Abstract:
A vehicle rental transaction system and method which provide a vehicle lot owner with a choice of options for vehicle security and customer convenience. The vehicle rental transaction system includes a computer for identifying a customer as part of a rental transaction involving a vehicle, and for sending a wireless message to the vehicle containing instructions for preparing the vehicle for the customer. Example instructions include, but are not limited to, unlocking doors and a trunk of the vehicle, adjusting power seats and power mirrors in accordance with customer preferences, adjusting climate control settings in accordance with the customer preferences, adjusting radio station settings in accordance with the customer preferences, and adjusting GPS settings in accordance with the customer preferences.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Rental car lot owners frequently leave car keys in the car for customer and lot operator convenience. To mitigate theft, some rental car lots utilize secure entry and exit points to ensure cars are not improperly driven off the lot. 
     However such systems are not fool-proof as rogue individuals may still drive one or more open and accessible cars through obstacles associated with such secure entry and exit points. Further, some rental car lots or agencies maintain vehicles in the open in unsecure lots which results in a higher likelihood of theft where keys are left in unattended vehicles or the vehicles are left unlocked, and minimizes the ability to provide the customer or lot operator the convenience commensurate with leaving the keys in the car, including having the right key associated with the right car, and providing for unattended or self-service lot operation. 
     Rental car lot owners also fail to do much more to prepare vehicles for customers than cleaning the vehicles and ensuring they are full of fuel. 
     It would be desirable to provide a vehicle rental transaction system and method which provides a vehicle lot owner with a choice of options for vehicle security and customer convenience. 
     SUMMARY 
     A vehicle rental transaction system and method is provided. 
     The vehicle rental transaction system includes a computer for identifying a customer as part of a rental transaction involving a vehicle, and for sending a wireless message to the vehicle containing instructions for preparing the vehicle for the customer. 
     In one example embodiment, the computer is also for displaying screens and recording selections of the customer, for obtaining preferences of the customer, and for obtaining payment from the customer. The customer completes the transaction at the computer. 
     In another example embodiment, the computer is one of a plurality of computers used by the customer to complete the transaction. The computer completes the last part of the transaction, which may include obtaining preferences of the customer. Another computer completes a previous part of the transaction including displaying screens and recording selections of the customer and obtaining payment from the customer. 
     A vehicle rental transaction method includes identifying a customer as part of a rental transaction involving a vehicle by a computer, and sending a wireless message to the vehicle containing instructions for preparing the vehicle for the customer by the computer. 
     Example instructions include, but are not limited to, unlocking doors and a trunk of the vehicle, adjusting power seats and power mirrors in accordance with customer preferences, adjusting climate control settings in accordance with the customer preferences, adjusting radio station settings in accordance with the customer preferences, and adjusting GPS settings in accordance with the customer preferences. 
     The vehicle includes wireless communication circuitry for receiving messages addressed to the vehicle, and a vehicle control system for controlling vehicle components to meet the customer preferences. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example vehicle rental transaction system. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating an example vehicle rental transaction method. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of another example vehicle rental transaction system. 
         FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  form a flow diagram illustrating another example vehicle rental transaction method. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an example vehicle transaction system primarily includes computer  12 . 
     Computer  12  includes a processor, memory, and program storage, and may execute an operating system such as a Microsoft operating system. Computer  12  may be located at a vehicle rental location. Computer  12  may be operated by an employee in an assisted mode, or by a customer in a self-service mode, or a combination of the two including, without limitation, being locally operated by a customer and locally or remotely operated as needed by an employee in an assist mode. 
     In an example assist mode, a computer operated by an employee or other representative of the vehicle lot owner is coupled to computer  12  via network  70  and/or global communications network  60 . Computer  12  and the employee computer execute a sharing application to allow computer  12  to share screens and control with the employee computer when a customer operating computer  12  requires assistance with a vehicle rental transaction. Following a customer request initiated from computer  12  and received by the employee computer, the employee operates the employee computer to display current screens from computer  12  and make selections on behalf of the customer. If computer  12  and the employee computer are located within speaking distance, the customer and the employee may communicate directly. Otherwise, computer  12  and the employee computer may be equipped with microphones and speakers to facilitate voice communication between the customer and the employee over network  70  and/or global communication network  60 . 
     Computer  12  executes vehicle rental transaction software  20 , which completes a vehicle rental transaction under operator control. For example, vehicle rental transaction software  20  may record customer information entered by an operator, identify an available vehicle  50  from vehicle inventory data  42 , process payment from the customer, and prepare vehicle  50  for the customer. Vehicle rental transaction software  20  stores the details of the transaction in transaction records  46 . 
     Computer  12  may be coupled to peripherals for completing the vehicle rental transaction. For example, computer  12  may be coupled to a touch screen  24  and/or other suitable display and/or input device for displaying transaction screens of vehicle transaction software  20 , for displaying instructions for completing the vehicle rental transaction from vehicle transaction software  20 , and/or for recording customer identification information and other information entered by an operator. Further, computer  12  may be coupled to a card reader  26  for processing payment from the customer. Finally, computer  12  may be coupled to a printer  26  for printing a receipt and/or other documentation evidencing the vehicle rental transaction. Depending on the embodiment, an electronic receipt may be provided in lieu of or in addition to a physical (e.g., paper) receipt, which electronic receipt may be sent to a customer provided electronic mail address and/or cellular phone number via, for example, short message service (SMS), or other service. 
     In one example embodiment, computer  12  and its peripherals may be combined together to form a self-service kiosk. The self-service kiosk may be capable of sharing screens and control with an employee computer in an assist mode. 
     During the vehicle rental transaction, vehicle rental transaction software  20  may obtain and use customer information from customer profile  40 . For example, customer profile  40  may contain driver&#39;s license information, credit card information, preferences for electronic receipts, preferences for messages and alerts to a customer communication device, including a communication device address, e.g., phone number, and/or customer preferences for vehicles  50 , including vehicle features and settings. 
     Customers may register with a vehicle lot owner to store their information in customer profiles  40 . For example, a customer may use computer  12  to create customer profile  40 . Alternatively, the customer may use a home or other computer connected to server computer  14  via a global communication network  60 , also known as the Internet. For this purpose, server computer  14  may be a web server computer. 
     Further, in some embodiments, information for a customer profile  40  may be obtained and populated from user selections associated with a current vehicle rental transaction, and/or associated with use of rental vehicle  50  wherein vehicle  50  may record and/or wirelessly communicate utilized vehicle settings, either during use of vehicle  50  and/or subsequent to the rental period (e.g., upon return of vehicle  50 ) to populate customer profile  40  for use in a subsequent vehicle rental transaction by the customer, as directed by the customer (e.g., in customer profile  40 ). 
     In lieu of entering identification information via touch screen  24 , customers with customer profiles  40  may identify themselves during transactions by presenting a customer identification card, such as a customer loyalty or member card. Computer  12  may employ card reader  26  to read customer identification cards. 
     Alternately, customers may identify themselves by presenting a portable electronic device  32  having one or more wireless communication facilities which wirelessly communicate with computer  12  directly through wireless communication circuitry  30  or indirectly through global communication network  60  and network  70  to identify the customer. Such portable electronic devices  32  may include, without limitation, a personal digital assistant (PDA) and/or cellular telephone, which may wirelessly communicate with computer  12  via, without limitation, cellular (e.g., Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and/or Code division multiple access (CDMA)), 802.11x (e.g., wireless networking, including Wi-Fi standard and/or Bluetooth standard capable devices), and/or radio frequency identification (RFID). 
     Server computer  14  includes a processor, memory, and program storage, and may execute an operating system such as a Microsoft operating system. Server computer  14  may be located at the vehicle rental location or offsite. The functions of server  14  and computer  12  may be combined into a single computer. 
     Customer profile  40  and vehicle inventory data  42  may be stored by computer  12  or by server computer  14  accessible over network  70  and/or global communication network  60 . Alternately, one or more portable electronic devices  32  presented by a customer to, and wirelessly communicating with, computer  12 , may store customer profile  40  (including a portion thereof). 
     Computer  12  additionally executes vehicle system control software  22 , which prepares vehicle  50  for the customer. Vehicle system control software  22  activates wireless communication circuitry  30  to communicate one or more control messages to vehicle  50 . Vehicle system control software  22  may also receive messages from vehicle  50 , including vehicle settings for populating customer profile  40 . 
     Vehicle system control software  22  may determine information necessary for preparing vehicle  50  for the customer from vehicle configuration data  44 , which may be stored by computer  12  or by server computer  14 . Vehicle configuration data  44  may include detailed vehicle component information for each vehicle available for rent. For example, vehicle configuration data  44  may include information identifying whether vehicle  50  has power seats or manually adjustable seats. 
