Shuttle and car delivery service

• US 20050075924A1
• Filed: 07/07/2004
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Garrett M. Greenlee, Scott A. Messing
• Original Assignee: Garrett M. Greenlee, Scott A. Messing
• Inventors: Messing, Scott A., Greenlee, Garrett M.
• Application Number:
  US10/886,489
• Publication Number:
  US 20050075924A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A method for a shuttle and car delivery service at a venue. The method comprises the steps of transferring ignition keys for a car in the possession of the customer from the customer to an operator of the service, transporting the customer from the venue to a customer destination, and separately transporting the car from the venue to a car destination. The method provides a way to prevent the customer from driving while incapacitated, without requiring the customer to retrieve the vehicle once the customer is able to operate the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for operating a shuttle and car delivery service at a venue, comprising the steps of:

transferring ignition keys for a car in the possession of a customer from the customer to an operator of the service;

transporting the customer from the venue to a customer destination; and

separately transporting the car from the venue to a car destination.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining a departure time for the customer;

determining a delivery time for the car;

transporting the customer from the venue to the customer destination proximate the customer departure time; and

separately transporting the car from the venue to the car destination proximate the car delivery time.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the customer departure time is one of a predetermined time, a regularly scheduled time, and upon demand of the customer.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein at least one of the customer departure time, customer destination, car delivery time, and car destination are determined upon the customer'"'"'s arrival at the venue.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein at least one of the customer departure time, customer destination, car delivery time, and car destination are determined at a time subsequent to the customer'"'"'s arrival at the venue.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining a drop-off location for the ignition keys; and

delivering the ignition keys to the drop-off location after transporting the car.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a driver to transport the car to the car destination.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of providing return transportation for the driver after transporting the car to the car destination.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the return transportation is one of a shuttle, a motor scooter carried with the car, and a bicycle carried with the car.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the car is transported one of concurrent with transportation of the customer, prior to transportation of the customer, and subsequent to transportation of the customer.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the car transportation portion of the service cannot be cancelled once the ignition keys are transferred from the customer to the operator.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the service is associated with the venue.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the service operates independently of the venue and services a plurality of venues.

14. The method of claim 1, further including the step of serving alcoholic beverages to the customer.

15. A method for operating a shuttle and car delivery service at a venue, comprising the steps of:

determining a departure time and a destination for a customer;

determining a delivery time and a destination for a car in the possession of the customer;

determining a drop-off location for the ignition keys;

transferring ignition keys for the car from the customer to an operator of the service;

transporting the customer from the venue to the customer destination proximate the customer departure time;

providing a driver to transport the car from the venue to the car destination;

separately transporting the car from the venue to the car destination proximate the car delivery time;

delivering the ignition keys to the drop-off location after transporting the car; and

providing return transportation for the driver after transporting the car to the car destination.

16. A method for operating a customer shuttle and car delivery service at a venue, comprising the steps of:

pre-registering a customer for the service;

checking in the customer for the service;

transferring ignition keys for the car from the customer to an operator of the service;

transporting the customer from the venue to the customer destination proximate the customer departure time; and

separately transporting the car from the venue to the car destination proximate the car delivery time.

17. A method for operating a customer shuttle to and from a venue, comprising the steps of:

registering a customer for transportation to and from the venue;

transporting the customer from a predetermined location to the venue; and

transporting the customer from the venue to a predetermined destination.

18. The method of claim 17, further including the steps of:

tallying the number of registrations during a predetermined period of time;

tallying the number of customers at the venue during the time period; and

using the tallies to forecast business data.

19. The method of claim 18, further including the step of allocating a number of shuttle vehicles to be available during a predetermined period of time, based on the business data.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of using a computer program installed within a computer to forecast the business data.

21. The method of claim 18, further including the step of using at least one of lists, charts, graphs and tables to forecast the business data.