U.S. patent application number 10/331039 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-15 for queue management system.
Invention is credited to Sim, Leonard.
Application Number | 20030093167 10/331039 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 10783983 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030093167 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sim, Leonard |
May 15, 2003 |
Queue management system
Abstract
A queue management system comprises a plurality of portable
modules, at least one docking station, a queue manager, signal
transmitting means, at least one module detector and a
communication means. each portable module includes memory means for
containing a unique identification code, indicator means to be
operative, transmitter means for transmitting the identification
code over a short range to confine the transmitted identification
code to a local region around the person, and docking means for
downloading the identification code. The or each docking station
registers the person in queue by downloading the identification
code for the portable module when docked. The queue manager
maintains the queue sequence for the or each queue and includes a
communication means for receiving the or each downloaded code. The
signal transmitting means is associated with the queue manager for
transmitting the signals to each portable module to instruct the
person or group of people carrying the portable module to join the
queue. The at least one module detector detects the transmitted
identification codes from any portable module in its vicinity. The
module detector is arranged at the location of the or each queue to
detect when the person carrying the portable module joins the queue
Finally, the communication means is arranged between the queue
manager and the or each module detector to communicate any detected
identification code to the queue manager.
Inventors: |
Sim, Leonard; (Berkshire,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Nathan M. Rau
WESTMAN CHAMPLIN & KELLY
International Centre, Suite 1600
900 South Second Avenue
Minneapolis
MN
55402-3319
US
|
Family ID: |
10783983 |
Appl. No.: |
10/331039 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10331039 |
Dec 27, 2002 |
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09068701 |
Dec 8, 1998 |
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6529786 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/90 ;
705/5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07C 2011/04 20130101;
G06Q 10/025 20130101; G07C 2011/02 20130101; G06Q 10/02 20130101;
G07C 11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/90 ;
705/5 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 15, 1995 |
GB |
9523443.1 |
Nov 15, 1996 |
PCT/GB96/02810 |
Claims
1. A queue management system for managing at least one queue of
people, the system comprising a plurality of portable modules, each
portable module being arranged to be carried by a person or a group
of people and including memory means for containing a unique
identification code, indicator means for indicating to said person
or group of people when it is time to join the or each queue,
signal receiver means for receiving signals to cause said indicator
means to be operative, transmitter means for transmitting said
identification code over a short range to confine the transmitted
identification code to a local region around said person or group
of people, and docking means for downloading said identification
code when said portable module is docked; at least one docking
station, the or each docking station being adapted to co-operate
with said docking means of a said portable module for registering
said person or group of people in queue sequence for a respective
queue by downloading said identification code from said portable
module when docked; a queue manager for maintaining the queue
sequence for the or each queue and including first communication
means for receiving the or each downloaded code; signal
transmitting means associated with said queue manager for
transmitting said signals to each portable module to instruct said
person or group of people carrying a said portable module to join a
queue; at least one module detector for detecting any portable
modules in the vicinity of the or each module detector by detecting
any transmitted identification codes, a said module detector being
arranged at the location of the or each queue to detect when the
person or group of people carrying said portable module joins the
queue; and second communication means arranged between said queue
manager and the or each module detector to communicate any detected
identification codes to said queue manager; said queue manager
being adapted to update the or each queue sequence using the or
each detected identification code and the or each downloaded
identification code to remove the or each detected identification
code from the front of the respective queue sequence and to add the
or each downloaded identification code to the back of the
respective queue sequence.
2. A queue management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
signal transmitting means is adapted to transmit radio paging
messages to each portable module, and said signal receiver means of
each portable module is adapted to receive said radio paging
messages.
3. A queue management system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2,
including at least one additional module detector provided at
locations away from the or each queue for detecting any portable
modules in the vicinity of the or each additional module detector
by detecting any transmitted identification codes, the or each
additional module detector being connected to said queue manager by
said second communication means, and said queue manager being
adapted to use any identification codes detected by the or each
module detector and the or each additional module detector to track
the locations of each person or group of people carrying a said
portable module.
4. A queue management system as claimed in any preceding claim, the
system further comprising at least one automatic registration gate
connected to said queue manager by said second communication means,
the or each said automatic registration gate corresponding to a
respective queue and including a module detector arranged to detect
only portable modules passing through the automatic registration
gate by detecting any transmitted identification codes, and said
queue manager adapted to update the respective queue sequence using
the identification codes detected by the automatic registration
gate to add the detected identification codes to the back of the
respective queue sequence.
5. A queue management system as claimed in any preceding claim,
wherein at least one of said module detectors arranged at the
location of the or each queue is incorporated in a gate unit, and
is further arranged to detect only the transmitted identification
codes of portable modules passing through the gate unit.
6. A queue management system as claimed in any preceding claim,
wherein at least one of said module detectors arranged at the
location of the or each queue includes a pair of detecting antennae
arranged as a gate through which a person or group of people
carrying a said portable module will pass to join a queue, the or
each module detector including correlation means to correlate
signals for any detected identification code from said pair of
detecting antennae to determine whether a said portable module has
passed therethrough and if so to pass the detected identification
code to said second communication means.
7. A queue management system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the or
each module detector includes means to pass to said second
communication means any detected identification codes flagged as
representing portable modules being only in the vicinity of the
module detector if said correlation means determines that the
portable modules have not passed through said pair of detecting
antennae.
8. A queue management system as claimed in any preceding claim,
wherein said signal transmitting means comprises at least one
transmitter.
9. A queue management system as claimed in any preceding claim,
wherein said signal transmitting means comprises one or more signal
transmitters, the or each signal transmitter being provided in a,
respective one of said module detectors.
10. A queue management system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said
signal transmitter is a short-range radio transmitter.
11. A queue management system as claimed in any of the preceding
claims, wherein said transmitter means of each portable module is
adapted to periodically transmit the identification code stored in
said memory means.
12. A queue management system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
10, wherein the or each module detector includes a prompting
transmitter for transmitting a prompting signal over a short range
to cause any portable modules in range to respond by transmitting
their identification codes, each portable module including prompt
receiving means for receiving said prompting signal, said
transmitter means of each portable module being responsive to the
received prompting signal to transmit the identification code
stored in said memory means.
13. A queue management system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said
transmitter means of each portable module is adapted to transmit
said identification code after a random or pseudo-random delay
after said prompt receiving means receives said prompting
signal.
14. A queue management system as claimed in any one of claims 11,
12 or 13, wherein said transmitter means of at least some of said
portable module transmit said identification codes at different
frequencies.
15. A queue management system as claimed in claims 12, 13 or 14,
wherein said prompting transmitter of the or each module detector
transmits an identifying prompting signal, and said portable module
includes identification means to compare said identifying prompting
signal with a stored prompting signal corresponding to a respective
queue to determine whether the person or group of people are at the
correct queue, and means to indicate to the person or group of
people whether or not the person or group of people are located in
the correct queue.
16. A queue management system as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15,
wherein said the prompting transmitter transmits an identifying
prompting signal indicative of the range of said identifying
prompting signal, and said portable module is operable in response
to said identifying prompting signal to set the range of its
identification code transmission.
17. A queue management system as claimed in any preceding claim for
use in a defined area having at least one exit for the people or
groups of people carrying said portable modules, the system
including at least one said module detector at each exit to detect
portable modules to prevent the portable modules being removed from
said defined area.
18. A queue management system as claimed in any preceding claim,
wherein said queue manager is adapted to load an identification
code into said memory means of a said portable module using said
first communication means when said portable module is docked in a
said docking station to register said person or group of people in
a queue sequence.
19. A queue management system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
17, wherein the identification code is preloaded in said memory
means of each portable module.
20. A queue management system as claimed in any preceding claim
wherein the or each docking station includes queue display means
for displaying a selection of queues which the person or group of
people may wish to join; input means to allow the person or group
of people to select which queue they wish to join; and downloading
means for downloading the identification code of the docked
portable module and passing the downloaded identification code to
said queue manager via said first communication means, and for
passing the identity of the or each queue which the person or group
of people wish to join to said queue manager via said first
communication means; said queue manager being adapted to register
the person or group of people in at least one said queue sequence
dependent upon the downloaded identification code and the received
queue identity.
21. A queue management system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said
display means and said input means of the or each docking station
are adapted to respectively display requests for data on the person
or group of people and to allow the input of such data for
transmission to said queue manager via said first communication
means.
22. A queue management system as claimed in any preceding claim
wherein said indicator means of each portable module comprises a
display to display messages indicative of the queues for which the
person or group of people is registered to join and the time at
which the queues should be joined.
23. A queue management system as claimed in claim 22 wherein said
docking station is adapted to allow the person or group of people
to select a preferred sequence of queues to be joined and preferred
times of joining the queue, and to reselect said preferred sequence
and said preferred times.
24. A queue management system as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23
wherein said queue manager is adapted to optimise the position of a
person or group of people in each of a plurality of queue sequences
to allow the person or group of people to join each queue and
attend each event being queued for.
25. A queue management system as claimed in claim 24, wherein said
queue manager includes queue information storage means to store
information on the predicted rate at which the or each queue will
move and/or the actual rate at which the queue is moving, said
queue manager being adapted to use said stored information to
optimise the length of the or each queue sequence and to enable the
optimisation of the sequence of queues.
26. A queue management system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to
25, wherein said queue manager is adapted to control said signal
transmitting means to transmit data on the queue sequence and times
at which the queues should be joined, and said memory means of each
portable module is adapted to store said data.
27. A queue management system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to
26, wherein each portable module includes a message memory for
storing a plurality of standard messages, said queue manager being
adapted to send a desired message activation signal to selected
said portable modules using said signal transmitting means, and
said selected portable modules being adapted to display a desired
message from said stored plurality of messages on said display in
response to said activation signals.
28. A queue management system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to
27, wherein said queue manager is adapted to send a control signal
to selected said portable modules, said selected signal to switch
mode of operation to operate as a radio pager.
29. A queue management system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to
28, including an access control mechanism associated with the or
each module detector to allow access to a queue area for a queue,
said queue manager being adapted to compare a detected
identification code with the identification codes of the queue
sequence associated with the queue to determine if said detected
identification code falls within a predetermined range of the front
of the queue sequence, and to transmit an access denied signal over
said second communication means to said access control mechanism if
said detected identification code is determined to be outside said
predetermined range, said access control mechanism being responsive
to said access denied signal to prevent the person or group of
people carrying the portable module associated with the detected
identification code from gaining access to the queue area.
30. A queue management system as claimed in claim 29, wherein said
queue manager is adapted to transmit an explanatory message signal
to the portable module which has been denied access to the queue
area to explain the reason why access has been denied.
31. A queue management system as claimed in claim 29, wherein said
each portable module is adapted to store a default acceptance time
window associated with each queue for which the identification code
of the portable module has been entered in the queue sequence
reason messages, a portable module which has been denied access
being adapted to identify the module detector to determine whether
the portable module is at the correct queue area at the correct
time, and to select and display an appropriate reason message to
explain why access has been denied.
32. A queue management system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to
31, wherein a plurality of said portable modules can be assigned as
a group, each member of a group of portable modules having an
identification code which identifies which group the portable
module belongs to, the or each docking station being adapted to
allow the selection of the option for the members of a group of
people to each have a portable module.
33. A queue management system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said
docking station is adapted to allow a member of a group to input a
group specific message to said queue manager via said first
communication means when the member's portable module is docked,
said queue manager being responsive to said group specific message
to transmit a message to all members of the group.
34. A queue management system as claimed in claim 32 or claim 33,
wherein said queue manager is adapted to monitor the locations of
said portable modules, the or each docking station including means
to input a location request to request the location of the group
members when a group member's portable module is docked, said queue
manager being responsive to said location request to transmit
information on the location of the group members for display by the
docking station.
35. A queue management system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to
34, wherein said queue manager is adapted to monitor the locations
of said portable modules and to send area specific messages to
portable modules known to be in at least one specific area.
36. A queue management system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to
35, wherein said queue manager is adapted to program the language
of the messages displayed on said display of a said portable module
when said portable module is docked.
37. A queue management system as claimed in claim 27, wherein said
queue manager is adapted to send the messages stored in said
message memory of a said portable module when said portable module
is docked.
38. A queue management system as claimed in any preceding claim,
wherein said queue manager is adapted to set the frequency of said
transmitter means of a said portable module when said portable
module is docked.
39. A queue management system as claimed in any preceding claim
including a plurality of portable tagging modules, each portable
tagging module being arranged to be carried by a person or group of
people to be tracked, comprising memory means for containing a
unique identification code, transmitter means for transmitting said
identification code over a short range to confine the transmitted
identification code to a local region around the person or group of
people carrying the portable tagging module, and docking means for
docking with the or each docking station for downloading said
identification code to said queue manager; the or each docking
station being adapted to allow a person or group of people carrying
a said portable module to associate at least one said portable
tagging module with said portable module, said docking station
having means for prompting the selection of a tagging option when
said portable module is docked to download the identification code
thereof, said means for prompting subsequently requesting the
docking of a said portable tagging module to download the
identification code thereof; said queue manager being responsive to
said means for prompting and said downloaded identification codes
to associate said identification codes; the or each docking station
including means to transmit a location request signal for an
associated identification code of a portable module or portable
tagging module when a portable module or portable tagging module is
docked; said queue manager being responsive to said location
request signal to transmit information on the location of the
associated portable module or portable tagging module to said
docking station for display thereby.
40. A queue management system as claimed in claim 39, wherein each
portable tagging module includes a receiver for receiving prompting
signals from the or each module detector, said transmitter of each
portable tagging module being responsive to said prompting signals
to transmit said identification code.
41. A queue management system as claimed in any preceding claim,
wherein the or each docking station includes payment means for
receiving payment in respect of a queue which has a fee associated
therewith, said payment means being adapted to request payment and
await receipt of payment before registering a person or group of
people in a queue sequence for a desired queue which has a fee
associated therewith.
42. A queue management system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
40, wherein the or each docking station includes payment means for
receiving payment to be credited to the person or group of people
carrying a said portable module and to be associated with the
identification code of said portable module; said queue manager
including credit storing means for receiving and storing
information on the payment to be credited to a portable module from
said docking station, queue cost information memory containing
information on the cost of the or each queue which has a fee
associated therewith, debiting means for debiting funds from the
credit stored in said credit storing means for a portable module
when said queue manager receives a detected identification code
from said module detector at a queue which has a fee associated
therewith; said queue manager being further adapted to transmit
information on the credit stored in said credit storing means for a
portable module to said portable module for display thereby.
43. A queue management system as claimed in claim 41 or claim 42,
wherein said payment means comprises a credit card reader.
Description
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a queue
management system for managing at least one queue of people.