     Vehicle rental transaction software  20  may also access vehicle configuration data  44  to display features of vehicle  20 . The customer may accept the choice of vehicle  50  or select a different vehicle  50  having features the customer wants. 
     In one example method of preparing vehicle  50 , vehicle system control software  22  may unlock vehicle  50 . Since vehicle  50  otherwise remains locked until the completion of a vehicle rental transaction, or shortly thereafter, the risk of theft is reduced. 
     Vehicle system control software  22  may perform one or more additional functions including but not limited to: start vehicle  50 , adjust one or more seats of vehicle  50 , adjust one or more mirrors of vehicle  50 , turn on heating pads in seats, set climate control system of vehicle  50 , configure one or more radio station presets of vehicle  50 , turn on the radio of vehicle  50 , open one or more windows of vehicle  50 , unlatch the trunk, hatch, gate or equivalent of vehicle  50 , enter destination information in a global positioning system (GPS) receiver of vehicle  50 , flash the headlights and/or other lights of vehicle  50 , and sound the horn of vehicle  50 . The latter two functions serve to assist the customer in locating vehicle  50 . 
     Vehicle system control software  22  may rely on information entered during the transaction to complete one or more of the functions above. For example, in order to adjust seats and mirrors, vehicle system control software  22  may obtain customer size information, such as height and weight, following entry during the transaction. As another example, vehicle system control software  22  may unlatch the trunk based upon an entry indicating that the customer has luggage. As yet another example, vehicle system control software  22  may enter destination information entered by a customer into the GPS receiver. 
     Vehicle system control software  22  may also rely on information in customer profile  40 . For example, in order to adjust seats and mirrors, vehicle system control software  22  may obtain customer size information from a previously established customer profile  40 . 
     Vehicle system control software  22  may also rely on other information, such as information obtained through global communication network  60 . For example, in setting the climate control system, vehicle system control software  22  may obtain current temperature and humidity information for the area in which the vehicle lot is located. 
     Vehicle system control software  22  may further rely on a combination of sources of information. For example, in setting climate control system, vehicle system control software  22  may rely on both current temperature and humidity information obtained from global communications network  60 , but also customer criteria entered during the transaction or obtained from customer profile  40 , such as vehicle inside temperature preferences. 
     Vehicle system control software  22  may prepare vehicle  50  following printing of a receipt, after a predetermined delay approximating the time necessary for the customer to walk to vehicle  50 , or in stages. For example, vehicle system control software  22  may configure seats, mirrors, and radio stations following printing of the receipt, wait a first predetermined delay to activate vehicle lights to assist the customer in locating vehicle  50 , and wait a second predetermined delay to unlock vehicle  50  and unlatch the trunk. Each of the delay periods may be standard delay periods for all vehicles, and/or be approximated based upon vehicle location information in vehicle inventory data  42 , and/or be based upon customer preference (e.g., from customer profile  40 ). 
     Vehicle  50  includes wireless communication circuitry  52 , which communicates with wireless communication circuitry  30  to receive commands from vehicle system control software  22 . Wireless communication circuitry  52  may also send acknowledgment messages, vehicle status messages, or other types of messages (including vehicle usage and/or current setting information) to vehicle system control software  22 . 
     Vehicle  50  further includes vehicle control system  54  for controlling vehicle components  56 . Vehicle components  56  may include any vehicle component or any associated control circuitry that a vehicle lot owner wishes to control for the benefit of customers. For example, vehicle components  56  may include but not be limited to the vehicle engine control module, power seat actuators, power window actuators, power mirror actuators, heating pads, climate control system, entertainment system, trunk latch, lights, horn, and GPS receiver. 
     Vehicle control system  54  receives the commands from vehicle system control software  22  through wireless communication circuitry  52  and activates vehicle components  56  identified in the commands. For example, if the commands include an unlock command, vehicle control system  54  activates electric door locks to an unlock position. 
     Vehicle control system  54  may include one or more add-in modules that couple to vehicle components  56 . Each vehicle control system  54  has a unique communication address, which is stored in vehicle inventory data  44 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , an example vehicle rental transaction method is illustrated. 
     In step  80 , vehicle rental transaction software  20  displays screens directing the customer to provide customer identification information and obtains the customer identification information. Vehicle rental transaction software  20  may record the customer identification information as it is being entered by a customer using touch screen  24 . Alternatively, vehicle rental transaction software  20  may record the customer identification information from a customer card using card reader  26 . 
     Vehicle rental transaction software  20  may additionally determine whether the customer has created a customer profile  40 . If so, vehicle rental transaction software  20  may obtain information from customer profile  40  to use during the transaction. If not, vehicle rental transaction software  20  may display a screen that gives the customer an opportunity to create a customer profile  40 . 
     In step  82 , vehicle rental transaction software  20  displays screens for selecting a vehicle  50  using touch screen  24 . Vehicle rental transaction software  20  may display vehicle preference information from customer profile  40 , if one exists. Vehicle rental transaction software  20  may also allow a customer to enter preferences using touch screen  24 . Vehicle rental transaction software  20  attempts to display choices from vehicle inventory data  44  that meet customer preferences and notes exceptions when they exist. 
     In step  84 , vehicle rental transaction software  20  records a customer selection of vehicle  50 . 
     In step  86 , vehicle rental transaction software  20  records payment for the selected vehicle  50  using card reader  26 . Vehicle rental transaction software  20  may additionally check to ensure the customer&#39;s payment card is valid. 
     In step  88 , vehicle rental transaction software  20  prints a receipt using printer  28 . 
     In step  90 , vehicle rental transaction software  20  obtains vehicle preparation information. Vehicle preparation information may include a command to unlock vehicle doors. 
     Vehicle rental transaction software  20  may obtain the preparation information as it is being entered by a customer using touch screen  24 . For example, the customer may enter a preference for power seats and that the power seats be adjusted based upon entered height and/or weight. 
     Alternatively, vehicle rental transaction software  20  may obtain the preparation information from customer profile  40 . 
     In step  92 , vehicle rental transaction software  20  instructs vehicle system control software  22  to send a message addressed to vehicle control system  54  with commands for configuring vehicle components  56  identified in the vehicle preparation information. 
     Vehicle control system  54  receives the message through wireless communication circuitry  52 , determines that the message is addressed to vehicle  50 , and implements the commands in the message to configure vehicle  50 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , another example vehicle rental transaction system uses computer  100  in addition to computer  12 . 
     Computer  100  includes a processor, memory, and program storage, and may execute an operating system such as a Microsoft operating system. Computer  100  may be located closer to vehicles at a vehicle rental location than computer  12 . Computer  100  may be operated by an employee in an assisted mode, or by a customer in a self-service mode. 
     Computer  12  executes vehicle rental transaction software  98  to complete a portion of a vehicle rental transaction up to vehicle preparation. During this portion of the transaction, vehicle rental transaction software  98  may provide the customer with any suitable form of identification information in order to complete vehicle checkout. For example, the identification information may include a personal identification number (PIN). As another example, the information may include a code, such as a barcode printed on a receipt. Vehicle rental transaction software  98  stores the details of the transaction so far, including issued identification information, in transaction records  46 . 
     As yet another example, the information may be contained within a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or other wireless card issued to the customer by the vehicle lot owner. 
     Alternatively, the customer may use an identification card, such as a customer loyalty or member card previously issued to the customer by the vehicle lot owner. 
     As yet another example, the information may be sent to portable electronic device  32  of the customer. 
     Computer  12  may be coupled to additional peripherals to deliver and program implemented forms of identification. For example, computer  12  may include an RFID tag reader/writer for programming an RFID tag. As another example, computer  12  may be coupled to wireless card reader/writer for programming a wireless card. Computer  12  may additionally be coupled to a dispenser for dispensing one of these forms of identification. 
     Following payment and, as required or desired, printing of a receipt and/or generation of an electronic receipt, the customer proceeds to computer  100  to complete the transaction. 
     Computer  100  executes vehicle checkout software  102 , which displays screens for completing the remainder of the vehicle rental transaction, including identifying any of the customer, vehicle  50 , or transaction, or combination thereof. 
     Vehicle checkout software  102  requires some form of identification before releasing vehicle  50 . Vehicle checkout software  102  may accept or require one or more forms of identification information. For example, vehicle checkout software  102  may accept PIN entry via touch screen  106 . As another example, vehicle checkout software  102  may accept information from a customer card via card reader  108 , such as a loyalty or member card, or other card issued by the vehicle lot owner. As yet another example, vehicle checkout software  102  may accept information stored within a barcode printed on a receipt or an RFID tag delivered to the customer by computer  12  via code reader  110 . Code reader  110  may be either or a combination of a barcode reader and an RFID tag reader. As yet another example, vehicle checkout software  102  may accept information from portable electronic device  32 . 
