# US 10,504,366 B1 · Lotless storage of vehicle inventory and test drive vehicle delivery

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- Number: US 10,504,366 B1
- Document ID: US10504366B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 16/267,596
- Filed: 2019-02-05
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2019-02-05
- Assignees: Capital One Services, LLC
- Applicants: Capital One Services, LLC
- Inventors: Geoffrey Dagley; Jason Hoover; Micah Price; Stephen Wylie; Qiaochu Tang
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10504366B1

## CPC

- G08G 1/146: {where the parking area is a limited parking space, e.g. parking garage, restricted space}
- B60W 30/06: Automatic manoeuvring for parking
- G05D 1/00: Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots (drive control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles B60W60/00)
- G06Q 10/02: Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
- G06Q 30/0645: Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
- G08G 1/144: {on portable or mobile units, e.g. personal digital assistant [PDA]}
- G08G 1/148: {Management of a network of parking areas}
- G08G 1/205: {Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental}
- G08G 1/207: {with respect to certain areas, e.g. forbidden or allowed areas with possible alerting when inside or outside boundaries}
- H04W 4/024: Guidance services
- H04W 4/029: Location-based management or tracking services
- H04W 4/35: for the management of goods or merchandise
- H04W 4/40: for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
- H04W 4/44: for communication between vehicles and infrastructures, e.g. vehicle-to-cloud [V2C] or vehicle-to-home [V2H]
- G08G: TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS (guiding railway traffic, ensuring the safety of railway traffic B61L; arrangement of road signs or traffic signals E01F9/00; radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91, G01S15/88, G01S17/88; {radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for anti-collision purposes G01S13/93, G01S15/93, G01S17/93})
- B60W: CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
- G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)

## Abstract

A server device may receive a first request to utilize surplus parking spaces available at one or more locations from a first device associated with an organization having an inventory of vehicles to be stored in the surplus parking spaces. The server device may process, between the organization and one or more parking providers associated with the one or more locations, a transaction allocating the surplus parking spaces to the organization. The server device may receive, from a second device, a second request to use a vehicle in the inventory from a starting location. The server device may determine, from among the surplus parking spaces allocated to the organization, a storage location for the vehicle that differs from the starting location and transmit, to the second device, a notification indicating that the vehicle is ready for use based on the vehicle having been moved to the starting location.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method, comprising:
receiving, at one or more server devices, information related to surplus parking spaces that are available at a plurality of locations;
receiving, at the one or more server devices, a first request to utilize a quantity of the surplus parking spaces that are available at one or more of the plurality of locations,
wherein the first request is received from a first device associated with a vehicle dealer having an inventory of vehicles to be stored in the surplus parking spaces that are available at the one or more of the plurality of locations;
processing, at the one or more server devices, a transaction between the vehicle dealer and one or more parking providers associated with the one or more of the plurality of locations,
wherein the transaction allocates the quantity of the surplus parking spaces available at the one or more of the plurality of locations to the vehicle dealer;
receiving, at the one or more server devices, a second request to test drive a vehicle in the inventory of vehicles associated with the vehicle dealer,
wherein the second request is received from a second device associated with a customer and identifies a starting location for the test drive;
determining, at the one or more server devices, a storage location for the vehicle from among the quantity of the surplus parking spaces allocated to the vehicle dealer,
wherein the storage location for the vehicle differs from the starting location for the test drive;
orchestrating, by the one or more server devices, delivery of the vehicle from the storage location to the starting location for the test drive; and
transmitting, by the one or more server devices, information to the second device indicating an approximate time when the vehicle will arrive at the starting location for the test drive.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein orchestrating the delivery of the vehicle from the storage location to the starting location for the test drive comprises:
advertising, via a crowd-sourcing interface, an offer to utilize the vehicle,
wherein the offer includes a cost to utilize the vehicle until a specified time and indicates a requirement to leave the vehicle at the starting location for the test drive at or before the specified time;
receiving, via the crowd-sourcing interface, an acceptance of the offer to utilize the vehicle from a third device; and
collecting, from the third device, a payment for the cost to utilize the vehicle until the specified time.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein orchestrating the delivery of the vehicle from the storage location to the starting location for the test drive comprises:
transmitting, to the vehicle, a command that causes the vehicle to autonomously drive from the storage location to the starting location for the test drive.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, from the first device associated with the vehicle dealer, information indicating that the customer purchased or leased the vehicle from the vehicle dealer; and
collecting a service charge from the vehicle dealer based on the customer purchasing or leasing the vehicle from the vehicle dealer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, from the first device associated with the vehicle dealer, a third request for a recommended storage location for a new vehicle to be added to the inventory of vehicles,
wherein the third request includes profile information associated with a likely user of the new vehicle; and
transmitting, to the first device associated with the vehicle dealer, information indicating the recommended storage location for the new vehicle,
wherein the recommended storage location is selected based on a comparison of the profile information associated with the likely user of the new vehicle and profile information associated with clientele at one or more establishments in proximity to the quantity of the surplus parking spaces allocated to the vehicle dealer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
tracking real-time movement of the vehicle,
wherein the information transmitted to the second device further indicates the real-time movement of the vehicle.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein the real-time movement of the vehicle is tracked based on information received from one or more of the vehicle or a third device associated with a user moving the vehicle from the storage location to the starting location for the test drive.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising:
transmitting, to the second device, a notification indicating that the vehicle is ready to test drive based on the real-time movement indicating that the vehicle has arrived at the starting location for the test drive,
wherein the notification further indicates that the customer can park the vehicle in any of the quantity of the surplus parking spaces allocated to the vehicle dealer after the customer has completed the test drive.

### Claim 9

A server device, comprising:
one or more memories; and
one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories, configured to:
receive information related to surplus parking spaces that are available at a plurality of locations;
receive a first request to utilize a quantity of the surplus parking spaces that are available at one or more of the plurality of locations,
wherein the first request is received from a first device associated with a vehicle dealer having an inventory of vehicles to be stored in the surplus parking spaces that are available at the one or more of the plurality of locations;
process a transaction between the vehicle dealer and one or more parking providers associated with the one or more of the plurality of locations,
wherein the transaction allocates the quantity of the surplus parking spaces available at the one or more of the plurality of locations to the vehicle dealer;
receive a second request to test drive a vehicle in the inventory of vehicles associated with the vehicle dealer,
wherein the second request is received from a second device associated with a customer and identifies a starting location for the test drive;
determine a storage location for the vehicle from among the quantity of the surplus parking spaces allocated to the vehicle dealer,
wherein the storage location for the vehicle differs from the starting location for the test drive;
orchestrate delivery of the vehicle from the storage location to the starting location for the test drive; and
transmit information to the second device indicating an approximate time when the vehicle will arrive at the starting location for the test drive.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The server device of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors, when orchestrating the delivery of the vehicle from the storage location to the starting location for the test drive, are configured to:
advertise, via a crowd-sourcing interface, an offer to utilize the vehicle,
wherein the offer includes a cost to utilize the vehicle until a specified time and indicates a requirement to leave the vehicle at the starting location for the test drive at or before the specified time;
receive, via the crowd-sourcing interface, an acceptance of the offer to utilize the vehicle from a third device; and
collect, from the third device, a payment for the cost to utilize the vehicle until the specified time.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The server device of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors, when orchestrating the delivery of the vehicle from the storage location to the starting location for the test drive, are configured to:
transmit, to the vehicle, a command that causes the vehicle to autonomously drive from the storage location to the starting location for the test drive.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The server device of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
receive, from the first device associated with the vehicle dealer, information indicating that the customer purchased or leased the vehicle from the vehicle dealer; and
collect a service charge from the vehicle dealer based on the customer purchasing or leasing the vehicle from the vehicle dealer.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The server device of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
receive, from the first device associated with the vehicle dealer, a third request for a recommended storage location for a new vehicle to be added to the inventory of vehicles,
wherein the third request includes profile information associated with a likely user of the new vehicle; and
transmit, to the first device associated with the vehicle dealer, information indicating the recommended storage location for the new vehicle,
wherein the recommended storage location is selected based on a comparison of the profile information associated with the likely user of the new vehicle and profile information associated with clientele at one or more establishments in proximity to the quantity of the surplus parking spaces allocated to the vehicle dealer.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The server device of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
track real-time movement of the vehicle,
wherein the information transmitted to the second device further indicates the real-time movement of the vehicle.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The server device of claim 14, wherein the real-time movement of the vehicle is tracked based on information received from one or more of the vehicle or a third device associated with a user moving the vehicle from the storage location to the starting location for the test drive.

### Claim 16

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising:
one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a server device, cause the one or more processors to:
receive information related to surplus parking spaces that are available at a plurality of locations;
receive a first request to utilize a quantity of the surplus parking spaces that are available at one or more of the plurality of locations,
wherein the first request is received from a first device associated with a vehicle dealer having an inventory of vehicles to be stored in the surplus parking spaces that are available at the one or more of the plurality of locations;
process a transaction between the vehicle dealer and one or more parking providers associated with the one or more of the plurality of locations,
wherein the transaction allocates the quantity of the surplus parking spaces available at the one or more of the plurality of locations to the vehicle dealer;
receive a second request to test drive a vehicle in the inventory of vehicles associated with the vehicle dealer,
wherein the second request is received from a second device associated with a customer and identifies a starting location for the test drive;
determine a storage location for the vehicle from among the quantity of the surplus parking spaces allocated to the vehicle dealer,
wherein the storage location for the vehicle differs from the starting location for the test drive;
orchestrate delivery of the vehicle from the storage location to the starting location for the test drive; and
transmit information to the second device indicating an approximate time when the vehicle will arrive at the starting location for the test drive.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to orchestrate the delivery of the vehicle from the storage location to the starting location for the test drive, cause the one or more processors to:
advertise, via a crowd-sourcing interface, an offer to utilize the vehicle,
wherein the offer includes a cost to utilize the vehicle until a specified time and indicates a requirement to leave the vehicle at the starting location for the test drive at or before the specified time;
receive, via the crowd-sourcing interface, an acceptance of the offer to utilize the vehicle from a third device; and
collect, from the third device, a payment for the cost to utilize the vehicle until the specified time.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to orchestrate the delivery of the vehicle from the storage location to the starting location for the test drive, cause the one or more processors to:
transmit, to the vehicle, a command that causes the vehicle to autonomously drive from the storage location to the starting location for the test drive.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the one or more instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:
receive, from the first device associated with the vehicle dealer, information indicating that the customer purchased or leased the vehicle from the vehicle dealer; and
collect a service charge from the vehicle dealer based on the customer purchasing or leasing the vehicle from the vehicle dealer.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the one or more instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:
receive, from the first device associated with the vehicle dealer, a third request for a recommended storage location for a new vehicle to be added to the inventory of vehicles,
wherein the third request includes profile information associated with a likely user of the new vehicle; and
transmit, to the first device associated with the vehicle dealer, information indicating the recommended storage location for the new vehicle,
wherein the recommended storage location is selected based on a comparison of the profile information associated with the likely user of the new vehicle and profile information associated with clientele at one or more establishments in proximity to the quantity of the surplus parking spaces allocated to the vehicle dealer.