Remote vehicle rental systems and methods
First Claim
1. A method for providing access to a vehicle comprising:
- receiving, by a portable electronic device, a user inputted request for a listing of available vehicles;
connecting, by the portable electronic device and via an internet connection, to a central control;
searching, by the portable electronic device, for the listing of available vehicles;
receiving, by the portable electronic device, an indication of a user selection of a desired available vehicle from the listing of available vehicles;
transmitting, by the portable electronic device, via a short-range wireless connection with a vehicle access communicator that is incapable of directly communicating with the central control, a request for vehicle access;
receiving, by the portable electronic device, via the short-range wireless connection with the vehicle access communicator, a first message for the central control, the first message representing a request to verify that the user is authorized to access the vehicle;
relaying, by the portable electronic device, via the internet connection with the central control, the first message to the central control;
receiving, by the portable electronic device, via the internet connection with the central control, a second message for the vehicle access communicator, the second message representing a verification from the central control that the user is authorized to access the vehicle; and
relaying, by the portable electronic device, via the short-range wireless connection with the vehicle access communicator, the second message to the vehicle access communicator, wherein the second message includes a command to the control system of the vehicle to energize an ignition relay of the vehicle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for renting vehicles is disclosed. The system can comprise a vehicle access communicator (“VAC”) capable of interfacing with one or more functions of a rental vehicle and a user provided portable electronic device. The VAC can control various functions of the vehicle including, but not limited to, the door locks and/or enabling/disabling the vehicle. The VAC can also monitor various functions of the vehicle including, but not limited to, the fuel level and/or the odometer readings. The VAC can connect to the portable electronic device using a suitable connection method to access additional functionality such as, for example and not limitation, locations services, cellular, and/or internet access. The VAC and the portable electronic device can be used to provide a rental system with reduced infrastructure and operating costs. The system can enable the use of “Green Zones” to provide permanent or temporary vehicle rental areas.
76 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for providing access to a vehicle comprising:
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receiving, by a portable electronic device, a user inputted request for a listing of available vehicles; connecting, by the portable electronic device and via an internet connection, to a central control; searching, by the portable electronic device, for the listing of available vehicles; receiving, by the portable electronic device, an indication of a user selection of a desired available vehicle from the listing of available vehicles; transmitting, by the portable electronic device, via a short-range wireless connection with a vehicle access communicator that is incapable of directly communicating with the central control, a request for vehicle access; receiving, by the portable electronic device, via the short-range wireless connection with the vehicle access communicator, a first message for the central control, the first message representing a request to verify that the user is authorized to access the vehicle; relaying, by the portable electronic device, via the internet connection with the central control, the first message to the central control; receiving, by the portable electronic device, via the internet connection with the central control, a second message for the vehicle access communicator, the second message representing a verification from the central control that the user is authorized to access the vehicle; and relaying, by the portable electronic device, via the short-range wireless connection with the vehicle access communicator, the second message to the vehicle access communicator, wherein the second message includes a command to the control system of the vehicle to energize an ignition relay of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing program code that enables providing access to a vehicle, the medium comprising:
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program code for receiving, by a portable electronic device, a user inputted request for a listing of available vehicles; program code for connecting, by the portable electronic device and via an internet connection, to a central control; program code for searching, by the portable electronic device, for the listing of available vehicles; program code for transmitting, by the portable electronic device, via a short-range wireless connection with a vehicle access communicator that is incapable of directly communicating with the central control, a request for vehicle access; program code for receiving, by the portable electronic device, via the short-range wireless connection with the vehicle access communicator, a first message for the central control, the first message representing a request to verify that the user is authorized to access the vehicle; program code for relaying, by the portable electronic device, via the internet connection with the central control, the first message to the central control; program code for receiving, by the portable electronic device, via the internet connection with the central control, a second message for the vehicle access communicator, the second message representing a verification from the central control that the user is authorized to access the vehicle; and program code for relaying, by the portable electronic device, via the short-range wireless connection with the vehicle access communicator, the second message to the vehicle access communicator, wherein the second message includes a command to the control system of the vehicle to energize a starter relay of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification