Gate Apparatus Using UWB Positioning for Tapless Passage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic ticket examination systems face challenges in enabling tapless passage without malfunctions, particularly due to increased communication distances that can inadvertently open incorrect gates.

Innovation Solution

A gate apparatus and method utilizing ultra-wide band (UWB) positioning technology to confirm the user's intention to pass through a specific gate by determining the tag's coordinates using multiple anchors, thereby ensuring accurate gate opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the communication distance between the ticket examination machine and the tag is increased to enable tapless passage, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because a wrong gate may be opened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of passageVSAvoidgate opening accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces positioning information as a new dimension to resolve the contradiction. Instead of relying solely on communication distance (one-dimensional solution), the system uses multi-dimensional positioning data from multiple anchors to accurately determine which gate the user intends to pass through, even when the tag is at a longer communication distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses positioning information as an intermediary to connect the tag and the gate examination device. The positioning server acts as a mediator that receives positioning data from multiple anchors, determines the user's intended gate, and provides this information to the gate examination device, thereby preventing wrong gate openings while maintaining tapless passage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple anchors are deployed to improve positioning accuracy, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning server performs multiple functions: it collects positioning data from multiple anchors, calculates the user's position, determines the intended gate, and provides this information to the gate examination device. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate systems and components, thereby managing complexity while achieving high positioning precision.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the existing infrastructure of multiple anchors (originally deployed for other purposes) to provide positioning services. The anchors continuously broadcast positioning signals that can be utilized by the tapless passage system without requiring additional dedicated positioning infrastructure, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3671661B1Gate device and method for gate device
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3671661B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3671661B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3671661B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An automatic ticket examination system that enables tapless passage or an entry/exit system is achieved without a malfunction. According to the disclosure, there is provided a gate apparatus including: a positioning unit that measures positions of a plurality of wireless communication terminals; and an authentication unit that performs authentication for determining whether or not each of the wireless communication terminals is permitted to pass through a gate on the basis of each of the positions of each of the wireless communication terminals which have been measured by the positioning unit. With this configuration, the automatic ticket examination system that enables tapless passage or the entry/exit system can be achieved without a malfunction.