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Remote vehicle rental systems and methods

  • US 9,818,151 B2
  • Filed: 12/04/2012
  • Issued: 11/14/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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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.

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