Interactive self-storage rental system and method
First Claim
1. A method for renting to a customer a self-storage unit located at a self-storage facility, said method adapted to facilitate transactions with customers including customers who lack appreciable skills in computer operation, said method adapted to enable customers to respond to questions and instructions not requiring specialized knowledge or skills on the part of the customers, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a customer service area including a customer service counter, the customer service counter having a rental agreement viewing area which is viewed by at least one camera positioned in the customer service area, the customer service counter being configured to minimize glare in images captured by the at least one camera, at least one image captured by the at least one camera being viewable by a remote manager, the remote manager being a person who is remote from the customer service counter, the customer service area being independent of a computer-generated customer menu interface and manipulable customer input buttons;
establishing voice communication between the remote manager and a customer entering the customer service area using a communication link so that the customer and the remote manager can orally communicate using the communication link, wherein the customer can orally communicate to the remote manager through the communication link an indication of the storage needs of the customer, and wherein the remote manager can orally communicate to the customer through the communication link a recommended self-storage unit;
providing an access controller by which the remote manager can remotely provide the customer access to the recommended self-storage unit so the customer can inspect the recommended self-storage unit; and
providing the customer a hardcopy rental agreement form having at least a portion to be filled out manually with inserted data by the customer, as directed by the remote manager, at least some of the inserted data being verifiable by the remote manager with the output of the at least one camera, at least one image captured by the at least one camera allowing the remote manager to view an image of the hardcopy rental agreement placed on the rental agreement viewing area.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for facilitating rental of self-storage rental units is operative to establish interactive communication between a potential customer located at a rental site service area and a remote manager who can recommend one or more storage units that meet the customer'"'"'s size needs and time availability. The manager can direct the customer through a security gate to specific storage units for inspection, and guide the customer in completing a rental agreement for a selected storage unit at the customer service area. Telephonic communication between the customer and the remote manager is established via a public switch telephone network. The remote manager can provide instructions and answer questions while observing the customer'"'"'s movements, and can verify information inserted on the rental agreement through strategically placed cameras within the customer service area. Security cameras enable the remote manager to observe the rental unit site.
35 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for renting to a customer a self-storage unit located at a self-storage facility, said method adapted to facilitate transactions with customers including customers who lack appreciable skills in computer operation, said method adapted to enable customers to respond to questions and instructions not requiring specialized knowledge or skills on the part of the customers, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a customer service area including a customer service counter, the customer service counter having a rental agreement viewing area which is viewed by at least one camera positioned in the customer service area, the customer service counter being configured to minimize glare in images captured by the at least one camera, at least one image captured by the at least one camera being viewable by a remote manager, the remote manager being a person who is remote from the customer service counter, the customer service area being independent of a computer-generated customer menu interface and manipulable customer input buttons;
establishing voice communication between the remote manager and a customer entering the customer service area using a communication link so that the customer and the remote manager can orally communicate using the communication link, wherein the customer can orally communicate to the remote manager through the communication link an indication of the storage needs of the customer, and wherein the remote manager can orally communicate to the customer through the communication link a recommended self-storage unit;
providing an access controller by which the remote manager can remotely provide the customer access to the recommended self-storage unit so the customer can inspect the recommended self-storage unit; and
providing the customer a hardcopy rental agreement form having at least a portion to be filled out manually with inserted data by the customer, as directed by the remote manager, at least some of the inserted data being verifiable by the remote manager with the output of the at least one camera, at least one image captured by the at least one camera allowing the remote manager to view an image of the hardcopy rental agreement placed on the rental agreement viewing area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification