초록 ▼

An automated vehicle rental system with individual vehicle transmitting sensors for keeping track of vehicle mileage, fill state of vehicle fuel tank, and localized position status in a rental lot. Sensors are linked to the vehicle odometer reading and to the vehicle fuel tank float sensor with comp

An automated vehicle rental system with individual vehicle transmitting sensors for keeping track of vehicle mileage, fill state of vehicle fuel tank, and localized position status in a rental lot. Sensors are linked to the vehicle odometer reading and to the vehicle fuel tank float sensor with compensation for types of driving and fuel fill-ups which affect float level readings. The sensors are integrated with or are linked with communicating tags operable in a defined site for ultimate communication of stored vehicle related sensor data, vehicle location and type to a central data base for automatically completely effecting check out, charges and state of vehicle readiness for renewed rental. The transmitting sensors are adapted to avoid interference between sensors of other vehicles during multiple transmissions. Also included is an in-vehicle check out and payment device operatively linkable to the transmitting sensor of the vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for renting a rental vehicle, comprising:transmitting rental record data to a selected rental vehicle, the rental record data including driver identification linked to an identification of the selected rental vehicle; storing the transmitted rental record data in a memory located within

1. A method for renting a rental vehicle, comprising:transmitting rental record data to a selected rental vehicle, the rental record data including driver identification linked to an identification of the selected rental vehicle; storing the transmitted rental record data in a memory located within the selected rental vehicle; transmitting the stored rental record data, from the selected rental vehicle to an exit security point of a rental vehicle lot as the selected rental vehicle approaches the exit security point; making the transmitted rental record data available to security personnel at the exit security point; and printing a copy of a rental agreement for the selected rental vehicle at the exit security point. 2. The method of claim 1 further including resetting a fuel and distance measurement device located within the selected rental vehicle.3. The method of claim 2 further including monitoring fuel state and distance traveled using the fuel and distance measurement device.4. The method of claim 3 further including transmitting the monitored fuel state and distance traveled information from the selected rental vehicle to a central rental node when the selected rental vehicle returns to either the same or a different rental vehicle lot.5. The method of claim 4 further including calculating charges for use of the selected rental vehicle based on the transmitted monitored fuel state and distance traveled information.6. The method of claim 1 further including additionally transmitting the rental record data to the exit security point of the rental vehicle lot in a manner that does not pass through the selected rental vehicle and its memory.7. The method of claim 1 wherein the rental record data include credit card data for a renter of the vehicle.8. The method of claim 1 wherein the rental record data include an identification of a type of rental agreement for the selected rental vehicle.9. The method of claim 1 further including transmitting the stored rental record data from the selected rental vehicle to a database when the selected rental vehicle returns to either the same or a different rental vehicle lot.10. The method of claim 9 further including calculating charges for use of the selected rental vehicle based on the transmitted rental record data.11. The method of claim 9 wherein transmitting includes:detecting by the rental vehicle itself of a return to a rental vehicle lot; and responsive to such a detection, initiating a remote communication transmission of the stored rental record data from the rented vehicle to a central rental node. 12. The method of claim 11 further including:acknowledging by the central rental node to the rented vehicle of receipt of the remote communication transmitted rental record data; and inhibiting by the rental vehicle of further transmission of the stored rental record data following central rental node acknowledgment. 13. The method of claim 12 further including calculating charges for use of the selected rental vehicle based on the transmitted rental record data.14. A method for renting a rental vehicle, comprising:transmitting rental record data to a selected rental vehicle, the rental record data including driver identification linked to an identification of the selected rental vehicle; storing the transmitted rental record data in a memory located within the selected rental vehicle; transmitting the stored rental record data from the selected rental vehicle to an exit security point of a rental vehicle lot as the selected rental vehicle approaches the exit security point; making the transmitted rental record data available to security personnel at the exit security point; and confirming responsive to the selected rental vehicle approaching the exit security point that a rental record exists with respect to the selected rental vehicle. 15. The method of claim 14 including additionally transmitting the rental record data to the exit security point of the rental vehicle lot in a manner that does not pass through the selected rental vehicle and its memory.16. The method of claim 14 further including printing a copy of the rental agreement for the selected rental vehicle at the exit security point.17. A method for renting a rental vehicle, comprising:entering through an in-vehicle user interface renter information to create rental record data including a driver identification linked to a selected rental vehicle; storing the rental record data in a memory located within the selected rental vehicle; transmitting the stored rental record data from the selected rental vehicle to a central rental node; and making the transmitted rental record data available to security personnel at an exit security point of a rental vehicle lot when the selected rental vehicle approaches the exit security point. 18. The method of claim 17 further including printing a copy of a rental agreement for the selected rental vehicle at the exit security point.19. The method of claim 17 further including resetting a fuel and distance measurement device within the selected rental vehicle.20. The method of claim 19 further including monitoring fuel state and distance traveled using the fuel and distance measurement device.21. The method of claim 20 further including transmitting the monitored fuel state and distance traveled information from the selected rental vehicle to the central rental node when the selected rental vehicle returns to either the same or a different rental vehicle lot.22. The method of claim 21 further including calculating charges for use of the selected rental vehicle based on the transmitted monitored fuel state and distance traveled information.23. The method of claim 17 wherein the renter information include credit card data for a renter of the vehicle.24. The method of claim 23 wherein the renter of the vehicle is the driver.25. The method of claim 17 wherein the renter information include an identification of a type of rental agreement for the selected rental vehicle.26. The method of claim 25 further including printing a copy of the rental agreement for the selected rental vehicle at the exit security point.27. The method of claim 17 further including confirming responsive to selected rental vehicle approach to the exit security point that a rental record exists with respect to the selected rental vehicle.28. The method of claim 17 further including transmitting the stored rental record data from the selected rental vehicle to a database when the selected rental vehicle returns to either the same or a different rental vehicle lot.29. The method of claim 28 further including calculating charges for use of the selected rental vehicle based on the transmitted rental record data.30. The method of claim 29 further including:acknowledging by the central rental node to the rented vehicle of receipt of the remote communication transmitted rental record data; and inhibiting by the rental vehicle of further transmission of the stored rental record data following central rental node acknowledgment. 31. The method of claim 30 further including calculating charges for use of the selected rental vehicle based on the transmitted rental record data.32. The method of claim 28 wherein transmitting includes:detecting by the rental vehicle itself of a return to a rental vehicle lot; and responsive to such a detection, initiating a remote communication transmission of the stored rental record data from the rented vehicle to a central rental node. 33. A method for renting a rental vehicle, comprising:associating rental record data including a driver identification with an identification of a selected rental vehicle; storing the rental record data and associated selected rental vehicle in a memory located within the selected rental vehicle; detecting that the selected rental vehicle is approaching an exit security point of a rental vehicle lot; transmitting the stored rental record data and associated selected rental vehicle from the memory to the exit security point of the rental vehicle lot as the selected rental vehicle approaches the exit security point; and making the transmitted rental record data available to security personnel at the exit security point. 34. The method of claim 33 further including printing a copy of a rental agreement for the selected rental vehicle at the exit security point.35. The method of claim 33 further including additionally transmitting the rental record data and associated selected rental vehicle to the exit security point of the rental vehicle lot in a manner that passes through the selected rental vehicle.36. The method of claim 33 wherein the rental record data include credit card data for a renter of the vehicle.37. The method of claim 33 wherein the rental record data include an identification of a type of rental agreement for the selected rental vehicle.38. The method of claim 33 further including confirming responsive to the selected rental vehicle approaching the exit security point that a rental record exists with respect to the selected rental vehicle.