Electronic Ticket Terminal Decoupling Payment and Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic ticket distribution systems, such as those used in parking and transport networks, often require a significant amount of time for users to obtain their tickets after payment due to the need for direct interaction with a terminal.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that decouple payment from ticket distribution by using a terminal that can generate and store electronic tickets based on identifiers, allowing users to access their tickets remotely and reducing the need for direct terminal interaction through contactless transponders and a server-mediated process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a traditional electronic ticket distribution terminal is used where payment and ticket distribution are coupled, then the system ensures secure transaction processing, but the user waiting time to receive the ticket is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the ticket distribution process into two independent parts: (1) payment processing that generates a ticket identifier and stores it in a database, and (2) ticket retrieval where the user presents the identifier to receive the ticket. This decoupling allows the user to complete payment and immediately receive a ticket identifier, eliminating the waiting time while maintaining security through database verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating ticket identifiers and storing them in the database during the payment process. The actual ticket content is prepared in advance, so when the user presents their identifier, the ticket can be immediately retrieved and distributed without requiring the user to wait for complex processing.
2Productivity
If the terminal processes and distributes tickets sequentially, then the system maintains simple processing logic, but the productivity of ticket distribution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a database as an intermediary component that stores ticket identifiers and associated information. This allows the terminal to quickly retrieve pre-prepared ticket data without complex real-time processing, significantly improving distribution speed. The added database layer manages the complexity internally while presenting a simple interface to users.
3Ease of operation
If the system requires direct user interaction with the terminal for ticket collection, then the system ensures proper ticket verification, but the user convenience is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the ticket identifier that can be stored in the user's mobile device. This copy contains all necessary verification information and can be presented to the terminal for validation. The user receives the ticket electronically without needing to physically collect it from the terminal, greatly improving convenience while maintaining verification security through cryptographic validation of the ticket copy.
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
This approach significantly reduces waiting times for users by enabling remote generation and storage of electronic tickets, allowing users to access their tickets without the need for direct terminal interaction, thus streamlining the distribution process.
Implementation Method 1
These transponders may be passive transponders using inductive coupling to receive or transmit data in accordance with the contactless technologies described in ISO 14443 or ISO 15593.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The terminal (TERM1) has a storage unit storing, in a list, an electronic transport ticket generated using an identifier (ID-PT) of an electronic transport ticket medium (PT). An electronic ticket distribution module has a communication unit to receive an electronic ticket obtaining request from the medium, where the request comprises the identifier of the medium. The module comprises a searching unit for searching, in the list, the ticket generated using the identifier in the request, and a communication unit e.g. contactless communication unit, delivering the ticket to the medium. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a transportation system comprising a server (2) a method for distributing electronic tickets (3) a computer program comprising a set of instructions for implementing the electronic ticket distribution method (4) a computer readable recording medium storing a computer program having a set of instructions for implementing the electronic ticket distribution method.