[0002] In many leisure pursuits (such as theme parks and museums)
and other activities (such as arranging visas and immigration
procedures), a large amount of time can be spent waiting in queues.
The queuing is a frustrating and unproductive use of the time of
the person in the queue and can be economically inefficient for the
enterprise concerned. However, significant queues are necessary for
at least part of the time in order to make efficient use of the
particular resource.
[0003] The problem of managing queues has been addressed in the
prior art such as in EP0086199. In the system disclosed in
EP0086199 a queue sequence for serving customers at a number of
service points is determined once a customer has been allocated a
turn number. The customer can then be told which queue to attend by
observing a display.
[0004] This prior art arrangement is particularly suitable for
queues such as in supermarkets wherein the queue time is generally
not that long and the person will therefore accept the necessity
for waiting near the queuing area and viewing the display. However,
for multiple queues at remote locations or or one or more queues
which have a considerable delay associated therewith, the system
does not enable the person queuing to physically leave the queue
without there being a possibility of the person losing their place
in the queue.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a queue management system which allows people to join a
"virtual" queue, thus freeing the person from having to wait near
the queue.
[0006] The present invention provides a queue management system for
managing at least one queue of people, the system comprising a
plurality of portable modules, each portable module being arranged
to be carried by a person or a group of people and including memory
means for containing a unique identification code, indicator means
for indicating to said person or group of people when it is time to
join the or each queue, signal receiver means for receiving signals
to cause said indicator means to be operative, transmitter means
for transmitting said identification code over a short range to
confine the transmitted identification code to a local region
around said person or group of people, and docking means for
downloading said identification code when said portable module is
docked; at least one docking station, the or each docking station
being adapted to co-operate with said docking means of a said
portable module for registering said person or group of people in
queue sequence for a respective queue by downloading said
identification code from said portable module when docked; a queue
manager for maintaining the queue sequence for the or each queue
and including first communication means for receiving the or each
downloaded code; signal transmitting means associated with said
queue manager for transmitting said signals to each portable module
to instruct said person or group of people carrying a said portable
module to join a queue; at least one module detector for detecting
any portable modules in the vicinity of the or each module detector
by detecting any transmitted identification codes, a said module
detector being arranged at the location of the or each queue to
detect when the person or group of people carrying said portable
module joins the queue; and second communication means arranged
between said queue manager and the or each module detector to
communicate any detected identification codes to said queue
manager; said queue manager being adapted to update the or each
queue sequence using the or each detected identification code and
the or each downloaded identification code to remove the or each
detected identification code from the front of the respective queue
sequence and to add the or each downloaded identification code to
the back of the respective queue sequence.
[0007] The present invention can thus provide a queue management
system which allows people who wish to queue to be free to
undertake other activities. The time involved in physically queuing
can be drastically reduced to perhaps a few minutes. The system
maintains the place of users in each queue and informs them when
they should physically join the queue.
[0008] The present invention can be employed in theme parks as a
queue management system for all of the guests, or for a proportion
of the guests who are willing to pay a premium, or one of a range
of premiums corresponding to a range of privileges.
[0009] Conveniently, the method of communicating between the
portable modules and the queue manager is by way of radio paging
messages which can be received and displayed by the portable
modules.
[0010] Although conveniently the indication by the indicator means
can be passed to the user visually, e.g. by a display, the
indications could be audible., e.g. a spoken message or a tone.
[0011] The present invention also can provide information on the
whereabouts of the users of the system which can, in some
applications, provide very useful management information, and can
give the ability to influence users' movements, that can lead to
economic advantages. In order to facilitate this, in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention the system includes at
least one additional module detector provided at locations away
from the or each queue for detecting any portable modules in the
vicinity of the or each additional module detector by detecting any
transmitted identification codes, the or each additional module
detector being connected to the queue manager by the second
communication means and the queue manager being adapted to use any
detected identification codes to track the locations of each person
or groups of people carrying a portable module.
[0012] Advantageously, the system may further comprise at least one
automatic registration gate connected to said queue manager by said
second communication means, the or each said automatic registration
gate corresponding to a respective queue and including a module
detector arranged to detect only portable modules passing through
the automatic registration gate by detecting, any transmitted
identification codes, and said queue manager adapted to update the
respective queue sequence using the identification codes detected
by the automatic registration gate to add the detected
identification codes to the back of the respective queue
sequence.
[0013] Preferably, at least one of said module detectors arranged
at the location of the or each queue is incorporated in a gate
unit, and is further arranged to detect only the transmitted
identification codes of portable modules passing through the gate
unit.
[0014] In an alternative embodiment, in order for the system to be
able to distinguish whether a user is merely in the vicinity of a
queue or has actually joined a queue, at least one of the module
detectors arranged at the location of the or each queue may include
a pair of detecting antennae arranged as a gate through which a
person or group of people carrying a portable module will pass to
join a queue. In this arrangement either the queue manager or the
or each module detector includes correlation means to correlate
signals for any detected identification codes from the pair of
detecting antennae to determine whether a portable module has
passed therethrough and if so to pass the detected identification
code to the second communication means.
[0015] In this way the module detectors can identify whether the
user is merely in the vicinity or has actually joined the queue. If
the user is merely in the vicinity, the second communication means
passes the detected identification codes flagged as representing
portable modules being only in the vicinity of the module detector.
Alternatively, the identification codes detected by the pair of
detecting antennae are passed by the second communication means the
queue manager where the correlation is carried out to determine
whether a user has passed through or merely by the pair of
antennae.
[0016] Advantageously, the signal transmitting means may comprise
at least one transmitter.
[0017] Advantageously, the signal transmitting means may comprise
one or more signal transmitters, the or each signal transmitter
being provided in a respective one of said module detectors.
[0018] Preferably, the signal transmitter is a short range radio
transmitter.
[0019] In one embodiment the transmitter means of each portable
module is adapted to periodically transmit the identification code
stored in its memory means.
[0020] In an alternative embodiment the or each module detector
includes a prompting transmitter for transmitting a prompting
signal over a short range to cause any portable modules in range to
respond by transmitting their identification codes, each portable
module including prompt receiving means for receiving the prompting
signal and the transmitter means of each portable module being
responsive to the received promoting signal to transmit the
identification code stored in its memory means.
[0021] Thus, when a portable module comes within range of a module
detector, its transmitted identification code will be received by
the module detector and passed on to the queue manager. In order to
avoid conflicts between transmissions from more than one portable
module at the same frequency at the same time, interference can be
avoided by delaying the transmission of the identification code for
a random or pseudo-random delay period. Alternatively, some of the
port able modules can transmit the identification codes at
different frequencies or each portable module transmitting at the
same frequency could transmit the identification code after a
unique delay period.
[0022] In one embodiment the or each module detector transmits a
unique prompting signal and the portable modules include
identification means to compare the unique promoting signal with a
stored prompting signal corresponding to a respective queue to
determine whether the person or group of people are at the correct
queue, and means to indicate to the person or group of people
whether or not the person or group of people are located in the
correct queue.
[0023] In a further embodiment, the prompting transmitter transmits
an identifying prompting signal indicative of the range of said
identifying prompting signal, and said portable module is operable
in response to said identifying prompting signal to set the range
of its identification code transmission.
[0024] When the system is designed for use in a defined area, e.g.
theme park which has exits, the system preferably includes at least
one module detector at each exit to detect portable modules to
prevent the portable modules being removed from the defined area.
This prevents the loss of the portable modules by deliberate or
accidental removal from the defined area.
