Method and apparatus for providing a rental vehicle

Abstract

Device (130) for providing a rental vehicle (110); wherein the device (130) is configured, - to determine that a user wishes to book a rental vehicle (110); - to determine usage information (121) regarding a planned use of the rental vehicle (110) by the user; wherein the usage information indicates whether the user intends to drive the rental vehicle (110); or whether the user intends to use the rental vehicle (110) statically; and - to automatically configure the rental vehicle (110) depending on the usage information (121), and thereby - to prevent the rental vehicle (110) from being driven by the user, in particular to prevent the user from activating the drive (112) of the rental vehicle (110) when the usage information indicates that the rental vehicle (110) has been booked for static use; and - to verify the user's driving licence if the usage information indicates that the user wishes to drive the rental vehicle (110), and to refuse the booking of the rental vehicle (110) if it is determined that the user does not have a driving licence to drive the rental vehicle (110).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a corresponding device for providing, in particular for renting, a vehicle for different applications or purposes.

[0002] Car sharing allows users to flexibly book and use vehicles parked at different locations within a city. However, the proportion of time a single vehicle is booked or used is relatively small compared to the total available time.

[0003] DE 10 2018 201 671 A1 describes a method and a system for providing usable space using at least one autonomous motor vehicle. DE 10 2004 028 633 A1 describes a method and a device for renting vehicles. DE 10 2018 206 655 A1 describes a method and a system for passenger transport.

[0004] This document addresses the technical task of increasing the service life or utilization of a rental vehicle in an efficient and safe manner.

[0005] The problem is solved by each of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described, among other things, in the dependent claims. It should be noted that additional features of a patent claim dependent on an independent patent claim can form a separate invention, independent of the combination of all features of the independent patent claim, without the features of the independent patent claim or only in combination with a subset of the features of the independent patent claim, which invention can be made the subject of an independent claim, a divisional application, or a subsequent application. This applies equally to technical teachings described in the description, which can form an invention independent of the features of the independent patent claims.

[0006] According to one aspect, a device (in particular a central unit, such as a server) for providing and / or renting and / or booking a rental vehicle is described. The device can be operated by a rental vehicle lessor to enable users to book rental vehicles for specific rental periods. The device can enable the rental vehicles to be booked for different uses and / or applications. In particular, it can enable a rental vehicle to be booked for static use, during which the rental vehicle is not driven.

[0007] The device can be configured to display a number of available rental vehicles on a digital map of a road network to the user via a user device (e.g., on the screen of a smartphone or computer). The available rental vehicles can be displayed, for example, as icons or symbols on the digital map.

[0008] Furthermore, the device can be configured to enable the user to submit a booking request for one of the plurality of available rental vehicles via the user device. For example, the user can click on the symbol or icon of a rental vehicle to submit a booking request for the rental vehicle. The booking request can display the rental period for which the rental vehicle is to be booked.

[0009] The device can thus be configured to determine that a user wishes to book a rental vehicle. This can be determined, for example, based on a received booking request. Furthermore, the device can be configured to determine usage information relating to a planned use of the rental vehicle by the user. The usage information can, for example, be part of the booking request. The usage information can, in particular, indicate whether the user wishes to drive the rental vehicle (and thus use the rental vehicle for a mobile application) or whether the user wishes to use the rental vehicle statically (so that the vehicle is not moved by the user during the rental period).

[0010] The device can be configured to display a selection menu to the user via a user interface (e.g., on the screen of the user device) that displays a list of possible uses of the rental vehicle as entries. Examples of possible uses include: driving the rental vehicle; using the rental vehicle as a (static) office; using the rental vehicle as a (static) resting place; etc.

[0011] The different usage options may be associated with different pricing models for renting the rental vehicle. For example, a mobile application for the rental vehicle may use a pricing model with a price component that depends on the distance traveled during the rental period. On the other hand, a static application for the rental vehicle may use a pricing model that does not include a distance-dependent pricing component, but does include a time-dependent pricing component. Furthermore, additional services (such as data usage) may be billed on an as-needed basis.

[0012] The device can be configured to detect that the rental vehicle has been or will be booked by the user. The rental vehicle can then be reserved for the user. In particular, use of the rental vehicle by another user can be prevented. Furthermore, the user can be granted access to the rental vehicle for the rental period (e.g., using the user's device and / or an access card).

[0013] The device is further configured to automatically configure the rental vehicle based on the usage information. In particular, the device can be configured to automatically configure the rental vehicle based on the usage information such that the rental vehicle already has a configuration adapted to the user's intended use at the beginning of the rental period. For this purpose, the device can be configured to send configuration data to the rental vehicle to cause the rental vehicle to be configured according to the user's intended use. The configuration data can depend on the usage information.

[0014] Thus, a device is described that enables rental vehicles to be made available for applications or uses that do not involve driving the rental vehicle. Automatic configuration of the rental vehicle enables convenient, efficient, and safe use of the rental vehicle. In particular, the described device can increase the utilization of rental vehicles.

[0015] The device can be configured to prevent the rental vehicle from being driven by the user if the usage information indicates that the rental vehicle has been booked for static use. In particular, for this purpose, the drive of the rental vehicle (during the rental period) can be prevented from being activated by the user. This enables safe static use of the rental vehicle.

[0016] The device can be configured to verify the user's driver's license if the usage information indicates that the user wishes to drive the rental vehicle. Booking the rental vehicle may be rejected or prevented if it is determined that the user does not have a license to drive the rental vehicle. On the other hand, booking for static use of the vehicle may be enabled even if the user does not have a license to drive the rental vehicle. Static use of rental vehicles can thus also be made possible for users without a license, further increasing the utilization of rental vehicles.

[0017] The device can be configured to automatically adapt a communication network of the rental vehicle to the usage indicated by the usage information. The usage information can indicate, for example, that the user wishes to use the vehicle as an office. The device can then be configured to configure the communication network of the rental vehicle in such a way that the user is automatically granted access to the Internet and / or to a virtual private network (VPN) indicated by the user when booking the rental vehicle. This can further increase user convenience.

[0018] The device can be configured to automatically adjust one or more components of the rental vehicle (e.g., a seat of the rental vehicle) depending on the usage information. This can further increase comfort for a user.

[0019] According to a further aspect, a (road) motor vehicle (in particular a passenger car or a bus) is described which is designed as a rental vehicle. The vehicle comprises one or more configurable components (e.g., a communications network, a seat, and / or a drive). Furthermore, the vehicle comprises a control module which is configured to receive configuration data from a central unit, via which a user is enabled to book the vehicle. The control module is further configured to configure the one or more configurable components depending on the configuration data, in particular to prevent the rental vehicle from being driven (when booking the vehicle for static use). In this way, the utilization of rental vehicles can be increased in an efficient and safe manner.

[0020] According to a further aspect, a method for providing and / or booking a rental vehicle is described. The method comprises determining that a user wishes to book a rental vehicle. Furthermore, the method comprises determining usage information regarding a planned use of the rental vehicle by the user, as well as automatically configuring the rental vehicle depending on the usage information.

[0021] According to another aspect, a software (SW) program is described. The SW program can be configured to be executed on a processor and thereby to carry out the method described in this document.

[0022] According to a further aspect, a storage medium is described. The storage medium can comprise a software program configured to be executed on a processor and thereby to carry out the method described in this document.

[0023] It should be noted that the methods, devices, and systems described in this document can be used both alone and in combination with other methods, devices, and systems described in this document. Furthermore, any aspects of the methods, devices, and systems described in this document can be combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined in a variety of ways.

[0024] The invention will be described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. Fig. 1 an exemplary system for providing and / or renting a vehicle; and Fig. 2 a flowchart of an exemplary method for providing and / or renting a vehicle.

