RENTAL SERVICE PROVIDER MESSAGING SYSTEM

Disclosed is a rental service provider messaging system comprised of a system database configured to receive registration details of rental service providers. The database is configured for the registered rental service providers to enter details of clients required to contact the rental service provider. The client details include particulars of predetermined acceptable government-issued identification associated with that client and is also configured to be searched by any registered rental service provider when initially engaging with a client for any recorded entries for that client. The search includes the particulars of details of predetermined acceptable government-issued identification of the client. The database is also configured to electronically message the registered rental service provider that listed the client on the database if the client is revealed in the database search. The electronic message advises the rental provider of predetermined details of the client initially engaging the services of another rental service provider.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1, a rental or hire service provider messaging system10is provided. The system10is described with reference to tourist service providers such as temporary accommodation providers. However, it will be appreciated that in other preferred embodiments (not illustrated) the tourist service provider could be any preferred rental or hire service provider such as, for example, providers of accommodation including houses, flats/apartments, caravan parks, hotels, motels, hostels, and boarding houses; or motor vehicle or motorcycle rental providers; boat hire providers; bicycle hire providers; or clothing and sporting and recreational equipment rental operators for example. Of course, this may extend to cellular telephone device or account rental, for example, and the system10is not limited to any specific application. A hire/rental provider as used herein rents, hires, leases or loans goods or services to a client.

The system10includes a database1that is accessible via the internet2. The database1is formed from one or more interconnected computers having associated processors and RAM, ROM, hard drives and/or other memory. A modem connects the database1to the internet2. The database1is accessible to tourist service providers3.

Particularly, the database1is configured to receive registration details of tourist service providers3. Most preferably, a tourist service provider3can register with the system10via an internet web-browser using one or more online forms. The tourist service providers3preferably elect an economic region which is relevant to their location. For example, continental Europe, North America, East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa or Oceania.

A database interface is provided for the registered tourist service providers3to be able to enter details of any delinquent client that is required to contact the listing tourist service provider as regards any loss or damage believed to be suffered by the listing tourist service provider3. Although a delinquent client is described, this is for exemplary purposes only. The client, however, may have an unresolved issue with the provider that may or may not be related to delinquency or damage or the like such as to return goods left by the client at the accommodation.

When listing the delinquent client on the database1, the listing tourist service provider3includes at least details of particulars of predetermined identification associated with the client of the delinquent client. These details are presented to the tourist service provider3when the client/tourist engages the services of the tourist service provider. The identification acceptable to the system10is that which is not easily corruptible and issued by a government authority. In the preferred embodiment, the listing tourist service provider3enters the delinquent client's passport number, driver's license number, or the official number of a government issued identity document. An example of such an identification document is, for example, a NSW Photo Card issued by the New South Wales government to persons not having a driver's license.

The database1is also configured to receive any other relevant information such as known aliases or photographs of the delinquent client. Furthermore, the database1is preferably configured to determine and list common misspellings or abbreviations, or to receive these from a client. For example, Jonathan, Jack, Jon and John.

The database1is configured to be searched by any tourist service provider3that is registered with the system10when initially engaging with a client. As part of the process of the client initially engaging the tourist service providers3services, the tourist service provider3searches the database1for any recorded entries to that client. The search undertaken by the tourist service provider3includes those predetermined acceptable government issued identifications above. Names are also able to be searched. If the tourist service provider3is registered on the system10with a selected economic region, then the searching on the system10may be limited to entries for clients in that region.

If the client attempting to engage the services of the registered tourist service provider3searching the database1is listed thereon for example as delinquent, the system10is configured to automatically send an electronic message to the registered tourist service provider3that listed the client as delinquent on the database1.FIG. 2is an example of an email or MMS message that could be sent to either or both the listing tourist service provider's email or telephone as preferred. In the preferred embodiment, the message sent to the listing tourist service provider3includes any known name details of the client as well as the particulars of one or more (two in the embodiment ofFIG. 2) acceptable government issued identification numbers.

Importantly, the message to the listing tourist service provider3includes contact details of the tourist service provider3that is checking-in the delinquent client and causing the message to be sent. In the preferred embodiment of the message form shown inFIG. 2, the name of the tourist service provider3, their location and contact details are provided to the listing tourist service provider3in the message. It can be seen therefore that the system10advantageously sends an automated message if a former client who has done damage that has not been accounted for if that client attempts to engage tourist services from another provider, the former listing tourist service provider will know their whereabouts and can take any action they desire accordingly.

