May 22 2015
I.D. Systems, Inc., a leading provider of wireless solutions for the Industrial Internet of Things, has received a notice of allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a patent on a remote vehicle rental system.
The system incorporates unique methods for enabling access to a vehicle remotely, utilizing a device connected to a vehicle’s control system via a standard OBD-II diagnostic port. The vehicle-mounted device communicates with portable electronic devices, such as smart phones, via short-range radio frequency, including Bluetooth®, to enable authorized renters to unlock the vehicles’ doors and energize the vehicle through various access control methods.
“This will be I.D. Systems’ fourth patent pertaining specifically to wireless rental car management,” said Kenneth Ehrman, I.D. Systems’ chairman and CEO. “Our solutions for rental car management are designed to make it easier for rental companies to set up and manage remote, unmanned rental locations with low infrastructure costs. We believe this latest addition to our intellectual property portfolio will significantly enhance our competitive advantages in our rental fleet management business.”