| THE CRAWFORD GROUP, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20110246246 | Method and System for Managing Vehicle Travel - Methods and systems for facilitating efficient travel management are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments comprise a processor configured to make selections from among a plurality of vehicle travel modes based on a vehicle travel mode selection rule using, at least in part, received travel plan information. In a preferred embodiment, this selection can be based on any of a number of factors, including monetary costs and carbon emissions associated with different vehicle travel mode options. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110208551 | Method and System for Reducing Carbon Emissions Arising from Vehicle Travel - Methods and systems for facilitating efficient travel management in a manner such that the carbon emissions produced by vehicle travel are reduced are disclosed. Different vehicle travel modes under consideration for use to satisfy a travel plan are evaluated and selected based at least in part on their relative environmental impacts such that an aggregate reduction in carbon emissions can be achieved via a judicious selection of vehicle travel modes used to carry out a vehicle travel plan. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110153375 | Method and System for Managing Rental Vehicle Reservations with User Authorization Limits - An Internet-enabled rental vehicle reservation management method and system are disclosed. Via the system and method, authorization limits can be assigned to the users who create and manage replacement rental vehicle reservations through the system, where these authorization limits impose financial commitment monetary limits that the users can make on replacement rental vehicle reservations over a specified period of time. In an exemplary embodiment, these authorization limits are customized on a per user basis. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110153372 | Extended Web enabled Business to Business Computer System for Rental Vehicle Services - An Internet-enabled rental vehicle reservation management method and system are disclosed. Via the system and method, authorized purchasers can select a rental vehicle service provider from a among a plurality of competitive rental vehicle service providers via at least one graphical user interface (GUI) menu, and the authorized purchasers can further interact with the system and method to (1) automatically book a rental vehicle reservation with a selected competitive rental vehicle service provider without human intervention on the part of personnel of the selected competitive rental vehicle service provider operating the computer system and (2) manage the booked rental vehicle reservation. In an exemplary embodiment, the reservations created and managed through the system and method are replacement rental vehicles and the authorized purchasers are insurance company personnel. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110144963 | Method and System for Reducing Carbon Emissions Arising from Vehicle Travel - Methods and systems for facilitating efficient travel management in a manner such that the carbon emissions produced by vehicle travel are reduced are disclosed. Simulations can be performed on vehicle travel plans and bodies of vehicles within various types of fleets to estimate their environmental impact. Based on such estimations, travel managers can adopt travel programs that employ a judicious selection of vehicle travel modes to carry out vehicle travel plans in a manner that benefits the environment. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110137691 | Method and System for Reducing Carbon Emissions Arising from Vehicle Travel - Methods and systems for facilitating efficient travel management in a manner such that the carbon emissions produced by vehicle travel are reduced are disclosed. Different vehicle travel modes under consideration for use to satisfy a travel plan are evaluated and selected based at least in part on their relative environmental impacts such that an aggregate reduction in carbon emissions can be achieved via a judicious selection of vehicle travel modes used to carry out a vehicle travel plan. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20100023352 | System and Method for Improved Information Sharing by Repair Facilities for Managing Rental Vehicle Reservations - A method and system are disclosed for managing a rental vehicle reservation wherein the need for reservation managers to follow-up with repair facilities to gain additional information about repair work to disabled vehicles can be greatly reduced if not eliminated. Upon receipt of an update from a repair facility as to repair work for a disabled vehicle that pertains to a replacement rental vehicle reservation, an appropriate set of follow-up questions is directed to the repair facility by automated processes without the need for human intervention by the reservation manager. Furthermore, to support flexibility with respect to different informational needs by different purchasers of replacement rental vehicle services, the set of follow-ups questions that is selected and directed to repair facilities can vary based on a number of parameters. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20090030747 | System and Method for Allocating Replacement Vehicle Rental Costs Using a Virtual Bank of Repair Facility Credits - Systems and methods for managing a virtual bank of repair facility credits are disclosed. Various operations for adding and subtracting credits from a repair facility virtual bank account are disclosed. Adjustments to credit totals can be based on repair facility performance with regard to an individual vehicle repair or a plurality of vehicle repairs. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20080249814 | Web Enabled Business to Business Computer System for Rental Car Services - 3 - An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access an integrated business computer network for the rental vehicle service provider. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner. Utilizing the method and apparatus of the present invention large volumes of rental transactions may be placed, monitored, altered during performance, and closed out with financial accounting and payment being made virtually without human intervention. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080243563 | Web Enabled Business to Business Computer System for Rental Car Services Including Data Display Functionality - 4 - An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access an integrated business computer network for the rental vehicle service provider. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner. Utilizing the method and apparatus of the present invention large volumes of rental transactions may be placed, monitored, altered during performance, and closed out with financial accounting and payment being made virtually without human intervention. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080243562 | Web Enabled Business to Business Computer System for Rental Car Services Having a Bidirectional Communication Link with a Repair Facility - 3 - An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access an integrated business computer network for the rental vehicle service provider. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner. Utilizing the method and apparatus of the present invention large volumes of rental transactions may be placed, monitored, altered during performance, and closed out with financial accounting and payment being made virtually without human intervention. | 10-02-2008 |
