US2015310379A1PendingUtilityA1

Shared vehicle systems and methods

52
Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECH LLCPriority: Apr 28, 2014Filed: Mar 10, 2015Published: Oct 29, 2015
Est. expiryApr 28, 2034(~7.7 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Will FarrellyRichard Brown
G06Q 30/0207G06Q 10/20G08G 1/205G06Q 30/0203G08G 1/202G08G 1/005G01C 21/34G01C 21/3438G06Q 10/063114G06Q 30/0206G08G 1/14G06Q 50/40
52
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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References
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Claims

Abstract

A map indicating respective locations of a plurality of vehicles included in a ride-sharing service is generated. A vehicle is identified in the plurality of vehicles that is in need of relocation. A user is identified in a vicinity of the identified vehicle for an offer to use the identified vehicle. The offer is transmitted, via a network, to the user for use of the identified vehicle in a manner to support the relocation.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . 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:
 generate a map indicating respective locations of a plurality of vehicles included in a ride-sharing service;   identify a vehicle in the plurality of vehicles that is in need of relocation;   identify a user in a vicinity of the identified vehicle for an offer to use the identified vehicle; and   transmit the offer, via a network, to the user for use of the identified vehicle in a manner to support the relocation.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer is further programmed to identify the user according to retrieved user information including at least one of a common user destination and a common route of travel. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer is further programmed to identify a plurality of users to receive a message including the offer or a second offer relating to use of the identified vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer is further programmed to identify cargo to be transported during relocation of the identified vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer is further programmed to take at least one of fuel and maintenance requirements into account in identifying the vehicle that is in need of relocation. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer is further programmed to provide a survey to a second user concerning a state of the identified vehicle following a relocation. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the computer is further programmed to adjust a user profile based on data from the survey. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the offer includes a discount in pricing for use of the identified vehicle in exchange for user assistance in relocating the shared vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a user device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor such that the user device is programmed to receive and respond to the offer via the network. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a user device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor such that the user device is programmed to provide a user location to the computer via the network. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 generating a map indicating respective locations of a plurality of vehicles included in a ride-sharing service;   identifying a vehicle in the plurality of vehicles that is in need of relocation;   identifying a user in a vicinity of the identified vehicle for an offer to use the identified vehicle; and   transmitting the offer, via a network, to the user for use of the identified vehicle in a manner to support the relocation.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising identifying the user according to retrieved user information including at least one of a common user destination and a common route of travel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising identifying a plurality of users to receive a message including the offer or a second offer relating to use of the identified vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising identifying cargo to be transported during relocation of the identified vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising taking at least one of fuel and maintenance requirements into account in identifying the vehicle that is in need of relocation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a survey to a second user concerning a state of the identified vehicle following a relocation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising adjusting a user profile based on data from the survey. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the offer includes a discount in pricing for use of the identified vehicle in exchange for user assistance in relocating the shared vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising receiving and responding to the offer via the network. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a user location to the via the network.

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