IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,220,264
Granted Patent B2
US 11,220,264 · App. 16/534,977 · Granted Jan 11, 2022

Systems and methods for managing a scooter fleet based on geolocation

Inventors: Sandro Nuesch (Ann Arbor, MI); Mathew Boesch (Plymouth, MI); Ahsan Qamar (Canton, MI); Anita Stoffer (Rochester Hills, MI); Anthony Tsakiris (Beverly Hills, MI); Rashmi Hegde (Royal Oak, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
B60W30/18B60W50/14G01C21/26G05B19/042H04W4/021B60W2050/143B60W2050/146B60W2300/365G05B2219/25252G05B2219/25257G05B2219/2637
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,220,264
App. No.
16/534,977
Granted
Jan 11, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods are provided herein for managing scooter fleets based on geolocation boundaries. In certain embodiments, individual scooters of the scooter fleet may be associated with geographical areas in which they are allowed to operate, and such areas may be defined by a geolocation boundary. The geographical areas may be provided to prevent scooters from being used and subsequently left in an undesirable location (for example, at an airport terminal or an area where crime is commonplace).

Claims (48)

1. A system for managing one or more scooters, the system comprising:

a processor; and

memory storing computer-executable instructions, that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

determine a geofence area associated with a first scooter of the one or more scooters;

determine that the first scooter has exited the geofence area; and

instruct, based on the determination that the first scooter has exited the geofence area, a physical change to a configuration of the first scooter, wherein the physical change to the configuration of the first scooter comprises a tilt in a platform of the first scooter.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to:

generate an augmented reality map, wherein the augmented reality map includes an indication of the geofence area associated with the first scooter, wherein the augmented reality map is displayed on a mobile device in communication with the first scooter.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to:

determine that the first scooter has exited the geofence area of the geofence; and

determine, based on the determination that the first scooter has exited the geofence area, an optimal return route to the geofence area associated with the first scooter; and

display, on the augmented reality map, the optimal return route.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to:

determine that the first scooter has exited the geofence area; and

gradually reduce, based on the determination that the first scooter has exited the geofence area, a level of propulsion assistance provided by the first scooter over time at a first rate.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to:

gradually increase, based on the determination that the first scooter has exited the geofence area, an amount of resistance provided by the first scooter over time at a second rate.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first rate and the second rate is dynamic and changes depending on a direction of travel of the first scooter.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to:

determine that the first scooter has exited the geofence area of the geofence; and

generate, based on the determination that the first scooter has exited the geofence area, an alert, wherein the alert comprises at least one of: an audible warning, a message on a display screen, a mobile device push notification, or an audible alarm.

8. A scooter management method comprising:

determining, by a processor, a geofence area associated with a first scooter;

determining, by the processor, that the first scooter has exited the geofence area of the geofence; and

instructing, by the processor and based on the determination that the first scooter has exited the geofence area, a physical change to a configuration of the first scooter in order to make the first scooter more difficult to ride, wherein the physical change to the configuration of the first scooter comprises a tilt in a platform of the first scooter.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

determining that the first scooter has exited the geofence area of the geofence; and

gradually reducing, based on the determination that the first scooter has exited the geofence area, a level of propulsion assistance provided by the first scooter over time at a first rate.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

gradually increasing, based on the determination that the first scooter has exited the geofence area, an amount of resistance provided by the first scooter over time at a second rate.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first rate and the second rate is dynamic and changes depending on a direction of travel of the first scooter.

12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

generating, based on the determination that the first scooter has exited the geofence area, an alert, wherein the alert comprises at least one of: an audible warning, a message on a display screen, a mobile device push notification, or an audible alarm.

13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

determining, based on the determination that the first scooter has exited the geofence area, an optimal return route to the geofence area associated with the first scooter; and

displaying, on an augmented reality map, the optimal return route.

14. A system for managing one or more scooters, the system comprising:

a processor; and

memory storing computer-executable instructions, that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

determine a geofence area associated with a first scooter of the one or more scooters;

determine that the first scooter has exited the geofence area of the geofence; and

instruct, based on the determination that the first scooter has exited the geofence area, a physical change to a configuration of the first scooter in order to make the first scooter more difficult to ride, wherein the physical change to the configuration of the first scooter comprises a tilt in a platform of the first scooter.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to:

determine that the first scooter has exited the geofence area of the geofence; and

gradually reduce, based on the determination that the first scooter has exited the geofence area a level of propulsion assistance provided by the first scooter over time at a first rate.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to:

determine that the first scooter has exited the geofence area of the geofence; and

gradually increase, based on the determination that the first scooter has exited the geofence area, an amount of resistance provided by the first scooter over time at a second rate.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 11, 2020
From: NUESCH, SANDRO; BOESCH, MATTHEW; QAMAR, AHSAN; STOFFER, ANITA; TSAKIRIS, ANTHONY
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 052628/0040 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210039642A1 · Feb 11, 2021