, verifying that the date of birth and full name of past and present owners matches the date of birth and full name of debtors on securities.

Any of the above occurrences will be detailed flagged within the system, highlighted to the system user, and the system may generate (and deliver) a related discrepancy or alert report 22.

Discrepancy and alert messages are categorised into levels of severity and importance and displayed in a manner which makes it clear as to their severity or importance. For example messages may be grouped under particular headings, or given particular colours, or messages may include a particular icon.

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 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 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 679401_1.DOC 22 ID be finalised. This in turn may be followed by a suggestion to perform a 'Vehicle Insurance' O transaction. Whereas if another car dealer is purchasing a vehicle, inspection and insurance transactions are unnecessary and would not automatically appear.

;Z

Some of the other 'checks balances' performed by the system are; 9 ensure a valid WOF, registration, and paid up license before selling a vehicle to a member of 00 the public.

CC a no WOF, license etc. if car is de-registered.

a verify a vehicle buyers ID and ensure a valid drivers license before performing a change of ownership etc.

0 check for outstanding parking tickets, unpaid registrations (from continuous licensing) etc.

Sbefore performing a change of ownership.

ensure a 'written off vehicle is de-registered before it is sold no insurance without a vehicle valuation check and drivers license status check.

9 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.

ensure the vehicle is insured before processing finance.

ensure the vehicle remains insured and registered while it is under finance.

check VIN for accuracy against vehicle description and/or manufacturer's lists.

e unpaid vehicle licenses are paid before change of ownership.

e compare and correct vehicle descriptions and vehicle ownerships between government registries like the MVR and MVSR and/or PPSR.

check for a valid RUC license for diesel vehicles before a sale.

alert finance companies (or other lien holders) to clear/modify a vehicle's title when the vehicle has been sold and money collected.

To accomplish this, the system may be arranged to conduct real time 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 warrants of fitness' registration, amendments and cancellation of vehicle liens/securities, 679401 I.DOC 23 INO renewal issue of Road User Certificates Road User Charges, O collection of miscellaneous notes relating to the vehicle and/or vehicle owner, Cl customs, duty excise transactions, processing renewal of drivers licenses, paying of traffic parking violations.

00 The system may also be provided with action means providing a facility for carrying out the Mf required actions identified by the compliance means. Such action means may include facilities to process vehicle registration, licensing, and inspection transactions (eg, WOE's, RUC's, Mf registrations, COP's), process vehicle securities (eg, add, change and delete liens), and recommend O and perform transactions such as arranging vehicle finance, insurance and/or vehicle extended Cl 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.

In another embodiment the means by which to launch a transaction could be a simple hyperlink from an explanatory message or an alert message whose text relates to the transaction in some clear manner.

The system may display alert, error and/or advisory messages on screen, or within the VIR which are hyperlinks for launching and conducting other transactions. Such subsequent transactions would automatically have known and relevant data from the system completed. In this manner the VIR becomes the 'window' to launch other transactions from.

Transfer Data The system may make use of Internet II' addresses, CLII), 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 (including its own database of user profiles) and will automatically transfer/copy this information to other transactions the user may wish to perform. 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 effort associated with manual entry of data by a person.

679401_J.DOC 24 For example, during the purchase of a trade-in vehicle by a Car Dealer, the details of the vehicle \0 0 and the seller (previous owner) would come from the 'Vehicle Query' results. While the details of N 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.

C€3 C' Another example would be to take the agreed purchase or sale price and description of a vehicle from a sale purchase agreement, or from a change of ownership transaction, and us it to update 00 Mi' the system's vehicle valuation database while also copying the sale price to a finance application also performed using the system. Likewise the system could capture the vehicles current odometer rn, reading from a sale purchase agreement, or from a change of ownership transaction and enter it C into the systems vehicle notes database.

Reports Data stored within the system can be formed into reports 24, all of which can be displayed on-line, printed on paper, or transmitted electronically via e-mail, fax, or a direct data link to deliver information to system users. Some of these reports include: A 'Vehicle Information Report (VIR)' 18 showing one or more of the following; securities or interests on the vehicle, date of birth of debtor, full name of debtor, vehicle description, the plate on the vehicle at time of security registration, VIN, chassis, vehicle description, past plates and present plates, full names of past and present owners, date of birth of present owner, vehicle valuation, vehicle insurance details, vehicle damage or repair history, outstanding fines, physical location of vehicle, customs data, overseas registry information, police and law enforcement information, vehicle manufacturer information, ownership, registration status, liens status, police status, market value, mileage, damage repair history, alert messages and notes of interest, road user charges or outstanding road tariffs associated with the vehicle, insurance coverage on the vehicle, or consumer rights etc. for a particular registered vehicle.

A 'Window Card' 18a showing a subset of the information provided in a VIR 18, but containing the logo of the dealer, the sale price of the vehicle, and even customised disclaimers or guarantees used by the dealer.

A 'Discrepancy Report' 22 detailing any data inconsistencies between information sources.

This report may be generated automatically by the system and sent to the appropriate parties at scheduled times for further action. "eg. mismatched plate/VIN/owner between Government registries, multiple liens on the same vehicle but under different plates.

679401_I.DOC A 'Vehicle Search Report' listing descriptions, locations prices for specific vehicles for o sale Billing reports outlining the number, type, and time of transactions performed by each system user.

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

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

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

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

An 'Alert Report' showing possible odometer wind-backs, expired licenses or registrations, vehicle de-registration, damage repair history, plate changes, ownership changes, stolen ostatus, vehicle notes etc.

A 'Police Book' report showing vehicles sales that have taken place between dealers or the present location of a particular vehicle within the dealer network; A Sale Purchase agreement showing all legally required information.

A 'Security Holders Report' which highlights vehicles which have securities against them but the vehicle has recently changed ownership, and/or the vehicles registration is about to expire, and/or the vehicle has multiple securities registered, or the vehicle has old or suspect liens registered, or where a particular Creditor does not hold the priority interest.

Stock Location Service ("Motor-Match") Vehicle dealers are constantly looking for good vehicles to stock their yards, and 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 sell vehicles with each other in New Zealand and overseas. Dealers are then able to quickly locate specific 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 car transport costs for dealers since unwanted trade-ins can be directly traded with other dealers.

679401_1.DOC I Dealers have the opportunity to register an interest in particular vehicles. The system may then O periodically search the database for a period of time specified by the dealer and automatically notify C' 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 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.

00 Automatic Database Updating r 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 C1 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, and/or a sale and purchase agreement. 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.

When a vehicle seller conducts a check on the vehicle (eg. VIR) then the seller has the ability to flag his vehicle being checked as being for sale. If so marked by the seller, then the vehicle details, the sellers details, the vehicles current owner details, and the results of the VIR will be added to the Motor match database.

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' 679401_I.DOC 27 tO o sell a vehicle to a member of the public, or perform an electronic commerce transaction, or a sale O and purchase agreement. However, unlike the Motor-Match database, customer records are not C 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 00 rn be able to extract the sales prices for various vehicles to generate reports showing approximate market values for various vehicle models and years. This market valuation information will in turn Crf be referenced when the system performs a vehicle query transaction or generates a VIR.

C Police Book Database A 'police book' is required by law in some countries as a record of who owns a vehicle when the vehicle's change of ownership is not recorded in a central government registry. In New Zealand, when a Licensed Motor Vehicle Dealers buys a vehicle from another Licensed Motor Vehicle Dealer, they do not have to register themselves as the current owner with the government registry (MVR). Instead, a police book must be kept by all dealers when they buy/sell a vehicle from/to another dealer. This book can then be viewed by law enforcement agencies to determine who had possession or ownership of a vehicle at a particular point in time while it was between dealers in the 'dealer network'. However it can be very time consuming and frustrating for the police to travel around the country to view these books. Furthermore, dealers do not always remember to update these books, and the vehicle descriptions can also be inaccurate.. Since the system is designed to facilitate legal compliance, the system may also be incorporate a police book database 28a.

Although a dealer can populate and update the database manually, the system is designed to automatically and accurately add a transaction record whenever a dealer buys or sells a vehicle to another dealer. However, unlike the Motor-Match database, police book records are never deleted since they are to function as an on-going history of vehicle movements.

A dealer or law enforcement officer can manually search this database on-line using the vehicle identifiers, description and/or persons name. The system can also generate police book summary reports.

679401 I.DOC NO Vehicle Notes Database Facility ClThe system provides the ability for a system user to submit information about a vehicle which will S be captured and stored in the system for viewing by specific parties (system users and/or the S public). Information will be stored and retrieved using a unique vehicle identifier such as plate Clnumber, VIN or chassis number. The type of information collected in this manner may include vehicle photographs, damage repafr details, vehicle condition, addition or removal of accessories, 00 Mn odometer readings repossession orders, warranty and insurance coverage, and any other miscellaneous information deemed of value. This facility would be used by insurance companies, enmechanics and body shops, vehicle dealers, customs inspection agents etc. The system will o automatically display these notes, or advise a system user of their existence (for them to request and Clview manually) during relevant stages of conducting various transactions such as when generating a VIR, or changing ownership, or when determining a vehicles value for insurance and financing.

Should a system user request to see notes about a vehicle during part of a VIR transaction, then the notes database will display all notes associated with the search plate, search VIN, MYR returned VIN, and MVR returned past present plates. In this way all relevant notes pertaining to the vehicle can be viewed.

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 system can also automatically generate reports, messages and searches and automatically send the results to interested parties via e-mail, fax, pager, direct data facility WAP or SMS cellphone message, or by a human operator.

For example the system may generate an automatic e-mail to a finance company containing vehicle and transaction details when a vehicle has been sold or bought, instructing them to add, change or clear any securities lodged against the vehicle. The e-mail may contain a hot-link embedded in the e-mail which will give the recipient access to the system's web site to undertake the suggested action. The e-mail may also contain a unique identifier which will allow the e-mail recipient to 679401_J.JJOC ID quickly locate the relevant vehicle and data on the system, and conduct the transaction more quickly o and accurately. The e-mail may also contain the VIR details of the vehicle in the body of the e-mail (N or as an attached file.

Automatic reports will also include data discrepancy reports to the managers of government S registries, or to the owner(s) of a vehicle to advise of expiration of licenses, inspections etc., or to advise an insurance company when a vehicle has been reported stolen, or to advise a finance 00 Mr company that a vehicle's registration has (or is about to) expire.

Mn If the system detected that a vehicles previous plate was reported stolen, or there was a security o interest on the previous plate, then the system could automatically notify the relevant parties (eg.

the finance companies and the Police) that a change of plate has taken place on the vehicle. This will allow the parties to update their records to ensure their interests were still protected. This notification could take place in the form of a written report, an e-mail, or some other form of communication. Alternatively, the system could directly update the Police database records, and the security database (eg. PPSR) via an electronic link transaction.

The system could send out a message by mail, e-mail, SMS or otherwise to interested parties and vehicle owners when a license, RUJC, WoF, warranty, insurance etc. is about to expire, or has expired. The notification message could also contain an invitation or advertisement to use a particular service provider, a hyperlink to a particular web site, and/or a discount voucher for a particular service provider.

The interested party above, could then automatically renew or extend coverage etc. by entering a personalised code or PIN and also be billed accordingly.

The system could allow a party to enter a vehicle identifier and be automatically notified by the system when that particular vehicle is being checked or is involved in a particular transaction within the system. Notification would again be by any of the means previously described.

The following section was taken out of 503219 final specification in its entirety because it was to be claimed elsewhere 679401 J.DOC IND Integration With Other Systems S The system will be able to integrate with other software applications having the facility to export S and import data in various common formats. This will allow the system to integrate with a system user's general ledger system, accounting package, stock control software, or other software systems.

For example, vehicle purchase and sales prices could be automatically or manually imported into the system from a system users accounting package. In this way the system can update or modify 0 the vehicle market valuation database the system accesses. Similarly, the system may export the 00 Mc contents of a VIR via an e-mail attachment (or by some other data transfer means) to a user's local stock control package.

0 Automatic Web Linking C1 A system user can opt to have hyper-link access from his own web page to his partition of the system's stock database. The system user's web page may be hosted on the system or on another ISP. In this manner members of the public (for instance) can visit a Car Dealer's private web site and be able to view the dealers stock for sale without having to be system user's themselves. The system user's web site will always deliver the latest stock information, without the need to manually up-load and update the web site.

The relevant contents of the systems stock database can similarly be linked with a web based or online auction service, so that the system users (and the public) can view, bid, and even purchase vehicles on-line.

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 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 679401 .DOC 31 ID your prospective customers to connect to, and regularly use the Internet. Even then they may only O stumble across your site amongst a sea of distractions and competitors.

s The system of the invention on the other hand, is an "industry specific Internet" or "Intranet" where C all users are involved with vehicles, or buyers of vehicles, and access the system on a daily basis.

This provides an unequalled opportunity for organisations to publish information, advertise 00 products, and conduct transactions with a captive audience of pre-qualified prospects who have MC known automotive 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.

0 Publishing and advertising is further enhanced by the system's use of the latest Internet "push N, technologies" which will automatically deliver specific information to specific users based upon the status or type of user, or based upon user information held within the system, 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 customers, members, prospects immediately and at negligible cost (eg. price updates, industry alerts surveys).

Electronic Commerce Electronic commerce practices can significantly reduce overheads and improve competitive position. One example shows that Internet based businesses can eliminate agent, broker and telesales 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 services related to motor vehicles. Again the system may automatically provide known data such as vehicle description, sales price, market valuation, vehicle owner system user details (originally obtained from reliable government data sources) to perform these 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.

679401 I.DOC 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 its approval and a policy document by fax. The system automatically calculates an insurance sales commission and debits and credits the appropriate bank accounts.

Advertising, Publishing E-Commerce Capabilities Industry Associations: Vehicle Auctioneers: Vehicle Manufacturers: Finance, Insurance Leasing Co's: Panel Beaters Garages: Miscellaneous: Government Registries: Dealer Guide: Police Customs Depts: Newsletters, industry bulletins, membership lists, surveys, codes of conduct, discussion forums.

Auction items schedules, submission forms, sales statistics New vehicle models, road tests, option sheets, VIN decoding Special offers, premium calculators, application forms, extended warrantee policies, lease agreements, insurance policies, finance applications etc.

Parts catalogues, repair manuals, inspection codes diagrams Car transport services, auto accessories, valet services, credit checks Regulations, statistics, vehicle inspection codes Residual value calculations, market statistics, on-line subscriptions, new product advertising Transport Act customs regulations, imported vehicle procedures, excise duty 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 and to ensure transactions are completed with a minimum of errors or omissions. For example: 679401 I.DOC INO 9 A car dealer uses Motor-Match to locate the desired model of a car for a customer.

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

;Z The customer's trade-in is checked for ownership, registered liens, legal status (licensed or en stolen), and its market value.

If the dealer accepts the trade-in, he changes the ownership into his name, adds the vehicle to 00 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 automatically entered into a loan insurance application form which is sent electronically to a finance insurance o company.

*The finance 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 WOE are up to 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 vehicle details to the System's customer contact database.

*The dealer prints a VIR summarising all the details of the new vehicle and 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 registration data 30, MVSR and/or PPSR 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, 679401_J.DOC ID change lien, issue warrant of fitness, issue RUC, renew licence, register vehicle, insure vehicle and ofinance.

SFigure 5 illustrates a typical vehicle information report (VIR) 18. In a preferred form the eninform-ation displayed on the VIR 18 includes vehicle description data, ownership history, odometer Sreadings, WOE, and registration expiry dates, registered liens, estimated market value, alerts messages and further notes.

00 Mn Figure 6 illustrates a typical change of ownership screen displaying previous vehicle owner data and enpermitting entry of new vehicle owner data. In a preferred form the nature of the transaction, owhether the vehicle is being sold from a member of the public to a dealer, between dealers, between ci 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 query 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. 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 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.

679401_IDOC Figure 9 illustrates a screen for manually submitting vehicle data to the Motor-Match stock database O 26. In a preferred form the user may enter vehicle description data and present vehicle owner data C' before submitting the vehicle for sale in the Motor-Match stock database 26.

;Z

Figure 10 illustrates a typical vehicle stock locator screen allowing the user to enter vehicle search S criteria, with the system displaying vehicle search results. As illustrated, contact with the owner can be automatically made by electronic mail or fax and may incorporate a message that may be

O

C personalised.

C 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.

Figure 13 illustrates the typical type of information which is captured from a user, accessed from various data sources, analysed, combined and processed into reports or screen information for a user.

Figure 14 illustrates a typical dealer-to-dealer vehicle sale. Details are first retrieved by the vehicle query screen and details entered into a change of ownership screen. As a result of the vehicle sale/purchase and the change in ownership, the Motor-Match stock database 26, the 'police book' database 28a, and the customer database 28 are automatically updated.

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.

679401 J.DOC

Claims (30)

1. 2. A vehicle information system according to claim 1 wherein any of the actions of receiving vehicle information can take place in real time.
2. 3. A vehicle information system according to claim 1 wherein the query is from a person or another computer.
3. 4. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein the computer system is further adapted to retrieve third vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a third data source containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the computer adapted to retrieve the third vehicle information using at least some of the first and/or second vehicle information as at least part of a third key. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein the computer system is further adapted to retrieve further vehicle information relating to the vehicle from one or more further data sources containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the computer adapted to retrieve the further vehicle information using at least some of the first information, or 679401_J.DOC INO some of the second or some of the third vehicle information or some portion or combination of the O three as at least part of one or more further keys.
4. 6. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein the second, third and further keys comprise at least some of the vehicle identification data and at least some retrieved vehicle information. 00 c 7. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein the vehicle identification data comprises one or more of: Sregistration plate number, licence plate number, vehicle chassis number, vehicle owner details, vehicle identification number unique vehicle identifier, unique owner identifier.
5. 8. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein each data source comprises one or more of: motor vehicle registry database, motor vehicle liens registry database, motor vehicle securities registry, internet website, CD-Rom, digital storage media, vehicle valuation database, police databases, driver license database, vehicle image database, vehicle specifications database.
6. 9. A vehicle information system according to claim 8 wherein each data source further comprises one or more of: private property securities registry database, law enforcement agency database, 679401_I.DOC insurance company databases, O customs agency database, C, vehicle damage database, ;outstanding tickets and fines database, c auction company databases. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein each data source 00 C comprises one or more of: the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System database (NEVDIS), M€ the Written-offVehicle Register database (WOVR), the National Vehicles of Interest database (NVOI), C the Australian Register of Encumbered Vehicles database (REVS), Personal Property Securities database.
7. 11. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein the retrieved vehicle information for a vehicle comprises one or more of: present registration or licence plate number, one or more past registration or licence plate number(s), description of the vehicle, details of vehicle owner(s), details of past vehicle owners, details of vehicle owner's driver's licence, liens/securities associated with the vehicle, vehicle insurance status, vehicle odometer reading and verification, vehicle registration, licensing and safety inspection status, vehicle valuation(s), vehicle image, vehicle mechanical condition and/or repair history, police status of vehicle police status of owner, vehicle parking tickets, vehicle road user charges, vehicle specifications, notes on the vehicle and/or the owner. 6794011 .DOC
8. 12. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein the retrieved O vehicle information for a vehicle comprises one or more of: ;market value and/or trade in value, Cc vehicle road test and safety stats, vehicle model options variations, auction sale price, 00 Cc customs data on condition, country of origin, and/or mileage, insurance cover information, Cc damage and repair history and/or costs, law enforcement agency information, C1 vehicle owners drivers license status, outstanding fines and tickets, overseas auction information.
9. 13. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein the computer system is adapted to provide the retrieved vehicle information as a report.
10. 14. A vehicle information system according to 12 wherein the report comprises one or more of: a vehicle information report showing one or more: o securities or interests on the vehicle o vehicle description, o past ownership details, o present ownership details, o vehicle owners drivers license, o vehicle insurance status o vehicle odometer readings and verification, o status of registration and/or license and/or safety inspection, o image and/or representative graphic of vehicle, o mechnical condition and/or repair history of the vehicle o misc notes about the vehicle owner o misc notes about the vehicle o liens status, o police status of the vehicle, o police status of the owner, 679401_.DOC o parking tickets associated with the vehicle 0 o outstanding road user charges and/or other tariffs, C o market value, o mileage, o damage history, o alert messages, o miscellaneous notes, 00 discrepancy report showing one or more of: o any inconsistency between information sources, o missing data, C1 o illegal status, o expired and/or cancelled licenses, o mismatch between vehicle description and its VIN, change of ownership report showing vehicles with securities that have had a change of ownership, vehicle market value report showing sales prices for various vehicle models. A vehicle information system according to claim 9 wherein the report further comprises one or more of: alert report showing discrepancies in data, alert report showing one or more: o possible odometer wind backs, o expired licenses or registrations, o vehicle deregistration, o plates changes, o damage and repair history, o ownership changes, o stolen staus, a police book report showing the sale of vehicles between car dealers, a sale and purchase agreement, a security holders report showing vehicles with securities registered against them that have a recent change of ownership, and/or registration is about to expire, and/or have multiple securities are registered, 679401 I.DOC Sa window card. \O C 16. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein the first vehicle information retrieved from the first remote data source comprises at least one past registration or C licence plate number, wherein the past registration or licence plate number is used as at least part of the second key to retrieve the second vehicle information from the second remote data source. 00 Mcr 17. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein second vehicle information retrieved from the second remote data source comprises at least one past registration or rnr licence plate number, wherein the past registration or licence plate number is used as at least part of the third key to retrieve the third vehicle information from the third remote data source.
11. 18. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein first vehicle information retrieved from the first remote data source comprises at least one past registration or licence plate number, wherein the past registration or licence plate number is used as at least part of the third key to retrieve the third vehicle information from the third remote data source.
12. 19. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein the computer system is adapted to cross-check information it holds relating to one or more vehicles and/or one or more vehicles owners retrieved from two or more data sources to determine discrepancies in that information. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein the cross-checking of information comprises one or more of: H checking that the vehicle owner descriptions are consistent, E checking that the vehicle descriptions are consistent, 0 checking of odometer readings for fraud, 0 identifying out of date, duplicate or invalid liens, 0 identifying and advising of expired or cancelled licenses, M identify and advise of any legal requirements, 0 verifying the VIN number is correctly formed and matches vehicle type, Identifying missing information, verifying details of owners.
13. 21. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein: 679401_l.DOC the first datasource is a motor vehicle registry and, o the second datasource is a motor vehicle security registry and, N the third datasource is a vehicle valuation database and, the second key comprises a vehicle's VIN number and engine number and, the third key comprises said vehicle's make and model and year and, Cthe third vehicle information comprises said vehicle's market value. 00 Mn 22. A vehicle information system according to any preceding claim wherein: the first datasource is a motor vehicle registry called NEVDIS and, 0 cc the first information comprises a vehicle's VIN and engine number and make and model o and year and, 0 the second key comprises said vehicle's VIN number and engine number and, the second datasource is a motor vehicle security registry called REVS and, the second information comprises details of securities registered against said vehicle and, the third key comprises said vehicle's make and model and year and, the third datasource is a vehicle market valuation database and, the third vehicle information comprises said vehicle's market value.
14. 23. A vehicle information system for compiling vehicle information relating to motor vehicles from two or more data sources, the vehicle information system comprising a computer system adapted to: receive a query requesting information on a vehicle, the query comprising vehicle identification data relating to the vehicle, the vehicle identification data comprising one or more of: registration plate number, licence plate number, vehicle chassis number, vehicle owner details, vehicle identification number. in response to the request retrieve first vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a motor vehicle database containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the computer adapted to retrieve the first vehicle information from a motor vehicle registry using the vehicle identification data as at least part of a first key, 679401_1.DOC retrieve second vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a second data source O being one or more of: (1 motor vehicle liens registry database, ;vehicle valuation database, Spolice database, drivers license database, 00 M the data source containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the computer adapted to retrieve the second vehicle information using at least some of the first Svehicle information as at least part of a second key, (1 compile and store retrieved first and second vehicle information in a data store, and provide the first and second vehicle information in response to the query as a report.
15. 24. A method for compiling vehicle information relating to motor vehicles from two or more data sources, comprising: receiving a query from a user requesting information on a vehicle, the query comprising vehicle identification data relating to the vehicle, in response to receiving the request, retrieving first vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a first data source operated containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the first vehicle information being retrieved from the first data source using the vehicle identification data as at least part of a first key, retrieving second vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a second data source containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the second vehicle information being retrieved using at least some of the first vehicle information as at least part of a second key, compiling and storing the retrieved first and second vehicle information in a data store, and providing the first and second vehicle information to the user in response to the query.
16. 25. A method according to claim 24 wherein any of the actions of receiving vehicle information take place in real time.
17. 26. A method according to claim 24 wherein the query is from a person or another computer. 679401_I.DOC 44 O 27. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 26 further comprising retrieving third O vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a third data source containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the third vehicle information being retrieved using at least some of the first and/or second vehicle information as at least part of a third key.
18. 28. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 27 comprising retrieving further vehicle O information relating to the vehicle from one or more further data sources containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the further vehicle information being retrieved using at least some of the first, second and/or third vehicle information as at least part of one or more further Cc, keys. S 29. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 28 wherein the second, third and further keys comprise at least some of the vehicle identification data and at least some retrieved vehicle information. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 29 wherein the vehicle identification data comprises one or more of: registration plate number, licence plate number, vehicle chassis number, vehicle owner details, vehicle identification number unique vehicle identifier, unique owner identifier.
19. 31. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 30 wherein each data source comprises one or more of: motor vehicle registry database, motor vehicle liens registry database, motor vehicle securities registry, internet website, CD-Rom, digital storage media, vehicle valuation database, police databases, 679401_ I.DOC O driver license database, o vehicle image database, vehicle specifications database. S 32. A method according to claim 31 wherein each data source further comprises one or more of: private property securities registry database, law enforcement agency database, insurance company databases, customs agency database, vehicle damage database, outstanding tickets and fines database, auction company databases.
20. 33. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 32 wherein one or more of the data sources each comprises one or more of: the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System database (NEVDIS), the Written-off Vehicle Register database (WOVR), the National Vehicles of Interest database (NVOI), the Australian Register of Encumbered Vehicles database (REVS), Personal Property Securities database.
21. 34. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 33 wherein the retrieved vehicle information for a vehicle comprises one or more of: present registration or licence plate number, one or more past registration or licence plate number(s), description of the vehicle, details of vehicle owner(s), details of past vehicle owners, details of vehicle owner's driver's licence, liens/securities associated with the vehicle, vehicle insurance status, vehicle odometer reading and verification, vehicle registration, licensing and safety inspection status, vehicle valuation(s), vehicle image, 679401_I.DOC 46 D vehicle mechanical condition and/or repair history, O police status of vehicle police status of owner, ;vehicle parking tickets, Cc vehicle road user charges, vehicle specifications, notes on the vehicle and/or the owner. 00 A method according to any one of claims 24 to 34 wherein the retrieved vehicle information MC for a vehicle comprises one or more of: market value and/or trade in value, (1 vehicle road test and safety stats, vehicle model options variations, auction sale price, customs data on condition, country of origin, and/or mileage, insurance cover information, damage and repair history and/or costs, law enforcement agency information, vehicle owners drivers license status, outstanding fines and tickets, overseas auction information.
22. 36. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 35 wherein providing the retrieved vehicle information comprises providing a report.
23. 37. A method according to claim 36 wherein the report comprises one or more of: Sa vehicle information report showing one or more: o securities or interests on the vehicle o vehicle description, o past ownership details, o present ownership details, o vehicle owners drivers license, o vehicle insurance status o vehicle odometer readings and verification, o status of registration and/or license and/or safety inspection, 679401_J.DOC o image and/or representative graphic of vehicle, o mechanical condition and/or repair history of the vehicle o misc notes about the vehicle owner ;Zo misc notes about the vehicle rn o liens status, o police status of the vehicle, 00o police status of the owner, Cfl o parking tickets associated with the vehicle o outstanding road user charges and/or other tariffs, e¢ o market value, 0 o mileage, C o damage history, o alert messages, o miscellaneous notes, discrepancy report showing one or more of: o any inconsistency between information sources, o missing data, o illegal status, o expired and/or cancelled licenses, o mismatch between vehicle description and its VIN, change of ownership report showing vehicles with securities that have had a change of ownership, vehicle market value report showing sales prices for various vehicle models.
24. 38. A method according to claim 35 wherein the report further comprises one or more of: alert report showing discrepancies in data, N alert report showing one or more: o possible odometer wind backs, o expired licenses or registrations, o vehicle deregistration, o plates changes, o damage and repair history, o ownership changes, 679401 L.DOC IDo stolen status, a police book report showing the sale of vehicles between car dealers, a sale and purchase agreement, a security holders report showing vehicles with securities registered against them that Cc have a recent change of ownership, and/or registration is about to expire, and/or have multiple securities are registered, Sa window card. 00 cC 39. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 38 wherein the first vehicle information F retrieved from the first remote data source comprises at least one past registration or licence plate 7 number, wherein the past registration or licence plate number is used as at least part of the second key to retrieve the second vehicle information from the second remote data source. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 39 wherein second vehicle information retrieved from the second remote data source comprises at least one past registration or licence plate number, wherein the past registration or licence plate number is used as at least part of the third key to retrieve the third vehicle information from the third remote data source.
25. 41. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 40 wherein first vehicle information retrieved from the first remote data source comprises at least one past registration or licence plate number, wherein the past registration or licence plate number is used as at least part of the third key to retrieve the third vehicle information from the third remote data source.
26. 42. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 42 wherein cross-checking information relating to one or more vehicle and one or more vehicle owners retrieved from two or more data sources to determine discrepancies in that information.
27. 43. A method according to claim 42 wherein the cross-checking of information comprises one or more of: checking that the vehicle owner description are consistent, checking of odometer readings for fraud, identifying out of date, duplicate or invalid liens, identifying and advising of expired or cancelled licenses, 0 verifying the VIN number, 679401_1.DOC IND verifying details of owners.
28. 44. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 44 wherein: ;Z the first datasource is a motor vehicle registry and, rn the second datasource is a motor vehicle security registry and, the third datasource is a vehicle valuation database and, 00 the second key comprises a vehicle's VIN number and engine number and, en the third key comprises said vehicle's make and model and year and, the third vehicle information comprises said vehicle's market value. o 45. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 44wherein: Cl the first data source is a motor vehicle registry called NEVDIS and, the first information comprises a vehicle's VIN and engine number and make and model and year and, the second key comprises said vehicle's VIN number and engine number and, the second data source is a motor vehicle security registry called REVS and, the second informnation comprises details of securities registered against said vehicle and, the third key comprises said vehicle's make and model and year and, the third data source is a vehicle market valuation database and, the third vehicle information comprises said vehicle's market value.
29. 46. A method for compiling vehicle information relating to motor vehicle from two or more data sources, comprising: receiving a query from a user requesting information on a vehicle, the query comprising vehicle identification data relating to the vehicle, the vehicle identification data comprising one or more of:. registration plate number, license plate number, vehicle chassis number, vehicle owner details, vehicle identification number, in response to the request retrieving first vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a motor vehicle database containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the first vehicle information being retrieved from the motor vehicle registry using the vehicle identification data as at least part of a first key,
30. 6794011-DOC INDretrieving second vehicle information relating to the vehicle from a second remote data source O being one or more of: motor vehicle registry database, ;motor vehicle liens registry database, Cc internet website, CD rom, vehicle valuation database, 00 Cc the remote data source containing vehicle information on a plurality of vehicles, the second vehicle information being retrieved using at least some of the first vehicle information is at Cc least part of a second key, compiling and storing retrieve first and second vehicle information in a data store, and C providing the first and second vehicle information to the user in response to the query as a report. 47. A motor vehicle information system for compiling from different data sources information relating to motor vehicles and receiving and responding to enquiries from an entity; comprising at least one computer electronically accessible by said entity and capable of storing a number of vehicle records each comprising information relating to a vehicle; and programmed to receive vehicle enquiries from said entity which comprises vehicle identification data, and responds to such entity enquiries with information relating to vehicle(s) to which the said vehicle identification data relates; wherein said system is programmed to compile and/or update the information in the system vehicle records on receipt of an entity enquiry or otherwise by obtaining first vehicle information from a motor vehicle register containing vehicle data for a multiple number of vehicles such data supplied or maintained by or with the authority of a Government agency, and by obtaining second vehicle information from a motor vehicle liens register containing vehicle data for a multiple number of vehicles such data supplied or maintained by or with the authority of a Government agency; Wherein said first information is obtained from said motor vehicle register using said vehicle identification data as a first key, said vehicle identification data comprising one or more of the items selected from the following group; a) a vehicle's registration number, b) a vehicle's license plate number, 679401_.DOC 51 O c) a vehicle's vehicle identification number (VIN), O d) a vehicle's chassis number, S e) a vehicle's owner details. ;Z Cc, Wherein said second information is obtained from said motor vehicle liens register using said first information from said first data source, or some portion or combination of said first information and said vehicle identification as a second key. 00 48. A motor vehicle information system of claim 47 wherein said motor vehicle register and said motor vehicle liens register are one or more of the items selected from the following group; a) the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS) b) the Australian Register of Encumbered Vehicles (REVS) c) a Personal Property Security Register (PPSR). 49. A motor vehicle information system of claim 47 wherein said first information used as said second key comprises one or more of the items in the following group that actually exist within said first information; a) a vehicle's registration number b) a vehicle's license plate number, c) said vehicle's vehicle identification number (VIN), d) said vehicle's chassis number, e) said vehicle owners details. 50. A motor vehicle information system of any one of claims 47 to 49 wherein said first information used as said second key comprises at least one of said vehicle's past registration plate number(s). 