Abstract: A method and system is described which attempts to address the technical problems involved in analyzing images using advanced computer systems and making decisions about the future of a damaged automobile based on the images.

Abstract: A method and system is described which attempts to address the technical problems involved in analyzing images using advanced computer systems and making decisions about the future of a damaged automobile based on the images.

Abstract: A method and system is described which attempts to address the technical problems involved in analyzing images using advanced computer systems and making decisions about the future of a damaged automobile based on the images.

Abstract: In an example, a system includes a Monte Carlo simulation module to calculate a collision force on a first vehicle based at least in part on first information, calculate a crush depth for a second vehicle (having unknown damage) based at least in part on the calculated collision force on the first vehicle and second information, calculate first total energy absorbed by the first vehicle based on the first information, calculate second total energy absorbed by the second vehicle based on the calculated crush depth and the second information; and calculate a first estimated impact severity for the first vehicle using the first total energy and a second estimated impact severity for the second vehicle using the second total energy.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for using black box data to analyze vehicular accidents. The methods include obtaining information from an event data recorder associated with a vehicle and using the data obtained therefrom in determining and analyzing the vehicular accident. Attributes to be analyzed include impact severity, change in velocity, and other desired parameters. Further disclosed are methods to securely communicate the downloaded black box information to a secure location for later analysis and processing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a computer-implemented method to collect information to determine damage to a vehicle involved in a collision using photogrammetric techniques. When determined, this vehicle damage information, which may be in the form of crush measurement information such as a crush damage profile, can be displayed in a computer-generated view of the subject vehicle with a crush damage profile and used to estimate the impact severity. In some embodiments, based on the photogrammetric information derived, a direction of any shifting of the vehicle's components may be obtained and used along with other information to estimate a principal direction of force (PDOF) for one or more vehicles involved in the collision. Still further embodiments may be used to generate and/or audit repair estimates based at least in part on the photogrammetric information.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for using black box data to analyze vehicular accidents. The methods include obtaining information from an event data recorder associated with a vehicle and using the data obtained therefrom in determining and analyzing the vehicular accident. Attributes to be analyzed include impact severity, change in velocity, and other desired parameters. Further disclosed are methods to securely communicate the downloaded black box information to a secure location for later analysis and processing.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for using black box data to analyze vehicular accidents. The methods include obtaining information from an event data recorder associated with a vehicle and using the data obtained therefrom in determining and analyzing the vehicular accident. Attributes to be analyzed include impact severity, change in velocity, and other desired parameters. Further disclosed are methods to securely communicate the downloaded black box information to a secure location for later analysis and processing.

Abstract: A system and method for performing insurance claim reinspections is disclosed. The system includes an insurance company computer in communication with a communications server, at least one remote terminal in communication with the communications server, and an insurance claim workfile having a loss estimate section, an appraisal section and a reinspection section. The method includes the steps of providing an insurance claim profile and exception priority information, comparing an estimate in an insurance workfile to the insurance claim profile, and generating exception indicators based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system and method for managing and processing insurance claims is provided that implements an object oriented graphic user interface. The system includes at least one remote computer for entering and viewing insurance claim information. A wide area network capable of communicating with the remote computer and a computer in communication with said wide area network are also included. An insurance datafile, generated at said remote computer, is transferrable over the network. The method includes the steps of transmitting a claim assignment from an insurance office computer to a mailbox in a communications server, retrieving the assignment at a remote computer and generating an insurance claim datafile containing all data pertinent to an insurance claim and allowing for bidirectional transmission of the datafile over a wide area network. A graphic user interface for use in managing an insurance claim from an initial claim to final settlement is also included.

Abstract: A communications network for processing insurance claims of objects. The communications network including claim terminals and repair terminals, each having a processor, a display monitor, and a mass storage device, for inputting and sending object-identification data, parts graphics images, and images from the claims terminals to the repair terminals through a communications channel. The repair terminals compute repair and replacement estimates and send the estimates to the claim terminal. The object-identification data include information stored in digital form for a multiplicity of objects. The sum of the costs for repairing an object or a part of an object versus the cost for replacing the object or the part of a object is compared. An imaging device may be used for capturing an electronic image in digital form of the damaged object.

Abstract: A computer system including a processor, a display monitor and a mass storage device serving as a main memory for storing digital data. The digital data include information stored in digital form for a multiplicity of vehicles. A data base is provided of a plurality of groups of parts, a plurality of associated parts graphics, and a plurality of costs for repairing the parts and for replacing groups of parts. The method and apparatus include inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle to the processor. The display monitor displays a list of groups of parts for the damaged vehicle. In response to selecting a particular group of parts, a parts description from the data base of the first group of parts is then displayed. A parts graphic may be displayed from the list of groups of parts, along with costs data including parts costs, repair time and painting time. The method and apparatus compare the sum of the costs for repairing a part of a vehicle versus the cost for replacing a part of a vehicle.