Proximity-Based Device Access via Dynamic Barcode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Redemption games in family entertainment centers face challenges with users being unable to easily access and manage their credit and ticket balances outside of the establishment, as credit-card style cards do not provide real-time information and require specific stations for balance inquiries.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to access and manage credit and reward balances using a user device, such as a smartphone, by scanning a unique barcode or using NFC to link with a target device, enabling real-time balance tracking and credit application through a management server, with periodic code changes ensuring proximity authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If credit-card style cards are used to track credits and tickets, then credit tracking capability is improved, but ease of access to balance information deteriorates because users must visit specific stations at the host location
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile device acts as an intermediary between the user and the credit card system. The mobile device communicates with the credit card via NFC to retrieve balance information and displays it to the user, eliminating the need to visit specific stations at the host location while maintaining reliable credit tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical system of physically swiping a credit card at dedicated stations is replaced with an electronic/NFC-based system. The mobile device uses NFC technology to wirelessly communicate with the credit card, substituting the mechanical card-swiping action with a contactless electronic interaction that can occur anywhere.
2Reliability
If physical tickets are used to represent rewards, then reward distribution is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because saving and redeeming large numbers of tickets becomes unwieldy
Solution Approach 1:
The physical ticket system is copied and represented in the digital domain. Instead of handling physical pieces of paper, users interact with a digital representation of tickets on their mobile device. The mobile device displays the number of tickets won and allows users to redeem them electronically, maintaining the reward distribution mechanism while eliminating the physical handling burden.
3Ease of operation
If credit-card style cards are used instead of physical tickets, then ease of carrying rewards is improved, but information accessibility deteriorates because users cannot determine balances when off the premises
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a location-bound information display (only available at host location stations) to a portable information dimension. The mobile device brings the balance information display capability to the user, allowing them to access credit and ticket balance information anywhere, not just at the host location.
4Reliability
If barcodes are periodically changed on target devices, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but device complexity increases due to periodic code updates
Solution Approach 1:
The barcode system transitions from static to dynamic. Barcodes are generated periodically and changed at set intervals, creating a time-varying authentication mechanism. This dynamic approach enhances security by preventing unauthorized use of captured barcodes, while the periodic nature provides a manageable update rhythm that balances security with operational simplicity.
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 users to access and manage their balances in real-time from any location, simplifying the redemption process and reducing the need for physical cards, while ensuring secure proximity-based authentication.
Implementation Method 1
The user device scans and decodes this barcode using a camera to decode the unique code
Implementation Method 2
presenting the unique code to the user device using near-field communication (NFC)
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments disclose techniques for facilitating access to a target device. During operation, a target device presents a unique code to a user device that is located in proximity to the target device. The user device presents this unique code to a management server that is associated with the target device to gain access to the target device, with the management server linking the two devices. The target device receives notification that the user device has been linked and displays a set of received user account information on a display. Subsequently, the target device receives notification from the management server that the linked user device has applied a credit to the target device, and initiates an operation that is associated with consuming the credit.