Source: http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/8160906.html
Timestamp: 2017-12-13 15:15:05
Document Index: 593523592

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'Application No. 2416840']

System and method for improved rental vehicle reservation management - Patent # 8160906 - PatentGenius
Application: 11/747,645
Inventors: Smith; David G. (Wildwood, MO)
DeVallance; Kimberly A. (St. Louis, MO)
Miller; Owen R. (Wildwood, MO)
Miller; Regina M. (Wildwood, MO)
Jouris; Jon B. (Olivette, MO)
Concannon; Maribeth (St. Louis, MO)
Cormier; Shawn R. (Brentwood, MO)
Field Of Search: 705/1.1; 705/5; 705/6
Foreign Patent Documents: 2001344490; 2002074126; 2000052601; 02057873; 02067079; 02067175; 02080646; 02097700
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Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for managing a rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on automated processing of vehicle repair data corresponding to a disabled vehicle that is related to the rental vehicle reservation. For example, a preferred method and system can automatically compute from the vehicle repair data an amount of time that is likely to be needed by a repair facility to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, which in turn can drive more accurate management of an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation. A preferred method and system can also automatically schedule a callback reminder for the rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on the received vehicle repair data. Further still, detailed audit reports regarding how reservations are managed can be generated by the preferred method and system.
1. A computer-implemented method for managing a rental vehicle reservation for a replacement vehicle corresponding to a disabled vehicle, the method comprising: receivingvehicle repair data as an electronic data communication from a remote repair facility computer system, wherein the received vehicle data is related to the disabled vehicle and comprises data includes data corresponding to an explanation for a repairdelay to the disabled vehicle; and automatically computing with a computer program executed by a processor a term-related parameter for the rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on the explanation data, wherein the term-related parametercomprises a value indicative of an estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step comprises: applying a formula to the received vehicle repair data to thereby compute the term-related parameter, the formula configured to compute the term-related parameteraccording to: TD=.left brkt-top.f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD).right brkt-bot. wherein TD represents the estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function of the received vehiclerepair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and based on the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by:.function..function..function..function. ##EQU00002## wherein the vehicle repair data r further comprises a number of labor hours estimated by the repair facility to repair the disabled vehicle, the labor hours estimate number being represented by LH,wherein LHS(i) represents a labor hours scalar defined for the purchaser i, wherein ND(i) represents an amount for a nondriveable disabled vehicle as defined for the purchaser i, and wherein A(i,r) represents an amount defined for the purchaser i on thebasis of the received vehicle repair data r including the received explanation data.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle repair data further comprises data that identifies an estimation of how many labor hours will be need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, and wherein the automatically computing step furthercomprises automatically computing the term-related parameter based at least in part upon the explanation data and the labor hours data.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step further comprises automatically computing the term-related parameter based at least in part on the explanation data and a status identifier as to whether the disabled vehicle isnondriveable.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step comprises: processing the received vehicle repair data to determine whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any weekend days; andautomatically computing the term-related parameter based at least in part on the explanation data and data corresponding the determination as to whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any weekend days.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step comprises: processing the received vehicle repair data to determine whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any holiday days; andautomatically computing the term-related parameter based at least in part on the explanation data and data corresponding the determination as to whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any holiday days.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising: storing a plurality of adjustment amounts, each adjustment amount corresponding to an explanation for a repair delay; and wherein the automatically computing step further comprises (1) processingthe explanation data to determine a stored adjustment amount associated therewith, and (2) automatically computing the estimate value based at least in part on the determined stored adjustment amount.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising: comparing data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter to determine whether the authorization period will end prior to therepairs being completed; and automatically extending the rental vehicle reservation to a last authorized day in response to the comparing step resulting in a determination that the authorization period will end prior to the repairs being completed.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising: comparing data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter; and adjusting the authorization period for the rental vehiclereservation such that a last authorized day for the reservation coincides with the computed term-related parameter in response to the comparing step.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising: comparing data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter to determine whether the authorization period will end prior tothe repairs being completed; and automatically sending a request for an authorization to extend the rental vehicle reservation to a reservation manager in response to the comparing step resulting in a determination that the authorization period will endprior to the repairs being completed.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising: comparing data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter to determine whether the authorization period will end prior tothe repairs being completed; determining whether a reservation manager for the rental vehicle reservation has an automated extension rule associated therewith; and in response to the determining step resulting in a determination that the reservationmanager has an associated automated extension rule, automatically extending the rental vehicle reservation in accordance with the automated extension rule.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising: in response to the determining step resulting in a determination that the reservation manager does not have an associated automated extension rule, automatically sending a request for anauthorization to extend the rental vehicle reservation to the reservation manager.
