Techniques for automating rental car transactions
First Claim
1. A processor-implemented method programmed in a non-transitory processor-readable medium and to execute on one or more processors configured to execute the method, comprising:
- instructing a customer via a wireless portable device of the customer as to a location for taking possession of a car at a car rental facility;
receiving, from the wireless portable device, a vehicle identification number (VIN) for the car;
acquiring, from the wireless portable device, a video of items for the car defined by a car rental agreement from a walk around performed by the customer and sending directions to the wireless portable device to inform the customer to obtain with the video an exterior of the car and dashboard readings of gauges inside the car based on the car rental agreement; and
sending, to the wireless portable device, a confirmation indicating that the customer can leave the car rental facility with the car to complete a car rental checkout transaction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A customer uses a wireless portable device to interact with a remote cloud-based car rental service. Details at check in are recorded and the customer is authorized to take possession of the car. At checkout, additional details are noted, a receipt is produced, and the customer leaves the car at the car facility. The check-in and checkout process can be achieved without any car rental attendant. That is, the customer via the wireless portable device and with the assistance of the remote cloud-based car rental service completely achieves check in and checkout for a car rental.
38 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A processor-implemented method programmed in a non-transitory processor-readable medium and to execute on one or more processors configured to execute the method, comprising:
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instructing a customer via a wireless portable device of the customer as to a location for taking possession of a car at a car rental facility; receiving, from the wireless portable device, a vehicle identification number (VIN) for the car; acquiring, from the wireless portable device, a video of items for the car defined by a car rental agreement from a walk around performed by the customer and sending directions to the wireless portable device to inform the customer to obtain with the video an exterior of the car and dashboard readings of gauges inside the car based on the car rental agreement; and sending, to the wireless portable device, a confirmation indicating that the customer can leave the car rental facility with the car to complete a car rental checkout transaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A processor-implemented method programmed in a non-transitory processor-readable medium and to execute on one or more processors configured to execute the method, comprising:
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receiving a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from a wireless portable device of a customer indicating the customer is at a car rental facility to check-in a car; obtaining from the wireless portable device video of items for the car defined by a car rental agreement from a walk around performed by the customer, and sending directions to the wireless portable device to inform the customer to provide with the video an exterior of the car and dashboard readings of gauges inside the car based on the car rental agreement; verifying the items with expected values or conditions; and instructing the wireless portable device to inform the customer on actions to perform to complete a car rental check-in transaction. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system, comprising:
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one or more processors in a cloud-processing environment having a cloud-based automated car rental service, the cloud-based automated car rental service resides and is programmed in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and executes on the one or more processors of the cloud-processing environment; and a mobile app that resides within and is programmed in a non-transitory computer readable medium and is adapted to be downloaded and installed and executed on a wireless portable device of a customer; the cloud-based automated car rental service configured to interact with the mobile app on the wireless portable device to automate a car rental check-in transaction and a car rental checkout transaction without the aid of car rental personnel, the cloud-based automated car rental service verifies the customer and receives a video for a walk around performed by the customer, and cloud-based automated car rental service also configured to send directions to the customer to provide with the video an exterior of a car and dashboard readings of gauges inside the car based on a car rental agreement. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification