Service center and associated method for offering services in a retail environment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of servicing items from a retail environment at which the services cannot otherwise be performed, the method comprising:
- accepting a purchase order from a customer, while the customer is present at a retail facility, for services on movable serviceable items, wherein the services cannot be physically performed in the retail environment;
moving the customer'"'"'s serviceable item to a service facility external to and physically separate from the retail facility;
periodically imaging the serviceable item at the service facility;
transmitting the image(s) of the serviceable item to a display on at least a near real time basis;
servicing the serviceable item at the service facility during the periodic imaging so that the image of the item and the service being performed are available on at least a near real-time basis at the retail facility;
notifying the customer about the service on the customer'"'"'s item; and
returning the serviceable item from the service facility to the customer.
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Abstract
The invention is a service center and a method of providing services within a retail environment that would traditionally not accommodate such services. The method of the invention separates the location of the marketing and sales activity from the location of providing the actual services. Pursuant to the disclosure herein, customers bring a serviceable item to a retail facility and give the service provider temporary possession of the item. The service provider moves the item to a service facility that is physically separated from the retail environment. The invention provides a means for maintaining communications between the service provider and the customer. The sales and marketing activities of the invention herein occur within an appealing retail environment at a kiosk, a storefront or other facility. The service center and the associated method are particularly adept for providing automobile services with a shopping mall environment. A customer may receive automobile services while the customer remains inside of a shopping mall. The service provider moves the automobile to a garage area possibly located within the mall parking area or even within an underground service facility.
14 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A method of servicing items from a retail environment at which the services cannot otherwise be performed, the method comprising:
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accepting a purchase order from a customer, while the customer is present at a retail facility, for services on movable serviceable items, wherein the services cannot be physically performed in the retail environment;
moving the customer'"'"'s serviceable item to a service facility external to and physically separate from the retail facility;
periodically imaging the serviceable item at the service facility;
transmitting the image(s) of the serviceable item to a display on at least a near real time basis;
servicing the serviceable item at the service facility during the periodic imaging so that the image of the item and the service being performed are available on at least a near real-time basis at the retail facility;
notifying the customer about the service on the customer'"'"'s item; and
returning the serviceable item from the service facility to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of providing automobile upkeep and replacement services in a retail mall environment, the method comprising:
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accepting a purchase order for automobile upkeep and replacement services from a customer while the customer is present at an indoor facility inside of a retail mall;
moving the customer'"'"'s automobile to a service facility external to the retail mall;
periodically imaging the customer'"'"'s automobile at the service facility;
transmitting the image(s) of the customer'"'"'s automobile to a display on at least a near real time basis;
servicing the automobile at the service facility during the periodic imaging;
notifying the customer about the service; and
returning the automobile from the service facility to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A service center for offering short turnaround services on particular serviceable items in an environment in which the services cannot otherwise be performed on those items, said service center comprising:
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a retail facility for providing access to customers seeking services on moveable serviceable items, said retail facility lacking capabilities to provide the services therein;
a remote service facility with service capabilities for the movable serviceable items, said service facility being external to said retail facility;
imaging facilities at said service facility for periodic imaging of the movable serviceable items at said remote service facility on at least a near real-time basis;
a connection, at least portions of which are electronic, for transmitting the images from said remote service facility to a display; and
displays at said retail facility for showing images received from said service facility on at least a near real-time basis so that the remotely-provided services can be monitored at said retail facility. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A service center for offering short term services on automobiles in an environment in which the desired services cannot otherwise be performed on automobiles, said service center comprising:
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a retail facility that lacks automobile service capabilities while still providing access to customers seeking services on their automobiles;
a remote automobile service facility with service capabilities for automobiles, said service facility being external to the retail facility;
imaging facilities at said service facility for at least near real-time periodic imaging of customers'"'"' automobiles while the automobiles are being serviced at said remote service facility;
a connection, at least portions of which are electronic, for transmitting periodic images from said remote service facility to displays, wherein the images show service activities being performed on the customers'"'"' automobiles; and
displays at said retail facility for showing the periodic images received from said service facility on the at least near real-time basis at which said imaging facility provides the images, so that the automobiles being serviced can be monitored at said retail facility. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeRichard M. Davies
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Original AssigneeRichard M. Davies
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InventorsDavies, Richard M.
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Application NumberUS10/772,711Publication NumberTime in Patent OfficeDaysField of SearchUS Class Current705/26CPC Class CodesG06Q 10/20 Administration of product r...G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation...G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders...G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of...