14. The method of claim 12 further comprising: providing a graphical user interface (GUI) screen for display on a computer of at least one reservation manager having an associated business rule; receiving input through the provided GUI screen; and defining the automated extension rule associated with the at least one reservation manager in response to the received input.
15. The method of claim 1 further comprising: automatically scheduling a callback reminder for the reservation based at least in part on the received vehicle repair data.
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising: storing a plurality of business rules, each business rule defining how a callback reminder is to be scheduled based at least in part on the received vehicle repair data, wherein each storedbusiness rule is associated with a party; determining a party associated with the received vehicle repair data; and selecting the stored business rule that is associated with the determined party; and wherein the automatically scheduling stepcomprises automatically scheduling the callback reminder for the reservation based at least in part on the selected stored business rule.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising: providing a graphical user interface (GUI) screen for display on a computer of at least one of the parties with an associated business rule; receiving input through the provided GUI screen; anddefining the business rule associated with the at least one party in response to the received input.
24. The method of claim 1 further comprising: automatically progressing from the receiving step to the automatically computing step.
25. The method of claim 1 further comprising: progressing from the receiving step to the automatically computing step in response to user input.
26. The method of claim 1 further comprising: distributing a cost for the reservation across a plurality of parties based at least in part upon the computed term-related parameter.
27. The method of claim 26 further comprising: storing a plurality of cost distribution rules, each cost distribution rule being associated with a party; determining a party associated with the rental vehicle reservation; selecting the storedcost distribution rule that is associated with the determined party; and performing the cost distributing step in accordance with the selected cost distribution rule.
28. The method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle repair data further comprises an estimated completion date (ECD) and a labor hours estimate, wherein the automatically computing step comprises automatically computing a target completion date (TCD)for the reservation based at least in part upon the explanation data and the labor hours estimate, the method further comprising: comparing the computed TCD with the ECD to determine which will control an extension process; and controlling the extensionprocess using the determined one of the TCD and ECD as a result of the comparing step.
29. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step comprises: applying a formula to the received vehicle repair data to thereby compute the term-related parameter, the formula configured to compute the term-related parameteraccording to: TD=.left brkt-top.f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD).right brkt-bot. wherein TD represents the estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function of the received vehiclerepair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and based on the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by:.function..function..function..function. ##EQU00003## wherein the vehicle repair data r further comprises a number of labor hours estimated by the repair facility to repair the disabled vehicle, the labor hours estimate number being represented by LH,wherein LHS(i) represents a labor hours scalar defined for the purchaser i, wherein ND(i) represents an amount for a nondriveable disabled vehicle as defined for the purchaser i, and wherein A(i,r) represents an amount defined for the purchaser i on thebasis of the received vehicle repair data r including the received explanation data.
30. The method of claim 1 further comprising: storing data in a memory that categorizes a plurality of predefined repair delay explanations as corresponding to a member of the group consisting of an extension amount and an adjustment amount; and wherein the automatically computing step comprises applying a formula to the received vehicle repair data to thereby compute the term-related parameter, wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the term-related parameterthrough application of a formula to the received vehicle repair data, the formula configured to compute the term-related parameter according to: CD=.left brkt-top.f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD).right brkt-bot. wherein CD represents the estimate as to how long arepair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function of the received vehicle repair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and basedon the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by: .function..function..function..function..function. ##EQU00004## wherein the vehicle repair data r further comprises a number of labor hours estimatedby the repair facility to repair the disabled vehicle, the labor hours estimate number being represented by LH, wherein LHS(i) represents a labor hours scalar defined for the purchaser i, wherein ND(i) represents an amount for a nondriveable disabledvehicle as defined for the purchaser i, wherein A(i,r) represents an amount defined for the purchaser i on the basis of the received vehicle repair data r including the received explanation data if categorized as an adjustment amount, and wherein E(i,r)represents an amount defined for the purchaser i on the basis of the received vehicle repair data r including the received explanation data if categorized as an extension amount.
