WO2018184646A1

WO2018184646A1 - System and method for creating a service contract for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2018184646A1
Application number: PCT/DK2018/050065
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rasmus MUNCH; Claus Troels HANSEN; Mikkel Steen ANDERSEN; Mikkel LIPPMANN; Claus STILBORG
Original assignee: Omnicar A/S
Priority date: 2017-04-07
Filing date: 2018-04-06
Publication date: 2018-10-11

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and a method for creating a service contract between a vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company and an owner of a vehicle, which the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company sells, or an existing owner of a vehicle, possibly not initially sold by the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company. The invention reduces, or eliminates, a risk of unnecessary exchange of used spare parts, and used fluid consumables, which are still operable, but which, if exchanged, are not possible to reuse and therefore discarded, resulting in a build-up of waste being costly to dispose of and being hazardous to the environment.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING A SERVICE CONTRACT FOP. A VEHICLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention generally relates to service of vehicles such as cars, trucks and motorcycles. The Invention specifically relates to creating a service contract between a vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company and an owner of a vehicle, which the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company sells, or an existing owner of a vehicle, possibly not initially sold by the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company.

More specifically, the invention relates to a system for creating a service contract for a vehicle between a vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company and a vehicle owner, the service contract comprising terms and conditions for service during a period of time, within which the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company is assigned to service the vehicle, and within which the vehicle owner is assigning the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company to service the vehicle, and the service contract comprising terms and conditions at least for mechanical spare parts fitted to the vehicle during the term of the service contract.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicles, especially cars and trucks, consume many mechanical parts during manufacture and during the service life of the vehicle. During the service life of the vehicle, a large amount of liquids are also consumed, especially engine oil.

Service of vehicles is often pre-established service terms and conditions. The manufacturer of the vehicle established the service terms and conditions based on vehicle model year, vehicle brand, vehicle model, vehicle type, vehicle engine size, vehicle drive train and possibly other factors related to the vehicle.

Manufacturers of vehicles have an interest in the vehicle not breaking down due to service performed at too large intervals. Manufacturers also have an interest in selling spare parts for the vehicle. Therefore, terms and conditions of the pre- established service terms and conditions are based on a balance between service intervals being as long as possible to please the vehicle owner, but also not being too long for not risking the vehicle breaking down and for selling spare parts. Consequently, a problem arises In that service is performed more often than needed. Too often, service of vehicles, Including replacement of mechanical parts and refiling of fluids, results in a consumption of mechanical parts and fluids being more than needed. Used mechanical spare parts, and used fluids not being fuel, are often not possible to reuse and are therefore discarded, resulting in the problem of a build-up of waste being hazardous to the environment.

US 2017/0032376 A1 discloses an integrated vehicle protection program in order to provide the customer with information about warranty protection that the vehicle may have, as well as to provide opportunities to maintain or extend protection beyond the original warranty through a service contract. A device within a vehicle such as the media centre or navigation screen may be configured to display notifications relating to the vehicle's current mileage or time-In-service as they relate to warranty protection that the vehicle may have. A series of notifications may be provided as the vehicle nears a warranty expiration event. Notifications may have Information or controls that may be used to purchase additional coverage or service contract through the manufacturer or dealer. The vehicle protection program is an integrate part of the vehicle information system, and the system presents system pre-instal!ed options for extended protection beyond the original warranty, which the customer may accept or may reject.

The customer has no option for negotiating or altering the extended protection beyond the original warranty. Also, offer for the extend protection beyond the original warranty is displayed to the customer only when the original warranty time-limit or mileage-limit approaches. Only at that time, the customer has only two choices: To maintain or to extend protection beyond the original warranty through a service contract. The customer has no influence on the content of the service contract, neither the standard one, nor the extended one. WO 2015/006130 A1 discloses systems and methods for estimating a diagnosis of a vehicle in need of repair in advance of performing any diagnostic tests on the vehicle. The invention further estimates the costs for a repair to a vehicle in need of repair in advance of performing any diagnostic tests to the vehicle. The system Is particularly useful at a point-of-sale system in a vehicle repair centre or In an off- site customer access tool. The system includes a database and service logic in communication with at least one and preferably multiple user interfaces. The database includes a memory that stores (i) customer information data, (ii) vehicle data including, vehicle type, vehicle areas of each vehicle type that can be potentially subject areas requiring repair, symptoms of ma!-performance to the respective areas, and historical repair data for respective the symptoms of vehicles serviced at one or more the vehicle service centres, and (iil) repair cost data. After appropriate user input, the system ranks potential repairs prior to evaluation of the customer's vehicle, as well as optionally presents an estimation of cost for the ranked potential repairs. The system can direct the customer to a nearest or suitable vehicle service centre for vehicle repair. Such system may include

Identifying for the customer one or more closest vehicle service centre having access to the system, and provides logic, data structure, and an Interface for making an appointment for the customer at a selected one of the vehicle service centres to have the customer's vehicle repaired at an appointed date and/or time.

The customer Is presented with various vehicle service centres which potentially are capable of repairing a vehicle at a point of time, where the vehicle already has broken down or at least when symptoms of mal-performance occur. Although the customer has various choices, the choices are limited to specific vehicle service centres, and possibly not a vehicle service centre of the customer's choice.

Furthermore, it is only when the vehicle has broken down or shows signs of malfunction, and not in advance hereto, that the customer is offered a service contract.