This may be to telephone a local law enforcement agency when the client is delinquent such as when serious damage or assault, for example, has occurred. However, it may be to simply contact the provider that has searched the database to pass on a message or obtain a postal address for the listed client.

Although not illustrated, the system10can also advantageously display details to the searching provider and/or also send them an automated electronic message or otherwise indicate through the database1that their search revealed a listing of the delinquent client trying to engage their services. It will be appreciated that any preferred details can be provided ranging from a simple notification of the client's listing on the database through to details of the listing tourist service provider3and particulars of the reasons for listing the client.

When particulars of the listing of the client on the database are provided to the tourist service provider3whose services are being engaged that provider may choose to advise the client of their listing, not to mention the listing or to use of that information to influence any decision to provide any services to that client. In any event, the system10provides a means to the tourist service providers3to not only track down delinquent clients that would otherwise be uncontactable but also to allow potential service providers to become aware of any delinquent history when initially engaging a client. This is a significant advance allowing the tourist service providers3to follow-up on any damage but can also act to alert potential providers of service to a delinquent client, deter clients from causing loss or damage or allow a client to address an alleged delinquency. It will be appreciated that reasons for listing for particulars thereof do not need to be made available to someone searching the database1.

It will be appreciated that many variations and modifications of the preferred embodiment of the system10can be provided. For example, the electronic message maybe sent by SMS, email or Instant Message, or automated telephone call or facsimile as desired. It will be appreciated any preferred electronic message can be used such as tweets or Facebook posts, for example. Further, although the database1is accessible over the internet2to registered tourist service providers3; this need not be the case. A telephone subscription service may also be provided if desired to the searching tourist service provider.

In other preferred embodiments, not illustrated, database1is able to be searched or sorted as desired by registered tourist service providers3. Such searching may be by the predetermined acceptable government issued identification numbers or via the name.

It will be appreciated that in preferred embodiments, the system10is configured only to list clients for a predetermined period of time. Practically, this predetermined period of time would be equivalent to law enforcement statute of limitations time periods for any particular alleged damage to have been caused by the listed client. However, it will be appreciated that the information need not be deleted or could be deleted sooner or later as desired.

Of course, the database1is also preferably configured to allow an entry created by a provider to be amended or cancelled such as to remove the listing if a listed client addresses the matter independently. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that a dispute resolution mechanism for listed delinquent clients can be provided. Such dispute resolution procedures may involve the use of retired judges or independent arbitration services, or the courts.

In other preferred embodiments of the invention, not illustrated, the system10can be configured to provide a reporting function or display section to registered tourist service providers indicative of all listings made by registered users within a predetermined, for example, the previous week or fortnight. Such a function may be called “Recent Listings”.

On a search screen of the system10available to registered users, when a registered user clicks on a toggle or tab entitled “Recent Listings” a dropdown list of those listed by all Members within their Economic Region (if the registered user has selected an economic region).

This feature of the system10is preferable and intended to provide a quick reference search to support a full or comprehensive search of database1. This is expected to be of assistance in situations where a person has just left or been evicted from another nearby Accommodation Provider, and that person has moved quickly to gain a tenancy with another local Accommodation Provider in the hope that the former Accommodation Provider has not had insufficient time to list their former Client for any sort of alert.

In the preferred embodiments, an exemplary use would be by a Real Estate Agent who is registered with the system10and has:given notice to quit to a recalcitrant Tenant with unfinished business, andhas listed the Tenant for ongoing contact.If other Agents or Hostel Owners or Caravan Parks in the area are registered users of system10, the “Recent Listings” search if used will forewarn them (most preferably for seven days after the listing) that the original evicting Real Estate Agent wishes to contact their former Tenant.Presently, and in the case of typical practice in Australia, the evicting real Estate Agent may usually have to wait a couple of months to list the ex-Tenant as a defaulter.

As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, a proven defaulter (which can take months to establish and record in a Credit Bureau) is a different category from someone with whom the original Real Estate Agent simply wants to contact to discuss unfinished business.

Registered users of the system10would also preferably be advised to conduct comprehensive searches on new Clients even if they have access to a “Recent Listings” section as above. This will check for outstanding contact requests worldwide or if desired in a predefined economic region. It will also be appreciated that in preferred embodiments the registered users can check the “Recent Listings” quickly for local matters and does not require Passport, Drivers License or ID numbers to check as such can be conducted via a name.

The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The term “comprising” (and its grammatical variations) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of “including” or “having” and not in the exclusive sense of “consisting only of”.