US6708879B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated unmanned rental system and method
Assignee: Audio Visual Services Corp
•
Filing: 2001-11-16
•
Granted: 2004-03-23
•
Expires: 2021-11-16
Abstract
Abstract An automated unmanned rental system enables the automatic tracking of rental activity and equipment movement. Each unmanned rental site has a computer system that monitors rental activity and monitors the available inventory and the rented, or checked out, inventory, and automatically generates invoices for items rented. The computer system controls an RFID tracking system that utilizes the RFID tags on each piece of audio visual equipment in cooperation with one or more antennas. The antennas send and receive signals that interact with the RFID tags when the equipment containing the RFID tag passes through a portal. The computer system has a user interface to allow for associating equipment rental activity with a user and a reference document. A reporting module may automatically communicate equipment movements. A security alarm module may trigger an audible alarm under defined circumstances.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas Harold Hunt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/08; G06Q10/087; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/203; G06Q10/0872; G06Q10/08728; G06Q10/0874; G06Q10/08744; G06Q10/0877
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 110
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for an automated unmanned rental station for use in cooperation with a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in the automated unmanned rental station, each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the method comprising: (a) receiving user input through a user interface of a computer system associated with the automated unmanned rental station; (b) receiving in an antenna in communication with said computer system, and located near a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, a first radio frequency identification signal from a first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag moved through said portal; (c) creating a first rental transaction record for said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal utilizing data from an inventory database stored in said computer system that matches a first unique data interpreted from said first radio frequency identification signal; and (d) altering a status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for an automated unmanned rental station for use in cooperation with a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in the automated unmanned rental station, each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the method comprising: (a) receiving user input through a user interface of a computer system associated with the automated unmanned rental station; (b) receiving in an antenna in communication with said computer system, and located near a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, a first radio frequency identification signal from a first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag moved through said portal; (c) creating a first rental transaction record for said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal utilizing data from an inventory database stored in said computer system that matches a first unique data interpreted from said first radio frequency identification signal; and (d) altering a status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising: receiving a user identification input through said user interface of said computer system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said user interface of said computer system comprises at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a voice command interpreted through speech recognition, a barcode reader, and a touch screen of a graphics display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising: determining the validity of said user identification input.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 4 further comprising: when said user identification input is determined to be invalid, generating electronically an exception report having a date and time stamp; and sending automatically said exception report electronically to at least one predetermined location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising: receiving a check-out equipment input through said user interface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 6 further comprising: receiving a reference number input through said user interface; and receiving a number of days input through said user interface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 6 further comprising: deactivating an alarm component of said computer system for a predetermined period of time after receiving said check-out equipment input.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 8 further comprising: when said predetermined period of time has expired, reactivating said alarm component of said computer system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising: transmitting automatically said first rental transaction record from said computer system to at least one predetermined location.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising: storing said first rental transaction record in said computer system; and transmitting said first rental transaction record from said computer system to at least one predetermined location at a specified time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising: determining the validity of said first unique data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 12 further comprising: when said first unique data is determined to be invalid, generating electronically an exception report having a date and time stamp; and sending automatically said exception report electronically to at least one predetermined location.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first rental transaction record contains at least one of an equipment type, a reference number, a user identification number, a number of days checked out, a date, and a time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said altered status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment indicates that said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is checked out.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising: repeating acts (b) through (d) for a second unique data interpreted from a second radio frequency identification signal from a second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal, wherein a second rental transaction record is created and a status in said inventory database of said second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is altered.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising: generating an invoice with said computer system based on said first rental transaction record.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
189 words
A method for an automated unmanned rental station for use in cooperation with a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in the automated unmanned rental station, each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the method comprising: (a) receiving user input through a user interface of a computer system associated with the automated unmanned rental station; (b) receiving in an antenna in communication with said computer system, and located near a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, a first radio frequency identification signal from a first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having the radio frequency identification tag moved through said portal; (c) comparing a first unique data interpreted from said first radio frequency identification signal for said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal to a plurality of rental transaction records in an inventory database stored in said computer system that matches said first unique data; and (d) altering a status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
189 words
A method for an automated unmanned rental station for use in cooperation with a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in the automated unmanned rental station, each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the method comprising: (a) receiving user input through a user interface of a computer system associated with the automated unmanned rental station; (b) receiving in an antenna in communication with said computer system, and located near a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, a first radio frequency identification signal from a first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having the radio frequency identification tag moved through said portal; (c) comparing a first unique data interpreted from said first radio frequency identification signal for said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal to a plurality of rental transaction records in an inventory database stored in said computer system that matches said first unique data; and (d) altering a status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 18 further comprising: receiving a user identification input through said user interface of said computer system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein said user interface of said computer system comprises at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a voice command interpreted through speech recognition, a barcode reader, and a touch screen of a graphics display.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 18 further comprising: determining the validity of said user identification input.