Vehicle rental management method and system

Abstract

The present application provides a vehicle rental management method and system, which is suitable for an electronic device. First, a rental request of a vehicle is received by a network from a mobile device, wherein the rental request at least includes a vehicle identification data of the vehicle. Then, a device location of the mobile device is obtained by the network, and the vehicle is identified according to the vehicle identification data, and a vehicle location of the vehicle is obtained by the network. Whether the mobile device and the vehicle are located within a predetermined distance is determined according to the device location and the vehicle location. When the mobile device and the vehicle are located within the predetermined distance, the vehicle is provided for rental to the mobile device according to the rental request.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle rental management method and system, and more particularly to a method and system that can determine whether a vehicle can be rented based on the location of a mobile device and the vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with rising environmental awareness and advancements in electric vehicle technology, developing electric vehicles to replace traditional vehicles powered by fossil fuels has gradually become a key objective in the automotive industry, leading to the increasing popularity of electric vehicles. To improve the range and user willingness of electric vehicles, many countries and cities have begun planning to install charging stations and battery power stations in public places to provide charging or battery swapping services for electric vehicles and / or electric motorcycles, making the use of electric vehicles more convenient.

[0003] Encouraged by government subsidies, many people have begun to purchase and use electric vehicles as a means of transportation. On the other hand, rental services for electric vehicles, such as electric motorcycles, have emerged in the market for short-term use. Generally, electric motorcycle rental companies develop applications that users can install on their mobile devices to rent vehicles. In some technologies, users can scan the vehicle's identification data to request a rental.

[0004] However, some users, perhaps out of mischief or fear of not being able to rent a motorcycle, may extract the vehicle identification data. Even if they are not near the motorcycle, they may use the pre-extracted vehicle identification data to temporarily rent / occupy the vehicle, thus preventing other users who are actually near the vehicle from renting it. This situation not only inconveniences users but also indirectly causes losses to the operators. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a vehicle rental management method and system.

[0006] This invention discloses a vehicle rental management method applicable to an electronic device. First, a mobile device receives a rental request for a vehicle via a network router, wherein the rental request includes at least vehicle identification data for the corresponding vehicle. Next, the device location of the mobile device is obtained via the network, and the vehicle is identified based on the vehicle identification data; the vehicle location is then obtained again via the network. Based on the device location and vehicle location, it is determined whether the mobile device and the vehicle are within a predetermined distance. When the mobile device and the vehicle are within the predetermined distance, the vehicle is offered for rental to the mobile device in accordance with the rental request.

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle rental management system comprising at least a network connection unit and a processing unit. The processing unit is coupled to the network connection unit and receives a rental request for a vehicle from a mobile device via a network router. The rental request includes at least vehicle identification data for the vehicle. The processing unit obtains the device location of the mobile device via the network, identifies the vehicle based on the vehicle identification data, and obtains the vehicle location of the vehicle via the network. The processing unit determines whether the mobile device and the vehicle are within a predetermined distance based on the device location and the vehicle location. When the mobile device and the vehicle are within the predetermined distance, the processing unit provides the vehicle for rental to the mobile device in accordance with the rental request.

[0008] In some embodiments, the mobile device uses an application to capture an image to obtain vehicle identification data of the corresponding vehicle, wherein the vehicle identification data includes a two-dimensional identification code.

[0009] In some embodiments, it is determined whether the vehicle is currently available for rent to another mobile device. If the vehicle is currently available for rent to another mobile device, the rental request for that mobile device is rejected. If the vehicle is not currently available for rent to another mobile device, the vehicle is available for rent to that mobile device in accordance with the rental request.

[0010] In some embodiments, the predetermined distance is 200 meters.

[0011] The method described above can exist in the form of program code. When the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, the machine becomes an apparatus for implementing the present invention.

[0012] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle rental management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a vehicle rental management system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 The flowchart illustrates a vehicle rental management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 The flowchart illustrates a method for obtaining vehicle identification data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 The flowchart illustrates a vehicle rental management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] List of reference numerals

[0019] 100 - Vehicle Rental Management System

[0020] 110 - Network Connection Unit

[0021] 120 ~ storage units

[0022] 130~ Processing Unit

[0023] 200 - Vehicle Rental Management System

[0024] 210 ~ Mobile Device

[0025] 212 ~ Application

[0026] 220 vehicles

[0027] 230 ~ Remote Server

[0028] 240 ~ Network

[0029] S310, S320, S330, S340, S350, S360 – Steps

[0030] S410, S420 – Steps

[0031] Steps S510, S520, S530, S540, S550, S560, S570, S580, and S590. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Figure 1This diagram illustrates a vehicle rental management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle rental management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied to an electronic device, such as a server. In some embodiments, the server can provide a vehicle rental service, allowing users to submit rental / return requests for vehicles via an application on their mobile devices. As shown, the vehicle rental management system 100 includes at least a network connection unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a processing unit 130. The network connection unit 110 can be connected to a network, thereby enabling the electronic device to have network connectivity. In some embodiments, the network can be a wired network, a telecommunications network, and a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network. The storage unit 120 can store the vehicle location of at least one vehicle and / or the rental status of that vehicle, i.e., whether the vehicle is currently rented. Alternatively, the storage unit 120 can store the device location of different users' mobile devices. It should be noted that the processing unit 130 can use the network connection unit 110 to receive the corresponding device location from the mobile device via a network router, and the corresponding vehicle location from the vehicle; details will be explained later. The processing unit 130 can control the operation of the relevant hardware and software within the electronic device and execute the vehicle rental management method of this case; details will be explained later.

[0033] Figure 2 This illustrates a vehicle rental management system according to another embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle rental management system 200 according to this embodiment includes at least one mobile device 210, at least one vehicle 220, and a remote server 230. The remote server 230 may be an electronic device and is coupled to both the mobile device 210 and the vehicle 220 via a network 240. Note that the network 240 may be a wired network, a telecommunications network, or a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network. Note that in some embodiments, the remote server 230 may provide a vehicle rental service and simultaneously connect to and manage multiple vehicles located in the same or different locations via the network. Users can install an application 212 on their mobile device 210 and use the application 212 to submit rental / return requests for the vehicle 220.

[0034] Figure 3 This invention illustrates a vehicle rental management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle rental management method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to an electronic device, such as a remote server providing a vehicle rental service.

[0035] First, as in step S310, a mobile device receives a rental request for a corresponding vehicle via a network router. Note that the rental request includes at least vehicle identification information for the corresponding vehicle. Figure 4This invention illustrates a method for obtaining vehicle identification data according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, as in step S410, the mobile device executes an application. Note that the application may be developed by a remote server, and the application can transmit relevant instructions and data to the remote server via a network. Next, as in step S420, the application captures an image to obtain vehicle identification data for the corresponding vehicle. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the aforementioned image is placed on a vehicle, and the image / vehicle identification data may include a two-dimensional identification code, such as a QR code. After obtaining the vehicle identification data, the application can submit a vehicle rental request to the remote server. Then, as in step S320, the device location of the mobile device is obtained via the network. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, before the mobile device sends out the vehicle rental request, the application can also first obtain the device location of the mobile device, combine the device location and vehicle identification data into the rental request, and transmit it to the remote server. Next, as in step S330, the vehicle is identified based on the vehicle identification data in the rental request, and the vehicle's location is obtained via the network. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the vehicle's location can be periodically transmitted to a remote server and stored. In some embodiments, in step S330, the remote server can directly retrieve the vehicle's location from the storage unit. Then, as in step S340, it is determined whether the mobile device and the vehicle are within a predetermined distance based on the device location and vehicle location. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the predetermined distance can be 200 meters. It must be noted that the aforementioned predetermined distance is merely an example of this invention, and the invention is not limited thereto. The predetermined distance can be adjusted according to different needs and applications. When the mobile device and the vehicle are not within the predetermined distance (No in step S350), the process ends. In other words, when the mobile device and the vehicle are not within the predetermined distance, the remote server rejects the mobile device's rental request for the vehicle. When the mobile device and the vehicle are within a predetermined distance (as in step S350), as in step S360, the vehicle is provided for rental to the mobile device in accordance with the rental request.

[0036] Figure 5 This invention illustrates a vehicle rental management method according to another embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle rental management method according to this embodiment is applicable to an electronic device, such as a remote server providing a vehicle rental service.

[0037] First, as in step S510, a mobile device receives a rental request for a vehicle via a network router. Note that the rental request includes at least vehicle identification information for the vehicle. Similarly, in some embodiments, the mobile device can use an application to capture an image to obtain vehicle identification information, which includes a two-dimensional identification code, such as a QR code. After obtaining the vehicle identification information, the application can submit a rental request for the vehicle to a remote server. Next, as in step S520, the device location of the mobile device is obtained via the network. Similarly, in some embodiments, before the mobile device sends out the rental request, the application can also obtain the device location of the mobile device, combine the device location and vehicle identification information into the rental request, and transmit it to the remote server. Then, as in step S530, the vehicle is identified based on the vehicle identification information in the rental request. Finally, as in step S540, it is determined whether the vehicle is currently available for rental to another mobile device. When the vehicle is already available for rent to another mobile device (Yes in step S550), the process ends. In other words, when the vehicle is already available for rent to another mobile device, the remote server rejects the rental request from that mobile device. When the vehicle is not currently available for rent to another mobile device (No in step S550), as in step S560, the vehicle location is obtained via the network. Similarly, in some embodiments, the vehicle location can be periodically transmitted to the remote server and stored. In some embodiments, in step S560, the remote server can directly retrieve the vehicle location from the storage unit. Then, as in step S570, it is determined whether the mobile device and the vehicle are within a predetermined distance based on the device location and the vehicle location. Similarly, in some embodiments, the predetermined distance can be 200 meters. It should be noted again that the aforementioned predetermined distance is only an example of this case, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The predetermined distance can be adjusted according to different needs and applications. If the mobile device and vehicle are not within the predetermined distance (No in step S580), the process ends. In other words, when the mobile device and vehicle are not within the predetermined distance, the remote server refuses to respond to the mobile device's rental request for the vehicle. When the mobile device and vehicle are within the predetermined distance (Yes in step S580), as in step S590, the vehicle is offered for rental to the mobile device in accordance with the rental request.

[0038] Therefore, the vehicle rental management method and system in this case can determine whether a vehicle can be rented based on the location of the mobile device and the vehicle, thereby reducing the temporary rental / occupation of vehicles, preventing other users who are actually located next to the vehicle from renting the vehicle, and reducing the losses of the operator.

[0039] The method, or a specific form or part thereof, of the present invention may exist in the form of program code. The program code may be contained in physical media, such as floppy disks, optical discs, hard disks, or any other machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) storage media, or may be a computer program product, not limited to an external form. When the program code is loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, that machine becomes an apparatus for participating in the present invention. The program code may also be transmitted via transmission media, such as wires or cables, optical fibers, or any transmission method. When the program code is received, loaded, and executed by a machine, such as a computer, that machine becomes an apparatus for participating in the present invention. When implemented in a general-purpose processing unit, the program code, in conjunction with the processing unit, provides a unique apparatus that operates similarly to an application-specific logic circuit.

[0040] Although the present invention has been disclosed with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle rental management method, characterized in that, Applicable to an electronic device, comprising the following steps: A mobile device receives a rental request for a vehicle via a network router, wherein the rental request includes at least vehicle identification information for the vehicle. The location of the corresponding mobile device is obtained via the network; The vehicle is identified based on the vehicle identification data, and the location of the corresponding vehicle is obtained through the network; Based on the location of the device and the location of the vehicle, determine whether the mobile device and the vehicle are within a predetermined distance; as well as When the mobile device and the vehicle are within the predetermined distance, the vehicle is provided for rental to the mobile device in accordance with the rental request. The mobile device uses an application to capture an image to obtain vehicle identification data for the corresponding vehicle, wherein the vehicle identification data includes a two-dimensional identification code.

2. The vehicle rental management method according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: Determine whether the vehicle is currently available for rent to other mobile devices; If the vehicle is already available for rent to other mobile devices, refuse the rental request for that mobile device. as well as When the vehicle is not currently available for rental to other mobile devices, the vehicle shall be available for rental to the mobile device in accordance with the rental request.

3. The vehicle rental management method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The predetermined distance is 200 meters.

4. A vehicle rental management system, characterized in that, Suitable for an electronic device, including: A network connection unit; and A processing unit, coupled to the network connection unit, receives a rental request for a vehicle from a mobile device via a network router. The rental request includes at least vehicle identification data for the vehicle. The processing unit obtains the device location of the mobile device via the network, identifies the vehicle based on the vehicle identification data, and obtains the vehicle location again via the network. Based on the device location and the vehicle location, the processing unit determines whether the mobile device and the vehicle are within a predetermined distance. If the mobile device and the vehicle are within the predetermined distance, the processing unit provides the vehicle for rental to the mobile device according to the rental request. The mobile device uses an application to capture an image to obtain vehicle identification data for the corresponding vehicle, wherein the vehicle identification data includes a two-dimensional identification code.

5. The vehicle rental management system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The processing unit also determines whether the vehicle is currently available for rent to other mobile devices. If the vehicle is currently available for rent to other mobile devices, the unit rejects the rental request of the corresponding mobile device. If the vehicle is not currently available for rent to other mobile devices, the unit provides the vehicle for rent to the mobile device in accordance with the rental request.

6. The vehicle rental management system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The predetermined distance is 200 meters.

Images