Modular bike lock

A system for locking bikes, the system comprising:

• a server;
• a wireless communications hub;
• and
• a plurality of modular bike locks, each comprising:
• a locking mechanism;
• a securement mechanism coupled with the locking mechanism, the securement mechanism being configured to wrap around at least a portion of a bicycle, wherein the securement mechanism comprises a locking end configured to engage with the locking mechanism to lock the modular bike lock;
• a wireless communications interface;
• and
• a processor, wherein each modular bike lock is configured to:
• receive, using the wireless communications interface, a selection from a mobile device that indicates that a user of the mobile device has selected to use the modular bike lock;
• receive, using the wireless communications interface, a mobile device identifier associated with the mobile device;
• communicate, using the wireless communications interface, a unique identifier associated with the modular bike lock to the mobile device, the unique identifier enabling the mobile device to unlock the modular bike lock;
• lock automatically in response to receiving the locking end within a portion of the locking mechanism without receiving an additional input from the mobile device;
• and
• be mounted on a support structure
• the server is configured to:
• receive an unlock command associated with a locked modular bike lock, the unlock command comprising the mobile device identifier and the unique identifier from the mobile device;
• and
• communicate the unlock command to the wireless communications hub, the communication being directed to the wireless communications hub based on the unique identifier;
• the wireless communications hub comprises:
• a server communications interface in communication with the server, the server communications interface being configured to receive the unlock command from the server;
• and
• a short range communications interface in communication with the plurality of modular bike locks, the short range communications interface being configured to communicate the unlock command to the modular bike lock associated with the unique identifier;
• the modular bike lock associated with the unique identifier is further configured to:
• validate the mobile device identifier and the unique identifier;
• and
• unlock the modular bike lock in response to successfully validating the mobile device identifier and the unique identifier.

A method for locking a bike to a structure, the method comprising:

• providing, by wireless communications interface of a modular bike lock to a mobile device, an indication that the modular bike lock is available to use;
• receiving, using the wireless communications interface, a selection from the mobile device that indicates that a user of the mobile device has selected to use the modular bike lock;
• communicating, using the wireless communications interface, a unique identifier associated with the modular bike lock to the mobile device;
• receiving a locking end of a securement mechanism of the modular bike lock within a locking mechanism of the modular bike lock;
• locking the modular bike lock automatically in response to receiving the locking end without receiving an additional input from the mobile device;
• receiving an unlock command from the mobile device;
• unlocking the modular bike lock in response to the unlock command;
• and
• upon unlocking the modular bike lock, generating a new unique identifier associated with the modular bike lock.