Ticket Validity Verification Using OCR and Polygon Templates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Online ticket marketplaces face challenges in verifying the authenticity and validity of event admission tickets, particularly when users upload visual representations of tickets, which can lead to multiple sales and incorrect information, resulting in resource wastage and customer refunds.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses optical character recognition and ticket templates with polygon coordinates to extract ticket information from visual representations, determining ticket validity by comparing uploaded images against database templates, and creating new templates if necessary, while ensuring the ticket has not been previously sold or is valid for the venue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual verification of ticket information is performed, then accuracy of ticket validation is improved, but processing time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveticket validation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual verification processes with automated optical character recognition (OCR) technology and image processing algorithms. The system captures images of tickets, automatically extracts text and validation information using OCR, and compares it against database records, eliminating the need for manual inspection while maintaining high accuracy and reducing processing time.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service ticket validation by allowing the validation process to occur automatically without human intervention. The ticket information is extracted and verified autonomously through computer vision and OCR technologies, making the validation process both faster and more consistent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If comprehensive ticket verification is performed, then ticket authenticity is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveticket authenticityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the ticket verification process into distinct functional modules: image capture, OCR text extraction, data validation against database, and authenticity verification. Each module handles a specific aspect of verification, making the overall complex system manageable and maintainable while achieving comprehensive validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs multi-functional technologies that perform multiple verification tasks simultaneously. The OCR system not only extracts text but also validates formats, the image processing system detects both physical and digital ticket features, and the database system checks multiple validation criteria in a single operation, reducing overall system complexity.

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

3Productivity

If multiple ticket sales are allowed, then market liquidity is improved, but risk of duplicate sales and resource waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarket liquidityVSAvoidduplicate sale prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements real-time feedback mechanisms where each ticket sale is immediately recorded in the database and reflected in subsequent validation checks. The system continuously monitors ticket status and provides feedback to prevent duplicate sales, allowing multiple legitimate sales while blocking fraudulent ones through automated detection and prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11282003B2Validity determination of an event ticket and automatic population of admission information
Publication Date: 2022.03.22 STUBHUB INC
  • US11282003B2 patent drawing
  • US11282003B2 patent drawing
  • US11282003B2 patent drawing

AI summary

There are provided systems and method for validity determination of an event ticket and automatic population of admission information. A user wishing to sell a ticket for admission to an event at a venue may upload an image containing a visual representation of the image. Ticket information may be extracted from the visual representation. The ticket information may be extracted using optical character recognition and/or polygon coordinates of information with assistance from template for the tickets. Additionally, using the ticket information or the visual representation of the ticket, ticket validity may be determined. The ticket validity may depend on the information presented on the ticket, the placement of the information on the ticket, or other factors, such as a database including sold and available tickets at the venue through validating with a Primary Partner. If the ticket is suspicious, the ticket may be reviewed or sale of the ticket prohibited.