System for Collecting Revenue for Rental Equipment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for obtaining revenue for leased equipment comprising:
- a. a computer server;
b. a computer client;
c. at least one rental apparatus;
d. said computer server further comprisingi. a first database;
1. said first database further comprising data;
ii. a first hardware interface for transmitting said data from said computer server to said computer client;
e. said computer client further comprisingi. a second database for storing said data;
ii. a second hardware interface for transmitting and receiving said data from said second database to a remote location;
iii. a first real time clock;
f. said at least one rental apparatus further comprisingi. a data processing unit;
1. said data processing unit further comprising memory for storing;
a. said data; and
b. a rental apparatus identification code;
ii. a third hardware interface coupled to said data processing unit;
iii. a second real time clock coupled to said data processing unit;
iv. an electronic switch;
g. said computer server, said computer client, and said rental apparatus are electronically networked.
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Abstract
A system and method for collecting revenue for the leasing of an apparatus. The system controls the availability of the apparatus by either: restricting use of the apparatus only if a timely lease payment has been made; making the apparatus available for use under the condition that the lessee of the apparatus has made timely payment; or a combination of thereof. The system utilizes a smart electronic data storage device to assist in debiting a lessee'"'"'s account remotely via the Internet and allows leasing of the apparatus either for a given period of time or on a per-use basis.
30 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for obtaining revenue for leased equipment comprising:
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a. a computer server; b. a computer client; c. at least one rental apparatus; d. said computer server further comprising i. a first database; 1. said first database further comprising data; ii. a first hardware interface for transmitting said data from said computer server to said computer client; e. said computer client further comprising i. a second database for storing said data; ii. a second hardware interface for transmitting and receiving said data from said second database to a remote location; iii. a first real time clock; f. said at least one rental apparatus further comprising i. a data processing unit; 1. said data processing unit further comprising memory for storing; a. said data; and b. a rental apparatus identification code; ii. a third hardware interface coupled to said data processing unit; iii. a second real time clock coupled to said data processing unit; iv. an electronic switch; g. said computer server, said computer client, and said rental apparatus are electronically networked. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for collecting revenue for the leasing of an apparatus comprising the steps of:
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a. determining if said apparatus has been active for a predetermined time interval through the use of a computer client; b. deactivating said apparatus if said apparatus has been active for said predetermined time interval; c. coupling a third hardware interface to a data processing unit on said apparatus; d. coupling a second hardware interface to a computer client; e. transferring data from memory through said third hardware interface to a second database through said second hardware interface such that said second database is coupled to said computer client; f. transmitting said data to a server; g. transmitting payment data from said server to said computer client; h. submitting payment information corresponding to said data electronically from said computer client to said server; i. computing a second predetermined time interval; j. transmitting said second predetermined time interval from said server to said computer client; k. transmitting said second predetermined time interval electronically from said computer client to said data processing unit on said apparatus; l. activating said apparatus such that said apparatus may operate for a period of time no longer than said second predetermined time interval. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for collecting revenue for the leasing of an apparatus comprising the steps of:
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a. determining a first time interval corresponding to a length of time that said apparatus will be in an active state; b. electronically transmitting a first data set to activate said apparatus for said first time interval from a computer client to a server; c. transmitting a second data set from said server to said computer client such that said second data set corresponds to said first time interval; d. submitting payment information corresponding to said first time interval electronically from said computer client to said server; e. debiting a financial account in an amount corresponding to said first time interval; f. transmitting said second data set from said computer client to said apparatus such that said apparatus is activated for said time interval as defined in said second data set. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification