System and method for improved rental vehicle reservation management

US8160906B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Crawford Group, Inc. · US

Inventors

• David Gary Smith · Wildwood, US
• Kimberly Ann DeVallance · Chesterfield, US
• Owen R. Miller · Wildwood, US
• Regina M. Miller · Wildwood, US
• Jon B. Jouris · Olivette, US
• Maribeth Concannon · Chesterfield, US
• Shawn R. Cormier · Brentwood, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 11, 2007
• Grant date: Apr 17, 2012
• Expiry date: Dec 2, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/00
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

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.