Rental equipment business system and method
First Claim
1. A method of processing a rental transaction with a customer upon return of one or more pieces of equipment in an equipment rental business, the method comprising:
- receiving status information associated with the one or more pieces of equipment in an automated manner;
planning a work function for one or more of the pieces of equipment, the work function including one or more action items based on the status information, wherein the planned work function is prioritized based on the status information; and
comparing the status information with a contract associated with the customer and the one or more pieces of equipment in an automated manner.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system are provided for processing rental transactions in an equipment rental business. Status information associated with the one or more pieces of equipment is automatically received. Based on this status information, a work function is planned for each piece of equipment, including one or more action items. A comparison is automatically made of the status information with a contract associated with the one or more pieces of equipment. Digital imaging and analysis may be used during this process to assess physical damage to the equipment. The method may be performed on-site at the rental business location or at a remote location.
176 Citations
52 Claims
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1. A method of processing a rental transaction with a customer upon return of one or more pieces of equipment in an equipment rental business, the method comprising:
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receiving status information associated with the one or more pieces of equipment in an automated manner;
planning a work function for one or more of the pieces of equipment, the work function including one or more action items based on the status information, wherein the planned work function is prioritized based on the status information; and
comparing the status information with a contract associated with the customer and the one or more pieces of equipment in an automated manner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of managing workflow in an equipment rental business, the method comprising:
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receiving status information associated with a piece of equipment in an automated manner; and
planning a work function for the piece of equipment including one or more action items based on the status information, wherein the action items are prioritized based on the status information. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method of using a digital camera to monitor damage in an equipment rental business, the method comprising:
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photographing damage to a piece of equipment; and
assessing damage to the piece of equipment based on the photograph. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of managing a relationship with a customer in an equipment rental business, the method comprising:
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receiving status information associated with the one or more pieces of equipment in an automated manner;
comparing the status information with a contract associated with the customer and the one or more pieces of equipment; and
notifying at least one of the customer and a service representative of results of the comparison.
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28. A method of processing a rental transaction with a customer upon pick-up of one or more pieces of rental equipment at a location remote from an equipment rental business, the method comprising:
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receiving status information associated with the one or more pieces of equipment at the location remote from the equipment rental business in an automated manner; and
comparing the status information with a contract associated with the customer and the one or more pieces of equipment in an automated manner.
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29. The method of claim 29, further including:
closing the transaction with the customer at the location remote from the equipment rental business based on the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of processing a rental transaction with a customer for delivery of one or more pieces of rental equipment at a location remote from an equipment rental business, the method comprising:
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obtaining an invoice associated with the rental transaction;
confirming that the one or more pieces of rental equipment are present on one or more delivery vehicles in an automated manner;
delivering the one or more pieces of rental equipment to the customer; and
receiving acknowledgement of receipt of the one or more pieces of rental equipment from the customer.
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38. A method of processing a rental transaction with a customer upon request for a work tool associated with a piece of equipment in an equipment rental business, the method comprising:
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obtaining information about the work tool in an automated manner;
determining a configuration of the piece of equipment associated with the work tool; and
configuring the piece of equipment, if necessary, based on the determined configuration. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method of processing a rental transaction with a customer, comprising the steps of:
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establishing transport data associated with one or more pieces of equipment;
receiving status information associated with the one or more pieces of equipment, the status information including a location of the one or more pieces of equipment; and
planning a work function associated with the one or more pieces of equipment based on the established transport data and the received status information. - View Dependent Claims (48)
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49. A method of processing a rental transaction with a customer, comprising the steps of:
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receiving status information associated with the one or more pieces of equipment;
planning a work function in response to said status information; and
performing an inventory management action in response to the work function. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52)
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Specification