Method and apparatus for controlling rented or leased or loaned equipment
First Claim
1. A system for providing operation of a function in response to a request by a user, comprising:
- a first computer system having at least one computer processor for selectively performing a user requested function in response to a correspondingly selective authorization for that user, said correspondingly selective authorization being produced when the user satisfies requirements of the first computer system to receive said correspondingly selective authorization, said first computer system having the ability to record and store data relating to the operational performance of the function, and a second computer system having at least one computer processor and at least some ability to record and store data relating to the operational performance of the function by the first computer system, wherein the second computer system is coupled to the first computer system and is preprogrammed to at least partially disable the performance of the user requested function irrespective of the user satisfying the requirements of the first computer system to receive said correspondingly selective authorization.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus relating to the renting, leasing and/or loaning of electronic equipment operable and/or controllable by a computer, wherein one entity not in physical possession and/or control of the equipment desires control over another entity which has physical possession and/or control of the equipment. Such equipment may comprise a washing machine, medical, office or industrial equipment, a vending machine, etc. A central computer system includes software which enables management and execution of financial transactions between the entities, such as debiting or crediting of accounts held by these or other entities, or creating an invoice for one entity to present to another entity. Information used in making these financial transactions can be determined by analysis of information which may be communicated to the central computer system from at least one other source. Such source may include the control system of the controlled equipment, e.g., from a vending machine or the computer system of an interested entity.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A system for providing operation of a function in response to a request by a user, comprising:
-
a first computer system having at least one computer processor for selectively performing a user requested function in response to a correspondingly selective authorization for that user, said correspondingly selective authorization being produced when the user satisfies requirements of the first computer system to receive said correspondingly selective authorization, said first computer system having the ability to record and store data relating to the operational performance of the function, and a second computer system having at least one computer processor and at least some ability to record and store data relating to the operational performance of the function by the first computer system, wherein the second computer system is coupled to the first computer system and is preprogrammed to at least partially disable the performance of the user requested function irrespective of the user satisfying the requirements of the first computer system to receive said correspondingly selective authorization. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A system for providing operation of a function by an equipment controlled by one not in physical control or possession of the equipment, in response to a request by a user of the equipment, comprising:
-
a first computer system having at least one computer processor for selectively performing a user requested function in response to a correspondingly selective authorization for that user, said correspondingly selective authorization being produced when the user satisfies requirements of the first computer system to receive said correspondingly selective authorization, said first computer system having the ability to record and store data relating to the operational performance of the function, and a second computer system having at least one computer processor and at least some ability to record and store data relating to the operational performance of the function by the first computer system, wherein the second computer system is coupled to the first computer system and is preprogrammed before being provided to the owner or operator of the equipment, to at least partially disable the performance of the user requested function irrespective of the user satisfying the requirements of the first computer system to receive said correspondingly selective authorization. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification