Mobile Ticketing Gate Validation Using BLE and Encrypted QR Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile ticketing systems face challenges such as high operational costs, financial leakage, and security concerns due to the lack of infrastructure and uniform technical standards, particularly with the limited adoption of NFC technology and increased processing times with QR scanners and proximity sensors.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and QR codes for mobile ticketing, where the server generates encrypted QR data, which is decrypted and displayed on the user's device, allowing for seamless scanning and validation at gate terminals, ensuring secure and efficient transactions without the need for extensive infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If QR scanners with proximity sensors are used for mobile ticketing, then security is improved, but processing time increases due to multiple calculations and server processing
Solution Approach 1:
The validation process is segmented into two independent parts: QR code scanning for ticket identification and BLE proximity verification for security. This segmentation allows parallel processing of both validation requirements without sequential delays, resolving the contradiction between maintaining security and reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing BLE connections and pre-validating ticket data before the actual entry process. The QR code is scanned and validated in advance, and BLE proximity is checked beforehand, so that the actual entry requires minimal processing time while maintaining security standards.
2Ease of operation
If NFC technology is adopted for mobile ticketing, then ease of use is improved, but infrastructure cost increases due to limited device availability and lack of uniform standards
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses universal QR code technology that can be scanned by any device with a camera, combined with BLE which is widely supported in modern smartphones. This multi-functional approach provides NFC-like convenience while maintaining broad device compatibility and avoiding the need for specialized NFC infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses QR codes as a visual copy/representation of the ticket data, which can be displayed on any smartphone screen and scanned by any QR reader. This eliminates the need for proprietary NFC hardware while achieving similar ease of use, as the ticket information is copied into a universally readable visual format.
3Reliability
If online server validation is used for QR codes, then fraud prevention is improved, but processing speed decreases due to server calls and processing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of the QR code data against the server before the user needs to use the ticket. The ticket data is verified in advance, and the validated information is stored locally with encryption. This preliminary action ensures fraud prevention while enabling fast processing during actual entry without repeated server calls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where encrypted ticket data is stored locally on the user's device and validated through BLE proximity checks. This intermediary layer between the QR code and server validation reduces direct server dependency during entry processing, maintaining fraud prevention through encryption and proximity verification while significantly improving processing speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile ticketing method and system for providing mobile ticketing services to users is provided. A user selects a mobile ticket and initiates payment by using a user device. In response to successful processing of the payment, the user device receives encrypted QR data from a server. The user device decrypts and format the encrypted QR data to display a QR code. The QR code is scanned at a gate terminal associated with an entry or exit gate. The gate terminal validates the QR code and broadcasts data pertaining to the QR code via a BLE network. The user device verifies the gate terminal on receiving the broadcasted data via the BLE network, and transmits a connection request to the gate terminal. The gate terminal further validates the connection request and decides whether to allow or disallow the user to pass through the entry or exit gate.