APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE SHARING

• US 20170039668A1
• Filed: 08/04/2016
• Published: 02/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
• Inventors: Luke, Hok-Sum Horace, Taylor, Matthew Whiting, Wall, Kenneth Edward
• Granted Patent: US 11,205,239 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/10 for monitoring or controlling batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A network of collection and distribution machines may collect, charge and/or distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Electric vehicles available for sharing, renting or otherwise available for temporary use may be located at such collection and distribution machines or other designated areas. Users may request temporary use of such electric vehicles via a user interface of the collection and distribution machine, the user'"'"'s mobile device or that of the electric vehicle itself. During temporary use, the user may exchange depleted portable electrical energy storage devices of the vehicle being used for charged portable electrical energy storage devices at the collection and distribution machines and may be offered the opportunity to terminate the temporary use session or continue the temporary use session in conjunction with the portable electrical energy storage device exchange.

Claims

1. A method in a system for electric vehicle sharing, the method comprising:

receiving, by one or more computer processors, a request for temporary use of an electric vehicle;

sending, by one or more computer processors, a signal to enable operation of the electric vehicle if it was determined to allow temporary use of the electric vehicle;

receiving, by one or more computer processors, a request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle;

in response to the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle, determining, by one or more computer processors, whether the electric vehicle is in an authorized location at which the electric vehicle may be returned;

based on the determination of whether the electric vehicle is in an authorized location at which the electric vehicle may be returned, determining, by one or more computer processors, whether to grant the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle; and

if it is determined to grant the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle, sending, by one or more computer processors, a signal causing operation of the electric vehicle to be disabled.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining whether to allow temporary use of the electric vehicle, and wherein the determining whether to allow temporary use of the electric vehicle and the determining whether to grant the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle is performed at an electric vehicle sharing management system server located remotely from the electric vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the determining whether the electric vehicle is in an authorized location at which the electric vehicle may be returned includes receiving an indication from a portal device installed at the authorized location that the electric vehicle is in proximity to.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle is received from the electric vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle is received from the electric vehicle via a wireless cellular connection of the electric vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle, determining, by one or more computer processors, a level of charge of a portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle, wherein the determining whether to grant the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle is further based on the determined level of charge of a portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle and wherein the determining a level of charge of a portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle includes receiving information from the electric vehicle regarding the level of charge of a portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by one or more computer processors, a request for authorization to provide a first portable electrical power storage device located in another electric vehicle directly to the electric vehicle for use in the electric vehicle;

granting, by one or more computer processors, the request for authorization to provide a first portable electrical power storage device located in another electric vehicle directly to the electric vehicle for use in the electric vehicle;

receiving, by one or more computer processors, a verification that the first portable electrical power storage device has been placed in the electric vehicle for use in the electric vehicle; and

in response to the verification, updating, by one or more computer processors, a database to record an association of the first portable electrical power storage device with the electric vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication, by one or more computer processors, that an electric vehicle allowed for temporary use is in proximity to a portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine;

determining, by one or more computer processors, a level of charge of a portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle allowed for temporary use;

if the level of charge of the portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle allowed for temporary use is below a threshold level, then causing, by one or more computer processors, a short range wireless signal to be sent from the portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine to the electric vehicle to disable operation of the electric vehicle; and

causing, by one or more computer processors, an alert to be sent to a user device to exchange the portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle with a charged portable electrical power storage device at the portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by one or more computer processors, a level of charge of a portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle allowed for temporary use;

if the level of charge of the portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle allowed for temporary use is below a threshold level, then causing, by one or more computer processors, an alert to be sent to a user device to exchange the portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle with a charged portable electrical power storage device at a portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine; and

denying, by one or more computer processors, the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle until the electric vehicle is returned to a portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting, by one or more computer processors, an accident involving the electric vehicle; and

in response to the detection, sending, by one or more computer processors, a request for replacement scooter.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle, determining, by one or more computer processors, whether the electric vehicle is in proximity to a portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine; and

if it is determined that the electric vehicle is in proximity to a portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine, then sending, by one or more computer processors, a signal causing the system for electric vehicle sharing to require the portable electrical power storage device in the electric vehicle to be returned at the portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine before granting the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

if it is determined that the electric vehicle is in proximity to a portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine, then sending, by one or more computer processors, a signal to temporarily unlock a compartment of the electric vehicle containing the portable electrical power storage device so that the portable electrical power storage device in the electric vehicle at the portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine can be returned in the portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

after sending the signal to enable operation of the electric vehicle if it was determined to allow temporary use of the electric vehicle and before receiving the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle, receiving, by one or more computer processors, a request to pause use of the electric vehicle during the temporary use of the electric vehicle;

in response to the request to pause the temporary use of the electric vehicle, sending, by one or more computer processors, a signal to turn off the electric vehicle;

receiving, by one or more computer processors, a request to end the pause of the temporary use of the electric vehicle; and

in response to the request to end the pause of the temporary use of the electric vehicle, sending, by one or more computer processors, a signal to turn on the electric vehicle.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining whether the electric vehicle is in an authorized location at which the electric vehicle may be returned includes querying other electric vehicles to receive information collected from the other electric vehicles regarding where the other electric vehicles have received a beacon from the electric vehicle indicative of a location of the electric vehicle.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to the request for temporary use of the electric vehicle, sending, by one or more computer processors, a signal to prompt an indication to be received of whether to have one or more additional products or services associated with the temporary use of the electric vehicle;

receiving, by one or more computer processors, a response to the prompt indicating whether to have one or more additional products or services associated with the temporary use of the electric vehicle; and

recording, by one or more computer processors, an indication in a database reflecting whether there are one or more additional products or services associated with the temporary use of the electric vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the one or more additional products or services associated with the temporary use of the electric vehicle includes one or more of:

insurance coverage regarding the temporary use of the electric vehicle;

roadside assistance regarding temporary use of the electric vehicle, electric vehicle replacement service, credits associated with temporary use of the electric vehicle, frequent user points associated with temporary use of the electric vehicle, association of one or more social media accounts with temporary use of the electric vehicle, electric vehicle add-ons, choice of electric vehicle options, choice of electric vehicle upgrades, choice of portable electrical power storage device options, choice of portable electrical power storage device performance options, choice of electric vehicle range, choice of navigation system options, provision of mobile device connectivity to the electric vehicle, upgraded electric vehicle performance options, extended temporary use time of the electric vehicle, tying of a user payment account to temporary use of the electric vehicle for automatic charging of the user payment account for temporary use of the electric vehicle, option to reserve the same electric vehicle for future temporary use, option to reserve a particular electric vehicle for future temporary use, option to keep an electric vehicle reserved at one or more particular locations for future temporary use, priority status for reserving electric vehicles for temporary use, upgraded status of an account associated with temporary use of the electric vehicle, free trial of subscription account associated with temporary use of electric vehicles, delivery of the electric vehicle to a particular location, ability to drop off the electric vehicle after use at specific locations, ability to drop off the electric vehicle after use at an expanded group of locations, and an option to purchase the electric vehicle.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

monitoring, by one or more computer processors, locations of electric vehicles at portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machines in the system for electric vehicle sharing by receiving periodic beacons sent from the electric vehicles in proximity to the portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machines over a short range wireless signal; and

before receiving a request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle, if a beacon has not been received by a portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine within a time limit associated with the temporary use, then making a determination, by one or more computer processors, whether to charge based on an indication in the database reflecting whether there exists insurance regarding the temporary use of the electric vehicle.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the sending, by one or more computer processors, a signal causing operation of the electric vehicle to be disabled includes sending a signal causing a key for operation of the electric vehicle to be invalid.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

in response to the request for temporary use of the electric vehicle, retrieving, by one or more computer processors, data regarding a driver'"'"'s license or user certification associated with the request; and

limiting, by one or more computer processors, a performance characteristic of the electric vehicle based on the retrieved data regarding the driver'"'"'s license or user certification.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the limiting includes limiting the performance characteristic of the electric vehicle to not exceed a level equivalent to a level for which use is authorized according to the retrieved data regarding the driver'"'"'s license or user certification.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the limiting includes limiting electric current used by a motor of the electric vehicle such that the performance characteristic of the electric vehicle does not exceed a level equivalent to a level for which use is authorized according to the retrieved data regarding the driver'"'"'s license or user certification.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the level for which the use is authorized is a level regarding one or more of:

an engine size and a top speed.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein the performance characteristic is torque.

