Monitoring tickets on transportation systems

Abstract

The present invention provides a computer implemented method, system, and computer program product for monitoring a ticket, the method including receiving credentials by a processing unit from a device via manual presentation of the device to a manual sensor logically coupled to the processing unit, generating a ticket identifier (ID) based on the credentials, transmitting the ticket ID from the processing unit to the device, establishing a wireless connection between the device and the processing unit, checking the wireless connection before each occurrence of an event, checking the wireless connection after each occurrence of the event, and updating a status of a ticket in light of the checking. In an exemplary embodiment, a ticket system includes a processing unit, a manual sensor, a wireless sensor, and a device, where the processing unit transmits the ticket ID, and where the processing unit verifies continued connection at key events.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer implemented method for monitoring a ticket, the method comprising:
 receiving credentials by a processing unit from a device via manual presentation of the device to a manual sensor logically coupled to the processing unit,
 wherein the device is a portable electronic device, 
 wherein the receiving comprises touching the device to the manual sensor, 
 wherein the device has an imbedded RFID chip; 
   generating a ticket identifier (ID) by the processing unit based on the credentials;   transmitting the ticket ID from the processing unit to the device;   establishing a wireless connection between the device and the processing unit;   recording a baseline signal strength directly after the manual presentation;   checking the wireless connection before each occurrence of an event;   checking the wireless connection after each occurrence of the event,
 wherein the event comprises opening and closing of a door on a vehicle that includes the processing unit, 
 wherein the checking the wireless connection before each occurrence of the event comprises recording a first signal strength of the wireless connection, 
 wherein the checking the wireless connection before each occurrence of the event comprises comparing the first signal strength to a lookup table to determine a distance of the device from the processing unit, 
 wherein the checking the wireless connection after each occurrence of the event comprises recording a second signal strength of the wireless connection, 
 wherein the checking the wireless connection after each occurrence of the event comprises comparing the second signal strength to a lookup table to determine a distance of the device from the processing unit; 
   determining a location of the device via at least one sensor;   generating an exception value indicating a loss of the wireless connection during the checking before an occurrence of the event;   recording the device has been shutdown;   retrieving information stating the device has been shutdown on multiple rides;   determining that the shutdowns were intentional;   updating a status of an account associated with the ticket ID in light of the checking; and   charging the account a fee based on the status,
 wherein the fee is a penalty based on the determination that the shutdowns were intentional.