Abstract: A method of providing reservation status relating to a group of objects includes providing a database for containing (i) availability data describing availability of at least one of the group of objects, and (ii) reservation data describing allocation of at least one of the group of objects. The availability data and the reservation data are stored in sparse form. The method further includes extracting, from the database, availability data and reservation data corresponding to a predetermined period of time, and combining the extracted availability data and reservation data to form windowed data in a dense format. The method also includes receiving the windowed data and providing the windowed data in a bit-vector view, and sampling the windowed data in the bit-vector view to produce sampled data. The sampled data provides the reservation status as a static view of the windowed data in the bit-vector view.

Abstract: One variation of an upgrade kit—for an ignition key corresponding to a vehicle and including an immobilizer transponder and a keyless entry transmitter—includes: a wireless jammer configured to interfere with wireless transmission from the immobilizer transponder; a wireless receiver configured to receive an unlock request from an external device; a relay configured to actuate the keyless entry transmitter to unlock a door of the vehicle in response to the unlock request; and an enclosure configured to contain the wireless receiver and a portion of the ignition key.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus and computer program product for improved vehicle late return prediction and detection. A computer system determines an end return time by which a vehicle is to be returned by a user or member to a return location. The system receives current vehicle location data at a first predetermined time before the end return time, and the distance between the current vehicle location and return location is combined with a vehicle velocity to calculate an expected return time of the vehicle. The expected return time is compared to the end return time to determine if there will be a potential late return.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for reserving a reservable asset using a mobile device. A mobile device communicates directly with a vehicle-associated control module or through a reservation server using either a TCP/IP communications channel or near-field communications. A member enters a request using the user interface provided by the mobile-device application. The identity of the member is validated the vehicle-associated control module executes the request by sending a signal to a computer or sensor in the vehicle through the vehicle wiring or the vehicle CANbus. The request can be a function, such as unlocking the vehicle doors, illuminating the interior or exterior lights, honking the horn, or activating a panic alarm.

Abstract: One variation of an upgrade kit—for an ignition key corresponding to a vehicle and including an immobilizer transponder and a keyless entry transmitter—includes: a wireless jammer configured to interfere with wireless transmission from the immobilizer transponder; a wireless receiver configured to receive an unlock request from an external device; a relay configured to actuate the keyless entry transmitter to unlock a door of the vehicle in response to the unlock request; and an enclosure configured to contain the wireless receiver and a portion of the ignition key.

Abstract: A method of providing reservation status relating to a group of objects includes providing a database for containing (i) availability data describing availability of at least one of the group of objects, and (ii) reservation data describing allocation of at least one of the group of objects. The availability data and the reservation data are stored in sparse form. The method further includes extracting, from the database, availability data and reservation data corresponding to a predetermined period of time, and combining the extracted availability data and reservation data to form windowed data in a dense format. The method also includes receiving the windowed data and providing the windowed data in a bit-vector view, and sampling the windowed data in the bit-vector view to produce sampled data. The sampled data provides the reservation status as a static view of the windowed data in the bit-vector view.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing late return detection of a shared vehicle is presented. A computer system determines an end time of a first reservation of a shared vehicle by a first member of a vehicle sharing service. Then a location of the shared vehicle is determined at a first predetermined time before the end time of the first reservation. Based on the end time of the first reservation and the location of the shared vehicle, a potential late return of the shared vehicle is determined. If the shared vehicle return will be late, then at least one of the first member and a representative of the vehicle sharing service are notified so appropriate actions can be taken.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing flexible booking of a shared vehicle is presented. An application for a mobile device is provided having an interface to allow a user of the mobile device to make a reservation of a shared vehicle by selecting a date the user desires to reserve the shared vehicle. The user is further able to select a location to locate at least one shared vehicle on the date. The user receives a list of vehicles proximate the location selected by the user, and an indication of available times for each of the vehicles. The user can then make a reservation of a particular shared vehicle for a particular time period on the date.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for reserving a reservable asset using a mobile device. A mobile device communicates directly with a vehicle-associated control module or through a reservation server using either a TCP/IP communications channel or near-field communications. A member enters a request using the user interface provided by the mobile-device application. The identity of the member is validated the vehicle-associated control module executes the request by sending a signal to a computer or sensor in the vehicle through the vehicle wiring or the vehicle CANbus. The request can be a function, such as unlocking the vehicle doors, illuminating the interior or exterior lights, honking the horn, or activating a panic alarm.

Abstract: A method of providing reservation status relating to a group of objects includes providing a database for containing (i) availability data describing availability of at least one of the group of objects, and (ii) reservation data describing allocation of at least one of the group of objects. The availability data and the reservation data are stored in sparse form. The method further includes extracting, from the database, availability data and reservation data corresponding to a predetermined period of time, and combining the extracted availability data and reservation data to form windowed data in a dense format. The method also includes receiving the windowed data and providing the windowed data in a bit-vector view, and sampling the windowed data in the bit-vector view to produce sampled data. The sampled data provides the reservation status as a static view of the windowed data in the bit-vector view.