WO 2009/029891 A1 discloses a method providing users with estimates for vehicle repairs. The user, typically the vehicle owner, provides details sufficient to identify the vehicle, and location details to enable the system to locate suitable mechanics and replacement parts, and determine labour costs and times. The user may provide symptoms of the problem, and the system provider automatically determines the likely cause of the symptoms. Once a diagnosis has been

generated, local labour and replacement auto part prices are automatically located, and a repair estimate automatically calculated. The estimate, along with a list of local mechanics with interest or expertise in the particular type of repair, Is then automatically communicated to the vehicle owner. The above-described systems and methods significantly simplify the vehicle repair process for the vehicle owner while providing mechanics with focused leads for new business. This is achieved by combining diagnosis of vehicle problems and local part and labour repair estimates for the specific vehicle in question. The described systems and methods may also provide integrated feedback to improve the diagnoses and estimates. The described systems and methods may also provide new lead generation for mechanics. Finally, the described systems and methods may also offer trigger-based alerts for routine and non-routine maintenance.

Furthermore, it is only when the vehicle has broken down or shows signs of mal- function, and not in advance hereto, that the customer is offered a service contract. The prior art generally takes the basis in providing the customer with various choices at a time, when a decision of what to do about the vehicle is urgent. Such decision-making may result in selecting a choice, where the aggregate costs for servicing the vehicle are high compared to decision-making where more choices are assessed. Or, such decision-making may result in selecting a choice where the consumables are too many, because of the urgent need for making a decision.

An object of the invention is to limit the need for replacing mechanical parts, and possibly also to limit the need for refilling fluids, in order to reduce the consumption of mechanical spare parts, and to possibly also reduce the consumption of fluids.

An object of the invention is additionally, or In the alternative, to enable the vehicle owner to select among various mechanical parts, which the vehicle owner believes are best for the vehicle, and not only to the benefit of the vehicle manufacturer.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a service contract with terms and conditions but in advance of any break-down or malfunction of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects of the invention is obtained by a the system comprising:

- a service contract comprising terms and conditions for service during a period of time, within which period of time the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company is to service the vehicle, and within which period of time the vehicle owner and the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company has entered into agreement to service the vehicle, and

- the service contract comprising terms and conditions at least for replacing and fitting mechanical spare parts to be fitted to the vehicle during the term of the service contract, and as entered into agreement between the vehlcie owner and the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company before replacing and fitting the mechanical spare parts, and the system comprising:

- a service contract database comprising information of terms and conditions of a plurality of service contracts, and at least one user interface for Inputting into the service contract database terms and conditions calculated by the system and selected by the vehicle owner when entering into agreement of the service contract,

- a mechanical parts database comprising data on type and brand of mechanical parts of the vehicle, at least a plurality of the mechanical parts being mechanical spare parts, which are likely to be fitted to the vehicle during the term of the service contract, due to wear of mechanical parts already fitted to the vehlcie,

- a parts price database comprising data on prices of the mechanical parts, the prices being at least one of the following: prices of original mechanical parts, prices of non-original mechanical parts and prices of refurbished mechanical parts, - a service price database comprising data on service prices for fitting the mechanical spare parts, the prices being at least one of the following: Prices being fixed prices for fitting the mechanical parts, prices being variable prices for fitting the spare parts,

- a mileage information database comprising data on, at which time or at which mileage mechanical spare parts are to be fitted to the vehicle, the amount of time for fitting the spare parts to the vehicle, and being established based on the empirical data of the brand or the make of the vehicle,

- the system calculating the mileage, at which the mechanical spare parts are to be fitted, the calculations comprising data from the vehicle information database, the parts price database, the service price database, and the mileage information database,

- the system comprising a plurality of service contracts, each of the plurality of service contracts being for a selected vehicle and a selected vehicle owner, by whom the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company has been assigned a service contract for a period of time selected by the vehicle owner, and with terms and conditions of the service contract as selected by the vehicle owner.

The objects of the invention are obtained by avoiding the vehicle from breaking down due to too long service intervals, but still limit consumption of mechanical parts, and possibly also consumption of fluid consumables, by having service intervals, which are scheduled when needed, but not scheduled shorter than needed. The invention results in creating a service contract with servicing created for a specific vehicle and for a specific vehicle owner, resulting in limiting the use of mechanical spare parts, and possibly also limiting the use of fluid consumables, during the term of the service contract.

The invention also results In the vehicle owner being able to select a vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company, which the vehicle owner has confidence In and who fulfils other needs or demands of the vehicle owner such as located near-by, providing good service, having skilled technicians or other parameters related to the vehicle, within the terms and conditions of the pre-agreed service contract.

Having a plurality of service contracts for a plurality of selected vehicles and selected vehicle owners results in the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company being able to select a specific service contract and to edit the service contract if needed or if demanded by the vehicle owner and/or to add to the service contract the spare parts fitted, the fluids exchanged and the service provided and/or to change data of the vehicle and/or the vehicle owner. Thereby, the vehicle owner always has an updated service contract, both in relation to terms and conditions and in relation to service and repairs having been performed on the vehicle.

Limiting the use of mechanical spare parts, and possibly also limiting the use of fluid consumables, during the term of the service contract results in price being an amount of money to be paid, preferably on a monthly or a yearly basis, to the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company, and based on the service contract created, and the amount of money depending on the type of mechanical spare parts to be fitted during the term of the service contract, at which mileage or at which time the mechanical spare parts are to be fitted during the term of the service contract, the price on the mechanical spare part to be fitted, the service price for fitting the mechanical spare parts during the term of the service contract.

A possible embodiment of the system according to the invention, the system comprises a vehicle information database with data of vehicle mode! year, vehicle brand, vehicle model, vehicle type, vehicle engine size, vehicle drive train, where data of the vehicle inputted via the user interface can be correlated with and can be confirmed by vehicle data of the vehicle information data database, and where the vehicle data inputted via the user interface, and if correlated and confirmed by with the vehicle information database, is used as input for one or more of the other databases of the system. The vehicle information database ensures that the right vehicle data are selected based on empirical data of the vehicle and is used as input for other databases of the system. Thereby, there is no risk of data entered Into other databases of the system does not correlate with data of the vehicle information database.

A still possible embodiment of the system according to the invention, the mechanical parts database comprising type and brand of at least one of the following mechanical spare parts: tyres, windscreen wipers, at least one part of an exhaust system, brake pads, brake discs, brake drums, spark plugs, battery, electric generator, electric motor, fuel ceil, likely to be fitted to the vehicle during the term of the service contract, due to mechanical wear of corresponding mechanical parts already fitted to the vehicle.

The mechanical Information database preferably contains only the possible and relevant mechanical parts for the vehicle selected and does not contain mechanical parts not relevant to the vehicle selected. Risks are eliminated of wrong mechanical parts or non-relevant mechanical parts being selected as mechanical spare parts.

An optional embodiment of the system of the invention comprises:

- a fluid information database comprising data on type and brand of fluid

consumables of the vehicle, at least a plurality of the fluid consumables being substances being subject to usage or constant degradation during the term of the service contract,

- a fluid price database comprising data on prices on the fluid consumables, the prices being at least one of the following: Prices of original fluid consumables, prices on non-original fluid consumables and prices on refurbished fluid

consumables.

The fluid information database preferably contains only the possible and relevant mechanical parts for the vehicle selected, and not containing mechanical parts not relevant to the vehicle selected. Risks are eliminated of wrong fluid consumables or non-relevant fluid consumables being selected as fluids to exchange. Also, the fluid Information database may contain various fluids and may contain different fluids for each of the various fluids, resulting in correct fluids selected, based on the vehicle selected and based on a choice of the vehicle owner. The advantage is eliminating the use of non-necessary fluids and/or eliminating the use of excessive amounts of fluid. An optional embodiment of the system according to the invention, the fiuid information database may comprise type and brand of at ieast one of the following fluid consumables: gasoline, dlesei, hydrogen, compressed air, engine oil, gearbox oil, coolant water, brake fluid, and which are likely needed to be filled Into a fuel tank, into an engine oil sump, Into a gearbox or into other fluid containing part of the vehicle, during the term of the service contract, due to usage or degradation of the fiuid consumable.

A preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, the system comprises a limited number of possible service contracts for the vehicle owner to select from, the limited number of possible service contracts being based on service offers comprising selected service of each service offer, each selected service of each selected service offer comprising a selection of spare parts to exchange at each service and a selection of fluid consumables to exchange at each service.

Limiting the number of service contracts that the vehicle owner may select from, results in various contracts being optimised based on a need of the vehicle owner and based on various mechanical parts and fluids and/or services possible for the vehicle selected and relevant to the vehicle and as selected by the vehicle owner.

Having a plurality of service contracts for a selected vehicle and a selected vehicle owner results in the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company being able to select a specific service contract and to edit the service contract if needed or if demanded by the vehicle owner and/or to add to the service contract the spare parts fitted, the fluids exchanged and the service provided and/or to change data of the vehicle and/or the vehicle owner.

The object of the invention may also be obtained by a method comprising creating a service contract between a vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company and a vehicle buyer, the service contract comprising terms and conditions during a period of time, within which the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company is assigned to service the vehicle, and within which the vehicle buyer is assigning the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company to service the vehicle, and the method comprising:

- inputting terms and conditions data into a first database of a system according to claim 1 for calculating the amount of mechanical spare parts, the type of mechanical spare parts and the brand of mechanical spare parts likely to be consumed during the term of the service contract, and - selecting the mileage of the vehicle during the term of the service contract, establishing the need for fitting mechanical spare parts during the term of the service contract, establishing the price on the mechanical spare parts to be fitted and establishing the price for fitting the mechanical spare parts,

- selecting which mechanical spare parts to be fitted during the term of the service contract, the mechanical spare parts being selected among the following parts: windscreen wipers, at least one part of an exhaust system, brake pads, brake discs, brake drums, spark plugs, battery, electric generator, electric motor, fuel cell,

- based on the need for fitting mechanical spare parts during the term of the service contract, and based on the selection of which mechanical spare parts to fit during the term of the service contract, establishing the amount of mechanical spare parts, the type of mechanical spare parts and the brand of mechanical spare parts during the term of the service contract. A preferred aspect of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises

- selecting which fluid consumables to consume during the term of the service contract, the fluid consumables selected among the following parts: gasoline, diesel, hydrogen, compressed air, engine oil, gearbox oil, coolant water, brake fluid, and

- based on the selection of which fluid consumables to consume during the term of the service contract, establishing the amount of fluid consumables, the type of fluid consumables and the brand of fluid consumables to be consumed during the term of the service contract.

A still preferred aspect of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises,

- based on the selection of mechanical spare parts to be fitted during the term of the service contract, selecting the amount of mechanical spare parts, the type of mechanical spare parts and the brand of mechanical spare parts during the term of the service contract, the selection of mechanical spare parts being based on one of the following parameters: the mechanical spare parts having the longest service life, the mechanical parts being the cheapest, the mechanical spare parts being the original spare parts, the mechanical spare parts being refurbished spare parts.

A possible aspect of the method of the invention may be, where the selection of the amount of mechanical spare parts, the type of mechanical spare parts and the brand of mechanical spare parts during the term of the service contract is for the mechanical spare parts having the longest service life for thereby limiting the amount of mechanical spare parts fitted to the vehicle during the term of the service contract.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 is a chart showing a possible layout of an architecture

of an embodiment of the system according to the invention,

Fig.2 is a graphical user interface for a car dealer and/or vehicle service company for a customer to select between various service offers,

Fig.3 is a graphical user interface for a car dealer and/or vehicle service company for a customer to select between various service options,

Fig.4 is a graphical user interface for a car dealer and/or vehicle service company to enter personal information of a customer,

Fig. 5 is a graphical user interface for a Salesman to start creating a service contract for a customer,

Fig. 6 is a graphical user interface for a Workshop Guy to find already created service contracts for customers,

Fig. 7 is a graphical user interface for an Auto Boss to find already created service contracts for customers,

Fig. 8 is a graphical user interface for an Administrator to find already created service contracts for customers,

Fig. 9 is a graphical user interface for a Salesman to create new service contracts with a new or an existing customer

Fig. 10 is a graphical user interface for establishing the costs of a service contract, Fig. 11 is a graphical user interface for selecting between various service options for editing at least one of the service options,

Fig. 12 is a graphical user Interface for editing at least one of the various service options after having selected one,

Fig. 13 is a graphical user Interface for selecting between various service offers, for editing at least one of the service offers,

Fig. 14 is a graphical user Interface for editing at least one of the various service offers after having selected one,

Fig. 15 is a graphical user interface for searching for customers, with whom service contracts have been signed,

Fig. 16 is a graphical user interface for searching for service contracts, which have been signed with customers, and Fig. 17 is a possible layout of a spreadsheet for calculating costs of a service contract.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 shows a possible layout of an architecture of a system for creating and maintaining service contracts between a vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company. The system comprises an Admin Frontend for administrators of the service contracts of the system, customer frontend for customers having entered into agreement about servicing one or more vehicles, and a backend with information already established and stored, to be used by administrators or customers during creation of the service contracts, during possible update of service contracts and possibly as information and knowledge base in general. It is to be noted, that customer refers to the vehicle owner, and vice versa, through-ou the description. In the alternative, customer refers to the legal or private person paying for service, who may not be a vehicle owner, nor a vehicle driver, but possibly a third person.

Access to the backend is established via a HUB requesting authentication before access to the information and knowledge of the Backend can be obtained. Possibly, ail access to the Backend by the administrators and by the customers can be accessed via a cloud solution such as Google Cloud. The HUB may also be used for transmitting from the Backend, or from the administrator, by messaging, information and offers to the customers or to other persons or companies, which the administrators need to, or wish to, provide with information and offers.

The Admin Frontend comprises various features as listed.

The Customer Frontend comprises various features as listed.

The Backend comprises various features, some of more formal nature in relation to creating service contracts, such as names of users, of dealers, of customers, of cases, of brands of vehicles, of models of vehicles, of number of vehicles and of contracts. However, the Backend also comprises features such as service contract prices, spare parts and packages and web-shop orders. The features service contract prices, spare parts and packages and web-shop orders provide a possibility for the customer to select specific, individual services and spare parts, based on a need and a price of the services and spare parts. The customer can select the various service contracts offered so that the service contract reflects the mileage of the customer, the driving pattern of the driver, possibly the customer, that is, whether the driver drives primarily on motorway, in city traffic or in other areas. Other variables, which differ from customer to customer, or form driver to driver, may also form the basis for the selected service.

The customer selection of service contract, based on a need of the customer, and based on a price the customer is willing to pay, results in the consumption of spare parts being limited compared to standard service contracts not taking Into account the various driving patterns and driving behaviour of different customers.

As example, if the customer Is driving relatively more on motorway than in city traffic, the need for exchanging brake pads is limited compared to the need for exchanging brake pads of customers driving relatively more in city traffic. The service contract may take into account this driving pattern, reducing the

consumption of brake pads and reducing environmental effects of used brake pads.

If the driver is driving relatively more in city traffic than on motorway, the need for exchanging brake pads is more profound compared to the need for exchanging brake pads of drivers driving relatively more on motorway. The service contract takes into account this driving pattern, however increasing the consumption of brake pads and increasing the environmental effects of used brake pads.

Therefore, the service contract optimising the need for car service dependent on the driving pattern of the driver is an advantage in reducing the consumption of spare parts, thereby reducing environmental hazards of used brake pads.

If the driver is driving relatively long distances, as for example at least more than 20 km from start destination to end destination, compared to relatively short distances, the need for exchanging engine oil may be limited. The service contract taking into account such driving pattern of the driver decreases the consumption of engine oil, thereby reducing environmental hazards of used engine oil. If the driver is driving relatively short distances, as for example less than 20 km from start destination to end destination, compared to relatively long distances, the need for exchanging engine oil is more profound. The service contract takes into account such driving pattern increases the consumption of engine oil, thereby Increasing environmental hazards of used engine oil.

Therefore, the service contract optimising the need for car service dependent on the driving pattern of the driver is an advantage in reducing the consumption of fluid consumables, thereby reducing environmental hazards of used fluids for cars.

Fig.2 Is a possible layout of a graphical user interface for a vehicle dealer and vehicle service company. In the following, the vehicle dealer and vehicle service company are exemplified by a car dealer. Other vehicles, which a vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company may sign a service contract for, may be trucks, buses, motorcycles etc.

Drafting a service contract comprises inputting, into the graphical user interface, one or more of the following input fields: Registration number of a car.

Alternatively, another kind of car identification number, such as the chassis number, may be entered. Brand of the car such as a Ford® or other brand. Mode! of the car, such as, in case of a Ford®, for example Ka© , Fiesta®, Focus® or Mondeo® or another model. Fuel type such as Petrol, Diesel, electricity or another kind of fuel. Duration, that is, the term of the service contract, as for example three years. Monthly/Yearly mileage, that is, whether the service contract is to be based on mileage of the car on a monthly basis or a yearly basis. Some car drivers may have a high mileage each month, and therefore, the service contract should take into account, that servicing once a year Is not often enough in order to keep the car from breaking down during a year. On the other hand, other car drivers may have a shorter mileage, and therefore, the service contract may be based on annular servicing of the car, or even longer terms, such as b!-annu!ar or tri-annu!ar!y.

