Mobile device application for communicating with vehicles

US10297097B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ZIPCAR, INC. · US

Inventors

• Lesley Mottla · Rockport, US
• Douglas M. Williams · Rancho Santa Fe, US
• Jonathan Wolfe · Cambridge, US
• Gregory Paul Ramsperger · Somerville, US
• David J. Goldman · North Andover, US
• Syed Naveed Ghalib · Framingham, US
• Lisa Rigano · Boston, US
• Lucas P. Schneider · Bethesda, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 8, 2010
• Grant date: May 21, 2019
• Expiry date: Sep 11, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07C2009/00507
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for reserving a reservable asset using a mobile device. A mobile device communicates directly with a vehicle-associated control module or through a reservation server using either a TCP/IP communications channel or near-field communications. A member enters a request using the user interface provided by the mobile-device application. The identity of the member is validated the vehicle-associated control module executes the request by sending a signal to a computer or sensor in the vehicle through the vehicle wiring or the vehicle CANbus. The request can be a function, such as unlocking the vehicle doors, illuminating the interior or exterior lights, honking the horn, or activating a panic alarm.