     Vehicle checkout software  102  compares identification information presented by a person to records  46  of transactions at computer  12 . If vehicle checkout software  102  finds the person in the transaction records  46  and determines that the person has presented sufficient identification information, vehicle checkout software  102  initiates preparation of the vehicle  50  identified in the customer&#39;s transaction record  46 . Otherwise, vehicle checkout software  102  directs the customer to a manager. 
     Computer  100  further executes vehicle system control software  22  and is equipped with wireless communication circuitry  30 . Following identification, vehicle system control software  22  receives an instruction to proceed with vehicle preparation from vehicle checkout software  102 . 
     In one example embodiment, computer  100  and its peripherals may be combined together to form a self-service kiosk. The self-service kiosk may be capable of sharing screens and control with an employee computer in an assist mode. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4   a , a first portion of another example vehicle rental transaction method is illustrated. The first portion is completed at computer  12 . 
     In step  120 , vehicle rental transaction software  102  obtains customer identification information. Vehicle rental transaction software  102  may record the customer identification information as it is being entered by a customer using touch screen  24 . Alternatively, vehicle rental transaction software  20  may record the customer identification information from a customer card using card reader  26 . 
     Vehicle rental transaction software  102  may additionally determine whether the customer has created a customer profile  40 . If so, vehicle rental transaction software  102  may obtain information from customer profile  40  to use during the transaction. If not, vehicle rental transaction software  102  may display a screen that gives the customer an opportunity to create a customer profile  40 . 
     In step  122 , vehicle rental transaction software  102  displays screens for selecting a vehicle  50  using touch screen  24 . Vehicle rental transaction software  102  may display vehicle preference information from customer profile  40 , if one exists. Vehicle rental transaction software  102  may also allow a customer to enter preferences using touch screen  24 . Vehicle rental transaction software  102  attempts to display choices from vehicle inventory data  44  that meet customer preferences and notes exceptions when they exist. 
     In step  124 , vehicle rental transaction software  102  records a customer selection of vehicle  50 . 
     In step  126 , vehicle rental transaction software  102  records payment for the selected vehicle  50  using card reader  26 . Vehicle rental transaction software  102  may additionally check to ensure the customer&#39;s payment card is valid. 
     In step  128 , vehicle rental transaction software  102  prints and/or otherwise provides a receipt (e.g., using printer  28 , and/or via electronic mail and/or SMS). In one example embodiment, the receipt may contain a barcode for identifying any of the customer (including preferences), vehicle  50 , or the transaction, or any combination thereof. 
     The customer proceeds to computer  100 , which may be located in close proximity to vehicles  50 . With reference to  FIG. 4   b , the customer completes the second portion of the other example vehicle transaction method at computer  100 . 
     In step  130 , vehicle checkout software  102  displays screens directing the customer to provide identification information. 
     In step  132 , vehicle checkout software  102  obtains the identification information. For example, vehicle checkout software  102  may obtain the identification information from the receipt containing the barcode via code reader  110 . 
     As another example, vehicle checkout software  102  may obtain a customer entered PIN entry via touch screen  106 . As another example, vehicle checkout software  102  may obtain information from a customer card via card reader  108 . As yet another example, vehicle checkout software  102  may accept information stored within an RFID tag via code reader  110 . As described hereinabove, such receipt may be physical (e.g., paper) and/or electronic (e.g., presented via a display screen of a PDA or cellular phone). 
     Vehicle checkout software  102  initiates vehicle preparation after vehicle checkout software  102  determines that the person trying to obtain vehicle  50  has presented sufficient identification information. 
     In step  134 , vehicle checkout software  102  obtains vehicle preparation information. Vehicle preparation information may include a command to unlock vehicle doors. 
     Vehicle checkout software  102  may obtain the preparation information as it is being entered by a customer using touch screen  106 . For example, the customer may enter a preference for power seats and that the power seats be adjusted based upon entered height and/or weight. 
     Alternatively, vehicle checkout software  102  may obtain the preparation information from customer profile  40 . 
     In step  136 , vehicle checkout software  102  instructs vehicle system control software  22  to send a message addressed to vehicle control system  54  with commands for configuring vehicle components  56  identified in the vehicle preparation information. 
     Vehicle control system  54  receives the message through wireless communication circuitry  52 , determines that the message is addressed to vehicle  50 , and implements the commands in the message to configure vehicle  50 . 
     Although particular reference has been made to certain embodiments, variations and modifications are also envisioned within the spirit and scope of the following claims.