GB2527659A - Shared vehicle systems and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

Data is collected related to an environmental impact of a user's use of a shared vehicle 101. A score is calculated based on the environmental impact. The user's further use of the shared vehicle is priced based at least in part on the score. The data may include an evaluation of air quality.

Description

SHARED VEHICLE SYSTEMS AND METHODS

BACKGROUND

100011 Personal vehicles generally provide a flexible form of transportation for commuters and passengers within urban environments. 1-lowever, owning and operating a personal vehicle can be expensive when costs for the vehicle, fue', insurance, and maintenance are factored in. In addition, personal vehicles increase congestion and pollution in urban environments. Public transit systems, including buses, trains, subways. etc., that operate on a fixed schedule, provide alternate lower cost options for commuters. Shared transportation options reduce iI1city congestion and improve air quality. However, a commuter may have limited flexibility in terms of departure and arrival times, as well as departure and arrival locations.

100021 Another shared transportation option thai provides a good mix of flexibility, cost, ease of use, and environmental impact is a shared vehicle system. Therein, a fleet of vehicles are distributed over an operating zone (e.g., a city) and a user can rent any ehicle of the fleet for a short period (e.g., a few hours of a day). Once a user account is set up, the user can identify a vehicle he or she wishes to rent based on its location within the operating zone, and rent the vehicle without requiring additional paperwork, The user can then return the vehicle to the point of origin or drop off the vehicle at an alternate location, per the user's convenience. The shared vehicle s stern reduces the user's commuting costs while also reducing in-city congestion and pollution. At the same time, the ability to pick-up and drop-off a vehicle at a time and location determined by the user increases the user's flexibility, 10003] Shared vehicles can contribute to emissions. As such, this may contribute to a degradation in air quality, particularly on days when air quality is already bad, such as on smog days.

SU1%ThL&RY OF 11Th INVENTION 10004] According to a first aspect of the present in vention, there is provided a system as set forth in claim I of the appended claims.

10005] According to a second aspect of the present inventionS, there is provided a method as set forth in claim 11 of the appended claims

BRIEF DESCRIPTION: OF THE DRAWINGS

10006] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary shared vehicle system.

100071 Figure 2 is a high level representation of an implementation of the system of Figure 1 100081 Figure 3 is a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process for providing incentives based on a "green" score.

[0009] Figure 4 is a process flow diagram for recommending a vehicle based at least In pail on an evaluation of environmental conditions.

DESCRH>TION 1000101 In shared vehicle systems, commuters can he provided with additional environmentally conscious choices. For example, on smog days, commuters can be given the option of using an electric vehicle instead of a fueihurning vehicle, which call help to reduce exhaust emissions, 1000111 Thus in one example, air quality can be improved by providing commuters of a shared vehicle system with incentives for selecting use of electric vehicles over fueled vehicles (such as gasoline or diesel) vehicles, the incentives based on environmental factors such as ambient air quality, This and other operations disclosed h.erein may be provided according to instructions included in a central server or the like that is communicatively coupled to one or more shared vehicles, mobile devices. etc., eg., via a wide area network that may include ccilular, WiFi. and/or other technologies, 1000121 Accordingly, on smog days where air quality is worse, commuters can he given additional incentives (e.g., discounted fares, more centrally located parking options, etc.) for selecting an electric vehicle, or other less pollution emitting, vehicle (such as a hybrid or hybrid electric vehicle). For example, notifications may be provided to the user via a display in the vehicle or via a mobile computing device such as a smartphone or the like of special parking spots that can be made available if the driver operates the vehicle in a sufficiently green manner, such as by using less than a threshold amount of fuel, the threshold set based on the overall distance planned to he traveled by the operator when starting or scheduling a trip The parking options may be in. .tei'ated with a park"n application that manages parking, spots in a uiven city where the vehicles are specially equipped to identify and provide an electronic signature with permission to park. at a given paridn.g spot., a signal including the electronic signature bring monitored by the city for enforcement purposes. The parking spots made available for successfuL reduced emission and/or reduced fuel ii sage driving may be closer to an intended destination, be of a Longer duration, he of a reduced price, and/or combinations thereof I00013 in a further example, the ability to operate with reduced emissions may be provided or incented via a game or simiLar apphcatton, e.g., on a. mobile device, with each user provided a "green score" in real4irne based on how "green" they have driven, Such an application allows commuters to compete for driving with lowest emissions. A user may be given a higher score as the percent2ge of a given trip that is completed in an electric mode increases. The user may be able to see his score as well as the green score of friends in his network, and/or other shared vehicle system users in the system's network. By winning the game, a user can unlock additional incentives, as Nell as earning bragging rights. The user's green score can be advertised on the vehicle they are driving so that the user feels that they are helping keep his or her city unpolluted. For example, the green score may reflect how many trees a user saved or how many tons of CO2 the user prevented from being released into the atmosphere.

1000141 in still further examples, vehjcle recommendations provided to a user when they request a shared vehicle can also be adjusted based on a user's green score. For example, users who tend to have a higher green score may favor green driving and may he typically offered more "green vehicle" options. As another example, when the user makes the request for a vehicle, the user may be notified of all the electric vehicles available for rent in the tiger's vIcinity, 1000151 Tn addition to providing discounts for use ofan electric vehicle on smog days, users may also be notited of discounts available for using shared rides, This is where multiple users can use the same shared vehicle for travel in a common direction or along a partially overlapping route. For example, tigers may be grouped based on their routing preferences and then each member of the group may he provided with incentives, For example, users may receive discounts, bonus points, etc. Users may also sign up as teams taking a ride together, and completing with other teams for top green scores.

1000161 Additionally, advertisements to carsha.ring urogram participants that are not currently operattng a' \.chicle based on environmental conditions in the vicinity of each user, or a. given group of" users in a given region/city. For example, users in a particular region having a high smog advisory may be given notifications and/or advertisements for reduced rates or may receive increased suggestions for car sharing through the central application during such days. Again.

participants on such days may receive bonus discounts or points fèr future rentals during such days if they can complete their trip with lower than a threshold amount of emission generation per mile.

1000171 During the rental of the shared vehicle, the vehicle may display a user's particular score or ability at driving with reduced emissIons or reduce fuel usage, showing progresson and improvement over time, across different vehicles. Such scores may be aggregated across different vehicle for a given user by scaling the fuel usage and emissions for reach ehicie type so that an aggregate score of the driver's performance can be obtained.

1000181 Still further, personalized vehicle recommendations can be provided Lo the user through an application on their mobile device using knowledge of the particular vehicle driven, user preferences, user driving, weather, trip start and end location to predict range of user and choose a vehicle with adequate fuel. The application may give the user a personalized range offer. Driver behavior on street and highway can also be taken into account.

000191 Turning now to the drawings, Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary shared vehicle system 100 that includes at least one, and typically a plurality, of vehicles 101, eg., a shared vehicle such as a motorcycie. car, van, etc. Each vehicle 101 includes a computer 105 communicatively coupled with a network 120, The vehicle 101 may further include a global positioning system (GPS) device 16 or the like in a vehicle 101. Vehicles 101 may share roadways with vehicles 102 that arc not part of the shared vehicle system IOU, i.e., that are not available for sharing via a server 1 25 1000201 A vehicle 10 computer 105 may be configured for communications on a controller area network (CAN) bus or the like, and/or other wire or wireless protocols, e.g.. Bluetooth, etc., i.e., the computer can communicate via various mechanisms that maybe provided in a vehicle 101, and can accordingly receive data from vehicle sensors, communications via the network 125, e.g., from the server 125, etc. The computer 105 may also have a connection to an onboard diagnostics connector (OBD-11). Via the CAN bus, OBD-I1, and/or other wired or wireless mechanisms. Further, a navigation system 106 may be provided in the vehicle 101 and communicatively coupled to the computer 105 to provide location data, e.g., via a global positioning system (OPS) or the like. The computer 105 may provide data, including location information of the vehicle 101, to the server 125 via a network 120.

1000211 [he network 120 represents one or more mechanisms by which a vehicle computer 105 may communicate with a remote server 125 and/or a user device 150.

Accordingly, the network 120 may be one or more of various wired or wireless communication mechanisms, including any desired combination of wired(e,g,, cable arid fiber) and/or wireLess (e.g., cellular, wireless, satellite, microwave, and radio frequency) communication mechanisms and any desired network topology (or topologes when multiple commnunjcation mechanisms are utilized). Exemplary communication networks include wireless communication networks (e.g..

using Bluetooth, IEEE 802.101, etc.), local area networks (LAN) and/or wide area networks (WAN), including the internet, providing data communication services.

1000221 The server 125 may be one or more computer servers, each generally including at least one processor and at least one memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor, including instructions for carrying out various steps and processes described herein.