'Description text' may be used for free-text related to the service contract. Also, a photo of the car may be uploaded to the graphical user interface. Offer 1 ^' is a box listing basic services related to a service contract. 'Offer 2' is a box listing basic services and surplus services related to a service contract. 'Offer 3^' is a box listing basic services, surplus services and even further services, related to a service contract.

Offer 1 has one monthly price of 200,00, Offer 2 has another higher monthly price of 400,00, and Offer 3 has yet another and even higher price of 670,00. Each of the boxes Offer 1 , Offer 2 and Offer 3 each has a button, where either Offer 1 , Offer 2 or Offer 3 may be selected, based on a decision of the car owner when entering into a service contract with the car dealer. Fig.3 Is a possible layout of a further graphical user interface for a car dealer. Apart from the service Offer 1 , service Offer 2 and service Offer 3, Additional options may be selected by the car owner as additional service options. The Additional options have an additional monthly price. Alternatively, some or all of the additional options may have a yearly price, perhaps with a deduction for paying on a yearly basis instead of paying on a monthly basis.

Winter tires have a price of 50,00 pr. month, Tire hotel has a price of 50,00 pr. month, Delivery service has a price of 50,00 pr. month, Car wash after service has a price of 50,00 pr. Month and Internal cleaning has a price of 50,00 pr. Month.

In the graphical user interface shown, the car owner has selected additional options. Among the possible additional options, the car owner has selected Tire hotel at a price of 20,00 pr. month and internal cleaning after service at a price of 60,00 pr. month. Together with the basis price of 400,00 pr. month for additional options, the price of additional options amount to 480,00 pr. month.

Fig.4 Is a possible layout of a further graphical user interface for a car dealer. The graphical user interface shown In Fig.4 is for inputting Personal information of the car owner, such as Name, Address, Phone number and Email address. Additional Personal Information may be company details if the car is to be owned by a legal person such as company and not by a private person.

Fig. 5 is a possible layout of a further graphical user interface for a car dealer. The graphical user interface shown in Fig . 6 is to start creating a new service contract. At the top of the graphical user interface, the company of the car dealer and the responsible sales person, Salesman, of the car dealer are named. To the left of the graphical user interface, a Dashboard selection button is displayed for selecting various features of the system. A!so, a Contracts seiection button is displayed for viewing already established service contracts.

Fig. 6 Is a possible layout of a further graphicai user interface for a car dealer. The graphical user interface shown in Fig. 6 is to start viewing already established service contracts and for accessing selected other features of the system. At the top of the graphical user interface, the company of the car dealer and the responsible Workshop Guy of the car dealer are named. To the left of the graphical user interface, the dashboard seiection button Is displayed for selecting various features of the system. Also, the contract seiection button is displayed for viewing already established service contracts. Also, a customers selection button is displayed for viewing customers having signed already established service contracts. Also, a Users selection button to view which persons have access to the system, and which features of the system each person has access to.

At the graphical user Interface of the Workshop Guy, when accessing any of the available features of the system, via the selection buttons at the graphical user interface of Fig. 6, the Workshop Guy may subsequently change selected data of the features of the system.

Fig. 7 Is a possible layout of a further graphical user interface for a car dealer. The graphical user interface shown in Fig. 7 is to start viewing already established service contracts and for accessing all other features of the system. At the top of the graphicai user interface, the company of the car dealer and the responsible Auto Boss of the car dealer are named. To the left of the graphical user interface, the dashboard selection button is displayed for selecting various features of the system. Also, the contract selection button is displayed for viewing already established service contracts. Also, a customers selection button is displayed for viewing customers having signed already established service contracts.

Also, a Users selection button to view which persons have access to the system, and which features of the system each person has access to. Also, a Providers selection button to view which external providers of spare parts and service are listed in the system. Also, a Templates section button to view various templates of service contracts. And also, a Prices selection button to view the various prices of spare parts, which are listed in the system, and prices for various services, which are listed in the system. At the graphicai user interface of the Auto Boss, when accessing any of the features of the system, via the selection buttons at the graphical user interface of Fig.7, may subsequently change any data of the features of the system.

Fig. 8 Is a possible layout of a further graphical user interface for a car dealer. The graphical user interface shown in Fig. 9 is to start viewing already established service contracts and for accessing selected other features of the system. At the top of the graphical user interface, the company administering the system, as for example the company OmniCar, and the responsible Set-up and Service Guy of the system administrator are named. The Set-up and Service Guy has access to ail features of the system, similar to the Auto Boss, see description of Fig. 7.

Additionally, the Set-up and Service Guy has access to a Settings selection button, where basic setting of the system may be accessed and changed.

Fig. 9 Is a possible layout of a further graphical user interface for a car dealer. The graphical user interface of Fig. 9 is when creating a new service contract. When a new service contract has been created, the service contract is deposited in a service contract database. The features of the part of the system for creating a new service contract is displayed, when the Salesman select the button Create Contract, see Fig. 6. Firstly, data about the car, which the customer has chosen, are to be entered into relevant fields of the graphical user Interface.

Data about the car may as example be fixed data such Registration number or VI N (Vehicle identification Number), First registration date of the car, car brand such as Peugeot and car model such as 208 1 ,2 VTI 5-D and Fuel type such as petrol.

Other data about the car is Duration of the service contract such as 36 months, expected yearly mileage such as 15,000 km, and contract template such as Premium, In contrast to Basis or Freedrive, see Fig. 11. Furthermore, the customer may select between various options such as winter tyres, tire hotel, internal cleaning after service, pickup/delivery service and car wash after service, see also Fig.3.

Data about the Owner, that is the owner of the car, are to be entered such as the social security number (CPR in Denmark) or company registration number (CVR in Denmark). Other relevant data about the Owner are also to be entered, as shown. Data about invoice information, that is the person or company to pay for the service contract, are to be entered such as the social security number (CPR in Denmark) or company registration number (CVR in Denmark). Other relevant data about the Owner are also to be entered, as shown.

Fig. 10 is a graphical user Interface for calculating the monthly costs for the customer for entering into an agreement with a car dealer via a service contract. The graphical user interface has a list of car brands available for the customer to select from. The list of car brands and associated data constitute a vehicle

Information database, in the graphical user interface shown, the customer has selected Ford®, in the graphical user interface shown, the graphical user Interface also has a list of car models for the customer to select from, in the graphical user Interface shown, the customer has selected Mondeo® . In the graphical user interface shown, the graphical user interface also has a possibility of selecting either Petrol of Diesel. In the graphical user interface shown, the customer has selected Diesel.

The graphical user interface also has three offers of service level of the service contract. A first offer Is Basic, a second offer is Freedrive, and a third offer Is Premium. In the graphical user Interface shown, the customer has selected premium. Based on the customer selection of car brand, car model and fuel type, and based on the customer selection of service level, and furthermore based on an expected mileage during a term of the service contract, and based on three options of terms of the service contract, either 36 months, 48 months or 60 months, the system instantly calculates monthly costs of the service contract based on the three possible options of terms of the service contract.

As example, if the customer selects a term of the service contract of 36 months, and if the customer selects an expected mileage of 60,000 km during the 36 months term, and based upon the customer having selected Premium service level of the service contract, the monthly costs are 518,75, in the example shown.

If the customer selects a term of the service contract of 48 months, and if the customer selects an expected mileage of 80,000 km during the 48 months term, and based upon the customer having selected Premium service level of the service contract, the monthly costs are 562,50, in the example shown.

If the customer selects a term of the service contract of 60 months, and if the customer selects an expected mileage of 125,000 km during the 60 months term, and based upon the customer having selected Premium service level of the service contract, the monthly costs are 1 ,055,00 In the example shown.

The monthly costs are based on various features, see fig. 17. Amongst others, the various features are based on relatively fixed features such as the selection of car brand, the selection of car model, the selection of fuel type. However, the monthly costs are also based upon variable features, such as which spare parts to use, either originally manufactured spare parts, non-original!y manufactured spare parts or even refurbished spare parts. Furthermore, the monthly costs may also be based upon other variable features, such as the driving pattern of the customer, as for example, whether the customer Is driving primarily on motorway of in city traffic.

The driving pattern of the customer may result in certain spare parts and/or fluid consumables needing exchange more often than other. As example, if the customer Is driving primarily on motorway, a need for exchanging brake pads may be limited, compared to the need for exchanging brake pads, if the customer Is driving primarily In city traffic, where braking takes place far more often than on

motorway. By taking Into account the variables features, when creating the service contract, the monthly costs more accurately reflects the specific customer. Furthermore, the exchange of spare parts and of fluid consumables are optimised to the specific customers need, thereby possibly reducing, or even eliminating, unnecessary exchange of spare parts and fluid consumables, reducing, or even eliminating, unnecessary exchange of spare parts and fluid consumables is not only a cost benefit to the customer, it is also a benefit to the environment. Disposal of unnecessary waste material of used parts and fluid consumables is eliminated, and unnecessary manufacturing of spare parts and fluid consumables is eliminated. Fig. 11 is a graphical user Interface for editing the service options of the service contract, as also mentioned in Fig.3, Winter tires at a price of 50,00 pr. month, Tire hotel at a price of 50,00 pr. month, Delivery service at a price of 50,00 pr. month, Car wash after service at a price of 50,00 pr. month, and internal cleaning at a price of 50,00 pr. month. The option of selecting or de-selecting various additional services such as the services listed, may also limit general consumption of resources by being able to specifically de-select services, which otherwise would be provided, at a cost, possibly without asking the customer. In the graphical user interface shown, the car owner has selected additional options. Among the possible additional options, the car owner has selected Tire hotel at a price of 20,00 pr. month and internal cleaning after service at a price of 60,00 pr. month. Together with the basis price of 400,00 pr. month for additional options, the price of additional options amount to 480,00 pr. month.

Fig. 12 is a graphical user Interface for editing the various service options of the service contract. Editing of the various service offers is possible for selected persons of the car dealer. As example, the Premium offer may have pre-seiected services, as example change of light bulbs each time, and the Premium offer has pre-se!ected brand of spare parts, as example originally manufactured spare parts from car manufacturer Ford®, and pre-se!eeted brand of fluid consumables, as example high grade brand Mobil© Oil for engine oil. However, If the Premium offer is to include other pre-se!ections, or if the Premium offer is to exclude already made pre-se!eetions, or if the Premium offer is to exchange one pre-selection with another pre-selection, the responsible person of the car dealer may change the service level of the Premium offer at any time, either for already created service contract, or for future service contracts, or for both already created service contracts and future service contracts.

Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 are graphical user interfaces for editing service contracts templates, and which is displayed after having selected one of the Contract templates offers shown in Fig. 13. The graphical user Interface of Fig. 14 displays the various parameters of the Premium offer, which may be edited for present and/or future use of the Premium offer. Title of the offer selected for editing Is displayed, as for example Premium. Valid form date and Valid to date is displayed, as for example the editing made is to be valid form 1 January 2017. The valid to date has not yet been selected in the graphical user interface shown.

