WO2013021394A1

WO2013021394A1 - Mobile ticketing method for railway reservation through sms.

Info

Publication number: WO2013021394A1
Application number: PCT/IN2011/000654
Authority: WO
Inventors: Deepak Agrawal
Original assignee: Deepak Agrawal
Priority date: 2011-08-09
Filing date: 2011-09-22
Publication date: 2013-02-14

Abstract

The present embodiment is a cost effective, convenient, time efficient method for railway reservation through mobile ticketing. The mobile ticketing method comprises buying electronic tickets in advance from railways & sending the message to the server in specified format followed by interpretation. The interpretation of message is carried out by contacting server of mobile service provider for checking of available balance. The successful transaction is completed by deduction of fare from customer's mobile balance by displaying a set of options for various transactions to the customer depending upon the journey type i. e short or long. Then confirmation message containing a PNR no. is sent to the customer by the server of service provider showing the various travel details.

Description

Title of the invention: - Mobile ticketing method for railway reservation through sms.

Field of the invention: -Method for delivering ticket to the customer and subsequent management methods more particularly to a mobile ticketing method for railway reservation for local and long distance ticket is booked in railways through mobile sms.

Back ground of Invention with regard to the drawback associated with the known art:-

Tickets for the railway reservation are in high demand and often sell out very fast. People stand in line for many hours or days to get such demanding tickets. Another one option for booking railway tickets is through internet booking involving applications which run on mobile requiring JAVA-enabled phones, internet connection. Another one method for booking railway reservation is through coupons (ATVM) and smart cards and

Mobile ticketing is the process whereby customers can order, pay for, obtain and validate tickets from any location and at any time using mobile phones or other mobile handsets. Mobile tickets include transportation mobile tickets, sports mobile ticket, entertainment and events mobile ticket. Compared with the traditional tickets that are printed on paper, electronic mobile tickets have the advantages of saving ticket printing and mailing costs, improving a customer's convenience, and reducing infrastructure costs. Mobile tickets reduce the production and distribution costs connected with traditional paper-based ticketing l channels and increase customer convenience by providing new and simple ways to purchase tickets.

The delivery of tickets to mobile devices is typically made by text messaging or by picture messaging. In text messaging, a text message that includes the ticket number can be delivered to a mobile device in the manner of SMS or WAP push. Ticket checking is performed by a manual visual checking or optical character recognition (OCR).In the existing mobile ticketing methods, checking mobile tickets mainly depends upon an OCR or other image photographic devices. The sms /mms message proves the ticket ownership which can be forwarded to others if the ticket holder forwards the related SMS/MMS message to many other people, then it is difficult to determine which receiver should be regarded as the valid holder.

One of prior art means for mobile ticketing via information hiding is disclosed in patent no. Us20070017979 where a information-hidden mobile ticketing method is having a ticket purchasing device, an mobile ticket issuance management method, a embedded mobile ticket, a mobile communication device, and a ticket verification device. The user can purchase a mobile ticket from the mobile ticket issuance management method via the ticket purchasing device. Once the purchasing information is provided, the mobile ticket can be sent in the form of a message, a multi-medium message or other wireless form to a mobile communication device assigned by the purchaser. The information hiding method is used to embed the barcode representing the mobile ticket in a digital image. By a program specified by the mobile communication device, the digital image can be retrieved. Thereby, the risk of being decoded and stolen can be alleviated.

In another prior art means for reservation method is disclosed in patent applicn. no. 2000-329021, where a reservation method allows a user at a remote place to flexibly, simply and effectively reserve an accepted number. The reservation method allows a printer of a ticket machine to directly send an accepted number to a user who is resident in a place where the service is provided on the basis of the accepted number under the control of a processor. Furthermore, in the case of receiving an SMS message requesting the accepted number using a mobile terminal of a wireless communication method at a receiver from the user at the remote place, a transmitter assigns an unused accepted number to the user at the remote place in the reservation method.

In another prior art means for reservation method is disclosed in patent no. GB20090020888. A method and method for electronic ticketing of goods or services offered by a service provider which comprises storing ticket data associated to a ticket representative of the goods or service and sending to a mobile device, a message indicative that the ticket is available. The message includes a link to a web server which generates graphics data comprising a graphics vector associated to the ticket and sends the graphics data to the mobile device. The message sent to the mobile device is preferably one of an SMS, email or instant message. The exchange of data between the web server and the mobile device is similar to WAP push. The method may include gathering information about the mobile device, such as the display capability and generating the graphics data based on the gathered information. When the message is received at the mobile device a browser may be opened with a connection to the web server. The present invention does not require that image or graphics data is stored at the web server and ensures that the graphics data is compatible with the mobile device. Disadvantages of the prior art are as follows

1) Costly, inconvenient & takes more time.

