Subsidizing public transportation through electronic coupons
First Claim
1. A method of enabling a person to use a mass transport system wherein a passenger uses a transportation pass, the method comprising validating the pass for conducting a commercial transaction outside the system.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The transportation costs of a mass transit system are subsidized in the following manner. A person is enabled to use a mass transport system wherein a passenger uses a transportation pass. The pass is also validated for conducting a commercial transaction outside the system. This works as an incentive for people to use the system, and enables to acquire data about the flow of passengers in the system and beyond. Commercial enterprises may benefit from the data collection, and may further subsidize the system by attracting patrons through the pass that can serve as an electronic coupon.
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Citations
18 Claims
- 1. A method of enabling a person to use a mass transport system wherein a passenger uses a transportation pass, the method comprising validating the pass for conducting a commercial transaction outside the system.
- 10. A method of enabling a person to conduct a commercial transaction with an electronic card, the method comprising validating the card upon completion of the transaction conducted outside a mass transport system for enabling the person to use the card as a transportation pass in the system.
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13. An electronic card for use both as transportation pass in a mass transport system and for conducting a commercial transaction outside the system.
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17. A method of controlling an infrastructure of a geographic area wherein passengers use a mass transport system, the method comprising:
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monitoring transportation passes interacting with the system; and
based on the monitoring providing incentives for the passengers to conduct a commercial transaction outside the system using the transportation passes as tender.
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Specification