Abstract:
A system and method for collecting revenue for the leasing of an apparatus. The system controls the availability of the apparatus by either: restricting use of the apparatus only if a timely lease payment has been made; making the apparatus available for use under the condition that the lessee of the apparatus has made timely payment; or a combination of thereof. The system utilizes a smart electronic data storage device to assist in debiting a lessee&#39;s account remotely via the Internet and allows leasing of the apparatus either for a given period of time or on a per-use basis.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a system and method for collecting revenue for the leasing of an apparatus. Specifically, the method pertains to a system for controlling the availability of the apparatus by either restricting use of the apparatus only if a timely lease payment has been made; making the apparatus available for use under the condition that the lessee of the apparatus has made timely payment; or a combination of thereof. The preferred method utilizes an electronic data storage device to assist in debiting a lessee&#39;s account remotely via the Internet and allows leasing of the apparatus either for a given period of time or on a per-use basis. Although the system may be incorporated for leasing various types of equipment, by way of one example the present invention discloses use in conjunction with the leasing of open-air golf cart air conditioners. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is desirable in the business of leasing equipment to individuals and corporate entities to have an efficient and secure method for delivering and receiving payments. Of principal concern for the owner of the equipment is the assurance of payment. It is desirable for the equipment owner to regulate use of the equipment such that when a lessee fails to make a timely payment for use of the equipment, the equipment may be disabled from further use. It is also desirable for an equipment owner to lease equipment for a given period of time based upon advance payment such that at the conclusion of the rental period, the equipment will be disabled until further payment can be made. The present invention disclosed herein addresses all of the concerns described above and provides a system whereby a rental equipment owner can lease equipment to third parties and receive payment using various options and prohibit further use of the rental equipment until payment is made both remotely and securely through the Internet. 
         [0003]    By way of illustrative example, open-air golf carts are often utilized in extreme temperatures. When golfers play during the hot temperatures of summer or in the cold temperatures of winter, it is desirable to maintain a comfortable environment while driving around a golf course. One approach to address the problem is by installing a portable air conditioner in the golf cart itself. In one instance, one or more portable air conditioners may be provided to a golf course and installed for use in its fleet of open-air carts. Rather than selling the units outright, the owner may prefer to lease the air conditioner units either directly to the golf course or to an individual golfer. 
         [0004]    In the case where the golf course is the lessee, the lessor may prefer to rent the equipment on a per-use basis or for a given block of time. In the case of an individual golfer, it is likely that the rental period would be on a per-use basis only. Because the air conditioner units are usually secured permanently to the golf carts, and because not all golfers may wish to rent the air conditioner, securing rental payments becomes a more cumbersome task. 
         [0005]    It is also understood that to a person of reasonable skill in the art that the underlying claimed invention can be utilized in other applications such as the leasing of coin operated appliances such as washers and dryers, vehicles, home electronics, or any other similar application. 
       DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0006]    Methods and devices used to disable equipment that is leased on a short-term basis are known in the prior art. More specifically, a pay-per-use rental scheme where the leased equipment is disabled absent timely payment is discussed in the prior art. Other similar portable air conditioning devices are disclosed in other U.S. patent. 
         [0007]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,668 issued to Sharrow, the inventor disclosed a pay-per-use system of collecting revenue for appliance rentals. However, the disclosure is limited to appliances used in the hospitality industry. Furthermore, it does not consider the situation where the equipment is provided from a first entity to a second entity and leased to a third entity in combination with the fact that the rental equipment may be highly mobile as in the case with vehicles or portable air conditioning units for golf carts. 
         [0008]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,356,881 issued to Milch et al, the inventor disclosed a pay-per-use system for collecting revenue from laundry equipment leased to a hotel toward the purchase of the equipment by the hotel. The disclosure does not consider the inherent problems with mobile equipment like that of the portable air conditioner unit and the security issues related to the mobility of the devices. 
         [0009]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,862,496 issued to Fukuoka et al, the inventor disclosed a device for transmitting information about the status of the laundry cycle to a third party and for charging the third party at the conclusion of the laundry cycle. Although the disclosure describes a method for debiting the third party&#39;s bank account, the disclosure does not consider the inherent problems with mobile equipment like that of the portable air conditioner unit and the security issues related to the mobility of the devices. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,917,853 and publication US2005/0166028 issued to Chirnomas disclosed a method for controlling leased or rented vending equipment. However, nothing in the Chirnomas disclosures disclosed a method for controlling equipment on a pay-per-use basis. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,624,744 issued to Wilson et al discloses a golf cart keyless control system that operates on a pay-per-use basis. Although this patent disclosed a system to limit the use of a golf cart to those individuals who have either paid for its use or must maintain the cart, it did not disclose the method employed in the present invention for prospective and retrospective billing for third party billing and the rental of third party equipment secured on golf carts. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method to control an apparatus for the purpose of eliciting the payment of fees in exchange for use of the apparatus. 
