Ride-Hail Authentication via Bluetooth Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ride-hail services often experience significant time delays due to lengthy wait times and difficulties in accurate customer and vehicle identification, particularly in crowded venues, leading to frustrating rendezvous and authentication processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a ride-ID code is provided to customers via their personal devices, which use Bluetooth or NFC for triangulation to confirm entry into a ride-hail vehicle, allowing automatic transmission of the code to the driver's device for authentication, thereby streamlining the pickup process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional manual identification and authentication methods are used between driver and customer, then accuracy of identification can be maintained, but time delay increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical identification processes (visual confirmation, verbal communication, physical interaction) with electronic communication systems including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals, Near Field Communication (NFC), and mobile application-based authentication. This substitution eliminates the need for direct driver-customer interaction, automatically verifying customer identity and vehicle match through digital means, thereby significantly reducing time delay while maintaining authentication accuracy.
2Reliability
If direct interaction between driver and customer is required for authentication, then accuracy can be ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service authentication where the customer's mobile device automatically performs verification functions. The mobile application autonomously exchanges authentication data with the vehicle's system through BLE or NFC, confirming vehicle match and customer identity without requiring driver intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains high authentication accuracy while reducing the complexity of manual coordination between multiple parties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication system that mediates between the driver, customer, and vehicle. The mobile application and vehicle's communication system act as intermediaries, automatically verifying identities and confirming matches through digital authentication protocols. This intermediary layer ensures accurate authentication while simplifying the overall system by eliminating the need for complex direct human-to-human verification procedures.
3Productivity
If manual verification procedures are implemented, then authentication reliability can be maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication actions before the customer reaches the vehicle. The mobile application pre-establishes communication channels, prepares authentication data, and readies the verification process in advance. When the customer arrives, the authentication is already primed and ready to execute automatically through BLE or NFC, ensuring both high productivity and reliable verification without requiring time-consuming manual procedures during the actual pickup.
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 solution minimizes time delays by eliminating the need for direct interaction between customers and drivers before entry and reduces the time spent on authentication, enhancing the efficiency of ride-hail services in crowded environments.
Implementation Method 1
The personal device of the customer then uses communications such as Bluetooth® or near-field communications (NFC) to execute a triangulation procedure
Implementation Method 2
The personal device of the customer then uses communications such as Bluetooth® or near-field communications (NFC) to execute a triangulation procedure
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure pertains to minimizing delay when a customer seeks a ride in a ride-hail vehicle at a crowded venue where multiple customers are attempting to obtain rides in ride-hail vehicles. In an example procedure, a ride-hail service provider responds to a ride request originated from a personal device of the customer by providing a ride-ID code or some other form of ride-confirmation data. The customer enters any ride-hail vehicle at the crowded venue without interacting with the driver of the vehicle prior to getting into the vehicle. The personal device of the customer then uses communications such as Bluetooth® to execute a triangulation procedure for determining whether the personal device is inside the vehicle. Upon confirming that the personal device is inside the vehicle, the ride-ID code is automatically transmitted to a personal device of the driver and further communications may then be carried out for authenticating the ride.