Location-Based Ticket Redemption Using BLE Beacons

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Solution Overview

Problem

Travelers and consumers face inconvenience and long queues due to cumbersome processes when presenting boarding passes or tickets, especially with mobile-based barcoded systems, and existing solutions like NFC add complexity, leading to inefficiencies and potential device damage.

Innovation Solution

A location-based ticket redemption system using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) two-way beacons that automatically detect and communicate with consumer devices, initiating the ticket redemption process without requiring users to manually present their devices, allowing for seamless and instantaneous validation through a network-connected server system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mobile-based barcoded tickets are used, then ticket portability is improved, but the complexity of the redemption process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveticket portabilityVSAvoidredemption process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service ticket redemption by allowing the mobile device to automatically present its location and ticket information through beacon detection, eliminating the need for manual barcode scanning or NFC tapping by consumers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical barcode scanning process with automated location-based detection using beacon technology, where the system automatically identifies and validates tickets based on device location rather than manual presentation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual barcode scanning is implemented, then ticket validation is achieved, but queue length increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveticket validationVSAvoidqueue length

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection and validation actions by continuously monitoring beacon signals and preparing ticket information in advance, so that when a consumer approaches the ingress point, validation can occur immediately without queue delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The beacon detection system operates continuously in the background, maintaining ready-state ticket validation capability throughout the consumer's journey to the ingress point, eliminating idle time in the redemption process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If NFC-based ticket reading is used, then contactless validation is achieved, but device complexity and user difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontactless validationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The beacon-based system provides universal compatibility across different mobile devices and operating systems through standardized location detection, replacing the more complex and less compatible NFC technology while maintaining contactless functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The beacon acts as an intermediary device that simplifies the interaction between the mobile device and the validation system, using location-based communication as a mediator that is easier to implement than direct NFC coupling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If agents manually process ticket scans, then accurate validation is achieved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalidation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-validation by automatically detecting beacons, retrieving ticket information, and verifying authenticity without requiring agent intervention, thereby maintaining accuracy while dramatically improving processing speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual agent scanning process with automated beacon detection and validation systems, substituting human-operated mechanical scanning with electronic location-based identification that is both accurate and rapid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables quick and secure ticket validation without users needing to retrieve their devices, reducing queue lengths and operational costs by streamlining the ingress process while ensuring accurate and efficient ticket redemption.

Implementation Method 1

The two-way wireless beacons transmit a signal indicating the presence of the beacons that is automatically detected by the portable device possessed by the consumer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signal transmission and detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3174014B1Location-based ticket-redemption

Publication Date: 2024.05.29 NCR VOYIX CORP

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AI summary

When a consumer carrying a device (151) is automatically detected within a pre-defined and constrained space, ticket identifying information is automatically obtained from the device (151) and relayed to a backend ticket redemption server (130 or 402). The ticket redemption server (130 or 402) validates a ticket for the consumer from the ticket-identifying information and relays a confirmation to a ticket redemption agent's device (141, 142) and the consumer is checked-in for ingress onto a transportation system or into a venue destination of the consumer.