Mobile device-enhanced pickups for rental vehicle transactions
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a mobile device, the mobile device configured to execute a mobile application, wherein the mobile application supports automated pickups of self-rent rental vehicles and automated return administration of self-rent rental vehicles;
a remote computer system; and
control hardware resident in a self-rent rental vehicle, wherein the control hardware includes (1) a wireless transceiver configured to receive a first wireless signal from the remote computer system and (2) a vehicle interface configured to interact with one or more vehicle subsystems based on the received first wireless signal to perform at least one of an unlock operation for a vehicle door, a de-immobilization operation for a vehicle immobilizer, and/or a start operation for a vehicle ignition system;
wherein the remote computer system is configured to (1) create a reservation for the self-rent rental vehicle for a user who is associated with the mobile device and (2) communicate a notification to the mobile device about the reservation, wherein the notification includes a notification request for the user to activate the reservation;
wherein the mobile application is further configured to receive an activation request from the user in response to the notification request;
wherein the mobile device is further configured to communicate the activation request to the remote computer system;
wherein the remote computer system is further configured to activate the reservation in response to the received activation request;
wherein, in response to the activated reservation, the mobile application is further configured to cooperate with the mobile device, the remote computer system, and the control hardware to support an automated pick-up of the self-rent rental vehicle using an access request produced by the mobile device via the mobile application if the user is verified as being physically present near the self-rent rental vehicle, wherein a verification of a physical presence of the user near the self-rent rental vehicle is based on a detected physical location of the mobile device as compared to a detected physical location of the self-rent rental vehicle;
wherein the mobile application is further configured to schedule a return of the self-rent rental vehicle in response to input from the user, wherein the scheduled return includes a scheduled return that is on a new date that is prior to a previously scheduled return date for the self-rent rental vehicle; and
wherein the remote computer system is further configured to (1) close a transaction corresponding to the reservation in accordance with the new date and (2) generate a command that causes a second wireless signal to be transmitted to the self-rent rental vehicle on the new date, the second wireless signal for reception by the wireless transceiver to control, via the vehicle interface, at least one of a door locking system of the self-rent rental vehicle, the vehicle immobilizer of the self-rent rental vehicle, and/or the vehicle ignition system of the self-rent rental vehicle so as to disable use of the self-rent rental vehicle by the user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A number of techniques are disclosed for making it more convenient and efficient for customers to conduct various rental vehicle transactions. As an example, a technique for performing an automated pickup of a rental vehicle using a mobile device is disclosed. As another example, a technique for performing an automated return administration of a rental vehicle using a mobile device is disclosed. As another example, a technique for permitting customer to select a particular rental vehicle for a rental vehicle transaction using a mobile device is disclosed. Also disclosed is a technique for permitting a customer to keylessly start a rental vehicle using a machine-sensible item such as his/her mobile device without requiring the customer to possess a smart key.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a mobile device, the mobile device configured to execute a mobile application, wherein the mobile application supports automated pickups of self-rent rental vehicles and automated return administration of self-rent rental vehicles; a remote computer system; and control hardware resident in a self-rent rental vehicle, wherein the control hardware includes (1) a wireless transceiver configured to receive a first wireless signal from the remote computer system and (2) a vehicle interface configured to interact with one or more vehicle subsystems based on the received first wireless signal to perform at least one of an unlock operation for a vehicle door, a de-immobilization operation for a vehicle immobilizer, and/or a start operation for a vehicle ignition system; wherein the remote computer system is configured to (1) create a reservation for the self-rent rental vehicle for a user who is associated with the mobile device and (2) communicate a notification to the mobile device about the reservation, wherein the notification includes a notification request for the user to activate the reservation; wherein the mobile application is further configured to receive an activation request from the user in response to the notification request; wherein the mobile device is further configured to communicate the activation request to the remote computer system; wherein the remote computer system is further configured to activate the reservation in response to the received activation request; wherein, in response to the activated reservation, the mobile application is further configured to cooperate with the mobile device, the remote computer system, and the control hardware to support an automated pick-up of the self-rent rental vehicle using an access request produced by the mobile device via the mobile application if the user is verified as being physically present near the self-rent rental vehicle, wherein a verification of a physical presence of the user near the self-rent rental vehicle is based on a detected physical location of the mobile device as compared to a detected physical location of the self-rent rental vehicle; wherein the mobile application is further configured to schedule a return of the self-rent rental vehicle in response to input from the user, wherein the scheduled return includes a scheduled return that is on a new date that is prior to a previously scheduled return date for the self-rent rental vehicle; and wherein the remote computer system is further configured to (1) close a transaction corresponding to the reservation in accordance with the new date and (2) generate a command that causes a second wireless signal to be transmitted to the self-rent rental vehicle on the new date, the second wireless signal for reception by the wireless transceiver to control, via the vehicle interface, at least one of a door locking system of the self-rent rental vehicle, the vehicle immobilizer of the self-rent rental vehicle, and/or the vehicle ignition system of the self-rent rental vehicle so as to disable use of the self-rent rental vehicle by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification