WO2013045837A1

WO2013045837A1 - Method and system for assigning a task to be carried out by an operator on a vehicle offered for rent, and automated vehicle rental facility implementing such a method and system

Info

Publication number: WO2013045837A1
Application number: PCT/FR2012/052176
Authority: WO
Inventors: Clément LAMBRINOS; Bruno DE MONTIS; Yousra CHEBBI; Richard MOCH
Original assignee: Ier Systems
Priority date: 2011-09-30
Filing date: 2012-09-27
Publication date: 2013-04-04
Also published as: EP2761546A1; FR2980884A1; HK1200570A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (200) for assigning a task to an operator to be carried out on one vehicle among a plurality of vehicles offered for rent, in particular in the context of automated vehicle rental, said method including a so-called authorization phase (238) including the following steps: - determining (240) the position of the so-called target vehicle on which the task is to be carried out, - determining (242) the position of at least one operator, - calculating (244) the distance between said operator and said target vehicle, and - authorizing or not authorizing an operation relating to said task by said operator on said target vehicle on the basis of said calculated distance and a predetermined threshold distance. The invention likewise relates to a system implementing such a method and a use of such a method and such a system for automated vehicle rental.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for assigning a task to be performed to an operator on a vehicle proposed for rental, and an automated vehicle rental installation implementing such a method and system. a task to be performed on an operator on a proposed vehicle for rental. It also relates to a system implementing such a method and an installation implementing such a method or such a system. The field of the invention is the field of automated rental of vehicles on one or more rental sites, including the field of management of vehicles offered for rental, particularly in terms of intervention for the maintenance of vehicles, user assistance throughout a rental, and the rebalancing of rental sites on which vehicles are offered for rent. It concerns in particular the automated rental of electric vehicles.

State of the art

Automated vehicle leasing is a growing field. Agglomerations wishing to reduce the number of vehicles on their territory set up automated vehicle rental systems.

The vehicles offered for hire require interventions to carry out vehicle maintenance operations, but also rebalancing operations of rental sites on which these vehicles are taken at the beginning of a rental or returned at the end of the rental . It is also necessary to intervene with vehicles for other types of operations such as, for example, user assistance operations or operations against vandalism or attempted theft of vehicles.

This requires the presence on the ground of people to perform these operations. However, the management of all interventions may require a very high cost depending on the rental area to be covered, the number of vehicles offered for rent and the number of rental sites. Moreover, to ensure an effective intervention, it is necessary that this intervention be carried out as quickly as possible.

However, the current methods and systems of intervention on the vehicles offered for rental are very expensive, relatively inefficient, and very time consuming.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

Another object of the invention is to propose a method and a system for assigning to an operator a task to be performed on a vehicle among a plurality of vehicles proposed for rental, in particular as part of an automated rental of vehicles, more efficient than existing processes and systems.

Another object of the invention is to propose a method and a system for assigning to an operator a task to be performed on a vehicle among a plurality of vehicles proposed for rental, in particular as part of an automated rental of less expensive than existing processes and systems.

Finally, another object of the invention is to propose a method and a system for assigning to an operator a task to be performed on a vehicle among a plurality of vehicles proposed for rental, particularly in the context of an automated rental. of vehicles, less time consuming than existing processes and systems.

Presentation of the invention

The invention proposes to achieve at least one of the aforementioned objects by a method of assigning to an operator a task to be performed on a vehicle among a plurality of vehicles offered for rental, particularly in the context of a automated rental of vehicles, said method comprising a phase, called authorization, comprising the following steps:

determination of the position of the vehicle, said target, on which the task is to be performed,

determining the position of at least one operator, calculating the distance between said operator and said target vehicle, and

- Authorizing or not an operation relating to said task by said operator on said target vehicle according to said calculated distance and a predetermined threshold distance, the authorization being given if the calculated distance is less than the threshold distance.

The invention therefore makes it possible to authorize an operation relating to a task, in particular the beginning of a task or its creation, when the operator is at a distance from the target vehicle less than or equal to a threshold distance. In this way, the invention makes it possible to avoid user input errors by indicating to it that the vehicle on which it believes to intervene or for which it believes to declare a task is not the right one or the attempts of fraud of the operators who would like to declare the start of a task before actually starting it. This also makes it possible to determine that the operator who is supposed to intervene on the target vehicle is close to the vehicle.

Thus, the invention makes it possible to perform a more efficient intervention, a more precise monitoring of the work of each operator and also to better define the needs relating to the maintenance of the service.

Moreover, the invention makes it possible to determine, in a more precise manner, the intervention time on a vehicle and thus to better evaluate, for example statistically, the needs of the users and / or the abilities of the operators in order to carry out a more precise intervention. effective, which reduces the intervention time on a vehicle and the costs associated with such an intervention.

According to the invention, the different positions can be determined for example by a geolocation system, in particular by a GPS beacon placed at the level of the vehicle, and by a GPS beacon arranged in a portable communication device carried by the operator, by example of Smartphone or PDA type, or by a GPS tag carried by the operator. Preferably, the threshold distance is less than or equal to 250m, and more precisely 250m, which makes it possible to avoid errors due to inaccuracies in GPS technology. The method according to the invention may further comprise a step of guiding the operator to the position of the target vehicle when the measured distance is greater than the threshold distance.

The method may then include indicating the position of the target vehicle to the operator.

The method thus ensures that the operator can get to the position of the vehicle as quickly as possible, in order to perform an intervention in the shortest possible time.

Advantageously, the authorization phase, and in particular the steps for authorizing the start of the task and possibly for calculating the distance, is implemented at the level of a server, called a central server, arranged at a distance from the target vehicle and from the operator.

During the guiding step, and more generally throughout the different steps, the method according to the invention may comprise an update at a given frequency of the position of the target vehicle and the position of the operator, said positions being stored in a database.

In this case, the steps for determining the positions of the target vehicle and the operator comprise a reading in the database of the last positions of the target vehicle and the operator, the last positions stored for these two entities being chosen to make the distance calculation.

The updating frequency is for example 10 seconds.

In addition, the successive position data can be useful for carrying out other functionalities such as the surveillance of vehicles and operators, the analysis of vehicle journeys, which makes it possible to better deduce the needs of the users. Alternatively, the positions of the vehicle and the operator can be determined, for example by sending to the central server, only on request, for the purpose of performing the authorization phase. The method according to the invention may comprise, before the authorization phase, a phase, called assigning a task to an operator. This assignment phase is then initiated by a supervisor or a central server, in particular following the receipt of a request or an alert from the target vehicle.

In a particular version, the phase of assigning a task to an operator may include:

- A transmission step, particularly from a management server to the operator, data relating to said task to be performed, for example on the device of the latter. The message includes the task to be performed by the operator and preferably information related thereto (task category, vehicle identifier, etc.), and

a step of sending a request for acceptance or refusal of said task by an operator to the management server or the supervisor (via the management server). This step is performed from the communication device of the operator. In the case of a refusal, the operator is usually asked to provide a reason for refusal.

Following receipt of the request for acceptance of a task to be performed, the assignment phase includes a step of placing the task in a list, called queue, of tasks to be performed by said operator and associated audit operator, said list comprising for each assigned task an identifier of the target vehicle.

This list can be associated with the operator via an identifier of the operator.

The placement of a task to be performed in the waiting list of an operator can be done according to a priority level of a task to achieve. In this case, the priority level of the task to be placed in the waiting list is compared with the priority level of each of the tasks present in the list and the task is placed in the list according to this comparison. Thus, the method according to the invention makes it possible to deal with priority and urgent tasks first.

The priority level can be a priority level previously assigned to this task, or to a category to which this task belongs.

The priority level of each task can further increase over time, possibly more or less quickly depending on the task and / or its category.

The method according to the invention may further comprise a declaration of a task by said operator following a report in the field, said statement comprising a declaration of a target vehicle identifier and data relating to said task.

In this case, the assignment request consists of a creation declaration issued by the operator to a central management server or the supervisor (in particular via this central server) and the authorization phase is carried out immediately following this declaration of creation.

When the task is created (especially if the authorization is given during the authorization phase), the method may include a step of issuing the creation declaration to the supervisor (in particular via the management server) and a step of validation of the creation by the supervisor.

The task is assigned to the operator if and only if the supervisor reports back his acceptance.

In this case, the assigned task is placed first in the queue of tasks associated with the user and at the top of the tasks to be performed by the user.

It will be noted that, alternatively, the authorization phase may be performed after the validation step, but this is less advantageous since it is then likely to disturb the supervisor for an unauthorized task. The method according to the invention may also comprise a verification step, referred to as an identifier, comprising the following operations:

- information by the operator of an identifier of a vehicle on which he wishes to perform a task, and

- Comparison of the identifier of the vehicle with at least one identifier of a vehicle associated with a task previously assigned to the operator, and possibly placed in the queue of said operator, and authorization or not of a relative operation said task by said operator on said vehicle according to the result of the comparison.

This identifier verification step is preferably performed before the step of verifying the position of the vehicle.

This further limits the possibility of errors or fraud by the operators of the system and thus optimizes the maintenance of this system.

The method according to the invention may further comprise a verification phase, called status, comprising a step of comparing a status of a target vehicle, whose identifier has been previously declared, with a vehicle status, said theoretical, previously associated with said task, an authorization or not an operation relating to said task by said operator on said target vehicle being given according to the result of the comparison.

This theoretical status is relative to the type of task requested. This check is usually carried out preferably before the position verification step and makes it possible to check whether it is actually necessary to perform the task.

Similarly, it also limits the possibility of errors or fraud on the part of system operators and thus optimizes the maintenance of this system.

