Management of the flow of persons in relation to centers of crowd concentration via priority control

• US 7,047,205 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2003
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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, Craven, Tom, Schweizer, Kenneth W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr., Ronald D
• Application Number:
  US10/687,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20040172316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 944 Days
• Field of Search: 705/5, 705/6, 340/825.28, 700/90
• 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 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/04 comprising devices to free a barrier, turnstile, or the like turnstiles with registering means G07C9/10; coin-freed aspects G07F17/00
• 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 includes the first-in first-out line and a priority based line. A cellular telephone is used to obtain and claim priority status. In other forms different priorities are established based on where, when and the number of priority spaces required. Different hierarchies are established for computer controlling the different lines for multiple attractions in the entertainment environment. The system and method also provide for moving people from an area of concentration to other locations.

Claims

1. A method of managing the loading of patrons to an attraction in an entertainment environment wherein patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, the first being a first-in first-out basis, and the second being a priority basis established by a prior allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, comprising:

a. developing a hierarchy of patrons;

b. permitting a priority request for an allocation of a time of entry into said attraction including the step of;

i. receiving an input from a remote location, the input being communicated to a central computer, the central computer regulating a number of patrons allowed to enter the attraction;

ii. allocating a return time in relation to a hierarchy level of a patron in the hierarchy; and

iii. permitting the patron to remotely receive a response that includes the return time for the attraction;

c. employing an operation to provide the patron access to the attraction, the operation providing priority access to the patron having said return time, the operation providing first-in first-out access to any patron not having an allocated return time; and

d. wherein the hierarchy is determined on the basis of patrons remotely located away from the entertainment environment when making the priority request and patrons located at the entertainment environment when making the priority request.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the return time is redeemed through an automatic procedure, wherein the automatic procedure includes any one of a reading of a radio frequency identification allocated to the patron, a reading of a magnetic code allocated to the patron, or a reading of a barcode allocated to the patron.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the return time is redeemed at a time of entry into the entertainment environment or at the time of entry into the attraction in the entertainment environment.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of permitting at least one exchange or return of the return time to the patron having the return time, and updating the computation of the number of patrons allowed to enter the attraction based on the at least one exchange or return of the return time.

5. A method of managing the loading of patrons to an attraction in an entertainment environment wherein patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, the first being a first-in first-out basis, and the second being a priority basis established by a prior allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, comprising:

a. developing a hierarchy of patrons;

b. permitting a priority request for an allocation of a time of entry into said attraction including the steps of;

i. receiving an input from a remote location, the input being communicated to a central computer, the central computer regulating a number of patrons allowed to enter the attraction;

ii. allocating available return times in relation to a hierarchy level of a patron in the hierarchy;

iii. permitting the patron to remotely receive a response that includes the available return times for the attraction; and

iv. permitting the patron to select a return time from the available return times;

c. employing an operation to provide the patron access to the attraction, the operation providing priority access to the patron having the return time, the operation providing first-in first-out access to any patron not having an allocated return time; and

d. wherein the hierarchy is determined on the basis of patrons remotely located away from the entertainment environment when making the priority request and patrons located at the entertainment environment when making the priority request.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a selection of patrons is permitted to make multiple priority requests, the multiple priority requests being for different attractions in the entertainment environment.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein a first selection of patrons is permitted to make multiple priority requests, the multiple priority requests being for patrons from a second selection of patrons, the first selection of patrons and the second selection of patrons being at in least one of the hierarchy levels.

8. A method of managing the loading of patrons to an attraction in an entertainment environment wherein patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, the first being a first-in first-out basis, and the second being a priority basis established by a prior allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, comprising:

a. developing a hierarchy of patrons;

b. permitting a priority request for an allocation of a time of entry into said attraction including the steps of;

i. receiving an input from a remote location, the input being communicated to a central computer, the central computer regulating a number of patrons allowed to enter the attraction;

ii. allocating a return time in relation to a hierarchy level of a patron in the hierarchy; and

iii. permitting the patron to remotely receive a response that includes the return time for the attraction;

c. employing an operation to provide the patron access to the attraction, the operation providing priority access to the patron having said return time, the operation providing first-in first-out access to any patron not having an allocated return time; and

d. wherein the hierarchy is determined on the basis of patrons remotely located away from the entertainment environment when making a priority request, patrons resident in a facility associated with the entertainment environment when making the priority request, and patrons located at the entertainment environment when making the priority request.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the return time is redeemed through an automatic procedure, wherein the automatic procedure includes any one of a reading of a radio frequency identification allocated to the patron, a reading of a magnetic code allocated to the patron, or a reading of a barcode allocated to the patron.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the return time is redeemed at a time of entry into the entertainment environment or at the time of entry into the attraction in the entertainment environment.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of permitting at least one exchange or return of the return time to the patron having the return time, and updating the computation of the number of patrons allowed to enter the attraction based on the at least one exchange or return of the return time.

12. A method of managing the loading of patrons to an attraction in an entertainment environment wherein patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, the first being a first-in first-out basis, and the second being a priority basis established by a prior allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, comprising:

a. developing a hierarchy of patrons;

b. permitting a priority request for an allocation of a time of entry into said attraction including the steps of;

i. receiving an input from a remote location, the input being communicated to a central computer, the central computer regulating a number of patrons allowed to enter the attraction;

ii. allocating available return times in relation to a hierarchy level of a patron in the hierarchy;

iii. permitting the patron to remotely receive a response that includes the available return times for the attraction; and

iv. permitting the patron to select a return time from the available return times;

c. employing an operation to provide the patron access to the attraction, the operation providing priority access to the patron having the return time, the operation providing first-in first-out access to any patron not having an allocated return time; and

d. wherein the hierarchy is determined on the basis of patrons remotely located away from the entertainment environment when making a priority request, patrons resident in a facility associated with the entertainment environment when making the priority request, and patrons located at the entertainment environment when making the priority request.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein a selection of patrons is permitted to make multiple priority requests, the multiple priority requests being for different attractions in the entertainment environment.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein a first selection of patrons is permitted to make multiple priority requests, the multiple priority requests being for patrons from a second selection of patrons, the first selection of patrons and the second selection of patrons being at in least one of the hierarchy levels.

15. A method of managing the loading of patrons to an attraction in an entertainment environment wherein patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, the first being a first-in first-out basis, and the second being a priority basis established by a prior allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, comprising:

a. developing a hierarchy of patrons;

b. permitting a priority request for an allocation of a time of entry into said attraction including the steps of;

i. receiving an input from a remote location, the input being communicated to a central computer, the central computer regulating a number of patrons allowed to enter the attraction;

ii. allocating a return time in relation to a hierarchy level of a patron in the hierarchy; and

iii. permitting the patron to remotely receive a response that includes the return time for the attraction;

c. employing an operation to provide the patron access to the attraction, the operation providing priority access to the patron having said return time, the operation providing first-in first-out access to any patron not having an allocated return time;

d. wherein the hierarchy is determined on the basis of patrons remotely located away from die entertainment environment when making the priority request and patrons located at the entertainment environment when making the priority request; and

e. wherein a selection of patrons is permitted to make multiple priority requests, the multiple priority requests being for different attractions in the entertainment environment.

16. A method of managing the loading of patrons to an attraction in an entertainment environment wherein patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, the first being a first-in first-out basis, and the second being a priority basis established by a prior allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, comprising:

a. developing a hierarchy of patrons;

b. permitting a priority request for an allocation of a time of entry into said attraction including the steps of;

i. receiving an input from a remote location, the input being communicated to a ventral computer, the central computer regulating a number of patrons allowed to enter the attraction;

ii. allocating a return time in relation to a hierarchy level of a patron in the hierarchy; and

,

iii. permitting the patron to remotely receive a response that includes the return time for the attraction;

c. employing an operation to provide the patron access to the attraction, the operation providing priority access to the patron having said return time, the operation providing first-in first-out access so any patron not having an allocated return time;

d. wherein the hierarchy is determined on the basis of patrons remotely located away from the entertainment environment when making the priority request and patrons located at the entertainment environment when making the priority request; and

e. wherein a first selection of patrons is permitted so make multiple priority requests, the multiple priority requests being for patrons from a second selection of patrons, the first selection of patrons and the second selection of patrons being at in least one of the hierarchy levels.

