Movement Management System Using NFC Intermediary for Crowded Transit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing movement management systems, such as those using Bluetooth technology, fail to accurately track user movements in crowded conditions due to interference from passengers acting as obstacles, leading to unreliable communication and position detection.

Innovation Solution

The system employs near-field communication between terminals to broadcast complementary information, allowing the management unit to identify user movements even when direct communication with a position information acquisition system is unavailable, by generating pair information and using beacon information to determine user positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication (BLUETOOTH) is used for position detection, then the system can achieve hand-free ticketing and automatic fare payment, but communication becomes unavailable in crowded conditions due to radio wave interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand-free ticketingVSAvoidcommunication availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dual communication architecture where NFC acts as an intermediary mechanism to complement wireless communication. When BLUETOOTH communication fails in crowded conditions, the system switches to NFC-based position detection, which uses near-field magnetic coupling that is not affected by radio wave interference. This intermediary approach ensures continuous reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes communication parameters by switching between different frequency bands and communication protocols based on environmental conditions. In crowded conditions where 2.4 GHz BLUETOOTH waves are blocked, the system transitions to NFC operating at different frequencies, thereby adapting to the changed electromagnetic environment and maintaining communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If BLUETOOTH radio waves are used for communication, then the system can detect passenger positions, but passengers become shield objects that block radio waves in crowded conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoidradio wave blocking

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electromagnetic wave-based BLUETOOTH system with an NFC system based on near-field magnetic coupling. This substitution changes the physical mechanism from radio wave propagation to magnetic field coupling, which is not blocked by human bodies. The NFC system uses inductive coupling between coils, creating a direct magnetic field connection that penetrates through passengers without being blocked.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the system relies on direct communication between terminal and on-vehicle terminal, then the technology works in stable communication conditions, but it fails when communication is unavailable due to crowding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to crowded conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic communication system that automatically adjusts its operation mode based on real-time conditions. The system monitors communication quality and dynamically switches between BLUETOOTH and NFC modes, or between different position detection methods, to adapt to changing environmental conditions including crowded scenarios. This dynamic adaptation ensures continuous reliable operation across diverse conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This approach enhances the accuracy of user movement tracking and fare calculation, even in crowded environments, by leveraging pair information and beacon data to estimate positions and reduce communication congestion.

Implementation Method 1

for a terminal incapable of acquiring position information, position information regarding the terminal is indirectly identified from complementary information broadcasted from the terminal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear-field communication:

Data Source

PatentEP3910925B1Movement management system, and movement management method

Publication Date: 2024.09.11 HITACHI LTD

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AI summary

Provided is a movement management system including processing units each constituting a corresponding one of terminals, and a management unit that manages movements that are made by mobilities used by users each possessing a corresponding one of the terminals, and the movement management system is configured such that a first processing unit that constitutes a first terminal possessed by a first user being moving by a mobility broadcasts complementary information for complementing a user's position toward one or more terminals existing around the first terminal, a second processing unit that constitutes a second terminal possessed by a second user being different from the first user and being moving by the mobility is configured to, upon receipt of the complementary information, transmit the received complementary information to the management unit, and the management unit identifies a situation in which the first user and the second user are moving by the mobility, on the basis of the complementary information.