Abstract:
A system and related methods for management, planning and control of a connected fleet of vehicles. A unique, single integrated platform may be provided for management, planning and control of a connected fleet of vehicles, including fleet planning, in-fleeting operations, vehicle acquisition and provisioning, vehicle assignment, vehicle transfers, vehicle use operations, vehicle servicing, vehicle maintenance and repairs, and de-fleeting operations. Fleet communications can be by cellular, wireless, or low earth orbit satellite communications. Fleet vehicles include a programmable TCU installed in the vehicle and connected, directly or indirectly, to the CAN bus or similar vehicle network, and carries out various operations, including controlling vehicle access. Where outside communications links are not available, access to a vehicle may be through a protected, secure, single-use token stored on a user's computing device upon making a reservation, which is later securely communicated to the vehicle. The vehicle processes the token and allows access if the information in the token is valid.
Abstract:
An improved system and related methods for management and control of fleet vehicle condition, maintenance, damage assessment and recovery, and repair. A return application is used to process the return of a fleet vehicle, including the detecting and recording (such as by digital images or videos) of damage to the vehicle (internal or external), and the need for maintenance of one or more vehicle components or systems. A maintenance application allows the capture of maintenance and/or damage problems or issues that arise outside of vehicle rental or use, and thus would not be captured by the vehicle return process. The system automatically creates an repair or maintenance order based on the vehicle condition information (including information gathered upon vehicle return, if applicable). The system may automatically direct a repair to the most cost effective supplier based on the total cost and other parameters of the repair, including, but not limited to, repair time, logistics, expenses, and similar factors.
Abstract:
A system and related methods for management, planning and control of a connected fleet of vehicles. A unique, single integrated platform may be provided for management, planning and control of a connected fleet of vehicles, including fleet planning, in-fleeting operations, vehicle acquisition and provisioning, vehicle assignment, vehicle transfers, vehicle use operations, vehicle servicing, vehicle maintenance and repairs, and de-fleeting operations. Fleet communications can be by cellular, wireless, or low earth orbit satellite communications. Fleet vehicles include a programmable TCU installed in the vehicle and connected, directly or indirectly, to the CAN bus or similar vehicle network, and carries out various operations, including controlling vehicle access. Where outside communications links are not available, access to a vehicle may be through a protected, secure, single-use token stored on a user's computing device upon making a reservation, which is later securely communicated to the vehicle. The vehicle processes the token and allows access if the information in the token is valid.
Abstract:
A system and related methods for management, planning and control of a connected fleet of vehicles. A unique, single integrated platform may be provided for management, planning and control of a connected fleet of vehicles, including fleet planning, in-fleeting operations, vehicle acquisition and provisioning, vehicle assignment, vehicle transfers, vehicle use operations, vehicle servicing, vehicle maintenance and repairs, and de-fleeting operations. Fleet communications can be by cellular, wireless, or low earth orbit satellite communications. Fleet vehicles include a programmable TCU installed in the vehicle and connected, directly or indirectly, to the CAN bus or similar vehicle network, and carries out various operations, including controlling vehicle access. The systems combines self-reporting and self-management of a connected fleet vehicle (with on-board and installed sensors configured to identify actual or potential issues or problems in the vehicle, and report, request, and obtain/dispatch servicing via its cloud or network communications interfaces), and predictive failure algorithms (based on historical and current connected fleet vehicle data), with multiple probabilistic distributions for the distributed fleet to dynamically, in real time, determine and dispatch service with greater efficiency and lower costs for fleet operations.
Abstract:
A system and connected user mobile device interface for tracking one or more shuttle buses and providing a visual display thereof along with estimated times of arrival at the connected user's location or at the shuttle bus stop closest to the connected user. The tracking system is a learning-based model that tracks vehicle movement to estimate arrival time at pre-determined geo-fence locations based on historical behavior for similar time periods and conditions.
Abstract:
Programmable telematics systems, methods and apparatus for two-way transmission of data and information between fleet vehicles and a fleet management system. The systems and methods employ a programmable telematics communications unit (TCU) configured to connect to the OBD II port of a vehicle, enabling two-way transmission of data and information between a fleet management system and vehicles in the fleet. The TCU device includes cellular data connectivity enabling communication with the management system through existing cellular telephone networks. The programmable TCU may be toggled between multiple operating modes, wherein the TCU provides different functionality, such that a single vehicle may participate in multiple vehicle programs at different points in time, including separate vehicle rental and vehicle sharing programs.
Abstract:
System and methods for management of third party satellite radio activation/deactivation by a vehicle rental service company, wherein satellite radio services may be provided in a rental car when requested by a customer. The systems and methods will enable activation of a satellite radio shortly before or at the start of the rental period, and activation may be altered by the vehicle rental service company in the event that the rental period is shortened or extended, or if the vehicle is exchanged. The systems and methods deactivate the satellite radio service at the end of the rental period. The systems and methods may also be used to activate or deactivate other equipment or services made available via a vehicle rental service company in response to a customer request.
Abstract:
Programmable telematics systems, methods and apparatus for two-way transmission of data and information between fleet vehicles and a fleet management system. The systems and methods employ a programmable telematics communications unit (TCU) configured to connect to a communications port of a vehicle, enabling two-way transmission of data and information between a fleet management system and vehicles in the fleet. The TCU device includes cellular data connectivity enabling communication with the management system through existing cellular telephone networks. The programmable TCU may be toggled between multiple operating modes, wherein the TCU provides different functionality, such that a single vehicle may participate in multiple vehicle programs at different points in time, including separate vehicle rental and vehicle sharing programs.
Abstract:
System and methods for management of third party satellite radio activation/deactivation by a vehicle rental service company, wherein satellite radio services may be provided in a rental car when requested by a customer. The systems and methods will enable activation of a satellite radio shortly before or at the start of the rental period, and activation may be altered by the vehicle rental service company in the event that the rental period is shortened or extended, or if the vehicle is exchanged. The systems and methods deactivate the satellite radio service at the end of the rental period. The systems and methods may also be used to activate or deactivate other equipment or services made available via a vehicle rental service company in response to a customer request.
Abstract:
A system and related methods for management, planning and control of a connected fleet of vehicles. A unique, single integrated platform may be provided for management, planning and control of a connected fleet of vehicles, including fleet planning, in-fleeting operations, vehicle acquisition and provisioning, vehicle assignment, vehicle transfers, vehicle use operations, vehicle servicing, vehicle maintenance and repairs, and de-fleeting operations. Fleet communications can be by cellular, wireless, or low earth orbit satellite communications. Fleet vehicles include a programmable TCU installed in the vehicle and connected, directly or indirectly, to the CAN bus or similar vehicle network, and carries out various operations, including controlling vehicle access. The systems combines self-reporting and self-management of a connected fleet vehicle (with on-board and installed sensors configured to identify actual or potential issues or problems in the vehicle, and report, request, and obtain/dispatch servicing via its cloud or network communications interfaces), and predictive failure algorithms (based on historical and current connected fleet vehicle data), with multiple probabilistic distributions for the distributed fleet to dynamically, in real time, determine and dispatch service with greater efficiency and lower costs for fleet operations.