2) Village/town people are unable to use this method.

3) Wastage of paper in printing of tickets.

4) Affecting on environment.

5) Can cause delay in transaction.

The present embodiment is a method for booking railway reservations through mobile ticketing. In this process, railway reservation for long and short distance journey can be made in a cost effective and convenient manner.

Advantages of the present embodiment are as follows.

1) Improves consumer convenience especially for frequently travelling

commuters both local and long distance.

2) Booking of tickets can be done from anywhere, anytime without additional facilities like internet.

3) Time efficient process, no need of standing in long queues for tickets and keeping a stack of coupons.

4) No need to access the internet.

5) Useful for people having without internet in their mobile phone.

6) Increased revenue by increasing accessibility of tickets.

7) Reduced infrastructure costs.

8) Reduced ticket printing/mailing cost.

9) No need for contacting with railway server i.e the railway servers are not under any load as they are not involved in every single transaction. Object of the invention: -

The main object of the present embodiment is to overcome all the associated drawbacks and give a cost effective, convienient mobile ticketing method for railway reservation through sms.

Another object of the present invention is to give a method for railway reservation which is convenient, time efficient and reduces infrastructure and ticket printing cost.

Another object of the present embodiment is to give a railway reservation method by using which anybody can book ticket anytime without facilities like internet.

Statement of the invention: -

A unique and novel method for railway reservation through mobile ticketing SMS is invented for the first time in India by "Deepak agrawal". The present embodiment is convenient, cost effective, time efficient as well as eco friendly process. The present embodiment is useful for booking railway reservations for long and short distance journeys. The present embodiment is a method which reduces infrastructure and ticket printing cost. This method can also be used for their monthly/ quarterly passes (for short distance journeys) with the help of SMS ticketing.

Summary of the invention:-

The present embodiment is a cost effective, convenient, time efficient method for railway reservation through mobile ticketing. The mobile ticketing method comprises buying electronic tickets in advance from indian railways & sending of the message to the server in specified format followed by interpretation. The interpretation of message is carried out by contacting server of mobile service provider for checking of available balance. The successful transaction is completed by deduction of fare from customer's mobile balance by displaying a set of options for various transactions to the customer depending upon the journey type i. e short or long. Then confirmation message containing a PNR no. is sent to the customer by the railway server showing the various travel details. The confirmation message is shown to the ticket checker for checking authentication of the server.

A Brief description of the accompanying drawings:-

A complete understanding of the present invention may be by reference to the following detailed description which taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig 1 is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig 1.1 illustrates the railway reservation method through mobile sms for short distance travel, whereas fig 1.2 illustrates the railway reservation method for long distance travel.

Detailed description of the Invention with the reference to drawing:-

The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention described in the present embodiment.

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein; however, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed method, structure or matter.

This invention discloses a new method for booking tickets for local and long distance train journeys with the help of a simple mobile SMS. In this method, the service providers buy a certain amount of electronic tickets in advance (both short and long distance journeys) from the Indian Railways. The railway servers need not be involved in every single commuter transaction whereas the servers of service providers will directly deal with the commuter's.

One of the aspect of the present invention is that for local and long train journeys, a SMS is sent to the server in a prescribed format indicating source and destination. Interpretation of message is carried out by contacting with the server of the mobile service provider. As these mobile service providers are buying certain no. of authenticated electronic tickets from the railway server so that consumer can directly contact with the mobile service provider. Assuming a sufficient balance in mobile, a successful transaction is completed. The successful transaction is completed by deduction of fare from customer's mobile balance by displaying a set of options for various transactions to the customer for long journey. For long journey, a customer selects his desired transaction and sends a message to the server. Then confirmation message containing a PNR no. with alphanumeric code is sent to the customer showing the various travel details. This number can be used by the commuter for using various other facilities like checking the status of seat availability, train availability etc. Thus this confirming message can be shown to the TC at the time of checking thus no more need of printing the ticket. The confirmation message is shown to the ticket checker for checking authentication of the railway server. The TC will scroll down the message to see the details of the sender to confirm that it is official/authorized message. The fare for the ticket will be deducted from the commuter's mobile balance.

Another one aspect of the present invention is that the commuters must carry a mobile which has sufficient battery (power). They have sufficient balance to conduct a successful transaction. If the ticket cannot be shown to the TC due to non-fulfillment of any of the requirements stated above (power, balance) that commuter is liable for penalty or any other fine.

In rare case, if a confirmation message is not received by a commuter for a very long time after sending the initial message for booking the ticket, the consumer should contact the customer care department of the service provider, the customer care executives will personally handle it & can do the necessary changes for making transaction successful.

Sender's SMS format:-

[Source Station] [ Destination Station]

[No. of tickets half &/or full - For Eg. 4F 1H]

[Travelling class i.e. First class/Second class/Handicapped/Ladies first/Ladies second]

Received SMS format (confirmation message) :-

The confirmation sms format contains information about source station name, destination station name, date /time, other details, fare deducted/fare remaining. FOR SUBSCRIPTION OF PASSES (For LOCALS)

OBJECTIVE :

Consumers can also apply for their monthly/ quarterly passes (for short distance journeys - (locals) with the help of SMS Ticketing.

They can also renew their passes with the help of SMS Ticketing.

For Subscribing

Senders SMS format

(Commuter who wishes to apply for pass has to send a SMS in foil. Format) IPASS] [SOURCE STATION] [DESTINATION STATION]

Received Msg Format

(Assuming sufficient balance available in requesting commuters mobile, format of confirmation message is as follows -

[Pass Confirmed from

[[SOURCE STATION! [DESTINATION STATIONl

MONTHLY/QUARTERLY|

1 [Date/ Time when subscribed!

[[Fare Deducted!

[[Unique Codel (Unique code can be used for pass renewal)

For renewal of a pass, the commuter has to just SMS in foil, format.

RENEW [Unique Code obtained from above!

confirmation message] [Duration i.e. Monthly/j

{Quarterly! W

Received Confirmation msg.

In all the above transaction, the fare will be deducted from the commuters mobile account balance. We request the customers to save the confirmation message in the "draft" folder of their mobile phones rather than "inbox" folder to avoid any accident deletion of the said confirmation message. In case, the confirmation message accidently gets deleted by the commuter, he/she can request for delivery of an other instance of the same confirmation message by contacting the respective service providers customer care executives/ customer care department.

The embodiments of the invention as described above and the methods disclosed herein will suggest further modification and alterations to those skilled in the art. Such further modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; which is defined by the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Claims:-

I claim,

1) A method for booking railway reservation through mobile ticketing (SMS ticketing)comprising of buying a certain amount of electronic tickets in advance;

sending message to the service provider server in specified format followed by interpretation;

completing a successful transaction by deduction of fare from customer's mobile balance;

sending confirmation message to the customer by service provider server showing confirmation message to the ticket checker ;

2) A method for booking railway reservation through mobile ticketing (SMS ticketing) where the service providers buy a certain amount of electronic tickets(both short and long distance journeys) in advance from the Indian Railways.

3) A method for booking railway reservation through mobile ticketing (SMS ticketing) where the said message as claimed in claim 1 is sent to the server in specified format followed by interpretation of message by contacting server of mobile service provider for checking of available balance.

4) A method for booking railway reservation through mobile ticketing (SMS ticketing) where the said transaction of deduction of fare from customer's mobile balance is completed as claimed in claim 1 by displaying a set of options for various transactions to the customer depending upon the journey type i. e short or long.

5) A method for booking railway reservation through mobile ticketing (SMS ticketing) where the said confirmation message as claimed in claim 1 for reservation in railway containing a PNR number in alphanumeric code format is sent to the customer by the server of service provider showing the various travel details.

6) A method for booking railway reservation through mobile ticketing (SMS ticketing) where the said confirmation message as claimed in claim 1 is shown to the ticket checker where the ticket checker scrolls down the confirmation message (checks the sender field of the message)for checking authentication of the server.

7) A method for booking railway tickets through mobile ticketing (SMS

ticketing), where the commuter can apply for monthly or quarterly passes by sending a message(SMS) in a specified format to the service provider server. The confirmation message contains details regarding the pass desired by the commuter. The fare for the pass will be deducted from the commuters mobile account balance. This confirmation message can be shown to the Ticket Checker for validation of the message(TC should scroll down to see the "senders" field of the confirmation message for checking the authenticity of the message).Commuter can also renew their passes by sending a message (SMS) in a specified format. In case the confirmation message is deleted accidently by the commuter, another instance of the message can be requested by the commuter from the respective service providers customer care department.