Abstract:
A system, including apparatuses and methods, for managing vehicle reservations, vehicle assignment, and vehicle access. The system enables a rental vehicle or car sharing agency (i.e., or for that matter, a vehicle fleet management service or other similar entity) to assign vehicles to users of the vehicles in accordance with previously received reservations vehicle information, and other information, and enables the users to pickup the vehicles for their use, without interaction with agency personnel.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/377,106 entitled “System for Vehicle Assignment and Pickup” filed on Apr. 26, 2002 (pending). 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates, generally, to the field of vehicle fleet management and, in its preferred form, to the field of apparatus and methods for assigning vehicles to users and enabling the pickup of assigned vehicles by users.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    For many years, customers of vehicle rental agencies have reserved vehicles for their use through telephone conversations, or dialogues, with customer service representatives. Today, those customers may still reserve vehicles in the same manner or may utilize more modern methods, including the use of interactive voice response systems or the Internet. Regardless of the method employed to reserve a vehicle, the customer, generally, specifies a desired type of vehicle and the period of time during which the customer requires use of the vehicle. The specified type of vehicle and period of time form a part of the reservation.  
           [0004]    Unfortunately, technology has not substantially found its way into the processes of assigning or picking up a reserved vehicle. As a consequence, the pickup of a reserved vehicle by a customer still requires that the customer interact with an agent of a vehicle rental agency. Initially, the agent must confirm that the customer has a valid reservation and that the agency has a vehicle of the type identified in the reservation available for assignment to the customer. Once the agent confirms these things, the agent selects an available vehicle (i.e., if more than one vehicle is available for assignment) and assigns the selected vehicle to the customer (e.g., by the input of customer and vehicle information to a computer system). The agent then provides the customer with conventional toothed metal keys unique to the vehicle (i.e., the toothed metal keys work only with one vehicle), information which identifies the current location of the vehicle (e.g., a number assigned to the parking space in which the vehicle was placed by other vehicle rental agency personnel), and instructions directing the customer on how to find the vehicle&#39;s location. The customer then makes his/her way to the vehicle, inserts the appropriate key into one of the vehicle&#39;s door locks and unlocks the door lock, opens the corresponding door, enters the vehicle and drives away.  
           [0005]    Thus, the current methods of assigning and picking up a reserved vehicle rely heavily on agents to assign vehicles and provide their keys to customers, and on a staff of vehicle rental agency personnel to place available vehicles in numbered parking spots (i.e., after return of the vehicles by other customers) and to provide the numbers of the parking spots to the agents for subsequent assignment of the corresponding vehicles. As a result, the current methods do not readily lend themselves to self-service vehicle rental or sharing operations where no agents are present to assign vehicles and hand out keys, and where customers return their vehicles to parking spots selected entirely at their own discretion. If a system were available which eliminated the need for agents to assign vehicles to customers and for other vehicle rental agency personnel to place vehicles in appropriate parking spots, self-service vehicle rental or sharing operations might be possible and the vehicle rental agencies might save substantial sums of money.  
           [0006]    Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a system which, in accordance with prior reservations, assigns appropriate vehicles to customers and enables the customers to pickup the vehicles without human interaction, and which addresses related, and unrelated, difficulties and shortcomings.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Briefly described, the present invention comprises a system, including apparatuses and methods, for managing vehicle reservations, vehicle assignment, and vehicle access. The system enables a rental vehicle or car sharing agency (i.e., or for that matter, a vehicle fleet management service or other entity or group which assigns vehicles to users thereof) to assign vehicles to users in accordance with previously received reservations, and enables the users to pickup the vehicles for their use, without interaction with agency or other personnel.  
           [0008]    In one form of the invention, the system includes computer and telecommunications hardware and software which enable a user of the agency, or service, to interact with the system through a telephone. Upon receiving a telephone call from the user, the system identifies the user, perhaps, through inbound caller identification information and/or receipt of personal identification number (PIN) information from the user. Determining that the user has previously made a vehicle reservation, for example and not limitation, by prior interaction with an Internet-based or other reservation system and detecting that the reservation is to start soon (i.e., within a preset period of time), the system enables the user to immediately initiate the vehicle pickup process without having to traverse other system options. Then, the system assigns a vehicle to the user based upon criteria provided by the user when making the reservation, upon current vehicle parameters (for example, with respect to electric vehicles, the level of electrical charge on available vehicles&#39; batteries), and/or upon other relevant criteria or parameters.  
           [0009]    Once the system has assigned a vehicle to the user, the system communicates information to an intelligent interface on the assigned vehicle, thereby informing the interface that the vehicle has been assigned to a particular user and that it should unlock the vehicle&#39;s doors when the user appropriately identifies himself/herself to the vehicle (for example and not limitation, by presentation of a smart key or smart card, by input to a door lock keypad of the user&#39;s PIN information, or by use of other apparatuses and methods). The system also communicates to the user the number of the assigned vehicle (i.e., which is affixed to the vehicle by a tag or other method and visible to potential users) or the number of the parking spot in which the vehicle currently resides after having been parked there by a previous user, via the user&#39;s telephone, so that the user may identify the assigned vehicle from other vehicles which may be present in a vehicle parking/pickup area.  
           [0010]    Upon receiving appropriate identification information from the user, the vehicle&#39;s intelligent interface unlocks the vehicle&#39;s doors and allows the user to enter the vehicle. The interface also communicates information back to the system informing the system that the user has been allowed entry into the vehicle. If the vehicle is an electric vehicle and is still connected to a charger, the vehicle&#39;s interface communicates information to the system informing the system that the user has not disconnected the vehicle from the charger. In response thereto, the system communicates a reminder to the vehicle&#39;s user reminding the user to disconnect the charger from the vehicle. Once the vehicle is ready to be placed into use, the vehicle&#39;s intelligent interface allows the user to start the vehicle and drive away at the user&#39;s discretion, while the system communicates information about the user&#39;s vehicle reservation to the user and enables the user to modify the reservation or access other features of the system.  
           [0011]    When the user is ready to return the vehicle to the vehicle parking/pickup area, the user establishes communications with the system via telephone and drives the vehicle into a parking spot of the user&#39;s selection. The system, presuming that the user desires to return the vehicle, asks the user if the vehicle is being returned and receives confirmation of such from the user. Once the vehicle has come to a stop and, if the vehicle is an electric vehicle, has been connected to a charger near the parking spot, the vehicle&#39;s intelligent interface communicates information to the system informing the system that it has been returned to the vehicle parking/pickup area. The system instructs the user to check the vehicle for any personal items left in the vehicle and requests that the user inform it when the user is ready to end his/her use of the vehicle. Upon receipt of such information from the user (i.e., via telephone), the system communicates information to the vehicle&#39;s intelligent interface instructing the interface to lock the vehicle&#39;s doors and to not allow anyone to enter the vehicle (i.e., perhaps, other than a service technician) until instructed otherwise.  
           [0012]    Advantageously, the present invention assigns vehicles to users absent interaction between the users and agency, fleet management, or service personnel and taking into account circumstances in existence at the time of vehicle pickup, thereby enabling optimal assignment of vehicles based upon those circumstances. By enabling vehicle assignment without such interaction and doing so in “real time,” the present invention may reduce costs to vehicle rental or car sharing agencies, fleet management services or other similar entities, and may avoid the reassignment of vehicles to users which often occurs when vehicles are pre-assigned to users without taking present circumstances into account. The present invention also enables users to pickup a vehicle through use of a wired or wireless telephone and without having to stand in line. In addition, the present invention enhances vehicle security (i.e., minimizing the potential of vehicle theft or vandalism) by enabling access to the interior of vehicles only to users with reservations (and, of course, to service technicians) and by controlling the time periods during which such access is permitted.  
           [0013]    Various other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 displays a block diagram illustration of a vehicle assignment and pickup and environment therefor system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 displays a block diagram illustration of an intelligent vehicle monitoring and control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 displays a block diagram representation of a program and data domain of the vehicle assignment and pickup system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 4A and 4B display a flowchart representation of a method of a customer service application according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 5A, 5B,  5 C,  5 D, and  5 E display a flowchart representation of a method of a vehicle assignment application and pickup according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 6A, 6B,  6 C,  6 D, and  6 E display a flowchart representation of a method of a vehicle return application according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]    Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like components or steps throughout the several views, FIG. 1 displays a block diagram illustration of a system for enabling and facilitating the assignment and pickup of vehicles  100  (also sometimes referred to herein as the “system  100 ” or as a vehicle assignment and pickup system  100 ) to users thereof from a plurality of vehicles  112  which are generally managed as a vehicle fleet, and the environment therefor in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The system  100 , preferably, comprises a telecommunications-enabled, server computer  102  (also sometimes referred to herein as the “system server  102 ”) residing at a first site. The system server  102  is configured with hardware and software (described more particularly below) appropriate to perform the tasks and provide the capabilities and functionality described herein and operates, preferably, continuously during operation of the system  100  to provide vehicle assignment and pickup services on a twenty-four hour, seven day a week basis without human intervention. To provide such round-the-clock services, the system server  102  connects communicatively to a telecommunication network  104  through a communication link  106  for the bi-directional communication of voice and/or data, as is required and/or appropriate, with the telecommunication network  104  and with other devices communicatively linked to the system server  102  via the telecommunication network  104  as described below. It is understood that the scope of the present invention includes a system  100  having a plurality of server computers  102  or other functionally similar devices which reside, perhaps, at different sites, which are possibly communicatively connected to each other by a local area network (and/or a wide area network or other form of communication link), and which communicatively connect to the telecommunication network  104 .  
         [0021]    A plurality of user telecommunication devices  108  (i.e., designated on FIG. 1 and also sometimes referred to herein as “user telecom devices  108 ”), possessed and used by respective users of the system  100 , are connectable for communication with the system server  102  through respective and appropriate communication links  110 , telecommunication network  104 , and communication link  106 . As described below, users utilize their respective user telecom devices  108  to provide input and/or selections to the system  100  whereby, in response thereto, the system  100 , for example and not limitation: analyzes (i) previously made reservation(s) for vehicles by a user attempting to pickup a vehicle for his/her use, (ii) previously made reservations by other users desiring vehicles for their use, (iii) user profile information, and (iv) vehicle information; identifies and selects a vehicle for use by each user in association with respective reservations; assigns vehicles to users for their use; and, enables access to and use of vehicles by users thereof.  
         [0022]    The user telecom devices  108 , preferably, include voice telecommunication devices which are connectable to the telecommunication network  104  for bi-directional communication of voice and/or DTMF signals with the server computer  102  (and, more specifically, with the hardware and software interfaces of its interactive-voice-response (IVR) sub-system  116 ). Preferably, the user telecom devices  108  include, without limitation, analog, digital, wired and wireless telephones or other similar devices which enable the bi-directional communication of voice and/or DTMF signals. Similarly, the communication links  110  include, preferably, analog, digital, wired and wireless communication channels which enable the bi-directional communication of voice and/or DTMF signals over, for example and as appropriate, copper, optical fiber, radio frequency, infrared, satellite or other media. It is understood that the scope of the present invention includes other forms of user telecom devices  108  and communication links  110  available now or in the future.  
         [0023]    The plurality of vehicles  112  includes, but is not limited to, land-based craft (such as automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and other similar craft), aircraft, water craft, and other vehicles which may be used for transportation or recreation. The vehicles  112  may be powered by various propulsion systems, including without limitation: hydrocarbon-based engines (such as gasoline, diesel, or hydrogen); electric power systems comprising fuel cells, batteries, and electric motors; hybrid propulsion systems; and other propulsion systems which are available now or in the future.  