The server 125 may include or be communicatively coupled to the data store 130 for storing data received from one or more vehicles 101.

000231 A user device 150 may be any one of a variety of computing devices including a processor and a memory, as well as communication capabilities. For example, the user device 1 50 may be a portable computer, tablet computer, a smart phone, etc. that includes capabilities for wireless communications using IEEE 802,101, Bluetooth, and/or cellular communications protocols, Furthcr, the user device 150 may use such communication capabilities to communicate via the network 12.5 including with a vehicle coniputer 105. .A user dcvicc 1 50 could communicate with a vehicle 0 computer 05 the other mechanisms, such as a network in the vehicle 01, a known protocols such as Bluetooth, etc. Further, a user device 150 could he ii sed to provide a human machine interface (T'ITVET) to the computer 105.

1000241 Figure 2 is a high level representation of an implementation of the system 100 of Figure 1 in a geographic area 200. Vehicles 01 in the geographic arca 200 may communicate with the server 125, e.g., via the network 120 (as seen in Figure 1). Further, vehicles 102 that are not part of the system 100, as mentioned above, may be included in the geographic area 200.

Vehicles 101 in the geographic area 200 may be available for use by anartcipant in the shared vehicle system 100, or in use. For example, vehicles 101 in Figure 2 represented by unshaded squares may be considered to he available for use, whereas vehicles 101 represented by shaded squares may be considered to be in use.

1000251 Figure 3 is a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process 300 for providing incentives based on a "green" score. The process 300 could he executed according to instructions in a vehicle 101 computer 105, and alternatively or additionally steps of the process 300 could he carried out by the server 125 in communication with a vehicLe 101 computer 1 05 via the network 120. Further, operations described herein to the computer 105, e.g., displaying certain information, receiving inputs, etc., coutd be carried out by a user device 150 in communication with the computer 105 and/or the server 125.

1000261 In any case, the process 300 begins in a block 305, in winch a determination is made concerning environmental usage of an identified vehicle 101, e. a'., by the server 125 or the vehicle 101 computer 105. For example, a percentage of time that a vehicle 101 is operating in electric vehicle (EV) mode could be determined.

1000271 Next, in a block 310, a display of the computer 105 displays a score or rating, sometimes referred to as the "green" score, relating to operation of the vehicle i 01. For example, the green score may be based on a percentage of time that the v chicle is operating in EV mode and/or other factors such as described above.

00028 Next, in a block 315, a display of the computer 105 notifies a user concerning incentives, e.g.. a reduction in a. fare or price for rental of the vehicle 101, that could be obtained if a green score is increased by a certain percentage. For example, a 10 percent increase in a green score could result in a. five percent a fare reduction, 1000291 Next, in a block 320, a current green score for the vehicle 101 is evaluated, For example, the green score could he compared to a predetermined threshold.

1000301 Next, in a block 325, a display of the computer 105 could provide incentives or offers to a vehicle 101 user based on the evaluation of the green score in the block 320. For example, if the green score exceeds a predetermined threshold, a user could he rewarded with certain incentives or offers such as mentioned abovc e,g-., access to special parking, spots, additional discounts, etc. However, if a green score does not exceed the predetermined threshold, a user could he provided with less advantageous or proximate parking.. fewer discounts, etc. Further, a user could be informed of additional discounts that could he earned if a green score is increased, particularly if a user's green score does not qualify the user for any additional discounts.

Further. alternate green score formats could he displayed, e.g., a number of trees saved. etc. 1000311 Next, in a bLock 330. user operating behavior, driving history, etc. is recorded, e.g.. as described above, and is used to update a user profile. Further, based on such inforinanon, a display of the computer 105 could be used to provide suggestions for further improvements to a green score.

1000321 Following the bLock 330. the process 300 ends.

[00033] Figure 4 is a process flow diagram for a process 400 recornniending a vehicle 101 to a user based at least in part on an evaluation of environmental conditions. For example, steps of the process 400 could be carried out according to programming in a server 125. The process 400 begins in a block 405, in which environmental data is received and evaluated. For example. air-quality data such as smog levels, particulate counts, etc., could be received.

1000341 Next, in a block 410, a determination is made whether the environmental data is below a predetermined threshold, e.g., whether an air-quality measure such as a smog level or particular account is below a predetennined threshold. tf so, a block 415 is executed next.