[0025] As stated at the beginning, this document deals with increasing the use and / or capacity utilization of a rental vehicle. In this context, Fig. 1 shows an exemplary system 100 that enables a user to rent a vehicle 110. The system 100 comprises a central unit 130 (e.g., a server) with which the user can communicate via a user device 120 (e.g., a smartphone). The central unit 130 can be configured to determine the position of a plurality of vehicles 110 within a road network (e.g., based on position data, such as the GPS coordinates, of the plurality of vehicles 110). Furthermore, the central unit 130 can be configured to display the position of the plurality of vehicles 110 within a digital map in relation to the road network. Furthermore, the status (e.g., available or unavailable) of the individual vehicles 110 can be displayed.

[0026] The user can initiate a reservation or booking for one of the vehicles 110 via the user device 120. As part of a reservation or booking request, usage information 121 can also be sent from the user device 120 to the central unit 130 (e.g., via a wireless communication connection), wherein the usage information 121 indicates how the user intends to use the vehicle 110. In particular, the usage information can indicate whether the user intends to use the vehicle 110 for driving (e.g., to get from a starting position to a destination position) or whether the user intends to use the vehicle 110 for a static application (e.g., as office space).

[0027] The central unit 130 can be configured to check whether the user is authorized to use the vehicle 110 as indicated by the usage information 121. In particular, it can be checked whether the user has a driver's license or a driving permit that allows the user to drive the vehicle 110. If the user wishes to use the vehicle 110 for a static application (in particular, as office space), checking the driver's license or a driving permit can be omitted. In particular, static use of vehicles 110 can also be enabled for users who do not have a driving license.

[0028] The central unit 130 can further be configured to configure the vehicle 110 reserved by the user based on the usage information 121. For this purpose, configuration data 131 can be sent from the central unit 130 to the reserved vehicle 110 (e.g., via a wireless communication link). The configuration data 131 can be received by a control module 111 of the vehicle 110. The control module 111 can then configure and / or operate one or more configurable components 112 of the vehicle 110 based on the configuration data 131.

[0029] In particular, the central unit 130 can ensure that the vehicle 110 cannot be driven if the user has rented the vehicle 110 for a static application. For this purpose, for example, the drive motor of the vehicle 110 cannot be started by the user during the rental period. This enables the safe provision of a vehicle 110 for static applications.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the rented vehicle 110 can be specifically configured for a particular static application. For example, a local communications network of the rented vehicle 110 (e.g., a Wi-Fi hotspot of the vehicle 110 and / or a 3G, 4G, or 5G communications unit of the vehicle 110) can be configured in preparation for use as an office to provide the user with access to the Internet and / or to a specific corporate network of the user. Alternatively or additionally, one or more seats of the vehicle 110 can be automatically adjusted to prepare the vehicle 110 for use as an office. By automatically configuring a rented vehicle 110 for the use of the vehicle 110 indicated by the usage information 121, the convenience for a user can be further increased.

[0031] The vehicles 110 provided by a rental vehicle provider 110 can thus be enabled to also function as an office. For this purpose, it can be possible to book a vehicle 110 as an office. A driver's license and other driving-related requirements of one or more users then do not need to be verified. When booking a vehicle 110 as an office, it can be automatically ensured that the driving-related parts of the vehicle 110 cannot be activated by one or more users.

[0032] On the other hand, when booked as an office, the booked vehicle 110 can be automatically configured for the booked application. For example, one or more users can be greeted upon entering the vehicle 110 with a notice specifically indicating that the vehicle 110 is being used as an office. Alternatively or additionally, the communication network of the vehicle 110 can be automatically configured such that a (company) VPN for one or more users is already active upon commencement of the rental of the vehicle 110. If necessary, a vending machine can be provided and / or activated in the vehicle 110.

[0033] Fig.2 shows a flowchart of an exemplary (computer-implemented) method 200 for providing a rental vehicle 110. The method 200 can be implemented by a central unit 130 of a rental system 100. The method 200 includes determining 201 that a user wishes to book a rental vehicle 110. For example, a booking request can be received from a user device 120 of the user.

[0034] Furthermore, the method 200 includes determining 202 usage information 121 regarding a planned use of the rental vehicle 110 by the user. The usage information 121 can be provided, for example, as part of the booking request. The usage information 121 can indicate whether the user intends to use the rental vehicle 110 for driving or whether the user intends to use the rental vehicle 110 statically (e.g., as an office).

[0035] Furthermore, the method 200 comprises the automatic configuration 203 of the rental vehicle 110 depending on the usage information 121. In particular, the rental vehicle 110 can be configured such that driving of the rental vehicle 110 is not possible during the rental period if the usage information 121 indicates that the user wishes to use the rental vehicle 110 statically.

[0036] The measures described in this document can increase the utilization of rental vehicles 110. This can also enable users without a driver's license to use rental vehicles 110 for static applications. In particular, rental vehicles 110 distributed within a city's road network can be used to flexibly provide office space. Further exemplary applications include the use of a rental vehicle 110 as a place of rest (e.g., for a midday nap). The communication infrastructure of a rental vehicle 110 can be flexibly and automatically adapted to the respective user and / or to the respective booked application. This can further increase the convenience for users of rental vehicles 110.

[0037] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and figures are intended only to illustrate the principle of the proposed methods, devices, and systems by way of example.

Claims

[1] Device (130) for providing a rental vehicle (110); wherein the device (130) is arranged - to determine that a user wishes to book a rental vehicle (110); - to determine usage information (121) relating to a planned use of the rental vehicle (110) by the user; wherein the usage information indicates whether the user wishes to drive the rental vehicle (110); or whether the user wishes to use the rental vehicle (110) statically; and - to automatically configure the rental vehicle (110) depending on the usage information (121), and thereby - to ensure that the rental vehicle (110) cannot be driven by the user, in particular that a drive (112) of the rental vehicle (110) cannot be activated by the user, if the usage information indicates that the rental vehicle (110) has been booked for static use; and - to check a user's driving license if the usage information indicates that the user wants to drive the rental vehicle (110) and to reject the booking of the rental vehicle (110) if it is determined that the user does not have a driving license to drive the rental vehicle (110). [2] Device (130) according to claim 1, wherein the device (130) is arranged - to enable a booking for static use of the vehicle (110) even if the user does not have a driving licence to drive the rental vehicle (110). [3] Device (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (130) is configured to automatically adapt a communication network of the rental vehicle (110) to the usage indicated by the usage information (121). [4] Device (130) according to claim 3, wherein - the usage information indicates that the user wishes to use the vehicle (110) as an office; and - the device (130) is configured to configure the communication network of the rental vehicle (110) in such a way that the user is automatically given access to the Internet and / or to a virtual private network indicated by the user when booking the rental vehicle (110). [5] Device (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (130) is configured to automatically adjust a seat of the rental vehicle (110) in dependence on the usage information (121). [6] Device (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (130) is arranged - display to the user, via a user device (120), a plurality of available rental vehicles (110) on a digital map; and - to enable the user to submit a booking request for one of the plurality of available rental vehicles (110) via the user device (120); wherein the booking request comprises the usage information (121). [7] Device (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (130) is configured to automatically configure the rental vehicle (110) in dependence on the usage information (121) such that the rental vehicle (110) already has a configuration adapted to the planned use of the user at the beginning of a rental period. [8] Device (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (130) is arranged to send configuration data (131) to the rental vehicle (110) in order to cause the rental vehicle (110) to be configured in accordance with the intended use of the user. [9] A method (200) for providing a rental vehicle (110); the method (200) comprising - Determining (201) that a user wishes to book a rental vehicle (110); - determining (202) usage information (121) relating to a planned use of the rental vehicle (110) by the user; wherein the usage information indicates whether the user wishes to drive the rental vehicle (110); or whether the user wishes to use the rental vehicle (110) statically; and - Automatically configuring (203) the rental vehicle (110) depending on the usage information (121), and thereby - ensuring that the rental vehicle (110) cannot be driven by the user, in particular that a drive (112) of the rental vehicle (110) cannot be activated by the user, if the usage information indicates that the rental vehicle (110) has been booked for static use; and - Checking a driving license of the user if the usage information indicates that the user wants to drive the rental vehicle (110), and rejecting the booking of the rental vehicle (110) if it is determined that the user does not have a driving license to drive the rental vehicle (110).

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