US 11,697,393 B2
Mobile device-enhanced rental vehicle returns
Ryan S. Johnson, St. Louis, MO (US); and Dave G. Smith, Wildwood, MO (US)
Assigned to The Crawford Group, Inc., St. Louis, MO (US)
Filed by The Crawford Group, Inc., St. Louis, MO (US)
Filed on Jan. 31, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/778,753.
Application 16/778,753 is a division of application No. 14/212,339, filed on Mar. 14, 2014, granted, now 10,549,721.
Application 14/212,339 is a division of application No. 13/840,711, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, granted, now 9,499,128, issued on Nov. 22, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/784,227, filed on Mar. 14, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2020/0331433 A1, Oct. 22, 2020
Int. Cl. G06Q 10/00 (2023.01); B60R 25/24 (2013.01); H04W 4/80 (2018.01); H04W 4/029 (2018.01); G06F 3/04842 (2022.01); G06Q 10/02 (2012.01); G06Q 30/0645 (2023.01); G06Q 50/30 (2012.01); G06Q 30/016 (2023.01); G06F 3/0482 (2013.01); G01S 19/51 (2010.01); G08C 17/02 (2006.01); H04W 12/47 (2021.01); H04W 12/63 (2021.01); H04W 4/02 (2018.01); H04W 88/02 (2009.01)
CPC B60R 25/24 (2013.01) [B60R 25/245 (2013.01); G01S 19/51 (2013.01); G06F 3/0482 (2013.01); G06F 3/04842 (2013.01); G06Q 10/02 (2013.01); G06Q 30/016 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0645 (2013.01); G06Q 50/30 (2013.01); G08C 17/02 (2013.01); H04W 4/029 (2018.02); H04W 4/80 (2018.02); B60R 2325/101 (2013.01); B60R 2325/103 (2013.01); B60R 2325/105 (2013.01); B60R 2325/205 (2013.01); H04W 4/023 (2013.01); H04W 12/47 (2021.01); H04W 12/63 (2021.01); H04W 88/02 (2013.01)] 28 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for remotely controlling access to a replacement rental vehicle in concert with an automated return administration of the replacement rental vehicle, wherein the replacement rental vehicle serves as a replacement for a personal vehicle of a driver while the personal vehicle is undergoing repairs, the method comprising:
a processor sending a message to a mobile device of the driver notifying the driver about completion of repairs for the driver's personal vehicle, wherein the message includes a completion code;
the processor receiving a completion code from the driver's mobile device;
the processor comparing the received completion code with the completion code included in the message;
in response to a determination that the received completion code matches the completion code included in the message, the processor communicating information from a reservation record for the replacement rental vehicle to the driver's mobile device to populate a pre-return graphical user interface (GUI) for display on the driver's mobile device, the GUI configured to solicit return information from the driver for scheduling a return for the replacement rental vehicle;
the processor receiving the solicited return information from the driver's mobile device through the GUI;
the processor storing the received return information in memory in association with the reservation record;
the processor closing a replacement rental vehicle transaction corresponding to the reservation record based on the received return information; and
in response to the closing, the processor generating a command that causes a wireless signal to be transmitted to the replacement rental vehicle, the wireless signal for reception by the replacement rental vehicle to control at least one of (1) a door locking system of the replacement rental vehicle, (2) an immobilizer of the replacement rental vehicle, or (3) an ignition system of the replacement rental vehicle so as to disable use of the replacement rental vehicle by the driver.