TECHNIQUES FOR COMPLETING PRE-ARRANGED TRANSACTIONS

• US 20160063616A1
• Filed: 08/26/2014
• Published: 03/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Bassett, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 11,810,182 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• 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: G07F 17/0057 for the hiring or rent of vehicles, e.g. cars, bicycles or wheelchairs car rental G07B15/00

Abstract

Techniques for completing pre-arranged transactions which improve customer service. An example method includes receiving a signal from a beacon by a mobile communication device, sending a first message containing an identifier by the mobile communication device, and receiving a second message containing information for completing the transaction by the mobile communication device.

Claims

1. A method of completing a pre-arranged transaction comprising:

receiving a signal from a beacon by a mobile communication device;

sending a first message containing an identifier by the mobile communication device; and

receiving a second message containing information for completing the transaction by the mobile communication device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the beacon is located a transaction establishment where the transaction is to be completed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises a customer identifier.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises a transaction identifier.

5. A method of completing a pre-arranged vehicle rental transaction comprising:

receiving signals from one or more beacons at a vehicle rental lot by a mobile communication device of a customer;

sending a first message containing an identifier that distinguishes the customer from other customers at the vehicle rental lot to a vehicle rental transaction server by the mobile communication device; and

receiving a second message containing sufficient information for the customer to proceed directly to a vehicle identified by the vehicle identification information.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second message also contains vehicle identification information.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the second message also contains vehicle location information.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the second message also contains instructions for departing the vehicle rental lot.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the second message also contains instructions for departing the vehicle rental lot.

10. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving signals from the one or more beacons after returning to the vehicle rental lot by the mobile communication device;

sending a third message containing the identifier to the vehicle rental transaction server by the mobile communication device; and

receiving a fourth message containing an indication that the vehicle rental transaction is complete by the mobile communication device.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving a fifth message from the vehicle rental transaction server requesting completion information by the mobile communication device; and

sending a sixth message to the vehicle rental transaction server containing the completion information by the mobile communication device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the completion information comprises vehicle mileage.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the completion information comprises vehicle fuel level.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the completion information comprises vehicle parking spot.

15. A method of completing a pre-arranged vehicle rental transaction comprising:

receiving a first message containing an identifier that distinguishes a customer from other customers at a vehicle rental lot by a vehicle rental transaction server;

accessing a transaction record of the customer by the vehicle rental transaction server;

associating an available vehicle with the customer as part of the transaction record by the vehicle rental transaction server; and

sending a second message containing sufficient information for the customer to proceed directly to a vehicle identified by the vehicle identification information by the vehicle rental transaction server.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second message also contains vehicle identification information.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second message also contains vehicle location information.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving a third message containing the identifier from the customer when the customer returns the vehicle by the vehicle rental transaction server;

receiving a fourth message containing completion information from the customer;

updating the transaction record of the customer with the completion information by the vehicle rental transaction server;

sending a fifth message containing an indication that the vehicle rental transaction is complete to the customer by the vehicle rental transaction server.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the completion information comprises vehicle mileage.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the completion information comprises vehicle fuel level.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the completion information comprises vehicle parking spot.