Computerized prompting systems

• US 5,931,878 A
• Filed: 08/09/1996
• Issued: 08/03/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LifeMinders, Inc. (Cross Media Marketing Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mindersoft Incorporated
• Inventors: Chapin, Stephen R. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US08/699,067
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/30, 701/24, 701/33, 701/34, 701/35, 701/36, 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/457, 340/457.4, 340/500, 340/501, 340/502, 180/271
• US Class Current: 701/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/006 Indicating maintenance

Abstract

A computerized prompting system is especially useful for vehicular maintenance and includes a level of maintenance database with task schedules for selected vehicles and prompt frequencies for those tasks. A prompter initiates a display informing the user that a scheduled maintenance is due to be performed on a selected date and an Internet exchange connects the database to a service center. The system has a capability to print coupons and to receive and incorporate updates from manufacturers.

Claims

1. A computerized prompting system comprising:

a profile data base having information specific to the user of the prompting system and being directly accessible by the user;

a level of maintenance data base including maintenance task schedules for selected vehicles including a vehicle identified with the user and prompt frequencies for those tasks;

a prompter for initiating a display informing the user that a scheduled maintenance is due to be performed on a selected date;

an Internet exchange external to the profile data base, level of maintenance data base and prompter, the Internet exchange being connected to a service center and optionally to an update database for notifying the service center that a maintenance appointment is due and for optionally providing the database with updates from the manufacturer.

2. The computerized prompting system of claim 1, wherein the level of maintenance database further comprises:

subdata bases including a database of completed maintenance;

a service center location database having all locations of service centers near the user;

a calendar showing all previous maintenance due; and

a marketing coupon database.

3. The computerized prompting system of claim 2 further including an updating input, the Internet exchange including updates to service center locations and updates to the marketing coupon data base.

4. The computerized prompting system of claim 1 further comprising an input to the Internet exchange for prompt instructions and an instruction in the Internet exchange for displaying the instructions.

5. The computerized prompting system of claim 1 further including a selector enabling the user to select the prompt frequency and level of maintenance desired.

6. The computerized prompting system of claim 5 further including a register for registering a plurality of vehicles in the same level of maintenance data base.

7. The computerized prompting system of claim 3, for registering specific vehicle characteristics which are maintenance prompted.

8. The computerized prompting system of claim 1 further including an alert screen display notifying the user that scheduled maintenance is due, a detailed screen of maintenance tasks for display after display of the alert screen, as well as the location of the nearest maintenance service center.

9. The computerized prompting system of claim 1 including a calendar screen which displays in calendar form maintenance previously due or completed and maintenance due in the future.

10. The computerized prompting system of claim 1 that includes a previously completed maintenance screen which also includes viewing and printing of completed maintenance.

11. The computerized prompting system of claim 10 that includes the capability to print the maintenance due with a marketing coupon specifically tied to that maintenance.

12. The computerized prompting system of claim 1 further including a connection to the inventory control of the service center for ordering maintenance materials therefrom upon notification that an appointment is to be scheduled.

13. The computerized prompting system of claim 1 further including the ability to schedule an appointment to have the maintenance completed, on line, at the nearest service center.

14. The computerized prompting system of claim 1 further including the ability to update the maintenance location and marketing coupon databases.

15. The computerized prompting system of claim 1 further including the ability to receive prompts for maintenance due or other messages from the Internet.