On-Demand Bus Signage IC Card Reservation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-demand bus systems face challenges in user convenience, particularly for elderly users who struggle with online reservations, and lack individual user identification at digital signage points, which complicates payment and reservation processes.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and system that utilize a signage apparatus installed at boarding/alighting points to read user identification data from IC cards or similar tags, and transmit this data to a server for making boarding reservations, thereby enabling convenient and secure user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If online reservation systems are used for on-demand buses, then reservation management efficiency is improved, but user accessibility deteriorates for elderly users who struggle with online operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a signage apparatus as an intermediary device between the online reservation system and users. The signage apparatus, installed at bus stops, reads IC card information directly and transmits reservation requests to the server, mediating the interaction between users and the online system. This allows elderly users who cannot operate online systems to make reservations conveniently at the bus stop using their IC cards.
2Ease of operation
If digital signage is installed at boarding points, then user convenience is improved, but individual user identification capability deteriorates without IC card reading functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the signage apparatus: display information to users, read IC card data for identification, transmit reservation requests, and provide operational guidance. By combining these functions in a single integrated device, the signage becomes both convenient for users and capable of accurate identification, resolving the contradiction between convenience and identification precision.
3Device complexity
If manual reservation processes are used, then system complexity is reduced, but time consumption increases for both users and operators
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service reservation by allowing users to make reservations automatically at the signage apparatus using their IC cards without requiring operator intervention. The signage apparatus autonomously reads the IC card, transmits the reservation request to the server, and receives confirmation, eliminating manual processing steps and reducing time consumption while maintaining simple operation for users.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus comprises a controller configured to acquire first data for identifying a first user who is a user of an on-demand bus that is operated on demand, the first data being read by a signage apparatus installed at a boarding/alighting point of the on-demand bus, and make a boarding reservation for the on-demand bus based on the first data.