31. The method of claim 1 further comprising: storing data in a memory that categorizes a plurality of predefined repair delay explanations as corresponding to a member of the group consisting of an extension amount and an adjustment amount; and wherein the automatically computing step comprises applying a formula to the received vehicle repair data to thereby compute the term-related parameter, wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the term-related parameterthrough application of a formula to the received vehicle repair data, the formula configured to compute the term-related parameter according to: CD=.left brkt-top.f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD).right brkt-bot. wherein CD represents the estimate as to how long arepair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function of the received vehicle repair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and basedon the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by: .function..function..function..function..function. ##EQU00005## wherein the vehicle repair data r further comprises a number of labor hours estimatedby the repair facility to repair the disabled vehicle, the labor hours estimate number being represented by LH, wherein LHS(i) represents a labor hours scalar defined for the purchaser i, wherein ND(i) represents an amount for a nondriveable disabledvehicle as defined for the purchaser i, wherein A(i,r) represents an amount defined for the purchaser i on the basis of the received vehicle repair data r including the received explanation data if categorized as an adjustment amount, and wherein E(i,r)represents an amount defined for the purchaser i on the basis of the received vehicle repair data r including the received explanation data if categorized as an extension amount.
32. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step comprises automatically computing the value indicative of the estimate as to how long the repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle as a targetnumber of days for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data.
33. The method of claim 32 further comprising the processor (1) comparing an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed target number of days, (2) determining whether the authorization period for the rentalvehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle based on the comparison, and (3) in response to a determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before therepairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automatically extending the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation.
34. The method of claim 33 further comprising: a memory storing a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the target number of days for repairs to a disabled vehicle are to be computed for a plurality of different purchasers; andthe processor determining a purchaser for the rental vehicle reservation associated with the received vehicle repair data; and wherein the automatically computing step comprises the processor automatically computing the target number of days for therepairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein at least one of the purchaser-specific rules is configured to associate a plurality of repair delay explanations with a plurality of amounts that are representative of an increase to the target number of daysfor the repairs, and wherein the automatically computing step further comprises the processor (1) processing the received repair delay explanation to determine the stored amount associated therewith for the determined purchaser, and (2) automaticallycomputing the target number of days for the repairs based at least in part on the determined stored amount.
36. The method of claim 35 further comprising: the memory storing a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the authorization period is to be automatically extended for a plurality different purchasers; and wherein theautomatically extending step comprises the processor, in response to the determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automaticallyextending the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation in accordance with the stored extension rules associated with the determined purchaser.
37. The method of claim 34 wherein at least a plurality of the stored rules are purchaser-specific and repair facility-specific, the method further comprising the processor (1) determining the repair facility corresponding to the receivedvehicle repair data, and (2) determining whether any of the stored rules are specific to the determined repair facility in combination with the determined purchaser, and wherein the automatically computing step further comprises, in response to adetermination that the memory stores purchaser-specific and repair facility-specific rules governing how the target number of days for repairs to a disabled vehicle are to be computed for the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility,automatically computing the target number of days for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility.
38. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step comprises automatically computing the value indicative of the estimate as to how long the repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle as a targetcompletion date for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data.
39. The method of claim 38 further comprising the processor (1) comparing an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed target completion date, (2) determining whether the authorization period for the rentalvehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle based on the comparison, and (3) in response to a determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before therepairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automatically extending the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation.
40. The method of claim 39 further comprising: a memory storing a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the target completion date for repairs to a disabled vehicle are to be computed for a plurality of different purchasers; andthe processor determining a purchaser for the rental vehicle reservation associated with the received vehicle repair data; and wherein the automatically computing step comprises the processor automatically computing the target completion date for therepairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser.
41. The method of claim 40 wherein at least one of the purchaser-specific rules is configured to associate a plurality of repair delay explanations with a plurality of amounts that are representative of an increase to the target completion datefor the repairs, and wherein the automatically computing step further comprises the processor (1) processing the received repair delay explanation to determine the stored amount associated therewith for the determined purchaser, and (2) automaticallycomputing the target completion date for the repairs based at least in part on the determined stored amount.
42. The method of claim 41 further comprising: the memory storing a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the authorization period is to be automatically extended for a plurality different purchasers; and wherein theautomatically extending step comprises the processor, in response to the determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automaticallyextending the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation in accordance with the stored extension rules associated with the determined purchaser.
43. The method of claim 40 wherein at least a plurality of the stored rules are purchaser-specific and repair facility-specific, the method further comprising the processor (1) determining the repair facility corresponding to the receivedvehicle repair data, and (2) determining whether any of the stored rules are specific to the determined repair facility in combination with the determined purchaser, and wherein the automatically computing step further comprises, in response to adetermination that the memory stores purchaser-specific and repair facility-specific rules governing how the target completion date for repairs to a disabled vehicle are to be computed for the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility,automatically computing the target completion date for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility.
44. A computer system for processing data relating to a rental vehicle reservation, the computer system comprising: a processor configured to (1) receive vehicle repair data from a remote repair facility computer system, the vehicle repair datacorresponding to repairs performed by a repair facility on a disabled vehicle associated with a driver for a rental vehicle reservation, and wherein the vehicle repair data includes data corresponding to an explanation for a repair delay to the disabledvehicle, and (2) automatically compute a term-related parameter for the rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on the explanation data, wherein the term-related parameter comprises a value indicative of an estimate as to how long the repairfacility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle.
45. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the term-related parameter through application of a formula to the received vehicle repair data, the formula configured to compute the term-relatedparameter according to: TD=.left brkt-top.f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD).right brkt-bot. wherein TD represents the estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function of the receivedvehicle repair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and based on the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by:.function..function..function..function. ##EQU00006## wherein the vehicle repair data r further comprises a number of labor hours estimated by the repair facility to repair the disabled vehicle, the labor hours estimate number being represented by LH,wherein LHS(i) represents a labor hours scalar defined for the purchaser i, wherein ND(i) represents an amount for a nondriveable disabled vehicle as defined for the purchaser i, and wherein A(i,r) represents an amount defined for the purchaser i on thebasis of the received vehicle repair data r including the received explanation data.
46. The system of claim 44 wherein the vehicle repair data further comprises data that identifies an estimation of how many labor hours will be needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, and wherein the processor is further configuredto automatically compute the term-related parameter based at least in part upon the explanation data and the labor hours data.
47. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the term-related parameter based at least in part on the explanation data and a status identifier as to whether the disabled vehicle isnondriveable.
48. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to: (1) process the received vehicle repair data to determine whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any weekend days; and (2)automatically compute the term-related parameter based at least in part on the explanation data and data corresponding the determination as to whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any weekend days.
49. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to: (1) process the received vehicle repair data to determine whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any holiday days; and (2)automatically compute the term-related parameter based at least in part on the explanation data and data corresponding the determination as to whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any holiday days.
50. The system of claim 44 further comprising a memory for communication with the processor, wherein the memory is configured to store a plurality of adjustment amounts, each adjustment amount corresponding to an explanation for a repair delay,and wherein the processor is further configured to (1) process the explanation data to determine a stored adjustment amount associated therewith, and (2) automatically compute the estimate value based at least in part on the determined stored adjustmentamount.
52. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to: (1) compare data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter to determine whether theauthorization period will end prior to the repairs being completed; and (2) automatically extend the rental vehicle reservation to a last authorized day in response to the comparison resulting in a determination that the authorization period will endprior to the repairs being completed.
53. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to: (1) compare data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter; and (2) adjust the authorizationperiod for the rental vehicle reservation such that a last authorized day for the reservation coincides with the computed term-related parameter in response to the comparison.
54. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to: (1) compare data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter to determine whether theauthorization period will end prior to the repairs being completed; and (2) automatically send a request for an authorization to extend the rental vehicle reservation to a reservation manager in response to the comparison resulting in a determinationthat the authorization period will end prior to the repairs being completed.
55. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to: (1) compare data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter to determine whether theauthorization period will end prior to the repairs being completed; (2) determine whether a reservation manager for the rental vehicle reservation has an automated extension rule associated therewith; and (3) in response to a determination that thereservation manager has an associated automated extension rule, automatically extend the rental vehicle reservation in accordance with the automated extension rule.
56. The system of claim 55 wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to a determination that the reservation manager does not have an associated automated extension rule, automatically send a request for an authorization toextend the rental vehicle reservation to the reservation manager.
57. The system of claim 55 wherein the processor is further configured to: (1) provide a graphical user interface (GUI) screen for display on a computer of at least one reservation manager having an associated business rule; (2) receive inputthrough the provided GUI screen; and (3) define the automated extension rule associated with the at least one reservation manager in response to the received input.
