Method for managing a transportation fleet

• US 20060265117A1
• Filed: 07/26/2006
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aurora Operations Incorporated (Aurora Innovation, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Colin Paul Cahoon
• Inventors: Cahoon, Colin Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,430,470 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/114
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/101 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/302 Airplanes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/306 Motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/307 using data concerning maintenance or configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates

Abstract

A portable memory device used in substitution of an automobile key and interfaced with an automobile onboard computer and ignition system. The portable memory device contains data that, when read by the onboard computer, enables the ignition system. The portable memory device is read and write capable, thereby allowing for data to be used by the onboard computer in conjunction with several automobile systems, and allowing for data to be transferred from said systems to the portable memory device by the onboard computer, thus facilitating a method for managing a transportation fleet using portable memory devices in place of mechanical ignition keys and manual check-out and check-in procedures.

Claims

1. A method for managing a transportation fleet having vehicles available for use, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) accumulating customized data relating to the use of a vehicle;

(b) loading said customized data onto a portable memory device;

(c) using the portable memory device containing said customized data in conjunction with the use of the vehicle;

(d) loading use data associated with the use of the vehicle onto said portable memory device; and

(e) downloading said use data from the portable memory device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the customized data of step (a) comprises customer data and rental data.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the customer data comprises a customer'"'"'s convenience settings.

4. The method claim 3 wherein said convenience settings comprise preferred seat settings.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said use data of step (d) comprises the distance the vehicle traveled during use.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said use data of step (d) comprises information regarding the speed of the vehicle during use.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the use of the portable memory device of step (c) comprises using the portable memory device to initiate the ignition sequence of the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the use of the portable memory device of step (c) comprises interfacing the portable memory device with a global positioning system unit onboard the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the use of said vehicle is limited to a geographic boundary by virtue of the interface between the portable memory device and the global positioning system.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the use of the vehicle is time limited by the customized data of step (a).

11. The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) further comprises loading customer data relating to the use of the vehicle onto said portable memory device.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said customer data comprises a customer'"'"'s convenience settings.

13. A method for managing a transportation fleet, wherein said fleet comprises vehicles each having an ignition system that utilize a read and write capable portable memory device in lieu of an ignition key, said ignition system comprising:

a portable memory device receiving port; and

an onboard processing unit in electrical communication with said port and the ignition system;

wherein said portable memory device is inserted into said port, thereby allowing data transfer from said processing unit for initiating the operation of the associated vehicle, wherein the method comprises the steps of;

(a) accumulating customized data relating to the use of a vehicle;

(b) loading said customized data on a portable memory device;

(c) using the portable memory device containing said customized data in conjunction with the operation of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:

(d) loading use data associated with the operation of the vehicle onto said portable memory device.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:

(e) downloading said use data from the portable memory device.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein said portable memory device is read during step (c) in order to enable operator preference settings for vehicle components, said components comprising side mirrors and an adjustable seat.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the customized data of step (a) comprises customer data and rental data.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said use data of step (d) comprises the distance the vehicle traveled during operation.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein step (d) further comprises loading customer data relating to the operation of the vehicle onto said portable memory device.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said customer data comprises a customer'"'"'s convenience settings.