Mobile Ticket Verification System Using Optical Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual ticket authentication for event check-in is time-consuming, inefficient, and prone to human error, with risks of forgery and inaccurate tracking, especially as event sizes grow.

Innovation Solution

An automated ticket verification system using mobile devices to read unique ticket identification codes, verify authenticity, and update redemption status, incorporating biometric and machine-readable technologies for secure and efficient guest check-in.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual ticket authentication is used, then agents can verify ticket authenticity through visual inspection, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient as event size grows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveticket authentication reliabilityVSAvoidcheck-in speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical inspection process with an automated optical scanning system. Mobile devices equipped with cameras and image processing algorithms automatically capture ticket images, extract authentication features, and verify ticket validity without requiring manual visual inspection by agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The ticket authentication system enables self-service verification where the ticket itself contains all necessary authentication information (watermarks, holograms, security features) that can be automatically detected and verified by the scanning system without requiring expert human judgment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If agents manually search through guest name lists, then they can verify authorized guests, but the time required increases significantly as the list grows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguest verification accuracyVSAvoidsearch time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual searching through guest lists with automated optical character recognition and image matching technology. The system captures an image of the guest and ticket, automatically extracts identifying information, and compares it against the authorized guest database without requiring manual searching by agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital copies of guest identification information from images and compares these copies against the authorized guest database, enabling rapid automated verification without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If physical authentication cues like watermarks and holograms are used on tickets, then forgery resistance is improved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforgery resistanceVSAvoidticket production cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-layered authentication approach where tickets incorporate multiple authentication features (watermarks, holograms, security patterns, embedded data) that serve both aesthetic/design purposes and security verification purposes, maximizing the utility of each added feature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If manual updating of guest lists is performed, then agents can track checked-in guests, but human error increases and tracking accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual updating of guest lists with automated digital tracking systems. The mobile device automatically captures guest and ticket information, verifies authenticity, and updates the checked-in status in the database without manual intervention, eliminating human error in data entry and tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate feedback by automatically comparing captured images against the authorized guest database and providing real-time verification results, allowing agents to confirm accurate tracking without manual verification steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10108909B2System for authentication and tracking of event tickets

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 METLIFE

AI summary

The invention provides a system for verification of tickets issued for receipt of goods and/or services, which system comprises: one or more tickets, one or more ticket identification codes corresponding to each ticket, wherein each ticket identification code is unique to each ticket, a database server storing the ticket identification codes, and a mobile device, wherein the mobile device is in communication with the database server and is capable of reading the ticket identification codes. The system provides event staff with a reliable and efficient system for verifying the authenticity and tracking redemption of issued tickets. The system also provides event staff with stored customer data upon scanning a ticket.