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, images or a video of items for the car defined by a 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.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
190 Citations
20 Claims
-
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, images or a video of items for the car defined by a 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, 10)
-
-
11. 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:
-
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 images or video of items for the car defined by a 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 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20)
-
-
19. A system, comprising:
-
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.
-
Specification