         [0013]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method to control an apparatus for the purpose of eliciting the payment of fees in exchange for the availability of use of the apparatus for a given period of time. 
         [0014]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a secure method of payment of fees remotely utilizing a portable electronic data storage device to store usage data so that the usage data may be transferred from a first location to a second location. 
         [0015]    It is a further object of the present invention to remotely terminate use of an apparatus if payment is not received from the user of the apparatus in a timely fashion. 
         [0016]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a point of sale system wherein the system debits the user&#39;s bank account remotely via the Internet. 
         [0017]    It is a further object of the present invention to utilize the system for remote payment and control of rental equipment such as a portable air conditioning unit for a golf cart. 
         [0018]    It is a further object of the present invention to have the rental equipment contain a device for storing usage data for subsequent transmission to a remote location for further processing. 
         [0019]    The description of the invention which follows, together with the accompanying drawings should not be construed as limiting the invention to the example shown and described, because those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains will be able to devise other forms thereof within the ambit of the appended claims. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a drawing that displays the system on a macroscopic level; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a detailed block diagram view of the computer server that controls the system; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a detailed block diagram view of a remote computer usually located at the lessee&#39;s premises; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a detailed view of a first remote location such as the golf course clubhouse on a golf course showing a computer connected via the internet to a computer at a second remote location; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the method for collecting revenue using a prospective billing scheme; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the method for collecting revenue using a retrospective billing scheme. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0026]    By way of one example of many to serve as background in understanding the present invention,  FIG. 1  shows a macroscopic view of the invention  100 . The system includes a first location such as a remote billing facility  110 , a second location such as a golf course clubhouse  120  and a leased fleet of equipment such as open air golf cart air conditioners  130  that are secured to golf carts  140 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the remote billing facility includes an Internet web server  150 . A more detailed view of the server  150  is shown in  FIG. 2 . The server  150  utilizes a database  152  for storing data for all leased equipment such as the air conditioner  130  and is connected to the Internet  154 . It is presumed that database  152  will store data for several air conditioners  130  that would be secured to several golf carts  140  at multiple golf course locations. The data stored in the database  152  includes the identification number  132  for each air conditioner  130  and for each identification number  132  an associated golf course identification number  134 , a record of time  156  each air conditioner  130  has been in use, and payment history  158 . The server  150  will also include a software program  159  for assigning an encrypted code key number  160 . The key number  160  is used to validate and process payment information that originates from the clubhouse  120  and will be further described shortly. The server  150  is connected to the internet  154 . 
         [0028]    The clubhouse  120  includes a remote computer  200 . A more detailed view of the remote computer  200  is shown in  FIG. 3 . The remote computer  200  includes at least one hardware interface  210  for communicating with an electronic data storage device  220  and a first real time clock  230 . The computer  200  further includes software  240  for decrypting the encrypted code key number  160  generated by the software  159  on the server  150 . The computer  200  contains a database  250  such that the database  250  is structured to include an air conditioner identification number  132  for each air conditioner  130 , time of usage data  156  for both allowed time of usage and elapsed time of usage for each air conditioner unit  130 , activation status  157  for each air conditioner  130 , and the encrypted code key number  160  for each air conditioner unit  130 . The computer  200  may also include, or interface with, a point-of-sale processing unit  260  for transacting payments for use of the air conditioner units  130 . 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the air conditioner  130  includes a remote processing unit  300 .  FIG. 4  shows a detailed view of the processing unit  300 . The unit  300  includes a second real time clock  330 , a hardware interface  340  for communicating with the electronic data storage device  220 , the air conditioner identification number  132 , stored in electronic memory  342 , and an activation status identifier  344  for the air conditioner  130 . The second real time clock  330  is synchronized with the first real time clock  330  to ensure proper timing within the system. 
         [0030]    The mode of use referred to as the retrospective billing mode is simultaneously described in  FIG. 5 . The system allows the air conditioner  130  to operate for a distinct period of time. For the purpose of describing the preferred method of operation, it is presumed that the air conditioner  130  is has been previously activated such that the remote processing unit  300  indicates a time remaining status of thirty days. During the thirty-day period, the air conditioner  130  may be operated in conjunction with usage of the golf cart  140 . At the conclusion of the thirty-day period, the golf cart  140  may still be used, however, the activation status identifier  157  in the remote processing unit  300  is set to “off” thereby terminating any further use of the air conditioner  130  until the status identifier  157  is reset to “on”. 
         [0031]    The remote computer  200  will alert the clubhouse  120  that the air conditioner  130  is either inactive or is about to become inactive and that the accumulated hours must be collected and paid for in order to continue operation of the air conditioner  130 . Once the time remaining in the remote processing unit  300  reaches zero, further use of the air conditioner  130  is precluded. An individual must place the electronic data storage device  220  near the hardware interface  330  so that the identification number  132  and the duration of use data  335  is transferred from the memory  342  of the remote processing unit  300  to the electronic data storage device  220 . The data  335  can be encrypted for additional security. The electronic data storage device  220  is also presumed to have sufficient memory to collect data  335  from hundreds of air conditioners  130 . 
         [0032]    Once all of the data  335  from one or more air conditioners  130  has been acquired and stored on the electronic data storage device  220 , the electronic data storage device  220  is placed near the hardware interface  210  of the remote computer  200  at the clubhouse  120 . The data  335  from the electronic data storage device  220  is then transferred to the remote computer  200  which then calculates the total amount of time the air conditioner(s)  130  had been in use for a given time period. In order to secure the process, the remote computer  200  then generates and displays an encrypted code  160  that contains the golf course identification number  134  and usage data  335 . Once the encrypted code  160  is obtained, an individual must access the Internet web server  150 , preferably or most likely from the remote computer  200 . Typically, this is done by logging into a website  151  through the Internet  154  that is maintained on the web server  150 . Once accessed, the individual enters the encrypted code  160  along with payment information  158  such as a credit card or bank account number, into the website  151 . The web server  150  then processes the transaction and issues a new encrypted number  161  that correlates to the golf course identification number  134  and provides the new usage data  335  for activating the air conditioner  130  for a specified period of time. The encrypted number  161  is then entered into the remote computer  200 . 
         [0033]    To reactivate the air conditioner  130 , the electronic data storage device  220  is held near the second hardware interface  210  that is connected to the remote computer  200 . The remote computer  200  transfers the usage data  335 , corresponding golf course identification number  134  and the air conditioner identification number  132  to the electronic data storage device  220 . Again, this information may be encrypted for security purposes. The electronic data storage device  220  is then held near one or more of the hardware interface(s)  210  on the remote processing units  300  on the air conditioners  130  that must be activated. The remote processing units  300  then extract the usage data  335 , corresponding golf course identification number  134 , and the air conditioner identification number  132  from the electronic data storage device  220 . The activation status  344  of the air conditioner  130  is then switched to on. 
         [0034]    In an alternative embodiment, the entire process of transmitting usage data  335  between the remote computer  200  and the remote processing unit  300  could be accomplished using a secure wireless transmission between the computer  200  and the unit  300 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , when used in the Prospective Billing mode, the system allows the user to pay for the use of the air conditioner  130  at the clubhouse  120  and to activate the air conditioner  130  by using the electronic data storage device  220 . The air conditioner  130  can be activated based upon an anticipated set amount of time or an absolute time such as a specific time of day. For implementing the prospective billing mode, the electronic data storage device  220  may contain at least the following data: golf course identification number  134 , paid time data  156  or absolute time of day  156   a , and an encryption key number  160 . The remote processing unit  300  maintains a real time clock  330  which may keep track of relative or absolute time and date and unique air conditioner identification number  132 . 
         [0036]    The user activates the air conditioner  130  by placing the electronic data storage device  220  near the second hardware interface  210  of the remote processing unit  300 . The remote processing unit  300  verifies that the encryption key number  160  is valid. If it is valid, the remote processing unit  300  extracts the time data  156 . 
         [0037]    If the air conditioner  130  is operating in the absolute time mode, the air conditioner unit  130  will remain active until the time of day contained in the electronic data storage device  220  has been removed. When the predetermined time of day is reached, the remote processing unit  300  deactivates the air conditioner  130  until new activation data is received from the electronic data storage device  220 . 
         [0038]    If the air conditioner  130  is operating in the “hours of use” mode, the air conditioner unit  130  will remain active for the discrete period of time contained in the electronic data storage device  220 . When the predetermined time of use has elapsed, the remote processing unit  300  deactivates the air conditioner  130  until new activation data is received from the electronic data storage device  220 . 
         [0039]    While the inventive apparatus, as well as a method of cooling ambient air as described and claimed herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the detail of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0040]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to one or more particular preferred embodiments, persons possessing ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.