60. The system of claim 58 further comprising a memory for communication with the processor, wherein the memory is further configured to (1) store a plurality of business rules, each business rule defining how a callback reminder is to bescheduled based at least in part on the received vehicle repair data, wherein each stored business rule is associated with a party, and wherein the processor is further configured to: (1) determine a party associated with the received vehicle repairdata; (2) select the stored business rule that is associated with the determined party; and (3) automatically schedule the callback reminder for the reservation based at least in part on the selected stored business rule.
61. The system of claim 60 wherein the processor is further configured to: (1) provide a graphical user interface (GUI) screen for display on a computer of at least one of the parties with an associated business rule; (2) receive input throughthe provided GUI screen; and (3) define the business rule associated with the at least one party in response to the received input.
64. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to: (1) provide a graphical user interface (GUI) screen for display on the repair facility computer system; and (2) receive the vehicle repair data in response to userinput through the provided GUI screen.
72. The system of claim 71 further comprising a memory for communication with the processor, wherein the memory is further configured to (1) store a plurality of cost distribution rules, each cost distribution rule being associated with aparty, and wherein the processor is further configured to: (1) determine a party associated with the rental vehicle reservation; (2) select the stored cost distribution rule that is associated with the determined party; and (3) perform the costdistribution in accordance with the selected cost distribution rule.
73. The system of claim 44 wherein the vehicle repair data further comprises an estimated completion date (ECD) and a labor hours estimate, and wherein the processor is further configured to: (1) automatically compute the term-related parameterby automatically computing a target completion date (TCD) for the reservation based at least in part upon the explanation data and the labor hours estimate; (2) compare the computed TCD with the ECD to determine which will control an extension process; and (3) control the extension process using the determined one of the TCD and ECD as a result of the comparison.
74. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the term-related parameter through application of a formula to the received vehicle repair data, the formula configured to compute the term-relatedparameter according to: TD=.left brkt-top.f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD).right brkt-bot. wherein TD represents the estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function of the receivedvehicle repair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and based on the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by:.function..function..function..function. ##EQU00007## wherein the vehicle repair data r further comprises a number of labor hours estimated by the repair facility to repair the disabled vehicle, the labor hours estimate number being represented by LH,wherein LHS(i) represents a labor hours scalar defined for the purchaser i, wherein ND(i) represents an amount for a nondriveable disabled vehicle as defined for the purchaser i, and wherein A(i,r) represents an amount defined for the purchaser i on thebasis of the received vehicle repair data r including the received explanation data.
75. The system of claim 44 further comprising a memory for communication with the processor, the memory configured to categorize a plurality of predefined repair delay explanations as corresponding to a member of the group consisting of anextension amount and an adjustment amount, wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the term-related parameter through application of a formula to the received vehicle repair data, the formula configured to compute theterm-related parameter according to: CD=.left brkt-top.f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD).right brkt-bot. wherein CD represents the estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function ofthe received vehicle repair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and based on the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by:.function..function..function..function..function. ##EQU00008## wherein the vehicle repair data r further comprises a number of labor hours estimated by the repair facility to repair the disabled vehicle, the labor hours estimate number beingrepresented by LH, wherein LHS(i) represents a labor hours scalar defined for the purchaser i, wherein ND(i) represents an amount for a nondriveable disabled vehicle as defined for the purchaser i, wherein A(i,r) represents an amount defined for thepurchaser i on the basis of the received vehicle repair data r including the received explanation data if categorized as an adjustment amount, and wherein E(i,r) represents an amount defined for the purchaser i on the basis of the received vehicle repairdata r including the received explanation data if categorized as an extension amount.
76. The system of claim 44 further comprising a memory for communication with the processor, the memory configured to categorize a plurality of predefined repair delay explanations as corresponding to a member of the group consisting of anextension amount and an adjustment amount, wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the term-related parameter through application of a formula to the received vehicle repair data, the formula configured to compute theterm-related parameter according to: CD=.left brkt-top.f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD).right brkt-bot. wherein CD represents the estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function ofthe received vehicle repair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and based on the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by:.function..function..function..function..function. ##EQU00009## wherein the vehicle repair data r further comprises a number of labor hours estimated by the repair facility to repair the disabled vehicle, the labor hours estimate number beingrepresented by LH, wherein LHS(i) represents a labor hours scalar defined for the purchaser i, wherein ND(i) represents an amount for a nondriveable disabled vehicle as defined for the purchaser i, wherein A(i,r) represents an amount defined for thepurchaser i on the basis of the received vehicle repair data r including the received explanation data if categorized as an adjustment amount, and wherein E(i,r) represents an amount defined for the purchaser i on the basis of the received vehicle repairdata r including the received explanation data if categorized as an extension amount.
77. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to compute the value indicative of the estimate as to how long the repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle as a target number of days for therepairs based at least in part on the explanation data.
78. The system of claim 77 wherein the processor is further configured to (1) compare an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed target number of days, (2) determine whether the authorization period for therental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle based on the comparison, and (3) in response to a determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end beforethe repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automatically extend the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation.
79. The system of claim 78 further comprising a memory for communication with the processor, wherein the memory is configured to store a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the target number of days for repairs to a disabledvehicle are to be computed for a plurality of different purchasers, and wherein the processor is further configured to (1) determine a purchaser for the rental vehicle reservation associated with the received vehicle repair data, and (2) automaticallycompute the target number of days for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser.
80. The system of claim 79 wherein at least one of the purchaser-specific rules is configured to associate a plurality of repair delay explanations with a plurality of amounts that are representative of an increase to the target number of daysfor the repairs, and wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the target number of days for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser by (1)processing the received repair delay explanation to determine the stored amount associated therewith for the determined purchaser, and (2) automatically computing the target number of days for the repairs based at least in part on the determined storedamount.
81. The system of claim 80 wherein the memory is further configured to store a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the authorization period is to be automatically extended for a plurality different purchasers, and wherein theprocessor is further configured to, in response to a determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automatically extend the authorizationperiod for the rental vehicle reservation in accordance with the stored extension rules associated with the determined purchaser.
82. The system of claim 79 wherein at least a plurality of the stored rules are purchaser-specific and repair facility-specific, and wherein the processor is further configured to (1) determine the repair facility corresponding to the receivedvehicle repair data, (2) determine whether any of the stored rules are specific to the determined repair facility in combination with the determined purchaser, and (3) in response to a determination that the memory stores purchaser-specific and repairfacility-specific rules governing how the target number of days for repairs to a disabled vehicle are to be computed for the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility, automatically compute the target number of days for the repairs based atleast in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility.
83. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to compute the value indicative of the estimate as to how long the repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle as a target completion date for therepairs based at least in part on the explanation data.
84. The system of claim 83 wherein the processor is further configured to (1) compare an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed target completion date, (2) determine whether the authorization period for therental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle based on the comparison, and (3) in response to a determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end beforethe repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automatically extend the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation.
85. The system of claim 84 further comprising a memory for communication with the processor, wherein the memory is configured to store a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the target completion date for repairs to a disabledvehicle are to be computed for a plurality of different purchasers, and wherein the processor is further configured to (1) determine a purchaser for the rental vehicle reservation associated with the received vehicle repair data, and (2) automaticallycompute the target completion date for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser.
86. The system of claim 85 wherein at least one of the purchaser-specific rules is configured to associate a plurality of repair delay explanations with a plurality of amounts that are representative of an increase to the target completion datefor the repairs, and wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the target completion date for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser by (1)processing the received repair delay explanation to determine the stored amount associated therewith for the determined purchaser, and (2) automatically computing the target completion date for the repairs based at least in part on the determined storedamount.
87. The system of claim 86 wherein the memory is further configured to store a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the authorization period is to be automatically extended for a plurality different purchasers, and wherein theprocessor is further configured to, in response to a determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automatically extend the authorizationperiod for the rental vehicle reservation in accordance with the stored extension rules associated with the determined purchaser.
88. The system of claim 85 wherein at least a plurality of the stored rules are purchaser-specific and repair facility-specific, and wherein the processor is further configured to (1) determine the repair facility corresponding to the receivedvehicle repair data, (2) determine whether any of the stored rules are specific to the determined repair facility in combination with the determined purchaser, and (3) in response to a determination that the memory stores purchaser-specific and repairfacility-specific rules governing how the target completion date for repairs to a disabled vehicle are to be computed for the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility, automatically compute the target completion date for the repairs basedat least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility.
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