Wireless Proximity Ticket Validation System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic ticketing systems face inefficiencies due to the difficulty in verifying tickets displayed on LCD screens, as barcode scanners struggle to read barcodes from lit displays, leading to errors and longer processing times, making them impractical for large events.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing wireless proximity detection devices and token devices, such as smartphones, to determine the location and validity of tickets, allowing mechanical gates to open automatically when multiple valid tickets are detected within a predetermined area, eliminating the need for manual scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If barcode scanners are used to read barcodes from LCD screens, then electronic ticketing can be implemented, but the scanning process is fraught with error and processing time exceeds that of paper tickets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical barcode scanning system with a wireless communication system. Instead of using barcode scanners to read visual codes from LCD screens, the system uses wireless signals (such as NFC, RFID, or other proximity detection technologies) to communicate ticket data directly between the mobile device and the verification system, eliminating the fundamental incompatibility between optical scanners and lit LCD displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary wireless communication layer between the ticket holder's mobile device and the verification system. This intermediary mechanism (wireless signal transmission) bridges the gap between the electronic display and the verification system, allowing data transfer without the need for direct optical scanning of the LCD screen.
2Adaptability or versatility
If barcode scanners are used to read barcodes from LCD screens, then electronic ticketing can be implemented, but the scanning process is fraught with error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the unreliable optical scanning mechanism with a wireless communication system that directly transmits digital ticket data. This substitution eliminates the errors caused by attempting to scan barcodes from lit LCD screens, as the wireless system reads data electronically rather than optically, ensuring accurate and reliable ticket verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication intermediary ensures reliable data transfer by using established wireless protocols that are not subject to the reflectivity and display issues that plague optical scanning. This intermediary layer guarantees accurate communication between the mobile device and verification system.
3Ease of operation
If manual barcode scanning is used, then ticket verification can be performed, but the time taken to verify the electronic ticket far exceeds that of the old system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming manual scanning process with automatic wireless communication. The wireless system enables instant data exchange between the mobile device and verification system, eliminating the several seconds required for manual barcode scanning and reducing processing time to a fraction of a second, comparable to or faster than the old paper ticket system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the ticket data in advance on the mobile device in a format ready for wireless transmission. The ticket information is stored and formatted beforehand, allowing for immediate wireless communication when verification is needed, thus eliminating the time required for manual scanning and processing during the verification moment.
4Productivity
If proximity detection is used to validate multiple tickets, then entry efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the token device (mobile phone) perform multiple functions: it serves as both the ticket storage medium and the proximity detection device. By utilizing the mobile device's existing wireless communication capabilities (NFC, RFID, Bluetooth), the system achieves multi-functionality without adding separate hardware components, thus managing complexity while enabling efficient validation of multiple tickets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the ticket validation function with the proximity detection function into a single integrated system. The wireless communication mechanism that reads the ticket data also simultaneously detects the proximity of multiple devices, combining what could be separate functions into one unified process, thereby improving efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity.
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 enables fast, accurate, and secure entry by automatically validating multiple tickets using proximity detection, reducing processing time and minimizing human intervention at entry points, enhancing efficiency and security in crowded venues.
Implementation Method 1
at least one wireless proximity detection device in at least one of a portion of the mechanical gate and an area adjacent to a portion of the mechanical gate... determine a location of the token device relative to at least one of the at least one wireless proximity detection devices
Data Source
AI summary
A system for monitoring two or more persons in an area with an entry point having an access allowed indication or an access denied indication. a token device in communication with at least one wireless proximity detection device which determines a relative location of the token device to provide a detection data point for each of the wireless proximity detection devices and a set of detection data points for the group of detection data points; a system computing device which calculates the shared proximity of the token device according to the set of detection data points and determines that the token device contains at least two valid tickets or does not, if there are valid tickets and the shared proximity of the token device is within a predetermined area the access allowed indication will display to allow entry for a number of persons corresponding to the number of the tickets.