When the task to be performed corresponds to a task belonging to a predetermined category and the completion of the task is authorized, the authorization phase may further comprise a step of issuing a task. identifier of the operator to the target vehicle associated with the task to indicate that said operator is authorized to take the vehicle.

Such tasks may include restoring a vehicle to an operator, taking over an abandoned or repaired vehicle, or rebalancing rental sites.

According to the invention, a task can comprise at least one of the following actions:

- the return of a vehicle by a user to an operator, the status of the vehicle at the beginning of the task must be "under lease",

- taking over an abandoned or infringing vehicle, the status of the vehicle must be "in the process of being rented",

- taking over a vehicle under repair, the status of the vehicle must be "under repair",

- rebalancing or removal of a vehicle at a repair station, the status of the vehicle must be "available",

- assistance of the customer in the taking of the vehicle, the status of the vehicle must be "available", or the return of a vehicle, the status of the vehicle must be "in the course of hiring".

This list is not exhaustive and other tasks could also be planned.

The method according to the invention may further include assigning a state to a task and / or assigning a state to an operator.

For example, when we consider that the task has started, we assign it an "in progress" status and the operator a "busy" status. This makes it possible to facilitate the compilation and analysis of statistics relating to the maintenance of the rental facility. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a system for assigning to an operator a task to be performed on a vehicle among a plurality of vehicles offered for rental, particularly in the context of an automated rental of vehicles, said system comprising:

- Geolocation means capable of: ^■ determine the position of the vehicle, said target, on which the task is to be performed, for example a GPS beacon arranged in the vehicle,

^■ determining the position of at least one operator, such as a GPS beacon carried by the operator, such as a PDA including a GPS beacon; and

computer resources, for example a server, said management, comprising a database, a calculation and decision module disposed at a central site, arranged to: calculate the distance between said operator and said target vehicle , and

^■ delivering a data authorization or refusal of an operation relating to said task by said operator on said target vehicle according to said calculated distance and a predetermined threshold distance.

The system according to the invention may further comprise communication means capable of:

- exchange data with the target vehicle in order to:

^■ receive from said vehicle a request for intervention from the target vehicle, and / or

^■ send to said vehicle an identification data of an operator, and / or

- exchange data with the operator, including a communication device of the latter, with a view to:

^■ receive from said operator an acceptance or refusal of a task to be performed,

^■ send to the operator a task to be performed and / or guidance information.

The communication means may comprise a central communication module, a vehicle communication module and an operator communication module, in communication with each other through a wireless telecommunications network of GPRS or 3G type. According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided an automated vehicle rental facility comprising a plurality of rental sites each comprising at least one parking space, said installation comprising a management system according to the invention or means for implement the steps of the method according to the invention.

Other advantages and characteristics will appear on examining the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments, and the appended drawings in which:

- FIGURE 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle rental installation implementing the method according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation in the form of a diagram of a first embodiment of a method according to the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation in the form of a diagram of a second embodiment of a method according to the invention.

It is understood that the embodiments which will be described in the following are in no way limiting. In particular, it will be possible to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described subsequently isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one feature preferably functional without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if it is this part that is only sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art.

In particular, all the variants and embodiments described are combinable with each other if nothing stands in the way of this combination at the technical level. In the figures and in the following description, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference. The examples described below relate to an automated rental of electric cars on several rental sites.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an automated rental facility for electric vehicles implementing the reservation method according to the invention.

The installation 100 represented in FIG. 1 comprises a central site 102 connected to several sites - or stations - 104i-104 _n , said to be leased through a wireless communication network 106, for example GPRS, or a wired network, for example of the DSL or LAN type. Preferably, each site 104 is connected to the central site via the two separate networks, which allows a continuous connection even if one of the networks is faulty.

Each rental site 104 includes a rental terminal 110 for the rental of a vehicle and a plurality of charging terminals 112-116, each charging terminal being provided for charging a vehicle equipped with an electric battery to a parking space, to know the parking spaces 118-122.

Some sites 104 also include a subscription terminal 108 for registering a new subscriber.

Each parking location of a rental site 104 comprises a presence detector module 124-128, namely weighing means, a camera and / or an electrical connection detector with a vehicle, connected to the rental terminal 110 of the vehicle. rental site 104.

The central site 102 can be connected directly to each of the terminals of a rental site 104 through the network 106 or only to the subscription terminal and / or to the rental terminal and / or charging terminals 112-116. .

At least two terminals of a rental site are connected to each other through a wired connection (not shown). The central site 102 includes a central management server 132, a calculation and analysis module 134, said central, and a communication module 136, said central. The central site 102 furthermore comprises a database 138 in which are registered in association with each vehicle identifier, the identifier of the user to whom this vehicle is leased, and a real status of the vehicle, for example available / not available / in maintenance.

The central site 102 is in communication with electric vehicles 140i-140 _m being leased, through the central communication module 136 and a communication box 142i-142 _m , said vehicle, arranged in each of the vehicles, through a wireless communication network 144, for example GPRS, which may be the same as the communication network 106. Thanks to the central communication module 136 and the vehicle communication modules 142, the central site exchanges data with each of the vehicles 140. Each vehicle 140i-140 _m is also provided with a module of calculation and analysis 144i-144 _m to determine the real status of the vehicle and a module 146i-146 _m geolocation GPS type to determine the position of the vehicle.

Each vehicle communication module 142 is in connection with the vehicle calculation and analysis module 144 and the GPS module 146. Each vehicle communication module is furthermore in contact with a user interface (not shown), for example an interface of the GPS module 146, which may include a touch screen, for displaying the data on a map and for taking into account data entries made by the user of the vehicle 140 and calculating distances and / or times between the position current vehicle and a destination.

The installation 100 further comprises _k 148i-148 geolocation and communication modules carried by 150i-150 _k operators located in the area covered by the rental facility. The central communication module 136 is in communication with the GPS modules 148 of the operators 150 through the wireless communication network 144. Each module 148 may be a communication apparatus, such as a PDA equipped with a GPS beacon. Each rental site 104 also includes a database 152i-152 _n in which is recorded the reserved state or not each parking location 118 of the rental site 104. This database also records the status of availability of each parking space, ie occupied, or free.

The installation 100 makes it possible to manage a plurality of electric vehicles offered for rental. Users are able to interact with the various terminals as well as with the various elements of the vehicles and operators are provided to intervene on the vehicles offered for rental in order to perform predetermined tasks or not.

According to the invention, each operator 150 is made to move in the area covered by the rental facility and to intervene on the vehicles for the execution of the tasks entrusted to him by the central server 132 or by a supervisor at the level of the operator. from the central site 102. Each operator is associated with a list of tasks to be performed. This list is recorded in the memory means 138 of the central site. These storage means 138 also store the tasks to be performed with different data associated with the task. For example, according to the invention, a task is associated with different data, such as a type, a description, a departure location, an optional arrival location, a vehicle identifier and an optional customer name as well as an optional priority level (the priority level of the task allowing its ranking in a queue). In addition, a handling time (corresponding to the movement of the operator) and a total completion time may be indicated for the task.

The task queue of an operator can contain a maximum of 5 tasks for a total completion time of 2 hours. A task can be assigned to an operator while he is performing another task.

Each task or categories of tasks is also associated with a theoretical start status corresponding to the status that the vehicle must have at the beginning of the performance of this task and a theoretical end status corresponding to the status that the vehicle must have at the end of the task. accomplishment of this task.

Each task is also associated with a state, corresponding to the state of the task, namely "pending achievement", "in progress", "achieved" etc.

Each operator 150 is also associated with a state, namely "busy" or "free".

In the installation 100 shown in FIG. 1, the system according to the invention comprises the elements of the central site, namely the central server 132, the central calculation and analysis module 134, the communication module 136 and the base The system according to the invention further comprises the modules 142-146 at the level of each vehicle and the GPS modules 148 of the operators 150.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation in the form of a diagram of a first embodiment of a method according to the invention in the case where the task to be performed is initiated by the central server or a supervisor at the level of a central site, for example the central site 102 of FIG.

The method 200 includes a step 202 of creating a task for a vehicle, following for example an alert issued by the vehicle, a request issued by the user associated with the vehicle, or other events. This task is associated with the identifier of the vehicle concerned by the alert.

Then begins a phase 204 status check for the task. This phase comprises a step 206 determining the real status of the vehicle. The status data is for example determined by the vehicle calculation and analysis module 144 and sent by the vehicle communication module 142 to the central communication module 136 through the network of the network 144. In a variant, the status of each vehicle is updated regularly and stored, for example in the storage means 138. In this case, the determination of the actual status of the vehicle corresponding to a reading of the last stored status data. In a step 208, the actual status is compared to the theoretical start status defined for the task, for example by the calculation and analysis module. Such a theoretical status is dependent on the type of task defined during the creation of the task. For example, if the task is a rebalancing task, the status of the vehicle at the beginning of the task must be "available".

If the two statuses are different, this implies that it is not necessary or not possible to perform this task on this vehicle. The task is deleted and the process is stopped at step 210.

If the two statuses are identical, this is a task that can be performed on this vehicle. The job is then stored with the vehicle identifier in step 212 and the job status is "pending assignment".

The status check phase 204 for the task is complete. Then begins a phase 214 assignment of the task to an operator in the field for the accomplishment of his task.

This phase 214 comprises a step 216 of sending a message to the operator, the message comprising the new task and the descriptive data associated with this task. Preferably, the PDA of the operator emits a sound and vibrating signal alerting him of the arrival of a new task. The signal is repeated a number of times, for example up to 10 times, every 15 seconds. For example, the message may be composed by the central server 132, and transmitted to the communication module 136, which sends it to the PDA 148 of the operator 150 via the network 144.

The central server or the supervisor waits during a step 218 for the response of the operator.

If, after the number of predefined warnings, the operator has not consulted his PDA, the task is considered as refused by the operator (with the reason "unanswered") in step 220. In this case the task can either be reassigned to a particular operator or put in the queue of tasks to be assigned to operators at the same position in the queue as before the refusal.

If the operator reads the message, he consults the contents of the task and can choose between rejecting and accepting the task. If the operator refuses a task, he indicate the reason. A refusal message is then sent in step 220. The management server is then alerted and the task is reassigned to another operator.

If instead the operator accepts the task, it is placed in the queue of the operator, in step 222, according to its priority level and the management server memorizes that the task is assigned to the operator and changes his status from "pending assignment" to "pending completion".

The assignment phase 214 is complete.

Then immediately after or after a certain time, the operator requests permission to start the task.

Then begins a verification phase 224, identifiers, to determine if actually a task corresponding to this vehicle has been entrusted to this operator.

Phase 224 comprises a step 226 during which the operator enters the identifier of the vehicle concerned by the task, for example after having moved to the vehicle. Note that the identifier, instead of being entered, can also be read using an identification means (barcode, RFID chip, etc.) affixed to the vehicle, the PDA then having a reader adapted to the means of identification.

Then, still in step 224, the identifier is sent to the central server, for example by the PDA 148 to the central communication module 136 via the network 144.

The phase 226 identifier verification then comprises a step

228 carrying out the verification according to which the identifier of the vehicle entered is in conformity with the identifier of the vehicle associated with one of the tasks assigned to the operator by comparison of the identifier communicated with the identifiers of the vehicles memorized for the tasks present in the list of tasks assigned to the operator.

If the identifiers are different, it means that no task concerning this vehicle has been assigned to the operator. In step 230, a refusal message is sent to the operator indicating that the identifier entered is incorrect and requesting him to enter an identifier. It is possible a number of incorrect identifiers entered cause the issuance of a different error message and / or a warning to the operator.

If the identifiers are identical, it means that a task concerning this vehicle has been assigned to it.

In this case, in step 232 it is checked whether this is the task placed first in the list of tasks associated with this operator.

If this is not the case, the task location is changed and the task associated with that vehicle is put in the first position in step 234 and a confirmation and warning message is sent to the operator at the same time. step 236.

Alternatively, if the vehicle identifier does not match the identifier associated with the task in the first position in the queue of the operator, it may not be accepted that this task is performed.

The phase 236 of identifier verification is completed.

Then begins a phase 238 authorization, to determine whether the user can begin the completion of the task.

This authorization phase 238 comprises a step 240 determining the position of the vehicle. For example, this position can be determined by the GPS module of the vehicle 146, transmitted to the vehicle communication module 142 and the central communication module 136 through the network 144. In a variant, the position of the vehicle can be updated regularly and stored in the storage means at the central site for example the storage means 138. In this case, the position of the vehicle is determined by reading in the storage means of the last stored position.

A step 240 determines the position of the operator to whom the task is assigned. For example, this position can be determined by the PDA 148, transmitted to the central communication module 136 on request through the network 144. In a variant, the position of the operator can be updated regularly and stored in the storage means at the central site, for example, the storage means 138. In this case, the position of the operator is determined by reading in the storage means of the last stored position.

Depending on the determined positions, a step 246 determines the distance between the vehicle and the operator and a step 248 compares this distance with a threshold distance.

If the calculated distance is greater than the threshold distance, then an error message is sent to the operator at step 250, with guidance data to go to the vehicle. The process is then stopped.

If the calculated distance is less than the threshold distance, then the task is allowed by the operator 150, subject to further checks.

The task start authorization phase 238 is then completed.

Then begins a new phase 252 status check, as described above.

This phase 252 comprises a step 254 determining the real status of the vehicle. In a step 256, the actual status and compared to the theoretical start status defined for the task, for example by the calculation and analysis module 134.

If the two statuses are different, this implies that it is not or no longer necessary to perform this task on this vehicle, for example because a user has managed to carry out the action he wanted without the help of the operator or because there is an anomaly requiring the intervention of a maintenance team. The task is then removed from the operator's task list and the process is stopped at step 258.

When the two statuses are different, one can question the operator on the state of the vehicle to have a better idea of its state and the actions to possibly carry out relative to this one.

If the two statuses are identical, this is a task that is still to be performed on this vehicle. The task start is then authorized in step 260, by sending a message to the operator stating that he can start the task and modifies the state of the task which is then changed from "pending completion". "To" in progress "and the state of the operator goes from" free "to" busy ". The status check phase 252 for the task is complete.

It should be noted that this status verification phase can be carried out several times before the task is authorized, for example to prevent the operator from going to the vehicle if the task is no longer to be performed, for example because the status of the vehicle has changed or if the user of the vehicle has finally managed to perform the action he wanted. It can also be performed only when the management server is notified of the change of status of the vehicle.

The operator then performs the task. During the completion of the task a status check phase 262 may also be performed on one or more occasions to determine whether or not the task is completed, the time at which the task is completed, or to take other actions.

The status check phase 262 comprises a step 264 determining the real status of the vehicle according to one of the variants described above.

During a step 266, the real status is compared with the theoretical end status defined for the task, for example by the calculation and analysis module 134.

If the two statuses are identical, it means that the task has been successfully completed. The end of the task is then declared in step 268 and an end of task message is sent to the operator. The task status is then changed from "in progress" to "completed". The state of the operator is changed from "busy" to "free".

If the two states are different, this implies that the task is still in progress, and the task is maintained and its state is unchanged at step 262 and the operator is not allowed to start another task.

Phase 262 verification is complete.

The status check phase 262 may be repeated until the end of the task declaration or for a predetermined duration or again after a predetermined duration previously associated with this task.

It is possible to envisage other actions if the end of the task is not declared after a predetermined duration, for example the creation of a task of report to be carried out by the operator to indicate the reasons why the task is not completed. Of course, other actions can be considered.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation in the form of a diagram of a second embodiment of a method according to the invention in the case where the task is initiated by an operator.

The method 300 of FIG. 3 comprises a step 302 of inputting an identifier of a vehicle and sending to the central server, by an operator, data relating to a task to be performed, noted by the operator in the field. . This data is sent in a message including the definition of the task to the central server. For example, the operator 150 enters the data on his PDA 148, in particular using a form offering multiple choices, and the PDA 148 transmits the message to the central communication module 136 through the network 144.

Then begins a 304 phase of checking the status of the vehicle.

This phase 304 includes a step 306 determining the real status of the vehicle. The status data is determined according to one of the variants described above with reference to a status checking phase.

During a step 308, the actual status and compared to the theoretical start status defined for the task, for example by the calculation and analysis module 134.

If the two statuses are different, this implies that it is not necessary to perform this task on this vehicle. The task is then deleted without being stored and the process is stopped at step 310. If the two statuses are identical, this is a task that can actually be performed on this vehicle. The task can be created subject to other checks.

The status check phase 304 for the task is complete.

Then begins a phase 312 of authorization, to determine if the operator is well near the vehicle and if the operator can begin the completion of the task.

This authorization phase 312 includes a step 314 determining the position of the vehicle according to one of the variants described above, with reference to an authorization phase.

A step 316 determines the position of the operator who is assigned the task according to one of the variants described above, with reference to an authorization phase.

Depending on the determined positions, a step 318 determines the distance between the vehicle and the operator and a step 320 compares this distance to a threshold distance.

If the calculated distance is greater than the threshold distance, then an error message is sent to the operator in step 322, the declared task is deleted and the process is then stopped.

Otherwise, nothing stands in the way of creating the task at this point. The task is created and stored in the central server at step 324.

Phase 312 authorization start task is then completed. Then begins a phase 326 of validation of the task.

The validation phase 326 includes a step 328 during which the operator 150 is asked if he wishes to have the task validated by a supervisor by sending a message to the operator.

In step 330, the supervisor validates or not the task, for example based on his knowledge of the state of the vehicle and the overall condition of the fleet.

If the supervisor refuses the task the operator is notified by a refusal message in step 332 and goes to the vehicle concerned by his next task in the queue. The task is also deleted in step 332.

If the operator validates the task a declaration of creation of the task is carried out in step 334 and the task is placed in the queue of the operator, in step 334, in first position in the list of tasks associated with the user ".

The status of the job is changed to "in progress" and the operator status is changed to "busy". The operator then performs the task. During the completion of the task a status check phase 338 may also be performed on one or more occasions to determine whether the task is complete, the time at which the task is completed, or to take other actions.

The status check phase 338 includes a step 340 determining the real status of the vehicle according to one of the variants described above.

During a step 342, the real status is compared with the theoretical end status defined for the task, for example by the calculation and analysis module 134.

If the two statuses are identical, it means that the task has been successfully completed. The end of the task is then declared in step 344 and an end of task message is sent to the operator. The task status is then changed from "in progress" to "completed". The state of the operator is changed from "busy" to "free".

If the two states are different, this implies that the task is still in progress, and the task is maintained and its state is unchanged at step 346.

The verification phase 338 is complete.

The status checking phase 338 may be repeated until the end of the task declaration or for a predetermined duration or after a predetermined duration previously associated with this task. It is possible to envisage other actions if the end of the task is not declared after a predetermined duration, for example the creation of a task of report to be carried out by the operator to indicate the reasons why the task is not completed. Of course, other actions can be considered.

We will now describe the sequence relating to different tasks that can be assigned to and performed by the operator. 1 / Return of a vehicle to an operator or management of an abandoned vehicle.

Step Description

1 The operator indicates the identifier of the vehicle he wishes to support.

2 The server verifies that the requested vehicle matches the one designated in the current task.

3 • In case of error the operator returns to step 1.

4 The server verifies that the vehicle declared by the operator is in the process of being rented (starting status for this type of task).

5 • In case of error, the operator returns to step 1.

6 Operator / vehicle position check.

7 In case of position error:

8 • the operator returns to step 1.

9 The status of the operator changes to "busy".

10 The status of the job changes to "in progress".

11 The rental is completed for the vehicle (registration in the central server of the end of rental time).

12 Vehicle status changes to "Valet supported".

13 Assignment of the vehicle to the operator i.e. sending to the vehicle by the central server of the identifier of the operator to allow the latter to manage the vehicle.

14 In the absence of an error, send a message by the server to the operator to indicate that he can pick up the vehicle.

15 The vehicle is parked on an available parking space, including the

loading displays a green light.

16 The operator opens the vehicle loading hatch.

17 The badge operator on the charging station.

18 The rental terminal to which the charging station is connected asks the server whether this badge is authorized to unlock the door of the charging station.

19 The server indicates that the operator's badge is authorized to unlock the hatch.

The operator opens the hatch of the loading terminal.

The operator unrolls the charging cable from the charging terminal to the vehicle charging hatch. He plugs the cable into the vehicle socket. Step Description

22 The operator closes the vehicle load hatch.

23 The operator closes the charging door of the charging terminal.

24 The rental terminal goes back to the server in the "charging" state of the charging station.

If the vehicle charge level is greater than or equal to a set threshold, the vehicle status changes to "available." If the vehicle charge level is below the set threshold, the vehicle status changes to "unavailable" and the status of the vehicle vehicle is also reassembled to the server.

The operator locks the vehicle.

The operator's PDA informs him of the completion of the task by a message (task declared over by comparing the status of the vehicle and the expected status).

After acknowledging the message, the status of the task changes to "finished" and that of the operator changes to "free".

2 / Rebalancing or moving a vehicle.

Step Description

1 The operator indicates in the application the identifier of the vehicle he wishes to support.

2 The server verifies that the requested vehicle matches the designated one in the current job.

3 • In case of error the operator returns to step 1.

4 The server verifies that the vehicle declared by the operator is in the status "Available" (starting status for this type of task).

5 • In case of error, the operator returns to step 1.

6 Operator / vehicle position check

7 • In case of error the operator returns to step 1.

8 Assignment of the vehicle to the operator and management of the vehicle by the operator.

9 The status of the operator changes to "busy".

10 The status of the job changes to "in progress".

11 Vehicle status changed to "Valet supported".

12 In the absence of error, send a message by the server to the operator to indicate that he can pick up the vehicle:

13 The badge operator on the vehicle.

14 The vehicle is unlocked.

The onboard PC screen displays an intrusive message, on the entire screen, and impossible to pay by the driver, recalling the need to properly store the cable in the terminal.

16 The badge operator on the charging station.

17 The rental terminal to which the charging station is connected requests the server, if this badge is authorized to unlock the door of the charging station.

18 The server indicates that the badge of the operator is authorized to unlock the hatch.

19 The operator opens the hatch of the charging station.

The operator opens the vehicle load hatch.

21 The operator disconnects the charging cable from the vehicle socket. Step Description

22 The operator closes the vehicle load hatch.

The operator accompanies the rewinding of the charging cable in the charging terminal.

24 The operator locks the door of the charging station.

The rental terminal goes back to the server in the "locked" state of the charging terminal door.

The server acknowledges the intrusive message of the onboard PC. This removes it from the screen and the normal functions of the embedded PC are accessible.

The operator schedules his destination on the navigation system of the vehicle.

28 The operator drives the vehicle to its destination following the instructions of the navigation system.

29 If the operator's PDA emits a vibrating and audible task change signal (change due to an external change in the vehicle arrangement setting in the stations):

30 • The operator stops the vehicle.

• The operator acknowledges the task change.

• If the destination has been changed, the operator programs the new destination on the vehicle's navigation system.

• The operator moves to his new destination.

34 The operator parks the vehicle in the nearest available parking space at the rental terminal.

35 Vehicle Connection Procedure (detailed above).

36 The rental terminal goes back to the server in the "charging" state of the charging station. If the vehicle's charge level is greater than or equal to the threshold set by the DSP, the status of the vehicle changes to "Available." If the vehicle charge level is below the threshold set by the DSP, the status of the vehicle changes to " unavailable and the status of the vehicle is also reassembled to the server.

37 The operator locks the vehicle.

The operator's PDA informs him of the completion of the task by a message (task declared over by comparison of the status of the vehicle and the expected status).

39 After acknowledging the message, the status of the task changes to "completed" and that of the operator changes to "free".

Regarding the task of removing the vehicle in the maintenance and service center, the procedure is the same as that described for the rebalancing of the vehicle, except for the end status. In the case of a maintenance take-back task, the procedure is substantially the same except that the status of the vehicle at the beginning of the task must be "in maintenance". Note that in this case, the disconnection procedure is also optional. Naturally, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described. It will be appreciated that the method can include many variations. As an example, we can note that:

- It is possible that other types of tasks than those indicated are assigned to the operator,

- Some checks (including status checking) are optional. It should also be noted that the order in which the verifications are carried out is likely to vary,

A method according to the invention can make it possible to create tasks only by the operator or by the supervisor,

- Etc.

Claims

A method (200, 300) of assigning to an operator (150) a task to be performed on a vehicle (140) out of a plurality of vehicles (140) offered for rental, in particular as part of a rental automated vehicle system, said method comprising a phase (238, 312), called authorization, comprising the following steps:

determination (240, 314) of the position of the vehicle (140), said target, on which the task is to be performed, by geolocation means arranged at said target vehicle,

determination (242, 316) of the position of at least one operator, by means of geolocation carried by said at least one operator

calculating (244, 318) the distance between said operator (150) and said target vehicle (140), and

- Authorization or not (250; 322, 324), by a management server, said central, arranged at a distance from the target vehicle and the operator of an operation relative to said task by said operator (150) on said vehicle ( 140) targets according to said calculated distance and a predetermined threshold distance, an authorization being granted when the calculated distance is less than the threshold distance.

2. Method (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a step (250) for guiding the operator to the position of the target vehicle when the distance measured and greater than the threshold distance.

3. Method (200, 300) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an update at a given frequency of the position of the target vehicle (140) and the position of the operator (150), said positions being stored in a database (138).

4. Method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, before the phase (238) authorization, a phase (214), called assignment, a task to a operator (150), initiated by a supervisor or a central server (132), especially following the receipt of a request from the target vehicle (140).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the assignment phase (214) comprises:

a step (216) of sending, from a management server to the operator, data relating to said task to be performed, and

- A step (218) for issuing a request for acceptance or refusal of said task by the operator (150) to the management server (132).

6. Method (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a declaration (302) of a task by said operator, said declaration comprising a declaration of a vehicle identifier. target and possibly data relating to said task.

7. Method (300) according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises a phase (326) for validation of the task declared by the operator by a supervisor, to which the declaration is sent.

8. Method (300) according to claim 7, characterized in that the authorization phase (312) is implemented before the validation phase (326) to authorize the creation of the task.

9. Method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a verification phase (224), said identifier, comprising the following steps:

- information (226) by the operator of an identifier of a vehicle (140) on which he wishes to perform a task, and

- comparing (228) the vehicle identifier (140) to at least one identifier of a target vehicle (140) associated with a task previously assigned to the operator (150) and authorizing or not an operation relating to said task by said operator (150) on said vehicle (140) according to the result of the comparison.

10. Method (200, 300) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a status verification phase (204, 252, 262, 304), comprising a comparison (208, 256, 266, 308) of a status of a target vehicle (140) whose identifier has previously been entered with a vehicle status, said theoretical, previously associated with said task, and an authorization or not of an operation relating to said task by said operator (150) on said target vehicle (140) based on the result of the comparison.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the task to be performed corresponds to a task belonging to a predetermined category and the execution of the task is authorized, the method further comprises a step of issuing an identifier of the operator to the target vehicle associated with the task to indicate that said operator is authorized to take the vehicle.

Method (200, 300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a task can comprise at least one of the following actions:

- return of a vehicle by a user to an operator,

- taking charge of an abandoned or infringing vehicle,

- taking charge of a vehicle under repair,

- rebalancing or removal of a vehicle at a repair station,

- assistance of a user in taking the vehicle or returning a vehicle.

13. System for assigning to an operator (150) a task to be performed on a vehicle (140) out of a plurality of vehicles (140) offered for rental, in particular as part of an automated rental of vehicles (140). ), said system comprising: - Geolocation means (146, 148) capable of:

^■ determine the position of the vehicle (140), said target, on which the task is to be performed,

^■ determining the position of at least one operator (150); and

computer means (132, 134, 136, 138) arranged at a management server, called a central server, arranged at a distance from the target vehicle and from the operator capable of:

^■ calculating the distance between said operator (150) and said vehicle (140) target, and

^■ delivering an authorization or refusal data item for an operation relating to said task by said operator (150) on said target vehicle (140) as a function of said calculated distance and a predetermined threshold distance.

14. System according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises communication means (136, 142, 148) adapted to:

exchanging data with the target vehicle (140) in order to:

^■ receiving from said vehicle (140) an intervention request from the target vehicle (140), and / or ■ sending to said vehicle (140) an identification data of an operator,

exchanging data with the operator (150) in order to:

^■ receive from said operator (150) an acceptance or rejection of a task to perform,

Sending to said operator (150) a task to be performed and / or guidance information.

15. Installation (100) of automated rental of vehicles on several rental sites (104), each rental site (104) comprising at least one parking space (118-122), said facility:

comprising a system according to any one of claims 13 or 14, or

means for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.