Auto repair estimate, text and graphic system

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. Additionally, overlapping costs between two or more panels are determined, and subtracted from the total cost to repair. An electronic camera may be used for taking an electronic photograph in digital form of the damaged vehicle. The electronic photograph is transferred from the camera through a data port to the memory of the processor.