17. A method of managing the loading of patrons so an attraction in an entertainment environment wherein patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, the first being a first-in first-out basis, and the second being a priority basis established by a prior allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, comprising:

a. developing a hierarchy of patrons;

b. permitting a priority request for an allocation of a time of entry into said attraction including the steps of;

i. receiving an input from a remote location, the input being communicated to a central computer, the central computer regulating a number of patrons allowed to enter the attraction;

ii. allocation a return time in relation to a hierarchy level of a patron in the hierarchy; and

iii. permitting the patron to remotely receive a response that includes the return time for the attraction;

c. employing an operation to provide the patron access to the attraction, the operation providing priority access to the patron having said return time, the operation providing first-in first-out access to any patron not having an allocated return time;

d. wherein the hierarchy is determined on the basis of patrons remotely located away from the entertainment environment when making a priority request, patrons resident in a facility associated with the entertainment environment when making the priority request, and patrons located at the entertainment environment when making the priority request; and

e. wherein a selection of patrons is permitted to make multiple priority requests, the multiple priority requests being for different attractions in the entertainment environment.

18. A method of managing the loading of patrons to an attraction in an entertainment environment wherein patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, the first being a first-in first-out basis, and the second being a priority basis established by a prior allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, comprising:

a. developing a hierarchy of patrons;

b. permitting a priority request for an allocation of a time of entry into said attraction including the steps of;

i. receiving an input from a remote location, the input being communicated to a central computer, the central computer regulating a number of patrons allowed to enter the attraction;

ii. allocating a return time in relation to a hierarchy level of a patron in the hierarchy; and

iii. permitting the patron to remotely receive a response that includes the return time for the attraction;

c. employing an operation to provide the patron access to the attraction, the operation providing priority access to the patron having said return time, the operation providing lint-in first-out access to any patron not hiving an allocated return time;

d. wherein the hierarchy is determined on the basis of patrons remotely located away from the entertainment environment when making a priority request, patrons resident in a facility associated with the entertainment environment when making the priority request, and patrons located at the entertainment environment when making the priority request; and

e. wherein a first selection of patrons is permitted to make multiple priority requests, the multiple priority requests being for patrons from a second selection of patrons, the first selection of patrons and the second selection of patrons being at in least one of the hierarchy levels.

19. A system of managing the loading of patrons to an attraction in an entertainment environment wherein patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, the first being a first-in first-out basis, and the second being a priority basis, established by a prior allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, the system comprising:

a. a hierarchy of patrons;

b. a computing device to regulate a number of patrons allowed to enter the attraction, the computing device managing a priority request for an allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, the computing device including;

i. an input device, the input device receiving a signal from a remote location;

ii. an allocation table, the allocation table allocating a return time in relation to a hierarchy level of a patron; and

iii. an output device, the output device transmitting the return time to the remote location;

c. means to provide the patron access to the attraction based on the return time, wherein the means to provide the patron access to the attraction provides priority access to the patron having said return time, and wherein the means to provide the patron access to the attraction provides first-in first-out access to any patron not having an allocated return time; and

d. wherein the hierarchy developed on the basis of patrons remotely located away from the entertainment environment when making the priority request and patrons located at the entertainment environment when making a priority request.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the hierarchy is further determined on the basis of patrons resident in a facility associated with the entertainment environment when making the priority request.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein a selection of patrons is permitted to make multiple priority requests, the multiple requests being for different attractions in the entertainment environment.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein a first selection of patrons is permitted to make multiple priority requests, the multiple priority requests being for patrons from a second selection of patrons, the first selection of patrons and the second selection of patrons being at in least one of the hierarchy levels.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the return time is redeemed through an automatic procedure, wherein the automatic procedure includes any one of a reading of a radio frequency identification allocated to the patron, a reading of a magnetic code allocated to the patron, or a reading of a barcode allocated to the patron.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the return time is redeemed at a time of entry into the entertainment environment or at the time of entry into the attraction in the entertainment environment.

25. The system of claim 19, further comprising means to permit at least one exchange or return of the return time to the patron having the return time, and to update the computation of the number of patrons allowed to enter the attraction based on the at least one exchange or return of the return time.

26. A system of managing the loading of patrons to an attraction in an entertainment environment wherein patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, the first being a first-in first-out basis, and the second being a priority basis, established by a prior allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, the system comprising:

a. a hierarchy of patrons;

b. a computing device to regulate the number of patrons allowed to enter the attraction, the computing device managing a priority request for an allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, the computing device including;

i. an input device, the input device receiving a signal from a remote location;

ii. an allocation table, the allocation table allocating available return times in relation to a hierarchy level of a patron; and

iii. an output device, the output device transmitting to the remote location;

available return times to the first attraction;

c. a selection device at the remote location, the selection device permitting the patron to select a return time from the available return times;

d. means to provide the patron access to the attraction, wherein the means to provide the patron access to the attraction provides priority access to the patron having a return time, and wherein the means to provide the patron access to the attraction provides first-in first-out access to any patron not having an allocated return time; and

e. wherein the hierarchy developed on the basis of patrons remotely located away from the entertainment environment when making the priority request and patrons located at the entertainment environment when making the priority request.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the hierarchy is further determined on the basis of patrons resident in a facility associated with the entertainment environment when making the priority request.

28. A system of managing the loading of patrons to an attraction in an entertainment environment wherein patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, the first being a first-in first-out basis, and the second being a priority basis, established by a prior allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, the system comprising:

a. a hierarchy of patrons;

b. a computing device to regulate the number of patrons allowed to enter the attraction, the computing device managing a priority request for an allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, the computing device including;

i. an input device, the input device receiving a signal from a remote location;

ii. an allocation table, the allocation table allocating available return times in relation to a hierarchy level of a patron; and

iii. an output device, the output device transmitting to the remote location;

available return times to the first attraction;

c. a selection device at the remote location, the selection device permitting the patron to select a return time from the available return times;

d. means to provide the patron access to the attraction, wherein the means to provide the patron access to the attraction provides priority access to the patron having a return time, and wherein the means to provide the patron access to the attraction provides first-in first-out access to any patron not having an allocated return time;

e. wherein the hierarchy developed on the basis of patrons remotely located away from the entertainment environment when making the priority request and patrons located at the entertainment environment when making the priority request; and

f. wherein a selection of patrons is permitted to make multiple priority requests, the multiple priority requests being for different attractions in the entertainment environment.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the hierarchy is further determined on the basis of patrons resident in a facility associated with she entertainment environment when making the priority request.

30. A system of managing the loading of patrons to an attraction in an entertainment environment wherein patrons are permitted access to the attraction on at least two bases, the first being a first-in first-out basis, and the second being a priority basis, established by a prior allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, the system comprising:

a. a hierarchy of patrons;

b. a computing device to regulate the number of patrons allowed to enter the attraction, the computing device managing a priority request for an allocation of a time of entry into said attraction, the computing device including;

i. an input device, the input device receiving a signal from a remote location;

ii. an allocation table, the allocation table allocating available return times in relation to a hierarchy level of a patron; and

iii. an output device, the output device transmitting to the remote location;

available return times to the first attraction;

c. a selection device at the remote location, the selection device permitting the patron to select a return time from the available return times;

d. means to provide the patron access to the attraction, wherein the means to provide the patron access to the attraction provides priority access to the patron having a return time, and wherein the means to provide the patron access to the attraction provides first-in first-out access to any patron not having an allocated return time;

e. wherein the hierarchy developed on the basis of patrons remotely located away from she entertainment environment when making the priority request and patrons located at the entertainment environment when making the priority request; and

f. wherein a first selection of patrons is permitted to make multiple priority requests, the multiple priority requests being for patrons from a second selection of patrons, the first selection of patrons and the second selection of patrons being at in least one of the hierarchy levels.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the hierarchy is further determined on the basis of patrons resident in a facility associated with the entertainment environment when making the priority request.