Unified Transportation Payment System Using API Data Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated fare collection systems for public transportation lack a standard format, resulting in different ticket systems for various modes of transportation and locations, making unified payment processing across systems inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A unified transportation payment system using a card with data representing monetary value, where a card reader with an API adjusts and maps the data to a predefined format, enabling seamless transaction processing across different card types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different AFC systems use different ticket formats for various modes of transportation and locations, then each system can be optimized for its specific mode, but unified payment processing across systems becomes inefficient and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal ticket format that can be used across multiple AFC systems for different transportation modes (bus, subway, train, etc.). The standardized ticket structure with consistent data fields and encoding allows a single ticket design to function universally across diverse transportation systems, eliminating the need for mode-specific ticket variations while maintaining system adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent standardizes key parameters such as ticket data structure, encoding formats, and validation rules across all AFC systems. By establishing uniform parameter specifications for ticket identification, fare calculation, and transaction recording, the system achieves interoperability without sacrificing the ability to adapt to different transportation modes through configurable parameters
2Productivity
If a standardized ticket format is implemented across all AFC systems, then unified payment processing becomes efficient, but the ability to accommodate mode-specific requirements may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ticket data structure is segmented into standardized core fields (identification, fare, validation) and optional extended fields that can accommodate mode-specific requirements. This segmentation allows the essential payment processing functions to operate efficiently with standardized data while permitting additional customized fields for specific transportation mode needs without disrupting the core unified processing mechanism
3Reliability
If multiple different ticket formats are maintained for different locations and modes, then specific system requirements are met, but system interoperability and user convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal ticket that functions across all AFC systems and transportation modes. A single ticket design with standardized encoding and data structure enables passengers to use the same ticket for bus, subway, train, and other modes without needing mode-specific or location-specific tickets, significantly improving user convenience while maintaining system-specific operational requirements through standardized interfaces
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic payment system and more particularly to a unified transportation payment system. In one embodiment, a passenger uses a card which has been set up for use within the transportation system to pay transportation costs. The card contains data including information representing a monetary value. The passenger uses the card at a card reader located at the transportation center. The card reader includes an application programming interface (API) which receives the data read from the card including information representing the monetary value stored on the card. The monetary value is adjusted by assessing an amount corresponding to a value associated with the transaction.