Abstract:
A method of granting a service provider access to a vehicle of a customer to facilitate provision of services therefor is disclosed. The method includes the acts of scheduling a service appointment with the service provider for servicing at least one of the vehicle and articles placed within the interior or trunk of the vehicle, and, if the service appointment is scheduled for the articles, then locking the interior or trunk of the vehicle with the articles placed therein. The method further includes the acts of attaching a security storage box to the vehicle or in proximity to the vehicle, and locking a means for accessing the interior or trunk of the vehicle in the security storage box, granting access to the service provider to the means for accessing locked in the security storage box, and permitting access to the interior or trunk of the vehicle using the means for accessing to afford service to the vehicle or the articles.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/005,971, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is generally related to a method for providing services to customers using controlled access to the customers&#39; vehicles to facilitate the provision thereof. More particularly, the present invention is related to a method for providing scheduled services to customers relying on granting of controlled access to the customers&#39; vehicles to facilitate exchanges between the customers and service providers. More specifically, the present invention is related to a method of scheduling a date and location for the provision of services, and performing the scheduled services to customers by relying on the customers&#39; vehicles and controlled access granted thereto as a platform to facilitate exchanges between the customers and service providers. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Typically, customers requiring services depend on service providers to have fixed locations or service vehicles to facilitate the provision of such services. As such, the customers must visit the fixed locations and/or the service vehicles must visit the customers to initiate and complete the service. Either way, the customers (or their agents) oftentimes must at some time meet with the service providers to facilitate the provision of such services. Given the conflicting schedules thereof, arranging such a meeting may never be convenient for the customers and service providers. 
         [0006]    For example, difficulties may arise in arranging service for vehicles. Rather than servicing vehicles themselves, vehicle owners oftentimes rely on service garages to service their vehicles. In doing so, vehicle owners either remain onsite or leave their vehicles at the service garages for servicing. As such, the vehicle owners must either wait until servicing of their vehicles is complete, or, if their vehicles are left at the service garages, arrange for transportation from and back to the service garages. Either way, the vehicle owners are exposed to the inconvenience of waiting or arranging transportation. In certain circumstances, when the wait for service is excessive, or the service garages are located far from the vehicle owners&#39; place of business or home, the vehicle owners can be extremely inconvenienced. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, even if the service garages employed service vehicles, the vehicle owners must still meet the employees operating the service vehicles at their place of business or home to facilitate performance of the service. Unless the vehicles are left unlocked or the service garages are previously provided with access, the employees operating the service vehicles would not have access to the vehicles without meeting the vehicle owners. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, for the convenience of customers, there is a need for a method for providing services to customers using controlled access to the customers&#39; vehicles to facilitate the provision thereof. Such a method can employ the convenience of email and/or the Internet for account setup and scheduling, and rely on granting of controlled access to the customers&#39; vehicles to facilitate exchanges between the customers and service providers, and thus enable the service providers to provide the scheduled services. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention in one preferred embodiment contemplates method of granting a service provider access to a vehicle of a customer to facilitate provision of services therefor including the acts of scheduling a service appointment with the service provider for servicing at least one of the vehicle and articles placed within the interior or trunk of the vehicle, if the service appointment is scheduled for the articles, then locking the interior or trunk of the vehicle with the articles placed therein, attaching a security storage box to the vehicle or in proximity to the vehicle, and locking a means for accessing the interior or trunk of the vehicle in the security storage box, granting access to the service provider to the means for accessing locked in the security storage box, and permitting access the interior or trunk of the vehicle using the means for accessing to afford service to the vehicle or the articles. 
         [0010]    The present invention in a further preferred embodiment contemplates a method of accessing a vehicle of a customer by a service provider to facilitate provision of services therefor including the acts of confirming an appointment with the customer for servicing at least one of the vehicle and articles placed within the interior or trunk of the vehicle, locating the vehicle on a date and at a location selected by the customer, unlocking a security storage box attached to the vehicle or in proximity to the vehicle to obtain a means for accessing the interior or trunk of the vehicle, accessing the interior or trunk of the vehicle using the means for accessing, if the service appointment is for the vehicle, servicing the vehicle, if the service appointment is for the articles, removing the articles, servicing the articles, and returning the articles to the interior or trunk of the vehicle, and, after the service is complete, locking the vehicle. 
         [0011]    The present invention in another preferred embodiment contemplates a method of accessing a vehicle of a customer by a service provider to facilitate provision of services therefor including establishing an account with the service provider, scheduling a specified date and a specified location for a service appointment, scheduling services to be performed by the service provider during the service appointment, attaching a security storage box to the vehicle or in proximity to the vehicle, and locking a means for accessing the interior or trunk of the vehicle in the security storage box, granting access to the service provider to the means for accessing locked in the security storage box, locating the vehicle on the specified date in the specified location, unlocking the security storage box to obtain the means for accessing, accessing the interior or trunk of the vehicle using the means for accessing, and performing the service, and after the service is complete, locking the vehicle. 
