MODULAR LOCK ASSEMBLY FOR AN ELECTRIC BICYCLE
Various embodiments provide for a bike-supported communication network that manages and facilitates communications between components of an electric bicycle and a wireless network. In some embodiments, the systems and methods provide a lock assembly for an electric bicycle, having a lock module that is configured to lock a rear wheel of the electric bicycle and a communication module that facilitates wireless communications between the electric bicycle and a communications network.
1 . A lock assembly for an electric bicycle, the lock assembly comprising:
a lock module that is configured to lock a rear wheel of the electric bicycle; and
a communication module that facilitates wireless communications between the electric bicycle and a communications network.
2 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the communication module includes:
a Bluetooth module that facilitates communications between the lock assembly and a mobile device associated with the electric bicycle; and
an Internet of Things (IoT) module that facilitates communications between the lock assembly and one or more remote servers over the communications network.
3 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
an action module that perform actions associated with theft events that include the electric bicycle.
4 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
an action module that modifies operations of components of the electric bicycle in response to theft events detected at the electric bicycle.
5 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
an action module that causes one or more alarms to be performed in response to theft events detected at the electric bicycle.
6 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
an action module that sends one or more alerts over the communications network in response to theft events detected at the electric bicycle.
7 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a housing that secures the lock assembly to a seat tube of a frame of the electric bicycle and contains the communication device.
8 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lock module includes a mechanically-actuated shackle lock that prevents the rear wheel of the electric bicycle from rotating.
9 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lock module includes an electronically-actuated shackle lock that prevents the rear wheel of the electric bicycle from rotating.
10 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lock module includes an integrated cable lock that is configured to fix the electric bicycle to a fixture at a geographical location that includes the electric bicycle.
11 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lock module includes an electronic locking module that causes an electric motor, a battery park, or a controller to operate in a locked mode of operation.
12 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electric bicycle is part of a fleet of electric bicycles, the lock assembly further comprising:
a fleet module that communicates information associated with the electric bicycle to a fleet management server over the communications network
13 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the communication device includes a transmitter configured to perform cellular communications over the communications network.
14 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the communication device is configured to represent the electric bicycle as an Internet of Things (IoT) device on the communications network.
15 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the communication device is adapted to communicate over the communications network via an antenna integrated into one or more frame components of the electric bicycle.
16 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the communication device includes:
a Bluetooth component that facilitates Bluetooth protocol communications between the communication device and a controller, a battery pack, or an electric motor of the electric bicycle; and
a wireless component that facilitates WiFi protocol communications between the communication device and the communications network.
17 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the communication device includes:
a Bluetooth component that facilitates Bluetooth protocol communications between the communication device and a controller, a battery pack, or an electric motor of the electric bicycle; and
a cellular component that facilitates cellular protocol communications between the communication device and the communications network.
18 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lock component includes an electronic locking module that causes the electric motor, the battery park, or the controller to operate in a locked mode of operation.
19 . A modular lock for an electric bicycle, the modular lock comprising:
a lock module that is configured to secure the electric bicycle;
a Bluetooth module that facilitates communications between the modular lock and a mobile device associated with the electric bicycle; and
an Internet of Things (IoT) module that facilitates communications between the modular lock and one or more remote servers over a wireless network.
20 . The modular lock of claim 19 , further comprising:
an action module that modifies operations of components of the electric bicycle in response to theft events detected at the electric bicycle.