Municipal bicycle sharing system

• US 20110307394A1
• Filed: 06/12/2009
• Published: 12/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rzepecki S. Ryan
• Original Assignee: Rzepecki S. Ryan
• Inventors: Rzepecki, S. Ryan
• Application Number:
  US12/456,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20110307394A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/307
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 2003/005 Supports or holders associated with means for bike rental
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0057 for the hiring or rent of vehicles, e.g. cars, bicycles or wheelchairs car rental G07B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices

Abstract

A bike share system with the flexibility to anchor the rental bike anywhere at the end of the trip employs a remotely operable lockbox which incorporates a wireless communication card with a GPS receiver. The bike itself has a battery for operating the wireless communication card and the GPS receiver and a hub dynamo for recharging the battery while the vehicle is in motion. A method of operating a stationless bicycle rental business is also disclosed. The remote lock can be disengaged by sending a text message, a voice message, a smart card message, or inputting required information using a keypad on the lockbox.

Claims

1. A stationless bike share system for use in municipalities, said bike share system comprising

a) a plurality of bicycles, each bicycle of said plurality having a locking system including a lock box, each said lock box including a GPS tracking system and a wireless communication device, each lock box functioning as a bicycle securing means to retain a bicycle to a stationary object against unauthorized removal, each lock box including locking means which is manually locked and remotely unlocked;

b) battery means for powering said GPS tracking system and said wireless communication device;

c) a remote monitoring system for determining location of each of said bikes, authorizing use of a particular one of said plurality of bicycles by remotely unlocking said locking means upon receipt of a confirmed request.

2. The stationless bike share system of claim 1 further comprising an internal hub dynamo to recharge said battery means while said bicycle is in motion.

3. The stationless bike system of claim 1 wherein said locking system further comprises a U-shaped lock and chain, said lock box having a plurality of recesses, each of said plurality of recesses designed to receive and secure an arm of said U-shaped lock when said arm is manually inserted therein.

4. The stationless bike system of claim 3 further comprising a keypad on said lock box.

5. The stationless bike system of claim 4 wherein said lock box can be unlocked by a remote signal in response to at least one of four inputs:

a) an authorized text “

Unlock”

message;

b) a cell phone request where a user provides proper responsive information;

c) a smart phone application message; and

, d) an authorization code input using said keypad.

6. The stationless system of claim 5 wherein said lock box can be unlocked by a remote signal in response to at least two of said four inputs.

7. The stationless bike system of claim 5 wherein said lock box can be unlocked by a remote signal in response to any of said four inputs.

8. The stationless bike system of claim 5 wherein said keypad further comprises auxiliary buttons including “

Hold”

to allow retention of control of said bicycle for a limited period, “

Repair”

transmitting a signal to said remote monitoring system advising that said bicycle is in need of service, and “

Relocate”

advising said remote monitoring system of a need to move said bicycle to an alternate location.

9. The stationless bike system of claim 8 wherein said keypad further comprises an “

Available”

light which illuminates when said arms of said U-shaped lock are manually inserted in said plurality of recesses without one of said auxiliary buttons being depressed.

10. A method of conducting a stationless bicycle rental business, the method comprising the steps of:

a) equipping a plurality of bicycles each with

I) a GPS tracking system;

ii) a wireless communication device;

iii) a battery to power said GPS tracking system and said wireless communication device;

iv) a lockbox containing said GPS tracking system and said wireless communication device, as well as a remotely operable lock;

b) establishing a central monitoring and control system on a remote computer;

c) determining a particular realtime position for a particular bicycle;

d) transmitting said realtime position to said central monitoring and control system;

e) receiving a signal from a prospective customer in proximity to said particular bicycle at said central monitoring and control system;

f) storing bits of information contained in said received signal in a data bank of said computer;

g) comparing said stored bits to information contained in said data bank;

h) if said stored bits do not match existing data in said stored bank, establishing a new account for said prospective customer then proceeding to the next step, and if said stored bits do match existing data in said stored bank, proceeding to the next step;

j) sending a signal to said remotely operable lock unlocking said lock allowing use of said bicycle by said prospective customer.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of equipping said bicycle with a dynamic means to recharge said battery during movement of said bicycle.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said receiving step further comprises receiving a signal from a group consisting of a) a cell or other phone of said prospective customer;

b) a smart phone application; and

, c) an entry on a keypad associated with said lockbox.