RFID Ticket Authentication Deactivation for Theft Deterrence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for securing the transport of tickets, such as banknotes and event tickets, are costly and inefficient, with risks of theft and counterfeiting, as existing security measures like RFID tags can inadvertently increase the appeal of stealing real tickets during transport or storage.

Innovation Solution

A method that temporarily renders tickets inactive during transport by using a radio-type authenticity control element, which can be reactivated securely, preventing authentication and thus deterring theft, and allowing reactivation upon safe receipt, using encryption algorithms like AES or HMAC-SHA for secure code transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If RFID tags are integrated into banknotes for authentication, then counterfeiting is prevented, but the risk of theft during transport increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidtheft risk during transport
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by deactivating the RFID tag before transport. The authentication element is put into a non-responsive state in advance, preventing thieves from using stolen authentic banknotes during transport while maintaining the ability to authenticate them after safe delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the RFID tag's authentication response dynamic rather than static. The tag can switch between active and inactive states based on operational needs, allowing flexible control over authentication capability during different phases of the banknote lifecycle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If costly security measures like armored transport are used, then theft risk is reduced, but implementation cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetheft riskVSAvoidsecurity implementation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the security function from the physical transport infrastructure. Instead of relying on armored vehicles and armed guards, the security function is transferred to the banknote itself through the controllable RFID tag, which can independently prevent authentication during transport

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical security systems (armored vehicles, physical barriers) with an electronic/authenticity-based system. The RFID tag's electronic authentication mechanism substitutes for physical security measures, reducing both cost and complexity

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If destructive marking techniques like indelible ink are applied to tickets, then theft is deterred, but the tickets are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetheft deterrenceVSAvoidticket integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the authentication element to automatically deactivate itself without external intervention. The RFID tag autonomously enters a non-responsive state during transport, providing theft deterrence without requiring external marking or modification of the banknote

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively reduces the risk of theft during transport and storage by making stolen tickets unresponsive, while ensuring they can be reactivated for circulation, thus providing a cost-effective and reliable security solution.

Implementation Method 1

radio-type authenticity control element, capable of returning authenticity information, in response to an authentication request

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP1916631B1Method of fighting ticket theft, corresponding ticket, deactivation device and activation device
Publication Date: 2011.07.27 COMPAGNIE INDUSTRIELLE ET FINANCIERE D INGENIERIE INGENICO SA
  • EP1916631B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP1916631B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1916631B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves transmitting an inactivation request to a control element e.g. radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, making a bill to be invalid, where the bill transmission is securely carried out via internet. The invalid bill is stored and transported, and the control element is reactivated with the help of an activation code or information, making the bill to be valid. The activation and inactivation codes are obtained with the help of algorithms such as Data Encryption Standardor Advanced Encryption Standardalgorithms or hashing algorithms.