The technical content of shared bicycles is fully explained in one article (reprint)

白丁

The technical content of shared bicycles is fully explained in one article (reprint) [Copy link]

 

Original address Shared bicycles have become one of China's new four great inventions and have been exported to many cities in the world. In my opinion, although the implementation of shared bicycles is not complicated, its essence is a typical "Internet of Things + Internet" application. On one side of the application is the bicycle (object) and on the other side is the user (person), and bicycle rental services are provided to users through cloud control. 1. Cloud computing basic platformThe cloud application of shared bicycles is a large-scale two-way real-time application built on cloud computing. On the one hand, cloud computing can ensure the rapid deployment and high scalability of shared bicycle applications, and on the other hand, it can cope with large-scale high-concurrency scenarios and meet the needs of millions of connections. (For example, Mobike's cloud service is built on Microsoft's Azure public cloud service platform) 2. Data assets Cloud applications need to collect, store and manage two types of key data: bicycle data (asset data with IoT characteristics: including the bicycle’s communication connection status, lock status, usage records, etc.). Bicycle data is uploaded to the shared bicycle service platform by the smart lock through the communication module and SIM card, through the telecom operator’s network and the operator’s IoT platform; user data (user data with Internet characteristics: in addition to user basic information, consumption records, user accounts and credit information, it also includes user behavior data: riding path and location information). As mentioned at the beginning of this article, shared bicycles are “IoT + Internet” applications, so corporate assets (bicycles) and user data are the core assets of shared bicycle companies. 3. Platform ServicesSince shared bikes involve the management of massive IoT data and user data, and also need to follow up on user needs to develop and optimize functions, platform services (PaaS) will be built under the application. Equipped with a platform service layer, on the one hand, it can enable the application to carry millions of high-concurrency data streams, and on the other hand, it can achieve dynamic allocation of resources and capabilities and flexible development of functions. Therefore, Mobike not only uses Microsoft's basic cloud services (Azure), but also Microsoft's platform services (PaaS), including the "Azure-Iot" platform service, Dynamics, CRM, customer relationship management services, and predictive analysis functions based on machine learning. 4. Integrated applicationsThe cloud-based shared bicycle application system integrates external Internet functions (such as payment, QR code applications, electronic maps, etc.), connects bicycles and users, and completes a complete rental service process (map search - QR code scanning - user unlocking - riding and use - locking and returning the bicycle - payment settlement). In the entire rental process, "intelligence (decision-making)" is actually realized in the cloud. The cloud application dominates the interaction with the user and the operation of the smart lock, while the smart lock only executes user operations and cloud instructions during the service process. In addition, cloud applications can also realize many extended applications, such as Internet marketing, electronic fences, bicycle reservation services, etc.

白丁

From the SMS unlocking of Mobike 1 and the manual mechanical unlocking of OFO 1, to the newly added functions such as Bluetooth unlocking, electronic fence, and appointment, the key and basic functions of smart locks have gradually been determined, and the differences between smart locks of various manufacturers are not big. At present, smart locks are basically composed of several major modules such as control, communication, perception, execution, and power supply. The main module functions are as follows: Control chip (single-chip microcomputer): The control center of the smart lock system, responsible for communication, car lock control and status information collection.

Mobile communication chip (Modem): Built-in Sim card of telecom operator, responsible for communication with cloud application background.

Bluetooth communication module:It is mainly used to connect to the user's mobile phone and unlock it, and is also related to the application and implementation of the electronic fence.

GPS communication module:Physical positioning function

Car lock sensor:It senses the open and closed status of the car lock and reports the car lock status information to the control chip.

[color=rgb(62, 62, (62)]Lock actuator: The control chip uses the actuator to open and close the lock.

Buzzer: Used for audible alarm of abnormal status

Power module: Battery, charging module (chip), charging device (solar panel; motor and speed sensor, etc.) The application of shared bicycles is actually completed through the information transmission between "bicycle-cloud-user mobile phone", and the most critical part is the process of unlocking the smart lock. At present, the latest "GPS positioning + Bluetooth" unlocking and returning mode is already quite common. Unlocking process in Bluetooth mode: 1. The mobile phone scans the QR code on the bicycle first, and then initiates an unlocking request to the cloud (the request will carry the ID information of the scanned bicycle and the user's personal account information). The cloud verifies the user information and bicycle information, and then sends the authorization information to the mobile phone. (Steps 1 and 2)

2. The user transmits the unlocking instruction and authorization information to the smart lock of the bicycle through the mobile phone Bluetooth interface. The smart lock unlocks after verifying the authorization information and notifies the mobile phone of the successful unlocking information. (Steps 3 and 4)

3. The mobile phone replies the successful unlocking information to the cloud, and the cloud starts to bill the user. (Steps 5 and 6) 4. During the user's riding process, the bicycle and the mobile phone APP will report their respective GPS positioning information to the cloud application. (Step 7) 335348

白丁

Bluetooth mode car locking and returning process: 1. After the user locks the car, the smart lock notifies the mobile phone via Bluetooth: "Car returned successfully". (Step 1) 2. The mobile phone immediately notifies the cloud of "Car returned successfully", and the cloud will send the fee settlement information to the mobile phone and the user. (Steps 2 and 3) 3. The smart lock reports the location information after the user returns the car. (Step 4) 335349 Using Bluetooth to unlock the smart lock with a mobile phone can reduce the communication volume (communication charges) and power consumption of the smart lock. However, stability and compatibility cannot be fully guaranteed when using Bluetooth. Therefore, traditional, power-consuming unlocking methods (manual password unlocking, GSM SMS or GPRS traffic unlocking) are often retained as alternatives. Unlocking process by SMS or data traffic (with GPS function): 1. The mobile phone scans the QR code on the bicycle first, and then initiates an unlock request to the cloud. (Step 1)

2. The cloud completes the information verification of the user and the bicycle, and sends the unlocking command to the bicycle smart lock. After the smart lock is opened, it replies to the cloud "Unlock successful". (Note: When some shared bicycles are reporting unlocking information, the smart lock will also report the password or key for the next unlocking to the cloud) (Steps 2 and 3) 3. The cloud notifies the user's mobile phone and starts charging. (Step 4) 4. During the user's riding, the bicycle and mobile phone APP will report their respective GPS positioning information to the cloud application. (Step 5) 335350 [/attach] 335350 [/attach] 335350 [/attach] 335350 [/attach] 335350 [/attach] 335350 [/attach] 335350 [/attach] 335350 [/attach]

白丁

The process of locking and returning the car by SMS or traffic:

1. After the user locks the car, the smart lock notifies the cloud: "The car has been returned successfully." (Step 1)

2. The cloud immediately notifies the user's mobile phone and settles the fee. (Step 2)

3. The smart lock reports the location information after the user returns the car. (Step 3)

[attach]335351 [/attach]

In actual applications, the locking and unlocking processes of each shared bicycle company will vary depending on the needs and configuration of the smart lock. From the iterative trend of smart locks, we can see that shared bicycle operators and smart lock suppliers are tirelessly optimizing solutions, pursuing the savings of traffic and electricity on the one hand, and improving the online rate and connection reliability of bicycles on the other.

白丁

From the overall point of view, the application architecture of the "end-cloud-user" trinity of shared bicycles is not complicated, but from the industry's public opinion on the debate and comments on various aspects of shared bicycles, it seems that the application of shared bicycles is more complicated than pure Internet applications. In fact, the complexity lies in the management of bicycles. Because bicycles are no longer terminal devices belonging to users (such as mobile phones and tablets), but corporate assets of Mobike and OFO. Since bicycles are the most important assets, they need to be managed with care (in bicycle management, the main focus is currently on: power consumption, connection, parts failure, location, and frequency of use). There is a great positive correlation between the effective management of bicycles and user experience, and the means and technologies of bicycle companies to manage their assets (bikes) will inevitably continue to iterate and improve. Therefore, today's smart locks are equipped with GPS positioning function to facilitate companies to obtain the location and movement path of bicycles; smart locks are equipped with Bluetooth unlocking function to reduce the communication traffic and connection uncertainty of the operator network, while also saving more power; bicycle companies follow the NB-Iot network access solution promoted by telecom operators, on the one hand to reduce the power consumption of smart lock communications, on the other hand to increase connection reliability, which is more conducive to asset status tracking; research and development, testing, and trial operation of various electronic fence solutions, in line with municipal requirements to solve the problem of bicycles parked randomly in public places; in addition, there are also more efficient and stable power supply methods to be developed, fault feedback pages to be provided to users, and so on. In addition to "playing with bikes", bike companies also need to combine big data analysis of user behavior to increase the frequency of bike use. For example, the user tidal effect that occurs in the morning and evening of weekdays, that is, a large number of users "flood" into industrial parks in the morning and "flow back" to residential areas after get off work in the evening, forming a regular "population migration" phenomenon. Bike companies need to consider how to dispatch bikes to meet the concentrated travel needs of users and increase the utilization rate of assets (bikes).

白丁

Although shared bicycles have gradually become a part of many people's daily lives, they are obviously not perfect yet. Shared bicycle companies need to constantly polish their products and services. Of course, they are not fighting alone. Smart lock manufacturers will continue to participate in the research and development and production of new locks. The iterative evolution of operator networks can further ensure that bicycles are always online. Cloud computing service companies will continue to optimize the system architecture and general capabilities of cloud applications, while various Internet companies will continue to provide supporting information services on demand. The services of upstream and downstream companies allow shared bicycle companies to only focus on their own application logic and core assets, and focus their business thinking on releasing the value of bicycles and users. Like shared bikes, more shared products are being conceived and promoted in similar technology and service environments. In the operation of new smart products and in new business cooperation, the connections between systems and between things have increased, the interactive data flow has become wider, and the automation and intelligence of services between each other have increased. The further extraction of information value by society has gradually formed a world with wider (connection), keen (perception), and smart (computation). We call this world "Internet of Things" without calling it anything else.

ddllxxrr

Shared bicycles are the new four great inventions? ? ? ? I wonder why they are so persistent.

Laspide

Why do I feel like it's an ancient escort agency? I move Mobike and OFO's assets a few kilometers, hand them over to them intact, and I still have to pay them.

高进

Good article should be upvoted!

wsmysyn

ddllxxrr posted on 2017-12-21 08:49 Is shared bike the new four great inventions? ? ? ? I wonder why they never give up

Star farming in the new era It seems there are also high-speed rail, mobile payment, and I forgot the other one

ddllxxrr

wsmysyn posted on 2017-12-21 09:21 The new era of star farming seems to include high-speed rail, mobile payment, and I forgot the other one

Oh, it really taught me a lot

星月泽

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MKO123

happy holidays!!!!

machinnneee

Happy holidays to the host. In the new year, I hope I can jump into the pit as soon as possible.

AOE-hill

The OP is so awesome!