Otherwise, a block 425 is executed next.

1000351 in the block 415, which is executed following the block 410 if environmental quality is below a threshold, users and/or potential users of vehicles 101 may be notified, e.g., the server 125 could send a message via the network 120 to user devices 150, e.g., using known messaging mechanisms, concerning discount pricing for shared vehicles 101 based on environmental conditions. For example, a rental price for a shared vehicle 101 could be discounted and/or further discounts could he provided for users sharing rides and/or usage of a.

shared vehicle 101, Moreover, additional incentives could be displayed for use of a shared and environmentally friendly vehicle 101, such as preferential availability for desirable parking places, coupons or "green points" for further benefits, etc. 1000361 Next, in a block 420, a user could be provided with suggestions for environmentally friendly usage of a vehicle 101 based on a user profile as well as environmental conditions, e.g., to use an F.V mode, etc. Following the block 420, the process 4.00 ends.

1000371 in the block 425 which is executed fol.iowirg the block. 41 0 if environmental quality is not below threshold, users and/or potential users of shared vehicles, .101 in the system 100 may be notified, e.g, the server 125 could send a message as described above, concerning normal rates for shared vehicle 101 usage, e.g..,. rates not influenced by had environmental conditions.

1000381 Next, in a bLock 430. a user could be provided with suggestions for environmentally friendly usage of the vehicle 101 based on a user profile. e.g., as described above, Following the block 430, the process 400 ends.

IO0039 Computing devices such as those discussed herein generaLly each include instructions executable by one or more computing devices such as those identified above, and for carrying out Mocks or steps of processes described above. Computer-executable instructions may he compiled or interpreted froni computer programs created using a varlety of prograniming languages and.'or technologies, including, without limitation, and either alone or in combination, Java"1, C, C++, \/isuai Basic, Java Script, Per!, HT?vTh, etc. In general, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, e.g., from a memory, a computer-readable medium, etc..

and executes these instructions, thereby perforniing one or more processes, including one or more of the processes described herein. Such instructions and other data may be stored and transnutted using a variety of computer-readable media. A file in a computing device is generally a collection of data stored on a computer readable medium, such as a storage medium, a random access memory, etc. A computer-readable medium includes any medium that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions), which may he read by a computer. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media. etc. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), ;vhich typically constitutes a main memory, Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVI), any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read,

Claims (10)

1. Clainis A system, comprising a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor such that the computer is programmed to: collect data related to an envronmenral impact of a use(s use of a shared vehicle; calculate a score based on the environmental impact; and offer the user further use of the shared vehicle at a price that is based at least in part on the score.
2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the data includes a record of when the vehicle is in an electric vehcie mode.
3. 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the data includes an evaluation of air quality.
4. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the evaluation of air quality is used as a factor in determining the price.
5. 5, The system of claims 1 to 4, wherein information in a user profile is used as a.factor in determining the price.
6. 6. The system of claims I to 5, wherein the computer is further programmed to use a driving history to update a user profile,
7. 7. The system of claims I to 6, wherein the computer is further programmed to cause t.he score to he displayed in the vehicle.
8. 8. The system of claims I to 7, wherein a number of users in the shared vehicle ts used as a factor in detennining the score.
9. 9. The system of claims I to 8, wherein the computer is a remote server that communicates with the shared vehicle via. a network.
10. 10. The system of claims ito 9, wherein the computer is located in the shared vehicle ii A method, comprising: collecting data related to an environmental impact of a user's use of a shared vehicle; calculating a score based on the environmental impact; and offering the user further use of the shared vehicle at a price that is based at least in part on the score.12.. The method of claim II -wherein the data includes a record of when the vehicle is in an electric vehicle mode.3. The method of claims ii and 12, wherein the data includes an evaluation of air quality.14. The method of claim 13, wherein the evaluation of air quality is used as a factor in determining the price.IS. The method of claims I to 14, wherein information in a user profile is used as a factor in determining the price.16. The method of claims ii to 1 5, further comprising using a driving history to update a user proftie.17. Pie method of claims I I to 16, further comprising causing the score to be displayed in the vehicle.1 8. The method of claims ii to 17, wherein a number of users in the shared vehicle is used as a factor in detennininc the score.19. The method of claims 11 to 18, wherein the score is calculated by a remote computer that communicates with the shared vehicle via a network.2.0, The method of claims ii to 19, wherein the score is calculated by a computer that is located in the shared vehicle.