         [0024]    Notably, as illustrated in FIG. 2, each vehicle  112  includes an on-board, intelligent vehicle monitoring and control system  200  having an intelligent interface  202  with a processing unit, memory, and multiple communication interfaces therein. The processing unit is capable of receiving commands and performing various actions in response to the commands which may or may not require interfacing with other vehicle components as described herein. One such communication interface connects to an antenna  204  via communication link  206  for the wireless and bi-directional communication of command and/or data signals with the server computer  102  (and its appropriate communication interfaces) and/or with other similar computers via the telecommunication network  104  and communication links  106 ,  114 . Preferably, communication link  114  is a wireless GPRS communication link using the 802.11(b) protocol, but other forms of wireless communication links are considered to be within the scope of the invention. Another such communication interface connects the processing unit to a bus  208  (i.e., preferably, a CAN bus) which bi-directionally communicates commands and/or data with devices connected to the bus  208  at various locations in a vehicle  112 . Exemplary devices include a smart key reader  210 , door lock actuators  212 , an ignition switch lock  214 , and charging monitoring circuitry  216  (i.e., for electric vehicles  112 ).  
         [0025]    For vehicles  112  having doors which must be opened to gain entry or exit from the vehicles  112 , the smart key reader  210  is mounted, preferably, in the driver&#39;s door near a location where a conventional door lock is found in most similar vehicles. The smart key reader  210  is capable of reading (i.e., when a smart key is positioned in close proximity to the smart key reader  210  by passive radio frequency) an identification code which is stored in a smart key having a housing with a memory (i.e., for storage of the identification code) therein and a toothed portion extending from the housing for receipt by a vehicle&#39;s ignition lock. The identification code represents a unique user code which is assigned to each user to whom a smart key is issued for use of the vehicles  112  in a fleet of vehicles  112 . The toothed portion of the smart key is the same for each smart key. Thus, the toothed portion of each smart key is capable of being used in the ignition switch of any vehicle  112  of a fleet of vehicles  112  to cause operation of the vehicle  112 . The smart key reader  210  is also capable of communicating an identification code which it reads from a user&#39;s smart key to the intelligent interface  202 , via the bus  208 , for comparison with an identification code downloaded to the intelligent interface  202  from the server computer  102  and stored in the memory of the intelligent interface  202  as described below.  
         [0026]    The door lock actuators  212  are operable, in vehicles  112  having door locks, to disengage or engage door locks which, respectively, allow or do not allow opening of the vehicle&#39;s doors. The door lock actuators  212  are responsive to appropriate commands received, via the bus  208 , from the intelligent interface  202 . For example, when the intelligent interface  202  receives an identification code from the smart key reader  210  which matches the identification code stored in its memory (i.e., downloaded from the server computer  102 ) and communicates a command to open the vehicle&#39;s door locks, the door lock actuators  212  responsively operate to disengage the vehicle&#39;s door locks, thereby enabling ingress to or egress from (i.e., access to or from) the vehicle  112 .  
         [0027]    The ignition switch lock  214  is adapted to control whether a user may “turn-on” and use a vehicle  112  by inserting the toothed portion of the user&#39;s smart key into the vehicle&#39;s ignition switch and turning the smart key&#39;s toothed portion similar to that of a conventional vehicle ignition switch. The ignition switch lock  214  is responsive to appropriate commands received, via the bus  208 , from the intelligent interface  202  and operates to allow or not allow the smart key to “turn-on” or “start” the vehicle  112  based upon the particular command(s) received. For example, in a vehicle  112  having an electric propulsion system, if the intelligent interface  202  determines that the identification code stored in a user&#39;s smart key matches the identification code stored in the memory of the intelligent interface  202  and communicates an appropriate command to the ignition switch lock  214  (i.e., allowing use of the vehicle&#39;s ignition switch to “start” the vehicle by electrically connecting the batteries and the vehicle&#39;s electric motors via a throttle), the user may begin use of the vehicle  112  by inserting the toothed portion of his/her smart key into the vehicle&#39;s ignition switch and turning the key. However, if the intelligent interface  202  determines that the identification code stored in a user&#39;s smart key does not match the identification code stored in the memory of the intelligent interface  202  and communicates an appropriate command to the ignition switch lock  214  (i.e., not allowing use of the vehicle&#39;s ignition switch to “start” the vehicle  112 ), the user may insert the toothed portion of his/her smart key into the vehicle&#39;s ignition switch and turn same, but the vehicle  112  will not “start” or be usable by the user.  
         [0028]    In an electric vehicle  112 , the charging monitoring circuitry  216  monitors whether or not the vehicle  112  is connected to charging equipment located, for instance, at a site where users pickup vehicles  112  for their use. The charging monitoring circuitry  216  also monitors the level of charge of the vehicle&#39;s on-board batteries. This connection and charge status information is communicated by the charging monitoring circuitry  216  to the intelligent interface  202  via the bus  208  in response to the receipt of an appropriate command(s) therefrom. The intelligent interface  202  communicates the received connection and status information to the server computer  102  via the telecommunication network  104  and communication links  106 ,  114 . Such information is stored, as described below, by the server computer  102  or similar computer in a vehicle information database  318  which contains vehicle-related information for all vehicles  112  in a fleet of vehicles  112 .  
         [0029]    Referring back to FIG. 1, the telecommunication network  104  includes the wired and wireless facilities, infrastructure and processes appropriate to bi-directionally communicate voice and/or data, as required, between the various communicating devices described herein. The telecommunication network  104  comprises, but is not limited to, analog and digital wired voice and data networks, analog and digital wireless voice networks, and analog and digital wireless data networks (including, those using the 802.11(b) protocol such as GPRS). It should be understood that the scope of the present invention includes wired and wireless, voice and data communication networks which are available now or in the future.  
