Mobile Device-Enhanced Rental Vehicle Returns

• US 20140278608A1
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Crawford Group Incorporated (Jack Taylor Family Voting Trust U A D 4 14 99)
• Original Assignee: The Crawford Group Incorporated (Jack Taylor Family Voting Trust U A D 4 14 99)
• Inventors: Johnson, Ryan S., Smith, Dave G.
• Granted Patent: US 10,549,721 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/101 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/103 Near field communication [NFC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/245 where the antenna reception area plays a role
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/51 Relative positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/016 After-sales
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/47 using near field communication [NFC] or radio frequency identification [RFID] modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/63 Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

Abstract

A number of techniques are disclosed for making it more convenient and efficient for customers to conduct various rental vehicle transactions. As an example, a technique for performing an automated pickup of a rental vehicle using a mobile device is disclosed. As another example, a technique for performing an automated return administration of a rental vehicle using a mobile device is disclosed. As another example, a technique for permitting customer to select a particular rental vehicle for a rental vehicle transaction using a mobile device is disclosed. Also disclosed is a technique for permitting a customer to keylessly start a rental vehicle using a machine-sensible item such as his/her mobile device without requiring the customer to possess a smart key.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a mobile device, the mobile device configured to execute a mobile application, the mobile application configured to interact with the mobile device and a remote computer system to perform an automated return administration of a rental vehicle in response to user input.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mobile application is further configured to present a graphical user interface (GUI) screen to a user through the mobile device that is configured to solicit and receive input by the user of a completion code for a rental transaction corresponding to the automated return administration.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mobile application is further configured to present a graphical user interface (GUI) screen to a user through the mobile device that is configured to solicit and receive input by the user of a planned return date and time for the rental vehicle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mobile application is further configured to present a graphical user interface (GUI) screen to a user through the mobile device that is configured to solicit and receive input by the user of a planned return location for the rental vehicle.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rental vehicle is a self-rent rental vehicle, and wherein the mobile application is further configured to present a graphical user interface (GUI) screen to a user through the mobile device that is configured to solicit and receive input by the user of a selection of a vehicle return mode for the rental vehicle from among a plurality of vehicle return mode options, the vehicle return mode options including an automated vehicle return mode option and a non-automated vehicle return option.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mobile application is further configured to present a graphical user interface (GUI) screen to a user through the mobile device that is configured to solicit and receive input by the user of any damaged items for the rental vehicle.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mobile device is a smart phone.

8. A method for performing an automated return administration of a rental vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving input from a mobile device of a driver for the rental vehicle that is indicative of a request to schedule a return for the rental vehicle;

in response to the received input, communicating information from a reservation record for the rental vehicle to the driver'"'"'s mobile device to populate a pre-return graphical user interface (GUI) for display on the driver'"'"'s mobile device, the GUI being configured to solicit return information from the driver;

receiving the solicited return information from the driver'"'"'s mobile device through the GUI; and

storing the received return information in memory in association with the reservation record; and

wherein the method steps are performed by a processor.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the rental vehicle is a replacement rental vehicle, the replacement rental vehicle serving as a replacement for a personal vehicle of the driver while the personal vehicle is undergoing repairs, the method further comprising the processor performing the following steps prior to the input receiving step:

detecting when repairs have been completed on the driver'"'"'s personal vehicle; and

sending a message to the driver'"'"'s mobile device notifying the driver that repairs have been completed on the driver'"'"'s personal vehicle.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the rental vehicle is a replacement rental vehicle, the replacement rental vehicle serving as a replacement for a personal vehicle of the driver while the personal vehicle is undergoing repairs, the method further comprising:

the processor, prior to performing the input receiving step, sending a message to the driver'"'"'s mobile device notifying the driver about completion of repairs for the driver'"'"'s personal vehicle.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the message includes a completion code, wherein the input receiving step comprises receiving a competition code from the driver'"'"'s mobile device, and wherein the method further comprises:

the processor comparing the received completion code with the completion code included in the message; and

the processor conditioning performance of the communicating step on a determination that the received completion code matches the completion code included in the message.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the solicited return information comprises at least one member of the group consisting of a vehicle return mode, and temporal data for the vehicle return.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the temporal data for the vehicle return comprises a date and time for the vehicle return.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the solicited return information comprises (1) a selection of a vehicle return mode from a plurality of vehicle return mode options, the vehicle return mode options including an automated vehicle return mode option, and (2) temporal data for the vehicle return, and wherein the solicited return information receiving step comprises the processor receiving a selection of the automated vehicle return mode option and temporal data for the vehicle return from the driver'"'"'s mobile device through the GUI.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

the processor receiving input from the driver'"'"'s mobile device indicative of a request to complete the return of the rental vehicle;

in response to the received return completion request, the processor updating the reservation record to reflect a closed status.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the rental vehicle is a self-rent rental vehicle, the method further comprising:

the processor receiving input from the driver'"'"'s mobile device indicative of a request to complete the return of the rental vehicle; and

responsive to the received request to complete the return, the processor communicating with control hardware deployed on the self-rent rental vehicle to remove an authorization for the driver.