         [0012]    It is understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and exemplary only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. Together with the description, they serve to explain the objects, advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of the method according to the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts a security storage box attached to a window of a vehicle; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2A  depicts a perspective view of the security storage box; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  depicts a mobile service station used as part of the present invention for servicing a vehicle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    The following description is intended to be representative only and not limiting, and many variations can be anticipated according to these teachings. Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of this invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a method according to one embodiment of the present invention which is generally indicated by the numeral  10 . Method  10  includes steps numbered  20 - 42 . Using method  10 , a service appointment for a vehicle can be scheduled by customers with service providers. In doing so, the customers can schedule a date and a location for the service appointment, and request the type of services to be performed. The method  10 , as discussed below, relies on controlled access to vehicles  12  of the customers to facilitate exchanges between the customers and service providers, and thus enable the service providers to provide the scheduled services. In doing so, customers&#39; vehicles  12  serve as a platform facilitating exchanges between the customers and service providers. 
         [0020]    As discussed below, a security storage box (or lock box)  14  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2A ), and a key, a keyless entry device, or a note with a security code provided thereon are used in granting controlled access to a vehicle  12  of the customer. Using security storage box  14 , the customer&#39;s vehicle  12  can be locked, but access to the interiors or trucks thereof can be still granted to the service providers. 
         [0021]    Using method  10 , the customer can schedule services for articles requiring pick up and drop off from their vehicles, and/or schedule services for the vehicles themselves. For example, on a specified date while the customers&#39; vehicles can be parked at, for example, a specified location such as at or adjacent the customer&#39;s place of business or home. On the specified date, the service providers drive to the specified location to pick up or drop off articles from the interiors or trunks of the customers&#39; vehicles or perform the scheduled services thereon. 
         [0022]    Services provided by the service providers can include, but are not limited to, laundry service and dry-cleaning services. Other services where customers can leave articles in the vehicles  12  for pick up are also contemplated using method  10 . With access thereto, the service providers can pick up the clothing (or other articles) from the customers&#39; vehicles  12 , perform the laundry and dry-cleaning (or other) services, and drop off the clothing (or other articles) once those services are completed. Furthermore, the services provided on the vehicles themselves can include, but are not limited to, changing fluids of the vehicle, replacing parts on the vehicle, checking tire pressure and battery charge, and detailing the vehicle. 
         [0023]    The service providers can employ service vehicles  16  adapted to facilitate the services provided. For example, if the service providers are providing service on the customers&#39; vehicles, service vehicles such as a mobile service station  18  ( FIG. 3 ) can be used. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , mobile service station  18  can be a pickup truck, and equipment and materials generally indicated by the numeral  19  mounted thereon for performing the scheduled services. Depending on the type of scheduled services to be provided, mobile service station  18  can be equipped with different equipment and materials for a particular service appointment. Furthermore, although, as shown in  FIG. 3 , mobile service station  18  is a pickup truck, mobile service station  18  is not limited thereto. For example, mobile service vehicle  18  can also be a trailer with equipment and materials mounted thereon. 
         [0025]    For example, to change the fluids of the vehicle, the mobile service station  18  can be equipped with a jack stand for access to the undercarriage of the vehicle and/or vacuum system (e.g., Sage OIL VAC® vacuum system) to drain and withdraw, respectively, fluids from the vehicle. The vacuum system can be used to reduce the possibility of spillage of fluids. Furthermore, the mobile service station  18  can be equipped with storage tanks, drums, and/or cans containing various fluids, as well as fluid dispensers for replenishing the fluids from the vehicle. The fluids can include any fluids useful in the maintenance, repair, and/or care of a vehicle in particular including, but not limited to various grades of motor oil, antifreeze, transmission/transaxle fluid, differential fluid, power steering fluid, gasoline, water, and/or windshield-wiper fluid. Therefore, if the scheduled services include changing and/or filling any of the above-mentioned fluids, mobile service station  18  can be equipped to facilitate such services. For example, the scheduled services can include changing the oil of the vehicle and filling the vehicle with gasoline. 
         [0026]    Additionally, mobile service station  18  can include storage for replacement parts for the vehicle. Such replacement parts can include, for example, air filters, oil filters, windshield-wiper blades, and bulbs for exterior lights. Therefore, depending on the scheduled services, mobile service station  18 , in addition to the above-discussed equipment and materials, can include replacement parts necessary to complete the services. Furthermore, if the scheduled services include checking and adjusting the vehicle&#39;s tire pressure and/or battery charge, mobile service station  18  can include an air compressor and a battery charger, respectively. Moreover, if the scheduled services include detailing the vehicle, the mobile station can include car-washing tools and/or a vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, equipping mobile service station  18  with the above-discussed equipment and materials affords the service provider flexibility to provide the scheduled services. 
         [0027]    Using method  10 , a customer at step  20 , before setting up a service appointment for articles requiring service or the customer&#39;s vehicle  12 , sets up an account with the service provider. In doing so, the customer can set up the account via telephone or the Internet using a website associated with the service provider. For example when setting up an account, the customer submits contact, billing, and vehicle information to the website of the service provider. The contact and billing information, for example, can include name, address, phone number, and payment details. Furthermore, to facilitate use of the customer&#39;s vehicle  12  as a platform facilitating exchanges between the customer and service provider, information regarding vehicle  12  is provided to the service provider. Such vehicle information can include the vehicle&#39;s license number, year, make, model, and possibly a picture of the vehicle, and, if the customer&#39;s vehicle is to be serviced, the vehicle&#39;s mileage and service history. 
         [0028]    Once the account is set up, at step  22  the customer can schedule a service appointment also via telephone or the Internet. When using the Internet to schedule the service appointment, information can be exchanged between the customer and service provider using the website or by email-based communication. For example, the website of the service provider can be adapted with input and output fields to afford scheduling of a service appointment by the customer, or the customer and service provider can communicate regarding scheduling via email. 
         [0029]    When scheduling the service appointment, the customer at step  24  can ascertain available dates and locations provided (via telephone and/or the Internet) by the service provider, and can schedule a date and a location for the service appointment accordingly. Furthermore, at step  26  the customer can request and/or select (via telephone and/or the Internet) the type of services to be performed. The availability of service appointments may depend on whether the service provider will be servicing a particular locale. Alternatively, the service provider can email the customer with dates that a particular locale will be served, and ask whether a service appointment is needed. By return email, the customer can schedule a date and a location for the services accordingly, and request the types of services to be performed on the vehicle. 
         [0030]    Prior to the service appointment for the vehicle, the service provider can provide mobile service station  18  at step  28  with equipment and materials  19  necessary to facilitate transport of the articles and/or provide the scheduled services. 
         [0031]    Also prior to the service appointment, the customer at step  30  can arrange for the service provider to have access to the vehicle. As discussed above, the customer can utilize security storage box  14  such as that shown in  FIG. 3  to grant access to the customer&#39;s vehicle even when locked. 
         [0032]    To grant access to the service provider, security storage box  14  can be attached, for example, to a window  50  of the customer&#39;s vehicle  12 , or in close proximity thereto. To secure security storage box  14  to the customer&#39;s vehicle  12 , a portion thereof can be trapped between the window and door jam/frame of the vehicle  12 . Furthermore, besides being attached to the customer&#39;s vehicle, security storage box  14  could be fixedly attached to a structure adjacent the location where the vehicle is ultimately parked. 
         [0033]    Security storage box  14  includes a lip  52  to facilitate attachment of the customer&#39;s vehicle  12 . During attachment, window  50  is inserted between lip  52  and the remainder of security storage box  14 . Thereafter, the closing of window  50  secures security storage box  14  to the customer&#39;s vehicle  12  by trapping security storage box  14 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , security storage box  14  is trapped between window  50  and a door jam  54  of the customer&#39;s vehicle  12 . For other vehicles (not shown), storage box  14  could be trapped between the window and a door frame (not shown) thereof. 
         [0034]    Security storage box  14  can be purchased by the customer, or loaned to or rented by the service provider to the customer. Security storage box  14  (besides lip  52 ) also includes body  56 , a lid  58 , and a lock  60 . Lid  58  is hingedly connected to body  56 , and a compartment (not shown) formed in body  56  can be covered by lid  58 . Lock  60  (such as a combination or keyed lock) is used to secure lid  58  to body  56 , and restrict access to the compartment. As such, the key, the keyless entry device, and/or the note with the security code provided thereon for the customer&#39;s vehicle  12  can be placed in the compartment to be locked inside security storage box  14 . 
         [0035]    An exemplary security storage box  14  is sold by HPC, Inc. under the brand-name Auto Key Keeper™. Whether purchased, loaned or rented, access to the security storage box  14  must be arranged. If purchased, the combination or a copy of an individualized key can be provided to the service provider by the customer to gain access to the interior of security storage box  14 . If loaned or rented, a combination or copy of an individualized key can be provided to the customer, and the service provider can rely on the combination and the individualized key, or a master key applicable to some or all of the boxes loaned or rented thereby to gain access to security storage box  14 . 
         [0036]    When loaned to the customer, the service provider can retrieve security storage box  14  from the customer at the time the scheduled services have been performed. As such, the services can be performed on a single occasion without the need for the service provider to retrieve security storage box  14  at a later time. 
         [0037]    Use of security storage box  14  grants access to the key, the keyless entry device, and/or or the note with the security code provided thereon for customer&#39;s vehicle  12  by the service provider, and hence, grants access to the customer&#39;s locked vehicle. With such access, the service provider can pick up and drop off articles requiring service, and perform services on the customer&#39;s vehicle  12 . Furthermore, with the access to the customer&#39;s vehicle  12  afforded by security storage box  14 , the services can be provided without need of a meeting between the customer and service provider. 
         [0038]    Once the customer has scheduled a date and location for the service appointment and provided access for the service provider to the vehicle, customer at step  32  leaves the vehicle on the specified date in the specified location. If necessary, the precise location of the vehicle can be provided by the customer (via telephone and/or the Internet) on the date of service appointment to the service provider. For example, if the customer, while at work, parks the vehicle in a parking garage or lot, the precise location (e.g., parking space, row, and/or deck number within the parking garage or lot) of the vehicle can be provided to the service provider. 
         [0039]    Thereafter, the service provider at step  34  locates the vehicle. Security storage box  14  can itself service as an identifier of which vehicle is the customer&#39;s vehicle  12 . For example, security storage box  14  can be colored and/or include markings identifying the customer. Furthermore, security storage box  14  can be equipped with a GPS (global positioning system) locator and/or a RFID (radio frequency identification) locator. Using these locators, the service provider can pinpoint the location of the customer&#39;s vehicle  12 . 
         [0040]    However, to locate the vehicle, the service provider must also have access to the location where the vehicle is located. If the vehicle is parked at the home of the customer, then the customer can provide access to the vehicle. However, if the vehicle is parked in a parking garage or lot, the service provider must have access to the parking garage or lot. Accordingly, the service provider may arrange by agreement with the owner or operator of the parking garage or lot for access thereto. Such an agreement can be mutually beneficial to the service provider and the owner or operator. For example, in exchange for access to the parking garage or lot, the service provider can provide exclusivity by agreeing to only service that particular parking garage or lot. The owner or operator of the parking garage or lot can then market their parking services to patrons thereof as having the exclusive benefits afforded by the service provider. Furthermore, such an agreement could afford the service provider permission to market services to the patrons of the parking garage or lot. 
         [0041]    At step  36 , the service provider accesses security storage box  14  to obtain the key, the keyless entry device, and/or the note with the security code provided thereon to gain access to the customer&#39;s locked vehicle. 
         [0042]    Thereafter, at step  38 , the specified services are performed by the service provider for articles requiring service or on the customers&#39; vehicles. To facilitate service of the articles, the service provider (with access to the customer&#39;s vehicle) can pick up and remove the articles from the customer&#39;s vehicle  12  and then service the articles. If necessary, the service provider can remove the articles to a remote location to perform the services. 
         [0043]    Furthermore, when servicing the customer&#39;s vehicle  12 , the key, the keyless entry device, and/or the security code provided by the customer will afford the service provider access to the vehicle, and, if necessary, allow the vehicle to be temporarily moved. In doing so, spill/safety mats can be placed under the vehicle. The spill/safety mats cover and protect the surroundings, for example, in the parking garage or lot where the vehicle is parked. Furthermore, if the vehicle is moved from a parking space in a parking garage or lot, a space holder such as a sign, parking cone, or other physical barrier can be positioned in that parking space. If using a sign, the sign can, for example, indicate that any vehicle parked in that parking space will be towed. 
         [0044]    After the scheduled services have been performed, at step  40  the service provider can drop off and return the articles to the customer&#39;s vehicle  12 , and lock vehicle  12  with the articles placed therein. If necessary, the vehicle can be returned to its previous location. 
         [0045]    At step  40 , the key, the keyless entry device, and the note with the security code provided thereon can be returned to the customer using security storage box  14 , and an indicator can be left on the vehicle noting that scheduled services have been completed. Furthermore, if security storage box  14  has been loaned to the customer, the service provider, rather than returning them in security storage box  14 , can leave the key, the keyless entry device, or the note with the security code provided thereon in the customer&#39;s locked vehicle  12 . In doing, the service provider can retrieve security storage box  14  from the customer at the time the scheduled services have been performed. By retrieving security storage box  14  at the time the scheduled services have been performed, the service provide can remove the necessity for retrieving security storage box  14  from the customer at a later time. 
         [0046]    Thereafter, at step  42 , the customer can be billed, and a detailed receipt and any additional information regarding the scheduled services can be left in the compartment of security storage box  14  or in the interior or trunk of the customer&#39;s vehicle  12 . Furthermore, the detailed receipt and the additional information can be communicated to the customer via the Internet. In doing so, the detailed receipt and the additional information can be reviewed by the customer, for example, through the website of the service provider or emailed to the customer. 
         [0047]    Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.