         [0030]    The system server  102 , preferably, comprises a bus, a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), and a storage device interface which, respectively, connect to the server&#39;s bus for bi-directional communication of signals and data with each other through the bus. A hard disk drive and a CD ROM drive communicatively connect to the storage device interface for the bi-directional communication of signals and data therebetween. It is understood that the scope of the present invention includes a system server  102  having a plurality of hard disk drives and/or other types of storage devices having appropriate capacity for the storage of operating system software, applications, and data.  
         [0031]    The system server  102  also, preferably, includes a display interface and a display device. The display interface connects to the server&#39;s bus for bi-directional communication of signals and data therewith and communicatively connects to a display device for the uni-directional communication of signals and data to the display device. Also, the system server  102  includes an interactive voice response (IVR) sub-system  116  which enables the system  100  to generate prompts and/or instructions (i.e., under application program control as described below) which are communicated to a user&#39;s telecom device  108  via telecommunication network  104  and to receive and interpret users&#39; inputs and/or selections in the form of voice responses or DTMF signals. Additionally, the system server  102 , preferably, comprises an appropriate plurality of telecommunication network interfaces (i.e., also sometimes referred to herein as a “telecom network interfaces”) which connect to the telecommunication network  104  for bi-directional voice, signal and data communication with user telecom devices  108  and the intelligent interfaces  202  of vehicles  112 . In addition, the system server  102 , preferably, includes a printer interface, a keyboard interface, and a pointing device interface which connect for bi-directional signal and data communication with a printer, a keyboard, and a pointing device, respectively. Further, the system server  102 , preferably, comprises a serial interface which is connectable to external serial devices, and a power supply which connects to an external source of alternating electrical current (AC). A system server  102 , acceptable in accordance with the preferred embodiment, is an enterprise computer server manufactured by Compaq Corporation of Houston, Tex. having appropriate versions of the elements described herein. It is understood that the scope of the present invention includes other forms of system servers  102 , available now or in the future or from other manufacturers.  
         [0032]    In operation, the power supply provides direct electrical current (DC) at appropriate voltage levels to the server&#39;s bus, thereby enabling operation of the server computer  102 . The CPU executes the methods and instructions of computer software programs or applications, described below, which reside on the hard disk drive and which temporarily reside in RAM for execution by the CPU. The CPU, operating under the control of the computer software applications, causes the system server  102  to communicate with user telecom devices  108  and vehicle intelligent interfaces  202  for the exchange of input and output data therewith, to perform the methods and tasks described herein, and to provide the system capabilities and functionality also described herein.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 illustrates a program and data domain  300  of the system  100  in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. The program and data domain  300  comprises a multi-tasking, virtual operating system  302 , a plurality of applications (i.e., a customer service application  306 , a vehicle assignment application  308 , and a vehicle return application  312 ), a user profile database  314 , a reservation database  316 , and a vehicle information database  318  which, respectively, represent computer programming and data stored on the system server&#39;s hard disk drive(s). Note that the arrow heads in FIG. 3 indicate the direction in which data is communicated relative to the applications and databases. An operating system acceptable in accordance with the first embodiment includes the Microsoft NT Operating System which are available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. It is understood that the scope of the present invention includes other forms of operating systems, including operating systems based on a UNIX platform, available now or in the future from other manufacturers.  
         [0034]    Note that FIG. 3 also displays a plurality of applications in dashed lines to indicate that such applications are not considered to be a part of the vehicle assignment and pickup system  100  of the present invention, but instead, provide the environment and context for the present invention. For example, the vehicle reservation application  304  resides on the system server  102  and is executed by the system server  102  in response to users indicating a desire to reserve a vehicle  112  for use by accessing an Internet web site enabling such reservation or by calling a vehicle reservation telephone number. The vehicle reservation application  304  collects information related to a reservation from each user, including, but not limited to: the user&#39;s identification code (i.e., assigned to a user when the user is provided with a smart key for use with a fleet&#39;s vehicles  112 ); the start day/time of the reservation; the end day/time of the reservation; the desired vehicle pickup location; the desired vehicle return location; and, if more than one type of vehicle  112  is available, the type of vehicle  112  desired by the user. The vehicle reservation application  304  also confirms, through access and comparison of user identification code information previously stored for the user in the user profile database  314  with the received user&#39;s identification code, whether the user is a valid system user and/or is allowed to make a vehicle reservation. Such reservation information, once collected, is stored by the vehicle reservation application  304  in the system&#39;s reservation database  316  for use by the system&#39;s applications as described herein.  
         [0035]    Similarly, the vehicle monitoring application  310  resides on the system server  102  and is continuously executed by the system server  102  to monitor and collect vehicle information for a fleet&#39;s vehicles  112  through communication with the intelligent interface  202  of each vehicle  112  and communication of the vehicle&#39;s intelligent interface  202  with various devices, sensors, or sub-systems thereof. Such vehicle information includes, for example and not limitation: the battery charge level (i.e., for an electric vehicle); the fuel level (i.e., for a vehicle which consumes a fuel); door lock status (i.e., “locked” or “unlocked”); ignition switch status (i.e., “on” or “off”); location of the vehicle as determined by a global positioning satellite (GPS) system on-board the vehicle (i.e., and connected to or a part of the vehicle&#39;s intelligent interface  202 ); the tire pressures; the deployment state of air bags; and, the state of the vehicle&#39;s readiness for use by a user. As such information is received by the system server  102 , the vehicle monitoring application  310  stores the information in the vehicle information database  318  for use by the system&#39;s applications as described herein.  
         [0036]    It should be understood before proceeding further that prior to a user&#39;s pickup, use, and return of a vehicle  112 , information related to the user is input into the user profile database  314  through use of a user setup application not shown in FIG. 3. The user setup application resides on the system server  102  and is executed by the system server  102  in response to users indicating their desire to begin using vehicles  112  of a fleet of vehicles  112  (i.e., “signing-up” with the system  100 ) by accessing an Internet web site or calling a setup telephone number and, in either case, providing certain user profile information. The user setup application collects information such as, for example and not limitation: the user&#39;s name; address(es); telephone number(s); email address(es); drivers license number; insurance carrier policy number(s); accident history; persons to contact in an emergency; vehicle preferences; credit card number(s) (i.e., for charging a fee for the use of a vehicle); and, other related information. The user setup application stores the information in the system&#39;s user profile database  314  after collection thereof. Additionally, the user setup application may optionally assign a unique user identification code, or key code, to the user and store the user&#39;s identification code, or key code, in the user profile database  314  in association with the user&#39;s other information. A smart key, programmed with the user&#39;s identification code, or key code, in its memory is subsequently provided to the user for use with the vehicles  112 .  
         [0037]    Continuing with respect to FIG. 3, the customer service application  306  enables a user, via voice prompts and voice and/or DTMF inputs, to access various system options including, but not limited to, the pickup of a vehicle  112  for use by the user. The customer service application  306  is executed by the system server  102  upon the system&#39;s receipt of a telephone call (i.e., from the user&#39;s wireless telecom device  108 , from a wired user telecom device  108 , or other user telecom device  108 ) from a user&#39;s telecom device  108  to a designated customer service telephone number via the telecommunication network  104 . Once execution is initiated, the customer service application  306  attempts to identify the user based at least in part on automated number identification (ANI) information which is associated with the user&#39;s telecom device  108  received from the telecommunication network  104 . If possible, the system  100  identifies the user using such information and allows the user to access the system  100 . If not, the user is required to input identifying information such as, for example, the user&#39;s identification code and/or a personal identification number (PIN) selected by the user and stored previously in the user profile database  314 . After determining the identity of the user, the customer service application  306  determines whether the user has a vehicle reservation that is about to begin and if so, immediately enables the user to pickup a vehicle  112 . If no soon-to-begin reservation is found, the customer service application  306  enables the user access and use various other features of the system  100 . Notably, in performing its tasks and providing such functionality, the customer service application  306  retrieves and/or searches user information from the user profile database  314  and from the reservation database  316  as described more particularly below.  
         [0038]    The vehicle assignment application  308  is executed by the system server  102  once it is determined that a user has a soon-to-being reservation and desires to pickup a vehicle  112  for use in connection with such reservation. The vehicle assignment application  308  interacts with the user through voice prompts and voice and/or DTMF inputs, respectively, generated and received by the system server&#39;s IVR sub-system  116 . The vehicle assignment application  308  retrieves (or is passed) the user&#39;s identification code from the user profile database  314 , retrieves information associated with the user&#39;s reservation from the reservation database  316 , retrieves information associated with other reservations from the reservation database  316 , and retrieves information from the vehicle information database  318 . Using this information, the vehicle assignment application  308  analyzes the user&#39;s reservation in light of other reservations having the same vehicle pickup location and in light of the vehicle information associated with the various vehicles  112  at the pickup location which are potentially available for assignment to the user. For instance, the vehicle assignment application  308  may consider, for electric vehicles  112 , the level of charge on the batteries of the available vehicles  112  and an estimate of the distance that the user may drive the vehicle  112  (i.e., based at least upon the start and end locations and start and end days/times for the user&#39;s reservation) to select or identify a vehicle  112  for use by the user. Then, the vehicle assignment application  308  downloads the user&#39;s identification code to the assigned vehicle&#39;s intelligent interface  202  and proceeds as more particularly described with respect to FIG. 4 below.  
         [0039]    The vehicle return application  312  is executed by the system server  102  when the system  100  determines that the user desires to return a vehicle  112  to a particular site designated for the return of vehicles  112 . Typically, the user indicates his/her desire to return the vehicle  112  by using the user&#39;s telecom device  108  to call a customer service telephone number associated with the system  100 . Upon receipt of such a telephone call, the vehicle return application  312  provides the user with appropriate voice prompts and options to enable termination of the user&#39;s reservation and return of the vehicle  112 . In doing so, the vehicle return application  312  accesses the user profile database  314  for user related information and updates the reservation database  316  and vehicle information database  318  to indicate the user&#39;s reservation has been terminated and the vehicle  112  resides at a particular return site and, if an electric vehicle  112 , whether the vehicle  112  has been connected to external battery charging equipment.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIGS. 4A and 4B display a flowchart representation of a method of the customer service application  306  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Starting at step  402  and then proceeding to step  404 , the system  100  receives a call from a user telecom device  108 . Preferably, the call is received from a wireless phone within 15 minutes of the starting time of the user&#39;s reservation while the user is near or at the location where he/she will pickup the vehicle  112 .  
         [0041]    When the call is received, the system  100  receives, if available, automatic number identification (ANI) information at step  406 . At step  408 , the system  100  determines if ANI information has been received. If ANI information has not been received, the system  100  requests that the user input his/her wireless telephone number at step  410 . The user can input the information through the keypad of his/her wireless telephone (i.e., DTMF signals) or the user can simply say the digits of his/her wireless telephone number. At step  412 , the system  100  receives the user&#39;s wireless number. The system  100  then requests the user to input his/her personal identification number (PIN), preferably through DTMF or IVR, at step  414 , and at step  416 , the system  100  receives the user&#39;s PIN.  
         [0042]    Even if the system  100  receives a user&#39;s wireless phone number through ANI, the user may have chosen to have heightened security enabled during user setup. At step  418 , the system  100  determines if the user has previously requested that heightened security be enabled. If so, then the system  100  at step  414  requests a PIN, and at step  416 , the system  100  receives the PIN from the user.  
