CREDENTIAL CHECK AND AUTHORIZATION SOLUTION FOR PERSONAL VEHICLE RENTAL

• US 20140129053A1
• Filed: 11/07/2012
• Published: 05/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kleve, Robert Bruce, Van Wiemeersch, John Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,880,239 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• 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

Abstract

A vehicle computing system includes a processor programmed and configured to establish communication with a wireless device brought into proximity of a vehicle. The processor may use the wireless device to receive an identifier from a vehicle rental administrative system. The identifier is configured with the processor to activate a vehicle during a prescribed rental period. The processor may receive user input to activate the vehicle for a rental period. The processor may compare the user input to the received identifier and enable a keyless drive-away of the vehicle if the user input corresponds to the identifier.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a processor configured to;

communicate with a wireless device provided to a vehicle;

receive identifier from a vehicle rental administrative system through the wireless device, the identifier configured to activate a vehicle during a prescribed rental period;

receive user input corresponding to an attempt to activate the vehicle;

compare the user input to the received identifier; and

enable keyless drive away of the vehicle if the user input corresponds to the identifier.

2. The system of claim 1 additionally comprising a vehicle rental administrative system wherein the vehicle rental administrative system is configured to receive the identifier from the wireless device over a telecommunications network.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless device is a cellular telephone.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the identifier may include a fingerprint.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is additionally configured to transmit the identifier to a vehicle control system.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the vehicle control system is integrated with a fingerprint scanner.

16. The system of claim 1 additionally comprising a vehicle rental administrative system wherein the vehicle rental administrative system is configured to receive the identifier from the wireless device over a telecommunications network.

7. A computer-implemented method, performable by one or more vehicle processors, comprising:

receiving identifier from a vehicle rental administrative system through a wireless device provided to a vehicle, the identifier being valid to activate the vehicle during a prescribed rental period;

receiving user input corresponding to an attempt to activate the vehicle;

comparing the user input to the received identifier; and

enabling keyless drive away if the user input corresponds to the identifier.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the identifier is an encrypted message.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the user input is an encrypted message.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the wireless device is a personal computer.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the identifier is a driver license copy.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the vehicle processor is integrated with a camera.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the camera is used to identify the user input.

14. The method of claim 13 where the user input is a driver license.

15. A computer readable storage medium, storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, configure the processor to:

establish communication with a wireless device provided to a vehicle;

receive user identifier from a vehicle rental administrative system through the wireless device, the identifier being valid to activate the vehicle during a prescribed rental period;

receive user input corresponding to an attempt to activate the vehicle;

compare the user input to the received user identifier; and

enable keyless drive away if the user input corresponds to the user identifier.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the wireless device is smart phone.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the identifier is a code phrase.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the processor is additionally configured to transmit the identifier to a vehicle control system.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the vehicle control system is integrated with a microphone.