Using a distributed ledger for tracking VIN recordkeeping
Systems and methods are disclosed for creating, maintaining, and interacting with a distributed ledger for VIN recordkeeping related to a particular vehicle. The systems and methods include the use of smart contracts, and receiving information about the vehicle, such as a description of the vehicle, whether the vehicle is covered by insurance, financial information related to the vehicle, and any maintenance data about the vehicle. This information may be used to create a distributed ledger for the particular vehicle, and during the vehicle's lifetime events related to the vehicle may be recorded in the distributed ledger.
1. A computer-implemented method for creating a distributed ledger of transactions pertaining to a vehicle, the method comprising:
receiving, by one or more processors, vehicle data from one or more computing devices;
detecting, by the one or more processors, a vehicle-related event from analysis of the vehicle data, the vehicle-related event being that the vehicle is a new vehicle and the vehicle is being purchased;
identifying, by the one or more processors, a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle when the vehicle-related event is detected;
identifying, by the one or more processors, a vehicle build when the vehicle-related event is detected;
receiving, by the one or more processors, an indication of vehicle financing covering the vehicle and an identification of a lender;
receiving, by the one or more processors, an indication of an insurance policy covering the vehicle and an identification of an insurer;
receiving, by the one or more processors, vehicle registration information for the vehicle from a department of motor vehicles;
creating, by the one or more processors, an initial distributed ledger for the vehicle that includes:
the VIN,
a description of the vehicle build;
a description regarding a vehicle lien or loan;
a description regarding the insurance policy covering the vehicle, and an identification of the insurer;
a name and address of a new owner; and
an indication that the vehicle is registered; and
transmitting, from one or more processors to a server, the initial distributed ledger created associated with the vehicle to facilitate maintaining a VIN-based distributed ledger for the vehicle.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , the method further comprising:
monitoring, by one or more processors, one or more vehicle conditions;
detecting, by the one or more processors, a change in a condition of the vehicle;
identifying, by the one or more processors, the VIN of the vehicle;
generating, by the one or more processors, a transaction including (i) the vehicle's VIN, and (ii) describing the detected change in the condition of the vehicle; and
transmitting, to a server, the transaction to facilitate maintaining VIN-based distributed ledger for the vehicle.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the change in a condition of the vehicle relates to a change in ownership information, title status, lienholder information, lien payoff amount, insurance policy date, insurance claim date, vehicle build data, maintenance data, telematics data, odometer data, or combinations thereof.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein vehicle data is received from a remote server associated with a vehicle manufacturer, repair facility, or bank, and indicates a change in a condition of the vehicle.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein vehicle data, vehicle sensor data, or vehicle condition data is received from a remote computing device associated with a vehicle.
6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the change in a condition of the vehicle relates to a total loss, and the transaction describes the total loss, and a location thereof.
7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the change in a condition of the vehicle relates to a total loss, and the transaction describes the total loss, a location thereof, that the vehicle was involved in a vehicle collision with another vehicle, a determination of insurers of one or more vehicles involved in the vehicle collision, a vehicle loan payoff amount and an identification of a lienholder, an indication of salvage or auction proceeds, an indication of loan payoff, an indication of title transfer from a lienholder to an insurer, an indication of title transfer from an insurer to a salvage vendor, an indication of title transfer from a salvage vendor to a new vehicle owner, or combinations thereof.
8. The method of claim 2 , wherein the change in a condition of the vehicle relates to a total loss, and the transaction describes the total loss, a location thereof, a vehicle loan payoff amount, and an identification of a lienholder.
9. The method of claim 2 , wherein the change in a condition of the vehicle relates to a total loss, and one or more transactions are generated and added to the distributed ledger describing the transfer of vehicle title from lienholder, to insurer, to salvage vendor, to a new owner, or to combinations thereof.
10. The method of claim 2 , wherein the change in a condition of the vehicle relates to vehicle financing, and the transaction describes terms of a vehicle loan, including interest rate, length of loan, and amount of payoff.
11. The method of claim 2 , wherein the change in a condition of the vehicle relates to an indication that the vehicle was involved in a vehicle collision, and the transaction provides an indication of whether the vehicle was covered by insurance, and if so, provides an identification and address of the insurer, and terms, conditions, limits, and coverages provided by the insurance policy.
12. A computer system configured for creating a distributed ledger of transactions pertaining to a vehicle, the computer system comprising one or more processors, sensors, servers, and transceivers configured to:
receive vehicle data from one or more computing devices;
detect a change in a condition of the vehicle from analysis of the vehicle data, the change in the condition of the vehicle being that the vehicle is a new vehicle and the vehicle is being purchased by an initial consumer;
identify a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle when the change in a condition of the vehicle is detected;
identify a vehicle build for the vehicle when the change in a condition of the vehicle is detected;
receive an indication of a vehicle lien covering the vehicle and an identification of a lender;
receive an indication of an insurance policy covering the vehicle and an identification of an insurer;
receive vehicle registration information for the vehicle from a department of motor vehicles;
create an initial distributed ledger for the vehicle that includes:
the VIN,
a description of the vehicle build;
a description or details regarding the vehicle lien or loan;
a description or details regarding the insurance policy covering the vehicle, and an identification of the insurer;
a name and address of a new owner; and
an indication that the vehicle is registered; and
transmit the initial distributed ledger created associated with vehicle to facilitate maintaining a VIN-based distributed ledger for the vehicle.
13. The computer system of claim 12 , the computer system further configured to:
monitor one or more vehicle conditions and vehicle data;
detect a change in a condition of the vehicle;
identify the VIN of the vehicle;
generate a transaction including (i) the vehicle's VIN, and (ii) describing the detected change in the condition of the vehicle; and
transmit, to a server, the transaction to facilitate creating and/or maintaining VIN-based distributed ledger for the vehicle.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the change in a condition of the vehicle relates to a change in ownership information, title status, lienholder information, lien payoff amount, insurance policy date, insurance claim date, vehicle build data, maintenance data, telematics data, odometer data, or combinations thereof.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein vehicle data is received from a remote server associated with a vehicle manufacturer, repair facility, or bank, and indicates a change in a condition of the vehicle.
16. The system of claim 13 , wherein vehicle data, vehicle sensor data, or vehicle condition data is received from a remote computing device associated with a vehicle.