Mobile QR Code Generation for Venue Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing barcode technologies are unable to read barcodes displayed on PDA/mobile device screens or liquid crystal displays, and prior systems require downloading barcodes from servers, making them dependent on venue or event data.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using a smartphone application that generates a unique QR code with a Mobile ID and UTC date/time, allowing for local authentication at venue entry points without relying on server-provided barcodes, utilizing MD5 hashing for verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If barcode is downloaded from server to mobile device, then authentication can be performed, but system dependency on venue data and event data increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidindependence from venue data

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of downloading barcode data from the server to the mobile device, the patent inverts the approach by having the mobile device generate the barcode locally using a hashing algorithm. The generated barcode contains a hash of the ticket ID and event ID, which the server then verifies. This inversion eliminates the need for the mobile device to store or download venue-specific barcode data, thereby achieving independence from venue data while maintaining authentication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If traditional laser barcode reading is used, then barcode reading is simple, but barcodes on mobile device screens cannot be read

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebarcode reading simplicityVSAvoidcompatibility with mobile displays

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a camera to capture an image of the barcode displayed on the mobile device screen, creating a digital copy of the visual pattern. This image is then processed to extract the barcode data. By copying the visual information from the screen rather than attempting to read it directly with a laser, the system achieves compatibility with mobile displays while maintaining the simplicity of barcode-based authentication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If barcode data is stored on mobile device, then authentication is enabled, but security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication functionalityVSAvoidsecurity vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional approach of storing barcode data (mechanical/digital storage) with a computational approach using hashing algorithms. The mobile device generates a hash of the ticket ID and event ID locally, and the server verifies this hash against its own computation. This substitution of storage-based authentication with computation-based verification eliminates security vulnerabilities associated with storing sensitive barcode data on mobile devices while maintaining authentication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2656278B1Mobile application bar code identification method and system

Publication Date: 2022.09.14 FLASH SEATS LLC

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AI summary

Applicant's Smartphone application provides ticket-holding patrons an alternative, digital means of verifying personal identification at entry to a venue or event. The Smartphone application periodically generates a unique QR code (barcode) that contains a unique identifier (i.e., mobile device ID) which prompts the venue/event entry system to recognize the patron. No barcode (serving as a ticket, or authentication/verification, or otherwise) is downloaded from the system server to the Smartphone/mobile device client in contrast to prior art systems.