Management of the flow of persons in entertainment environments

• US 20050060173A1
• Filed: 06/22/2004
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Stafford, Dale A., Hale, Gregory B., Schwalb, Andrew, Schweizer, Kenneth W., Craven, Barry Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,787,965 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 90/20 Destination assistance within a business structure or complex
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 11/00 Arrangements, systems or apparatus for checking, e.g. the occurrence of a condition, not provided for elsewhere
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2011/02 related to amusement parks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2011/04 related to queuing systems

Abstract

A method and system for the loading of patrons at multiple attractions at an entertainment environment includes the first-in first-out line and a priority based line. A patron can have an additional priority entry at a time selected by the patron to any one of the multiple attractions in the entertainment environment. There can be an entry selected by the patron to at least one of the multiple attractions in the entertainment environment, such entry being affected on a priority basis as selected by the patron. A patron can have an entry at a second time period selected by the patron to the second attraction in the entertainment environment. The second time period can overlap a first time period. Alternatively the second time period can be substantially close in time to the first time period, whereby the closeness in time under essentially normal conditions would be too close for use on a first attraction in the first time period and subsequent use on a second attraction in that second time period. There can be an additional entry at a time selected by the patron to at least one of multiple attractions in the entertainment environment. The additional entry can be at selected return times to multiple attractions and at available return times selected by the computer for the multiple attractions.

Claims

1. A method of managing the loading by patrons of multiple attractions in an entertainment environment wherein different patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, firstly, a first-in first-out basis, and secondly, on a priority basis established by a prior allocation of a space to the attraction comprising:

permitting a patron of an attraction priority access to a first attraction;

the priority access being effected by permitting application through an entry of a request for an allocation of a space on the first attraction including the steps of;

receiving an input from a patron, the input being communicated to a central computer for regulating the load of the first attraction;

permitting the receiving of a response by the patron about available return times for the first attraction; and

permitting the patron to effect a selection of one of the available return times; and

providing the patron with an additional priority entry at a time selected by the patron to any one of the multiple attractions in the entertainment environment, such additional entry being affected on a priority basis.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the patron is permitted to select an essentially immediate access to an attraction qualifying for allocation on a priority basis.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the patron additionally is permitted to select one of the available return times for each of multiple different attractions allocated on a priority basis.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the additional entry is obtained by the patron at no additional cost.

28. A method as claimed in claim 1 including the submitting an input from a remote location, input being received from a telephone keypad, selectively a cellular phone keypad.

29. A method as claimed in claim 1 including submitting an input selectively through a TV control, IVR, touch screen or distribution unit.

30. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the priority is redeemed through a selected essentially automatic procedure, such procedure being the reading of one of a RF identification, reading of a magnetic code or barcode allocated to the patron.

31. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the priority is redeemed at a time of entry into the environment or the attraction in the environment.

32. A method as claimed in claim 1 including a computing process to determine the mix ratio of numbers of accesses granted to the priority access and non-priority access, and feeding back redemptions of the priority accesses such that near real time updates of availability for further granting of accesses may be computed.

33. A method as claimed in claim 1 including the submitting an input from a remote location, input being received from a telephone keypad, selectively a cellular phone keypad.

34. A method as claimed in claim 1 including submitting an input selectively through a TV control, IVR, touch screen or distribution unit.

35. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the priority is redeemed through a selected essentially automatic procedure, such procedure being the reading of one of a RF identification, reading of a magnetic code or barcode allocated to the patron.

36. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the priority is redeemed at a time of entry into the environment or the attraction in the environment.

37. A method as claimed in claim 1 including a computing process to determine the mix ratio of numbers of accesses granted to the priority access and non-priority access, and feeding back redemptions of the priority accesses such that near real time updates of availability for further granting of accesses may be computed.

5. A method of managing the loading by patrons of multiple attractions in an entertainment environment wherein different patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, firstly, a first-in first-out basis, and secondly, on a priority basis established by a prior allocation of a space to the attraction comprising:

permitting a patron of an attraction priority access to a first attraction;

the priority access being effected by permitting application through an entry of a request for an allocation of a space on the first attraction including the steps of receiving an input from a patron, the input being communicated to a central computer for regulating the load of the first attraction; and

providing the patron with a priority entry as selected by the patron to at least one of the multiple attractions in the entertainment environment, such entry being effected on a priority basis as selected by the patron.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the patron is selected with the entry after receiving of a response by the patron about available return times for the first attraction;

and permitting the patron to effect a selection of one of the available return times, whereby the priority basis essentially overrides or supplements the selected return times.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the priority basis is available for a limited time period and selectively for a limited entertainment environment.

8. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the priority basis is available for limited time, and selectively for a limited number of attractions.

9. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the priority basis is available for a limited number of attractions.

10. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the patron is permitted to an essentially immediate access on a priority basis to one or more qualifying attractions.

38. A method as claimed in claim 5 including the submitting an input from a remote location, input being received from a telephone keypad, selectively a cellular phone keypad.

39. A method as claimed in claim 5 including submitting an input selectively through a TV control, IVR, touch screen or distribution unit.

40. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the priority is redeemed through a selected essentially automatic procedure, such procedure being the reading of one of a RF identification, reading of a magnetic code or barcode allocated to the patron.

41. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the priority is redeemed at a time of entry into the environment or the attraction in the environment.

42. A method as claimed in claim 5 including a computing process to determine the mix ratio of numbers of accesses granted to the priority access and non-priority access, and feeding back redemptions of the priority accesses such that near real time updates of availability for further granting of accesses may be computed.

11. A method of managing the loading by patrons of multiple attractions in an entertainment environment wherein different patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, firstly, a first-in first-out basis, and secondly, on a priority basis established by a prior allocation of a space to the attraction comprising:

permitting a patron of an attraction priority access to a first attraction;

the priority access being effected by permitting application through an entry of a request for an allocation of a space on the first attraction including the steps of;

receiving an input from a patron, the input being communicated to a central computer for regulating the load of the first attraction;

permitting the receiving of a response by the patron about available return times for the first attraction; and

permitting the patron to effect a selection of one of the available return times, such available return times defining a first time period; and

permitting application through an entry of a request for an allocation of a space on a second attraction including the steps of;

receiving an input from a patron, the input being communicated to a central computer for regulating the load of the second attraction;

permitting the receiving of a response by the patron about available return times for the second attraction; and

permitting the patron to effect a selection of one of the available return times;

such available return times defining a second time period; and

providing the patron with an entry at a second priority time period selected by the patron to the second attraction in the entertainment environment, such second time period overlapping the first time period.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the first time period is overlapped by the second time period for about half of an overall time period as defined collectively by the first time period and the second time period.

14. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the first time period is overlapped by the second time period for about quarter the of an overall time period as defined collectively by the first time period and the second time period.

16. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein there is at least a third time period subsequent to the first and second time periods.

18. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein there is at least a third time period subsequent to the first and second time periods and wherein the third time period is separated from the second time period by an intervening time period.

43. A method as claimed in claim 11 including the submitting an input from a remote location, input being received from a telephone keypad, selectively a cellular phone keypad.

44. A method as claimed in claim 11 including submitting an input selectively through a TV control, IVR, touch screen or distribution unit.

45. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the priority is redeemed through a selected essentially automatic procedure, such procedure being the reading of one of a RF identification, reading of a magnetic code or barcode allocated to the patron.

46. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the priority is redeemed at a time of entry into the environment or the attraction in the environment.

47. A method as claimed in claim 11 including a computing process to determine the mix ratio of numbers of accesses granted to the priority access and non-priority access, and feeding back redemptions of the priority accesses such that near real time updates of availability for further granting of accesses may be computed.

12. A method of managing the loading by patrons of multiple attractions in an entertainment environment wherein different patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, firstly, a first-in first-out basis, and secondly, on a priority basis established by a prior allocation of a space to the attraction comprising:

permitting a patron of an attraction priority access to a first attraction;

the priority access being effected by permitting application through an entry of a request for an allocation of a space on the first attraction including the steps of;

receiving an input from a patron, the input being communicated to a central computer for regulating the load of the first attraction;

permitting the receiving of a response by the patron about available return times for the first attraction; and

permitting the patron to effect a selection of one of the available return times, such available return times defining a first time period; and

permitting application through an entry of a request for a priority allocation of a space on a second attraction including the steps of

receiving an input from a patron, the input being communicated to a central computer for regulating the load of the second attraction;

permitting the receiving of a response by the patron about available return times for the second attraction; and

permitting the patron to effect a selection of one of the available return times;

such available return times defining a second time period; and

providing the patron with an entry at a second time period selected by the patron to the second attraction in the entertainment environment, such second time period being substantially close in time to the first time period, whereby the closeness in time under essentially normal conditions would be too close for use on a first attraction in the first time period and subsequent use on a second attraction in that second time period.

15. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the first time period is adjacent to the second time period by an intervening time period, the intervening time period being about 10% to 30% of the first time period and the second time period.

17. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein they is at least a third time period subsequent to the first and second time periods.

48. A method as claimed in claim 12 including the submitting an input from a remote location, input being received from a telephone keypad, selectively a cellular phone keypad.

49. A method as claimed in claim 12 including submitting an input selectively through a TV control, IVR, touch screen or distribution unit.

50. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the priority is redeemed through a selected essentially automatic procedure, such procedure being the reading of one of a RF identification, reading of a magnetic code or barcode allocated to the patron.

51. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the priority is redeemed at a time of entry into the environment or the attraction in the environment.

52. A method as claimed in claim 12 including a computing process to determine the mix ratio of numbers of accesses granted to the priority access and non-priority access, and feeding back redemptions of the priority accesses such that near real time updates of availability for further granting of accesses may be computed.

19. A method of managing the loading by patrons of multiple attractions in an entertainment environment wherein different patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, firstly, a first-in first-out basis, and secondly, on a priority basis established by a prior allocation of a space to the attraction comprising:

permitting a patron of an attraction priority access to a first attraction;

the priority access being effected by permitting application through an entry of a request for an allocation of a space on the first attraction including the steps of;

receiving an input from a patron, the input being communicated to a central computer for regulating the load of the first attraction;

permitting the receiving of a response by the patron about available return times for the first attraction; and

permitting the patron to effect a selection of one of the available return times; and

providing the patron with an additional priority entry at a time selected by the patron to at least one of multiple attractions in the entertainment environment, such additional entry being effected at available return times selected by the computer for the multiple attractions.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the patron is permitted to select one of multiple attractions from a menu of available return times for the multiple attractions.

21. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the patron additionally is permitted to select a limited number of attractions, selectively only one attraction, from one of the available return times for each of multiple different attractions.

22. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the patron is automatically provided with times for one of multiple attractions from a menu of available return times for the multiple attractions.

23. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the patron is automatically provided with times for one of multiple attractions from a menu of available return times for the multiple attractions.

24. A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the patron is automatically provided with times for one of multiple attractions from a menu of available return times for the multiple attractions.

53. A method as claimed in claim 19 including the submitting an input from a remote location, input being received from a telephone keypad, selectively a cellular phone keypad.

54. A method as claimed in claim 19 including submitting an input selectively through a TV control, IVR, touch screen or distribution unit.

55. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the priority is redeemed through a selected essentially automatic procedure, such procedure being the reading of one of a RF identification, reading of a magnetic code or barcode allocated to the patron.

56. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the priority is redeemed at a time of entry into the environment or the attraction in the environment.

57. A method as claimed in claim 19 including a computing process to determine the mix ratio of numbers of accesses granted to the priority access and non-priority access, and feeding back redemptions of the priority accesses such that near real time updates of availability for further granting of accesses may be computed.

25. A method of managing the loading by patrons of multiple attractions in an entertainment environment wherein different patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, firstly, a first-in first-out basis, and secondly, on a priority basis established by a prior allocation of a space to the attraction comprising:

permitting a patron of an attraction priority access to multiple attractions;

the priority access being effected by permitting application through an entry of a request for an allocation of a space on the multiple attractions including the steps of;

receiving an input from a patron, the input being communicated to a central computer for regulating the load of the multiple attractions;

permitting the receiving of a response by the patron about available return times for the multiple attractions; and

permitting the patron to effect a selection of the available return times for the multiple attractions; and

providing the patron entry at a selected priority return time to the multiple attractions in the entertainment environment.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the multiple schedules of return times of developed by the computer for the multiple attractions.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26 wherein a patron one of the multiple schedules of return times and wherein the patron is provided entry according to the selected schedule.

58. A method as claimed in claim 25 including the submitting an input from a remote location, input being received from a telephone keypad, selectively a cellular phone keypad.

59. A method as claimed in claim 25 including submitting an input selectively through a TV control, IVR, touch screen or distribution unit.

60. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the priority is redeemed through a selected essentially automatic procedure, such procedure being the reading of one of a RF identification, reading of a magnetic code or barcode allocated to the patron.

61. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the priority is redeemed at a time of entry into the environment or the attraction in the environment.

62. A method as claimed in claim 25 including a computing process to determine the mix ratio of numbers of accesses granted to the priority access and non-priority access, and feeding back redemptions of the priority accesses such that near real time updates of availability for further granting of accesses may be computed.

63. A method of managing the loading by patrons of multiple attractions in an entertainment environment wherein different patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, firstly, a first-in first-put basis, and secondly, on a priority basis established by a prior allocation of a space to the attraction comprising:

permitting a patron of an attraction priority access to a first attraction;

the priority access being effected by permitting application through an entry of a request for an allocation of a space on the first attraction including the steps of;

receiving an input from a patron, the input being communicated to a central computer for regulating the load of the first attraction;

permitting the receiving of a response by the patron about available return times for the first attraction; and

permitting the patron to effect a selection of one of the available return times; and

providing the patron with the priority basis for access, the access being allocated depending on at least one of whether the application is made through a mobile system, a TV based application, an internet based application, a hotel access or an on site request.

64. A method as claimed in claim 63 wherein the allocation basis is determined by depending on at least two of whether the application is made through a mobile system, a TV based application, an internet based application, a hotel access or an on site request.

65. A method as claimed in claim 63 wherein the allocation basis is determined by depending on at least three of whether the application is made through a mobile system, a TV based application, an internet based application, a hotel access or an on site request.

66. A method as claimed in claim 63 wherein the allocation basis is determined by depending on at least four of whether the application is made through a mobile system, a TV based application, an internet based application, a hotel access or an on site request.

67. A method as claimed in claim 63 wherein the allocation basis is determined to ensure that predetermined amounts of priority access are available for at least some of the different applications for access.