[0025] Preferably the or each docking station includes queue
display means for displaying a selection of queues which the person
or group of people may wish to join, input means to allow the
person or group of people to select which queue they wish to join
and downloading means for downloading the identification code of
the docked portable module, for passing the downloaded
identification code to the queue manager via the first
communication means, and for passing the identity of the or each
queue which the person or group of people wish to join to the queue
manager via the first communication means. The queue manager is
adapted to register the person or group of people in at least one
queue sequence dependent upon the downloaded identification code
and the received queue identity.
[0026] In an alternative embodiment, a person can remotely register
for a plurality of queues using a remote input arrangement, e.g. a
display and keys. Such an arrangement could for instance be
provided at the user's hotel. When a user registers in this way a
portable module identification code (or the portable module itself)
is assigned to that user. The user can then either pick up the
assigned module later or by for example using a password, select a
portable module and have the assigned identification code uploaded
to the portable module when the portable is docked. For this
facility a means of identifying such a user is required. This can
take the form of a password for example which can be given to an
attendant to receive the assigned portable module or it can be
input to the docking station when a portable module is docked to
cause the queue manager to upload the assigned identification
code.
[0027] In order for the queue manager to receive data on the person
or group of people who are using the portable module, the display
means and the input means of the or each docking station are
preferably adapted to respectively display requests for data on the
person or group of people and to allow the input of such data for
transmission to the queue manager via the first communication
means.
[0028] The docking station conveniently allows the person or group
of people to select a preferred sequence of queues to be joined and
preferred times of joining the queues and allows the reselection of
the referred sequence and the preferred times at a later time.
[0029] For multiple queues, the queue manager optimises the
position of a person or group of people in each of the queue
sequences to allow the person or group of people to join each queue
and attend each event being queued for. In order to do this, the
queue manager preferably includes queue information storage means
to store information on the predicted rate at which the or each
queue will move and the actual rate of queue movement and the queue
manager is adapted to use the store information to optimise the
length of the or each queue sequence and to enable the optimisation
of the sequence of queues. Once the queue manager has determined
the optimum queue sequence, it transmits data on the queue sequence
and times at which the queue should be joined to the portable
modules and this data is stored in the memory means of each
portable module for display.
[0030] In order to avoid the necessity for transmitting a large
number of messages to each portable module, in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention each portable module includes a
message memory for storing a plurality of standard messages. The
queue manager is adapted to send a desired message activation
signal to the selected portable modules whereupon the selected
portable modules display a desired message from the stored
plurality of messages on the display in response to the activation
signal.
[0031] In one embodiment the queue manager is able to send a
control signal to selected said portable modules whereupon the
selected portable modules respond by switching the mode of
operation to revert to a normal pager messaging mode.
[0032] In one embodiment, when a user registers for a queue
sequence, the time of registration is logged by the queue manager.
The queue manager is able to transmit messages to each of the
portable modules which have been registered within a certain time
window. This feature is useful where managers of a theme park wish
to allow its users only a limited number of hours of access to the
park or to certain activities. A message can be sent to the users
which registered within a time window. This allows a transmission
of a "time-out" message transmitted to the users which are
registered within a time window to indicate that they no longer
have access to the park or to certain activities and should
leave.
[0033] In the present invention when a portable module indicates
that the user should join a queue, there is no guarantee that the
user will respond by joining the correct queue at the correct time.
Therefore, in order to ensure that the multiple queue sequencing
runs smoothly, the present invention preferably la includes an
access control mechanism associated with the or each module
detector to allow access to a queue area for a queue and the queue
manager is adapted to compare an detected identification code with
the identification codes of the queue sequence associated with the
queue to determine if the detected identification code falls within
a predetermined range of the front of the queue sequence, and to
transmit an access denied signal over the second communication
means to the access control mechanism if the detected
identification code is determined to be outside the predetermined
range. The access control mechanism is then responsive to the
access denied signal to prevent a person or a group of people
carrying the portable module associated with the detected
identification code from gaining access to the queue area.
Preferably the queue manager is adapted to transmit an explanatory
message to the portable module which has been denied access to the
queue area to explain the reason why access has been denied.
[0034] Alternatively, each portable module is adapted to store a
default acceptance time window associated with each queue for which
the identification code of the portable module has been entered in
the queue sequence reason messages, a portable module which has
been denied access being adapted to identify the module detector to
determine whether the portable module is at the correct queue area
at the correct time, and to select and display an appropriate
reason message to explain why access has been denied.
[0035] In one embodiment a plurality of portable modules can be
assigned as a group and each member of a group of portable modules
has an identification code which identifies which group the
portable modules belong to. The or each docking station is adapted
to allow the selection of the option for the members of a group of
people to allow them to each have a portable module. For members of
a group, when one member places the portable module in the docking
station, it is possible for that member to input a group specific
message which is sent by the queue manager to all members of the
group. It is also possible for the group member to request
information on the locations of the group members. The queue
manager is able to provide such information which is then displayed
at the docking station to allow the group member to locate other
members of the group.
[0036] Since the queue manager is able to monitor the location of
the portable modules, it is possible for the queue manager to send
area specific messages to portable modules which are known to be in
a specific area. Such messages can for instance be prompting
advertisements for local attractions or information on local
facilities.
[0037] When the portable module is docked in the docking station,
it is possible for a user to select the language of the messages to
be displayed by the portable unit. Also, the queue manager is able
to set the messages which are stored in the message memory and the
frequency of operation of the transmitter means within the portable
module. Further, the queue manager can download the default
acceptance time window, e.g. +5 mins, -10 mins.
[0038] In one preferred embodiment the present invention can also
provide a plurality of portable tagging modules, each portable
tagging module being arranged to be carried by a person or a group
of people to be tracked. Each portable module comprises memory
means for containing the unique identification code, transmitter
means for transmitting the identification code over a short range
to confine the transmitted identification code to a local region
around the person or group of people carrying the portable tagging
module, and docking means for docking with the or each docking
station for downloading the identification code to the queue
manager. The or each docking station is adapted to allow a person
or group of people carrying a portable module to associate at least
one portable tagging module with the portable module. A docking
station can prompt the selection of a tagging option when the
portable module is docked to download the identification code
thereof and to subsequently request the docking of a portable
tagging module to download the identification code thereof. The
queue manager is then responsive to the downloaded identification
codes to associate the identification codes. The or each docking
station is further able to transmit a location request signal for
associated identification code of a portable module or tagging
module when a portable module or portable tagging module is docked.
The queue manager responds to the location request signal to
transmit information on the location of the associated portable
module or portable tagging module to the docking station for
display thereby.
[0039] Where there are fees associated with one or more queues, in
accordance with one embodiment the or each docking station includes
payment means for receiving payment in respect of a queue which has
a fee associated therewith. The payment means is adapted to request
payment and await receipt of payment before registering a person or
group of people in a queue sequence for a desired queue which has a
fee associated therewith.
[0040] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention each
docking station includes payment means for receiving payment to be
credited to the person or group of people carrying a portable
module and the payment is associated with the identification code
of the portable module. The queue manager includes credit storing
means for receiving and storing information on the payment to be
credited to a portable module from the docking station, queue cost
information memory means containing information on the cost of the
or each queue which has a fee associated therewith, and debiting
means for debiting funds from the credit stored in the credit
storing means when the queue manager receives a downloaded
identification code from the module detector at a queue which has a
fee associated therewith. The queue manager is adapted to transmit
information on stored credit in the credit storing means through a
portable module to that portable module for display to allow the
user to determine how much credit he has left.
