Transportation Key for Unified Mobility Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of interacting with various transportation modes, such as ride-sharing, public transit, and personal mobility vehicles, often requires multiple devices and processes, leading to inconvenience and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A universal transportation key that allows users to request transportation, unlock vehicles, and access transit modes with a single device, using dedicated hardware inputs like buttons, microphones, and NFC/RFID for convenient and secure interactions, predicting destinations based on location and behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices and processes are used to interact with different transportation modes, then the ability to access various transportation options is maintained, but the complexity of interaction increases and convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal transportation key that consolidates multiple transportation access functions into a single device. This key can interact with ride-sharing services, public transit systems, and personal mobility vehicles through unified interfaces (NFC, RFID, buttons, microphones), eliminating the need for multiple separate devices and processes while maintaining broad transportation access
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple previously separate interaction methods (ride-sharing app, transit card, scooter code entry) into a single integrated key device. This merging of functions into one physical object reduces the cognitive and physical burden of managing multiple devices while preserving the ability to access diverse transportation modes
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices and processes are used to interact with different transportation modes, then comprehensive transportation access is achieved, but the time and effort required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transportation key is pre-configured with multiple interaction modes and payment methods before use. Users don't need to manually set up each transportation interaction at the moment of need - the key already contains embedded NFC/RFID credentials, button mappings, and microphone protocols, enabling immediate access without setup time
Solution Approach 2:
The single key device performs multiple transportation functions simultaneously (ride-requesting, transit-payment, vehicle-unlocking), eliminating the sequential time required to switch between different devices and processes for each transportation mode
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual processes are used to interact with transportation systems, then system compatibility is maintained, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The transportation key automatically handles the complexity of interacting with different transportation systems. When a user presses a button or speaks into the microphone, the key's embedded systems automatically manage the communication protocols, authentication, and payment processes for the appropriate transportation service, freeing the user from manual interaction complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The key acts as an intermediary device between the user and multiple transportation systems. It translates simple user actions (button press, voice command) into the appropriate system-specific protocols for ride-sharing, public transit, or vehicle unlocking, maintaining compatibility with various systems while presenting a simplified interface to the user
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
Enhances convenience and safety by simplifying the interaction with multiple transportation networks through a single device, reducing the need for multiple apps and physical objects, and improving the efficiency of transportation requests and vehicle access.
Implementation Method 1
using dedicated hardware inputs like buttons, microphones, and NFC/RFID for convenient and secure interactions
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed apparatus may include a hardware input and a display. In some embodiments, the disclosed apparatus may include a transportation key controller configured to initiate a transportation request with a dynamic transportation matching system, generate data on the display to indicate the transportation request has been initiated, and modify the data on the display to indicate one or more statuses associated with the transportation request. In some embodiments, the apparatus may enable a user to request transportation via a dynamic transportation matching system with a single button press. In some examples, the systems described herein may predict the user's destination based on context. In one embodiment, the apparatus may interface with one or more additional transportation networks, such as public transportation networks, for example by providing payment information. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.