US 12,108,252 B2
Short range wireless translation methods and systems for hands-free fare validation
Micah Bergdale, Bronx, NY (US); Edward Donovan, New York, NY (US); Nicholas Ihm, Newtown, CT (US); Michael O'Haire, Smithtown, NY (US); and Kevin Rejko, Denver, CO (US)
Assigned to Siemens Mobility, Inc., New York, NY (US)
Filed by Siemens Mobility, Inc., New York, NY (US)
Filed on Jan. 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/580,016.
Application 17/580,016 is a continuation of application No. 16/444,002, filed on Jun. 18, 2019, granted, now 11,323,881.
Application 16/444,002 is a continuation of application No. 15/228,232, filed on Aug. 4, 2016, granted, now 10,375,573.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/206,196, filed on Aug. 17, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2022/0150701 A1, May 12, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H04W 12/08 (2021.01); G07B 15/02 (2011.01); G07B 15/04 (2006.01); H04M 1/72412 (2021.01); H04W 4/021 (2018.01); H04W 4/80 (2018.01); H04W 40/24 (2009.01)
CPC H04W 12/08 (2013.01) [G07B 15/02 (2013.01); G07B 15/04 (2013.01); H04M 1/72412 (2021.01); H04W 4/021 (2013.01); H04W 4/80 (2018.02); H04W 40/244 (2013.01); H04M 2250/02 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for mobile ticketing comprising:
a transceiver operable to receive a Bluetooth beacon signal;
a memory for storing program instructions and electronic ticket information; and
a processor coupled to the transceiver and to the memory, wherein the processor is operable to execute the program instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause a mobile device to perform the following to facilitate hands-free fare validation when a user carrying the mobile device approaches a fare validation zone at a transit station:
based on the received Bluetooth beacon signal, determine that the mobile device is in the fare validation zone,
transmit electronic ticket information stored in the memory to a controller unit at the transit station using the transceiver, wherein the electronic ticket information is transmitted by the transceiver over a first Bluetooth interface between the mobile device and the controller unit,
receive a ticket acceptance response from the controller unit using the transceiver over the first Bluetooth interface, wherein the ticket acceptance response indicates that the electronic ticket is valid for transit, and
inform the user to continue towards an entry gate at the transit station in a hands- free manner,
wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the mobile device to further perform the following:
allow the user to purchase one or more electronic tickets using the mobile device,
store all electronic tickets purchased by the user in the memory,
maintain a count of the stored electronic tickets,
decrease the count by one upon receiving the ticket acceptance response from the controller unit, and
alert the user when the count reaches zero, thereby notifying the user that a valid electronic ticket needs to be purchased for future transit.