ELECTRONIC QUEUING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A method for managing virtual queues adapted to correspond to actual queues, comprising:
- establishing a plurality of virtual queues on an electronic queue-managing system, the virtual queues adapted to correspond to actual queues;
establishing a bi-directional communication means with an individual who wants to enter, has entered, or has left the plurality of virtual queues according to status of the virtual queues and a first set of rules;
establishing a bi-directional electronic communication between the electronic queue-managing system and an entity that manages or provides one or more actual queues according to status of the virtual queues and a second set of rules; and
updating the virtual queues according to information received from the individual and information from the entity, and a third set of rules.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure describes methods and systems of allowing entities to create virtual queues that correspond to actual queue in an electronic queue-managing system, and allowing individuals to join the virtual queues using electronic devices (e.g., cell phone technology, wireless network communication technology). The queue-managing system updates the virtual queues based on information from an entity. The queue-managing system also sends messages and notifications of updated status of the virtual queues to the user periodically, automatically or in response to the user'"'"'s request.
143 Citations
59 Claims
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1. A method for managing virtual queues adapted to correspond to actual queues, comprising:
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establishing a plurality of virtual queues on an electronic queue-managing system, the virtual queues adapted to correspond to actual queues; establishing a bi-directional communication means with an individual who wants to enter, has entered, or has left the plurality of virtual queues according to status of the virtual queues and a first set of rules; establishing a bi-directional electronic communication between the electronic queue-managing system and an entity that manages or provides one or more actual queues according to status of the virtual queues and a second set of rules; and updating the virtual queues according to information received from the individual and information from the entity, and a third set of rules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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38. A method for queuing an event or service, the method comprising:
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a user calling, texting or sending a request via an app to a queue system; the queue system identifying the user calling, texting or sending a request to the queue system; the queue system sending a message to the user, the message requesting the user to identify the event or service desired; the queue system identifying the event or service; the queue system adding the user to a virtual queue; and the queue system calling, texting or sending a notification via an app to the user and notifying the user when an estimated wait time in the virtual queue reaches a specified amount of time.
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42. A method of coordinating a meeting comprising:
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providing a first person; providing a second person, the first person and the second person desiring to meet each other; the first person sending a message to a queue-managing system to indicate availability or a desire to meet the second person; and the queue-managing system sending a message to the second person to inform the second person that the first person is available to meet. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44)
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45. A method of prioritizing questions at a Q and A session, the method comprising:
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providing a Q and A session; providing at least one speaker at the Q and A session; providing a plurality of attendees at the Q and A session; the attendees submitting a question by sending a message to a queue-managing system by using a cell phone; the queue-managing system assigning a code to each question and displaying the question and the code on display at the Q and A session; the attendees voting on the questions that the attendees desire to be addressed using cell phones, according to the code pertaining to each question; and the queue-managing system prioritizing the questions having a greater number of votes to be addressed before the questions having a lesser number of votes.
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Specification