24. A system, comprising:

at least one computer processor; and

at least one memory coupled to the at least one computer processor, the at least one memory having computer executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause the at least one computer processor to;

receive a request for temporary use of an electric vehicle;

send a signal to enable operation of the electric vehicle based on an authorization to allow temporary use of the electric vehicle;

receive a request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle;

in response to the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle, determine whether the electric vehicle is in an authorized location at which the electric vehicle may be returned;

in response to the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle, determine a level of charge of a portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle;

based on the determination of whether the electric vehicle is in an authorized location at which the electric vehicle may be returned and the determined level of charge of a portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle, determine whether to grant the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle; and

if it is determined to grant the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle, send a signal causing operation of the electric vehicle to be disabled.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the at least one computer processor is that of a user mobile device and wherein the authorization to allow temporary use of the electric vehicle is an authorization received from a vehicle sharing management system server located remotely from the electric vehicle.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein the at least one computer processor is that of a vehicle sharing management system server located remotely from the electric vehicle.

27. The system of claim 24 wherein the at least one computer processor is that of a portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine.

28. The system of claim 24 wherein the signal sent to enable operation of the electric vehicle is sent to a key fob.

29. The system of claim 24 wherein the signal sent to enable operation of the electric vehicle is sent to a user mobile device.

30. The system of claim 24 wherein the signal sent to enable operation of the electric vehicle is sent to the electric vehicle.

31. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause at least one computer processor to:

receive a request to terminate temporary use of an electric vehicle in use;

in response to the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle, determine a level of charge of a portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle;

based on the determined level of charge of a portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle, determine whether to grant the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle;

if it is determined to grant the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle based on the determined level of charge of a portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle, send a signal causing operation of the electric vehicle to be disabled; and

if it is determined to not grant the request to terminate temporary use of the electric vehicle based on the determined level of charge of a portable electrical power storage device of the electric vehicle, send a signal to prompt return the electric vehicle to a portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine so that the portable electrical power storage device can be placed in the portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine for charging before the temporary use of the electric vehicle can be terminated.

32. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31 wherein the signal sent causing operation of the vehicle to be disabled or sent to enable operation of the electric vehicle is sent to a key fob.

33. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31 wherein the signal sent causing operation of the electric vehicle to be disabled or sent to enable operation of the electric vehicle is sent to a user mobile device.

34. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31 wherein the signal sent causing operation of the electric vehicle to be disabled is sent to the electric vehicle.

35. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31 wherein the computer executable instructions, when executed, further cause at least one computer processor to:

grant the request to terminate the temporary use of the electric vehicle based on the electric vehicle being in any authorized area including;

an officially designated parking space beside a sidewalk, along a curb or at a street corner, a designated lane, a parking space in a parking lot, a parking space in a parking garage, a particular building or designated area within a building or a stall in a designated rack.

36. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31 wherein the computer executable instructions, when executed, further cause at least one computer processor to:

determine a location of the electric vehicle based on GPS signals or other location data sent from a GPS module disposed in the electric vehicle.

37. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31 wherein the computer executable instructions, when executed, further cause at least one computer processor to:

determine a location of the electric vehicle based on information indicating a last location at which the electric vehicle was returned or parked when temporary use session of the electric vehicle was terminated.

38. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31 wherein the computer executable instructions, when executed, further cause at least one computer processor to:

determine a location of the electric vehicle based on image data of the electric vehicle recorded by a user camera or recorded by recording equipment at an authorized area at which the electric vehicle was returned.

40. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31 wherein the computer executable instructions, when executed, further cause at least one computer processor to:

in response to initiating a temporary use session of the electric vehicle, determine whether the electric vehicle already has a portable electrical power storage device inside the electric vehicle based on information received from the electric vehicle; and

if it is determined that the electric vehicle already has a portable electrical power storage device inside the electric vehicle, then perform one or more of;

communicate an alert to a user mobile device to provide an opportunity to exchange the portable electrical power storage device at a portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine; and

display an alert on a user interface of the electric vehicle to provide an opportunity to exchange the portable electrical power storage device at a portable electrical power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine.

41. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31 wherein the computer executable instructions, when executed, further cause at least one computer processor to:

initiate a temporary use session of the electric vehicle;

determine whether the electric vehicle has traveled outside a determined area; and

based on the determination whether the electric vehicle has traveled outside a determined area, send an alert to a user mobile device or to the electric vehicle indicating that the electric vehicle has traveled outside a determined area.

39. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 39 wherein the computer executable instructions, when executed, further cause at least one computer processor to:

grant the request to terminate the temporary use of the electric vehicle based on the image data of the electric vehicle recorded by a user camera or recorded by recording equipment at the authorized area at which the electric vehicle was returned.