Bluetooth Passenger Detection for Shared Transport Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The inefficiency of current shared transport systems, where many vehicles are occupied by a single person, leads to increased energy consumption, traffic congestion, and pollution, as there is no effective method to automatically match drivers with available seats and passengers traveling the same route.

Innovation Solution

A method using identification beacons and smartphones with GPS and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to automatically detect passengers in vehicles, calculate journey distances and times, and facilitate financial compensation for drivers, while offering carpooling proposals based on regular journeys and routes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If voluntary carpooling booking systems are used, then passengers can book shared transport, but the system requires upfront payment and management fees which reduces ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects passenger presence via Bluetooth, calculates compensation based on GPS distance, and processes payments without human intervention. The driver simply shares their journey details and the system handles everything else automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual booking and payment systems with automated electronic detection and calculation systems. Bluetooth detection substitutes for manual passenger lists, GPS-based distance calculation substitutes for manual route planning, and automated compensation calculation substitutes for manual fee assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If traditional carpooling systems are used, then passengers can be matched with drivers, but the systems lack automatic detection capabilities requiring manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematching efficiencyVSAvoidautomation level
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual passenger-d driver matching with automated Bluetooth detection and GPS-based route analysis. The system automatically identifies potential carpooling opportunities and calculates compensation without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a mobile application as an intermediary between drivers and passengers, facilitating automatic detection, matching, and compensation calculation. The app serves as a mediator that processes all interactions without requiring direct manual coordination between parties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If manual carpooling coordination is used, then drivers and passengers can arrange shared transport, but the process is time-consuming and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordination timeVSAvoidcarpooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of passenger presence and automatic calculation of compensation before the journey begins. The driver inputs journey details in advance, and the system pre-calculates potential compensation based on expected distance and duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces time-consuming manual coordination with automated electronic systems that instantly detect passengers, calculate routes, and determine compensation, reducing coordination time from hours to seconds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3196815B1Method for detecting passengers, for managing and optimising the shared transportation thereof
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 PERRET STEPHANE JACQUES
  • EP3196815B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3196815B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The object of the invention is a method for detecting at least one passenger equipped with a smartphone in a vehicle driven by a driver equipped with a smartphone (14C), for the management and optimization of their shared transport, said vehicle being equipped with short-range communication means (10) corresponding to the volume of said vehicle.