Loyalty link method and apparatus with audio performance for integrating customer information with dealer management information

• US 7,016,854 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2001
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Reynolds and Reynolds Company
• Original Assignee: Reynolds & Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
• Inventors: Himes, Steven G.
• Primary Examiner(s): ELISCA, PIERRE E
• Application Number:
  US09/983,174
• Publication Number:
  US 20020123933A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,610 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 705/1, 705/15, 705/16, 235/380
• US Class Current: 705/14.37
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0237 at kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives

Abstract

A customer data capture system integrated with a dealership data management system allows customer and vehicle maintenance data to be exchanged between a kiosk on the floor of the dealership and the data management system. The customer inserts a customized card into a kiosk, and interacts with the pre-programmed software on the kiosk. The software recommends scheduled maintenance services and suggests potential coupon savings, based on the information received from the customer'"'"'s card and the information stored in the data management system. A service order is generated and routed to the service department. As a result, the accuracy and speed of entering customer data are enhanced, while the dealership is able to offer value-added services at the point of sale, thus enhancing the dealership'"'"'s business relationship with the customer.

Claims

1. A machine readable memory medium containing instructions which, when executed by a programmable apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform a system integration method, the method comprising:

a. storing and accessing information regarding vehicle dealership activities with a smart card system (SCS); and

b. communicating between a vehicle dealership management system (DMS) and the smart card system, using a communication link between the SCS and DMS;

wherein

1. the DMS and SCS are adapted to access data stored on a smart card and store the accessed data in the DMS, and print and display the accessed data,

2. the DMS and SCS are adapted to access data stored in the DMS and store the accessed data on the SCS, and to print and display the accessed data,

3. the DMS and SCS are adapted to generate data in a user session and store the generated data in the DMS, and in the SCS, and to print and to display the generated data,

4. the SCS is adapted to provide audio instructions regarding the accessed data in the DMS, the accessed data on the SCS and the generated data, and

5. the SCS is adapted to receive input of supplemental data and store the inputted data in the DMS, and in the SCS, and to print and to display the inputted data,

and further wherein the SCS comprises

1. a plurality of smart cards,

2. a smart card reader, adapted to read the smart cards,

3. a data entry station, communicating with the smart card reader,

4. a printer, communicating with the data entry station,

5. checking means to check access authorization of the input data from the user,

6. displaying means to display pop up video clips,

7. audio performing means to provide audio instructions, and

8. selecting means to select language from a plurality of choices for use in any printed and displayed text;

and wherein the communication link is selected from the group comprising;

radio transmission, cable transmission, the Internet, leased telephone lines, wire, optical fiber, and wireless communication;

and further wherein the data entry station is selected from a group consisting of a data entry station that comprises;

a. a kiosk including a computer touch screen with an electronic keyboard,

b. a speaker,

c. a keyboard, and

d. a mouse;

and a data entry station that comprises a PC computer with a display screen, a speaker, a keyboard, and a mouse; and

further where the SCS receives;

a. inputted data comprising customer information, vehicle information, maintenance schedule information, coupon information, personal identification number (PIN), and administrator data that permit functions to be performed that are reserved for a system administrator;

b. supplemental data comprising current mileage, selected customer services, additional contact instructions, additional contact number and promised date and time of completion; and

c. response data comprising recommended services, a savings amount during a visit, and total savings amount to date.

2. A machine readable memory medium containing instructions which, when executed by a programmable apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform a system integration method, the method comprising:

storing and accessing information regarding vehicle dealership activities with a smart card system (SCS), the vehicle dealership activities including providing maintenance of automotive vehicles, the SCS configured to store and access customer information, vehicle information, and maintenance schedule information; and

communicating between a vehicle dealership management system (DMS) and the smart card system using a communication link between the SCS and DMS, the DMS configured to track costs and savings associated with maintenance provided by a vehicle dealership and to provide a customer incentive package including one or more incentives selectively offered based at least in part on the maintenance schedule information.

3. The invention in claim 2 where:

a. the DMS and SCS are adapted to access data stored on a smart card and store the accessed data in the DMS, and print and display the accessed data,

b. the DMS and SCS are adapted to access data stored in the DMS and store the accessed data on the SCS, and to print and display the accessed data,

c. the DMS and SCS are adapted to generate data in a user session and store the generated data in the DMS, and in the SCS, and to print and to display the generated data,

d. the SCS is adapted to provide audio instructions regarding the accessed data in the DMS, the accessed data on the SCS and the generated data, and

e. the SCS is adapted to receive input of supplemental data and store the inputted data in the DMS, and in the SCS, and to print and to display the inputted data.

4. The invention in claim 2, where

a. the SCS comprises:

1. a plurality of smart cards,

2. a smart card reader, adapted to read the smart cards,

3. a data entry station, communicating with the smart card reader, and

4. a printer, communicating with the data entry station; and

wherein

b. the communication link is selected from the groups comprising;

radio transmission, cable transmission, the Internet, leased telephone lines, wire, optical fiber, and wireless communication.

5. The invention in claim 4, where the data entry station comprises:

a. a kiosk including a computer touch screen with an electronic keyboard,

b. a speaker,

c. a keyboard, and

d. a mouse.

6. The invention in claim 4, where

a. the data entry station is a PC computer with a display screen, a speaker, a keyboard, and a mouse, and

b. the communication link is the Internet.

7. The invention in claim 4 where the SCS receives inputted data comprising coupon information.

8. The invention in claim 4 where the SCS receives supplemental data comprising current mileage, selected customer services, additional contact instructions, additional contact number and promised date and time of completion.

9. The invention in claim 4 where the SCS receives response data comprising recommended services, a savings amount during a visit, and total savings amount to date.

10. The invention in claim 4 where the SCS receives response data comprising a trade-in accrual that includes an amount based on any of a percentage of coupons used to date, a fixed amount specified by a customer, or a percentage of a value of services selected.

11. The invention in claim 10 where the trade-in accrual further comprises a cost of an extended warranty associated with a trade-in.

12. The invention in claim 4 where the SCS receives input data comprising a personal identification number (PIN).

13. The invention in claim 4 where the SCS receives input data comprising administrator data that permit functions to be performed that are reserved for a system administrator.

14. The invention in claim 4 where approval by a system administrator is required to permit provision and/or application of a coupon.

15. The invention in claim 4, further comprising checking access authorization of the input data from the user.

16. The invention in claim 4 where the SCS further comprises displaying means to display pop up video clips.

17. The invention in claim 4 further comprising selecting a language from a plurality of choices for use in any printed and displayed text.

18. The invention in claim 2, where the data entry station comprises:

a. a kiosk including a computer touch screen with an electronic keyboard,

b. a speaker,

c. a keyboard, and

d. a mouse.

19. The invention in claim 2, where

a. the data entry station is a PC computer with a display screen, a speaker, a keyboard, and a mouse, and

b. the communication link is the Internet.

20. The invention in claim 2 where the SCS receives inputted data comprising coupon information.

21. The invention in claim 2 where the SCS receives supplemental data comprising current mileage, selected customer services, additional contact instructions, additional contact number and promised date and time of completion.

22. The invention in claim 2 where the SCS receives response data comprising recommended services, a savings amount during a visit, and total savings amount to date.

23. The invention in claim 2 where the SCS receives response data comprising a trade-in accrual that includes an amount based on any of a percentage of coupons used to date, a fixed amount specified by a customer, or a percentage of a value of services selected.

24. The invention in claim 23 where the trade-in accrual further comprises a cost of an extended warranty associated with a trade-in.

25. The invention in claim 2 where the SCS receives input data comprising a personal identification number (PIN).

26. The invention in claim 2 where the SCS receives input data comprising administrator data that permit functions to be performed that are reserved for a system administrator.

27. The invention in claim 2 where approval by a system administrator is required to permit provision and/or application of a coupon.

28. The invention in claim 2, further comprising checking access authorization of the input data from the user.

29. The invention in claim 2 where the SCS further comprises displaying means to display pop up video clips.

30. The invention in claim 2 further comprising selecting a language from a plurality of choices for use in any printed and displayed text.

31. A machine readable memory medium containing instructions which, when executed by a smart card system (SCS), cause the SCS to perform a method comprising:

a. receiving input data on a plurality of smart cards,

b. reading the smart cards with a smart card reader,

c. entering and displaying data on a data entry station, said data entry station communicating with the smart card reader,

d. printing data with a printer, said printer communicating with the data entry station,

e. checking an access authorization of the input data from the user,

f. displaying pop up video clips,

g. providing audio instructions, and

h. selecting a language from a plurality of choices for use in any printed and displayed text;

wherein the data entry station is selected from a group consisting of;

a data entry station that comprises;

a. a kiosk including a computer touch screen with an electronic keyboard,

b. a speaker,

c. a keyboard, and

d. a mouse;

and a data entry station that comprises a PC computer with a display screen, a speaker, a keyboard, and a mouse;

and further where the SCS receives;

a. inputted data comprising customer information, vehicle information, maintenance schedule information, coupon information, personal identification number (PIN), and administrator data that permit functions to be performed that are reserved for a system administrator;

b. supplemental data comprising current mileage, selected customer services, additional contact instructions, additional contact number and promised date and time of completion; and

c. response data comprising recommended services, a savings amount during a visit, and total savings amount to date;

and further where the SCS is adapted

a. to store and access information regarding vehicle dealership activities;

b. to generate data in a user session and store the generated data in the SCS, and to print and to display the generated data;

c. to provide audio instructions regarding the generated data, and

d. to receive input of supplemental data and store the inputted data in the SCS, and to print and display the inputted data.