[0041] In the above alternative embodiments the payment means can
conveniently comprise a credit card reader.
[0042] It can thus be seen from the above that the system can
conveniently comprise a combined short range pager unit and
electronic tag, gate units and a base station including a
controlling computer.
[0043] In the present invention the queue sequence comprises a
"virtual" queue which conveniently resides in a computer system's
memory and holds a user's place in the queue in the same order as
if he had remained physically present.
[0044] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of the basic elements of the
system in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0046] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the system in operation in
a theme park in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates the display of the portable module;
[0048] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the portable module;
[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram of the portable module illustrating the
one line scrolling display;
[0050] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a docking station;
[0051] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a typical ride queuing
area;
[0052] FIG. 8 illustrates a gate unit in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the system in operation in
a theme park in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0054] FIG. 10 illustrates a gate unit in accordance with the
embodiment of FIG. 9.
[0055] Referring now to the drawings, as can be seen in FIG. 1 the
system comprises a portable module comprising a combined short
range pager unit and electronic tag, gate units 2 and a base
station comprising a controlling computer 3 and a transmitter 4.
The controlling computer 3 is linked to the transmitter 4 by a
communication line 5 to allow the transmission of messages to the
portable module 1. The controlling computer 3 is also linked to the
gate units 2 by a further communication line 6 to receive
downloaded identification codes which have been detected by the
gate unit 2 from the portable unit 1.
[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates the arrangement of one embodiment of the
present invention used in a theme park. As can be seen in FIG. 2, a
central computer 3 receives downloaded identification codes from a
plurality of gate units 2 positioned at various rides in the park.
Also, the controlling computer 3 receives downloaded identification
codes from additional module detectors 22 incorporated in locator
units 7 positioned throughout the park to enable the position of
portable modules to be determined.
[0057] In a theme park there is also provided a docking station 8
within an information kiosk 9. As people enter the theme park via
the entrance, they can go to the information kiosk 9, take a
portable module 1 from a rack and insert it in a docking station
8.
[0058] FIG. 6 illustrates the display which will allow the user to
select the queues to be joined. In FIG. 6 the portable module has
been termed a "prompter". When the prompter is docked in the
docking station its identification code is downloaded and sent via
the communication line 10 to the controlling computer 3. Also, the
queues (or rides) which the user has registered for will be sent to
the controlling computer 3 together with the preferred times and
preferred sequence of rides to enable the controlling computer to
determine the optimum sequence and time of the rides. Once the
sequence of rides has been entered and the prompter removed from
the docking station, the controlling computer 3 will transmit
messages to each of the prompters 1 indicating the sequence and
times of the rides. Such a message is illustrated in the
illustration of the prompter in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 illustrates an
alternative display arrangement which allows for the display to
scroll across to indicate the ride or attraction, the number of
places reserved in the queue and the time at which the physical
queue should be joined.
[0059] Thus having registered in the "virtual" queue for a number
of rides, the user is free to utilise time which would normally be
taken up by queuing by visiting other attractions in the park. When
it is time to join a physical ride queue, the user will pass
through or by the ride gates 2 which will detect the presence of
the prompter 1 by receiving its identification code. This
identification code is then downloaded to the controlling computer
3.
[0060] Thus the prompter comprises a combined short range pager
unit and electronic tag which is capable of receiving messages from
the central computer 3 via the transmitter 4 at the base station by
techniques used in commercially available "on site pagers". The
prompter 1 includes an electronic tagging system and a memory
containing a unique serial number to identify the particular
prompter and hence its associated user. The prompter unit is
capable of transmitting the serial number when required to be
detected by the module detectors 22 in the locator units 7 or by
the gate units 2. The transmitter contained in the prompter can be
of any conventional type such as that used in automobile remote
locking or security systems. This transmitter can be arranged
either to transmit the identification signal periodically or only
in response to a prompting signal from the gate units 2 or from the
module detectors 22 in the locator units 7.
[0061] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the portable module 1 of the
present invention. A receiver 20 receives paring messages in the
form of codes to cause the display of messages on the display 30. A
microprocessor 40 is provided to decipher the receiver codes and
the microprocessor 40 has a memory 50 and switch 60 associated
therewith. The portable module also has a receiver 70 for receiving
the "identify yourself" signals from the gate units 2 and the
locator units 7. The microprocessor 40 is responsive to the
"identify yourself" signal to record the transmission of the
portable module's serial number via the transmitter 80.
[0062] The portable unit is able to display the ride sequence and
times. The display can conveniently be an alphanumeric display. A
simplified prompter can be provided without such an alphanumeric
display with a simpler ride indication arrangement for applications
which do not require readable messages.
[0063] Registration for queues by users can be received either
automatically by the removal of a prompter from a dispenser for a
single ride or for multiple rides the user will be required to
enter manually the required rides and ride sequence following the
instructions on the display as shown in FIG. 6.
[0064] Normally groups would work with a single prompter for the
whole group, but it is possible for individual members of a group
to each be provided with a prompter. This is an option which can be
made available at the docking station whereby a group of prompter
can be assigned to be associated as a group whereby their
identification numbers which are downloaded to the controlling
computer are marked as being associated with a group.
[0065] The identification codes of prompters can either be
preloaded or downloaded from the controlling computer when the
prompter is docked. Other information and commands can also be
download from the controlling computer, e.g. the transmission
frequency of the transmitter of each prompter. Also, the language
or the messages to be displayed on the display of the prompter can
be selected by a user at this stage.
[0066] Thus for activities involving multiple queues, the
controlling computer can accept time and sequence preferences from
the user during registration. The user also has the facility to
reset his sequence and time preferences at any time after
registration.
[0067] The controlling computer 3 will, after registration,
transmit activation codes to initiate the display of messages to
advise the user when they should join a physical line, or to
display other standard messages. A suite of standard messages, each
enabled by its activation code, is stored in read-only memory (ROM)
in the prompter to increase the number of messages that can be
transmitted in the required update time. Other activation codes can
produce specific modes of operation in the prompter. One particular
code will enable a specific prompter to revert to a normal pager
messaging mode for applications where this option is included.
[0068] The queue manager consists of a number of modules with
clearly defined interfaces. Reliability through redundancy is
achieved by having a duplicate computer system which operates the
same software and is input with the same date. The modules are:
[0069] User Database
[0070] record structure
[0071] Record Entry
[0072] Record Selection
[0073] Record Update
[0074] Queue Database
[0075] list of prompters queuing for each feature
[0076] Select Information from User Database
[0077] Add or Remove Records
[0078] Calculate Attendance Times and Route
[0079] Determine Optimum Queue Sequence(s)
[0080] Calculate or Accept User Attendance Time Windows
[0081] Transmission
[0082] messages to be sent by the base station to the prompters
[0083] Format Messages
[0084] Sequence Messages
[0085] Interface to Transmitter
[0086] Interfaces
[0087] drivers/format for communication other than transmission
above
[0088] Input Terminals
[0089] Accept Preference Information
[0090] Download to Prompters (serial number, frequency features as
appropriate)
[0091] Gate Units
[0092] Correlate Signals at ride entrances
[0093] Standard packages and interfaces are used wherever
possible.
[0094] The gate units 2 include circuitry to at least passively
listen for the transmitted identification codes and preferably
include circuitry to transmit the prompting signal. The gate units
will be set up at the entrance to the physical queue to control
access to the queue area. The signals from such gate units can have
an identification feature built in so that the prompter can
recognise if it is at the correct location and provide a message to
the user. Such an identification feature can be achieved by for
example pulsing the transmitter on and off, modulating the signal,
setting the frequency of the signal, or selective polarisation of
the signal. When the gate unit 2 detects an identification code
this is downloaded to the host computer. If it is determined that
the identification code corresponds to an identification code
within a predetermined region of the front of the queue sequence
held within the memory of the controlling computer 3, the user is
permitted access through the gate units. If, on the other hand, the
detected identification code is not within a predetermined range on
the front of the queue sequence, a signal is transmitted by the
host computer to the queue area to deny the user access to the
queue area. The controlling computer 3 also transmits a message to
the prompter to give a reason as to why access has been denied.
Access could be denied because the user has arrived either before
or after the time, is at the wrong ride or the user is at the wrong
ride and at the wrong time.
[0095] Throughout the park area, locator units 7 incorporating
additional module detectors 22 are provided simply to collect
detected identification codes of prompter in the vicinity. These
detected identification codes are downloaded to the controlling
computer 3 to enable, the controlling computer 3 to monitor the
location of the prompter 1 within the park.
[0096] In large systems there is a likelihood of interference
between transmitted identification codes of prompter in the
locality of the gate units 2 or the locator units 7. There are a
number of ways in which this problem of interference can be reduced
or avoided. The queue control infrastructure and gate unit
positioning can be appropriately designed in order to provide
sufficient separate between prompters, e.g. by using turnstiles,
barriers and the like. Also, the power level of the transmitters of
the prompters can be reduced and the sensitivity of the receivers
of the gate units 2 and the locator units 7 altered. Further, a
random or pseudo-random delay can be introduced into, the response
time of the transmitters to the prompting signal from the gate
units 2 and locator units 7. Alternatively, different prompters can
use different frequencies. Further, responses from the portable
units can be sequenced by the controlling computer sending enabling
activation codes such that only a certain proportion of the
prompters which share the same transmitter frequency can respond at
any one time. Another method of overcoming interference problems is
to allow the prompter to transmit its identification code more than
once while it is in the vicinity of, the gate unit 2 or the locator
unit 7.
[0097] FIG. 8 illustrates one arrangement for a gate unit 2. A
receiver is placed either side of a gateway to detect
identification codes of prompter carried by users as they pass
through the gate. The identification codes detected by the two
detectors are correlated to determine whether a prompter is merely
in the vicinity or has passed between the detectors.
[0098] FIG. 7 illustrates a ride queuing area wherein there are
provided entrance gates 100 through which users pass. If the users
are early, late, or in the wrong queue, the turnstile, 101 will
deny access into the mixing area 102 which is the end of the short
queue 103 for the ride loading area 104. As can be seen in FIG. 7,
this ride queuing area allows for the park to allow for only some
users to use the portable units. Park users without portable units
will have to join the conventional long queue 105.
[0099] Thus installation of the queue management system should
maximum ride/show utilisation, ease park management issues, raise
spending on secondary attractions and most importantly, greatly
increase customer satisfaction. Some modification of the queuing
infrastructure in the park is required, and staff could carry
portable modules for communication purposes and to give their
management information on their location.
[0100] The park management benefits will include the following:
[0101] 1) greater control in crowd movement,
[0102] 2) increased staff control,
[0103] 3) information in advance on user movement preferences,
[0104] 4) the ability to shorten attendance time when required by
controlling routing and attraction attendance such that users will
be led to exit areas earlier, and
[0105] 5) automatic supply of information for customer
research.
[0106] The system would require minimal staff assistance to
minimise staff increase and, where appropriate infrastructure
design, the system is failsafe defaulting to exiting systems in
case of a catastrophic fault. The park visitor or user would use
terminals installed at park entry points and at information kiosks
throughout the park to enter ride and time preferences. The system
would request other relevant information such as height or health
status, which may be relevant in allowing access to certain rides
and information such as the need for a stroller or wheelchair. In
the case of a group of visitors sharing one portable module,
information on each individual will be required.
[0107] Whilst in certain applications all users or user groups
would carry prompters, partial usage would be possible as a premium
service with an increase in the standard fee.
[0108] The controlling computer 3 can store information in a
database on each user and each member of a group, e.g. prompter
serial number, relationship to other prompters or on tags, arrival
time, preferred language, attract preferences, time preferences,
calculated optimum route, the number in the group, attraction
restriction information by individual user, other relevant
information on the user, e.g. any relevant disability, baby being
carried, stroller present etc., optional services activated (which
might require additional user information), and credit available
(where applications where individual ride tickets are used and the
portable modules acts an electronic ticket).
[0109] The controlling computer 3 can operate to include a
procedure which can ensure that a user registering late in the day
would be given access to the same number of queues as a user
registering earlier in the day. Such a user could join certain
queues near the front. The structuring and managing of the queues
are features which can be customised to suite a particular
situation. The controlling computer 3 will thus operate in
accordance with the customised algorithm to manage the queues.
[0110] The controlling computer 3 can be programmed to re-allocate
every user's sequence used in accordance with a preset algorithm or
to cope with unexpected events. In order to warn the user of this
possibility, when the user registers and is shown a route to the
queues, and the queue sequence, an explanation of this possibility
will need to be presented to the user.
[0111] Three examples of situations which could result in the
re-allocation of every user's sequence are
[0112] 1) The theme park is lightly loaded and certain rides are to
be closed down. The late users may not physically be able to get
from one ride to another in time without some re-arrangement of
queues, even though slots are available
[0113] 2) It may be policy that every user gets a minimum number of
rides (depending on the time registration). If the weather meant
that a park was lightly loaded in the morning but full in the
afternoon, the morning attendees may have had a large number of
rides. These morning attendees could then be given a reduced number
of rides in the afternoon to allow an increased number of rides to
the late attendees.
[0114] 3) If ride failure occurs it may be fairer to reallocate all
the queues.
[0115] As described hereinabove, the portable module of the present
invention can utilise conventional paging message techniques.
[0116] The POCSAG protocol is one of a number of messaging
protocols used in paging. Any protocol can be modified in a similar
way to provide the activation of pre-stored messages. The framing
structure is as follows 1
[0117] Possible activation codes are shown in the table below and
these are such that one frame is needed to define a command or
initiate a pre-stored message, except when special features such as
the text messaging mode is used. 2
[0118] Prompters store and display two messages one each for the
next and subsequent attraction.
[0119] The second message is sent every 5th time slot, the first
message every other.
[0120] Messages and commands are shown in the next two tables
[0121] Special Mode and Programming Commands cannot be transmitted
by the base station. They are only used when prompter is in a kiosk
docking station, or at the maintenance base for programming.
[0122] The standard messages, with various language versions if
required, are stored in memory in the prompter.
1TABLE 1 Control and Pager Modes (Bit 15 = 1) 16 Bit Position and
Meaning Note 1 Control Mode 1 17/18 20-31 1 00 Command Mode
(Normal) Enable 1-Y response 1 Continously transmit 1 serial # 1 1
01 Special Mode (Cradle) Select language - x choices 1 Set Transmit
Frequency 1 Set Other Parameters 1 Flash Memory Download 1
Programming Mode 1 1 1 10 Message Mode Contact Nearest Kiosk 1 Stay
Where You Are 1 Go to Nearest Kiosk 1 Call Your Home 1 Call Your
Office 1 / 1 Park Closing 1 Ride Restrictions Apply 1 1 1 11
Special 0 Pager Mode 17-31 Two Character Bytes 0 First Byte can
enable eg Call the certain standard message following number
[0123]
2TABLE 2 Normal Mode (Bit 15 = 0) Bits Message Class Message
Specific Display 16 First/second attraction sets location to store
message the updated message 17-24 Attendance time Time (240 time
slots yy:zz in 12 hours) 25-27 Number of Places Number from 1-8
28-31 Attraction Blank Space Ride Ride/Feature Name Bear show --*--
Rocky Hill Railway --*-- .backslash. .backslash. Haunted Cottage
--*-- Mission to Venus --*-- Restaurants French Restaurant --*--
Italian Restaurant --*-- Slow Food --*-- Restaurant Japanese
Restaurant --*-- Club 34 --*-- Attraction Closed Out of Service
[0124] In the POCAG protocol it is possible to refresh the messages
of more than 4,000 portable modules every three minutes. If
different pager frequencies are used, the number of portable
modules from which the messages can be refreshed in three minutes
increases by the number of frequencies used. Thus, this arrangement
can provide for a large number of users in a multiple queue
environment.
[0125] Although in the embodiments described above a single
transmitter 4 was employed to transmit messages to the portable
modules, it will be apparent that in an alternative embodiment, a
plurality of transmitters may be used.
[0126] FIG. 9 shows a system in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention in operation in a theme park.
[0127] In this embodiment, rather than employing a single
long-range transmitter, the host computer 3 sends messages to the
portable modules 1 by means of short-range radio transmitters in
the module detectors 22.
[0128] Gate units 2, shown in more detail in FIG. 10, are located
at each ride, and each gate unit includes a single module detector
22. The gate units also comprise turnstile mechanisms, controlled
by the host computer 3. The module detector in the gate unit
detects prompters 1 in its immediate vicinity and passes their
identification codes to the queue manager. The gate is arranged
such that only prompters passing through it are detected.
[0129] Locator units 7 are distributed throughout the theme park at
locations away from the queues, and each locator unit 7 includes a
single module detector 22.
[0130] In addition to the docking station 8, the system further
comprises a plurality of automatic registration gates 99, connected
to the queue manager, and each including a single module detector
22. An example of an automatic registration gate is shown in FIG.
11.
[0131] The automatic registration gates 99 provide an alternative
method of either registering for rides, or amending a registration
itinerary, by the user of a prompter simply passing through the
appropriate automatic registration gate 99, and hence past the
module detector 22. The module detector 22 detects the prompter and
passes its identification code to the queue manager, which can then
perform the necessary processing.
[0132] In order to register for an additional ride on the same
attraction, the guest simply has to pass through the appropriate
automatic registration gate 99 again.
[0133] Each automatic registration gate 99 is arranged so that only
prompters passing through it are detected and may be located close
to the corresponding ride, or elsewhere in the park.
[0134] In the present embodiment, each module detector 22 includes
circuitry to produce an "identify yourself" signal, to detect the
prompter responses, and to transmit messages to the host computer
3. The power of the transmitted "identify yourself" signal, and
hence its range, is set to reflect the function of the module
detector, i.e. whether it is being used in a locator unit 7, a gate
unit 2, or an automatic registration gate 99.
[0135] The "Identify yourself" signals are produced repetitively by
the module detectors 22, with the various module detectors
transmitting in sequence to help even the processing load on the
host computer 3. When a sensor in the prompter 1 detects an
"identify yourself" signal, the prompter responds by simply
transmitting its identification code after one of a number of
predetermined delays which has been set in a pseudo-random fashion.
The identification code of the detected prompter is then sent to
the host computer via a suitable method such as telemetry cabling,
telephone cabling, or other methods.
[0136] The range of the "identify yourself" signals is set to
provide the required accuracy in the position detection method.
Also, the module detectors in the gate units 2 and the automatic
registration gates 99 use lower transmitted power than those in the
locator, units 7, to ensure that only the prompters in their
immediate vicinities, for example at the turnstiles, respond.
[0137] The use of a sufficient number of locator units 7 permits
the system to obtain a fix on the location of each prompter, and
the range of each locator unit 7 is typically 20 m. Locator units
can be grouped together to enable the transmission of zone specific
information. The range of the module detectors in the gate units 2
and the automatic registration gates may be about 25 to 50 cm.
[0138] The prompter can use the "identify yourself" signals from
the module detectors 22 to recognise if it was at the correct
location and as a result display an appropriate message.
[0139] In addition, the prompter can identify the different types
of module detector (i.e. those incorporated in the gate units,
automatic registration units, and locator units) by the identifying
signature. This allows the prompter to set its transmitted power to
the appropriate level, thus effectively setting the range of its
transmitted response.
[0140] To provide short-range module detection for gate units and
automatic registration gates, ranges of about 0.5 m are required
for both module detector and prompter. To provide for this, the
prompter has two response modes which have different numbers of
time slots and transmitted power levels. One is "normal", and the
other is for short ranges. The short range mode interaction is
intended to be between only one prompter and the module
detector.
[0141] That is, the range of the "identify yourself" signals
transmitted from the module detectors in the gate units and the
automatic registration gates, and the range of the identification
code transmissions from prompters in response to these "identify
yourself" signals, are such that these module detectors detect only
one prompter unit at a time.
[0142] In contrast, numerous prompters may be within the range of
"identify yourself" signals from a particular locator unit 7, which
in turn may receive numerous responses at the same time.
[0143] As was the case in the previously described embodiments,
when a user arrives at the theme park incorporating a queue
management system according to the present embodiment, he or she is
required to register and provide users' information. This is done
at appropriate docking stations or terminals.
[0144] Of course, entry of the users' information could have been
done remotely in a pre-registration session.
[0145] In order to get a large number of users registered quickly,
various means can be employed to avoid large numbers of terminals
or docking stations 8 being committed to the park entrance area.
For example the terminals could be movable to points throughout the
park or the park guests could enter the necessary information on
cards that could be read by an automatic system.
[0146] Having obtained his or her prompter, the guest enters his or
her ride and time preferences by means of docking stations 8 at the
park entry points or at information kiosks throughout the park.
[0147] Preference data entry could also be done remotely, for
example in local hotels, at travel agents, or by means of a dial-up
booking service.
[0148] The user may, in addition, join any particular virtual queue
by simply walking through the corresponding automatic registration
gate. A combination of methods is possible.
[0149] Itineraries may be updated at points throughout the park at
additional docking stations, automatic registration gates,
information kiosks, and at reschedule units which are small, menu
driven display terminals.
[0150] Certain features and modes of operation of the prompter are
set by downloading appropriate commands and information from the
host computer as part of the registration procedure. Prompter
messages are again initiated by short activation codes transmitted
to the prompters in a single protocol, and the update time varies
according to the amount of time remaining before a queue must be
joined.
[0151] While groups of any size may decide that each member should
carry his/her own prompter, small groups may share one prompter for
the whole group.
[0152] A smaller version of the prompter referred to here as a
Qtag, without a dislay can be used by groups for location, access
and security functions. The group would have one of its members
carry the messaging prompter, while the rest of the group carried
the Qtags. The Qtag has an audible alert sounder built in to
provide a simple message. This message would normally mean "Go To
Information Point" or be an identifying alert to venue staff.
[0153] In this case of groups using only a prompter and not Qtags,
the controlling program in the host computer holds the number in
the group in its records. In cases where more than one prompter
and/or Qtag is used per group, the controlling program in the host
computer recognises the prompters and Qtags as part of a group.
[0154] The Qtag is simply an rf transmitter with a timer set to
cause the Qtag serial number to be transmitted at regular
intervals. This interval is selected from a choice of 2, 4 and 8
seconds.
[0155] The unit is powered by a removable button battery which can
be recharged external to the unit. The battery compartment is not
accessible to the user as it is on the back of the unit.
[0156] The Qtags will not register a ride reservation request.
[0157] The Qtag strap is NOT user removable, but requires the
wearer to return to the issuing booth to have the strap
removed.
[0158] There are wrist, angle an waistband versions.
[0159] The design of the rode entry turnstile is such chat only
holders of correctly responding prompters and Qtags are allowed
access. Other persons passing through the ride entrance have to
follow an immediate exit route allows them to return to the outside
area to re-establish contact.
[0160] When only certain members of a group are eligible for a
particular ride because of age, size of health restrictions, tee
system will only allow access to correctly registered users if all
users have prompters or Qtags. If groups share a prompter it either
allows access to the whole party and attendants ensure the ride
restriction rules are met, or only the number of places
corresponding to eligible members of the party are allowed
access.
[0161] In order to control this aspect, procedures are adopted at
registration to ensure the correct Qtag or prompter is carried by
each person.
[0162] The Queue Manager is the controlling software program in the
host computer. It uses a simple but fast customizable flat database
which from which records are selected and processed to ensure the
correct prompters are to be sent the appropriate messages and
commands in any one batch of transmissions.
[0163] The queue manager includes means of calculating the actual
time and sequence of attendance at queue entrances offered to the
user. This calculation can be in response to user preferences, on
the overall demand in the system and any priority attached to the
particular user and would result in effectively, a recommended
route. This allows considerable control of the users. Appropriate
algorithms ensure that sufficient users are invited to join the
physical queue at a rate that will maximise utilisation of the
particular resource.
[0164] It is possible for the queue manager to disable any
prompters which were being used improperly and in the multiple
queue environment the system can also make an enterprise more
efficient when the demand for the various resources is lower than
the optimum. In this case, the system allows for the resources to
be operated for only part of the time by making the appropriate
queues physically available only at the corresponding times. This
will result in staff and operating cost savings.
[0165] When the park was not fully busy, staff could be snared
between rides by only opening them part time without causing
customer complaints since their access times are controlled.
[0166] The queue manager software accepts input from the various
input terminals in the park as well as from remote terminals,
perhaps located in hotels serving the park. This software can
record the time of arrival for applications where some time limit
is to be applied.
[0167] The queue manager (QM) takes input from the park management
about how it is to deal with certain circumstances, accepts ride
preference requests from guests and collects information about the
guest's location. This information is used to calculate and update
a guest's itinerary. As guests are identified by module detectors
the system will produce and sequence the messages for the
particular module detector. These messages instruct guests to
attend the various rides.
[0168] Where some or all of the attractions are individually priced
or have separate tickets, guests could pay in advance and have the
commuter store the credit available. The prompter could display
this credit periodically and act as an electronic ticket.
Registration could be coupled with automatic payment by credit card
reader.
[0169] Rides can be requested using individual reservation pillars,
card readers, remote access or manual input.
[0170] Statistics and other management information is available, in
some cases such as resource demand information, in advance. The
software can carry out a varying amount of analysis on the real
time information on user location that is produced by the system.
The amount of analysis is specified by the system operator and the
software is written or customised accordingly.
[0171] In order to cope with the high volume of inputs and the need
to ensure rapid updating of the information transmitted to the
prompter, the queue manager is written as specific application. It
has a modular structure and all interfaces are completely defined.
The inclusion of an expert system learning function into this part
of the queue manager provides significant value in certain
applications.
[0172] The data (prompter identification codes) from the module
detectors arrive sequentially in batches, so that each module
detector's input information and the messages to be transmitted can
be dealt with in turn.
[0173] The system according to the present embodiment may be
offered to a small proportion of guests for a price premium but in
most cases these guests will obtain entry to the ride through an
entrance which will have a limited capacity so the rate of guest
arrival rate still needs to be controlled.
[0174] The system can allow different classes of guest depending on
the fee paid.
[0175] Advantageously the system may also provide snow and/or
restaurant reservation options.
[0176] Advantages of embodiments of the present invention are:
[0177] 1) Easy and attractive audio visual question and answer
interfacing to the input terminals at the docking stations by an
attractive kiosk design, simple keyboard and a fun, interactive,
guide character,
[0178] 2) A rendezvous aid service for groups using multiple
portable modules and/or Qtags. A member of a group which has been
split up could place his portable module in the docking station at
one of the information kiosks and the system could send a message
to the portable modules of the rest of his group with a suggested
rendezvous point, or simply cause the audible signal of a Qtag to
be emitted. The system could alternatively inform the user in what
area his group members were last identified.
[0179] 3) A lost child/child security service. This could
optionally use a smaller portable module without the message
display facility, where a specific activation code enables the
ability to respond to every identify yourself message from every
gaze unit. An option is to have an even smaller unit without any
pager receiver circuitry which would operate continuously,
responding to every identify yourself message from every gate unit.
Alternatively, the service could use Qtags and could provide
information about the last time and place the child was detected.
This information would typically be accurate to 10 minutes and 25
metres only.
[0180] 4) Zone specific messages promoting other utilised
attractions, other promotional messages and competitions.
[0181] 5) Where separate attractions have separate tickets, the
portable module could act as an electronic ticket. Registration
could be coupled with automatic payment by a credit card reader in
the docking station.
[0182] 6) Theft or accidental removal of the portable module from
the park could be controlled by having a gate unit at each of the
park exits. The gate units could have signatures which would cause
audible signals to be emitted by the prompters and/or Qtags.
Alternatively, the gate units could detect any non-returned
prompters and/or Qtags and provide a signal to the park staff.
[0183] 7) Portable modules which display in multiple languages can
be offered as an option.
[0184] 8) Having the timing and route planned by the computer
reflect how busy the park is at that time. In very busy times users
would be led back to the exist area earlier, whereas in quiet times
users would be encouraged to spend more time (and money) on
secondary attractions.
[0185] 9) Enabling the system to concentrate the park users in
certain areas at certain times. This will enhance the atmosphere
for users in quiet times and allows savings on ride operating costs
and staffing costs to be made. A certain proportion of the rides
could be closed for part of the day without customer displeasure as
they are not offered those rides when they are closed.
[0186] 10) The ability to issue an alert if any prompter has not
been located within a specified period.
[0187] 11) Promoting the hotels associated to the park as these
could exclusively offer advance registration as an advantage over
other hotels.
[0188] 12) A version of the prompter, which need not necessarily
have a display of its own, could cause a message to be displayed on
a separate apparatus in the vicinity. So that, for example, if
someone was celebrating a birthday and the system had been
appropriately programmed, the normal prompter/loqator interaction
could detect the presence of the person concerned and flash up an
appropriate greeting on a nearby display unit. Alternatively, the
normal prompter messages could be displayed on these fixed display
units when the intended recipients of those messages are the
vicinity.
[0189] Although the present invention has been described
hereinabove with reference to specific embodiments, the present
invention is not so limited and modifications falling within the
scope to the claims will be clear to a skilled person in the
art.
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