         [0043]    After the system  100  receives the user&#39;s PIN if requested or after the system  100  receives the user&#39;s wireless number through ANI if heightened security is not selected, the system  100  at step  420  accesses the user profile database  314  and receives the user&#39;s name. The system  100  then communicates to the user a customized greeting, which includes the user&#39;s name, at step  422 . An example of the greeting may be, “Good afternoon, Mr. Gordon.” 
         [0044]    Advancing to step  424 , the system  100  reads the reservation database  316  for a reservation for the user with a start time that is imminent, for example, within the next 15 minutes. The system  100  then determines if such reservation is found at step  426 . If the reservation is not found, the system  100  proceeds to step  428  and presents several options to the user. One option may be to make a reservation for now or for later. In the next step, step  430 , the system  100  receives a selected option from the user. If, for example, the user chooses to make a reservation for the next day, the system  100  proceeds to step  432  where the system  100  guides the user through the reservation process and ends at step  434 . If, alternatively, the user chooses to make a reservation to pickup a vehicle  112  within 15 minutes, then the system  100  guides the user through the reservation process and loops back to step  426 , where the system  100  determines that a reservation for this user does exist.  
         [0045]    After the system  100  determines that this user&#39;s reservation exists, the system  100  then presents information related to the reservation to the user. The system  100  may present information such as the time and day a vehicle  112  has been requested, as well as which location to go to pickup the vehicle  112 . For example, and not by way of limitation, the system  100  may communicate the following: “You have a reservation from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. today at the Buckhead station.” 
         [0046]    The system  100 , at step  438 , then prompts the user to select between picking-up the vehicle  112  now or other services. The system  100  then determines which option the user has selected at step  440 . If the user chooses the other services option, the system  100  then presents the main user options to the user at step  428 . Then at step  430 , the system  100  receives the selected option from the user. The system  100  then performs the steps of the selected option at step  432  and ends the process at step  434 .  
         [0047]    If, however, the system  100  receives a selection that the user opts to pickup the vehicle  112  now, then the system  100  proceeds to step  442 , where the system  100  performs the vehicle assignment method  500  at step  442  and ends the customer service method  400  at step  434 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIGS. 5A, 5B,  5 C,  5 D and  5 E depict a flowchart representation of a vehicle assignment method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle assignment method  500  begins at step  502  and proceeds to step  504 , where the system  100  retrieves reservation and vehicle information for the vehicles located at the location identified in the reservation information. For example, the system  100  may access reservation information from the reservation database  316  such as the estimated mileage that the vehicle  112  will be traveling during the user&#39;s reserved time and may also access information such as the number of occupants each vehicle may have. The system  100  may also access the vehicle information database  318  for information such as the battery charge level of the vehicles  112  at the location where the user will be picking up a vehicle  112 .  
         [0049]    The system  100  then at step  506  analyzes the retrieved reservation and vehicle information to select an appropriate vehicle  112  for the user. The system  100  does this, for example, by comparing the available battery charge on a vehicle  112 , which the system  100  uses to calculate how many miles the vehicle  112  may travel before its next charge, and the mileage the user anticipates traveling during the reserved time. The system  100  may also compare the number of occupants that will use the vehicle  112  with the types of vehicles available. For example, if only one person will use the vehicle  112 , then the system  100  may select a compact vehicle, but if six people will use the vehicle  112 , then the system  100  may select a mini-van.  
         [0050]    Once the system  100  has selected an appropriate vehicle  112  for the user, the system  100  assigns the selected vehicle  112  to the user at step  508 . Then, the system  100  updates the reservation database  316  and the vehicle information database  318  to indicate and to identify the vehicle  112  assigned to the user at step  510 . The system  100  may also access the vehicle information database  318  and update its information to indicate a vehicle  112  is now reserved and is no longer idle at the location.  
         [0051]    At step  512 , the system server  102  communicates a data packet which uniquely identifies the user (e.g., personal identification code) to the assigned vehicle  112 , which is received by the vehicle&#39;s intelligent interface  202 . The vehicle&#39;s intelligent interface  202  receives and stores the information in its memory for subsequent use in locally authorizing or not authorizing the user&#39;s use of the assigned vehicle  112 . Preferably, the system  100  communicates this data packet to the vehicle&#39;s intelligent interface  202  via General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). The intelligent interface  202  of the assigned vehicle  112  acknowledges the receipt of the data packet at step  514  by communicating a data packet via GPRS back to the system server  102 .  
         [0052]    At step  516 , the system  100  provides the assigned vehicle number to the user. Alternatively, the system  100  may provide any other vehicle identifying information such as, but not limited to, the license plate number, the make, model and/or color of the assigned vehicle  112 , or any other uniquely identifying characteristic. For example, and not by way of limitation, the system  100  may communicate the following message: “For this trip, you will be driving vehicle  105 .” Preferably, the system  100  repeats the identifying characteristic of the assigned vehicle  112  so as to increase the likelihood that the user hears it correctly.  
         [0053]    The system  100  then at step  518  instructs the user to present his/her smart key to the assigned vehicle  112 . For example, the system  100  may communicate, “Please find vehicle  105  and present your smart key to vehicle  105 .” After walking up to the assigned vehicle  112 , the user waves the passive radio frequency device portion of his/her smart key past a smart key reader  210  of the assigned vehicle  112 . The smart key reader  210  collects the user identification code or key number from the device and communicates it to the vehicle&#39;s intelligent interface  202 . The intelligent interface  202  then compares the user identification code received from the smart key reader  210  to the user identification code received, as part of the downloaded reservation information, from the system  100 . If both numbers match, the intelligent interface  202  causes the door lock actuators  212  to unlock the doors of the vehicle  112 , thereby enabling the user to enter the assigned vehicle  112 .  
