Systems and Methods for Third Party Satellite Radio Activation and Management
First Claim
1. A system for managing an installed satellite radio in a rental vehicle, the system comprising:
- a reservation system configured to create vehicle rental reservations in response to customer inquiries, wherein the reservations include a check-out time, a check-in time and a designation of whether satellite radio services are requested;
a reservation management system including a processor configured to review rental reservations, identify reservations that include a satellite services designation and generate a request for activation of satellite radios in vehicles assigned to the identified rental reservations;
a server associated with the reservation management system, connected via a network connection to a satellite radio service provider, configured to transmit requests for activation of said satellite radios to the satellite radio service provider;
a server associated with the satellite radio service provider, configured to receive activation requests from reservation management system server via the network connection, identify the satellite radios associated with the activation requests, and cause the satellite radio service provider to transmit an activation signal to each identified satellite radio, thereby enabling rental customers that have requested satellite radio services in connection with a vehicle rental to receive satellite radio services in the vehicle associated with the reservation during the rental period.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
System and methods for management of third party satellite radio activation/deactivation by a vehicle rental service company, wherein satellite radio services may be provided in a rental car when requested by a customer. The systems and methods will enable activation of a satellite radio shortly before or at the start of the rental period, and activation may be altered by the vehicle rental service company in the event that the rental period is shortened or extended, or if the vehicle is exchanged. The systems and methods deactivate the satellite radio service at the end of the rental period. The systems and methods may also be used to activate or deactivate other equipment or services made available via a vehicle rental service company in response to a customer request.
8 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A system for managing an installed satellite radio in a rental vehicle, the system comprising:
-
a reservation system configured to create vehicle rental reservations in response to customer inquiries, wherein the reservations include a check-out time, a check-in time and a designation of whether satellite radio services are requested; a reservation management system including a processor configured to review rental reservations, identify reservations that include a satellite services designation and generate a request for activation of satellite radios in vehicles assigned to the identified rental reservations; a server associated with the reservation management system, connected via a network connection to a satellite radio service provider, configured to transmit requests for activation of said satellite radios to the satellite radio service provider; a server associated with the satellite radio service provider, configured to receive activation requests from reservation management system server via the network connection, identify the satellite radios associated with the activation requests, and cause the satellite radio service provider to transmit an activation signal to each identified satellite radio, thereby enabling rental customers that have requested satellite radio services in connection with a vehicle rental to receive satellite radio services in the vehicle associated with the reservation during the rental period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method for managing an installed satellite radio in a rental vehicle, the method comprising:
-
creating via a computer network connection on behalf of a customer a vehicle rental reservation, wherein the reservation includes a vehicle, a location, and a rental period having a beginning date and time and an end date and time; designating within the rental reservation a request by the customer for satellite radio services; associating a rental vehicle with the rental reservation, the rental vehicle being available in the location and at the dates and times specified by the customer, and having installed satellite radio equipment; managing the reservation in a networked rental management system, wherein the networked rental management system identifies the reservation as requiring satellite radio services, creates a message identifying the vehicle associated with the reservation, and the date and time that radio activation is required; transmitting the message from the rental management system to a satellite radio service provider via a secure network connection, wherein the message contains sufficient information for the satellite radio service provider to identify the vehicle radio to be activated, and the requested date and time of activation; and transmitting an activation signal from the satellite radio service provider to the installed satellite radio in the vehicle associated with the rental reservation, wherein the satellite radio associated with the reservation is activated to enable the customer to receive satellite radio services during the rental period. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification