Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a part for a vehicle. The vehicle's vehicle identification number is determined, and the vehicle's manufacture information is determined. A specific part for the particular vehicle is identified. Whether a part code zone for the part exists on a vehicle identification label (VIN Label) is determined. If the part code zone exists on the VIN Label, then a zonal optical character recognition procedure is performed on the VIN Label and a part code in the part code zone is extracted. Or if the part code zone does not exist on the VIN Label, then a list of parts for the vehicle is determined based on the vehicle's manufacture information and the part is selected from the list of parts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the color of paint on a vehicle whereby a user may buy corresponding products. An image of a vehicle's identification (VIL) label is captured and transferred to an application on a computer device. An optical recognition procedure is performed on the image to determine the vehicle's vehicle identification (VIN) number. The vehicle's manufacture information helps determine the location of a paint code zone on the VIL label. A zonal optical recognition procedure is performed on the VIL label to extract a paint code from the paint code zone. Alternatively, a list of colors in which the particular vehicle was manufactured is determined based on the vehicle's manufacture information. The user may select the color of his vehicle from the list to identify the correct color. The user may selectively purchase products corresponding to the determined color of paint.