Computerized system and method for locating individual members of discrete groups and for electronically registering and holding the ' groups position in waiting lines
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for electronically registering and holding a person'"'"'s position in a queue comprising:
- providing at least one main computer having at least one central processing unit with data storage and retrieval components;
providing a plurality of handheld transceivers each possessing a unique identification code, and each further having a visual display screen, an audio output device, a power source, and a plurality of user selectable input mechanisms wherein at least some of said transceivers are distributed to individual persons;
providing a plurality of registration computers each having at least one central processing unit, data storage and retrieval components, means for detecting, receiving, and transmitting wireless transmissions, and wherein each of said plurality of registration computers communicate with said main computer and with any number of said plurality of handheld transceivers;
associating one of said plurality of registration computers with a particular attraction;
selecting any one of said particular attractions by manipulating the appropriate user selectable input mechanism on said transceiver;
transmitting a wireless signal from said transceiver to the registration computer associated with said particular attraction;
analyzing data contained within the data storage component of the registration computer to determine the next available time block associated with said attraction which correlates to the period of time remaining until the person is scheduled for the attraction;
calculating the period of time remaining until said time block;
registering said transceiver for said time block by adding the unique identification code associated with said transceiver to said data storage component of the registration computer;
transmitting a wireless signal from said registration computer to the transceiver confirming registration and notifying the person of the period of time remaining until said time block; and
allowing said person access to said attraction when said period of time remaining is less than a predesignated period of time.
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Abstract
The present invention is a state of the art technological system composed of computers and local area radio network technologies to allow visitors to an amusement park or similar facility to electronically register for positions within a line for those popular rides, attractions and restaurants thereby eliminating the physically tiring wait in the actual lines. The system also allows park visitors to search for the location, distance and direction within the park boundaries of all other members within the same group at any given time. The invention includes a computer system as a main control, a number of specialized communication modules at appropriate locations and a larger number of movable visitor ID devices operating in a custom designed method to provide the above mentioned services. The system is simple to use and can be fully automated thereby reducing the manpower necessary to otherwise run the park.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A method for electronically registering and holding a person'"'"'s position in a queue comprising:
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providing at least one main computer having at least one central processing unit with data storage and retrieval components; providing a plurality of handheld transceivers each possessing a unique identification code, and each further having a visual display screen, an audio output device, a power source, and a plurality of user selectable input mechanisms wherein at least some of said transceivers are distributed to individual persons; providing a plurality of registration computers each having at least one central processing unit, data storage and retrieval components, means for detecting, receiving, and transmitting wireless transmissions, and wherein each of said plurality of registration computers communicate with said main computer and with any number of said plurality of handheld transceivers; associating one of said plurality of registration computers with a particular attraction;
selecting any one of said particular attractions by manipulating the appropriate user selectable input mechanism on said transceiver;transmitting a wireless signal from said transceiver to the registration computer associated with said particular attraction; analyzing data contained within the data storage component of the registration computer to determine the next available time block associated with said attraction which correlates to the period of time remaining until the person is scheduled for the attraction; calculating the period of time remaining until said time block; registering said transceiver for said time block by adding the unique identification code associated with said transceiver to said data storage component of the registration computer; transmitting a wireless signal from said registration computer to the transceiver confirming registration and notifying the person of the period of time remaining until said time block; and allowing said person access to said attraction when said period of time remaining is less than a predesignated period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computerized system adapted for use in theme or amusement parks for electronically registering and holding a position in a queue and for locating individual members of distinct groups comprising:
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a plurality of handheld transceivers, each programmed with a unique identification code, and each having a visual display screen, an audio output device, a power source, a plurality of user selectable input mechanisms, and each capable of detecting, receiving, and transmitting wireless transmissions; a plurality of electronic registration mechanisms, each associated with one particular attraction, and each capable of detecting, receiving, and transmitting wireless transmissions; a plurality of identification code searching mechanisms located at various points throughout said park, each capable of detecting, receiving, and transmitting wireless transmissions; and at least one main computer adapted to communicate with any of said electronic registration mechanisms and any of said identification code searching mechanisms, said main computer having at least a memory component to store for subsequent manipulation and retrieval information associated with and provided to said system; wherein each of said plurality of electronic registration mechanisms further comprise a computer with means for both electronically storing in a particular order and retrieving said unique identification codes within a memory component and further associating each of said identification codes with a time slot correlated to a specific appointment with the attraction to which said electronic registration mechanism is associated, and at least one user accessible site to enable a person access to said attraction upon the occurrence of specific conditions; wherein each of said plurality of electronic registration mechanisms transmit a signal recognizable to all transceivers, said signal causing one of said transceivers located within some predetermined range from said electronic registration mechanism to transmit its unique identification code to an appropriate receiving mechanism associated with said electronic registration mechanism causing said transceiver to register, access, or otherwise interact with said electronic registration mechanism; wherein each of said plurality of identification code searching mechanisms receive transmissions from any of said transceivers, said electronic registration mechanisms, any other identification code searching mechanism, and the main computer and wherein said identification code searching mechanism further relays said transmission as required to any of another transceiver, an electronic registration mechanism, another identification code searching mechanism, and the main computer, whichever is appropriate; wherein said main computer forms a central link between said plurality of electronic registration mechanisms and said plurality of identification code searching mechanisms; and wherein further said unique identification codes are electronically associated as appropriate only between members of said discrete groups; and wherein said main computer maintains and controls functionability of the system. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A computerized system for electronically registering and holding a position in a queue comprising:
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a plurality of handheld transceivers, each programmed with a unique identification code, and each having a visual display screen, an audio output device, a power source, a plurality of user selectable input mechanisms, and each capable of detecting, receiving, and transmitting wireless transmissions; a plurality of electronic registration mechanisms, each associated with a particular attraction, and each capable of detecting, receiving, and transmitting wireless transmissions; and at least one main computer adapted to communicate with any of said electronic registration mechanisms, said main computer having at least a memory component to store for subsequent manipulation and retrieval information associated with and provided to said system; wherein each of said plurality of electronic registration mechanisms further comprise a computer with means for both electronically storing in a particular order and retrieving said unique identification codes within a memory component and further associating each of said identification codes with a time slot correlated to a specific appointment with the attraction to which said electronic registration mechanism is associated, and at least one user accessible site to enable a person access to said attraction upon the occurrence of specific conditions; and wherein each of said plurality of electronic registration mechanisms transmit a signal recognizable to all transceivers, said signal causing one of said transceivers located within some predetermined range from said electronic registration mechanism to transmit its unique identification code to an appropriate receiving mechanism associated with said electronic registration mechanism causing said transceiver to register, access, or otherwise interact with said electronic registration mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification