Technique for effective organization and communication of information

Abstract

In a communication arrangement in accordance with the invention, a server is employed to collect and organize information for mobile device users according to the user profiles, e.g., personal profile, business profile, vacation profile, etc., which reflect different user personae. By using this arrangement, the user advantageously maintains only the necessary information in the mobile device and downloads any additional information from the server on an as needed basis. In addition, the server is capable of serving mobile devices which may be incompatible to one another, thereby facilitating an exchange of information between such devices. Moreover, with the server, incoming messages for the user are organized and stored according to the source of the messages and the user criteria established in the user profiles. Further, information in a mobile device may be organized using electronic information cards, referred to as “E-cards,” which facilitate, among others, transfer of information from the mobile device to the server, or other mobile devices to conduct various commercial and data transactions.

1 . A method for use in a server serving a user of a communication device, the method comprising:
 receiving, through a communications network, a vehicle renting request, the request including data indicative of a user identity, a desired rental period, and a location of the communication device determined by the communication device, the communication device being selected from the group consisting of a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computing device, and a laptop computer;   identifying a first vehicle from a database comprising a plurality of vehicles;   providing to the communication device, over the communications network, a description and location of the first vehicle; and   providing, over the communications network, instructions for an automotive system of the first vehicle to unlock the first vehicle upon the first vehicle automotive system receiving an access code.   
     
     
         2 .- 64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . A method of vehicle renting, comprising:
 maintaining a database comprising data about a plurality of vehicles;   receiving, through a communication network, a vehicle renting request, the vehicle renting request including data indicative of a desired rental period;   identifying a first vehicle from the database, the first vehicle having a first vehicle system;   providing, through the communication network, a description and location of the first vehicle;   providing to the first vehicle system, through the communication network, instructions to grant access to the first vehicle upon the first vehicle system receiving an access code from a user;   the first vehicle system receiving the access code from the user; and   the first vehicle system granting access to the user.   
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the first vehicle system receives the access code from the user by way of a handheld device in the possession of the user. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein a system provides the instructions to the first vehicle system, and additionally comprising the first vehicle system communicating to the system that it has received the access code from the user. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein a system receives the vehicle renting request from a user communication device, provides the description and location of the first vehicle to the user communication device, and provides the instructions to the first vehicle system. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68  additionally comprising the first vehicle system communicating to the system that it has received the access code from the user. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 68  additionally comprising the system receiving a text message from the user communication device concerning a requested change to the vehicle renting request. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the user communication device provides the access code from the user to first vehicle system. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the vehicle renting request is received from a user communication device, the description and location of the first vehicle is provided to the user communication device, and a system provides the instructions to the first vehicle system. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the database comprises vehicle parameters of make, model, location, availability and identity. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the vehicle renting request includes at least one vehicle parameter. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 72  additionally comprising the first vehicle system communicating to the system that it has received the access code from the user. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the instructions to the first vehicle system include an authorization access code, and additionally comprising the first vehicle system determining whether the access code received from the user matches the authorization access code. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein the user communication device provides the access code from the user to the first vehicle system. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein the vehicle rental request is received by a car rental agent. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the vehicle rental includes one or more of a mileage limit and a time limit, and additionally comprising the system tracking whether one or more of the limits has been exceeded. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79  additionally comprising the system communicating with the user communication device, through the communication system, to extend one of the limits. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein granting access to the first vehicle comprises unlocking the doors of the first vehicle. 
     
     
         82 . A method of vehicle renting, comprising:
 maintaining a database comprising data about the location of a plurality of vehicles;   providing, through a communication network, data concerning the location of the plurality of vehicles;   receiving from a user communication device, through the communication network, a request to rent a first vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, the first vehicle having a first vehicle system;   providing to the first vehicle system, through the communication network, instructions to grant driving access to the first vehicle upon the first vehicle system receiving an access code from a user;   the first vehicle system receiving the access code from the user; and   the first vehicle system granting driving access to the user.   
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 82 , wherein a system provides the instructions to the first vehicle system, and additionally comprising the first vehicle system communicating to the system that it has received the access code from the user.