NFC Mobile Phone Ticket Validation via Copying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for selecting and validating electronic tickets using near-field communication devices, such as mobile phones, are costly due to the need for extensive infrastructure and complex data encryption processes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an electronic terminal device that activates a ticket tag, processes initial ticket data, generates a timestamp, and transmits the data to a signing tag for secure validation and storage, reducing the need for extensive infrastructure and simplifying the ticket selection and validation process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If each means of transport is equipped with special readers for near-field communication, then ticket validation capability is improved, but infrastructure cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveticket validation capabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring expensive specialized readers at every transport vehicle, the patent uses standard mobile phones with NFC capability that customers already possess. The mobile phone acts as a copy or alternative to the specialized reader, performing the same ticket validation function without requiring infrastructure deployment at each vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The customer's mobile phone performs the ticket validation function independently without requiring external reading equipment at the transport vehicle. The self-service aspect is achieved by utilizing the customer's existing device to both store the ticket and perform validation, eliminating the need for provider-deployed infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If ticket machines are used for ticket purchase, then ticket selection capability is improved, but device reliability deteriorates due to defects and cash requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveticket selection capabilityVSAvoiddevice reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical ticket machines with a software-based ticket selection system running on the customer's mobile phone. The ticket selection capability is copied from the ticket machine interface to the mobile phone application, eliminating hardware defects and cash requirements while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical and physical systems of ticket machines (hardware interfaces, cash handling mechanisms) with a software-based system on mobile phones. This substitution eliminates mechanical failures and the need for physical cash transactions while preserving ticket selection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If encrypted electronic tickets are received and decrypted by the radio device, then security is improved, but device complexity increases due to security elements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent copies the security functionality from specialized secure elements in traditional ticket systems to the mobile phone's existing secure environment. The mobile phone's built-in security features (such as secure storage and encryption capabilities) are utilized to handle ticket encryption and decryption, avoiding the need for additional dedicated security hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile phone serves multiple functions including ticket storage, ticket display, ticket validation, and security operations. By making the mobile phone a universal device that handles all these functions, the patent eliminates the need for separate specialized security elements while maintaining security through the phone's integrated capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables simple and cost-effective selection and validation of electronic tickets, allowing for easy generation and storage of validated tickets on the device, which can be used for transportation or events, without requiring expensive infrastructure for readers and validation systems.

Implementation Method 1

Two terminal devices equipped with appropriate devices for near-field communication are briefly held together and identify themselves via the device for near-field communication. The distances for such local communication are advantageously in the range from a few centimeters to 30 cm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear-field communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Passive transponders obtain their energy for transmitting information from received radio waves. This means that a passive RFID chip or tag draws the energy it needs to send out a signal from the radio waves sent out by a reader

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy harvesting: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2041727B1Methods for selecting and cancelling electronic tickets by an electronic terminal capable of near field communication
Publication Date: 2013.01.16 VODAFONE HOLDING GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to methods for selecting and stamping electronic tickets by an electronic terminal capable of near field communication, in particular by a mobile telephone. The invention also relates to a ticket terminal for stamping electronic tickets.