Method and system for controlling the use of ancillary service facilities
OwnerDavid B. Klingleinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method, system and computer program component for allowing the controlled use of automated ancillary service facilities. Example ancillary service facilities include a car wash, automobile a vacuum cleaner and a compressed air dispenser. A provider of ancillary services associates credits with either a certificate that is given to a customer, or with an identification of the customer himself or herself. The customer presents the certificate or identification to automated reading equipment at the ancillary service facility and is allowed to use the facility if a credit has been associated with the presented item.
Claims78
A method for providing controlled use of an ancillary service facility associated with a retail store, comprising the steps of:
- storing in a database a first identification in association with data defining a credit for use of an ancillary service facility;
- generating a determination by determining if a second identification read by an ancillary service facility from a token matches said first identification;
- and
- depending use of said ancillary service facility based upon said determination.
A system for providing controlled use of an ancillary service facility, comprising:
- means for storing in a database a first identification in association with data defining a credit for use of an ancillary service facility;
- means for generating a determination by determining if a second identification read by an ancillary service facility from a token matches said first identification;
- and
- a controller for permitting use of said ancillary service facility based upon said determination.
A system for providing controlled use of an ancillary service facility, comprising:
- a database storing a first identification in association with data defining a credit for use of an ancillary service facility;
- a customer identification reader operating to read a second customer identification means for generating a determination by determining if a second identification read by an ancillary service facility from a token matches said first identification;
- and
- a controller for permitting use of said ancillary service facility upon a determination that said second customer identification matches said first identification.
A computer program component for providing controlled use of an ancillary service facility, comprising:
- a first computer program component configured to store into a database a first identification in association with data defining a credit for use of an ancillary service facility;
- a second computer program component configured to generate a determination by determining if a second identification read by an ancillary service facility from a token matches said first identification;
- and
- a third computer program component configured to permit use of said ancillary service facility based upon said determination.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.