         [0054]    Next, the system  100  presents the user with various options at step  520 . These options may include an option that the assigned vehicle  112  cannot be located, an option that the smart key does not unlock the assigned vehicle  112 , and an option that the vehicle, for any reason, is unacceptable to the user. The system  100  then receives a selected option from the user or a data packet from the assigned vehicle  112  conveying to the system  100  that the assigned vehicle  112  has been successfully unlocked. At step  524 , the system  100  determines whether a data packet has been received from the assigned vehicle  112 . If not, the system  100  proceeds to step  526 , where the system  100  determines if “the unable to find assigned vehicle option” has been selected. If this option has been selected, the system  100  at step  528  communicates a data packet to the assigned vehicle  112  telling the assigned vehicle  112  to honk its horn and/or flash its lights. The system  100  may, alternately or in addition to step  528 , recommunicate the data packet to the originally assigned vehicle  112 . The system  100  then loops back to step  524  to determine if a data packet has been received, and if it has whether the assigned vehicle  112  has been successfully unlocked, then the system  100  proceeds to step  540 . If not, the system  100  goes to step  526 . If “the unable to find the assigned vehicle option” has not been selected, then the system  100  determines if “the smart key does not unlock the assigned vehicle option” has been selected at step  530 . If this option has been selected, the system  100  recommunicates the data packet to the assigned vehicle  112  at step  532 . Then the system  100  prompts the user to input whether the vehicle doors are now unlocked and then determines which option from the user has been selected at step  534 . If the smart key still does unlock the assigned vehicle  112 , then the system  100  may assign a different vehicle  112  to the user. If the system  100  assigns a different vehicle  112 , then the system  100  loops back to step  510  and repeats the method starting at step  510 .  
         [0055]    But if, however, “the smart key does not unlock the vehicle option” is not selected, the system  100  reverts back to step  524  to determine if a data packet has been received from the assigned vehicle  112 . If not, then the system  100  repeats steps  524  through  530 .  
         [0056]    At step  538 , the system  100  determines if “the vehicle is unacceptable option” is selected. If this option is selected, then the system  100  proceeds to step  536  and assigns a different vehicle  112  as described above.  
         [0057]    If “the vehicle is unacceptable option” is not selected, then the system  100  advances to step  540 , where the system  100  determines if the battery charger has been disconnected from the assigned vehicle  112 . This may be accomplished by placing a switch at or near the location on the vehicle  112  where charging monitoring circuitry  216  is connected. When the battery charger is connected to the charging monitoring circuitry  216  of the assigned vehicle  112 , the switch is depressed; however, when the battery charger is disconnected from the charging monitoring circuitry  216  of the assigned vehicle  112 , the switch is not depressed.  
         [0058]    If the charger is not disconnected, the system  100  at step  542  prompts the user to disconnect the assigned vehicle  112  from the battery charger. The system then goes back to step  540  to determine if the battery charger has been disconnected. If so, the system  100  then proceeds to step  544 , where the system  100  presents the user with an option to accept the assigned vehicle  112 . At step  546 , the system  100  receives the selected option from the user. At step  548 , the system determines whether “the vehicle is acceptable option” is received. If “the vehicle is acceptable option” is not selected, the system  100  goes back to step  536  and assigns a different vehicle to the user, as described above.  
         [0059]    If “the vehicle is acceptable option” is selected, then the system  100  proceeds to step  550  and communicates a message to the user regarding when and where to return the assigned vehicle  112 . An example of such message may be, “Please return your vehicle to the Buckhead station by 4:00 p.m.” 
         [0060]    The system  100  then presents the user with options at step  552  and receives a selected option at step  554 . These options may include an option for extending the user&#39;s reservation, an option for other assistance, and an option to end the call. At step  556 , the system  100  determines whether the option to extend the user&#39;s reservation has been selected. If the option to extend the user&#39;s reservation is selected, the system  100  presents the user with options for extending the reservation at step  558 . The system  100  then receives the selected option from the user at step  560  and performs the steps of the selected option at step  562 .  
         [0061]    If the option to extend the user&#39;s reservation is not selected, then the option for other assistance, such as, for example, to return the assigned vehicle  112  to a different location than originally requested, may be selected. At step  564 , the system  100  determines if the option for other assistance has been selected. If so, then the system  100  proceeds to step  566 , and presents the main user options to the user. The system  100  receives the selected option from the user at step  568 , performs the steps of the selected option at step  570 , and ends the vehicle assignment method  500  at step  572 .  
         [0062]    If, however, the option for other assistance has not been selected, then the system  100  determines at step  574  whether the option to end the call has been selected. If so, then the vehicle assignment method  500  ends at step  572 . If not, then the system  100  waits for a predetermined amount of time to pass, for example two minutes, and then ends the vehicle assignment method  500  at step  572 .  
         [0063]    [0063]FIGS. 6A, 6B,  6 C,  6 D and  6 E show a flowchart representation of a method of a vehicle return application  600  in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. Beginning at step  602  and proceeding to step  604 , the system  100  receives a call from the user telecom device  108 . Preferably, the call is received from a wireless phone as the user is returning the assigned vehicle  112  to the drop-off location.  
         [0064]    When the call is received, the system  100  receives ANI information if available at step  606 . At step  608 , the system  100  determines if ANI information is received. If ANI information is not received, the system  100  requests that the user input his/her wireless telephone number at step  610 . The user can input the information through DTMF signals, or the user can simply say the digits of his/her wireless telephone number. At step  612 , the system  100  receives the user&#39;s wireless number. The system  100  then requests the user to input his/her PIN at step  614 , and at step  616 , the system  100  receives the user&#39;s PIN.  
         [0065]    Even if the system  100  receives a user&#39;s wireless phone number through ANI, the user may have chosen to have heightened security enabled. At step  618 , the system  100  determines if the user has previously requested that heightened security be enabled. If so, then the system  100  at step  614  requests a PIN, and at step  616 , the system  100  receives the PIN from the user.  
         [0066]    After the system  100  receives the user&#39;s PIN if requested by the system  100  or after the system  100  receives the user&#39;s wireless number through ANI if heightened security was not selected, the system  100  at step  620  accesses the user profile database  314  and retrieves the user&#39;s name. The system  100  then communicates to the user a customized greeting, which includes the user&#39;s name, at step  622 . An example of the greeting may be, “Good afternoon, Mr. Gordon.” 
         [0067]    The system  100  then proceeds to step  624 , where the system  100  presents the user with options, and at step  626  the system  100  receives the selected option from the user. These options may include an option for returning the assigned vehicle  112 , an option for extending the user&#39;s reservation, and an option for other assistance. At step  628 , the system  100  determines whether the option to extend the user&#39;s reservation has been selected. If the option to extend the user&#39;s reservation is selected, the system  100  presents the user with options for extending the reservation at step  630 . The system  100  then receives the selected option from the user at step  632  and performs the steps of the selected option at step  634 .  
         [0068]    If the option to extend the user&#39;s reservation is not selected, then the option for other assistance, such as, for example, to return the assigned vehicle  112  to a different location than originally requested, may have been selected. At step  636 , the system  100  determines if the option for other assistance has been selected. If so, then the system  100  proceeds to step  638 , and presents main user options to the user. At step  640 , the system receives the selected option from the user, performs the steps of the selected option at step  642 , and ends the method of the vehicle return application  600  at step  644 .  
         [0069]    If, however, the option for other assistance is not selected, then the option to return the assigned vehicle  112  may be selected. The system determines if the option to return the vehicle is selected at step  646 . If this option is not selected, and if no options are selected, the system  100  will preferably time-out and disconnect the call, thereby ending the method of vehicle return application  600  at step  644 .  
         [0070]    But if the system  100  determines that the option to return the assigned vehicle  112  has been selected, then the system  100  proceeds to step  648 . At step  648 , the system  100  communicates a customized message to the user telling the user where to return the assigned vehicle  112 . For example, and not by way of limitation, the system  100  may communicate the following message: “Please return the vehicle to the Buckhead station and connect it to the charger.” 
         [0071]    The system  100  then proceeds to step  650  and prompts the user to park the assigned vehicle  112  in a parking space, if available. The system  100  at step  652  presents the user with two options: an option that a parking space is available and an option that a parking space is not available. At step  656 , the system  100  determines if “the parking space is not available option” is selected. If not, the system  100  proceeds to step  658  and prompts the user to park the assigned vehicle  112  and, at step  660 , to connect the assigned vehicle  112  to the battery charger. The system  100  then determines if it received a data packet from the intelligent interface  202  at step  662 . In a preferred embodiment, the intelligent interface  202  communicates a data packet after the charging monitoring circuitry  216  of the assigned vehicle  112  has been connected to the battery charger. If a data packet has not been received by the system  100 , then the system  100  loops back to step  660  and prompts the user to connect the assigned vehicle  112  to the battery charger.  
         [0072]    However, if the system  100  determines at step  656  that the “parking space is not available option” has been selected, then the system  100  goes to step  664  and prompts the user to park the assigned vehicle  112  in an available space in a nearby parking lot. In another embodiment, the system  100  may prompt the user to drive to another location where the assigned vehicle  112  can be connected to a battery charger.  
         [0073]    Advancing to step  666 , the system  100  communicates a message to the user reminding the user to remove his/her personal belongings from the assigned vehicle  112 . The system then at step  668  prompts the user to end the reservation. Once the reservation has ended, the user can no longer use his/her smart key to open the assigned vehicle  112  without making another reservation for vehicle  112 . If at step  670 , the system  100  has not received an option to end the reservation, preferably by entry of DTMF or voice response, the system  100  waits for a predetermined amount of time to pass, for example two minutes, and then proceeds to step  674 , where the system  100  would have proceeded if the system  100  received an option to end the reservation at step  670 .  
         [0074]    At this step  674 , the system  100  communicates a data packet to the intelligent interface  202  of the assigned vehicle  112  informing the assigned vehicle  112  that the user&#39;s smart key is to no longer open the doors of the assigned vehicle  112  until the intelligent interface  202  communicates a data packet telling it otherwise.  
         [0075]    The system  100  then communicates a closing message to the user at step  676 . An example of such closing message can be, “Thank you for using our vehicle.” 
         [0076]    The system  100  then presents the user with options at step  678  and receives the selected option at step  680 . These options may include an option for reserving a vehicle  112  for a future use, an option for other assistance, and an option to end the call. At step  682 , the system  100  determines whether the option to reserve a vehicle  112  for future use has been selected. If the option to reserve a vehicle  112  for future use is selected, the system  100  presents the user with options for making a new reservation at step  684 . The system  100  then receives the selected option from the user at step  686  and performs the steps of the selected option at step  688 .  
         [0077]    The system  100  then proceeds to present the user with option for other assistance, and at step  690 , the system  100  determines if the option for other assistance has been received. If so, then the system  100  proceeds to step  692 , and presents the main user options to the user. The system  100  receives the selected option from the user at step  694 , performs the steps of the selected option at step  696 , and ends the method of the vehicle return application  600  at step  698 .  
         [0078]    If, however, the option for other assistance has not been selected, then the system  100  determines at step  800  whether the option to end the call has been selected. If so, then the method of the vehicle return application  600  ends at step  698 . If not, then at step  802 , the system  100  waits for a predetermined amount of time to pass, for example two minutes, and then ends the method of the vehicle return  700  at step  802 .  
         [0079]    Whereas this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to its most preferred embodiment, it is understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention, as described herein before and as defined in the appended claims. The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements, if any, in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the functions in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.