System and method for improved rental vehicle reservation management

• US 8,775,222 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2012
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Crawford Group Incorporated (Jack Taylor Family Voting Trust U A D 4 14 99)
• Original Assignee: The Crawford Group Incorporated (Jack Taylor Family Voting Trust U A D 4 14 99)
• Inventors: Smith, David G., DeVallance, Kimberly A., Miller, Owen R., Miller, Regina M., Jouris, Jon B., Concannon, Maribeth, Cormier, Shawn R.
• Primary Examiner(s): CAMPBELL, SHANNON S
• Application Number:
  US13/447,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20120203581A1
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 705/5
• US Class Current: 705/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce

Abstract

A method and system are disclosed for managing a rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on automated processing of vehicle repair data corresponding to a disabled vehicle that is related to the rental vehicle reservation. For example, a preferred method and system can automatically compute from the vehicle repair data an amount of time that is likely to be needed by a repair facility to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, which in turn can drive more accurate management of an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for managing a rental vehicle reservation for a replacement vehicle corresponding to a disabled vehicle, wherein the replacement rental vehicle reservation is associated with data indicative of an authorization duration for that replacement rental vehicle reservation, the method comprising:

receiving data representative of an estimation of a number of labor hours to repair the disabled vehicle;

storing a plurality of labor hours scalars in a memory, the labor hours scalars being associated with a plurality of parties such that each labor hours scalar is associated with at least one party;

determining a party associated with the received labor hours estimation data;

selecting the stored labor hours scalar that is associated with the determined party;

automatically computing data indicative of an estimated duration for the repair to the disabled vehicle based on an application of the selected labor hours scalar to the received labor hours estimation data; and

determining whether the authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation that corresponds to the disabled vehicle would end prior to repairs being completed for the disabled vehicle based on the computed repair duration data and the authorization duration data; and

in response to a determination that the authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation would end prior to repairs being completed for the disabled vehicle, automatically extending the replacement rental vehicle reservation to thereby associate the replacement rental vehicle reservation with a new authorization duration, wherein the automatically extending step comprises;

determining whether a difference between an end of the authorization duration and an end of the repair duration corresponding to the computed repair duration data is less than a threshold; and

in response to a determination that the difference is less than the threshold, automatically storing data in the memory that is indicative of the new authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation such that an expiration of the new authorization duration coincides in time with the end of the repair duration corresponding to the computed repair duration data; and

wherein the method steps are performed by a processor in cooperation with the memory.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the party comprises a repair facility.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the party comprises an insurance company-repair facility pair.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving step comprises the processor receiving the labor hours estimation data from a repair facility computer.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the party comprises an insurance company.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the processor and memory are resident within a rental vehicle reservation management computer system.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step comprises applying the selected labor hours scalar to the received labor hours estimation data to translate the labor hours estimation data into a number of business days needed by the repair facility to perform those labor hours.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the processor receiving a status identifier as to whether the disabled vehicle is nondriveable, and wherein the automatically computing step further comprises the processor automatically computing the estimated repair duration data based at least in part on an adjustment amount corresponding to the received status identifier.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the processor defining the nondriveable adjustment amount on a party-specific basis.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the automatically computing step further comprises the processor automatically computing the estimated repair duration data based at least in part on an adjustment amount corresponding to whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any weekend days.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising the processor defining the weekend adjustment amount on a party-specific basis.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein the automatically computing step further comprises the processor automatically computing the estimated repair duration data based at least in part on an adjustment amount corresponding to whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any holiday days.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the processor defining the holiday adjustment amount on a party-specific basis.

31. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

the processor performing the method steps for a plurality of rental vehicle reservations; and

the processor generating an audit report for the plurality of rental vehicle reservations based at least in part on the received labor hours estimation data and the computed estimated repair duration data.

2. A computer-implemented method for managing a rental vehicle reservation for a replacement vehicle corresponding to a disabled vehicle, wherein the replacement rental vehicle reservation is associated with data indicative of an authorization duration for that replacement rental vehicle reservation, the method comprising:

receiving data representative of an estimation of a number of labor hours to repair the disabled vehicle;

storing a plurality of labor hours scalars and a plurality of business rules in a memory, the labor hours scalars being associated with a plurality of parties such that each labor hours scalar is associated with at least one party, the business rules being associated with a plurality of parties such that each business rule is associated with at least one party, wherein the business rules comprise a plurality of automated extensions rules such that a plurality of different parties employ different business rules for automatically extending replacement rental vehicle reservations;

determining a party associated with the received labor hours estimation data;

selecting the stored labor hours scalar that is associated with the determined party;

selecting the stored automated extension rule that is associated with the determined party;

automatically computing data indicative of an estimated duration for the repair to the disabled vehicle based on an application of the selected labor hours scalar to the received labor hours estimation data; and

determining whether the authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation that corresponds to the disabled vehicle would end prior to repairs being completed for the disabled vehicle based on the computed repair duration data and the authorization duration data; and

in response to a determination that the authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation would end prior to repairs being completed for the disabled vehicle, automatically extending the replacement rental vehicle reservation in accordance with the selected automated extension rule to thereby associate the replacement rental vehicle reservation with a new authorization duration.

3. An apparatus for managing a rental vehicle reservation for a replacement vehicle corresponding to a disabled vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory, the memory configured to (1) store a plurality of labor hours scalars, the labor hours scalars being associated with a plurality of parties such that each labor hours scalar is associated with at least one party, and (2) store data indicative of an authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation in association with that replacement rental vehicle reservation; and

wherein the processor is configured to (1) receive data representative of an estimation of a number of labor hours to repair the disabled vehicle, (2) determine a party associated with the received labor hours estimation data, (3) select the stored labor hours scalar that is associated with the determined party, (4) automatically compute data indicative of an estimated duration for the repair to the disabled vehicle based on an application of the selected labor hours scalar to the received labor hours estimation data, and (5) perform a management operation on the replacement rental vehicle reservation that corresponds to the disabled vehicle by (i) determining whether the authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation would end prior to repairs being completed for the disabled vehicle based on the computed repair duration data and the authorization duration data, and (ii) in response to a determination by the processor that the authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation would end prior to repairs being completed for the disabled vehicle, automatically extending the replacement rental vehicle reservation to thereby associate the replacement rental vehicle reservation with a new authorization duration; and

wherein the processor is further configured to automatically extend the replacement rental vehicle reservation by (1) determining whether a difference between an end of the authorization duration and an end of the repair duration corresponding to the computed repair duration data is less than a threshold, and (2) in response to a determination by the processor that the difference is less than the threshold, automatically storing data in the memory that is indicative of the new authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation such that an expiration of the new authorization duration coincides in time with the end of the repair duration corresponding to the computed repair duration data.

4. An apparatus for managing a rental vehicle reservation for a replacement vehicle corresponding to a disabled vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory, the memory configured to (1) store a plurality of labor hours scalars, the labor hours scalars being associated with a plurality of parties such that each labor hours scalar is associated with at least one party, (2) store a plurality of business rules, the business rules being associated with a plurality of parties such that each business rule is associated with at least one party, wherein the business rules comprise a plurality of automated extensions rules such that a plurality of different parties employ different business rules for automatically extending replacement rental vehicle reservations, and (3) store data indicative of an authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation in association with that replacement rental vehicle reservation; and

wherein the processor is configured to (1) receive data representative of an estimation of a number of labor hours to repair the disabled vehicle, (2) determine a party associated with the received labor hours estimation data, (3) select the stored labor hours scalar that is associated with the determined party, (4) select the stored automated extension rule that is associated with the determined party, (5) automatically compute data indicative of an estimated duration for the repair to the disabled vehicle based on an application of the selected labor hours scalar to the received labor hours estimation data, and (5) perform a management operation on the replacement rental vehicle reservation that corresponds to the disabled vehicle by (i) determining whether the authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation would end prior to repairs being completed for the disabled vehicle based on the computed repair duration data and the authorization duration data, and (ii) in response to a determination by the processor that the authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation would end prior to repairs being completed for the disabled vehicle, automatically extending the replacement rental vehicle reservation in accordance with the selected automated extension rule to thereby associate the replacement rental vehicle reservation with a new authorization duration.

10. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the memory is further configured to store data representative of a repair facility, the repair facility being the party associated with the received labor hours estimation data.

11. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the memory is further configured to store data representative of an insurance company and a repair facility, a pair of the insurance company and the repair facility being the party associated with the received labor hours estimation data.

12. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the processor is further configured to receive the labor hours estimation data from a repair facility computer.

19. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the memory is further configured to store data representative of an insurance company, the insurance being the party associated with the received labor hours estimation data.

20. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a rental vehicle reservation management computer system, the processor and memory being resident within the rental vehicle reservation management computer system.

21. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the processor is further configured to automatically schedule a callback reminder for the replacement rental vehicle reservation in response to the received labor hours estimation data.

32. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the processor is further configured to apply the selected labor hours scalar to the received labor hours estimation data to translate the labor hours estimation data into a number of business days needed by the repair facility to perform those labor hours.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the processor is further configured to (1) receive a status identifier as to whether the disabled vehicle is nondriveable, and (2) automatically compute the estimated repair duration data based at least in part on an adjustment amount corresponding to the received status identifier.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the processor is further configured to define the nondriveable adjustment amount on a party-specific basis.

35. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the estimated repair duration data based at least in part on an adjustment amount corresponding to whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any weekend days.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the processor is further configured to define the weekend adjustment amount on a party-specific basis.

37. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the estimated repair duration data based at least in part on an adjustment amount corresponding to whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any holiday days.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the processor is further configured to define the holiday adjustment amount on a party-specific basis.

41. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the processor is further configured to (1) receive labor hours estimation data and automatically compute the estimated repair duration data for a plurality of rental vehicle reservations, and (2) generate an audit report for the plurality of rental vehicle reservations based at least in part on the received labor hours estimation data and the computed estimated repair duration data.

42. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the party comprises a repair facility.

43. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the party comprises an insurance company-repair facility pair.

5. A computer-implemented method for managing a rental vehicle reservation for a replacement vehicle corresponding to a disabled vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving data representative of an estimation of a number of labor hours to repair the disabled vehicle;

receiving data corresponding to an explanation for a repair delay to the disabled vehicle;

storing a plurality of labor hours scalars in a memory, the labor hours scalars being associated with a plurality of parties such that each labor hours scalar is associated with at least one party;

determining a party associated with the received labor hours estimation data;

selecting the stored labor hours scalar that is associated with the determined party;

automatically computing data indicative of an estimated duration for the repair to the disabled vehicle, wherein the automatically computing step comprises (1) applying the selected labor hours scalar to the received labor hours estimation data to translate the labor hours estimation data into a number of business days needed by the repair facility to perform those labor hours and (2) automatically computing the estimated repair duration data based at least in part on an adjustment amount corresponding to whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any holiday days and an adjustment amount corresponding to the explanation data; and

performing a management operation on the replacement rental vehicle reservation that corresponds to the disabled vehicle based on the computed data indicative of the estimated repair duration; and

wherein the method steps are performed by a processor in cooperation with the memory.

13. The method of claim 5 wherein the replacement rental vehicle reservation is associated with data indicative of an authorization duration for that replacement rental vehicle reservation, and wherein the management operation performing step comprises:

the processor determining whether the authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation would end prior to repairs being completed for the disabled vehicle based on the computed repair duration data and the authorization duration data; and

in response to a determination by the processor that the authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation would end prior to repairs being completed for the disabled vehicle, the processor automatically extending the replacement rental vehicle reservation to thereby associate the replacement rental vehicle reservation with a new authorization duration.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the automatically extending step comprises the processor automatically storing data in the memory that is indicative of the new authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation such that an expiration of the new authorization duration coincides in time with an end of the repair duration corresponding to the computed repair duration data.

29. The method of claim 5 further comprising the processor defining the explanation data adjustment amount on a party-specific basis.

30. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

the processor determining whether the explanation data corresponds to an explanation categorized as an adjustment explanation or an extension explanation; and

wherein the automatically computing step comprises the processor automatically computing the estimated repair duration data based at least in part on an adjustment amount corresponding to the explanation data that has been determined to be categorized as an adjustment explanation but not on an adjustment amount corresponding to the explanation data that has been determined to be categorized as an extension explanation.

6. An apparatus for managing a rental vehicle reservation for a replacement vehicle corresponding to a disabled vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory, the memory configured to store a plurality of labor hours scalars, the labor hours scalars being associated with a plurality of parties such that each labor hours scalar is associated with at least one party; and

wherein the processor is configured to (1) receive data representative of an estimation of a number of labor hours to repair the disabled vehicle, (2) receive data corresponding to an explanation for a repair delay to the disabled vehicle, (3) determine a party associated with the received labor hours estimation data, (4) select the stored labor hours scalar that is associated with the determined party, (5) apply the selected labor hours scalar to the received labor hours estimation data to translate the labor hours estimation data into a number of business days needed by the repair facility to perform those labor hours, (6) automatically compute data indicative of an estimated duration for the repair to the disabled vehicle based at least in part on (i) the translated number of business days, (ii) an adjustment amount corresponding to whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any holiday days, and (iii) an adjustment amount corresponding to the explanation data, and (7) perform a management operation on the replacement rental vehicle reservation that corresponds to the disabled vehicle based on the computed data indicative of the estimated repair duration.

17. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the memory is further configured to store data indicative of an authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation in association with that replacement rental vehicle reservation, and wherein the processor is further configured to perform the management operation by (1) determining whether the authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation would end prior to repairs being completed for the disabled vehicle based on the computed repair duration data and the authorization duration data, and (2) in response to a determination by the processor that the authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation would end prior to repairs being completed for the disabled vehicle, automatically extending the replacement rental vehicle reservation to thereby associate the replacement rental vehicle reservation with a new authorization duration.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the processor is further configured to automatically extend the replacement rental vehicle reservation by automatically storing data in the memory that is indicative of the new authorization duration for the replacement rental vehicle reservation such that an expiration of the new authorization duration coincides in time with an end of the repair duration corresponding to the computed repair duration data.

39. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the processor is further configured to define the explanation data adjustment amount on a party-specific basis.

40. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the processor is further configured to (1) determine whether the explanation data corresponds to an explanation categorized as an adjustment explanation or an extension explanation, and (2) automatically compute the estimated repair duration data based at least in part on an adjustment amount corresponding to the explanation data that has been determined to be categorized as an adjustment explanation but not on an adjustment amount corresponding to the explanation data that has been determined to be categorized as an extension explanation.