Patent ID: 7216094
Filing Date: 2007-05-08
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method in a computer system for ordering a leased vehicle for addition to a vehicle fleet comprising: (a) electronically soliciting from a fleet manager fleet specifications circumscribing parameters of vehicles available for subsequent addition to the vehicle fleet by a driver; (b) electronically soliciting from the fleet manager a plurality of driver classes, wherein the fleet manager determines parameters of vehicles and options available for addition to the vehicle fleet for each of the plurality of driver classes; (c) electronically soliciting from the fleet manager driver class specifications for the driver class of the driver, including soliciting a selection of a vehicle and a plurality of options available for subsequent selection by the driver for the vehicle, including displaying to the fleet manager a plurality of available vehicles, allowing the fleet manager to select the vehicle from the plurality of available vehicles, further allowing the fleet manager to indicate the plurality of options available for subsequent selection by the driver for the vehicle, and allowing the fleet manager to assign the vehicle to at least one of the plurality of driver classes; (d) receiving from the driver a selection of a vehicle specification, wherein the act of displaying the plurality of options to the driver for selection thereof includes an indication of a subset of the plurality of options that if selected will be paid for by the driver so that the driver can further customize the selected vehicle; and (e) electronically receiving from the fleet manager a first change and a second change to the parameters of vehicles and options available for addition to the vehicle fleet, wherein the first change affects only vehicles or options available to one of the plurality of driver classes, and wherein the second change affects vehicles or options available to all of the plurality of driver classes.