Universal ID System for Transit Access via Ephemeral Beacons

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current user identification systems are siloed, requiring users to download multiple vendor-specific apps and store sensitive financial data, leading to memory issues, performance degradation, and security concerns due to the dispersal of sensitive information across various providers.

Innovation Solution

A universal ID system using a beacon apparatus and detector apparatus that enables an ephemeral identifier to be broadcast and detected, allowing for seamless interactions with various devices without the need for proactive user operations, while maintaining privacy by minimizing data storage and transmission of sensitive information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users download multiple vendor-specific apps to interact with different devices, then users can access various services, but smart device memory is consumed and performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to interact with various devicesVSAvoidnumber of applications

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal identifier system where a single app provides functionality to interact with multiple device types from different manufacturers. Instead of requiring separate vendor-specific applications, the universal ID framework enables one application to serve multiple purposes across diverse devices, thereby reducing memory consumption while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a universal identifier as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the user's smart device and various vendor-specific devices. This universal ID acts as a bridge, allowing communication and interaction without requiring direct vendor-specific applications, thus simplifying the system while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If users store sensitive financial data across multiple vendor systems, then transactions can be processed, but security risks increase due to data dispersal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction processing capabilityVSAvoiddata security

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts sensitive financial data from multiple vendor-specific storage locations and consolidates it into a single secure location within the universal identifier system. By taking out the sensitive data from dispersed vendor systems and centralizing it, the system maintains transaction processing capability while reducing security risks associated with data dispersal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a homogeneous security framework where all sensitive data is handled through a unified security protocol and storage mechanism, regardless of the original vendor source. This homogenization of data handling approaches ensures consistent security standards across all transactions while maintaining the ability to process diverse vendor-specific transactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple vendor applications are installed and executed, then various services are accessible, but smart device performance becomes sluggish

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice accessibilityVSAvoiddevice performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal application that consolidates the functionality of multiple vendor-specific applications into a single executable program. This universal app maintains adaptability to interact with various devices while improving device performance by eliminating the overhead of running multiple separate applications simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If a universal identifier system is implemented, then fewer applications are needed, but new infrastructure and protocols must be established

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of applicationsVSAvoidimplementation infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a universal identifier as an intermediary layer that sits between existing vendor-specific systems and the user's smart device. This intermediary approach allows the universal system to be implemented without completely replacing existing infrastructure, as it can work alongside and translate between different vendor protocols, thereby reducing implementation barriers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11539522B2Methods and apparatus for authorizing and providing of services

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 OURARING INC

AI summary

A method for a system includes broadcasting with a first transceiver of a transit terminal to a smart device, a first identifier, receiving with the first transceiver from the smart device, an ephemeral ID not permanently associated with a user of the smart device, providing with the first transceiver to the smart device, a second identifier and a unique data packet, receiving with the first transceiver from the smart device a token determined by an authentication server in response to the second identifier and the unique data packet and wherein the token comprises a payload portion, determining with a processor of the transit terminal whether the token is valid, and directing with the processor a peripheral device to perform a user-perceptible action for the user, authorizing the user to enter or exit a transit system associated with the transit terminal in response to determining the token to be valid.