Description of the parameters defining the Premium offer is listed, as for example originally manufactured spare parts from Ford© selected for spare parts and Mobil OH selected for engine oil. The list of parameters may be edited. Calculation method of the Premium offer, as for example, Premium offer is only offered cars, which has a Maximum age of car of 12 months from first registration date. The number of months as the Maximum age of car form first registration date may be edited, as for example to more than 12 months or to less than 12 months. Furthermore, and which is not displayed In the graphical user interface of Fig. 13, the various options as displayed in Fig ...may also be displayed in the graphical user interface of Fig. 13. The list of options may be limited by editing in the graphical user interface of Fig. 13, possibly because, as for example, Car wash after service is included in the Premium offer and should therefore not be displayed as an option of the Premium offer. Alternatively, the list of options may be expanded by editing In the graphical user interface of Fig. 13, possibly because, as for example, other options than the options listed in Fig 3, as for example cleaning of engine compartment, is to be displayed as options of the Premium offer.

Fig. 15 is a graphical user interface for displaying customer data of customers, with whom the car dealer has been assigned to enter into an agreement with via a service contract. Data includes the name of the customer, the phone number of the customer, the email address of the customer, whether the customer is private or a corporation and the number of contracts, which has been signed with the customer. The various data may be changed to the need of the car dealer.

Fig. 16 is a graphical user Interface for displaying service contract data of customers, with whom the car dealer has been assigned to enter into agreement with via a service contract. Data includes a contract identification number, the name of the customer, the registration number of the car subject of the service contract, the car brand, the car model, the type of service contract, the status of the service contract, whether the service contract is active or not, when the service contract expires and the expected mileage covered by the service contract. The various data may be changed to the need of the car dealer.

Fig. 17 is an essential feature of the invention, that is, the invention of a system for creating a service contract, which takes into account the possibility for providing the customer with the best possible solution for not risking the car breaking down, and at the same time limiting costs and unnecessary exchange of spare parts and fluid consumables, thereby limiting un-necessary waste and environmental hazard.

Fig. 17 is a possible set-up of a layout of a spreadsheet for calculating the need for spare parts and the cost of the spare parts and the costs of service for exchanging the spare parts. The spreadsheet comprises a mechanical parts database, a parts price database and a mileage information database. Top of the spreadsheet names the contract type, the car brand, the car model and the fuel type. Below, the Interval between service of car such as 12 months are named and the yearly mileage such as 30,000 km.

Further below, the hourly price of service such as 850,00 and the repair ratio such as 60%. The repair ratio is determined based on the service intervals which the manufacturer of the car suggest or dictates. The Repair ratio Is often higher if the service intervals of the car have a relatively high mileage such as 30,000 km. if the service intervals have a relatively high mileage, the need for repair such as exchange of brake pads, compared to the need for service in general such as check for any damages, is often higher due to Increased wear of the car between services.

Further below, various spare parts are listed, the price (ex. VAT) of each of the spare parts, the time needed for exchanging each of the spare parts, the interval for exchanging each of the spare parts, either an exchange interval of months or an exchange interval of mileage, whichever of which intervals occurs first.

Even further below, a monthly price is displayed depending on the term of the service contract such as 24 months, 38 months, 48 months or 60 months and depending on the mileage such as 2000 km, 30,000 km, 40,000 km etc. The monthly price takes all parameters of the service contract into consideration, that Is the car brand and model, the term of the service contract and the yearly mileage.

The advantage of the spreadsheet is that various prices, various intervals for exchange of spare parts and various basis prices may be entered, depending on the car, the customer and the driving pattern and driving behaviour of the customer.

The customers benefit from such service contract in reducing the amount of spare parts and reducing the costs of servicing in general. Also, the car dealer and vehicle service company benefit, in that the car dealer and vehicle service company knows in advance, which spare parts expected to have on stock, and when, based on the specific car and the specific customer in question.

The environment in general benefits in that the number of spare parts used are limited to the need of the specific car and the specific customer, not generalising all cars and ail customers. Spare parts of cars, and of all other cars, are often composed of different materials that are hazardous to the environment. Therefore, reducing the number of spare parts used reduces the amount of waste materials. Possibly, the list of spare parts may include the following spare parts: originally manufacture spare parts, non-originaliy manufactured spare parts and refurbished parts, that is, used spare parts, which have been repaired in one way or the other for being used once more, limiting the use of spare parts to the utmost.

Possibly, the list may also include fluid consumables of the specific car. Fluid consumables may be engine oil, windscreen washer, brake fluid and other fluid consumables which are consumed during use of the car or which is degraded during use of the car and must be exchanged for limiting the risk of the car breaking down. However, the amount of fluid consumables used depends on the driving pattern and the driving behaviour of the customer. The system may take such data into account and schedule exchange of fluid consumables depending thereon.

The customer benefits from such service contract In reducing the amount of fluid consumables and reducing the costs of servicing in general. Also, the car dealer and service company benefits, in that the car dealer and service company knows in advance which fluid consumables expected to have on stock, and when, based on the specific car and the specific customer in question. The environment in genera! benefits in that the amount of fluid consumables used are limited to the need of the specific car and the specific customer, not

generalising all cars and all customers. Fluid consumables of cars, and of ail other cars, are often composed of different materials that are hazardous to the environment. Therefore, reducing the amount of fluid consumables used reduces the amount of waste materials.

The invention has been described with reference to specific layouts of graphical user interfaces and with specific content of each of the graphical user interfaces. The specific layout and the specific content should not limit the scope of the invention. Other layouts of the graphical user interfaces and other content of each of the graphical user interfaces may be envisaged by the person skilled In the art.

Please note, an essentia! part of the content of the graphical user interfaces is the possibility for the customer to select specific service levels, specific options and specific spare parts and fluid consumables being an integrate part of the various service offers and service options. Thereby, the customer may select service offers and service options, which suits the need of the customer, and which therefore may be different to each customer. The possibility of the customer for selecting between various service offers and service options reduced the need for service of the car, reduces the need for exchanging spare parts and reduces the need for exchanging fluid consumables, resulting in minimizing waste materia! and minimizing any environmental hazard the used wear parts and the used fluids may cause.

Claims

CLAI MS

1. A system for creating a service contract for a vehicle between a vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company and a vehicle owner,

- the service contract comprising terms and conditions for service during a period of time, within which period of time the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company is to service the vehicle, and within which period of time the vehicle owner and the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company has entered into agreement to service the vehicle, and

- the service contract comprising terms and conditions at least for replacing and fitting mechanical spare parts to be fitted to the vehicle during the term of the service contract, and as entered into agreement between the vehicle owner and the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company before replacing and fitting the mechanical spare parts, and the system comprising:

- a mechanical parts database comprising data on type and brand of mechanical parts of the vehicle, at least a plurality of the mechanical parts being mechanical spare parts, which are likely to be fitted to the vehicle during the term of the service contract, due to wear of mechanical parts already fitted to the vehicle,

- a parts price database comprising data on prices of the mechanical parts, the prices being at least one of the following: prices of original mechanical parts, prices of non-original mechanical parts and prices of refurbished mechanical parts,

- a service price database comprising data on service prices for fitting the mechanical spare parts, the prices being at least one of the following: Prices being fixed prices for fitting the mechanical parts, prices being variable prices for fitting the spare parts,

- the system comprising a plurality of service contracts, each of the plurality of service contracts being for a selected vehicle and a selected vehicle owner, by whom the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company has been assigned a service contract for a period of time selected by the vehicle owner, and with terms and conditions of the service contract as selected by the vehicle owner

- the system capable of an output for a service contract, said output comprising: the type of mechanical spare parts to be fitted during the term of the service contract, at which mileage or at which time the mechanical spare parts are to be fitted during the term of the service contract, the price on the mechanical spare part to be fitted, the service price for fitting the mechanical spare parts during the term of the service contract.

2. A system according to claim 1 , the system comprising a vehicle information database with data of vehicle model year, vehicle brand, vehicle model, vehicle type, vehicle engine size, vehicle drive train, where data of the vehicle inputted via the user interface can be correlated with and can be confirmed by vehicle data of the vehicle information data database, and where the vehicle data inputted via the user interface, and if correlated and confirmed by with the vehicle information database, Is used as input for one or more of the other databases of the system.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, the mechanical parts database comprising type and brand of at least one of the following mechanical spare parts: tyres, windscreen wipers, at least one part of an exhaust system, brake pads, brake discs, brake drums, spark plugs, battery, electric generator, electric motor, fuel cell, likely to be fitted to the vehicle during the term of the service contract, due to mechanical wear of corresponding mechanical parts already fitted to the vehicle.

4. A system according to any of claims 1 -3, the system furthermore comprising:

- a fluid information database comprising data on type and brand of fluid

consumables.

5. A system according to claim 4, the fluid Information database comprising type and brand of at least one of the following fluid consumables: gasoline, diesei, hydrogen, compressed air, engine oil, gearbox oil, coolant water, brake fluid, and which are likely needed to be filled into a fuel tank, into an engine oil sump, into a gearbox or into other fluid containing part of the vehicle, during the term of the service contract, due to usage or degradation of the fluid consumable.

6. A system according to any of claims 1-5, the system comprising a limited number of possible service contracts for the vehicle owner to select from, the limited number of possible service contracts being based on service offers comprising selected service of each service offer, each selected service of each selected service offer comprising a selection of spare parts to exchange at each service and a selection of fluid consumables to exchange at each service.

7. A method for calculating consumption of at least mechanical parts of a vehicle, the method comprising creating a service contract between a vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company and a vehicle buyer, the service contract comprising terms and conditions during a period of time, within which the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company is assigned to service the vehicle, and within which the vehicle buyer is assigning the vehicle dealer and/or vehicle service company to service the vehicle, and the method comprising:

- inputting terms and conditions data Into a first database of a system according to claim 1 for calculating the amount of mechanical spare parts, the type of

mechanical spare parts and the brand of mechanical spare parts likely to be consumed during the term of the service contract, and

- selecting the mileage of the vehicle during the term of the service contract, establishing the need for fitting mechanical spare parts during the term of the service contract, establishing the price on the mechanical spare parts to be fitted and establishing the price for fitting the mechanical spare parts,

- based on the need for fitting mechanical spare parts during the term of the service contract, and based on the selection of which mechanical spare parts to fit during the term of the service contract, establishing the amount of mechanical spare parts, the type of mechanical spare parts and the brand of mechanical spare parts during the term of the service contract.

8. A method according to claim 7, the method further comprising

- selecting which f!uid consumabies to consume during the term of the service contract, the fluid consumables selected among the following parts: gasoline, diesel, hydrogen, compressed air, engine oil, gearbox oil, coolant water, brake fluid, and

- based on the selection of which fluid consumabies to consume during the term of the service contract, establishing the amount of fluid consumabies, the type of fluid consumabies and the brand of fluid consumables to be consumed during the term of the service contract.

3. A method according to claim 7 or 8, the method further comprising,

10. A method according to claim 9, where the selection of the amount of

mechanical spare parts, the type of mechanical spare parts and the brand of mechanical spare parts during the term of the service contract is for the mechanical spare parts having the longest service life for thereby limiting the amount of mechanical spare parts fitted to the vehicle during the term of the service contract.