Wireless Beacon Transit Fare Automation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current public transit payment methods are cumbersome, leading to long lines and inefficiencies due to the need for manual processing and separate cards for multiple systems, which disrupt the boarding process and increase operational costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a wireless beacon system that uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals to automatically detect user presence on transit vehicles, calculate fares, and process payments seamlessly, eliminating the need for manual card swipes or ticket purchases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual payment processing methods (cash, tokens, fare cards) are used, then payment authorization can be achieved, but long lines form and boarding process is disrupted due to time spent processing payments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical payment processing (cash handling, physical fare cards, card swiping) with an automated wireless beacon system that uses electromagnetic signals to detect passenger presence and automatically process payments in the background, eliminating the need for manual intervention at turnstiles and ticket machines
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables passengers to board without active engagement in the payment process. The wireless beacon automatically detects their presence, calculates fares, and processes payments autonomously in the background, making the payment system self-serving rather than requiring manual service from passengers or staff
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate transit cards are required for multiple transit systems, then payment can be processed for each system, but passengers must keep track of multiple cards increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless beacon system serves as a universal payment identifier that works across multiple transit systems. Instead of requiring separate physical cards for different systems, a single beacon device can be recognized and processed by multiple transit authorities, making the payment system multi-functional and system-agnostic
3Productivity
If preloaded fare cards are used, then payment can be made, but cards can run out and require manual reloading adding to operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the payment functionality from physical fare cards and replaces it with a wireless beacon system. This removes the limitations of physical cards (running out, needing reloading) by using electronic signal-based identification that can be remotely managed and recharged through wireless communication without physical contact
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
This solution reduces wait times for passengers and transit staff, increases ridership, and simplifies the payment process by automating fare calculations and payments, thereby enhancing the user experience and operational efficiency of transit systems.
Implementation Method 1
uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals to automatically detect user presence on transit vehicles
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for processing transit system fares using wireless beacons. One of the methods includes determining, at a receiver device on a passenger transport vehicle, presence of a user device on board the passenger transport vehicle based on a wireless signal emitted by the user device. A user identifier is determined based on the signal emitted by the user device. Ride information associated with the user is determined based at least in part on the determination of presence of the user and based at least in part on determining that the exit criterion is satisfied. The user identifier and the ride information is provided to a payment service system, wherein the payment service system determines a fare based on the ride information and initiates a payment transaction for the fare using a user account identified by the user identifier.