51. A motor vehicle information system according to any one of claims 47 to 50 further comprising a means wherein third information is obtained from one or more other data sources using said vehicle identification data, or said first information from said motor vehicle register, or said second information from said motor vehicle liens register, or some portion or combination thereof as a third key, in at least one of the following manners; 679401 I.DOC 52 Ia) using a vehicle's make, model, and year as said third key to extract said third O information being the vehicle's market valuation from said other data source being a market Svaluation data source, ;Z c b) using at least one of a vehicle's; registration plate, said vehicle's VIN, and said vehicle's chassis number as said third key to extract said third information being if said vehicle is stolen or of interest to the police from said other data source containing police 00 Cc data; Sc) using at least one of a vehicle's; plate and/or VIN as said third key to extract said Sthird information being if said vehicle has been previously damaged from said other data Ssource containing details of damaged vehicles; d) using a vehicle's make, model, and year as said third key to extract said third information being a representative image of said vehicle from said other data source containing images of vehicles; e) using a vehicle's make, model, and year as said third key to extract said third information being the vehicle's specifications from said other data source containing such information; 52. A motor vehicle information system according to claim 51 wherein said other data sources comprises one or more of the items selected from the following group; a) Written-offVehicle Register (WOVR) database, b) National Vehicles of Interest (NVOI) database. 53. A motor vehicle information system according to any one of claims 47 to 52 comprising a means to analyze a portion or combination of; said first information, said second information, and said third information to identify and report on one or more of the items selected from the following group; a) data inconsistencies between the corresponding vehicle owner and /or vehicle description information that has been obtained from various databases and data sources, b) expired or cancelled licenses, c) missing data, 67940_1.DOC 53 Id) verifying the vehicle VIN matches the vehicle O e) any illegal status of the vehicle 54. A motor vehicle information system according to any one of the preceding claims which is Cc, adapted to generate a vehicle information report that contains one or more of the following items; 00securities or interests on the vehicle, vehicle description, past ownership details, present Sownership details, vehicle owners drivers license, vehicle insurance status, vehicle odometer readings and verification, status of registration and/or license and/or safety inspection, image Cc and/or representative graphic of vehicle, mechanical condition and/or repair history of the Svehicle, misc notes about the vehicle owner, misc notes about the vehicle, liens status, police ,1 status of the vehicle, police status of the owner, parking tickets associated with the vehicle, outstanding road user charges and/or other tariffs, market value, mileage, damage history, alert messages, misc notes. A motor vehicle information system according to any one of claims 47 to 54 which is adapted to generate a Window Card report showing at least a subset of the information provided in said vehicle information report and further comprising at least one of; the logo of a vehicle seller, the logo of said entity, the sale price of the vehicle, customized disclaimers or guarantees or terms of trade used by a vehicle seller, consumer rights legislation; 56. A motor vehicle information system for compiling from different data sources information relating to motor vehicles and receiving and responding to enquiries from system users, comprising at least one computer electronically accessible by said system users and capable of storing a number of vehicle records each comprising information relating to a vehicle, and programmed to receive vehicle enquiries from said system users which comprises a vehicle identifier, said vehicle identifier comprising at least one of a registration plate number or a vehicle identification number, and responds to such system user enquiries with information on vehicle(s) to which said vehicle identifier relates. Wherein said system is programmed to compile and/or update the information in the system vehicle records by: 679401_I.DOC ND a) using said vehicle identifier as a key to obtain said vehicle's identification and/or description and/or ownership information from a government motor vehicle registry called NEVDIS; c b) using said vehicle's identification information as a key to obtain details of security interests relating to said vehicle from a government registry of vehicle securities called O) REVS; c) using said vehicle's description information as a key to a data source of vehicle Cc market values so as to obtain the approximate market value of said vehicle; Sd) using at least one of said vehicle's; chassis number, VIN, plate, as a key against a list of vehicles reported to have been damaged, so as to determine if said vehicle has been previously damaged; e) formatting all or a portion of information obtained on said vehicle into a report for delivery to said system user using at least one of the following methods; printed on paper, displayed on a computer screen, contained within a data file, or conveyed by a human operators voice over the telephone; so that said system user can receive a single report containing important information about a vehicle that has been collected from multiple sources, but with the convenience of the user only having to provide a single vehicle identifier. 57. A method of compiling information relating to a vehicle from different data sources and receiving and responding to enquiries from a user on said vehicle, comprising the following steps: a) receiving vehicle identification data from said user that relates to said vehicle to be queried, said vehicle identification data being one or more of the items selected from the following group; i) said vehicle's registration plate number, ii said vehicle's identification number (VIN), iii) said vehicle's chassis number. 679401_I.DOC IN b) obtaining first information from a first government database that contains motor o vehicle registration data for a multiple number of vehicles by using said vehicle identification data as a first key and comprising the following steps i) using said vehicle identification data as said first key; 00 Mn ii) selecting said first government database as the NEVDIS database; 0 n iii) receiving from said first government database at least one of said vehicle's; current o registration plate, vehicle identification number (VIN), chassis number, make, model, and O N year as said first information; c) obtaining second information from a second government database that contains security interests for a multiple number of vehicles by using said first information, or some portion or combination said first information and vehicle identification as a second key and comprising the following steps i) using at least one of the following items that actually exist for said vehicle as said second key; said vehicle's registration plate, said vehicle's identification number (VIN), and said vehicle's chassis number; ii) selecting said second government database from at least one of; REVS, a Personal Property Securities Register; iii) receiving the details of any securities, as said second information; so that said user can obtain all securities from multiple data sources comprising those securities that may have been hidden under said vehicle's new and old identities, by using only one vehicle identifier. 58. A method of receiving and responding to enquiries from an entity about a vehicle by compiling and storing and reporting information from different data sources relating to said vehicle, comprising: a) obtaining from said entity a VIN number of said vehicle to be queried; 679401_I.DOC b) using said VIN number to query a database of registered vehicles to obtain at least one of; said vehicle's registration plate, VIN number, chassis number; make, model, year; c c) using at least one of said vehicle's; registration plate number, said vehicle's VIN number, said vehicle's chassis number that may exist to query a register of motor vehicle securities/liens to obtain the details of liens registered against said vehicle; 00 d) using at least one of said vehicle's; make, model, and year as a key against a vehicle Cc valuation data source, so as to determine the market value of said vehicle; N e) combining a portion or combination of the information obtained about said vehicle and formatting it into a report for delivery using at least one of the following methods; printing on paper, display on a computer screen, electronic transmission, or conveyance by voice by a human operator; so that said entity can receive a single report that contains important information about a vehicle that has been collected from multiple sources, but with the convenience of the entity only having to query on source with only one of the vehicle's identifiers. 679401 I.DOC