Vehicle Lockbox and Kill Switch for Self-Service Rentals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle rental systems require personnel for transaction management, which is inefficient and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle rental system incorporating a mobile device, electronic lockbox, and kill switch that enables automated key retrieval and driver recognition, allowing users to establish rental agreements, verify identities, and unlock vehicles without additional personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional vehicle rental systems use personnel to manage transactions, then security and customer service are maintained, but operational efficiency decreases and resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service vehicle rental through automated processes: customers use mobile devices to initiate rentals, electronic lockboxes automatically release keys, facial recognition systems verify identities, and kill switches automatically control vehicle activation. This eliminates the need for personnel to manage transactions while maintaining security and service quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual personnel operations with automated electronic and optical systems. Mobile devices communicate with electronic lockboxes via wireless signals, facial recognition cameras capture and verify driver identities, and electronic kill switches control vehicle ignition. These electronic and optical systems substitute for mechanical human intervention in transaction management.
2Extent of automation
If automated key retrieval and driver recognition systems are implemented, then personnel requirements are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves multiple functions: it acts as a remote control for key retrieval, a communication device with the rental system, and a trigger for facial recognition verification. The electronic lockbox simultaneously provides secure key storage and automated key release based on rental status. The kill switch integrates ignition control with rental verification. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated devices for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses mobile devices as intermediaries between customers and the rental system. The mobile device communicates rental status and triggers automated responses from the lockbox and vehicle systems. Facial recognition cameras serve as intermediaries to verify driver identity before activation. These intermediary devices mediate between human users and automated control systems, simplifying the overall interaction architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle rental system includes a vehicle lockbox having a body forming an interior cavity; a door locked to the body via an electronic lock, the electronic lock to unlock via communication with a mobile device; and a clip to secure the vehicle lockbox to a window; the mobile device allows for a user to establish rental terms and verify an identity of the user; and a kill switch in communication with a computer of a vehicle and configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile device; verification of the identity of the user deactivates the kill switch to allow activation of the vehicle.