17. The method of claim 8 wherein the processor comprises a processor resident in a rental computer system.

18. An apparatus for performing an automated return administration of a rental vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory configured to store a reservation record for the rental vehicle;

wherein the processor is configured to (1) receive input from a mobile device of a driver for the rental vehicle that is indicative of a request to schedule a return for the rental vehicle, (2) in response to the received input, communicate information from the reservation record for the rental vehicle to the driver'"'"'s mobile device to populate a pre-return graphical user interface (GUI) for display on the driver'"'"'s mobile device, the GUI being configured to solicit return information from the driver, (3) receive the solicited return information from the driver'"'"'s mobile device through the GUI, and (4) store the received return information in the memory in association with the reservation record.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the rental vehicle is a replacement rental vehicle, the replacement rental vehicle serving as a replacement for a personal vehicle of the driver while the personal vehicle is undergoing repairs;

and

wherein the processor is further configured to, prior to receipt of the input to schedule the return, (1) detecting when repairs have been completed on the driver'"'"'s personal vehicle, and (2) send a message to the driver'"'"'s mobile device, the message configured to notify the driver that repairs have been completed on the driver'"'"'s personal vehicle.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the rental vehicle is a replacement rental vehicle, the replacement rental vehicle serving as a replacement for a personal vehicle of the driver while the personal vehicle is undergoing repairs;

and

wherein the processor is further configured to, prior to receipt of the input to schedule the return, send a message to the driver'"'"'s mobile device, the message configured to notify the driver about completion of repairs for the driver'"'"'s personal vehicle.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the message includes a completion code;

and

wherein the processor is further configured to (1) receive a competition code from the driver'"'"'s mobile device, (2) compare the received completion code with the completion code included in the message, and (3) condition performance of the communication operation on a determination that the received completion code matches the completion code included in the message.

22. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the solicited return information comprises at least one member of the group consisting of a vehicle return mode, and temporal data for the vehicle return.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the processor is further configured to provide a plurality of vehicle return mode options for the rental vehicle return, the vehicle return mode options including an automated vehicle return mode option.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the processor is further configured to (1) receive input from the driver'"'"'s mobile device indicative of a request to complete the return of the rental vehicle, and (2) in response to the received return completion request, update the reservation record to reflect a closed status.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the rental vehicle is a self-rent rental vehicle;

and

wherein the processor is further configured to (1) receive input from the driver'"'"'s mobile device indicative of a request to complete the return of the rental vehicle, and (2) responsive to the received request to complete the return, communicate with control hardware deployed on the self-rent rental vehicle to remove an authorization for the driver.

26. A method for performing an automated return administration of a rental vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving input from a user via a mobile device, the received input indicative of a request to return a rental vehicle, the rental vehicle corresponding to a rental vehicle transaction;

in response to the received input, initiating an automated retrieval of rental vehicle information via a vehicle telematics unit deployed in the rental vehicle, the rental vehicle information comprising a current fuel level for the rental vehicle;

providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for display to the user via the mobile device, the GUI configured to display fuel level data relating to the current fuel level retrieved via the vehicle telematics unit; and

initiating a closing of the rental vehicle transaction after the GUI has been provided for display to the user via the mobile device; and

wherein the method steps are performed by a processor resident in the mobile device.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the retrieved rental vehicle information further comprises a current mileage for the rental vehicle, and wherein the GUI is further configured to display mileage data relating to the current mileage retrieved via the vehicle telematics unit.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the automated retrieval initiating step comprises the processor initiating, via a remote rental computer system, an automated retrieval of rental vehicle information via a vehicle telematics unit deployed in the rental vehicle, the rental vehicle information comprising a current fuel level for the rental vehicle.

29. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

the processor, in response to the received input, (1) determining from a rental vehicle transaction record in a computer memory for the rental vehicle transaction whether the rental vehicle has already been scheduled for return, and (2) in response to a determination that the rental vehicle has not already been scheduled for return, (i) providing another GUI for display to the user on the mobile device, the another GUI configured to solicit temporal data for the rental vehicle return from the user, and (ii) receiving the temporal data for the rental vehicle return from the user through the GUI.

30. The method of claim 29 further comprising:

the processor, in response to a determination that the rental vehicle has already been scheduled for return, (1) determining whether the return request indicates that the user is attempting to return the rental vehicle on a date prior to a date previously scheduled for the return, and (2) in response to a determination that the return request indicates that the user is attempting to return the rental vehicle on a date prior to a date previously scheduled for the return, communicating information to the user to notify the user of the early return and solicit input from the user whether the user wishes to continue with the early return.

31. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

The processor, prior to initiating the closing, providing another GUI for display to the user via the mobile device, the another GUI configured to solicit input from the user regarding any damage to the rental vehicle during the rental vehicle transaction.

32. The method of claim 26 wherein the mobile device is a smart phone.

33. A computer program product comprising:

a plurality of instructions executable by a processor of a mobile device and resident on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the instructions, upon execution by the mobile device'"'"'s processor, are configured to cause the mobile device to;

process input from a user, the input being indicative of a request to return a rental vehicle, the rental vehicle corresponding to a rental vehicle transaction;

in response to the processed input, initiate an automated retrieval of rental vehicle information via a vehicle telematics unit deployed in the rental vehicle, the rental vehicle information comprising a current fuel level for the rental vehicle;

present a graphical user interface (GUI) to the user, the GUI configured to display fuel level data relating to the current fuel level retrieved via the vehicle telematics unit; and

initiate a closing of the rental vehicle transaction after the GUI has been presented to the user.

34. A computer program product comprising:

a plurality of instructions executable by a processor of a mobile device and resident on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the instructions, upon execution by the mobile device'"'"'s processor, are configured to cause the mobile device to;

determine whether a customer is currently using a self-rent rental vehicle;

in response to a determination that the customer is currently using a self-rent rental vehicle, present a graphical user interface (GUI) to the customer, the GUI configured display a user-selectable option to begin an end reservation process for the self-rent rental vehicle;

process input from the customer that is indicative of a selection by the customer of the option to begin the end reservation process; and

responsive to the input, present the customer with a plurality of return location options for the self-rental vehicle.

35. The computer program product of claim 34 wherein the plurality of return location options are within a designated geographic area.