Automated Transit Billing via Location Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current public transportation systems are inconvenient due to the need for users to obtain, carry, and present physical tickets or passes, leading to inefficiencies and frustration, which discourages the use of public transportation.
Innovation Solution
An automated transportation use tracking and billing system that uses a user's mobile device to monitor their location and track public transportation usage, eliminating the need for physical tickets or passes by automatically recording and billing for usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical tickets, tokens, or passes are used for public transportation, then payment verification is reliable, but user convenience deteriorates due to the need to obtain, carry, and present these items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ticket verification function from the physical ticket itself and relocates it to the transportation system's infrastructure. The mobile device serves only as an authentication carrier, while the actual ticketing logic resides in the automated verification system at transportation nodes, separating the user's burden from the verification complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical tickets, tokens, and passes with an automated electronic verification system. Mobile devices use wireless communication protocols to transmit authentication data, which is automatically verified by the transportation system, eliminating the need for manual ticket handling and physical media.
2Productivity
If manual ticket obtaining and presentation processes are used, then payment control is maintained, but time efficiency deteriorates due to delays in obtaining and presenting tickets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by requiring users to obtain authentication credentials through mobile devices before actual transportation use. The system pre-configures the verification mechanism, so when users arrive at transportation nodes, the authentication occurs automatically without requiring on-the-spot ticket purchase or retrieval actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated verification system performs self-service by automatically validating user credentials and controlling access without requiring manual intervention from transportation operators. The system independently completes the ticket verification process, eliminating the time-consuming human-to-human interaction currently required.
3Reliability
If physical tickets and passes are required, then usage tracking is accurate, but infrastructure costs increase due to ticketing machines, kiosks, and manual verification systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the mobile device to serve multiple functions: it acts as an authentication credential, a communication interface, and a user identification device. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated physical ticketing infrastructure, as the mobile device itself becomes the universal access medium across different transportation modes and nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical ticketing infrastructure (vending machines, kiosks, manual verification systems) with automated electronic verification using mobile devices. The substitution leverages widely deployed mobile technology rather than requiring specialized hardware at each transportation node, significantly reducing infrastructure costs while maintaining tracking accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A user registers with an automated transportation use and billing system. The user's geographical location/position is monitored and periodically compared with the geographical location/position of one or more public transportation systems. When a determination is made that the user's geographical location/position is the same as the geographical location/position of a public transportation system, an assumption is made that the user is making use of the public transportation system and once the user's geographical location/position data differs from the public transportation system's geographical location/position data, it is further assumed that the user is no longer making use of the public transportation system. Data indicating the users assumed use of the public transportation system, calculated as described above, is then recorded and credited to the user's account.