Automobile identification labeling and tracking system

Abstract

A system, method, computer program, and business form that may be used to more quickly, accurately, and efficiently label, identify, track, and inventory new and previously-owned vehicles on an auto dealer's lot. Many aspects may also be used to track other objects such as hotel keys. The computer program and method include the steps of: receiving vehicle information for at least one vehicle to be delivered to the auto dealer; storing the vehicle information in a vehicle database accessible by the computer; receiving data obtained from the vehicle when the vehicle is delivered to the auto dealer; comparing the data to the vehicle database to determine if vehicle information has been received for the vehicle; and directing a printer to print at least a portion of the vehicle information on an identifier to be applied to the vehicle if the data corresponds to the vehicle information in the vehicle database.

1 . A computer program stored on a computer-readable medium for directing operation of a computer to assist an auto dealer in identifying and labeling vehicles, the computer program comprising: 
 a code segment operable to receive vehicle information for at least one vehicle to be delivered to the auto dealer and to store the vehicle information in a vehicle database accessible by the computer;    a code segment operable to receive data obtained from the vehicle when the vehicle is delivered to the auto dealer;    a code segment operable to compare the data to the vehicle database to determine if the vehicle information has been received for the vehicle; and    a code segment for directing a printer to print at least a portion of the vehicle information on an identifier to be applied to the vehicle if the data corresponds to the vehicle information in the vehicle database.    
     
     
         2 . The computer program as set forth in  claim 1 , the vehicle information including a vehicle identification number (VIN) for the vehicle.  
     
     
         3 . The computer program as set forth in  claim 2 , the vehicle information further including a cost for the vehicle, a list of all options installed on the vehicle, and a description of all warranties for the vehicle.  
     
     
         4 . The computer program as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a new vehicle and the vehicle information is received electronically from a manufacturer of the vehicle.  
     
     
         5 . The computer program as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a previously-owned vehicle and the vehicle information is obtained from a source of used vehicle information stored on the computer.  
     
     
         6  The computer program as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the data is obtained from a bar code label on the vehicle which is scanned by a handheld scanning device.  
     
     
         7 . The computer program as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the data obtained from the vehicle includes a VIN for the vehicle.  
     
     
         8 . The computer program as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the VIN is read from the vehicle with a handheld scanner and wirelessly transmitted to the computer by the handheld scanner.  
     
     
         9 . The computer program as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the identifier includes a window sticker to be applied to a window of the vehicle and a key tag to be attached to a key of the vehicle.  
     
     
         10 . A method for inventorying and tracking vehicles offered for sale by an auto dealer, the method comprising the steps of: 
 maintaining in a computer a vehicle database containing vehicle information for at least one vehicle offered for sale by the auto dealer;    printing at least a portion of the vehicle information on a sticker;    adhering the sticker to the vehicle;    periodically reading data from the sticker with a handheld scanning device;    transmitting the data from the handheld scanning device to the computer; and    comparing the data to the vehicle database to inventory the vehicle.    
     
     
         11 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , the vehicle information including a vehicle identification number (VIN) for the vehicle.  
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , the vehicle information further including a cost for the vehicle, a list of all options installed on the vehicle, and a description of all warranties for the vehicle.  
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the vehicle is a new vehicle and the vehicle information is received electronically from a manufacturer of the vehicle.  
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the vehicle is a previously-owned vehicle and the vehicle information is obtained from a source of used vehicle information stored on the computer.  
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the data is obtained from a bar code label on the vehicle which is scanned by the handheld scanning device.  
     
     
         16 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the sticker includes an RFID tag having a portion of the vehicle information stored therein.  
     
     
         17 . The method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the data is read from the RFID tag by the handheld scanning device.  
     
     
         18 . A method of identifying vehicles offered by sale by an auto dealer, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving vehicle information for at least one vehicle to be delivered to the auto dealer;    storing the vehicle information in a vehicle database accessible by the computer;    receiving data obtained from the vehicle when the vehicle is delivered to the auto dealer;    comparing the data to the vehicle database to determine if the vehicle information has been received for the vehicle; and    directing a printer to print at least a portion of the vehicle information on an identifier to be applied to the vehicle if the data corresponds to the vehicle information in the vehicle database.    
     
