US Patent 9195986 VIN scan/code catalog and information lookup

Electronic-based systems and methods for enhancing a user's experience when shopping for components of a mechanical or electrical device or apparatus, which include downloadable software (i.e., a mobile device application) that provides access to component information/data using the mobile device, in particular component information/data provided by a manufacturer from its personal database, electronic devices that include such software, and methods of accessing the component information and optionally, acting upon the information to order the component.