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 21 further comprising: when said user identification input is determined to be invalid, generating electronically an exception report having a date and time stamp; and sending automatically said exception report electronically to at least one predetermined location.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 18 further comprising: receiving a return equipment input through said user interface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 23 further comprising: deactivating an alarm component of said computer system for a predetermined period of time after receiving said return equipment input.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 24 further comprising: when said predetermined period of time has expired, reactivating said alarm component of said computer system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 18 further comprising: when said first unique data does not match at least one of said plurality of rental transaction records in said inventory database stored in said computer system, generating electronically an exception report having a date and time stamp; and sending automatically said exception report electronically to at least one predetermined location.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein said altered status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment indicates that said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is checked in.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 27 further comprising: entering electronically into a log a date and time said altered status of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is indicated as checked in.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 27 further comprising: generating an invoice with said computer system when said altered status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment indicates that said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is checked in.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method according to claim 18 further comprising: repeating acts (b) through (d) for a second unique data interpreted from a second radio frequency identification signal from a second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal, wherein said second unique data is compared to said plurality of rental transaction records in said inventory database stored in said computer system and a status in said inventory database of said second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is altered.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for an automated unmanned rental station for use in cooperation with a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in the automated unmanned rental station, each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the method comprising: (a) receiving in an antenna in communication with a computer system associated with the automated unmanned rental station, and located near a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, a first radio frequency identification signal from a first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag moved through said portal; (b) comparing a first unique data interpreted from said first radio frequency identification signal for said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal to a plurality of rental transaction records in an inventory database stored in said computer system that matches said first unique data; and (c) altering a status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for an automated unmanned rental station for use in cooperation with a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in the automated unmanned rental station, each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the method comprising: (a) receiving in an antenna in communication with a computer system associated with the automated unmanned rental station, and located near a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, a first radio frequency identification signal from a first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag moved through said portal; (b) comparing a first unique data interpreted from said first radio frequency identification signal for said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal to a plurality of rental transaction records in an inventory database stored in said computer system that matches said first unique data; and (c) altering a status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 31 further comprising: activating an alarm component of said computer system after receiving said first unique data; and beginning a timed countdown for a predetermined period of time for said alarm component to sound.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 32 further comprising: deactivating said alarm component of said computer system when said predetermined period of time expires.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein said altered status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment indicates that said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is checked in.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 34 further comprising: entering electronically into a log a date and time said altered status of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is indicated as checked in.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 34 further comprising: generating an invoice with said computer system when said altered status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment indicates that said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is checked in.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 31 further comprising: when said first unique data does not match at least one of said plurality of rental transaction records in said inventory database stored in said computer system, generating electronically an exception report having a date and time stamp; and sending automatically said exception report electronically to at least one predetermined location.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method according to claim 31 further comprising: repeating acts (a) through (c) for a second radio frequency identification signal from a second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal, wherein said second radio frequency identification signal is compared to said plurality of rental transaction records in said inventory database stored in said computer system and a status in said inventory database of said second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is altered.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
223 words
A method for an automated unmanned rental station for use in cooperation with a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in the automated unmanned rental station, each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the method comprising: (a) receiving in an antenna in communication with a computer system associated with the automated unmanned rental station, and located near a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, a first radio frequency identification signal from a first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having the radio frequency identification tag moved through said portal; (b) comparing a first unique data interpreted from said first radio frequency identification signal for said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal to an inventory list of a plurality of pieces of rental equipment in an inventory database stored in said computer system that matches said first unique data; and (c) creating a first rental transaction record for said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal utilizing data from said inventory database stored in said computer system that matches said first unique data; and (d) altering a status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
223 words
A method for an automated unmanned rental station for use in cooperation with a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in the automated unmanned rental station, each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the method comprising: (a) receiving in an antenna in communication with a computer system associated with the automated unmanned rental station, and located near a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, a first radio frequency identification signal from a first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having the radio frequency identification tag moved through said portal; (b) comparing a first unique data interpreted from said first radio frequency identification signal for said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal to an inventory list of a plurality of pieces of rental equipment in an inventory database stored in said computer system that matches said first unique data; and (c) creating a first rental transaction record for said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal utilizing data from said inventory database stored in said computer system that matches said first unique data; and (d) altering a status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 39 further comprising: activating an alarm component of said computer system after receiving said first unique data; and beginning a timed countdown for a predetermined period of time for said alarm component to sound.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 40 further comprising: deactivating said alarm component of said computer system when said predetermined period of time expires.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 39 wherein said altered status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment indicates that said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is checked out.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 42 further comprising: generating an invoice with said computer system based on said first rental transaction record.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 39 further comprising: transmitting automatically said first rental transaction record from said computer system to at least one predetermined location.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 39 further comprising: storing said first rental transaction record in said computer system; and transmitting said first rental transaction record from said computer system to at least one predetermined location at a specified time.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method according to claim 39 further comprising: when said first unique data does not match at least one of said plurality of pieces of rental equipment in said inventory list in said inventory database stored in said computer system, generating electronically an exception report having a date and time stamp; and sending automatically said exception report electronically to at least one predetermined location.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
99 words
A method according to claim 39 further comprising: repeating acts (a) through (d) for a second unique data interpreted from a second radio frequency identification signal from a second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal, wherein said second unique data is compared to said plurality of pieces of rental equipment in said inventory list in said inventory database stored in said computer system and a second rental transaction record is created and a status in said inventory database of said second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is altered.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 39 wherein said first rental transaction record contains at least one of an equipment type, a date, and a time.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for an automated unmanned rental station for use in cooperation with a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in the automated unmanned rental station, each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the method comprising: (a) receiving in an antenna in communication with a computer system associated with the automated unmanned rental station, and located near a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, a first radio frequency identification signal from a first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal; (b) receiving a user identification input through a user interface of said computer system; (c) comparing a first unique data interpreted from said first radio frequency identification signal for said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal to a plurality of rental transaction records in an inventory database stored in said computer system that matches said first unique data; and (d) altering a status of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment in said inventory database.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for an automated unmanned rental station for use in cooperation with a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in the automated unmanned rental station, each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the method comprising: (a) receiving in an antenna in communication with a computer system associated with the automated unmanned rental station, and located near a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, a first radio frequency identification signal from a first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal; (b) receiving a user identification input through a user interface of said computer system; (c) comparing a first unique data interpreted from said first radio frequency identification signal for said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal to a plurality of rental transaction records in an inventory database stored in said computer system that matches said first unique data; and (d) altering a status of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment in said inventory database.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 49 further comprising: determining the validity of said user identification input.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 50 further comprising: when said user identification input is determined to be invalid, generating electronically an exception report having a date and time stamp; and sending automatically said exception report electronically to at least one predetermined location.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 49 wherein said user interface of said computer system comprises at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a voice command interpreted through speech recognition, a barcode reader, and a touch screen of a graphics display.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 49 further comprising: activating an alarm component of said computer system after receiving said first unique data; and beginning a timed countdown for a first predetermined period of time for said alarm component to sound.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 53 further comprising: receiving a return equipment input through said user interface of said computer system.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 54 further comprising: deactivating said alarm component of said computer system for a second predetermined period of time after receiving said return equipment input through said user interface of said computer system.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 55 further comprising: storing in said computer system said first unique data.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
91 words
A method according to claim 56 further comprising: repeating acts (c) and (d) for a second unique data interpreted from a second radio frequency identification signal stored in said computer system from a second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal, wherein said second unique data is compared to said plurality of rental transaction records in said inventory database stored in said computer system and a status in said inventory database of said second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is altered.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 55 further comprising: when said second predetermined period of time has expired, reactivating said alarm component of said computer system.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
102 words
A method according to claim 55 further comprising: when a second unique data interpreted from a second radio frequency identification signal from a second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal is received before said second predetermined period of time has expired, repeating acts (c) and (d) for said second unique data, wherein said second unique data is compared to said plurality of rental transaction records in said inventory database stored in said computer system and a status in said inventory database of said second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is altered.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 49 wherein said user interface of said computer system comprises at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a voice command interpreted through speech recognition, a barcode reader, and a touch screen of a graphics display.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 49 wherein said altered status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment indicates that said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is checked in.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 61 further comprising: generating an invoice with said computer system when said altered status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment indicates that said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is checked in.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 61 further comprising: entering electronically into a log a date and time said altered status of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is indicated as checked in.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 49 wherein said plurality of rental transaction records further comprise an inventory list of a plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a status indicating that said plurality of pieces of rental equipment are checked out.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
201 words
A method for an automated unmanned rental station for use in cooperation with a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in the automated unmanned rental station, each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the method comprising: (a) receiving in an antenna in communication with a computer system associated with the automated unmanned rental station, and located near a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, a first radio frequency identification signal from a first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal; (b) receiving a user identification input through a user interface of said computer system; (c) receiving a check-out equipment input through said user interface of said computer system; and (d) creating a first rental transaction record for said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal utilizing data from said inventory database stored in said computer system that matches a first unique data interpreted from said first radio frequency identification signal; and (e) altering a status of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment in an inventory database stored in said computer system.
Claim 71
Independent Claim
201 words
A method for an automated unmanned rental station for use in cooperation with a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in the automated unmanned rental station, each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the method comprising: (a) receiving in an antenna in communication with a computer system associated with the automated unmanned rental station, and located near a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, a first radio frequency identification signal from a first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal; (b) receiving a user identification input through a user interface of said computer system; (c) receiving a check-out equipment input through said user interface of said computer system; and (d) creating a first rental transaction record for said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal utilizing data from said inventory database stored in said computer system that matches a first unique data interpreted from said first radio frequency identification signal; and (e) altering a status of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment in an inventory database stored in said computer system.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 65 further comprising: determining the validity of said user identification input.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 66 further comprising: when said user identification input is determined to be invalid, generating electronically an exception report having a date and time stamp; and sending automatically said exception report electronically to at least one predetermined location.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 65 further comprising: receiving a reference number input through said user interface; and receiving a number of days input through said user interface.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 65 further comprising: activating an alarm component of said computer system after receiving said first unique data; and beginning a timed countdown for a first predetermined period of time for said alarm component to sound.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 69 further comprising: deactivating said alarm component of said computer system for a second predetermined period of time after receiving said check-out equipment input through said user interface.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 70 further comprising: when said second predetermined period of time has expired, reactivating said alarm component of said computer system.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method according to claim 70 further comprising: when a second unique data interpreted from a second radio frequency identification signal from a second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal is received before said second predetermined period of time has expired, repeating acts (d) and (e) for said second unique data, wherein a status in said inventory database of said second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is altered.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 70 further comprising: storing in said computer system said first unique data.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 65 further comprising: determining the validity of said first unique data.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 74 further comprising: when said first unique data is determined to be invalid, generating electronically an exception report having a date and time stamp; and sending automatically said exception report electronically to at least one predetermined location.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 65 wherein said first rental transaction record contains at least one of an equipment type, a user reference number, a user identification number, a number of days checked out, a date, and a time.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to claim 65 further comprising: repeating acts (d) and (e) for a second unique data interpreted from a second radio frequency identification signal stored in said computer system from a second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment moved through said portal, wherein a status in said inventory database of said second one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is altered.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 65 wherein said user interface of said computer system comprises at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a voice command interpreted through speech recognition, a barcode reader, and a touch screen of a graphics display.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 65 wherein said altered status in said inventory database of said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment indicates that said first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is checked out.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 65 further comprising: generating an invoice with said computer system based on said first rental transaction record.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
242 words
An automated unmanned rental station for use in cooperation with a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in the automated unmanned rental station, each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the automated unmanned rental station comprising: at least one antenna for tracking the movement of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment through a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, wherein said at least one antenna receives a radio frequency identification signal for each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having the attached radio frequency identification tag when moved through said portal; and a computer system in communication with said at least one antenna, said computer system having a user interface for allowing interaction between at least one user and an equipment rental software loaded into a memory of said computer system, said equipment rental software further comprising, a radio frequency identification tracking module for interpreting a unique data from each of said radio frequency identification signals received by said at least one antenna, an inventory database module for storing a data on each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment, wherein each of said unique data corresponds to a one of said data for a one of said plurality of pieces of rental equipment, and a reporting module for generating at least one report regarding a rental activity of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
242 words
An automated unmanned rental station for use in cooperation with a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in the automated unmanned rental station, each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the automated unmanned rental station comprising: at least one antenna for tracking the movement of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment through a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, wherein said at least one antenna receives a radio frequency identification signal for each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having the attached radio frequency identification tag when moved through said portal; and a computer system in communication with said at least one antenna, said computer system having a user interface for allowing interaction between at least one user and an equipment rental software loaded into a memory of said computer system, said equipment rental software further comprising, a radio frequency identification tracking module for interpreting a unique data from each of said radio frequency identification signals received by said at least one antenna, an inventory database module for storing a data on each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment, wherein each of said unique data corresponds to a one of said data for a one of said plurality of pieces of rental equipment, and a reporting module for generating at least one report regarding a rental activity of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
114 words
An automated unmanned rental station according to claim 81 further comprising: a user identification device; an alarm for generating audible sound; and said equipment rental software further comprises, a security alarm module for controlling said alarm, a user identification module for receiving input from said at least one user through said user identification device and for authenticating said at least one user, an automated billing module for generating at least one invoice based on said rental activity of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment, and a communication module for transferring said at least one report regarding said rental activity of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment to at least one external location.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
72 words
An automated unmanned rental station according to claim 81 wherein said user interface of said computer system comprises at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a voice command interpreted through speech recognition, a barcode reader, and a touch screen of a graphics display, and further wherein said equipment rental software further comprises a user interface module for controlling the interaction between said at least one user and said equipment rental software.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
34 words
An automated unmanned rental station according to claim 81 wherein when a first one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment is moved through said portal, a first rental transaction record is created.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
24 words
An automated unmanned rental station according to claim 81 wherein said portal is one of a doorway, a gate, or a pass through opening.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
274 words
An automated unmanned rental system, the system comprising: at least one unmanned rental site, said at least one unmanned rental site further comprising, a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in an automated unmanned rental station located at said at least one unmanned rental site, wherein each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment has a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, at least one antenna for tracking the movement of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment through a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, wherein said at least one antenna receives a radio frequency identification signal for each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having the attached radio frequency identification tag when moved through said portal, and a computer system in communication with said at least one antenna, said computer system having a user interface for allowing interaction between at least one user and an equipment rental software loaded into a memory of said computer system; a central rental processing center, said central rental processing center further comprising a central rental processing center computer system having a central rental processing center software loaded into a memory of said central rental processing center computer system; and a communications medium for allowing communication between said computer system at said at least one unmanned rental site and said central rental processing center computer system at said central rental processing center, wherein said central rental processing center computer system at said central rental processing center receives over said communications medium at least one report regarding a rental activity generated by said computer system at said at least one unmanned rental site.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
274 words
An automated unmanned rental system, the system comprising: at least one unmanned rental site, said at least one unmanned rental site further comprising, a plurality of pieces of rental equipment stored in an automated unmanned rental station located at said at least one unmanned rental site, wherein each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment has a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, at least one antenna for tracking the movement of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment through a portal of the automated unmanned rental station, wherein said at least one antenna receives a radio frequency identification signal for each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having the attached radio frequency identification tag when moved through said portal, and a computer system in communication with said at least one antenna, said computer system having a user interface for allowing interaction between at least one user and an equipment rental software loaded into a memory of said computer system; a central rental processing center, said central rental processing center further comprising a central rental processing center computer system having a central rental processing center software loaded into a memory of said central rental processing center computer system; and a communications medium for allowing communication between said computer system at said at least one unmanned rental site and said central rental processing center computer system at said central rental processing center, wherein said central rental processing center computer system at said central rental processing center receives over said communications medium at least one report regarding a rental activity generated by said computer system at said at least one unmanned rental site.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
99 words
An automated unmanned rental system according to claim 86 wherein said equipment rental software further comprises: a radio frequency identification tracking module for interpreting said unique signals received from said at least one antenna; an inventory database module for storing a data on each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment, wherein each of said unique data corresponds to a one of said data for a one of said plurality of pieces of rental equipment; and a reporting module for generating said at least one report regarding said rental activity from said at least one unmanned rental site.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
50 words
An automated unmanned rental system according to claim 86 wherein said central rental processing center computer system at said central rental processing center receives over said communications medium at least one exception report regarding a rental activity generated by said computer system at said at least one unmanned rental site.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
32 words
An automated unmanned rental system according to claim 86 wherein said central rental processing center computer system generates at least one invoice for said rental activity of said at least one report.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
33 words
An automated unmanned rental system according to claim 86 wherein said communications medium is one of an intranet, the Internet, a LAN, a WAN, a wireless communication network, and a satellite communication network.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
99 words
An automated unmanned rental system according to claim 86 wherein said at least one unmanned rental site further comprises: a user identification device; an alarm for generating audible sound; and said equipment rental software further comprises, a security alarm module for controlling said alarm, a user identification module for receiving input from said at least one user through said user identification device and for authenticating said at least one user, and a communication module for transferring said at least one report regarding said rental activity to said central rental processing center computer system at said central rental processing center.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
72 words
An automated unmanned rental system according to claim 86 wherein said user interface of said computer system comprises at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a voice command interpreted through speech recognition, a barcode reader, and a touch screen of a graphics display, and further wherein said equipment rental software further comprises a user interface module for controlling the interaction between said at least one user and said equipment rental software.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
24 words
An automated unmanned rental system according to claim 86 wherein said portal is one of a doorway, a gate, or a pass through opening.
Claim 102
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for an automated unmanned rental system for use in cooperation with at least one unmanned rental site having a plurality of pieces of rental equipment, wherein each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment has a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the method comprising: (a) loading a central rental processing center software on a central rental processing center computer; (b) receiving in said central rental processing center computer a plurality of data uploaded from the at least one unmanned rental site; (c) processing said plurality of data and posting a portion of said plurality of data to at least one subsystem; (d) adding at least one additional piece of equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto to an inventory database, and assigning said at least one additional piece of equipment to a one of the at least one unmanned rental site; (e) removing at least one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto from said inventory database; and (f) generating at least one management report based on said plurality of data uploaded from the at least one unmanned rental site.
Claim 103
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for an automated unmanned rental system for use in cooperation with at least one unmanned rental site having a plurality of pieces of rental equipment, wherein each of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment has a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto, the method comprising: (a) loading a central rental processing center software on a central rental processing center computer; (b) receiving in said central rental processing center computer a plurality of data uploaded from the at least one unmanned rental site; (c) processing said plurality of data and posting a portion of said plurality of data to at least one subsystem; (d) adding at least one additional piece of equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto to an inventory database, and assigning said at least one additional piece of equipment to a one of the at least one unmanned rental site; (e) removing at least one of the plurality of pieces of rental equipment having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto from said inventory database; and (f) generating at least one management report based on said plurality of data uploaded from the at least one unmanned rental site.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 94 wherein said at least one subsystem is an accounting subsystem and further comprising: generating at least one invoice based on said portion of said plurality of data posted to said accounting subsystem.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 94 wherein said at least one subsystem is an inventory subsystem and further comprising: generating at least one inventory report based on said portion of said plurality of data posted to said inventory subsystem.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 94 wherein said plurality of data further comprises transaction data stored in a transaction data file captured by a computer system at the at least one unmanned rental site.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method according to claim 97 wherein said plurality of data is uploaded from the at least one unmanned rental site to said central rental processing center computer under the control of a communication software loaded on said central rental processing center computer and loaded on said computer system at the at least one unmanned rental site.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 97 wherein said processing act further comprises: determining if a first transaction data in said transaction data file has a missing data; when said transaction data file has said missing data, extracting said first transaction data into an exception report; and when said transaction data file has no said missing data, extracting said first transaction data into an edit list.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 94 further comprising: repeating acts (b) and (c) for a next plurality of data uploaded from the at least one unmanned rental site, processing said next plurality of data, and posting a portion of said next plurality of data to said at least one subsystem.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 94 further comprising: repeating acts (d) and (e) for adding a plurality of additional pieces of equipment to said inventory database, and for removing a plurality of pieces of rental equipment from said inventory database.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-03-23 | 2007-09-22 | 2008-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-03-23 | 2011-09-22 | 2012-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-03-23 | 2015-09-22 | 2016-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |