Mobile Terminal Reconnection for Accurate In-Vehicle Parking Payment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional parking lot fee payment systems require users to exit their vehicles in adverse weather conditions to perform NFC-based payments, compromising convenience.

Innovation Solution

A communication system utilizing a fixed terminal and mobile terminal that employs Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) wireless communication to enable contactless payment by generating unique identification information, disconnecting and reconnecting for precise device selection and payment processing without user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If NFC-based payment system is used, then payment security is improved, but user convenience deteriorates in adverse weather conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayment securityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mobile terminal as an intermediary device that contains both NFC functionality and wireless communication capabilities. The mobile terminal acts as a mediator between the user and the fixed terminal, enabling the user to perform payment operations remotely without directly exposing themselves to adverse weather conditions while maintaining NFC-based secure payment processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical action of physically bringing an NFC card into contact with the payment terminal with wireless communication. The mobile terminal uses wireless communication methods to transmit identification information to the fixed terminal, substituting the mechanical contact-based NFC system with a wireless-based system that achieves the same payment function while improving user convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used to enable contactless payment, then user convenience is improved, but device identification accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoiddevice identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication process into multiple distinct phases: initial wireless connection for identification information transmission, disconnection to clear the communication channel, and reconnection for payment processing. This segmentation allows the system to first establish wireless communication for accurate device identification, then maintain that identification accuracy during the actual payment operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by first establishing wireless communication to transmit and store identification information before the actual payment process. The mobile terminal stores the identification information received from the fixed terminal, and this pre-established identification data ensures accurate device recognition during subsequent payment operations without requiring repeated wireless communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If continuous connection is maintained for payment processing, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by establishing wireless communication only when needed for specific operations (identification transmission and payment processing), then disconnecting when not needed. Rather than maintaining continuous connection, the system periodically re-establishes communication based on operational requirements, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining communication reliability during active payment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS20260050905A1Communication system, fixed terminal, and mobile terminal

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A communication system according to an embodiment includes a fixed terminal and a mobile terminal. The fixed terminal includes: a first communication unit configured to perform wireless communication in a first communication method; and a first control unit configured to control communication performed by the first communication unit. The mobile terminal includes: a second communication unit configured to perform wireless communication in the first communication method; a second control unit configured to control communication performed by the second communication unit; and a storage unit. The first control unit transmits identification information unique to the mobile terminal connected using the first communication unit, to the mobile terminal, disconnects the connection with the mobile terminal after transmitting the identification information, designates the mobile terminal by using the identification information using the first communication unit, and reconnects to the mobile terminal. The second control unit stores the identification information acquired through the communication with the fixed terminal performed by the second communication unit. After the communication with the fixed terminal is disconnected, the second control unit reconnects with the fixed terminal by the second communication unit in response to reception of identification information matching the stored identification information.