     
         19 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , the vehicle information including a vehicle identification number (VIN) for the vehicle.  
     
     
         20 . The method as set forth in  claim 19 , the vehicle information further including a cost for the vehicle, a list of all options installed on the vehicle, and a description of all warranties for the vehicle.  
     
     
         21 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the vehicle is a new vehicle and the vehicle information is received electronically from a manufacturer of the vehicle.  
     
     
         22 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the vehicle is a previously-owned vehicle and the vehicle information is obtained from a source of used vehicle information.  
     
     
         23 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the data is obtained from a bar code label on the vehicle which is scanned by a handheld scanning device.  
     
     
         24 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the data obtained from the vehicle includes a VIN read from the vehicle.  
     
     
         25 . The method as set forth in  claim 24 , wherein the VIN is read from the vehicle with a handheld scanner and electronically transmitted to the computer by the handheld scanner.  
     
     
         26 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the identifier includes a window sticker to be applied to a window of the vehicle and a key tag to be attached to a key of the vehicle.  
     
     
         27 . A self-sealing business form comprising: 
 a backing layer formed of water-resistant material and having a front surface and a rear surface;    a layer of adhesive deposited on the front surface of the backing layer; and    a label having a front surface on which information may be printed and a rear surface adhered to a portion of the front surface of the backing layer by the adhesive, the label being sized so that a portion of the front surface of the backing layer not covered by the rear surface of the label may be folded over the front surface of the label to substantially seal the label within the backing layer.    
     
     
         28 . The business form as set forth in  claim 27 , further including a removable waste layer adhered to the portion of the front surface of the backing layer not covered by the label, wherein the waste layer may be removed to expose the layer of adhesive on the portion of the front surface of the backing layer not covered by the label so that the backing layer may be folded over and adhered to the front surface of the label.  
     
     
         29 . The business form as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein the label is formed of paper material.  
     
     
         30 . The business form as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein the backing layer is formed of poly film material.  
     
     
         31 . The business form as set forth in  claim 27 , further including a hole formed in the label and a pair of holes formed in the backing layer that are aligned with the hole formed in the label when the backing layer is folded over the label, the aligned holes operable to receive a key ring.  
     
     
         32 . A business form for use by an auto dealer to identify a vehicle, the business form comprising: 
 a first web portion including a removable window sticker on which vehicle information relating to the vehicle may be printed and that may be adhered to a window of the vehicle; and    a second web portion merged with the first web portion and including a removable key tag label on which vehicle information relating to the vehicle may be printed and that may be attached to a key of the vehicle.    
     
     
         33 . The business form as set forth in  claim 32 , the first web portion further including a removable stock label sticker on which information relating to the vehicle may be printed and that may be placed on a windshield of the vehicle.  
     
     
         34 . The business form as set forth in  claim 33 , the business form further including an RFID tag coupled with the window sticker, an RFID tag coupled with the key tag label, and an RFID tag coupled with the stock label sticker.  
     
     
         35 . The business form as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein the second web portion includes a plurality of key tag labels.  
     
     
         36 . The business form as set forth in  claim 33 , wherein the first web portion includes a plurality of stock label stickers.  
     
     
         37 . The business form as set forth in  claim 32 , the vehicle information including a vehicle identification number (VIN) for the vehicle.  
     
     
         38 . The business form as set forth in  claim 37 , the vehicle information further including a cost for the vehicle, a list of all options installed on the vehicle, and a description of all warranties for the vehicle.  
     
     
         39 . The business form as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein the vehicle is a new vehicle and the vehicle information is received electronically from a manufacturer of the vehicle.  
     
     
         40 . The business form as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein the vehicle is a previously-owned vehicle and the vehicle information is obtained from a source of used vehicle information.  
     
     
         41 . A computer program stored on a computer-readable medium for directing operation of a computer to assist in identifying and labeling objects, the computer program comprising: 
 a code segment operable to receive object information for at least one object and to store the object information in a object database accessible by the computer;    a code segment operable to receive data obtained from the object when the object is delivered;    a code segment operable to compare the data to the object database to determine if the object information has been received for the object; and    a code segment for directing a printer to print at least a portion of the object information on an identifier to be applied to the object if the data corresponds to the object information in the object database.