Service-queue-management and production-management system and method
First Claim
1. A method for integrating into a single service queue managed by a control computer order-fulfillment service-requests from customers to a provider of goods or services through multiple ordering channels, comprising:
- enabling customers to request service from the provider though a plurality of ordering channels;
arranging the service-requests in a single service queue using at least one service-transaction terminal connected to said control computer based on the time at which each is placed regardless of the ordering channel used;
providing at least one ticket dispenser which dispenses tickets and thus constitutes a first ordering channel whereby upon activation of the at least one ticket dispenser, a customer requests fulfillment service for an order to be placed by the customer to a service person and receives a ticket having the next number in the service queue, wherein each of said at least one ticket dispenser includes a printer and a manually-activated device which when activated, causes printing of a ticket by said printer with the next number in the service queue and enables access to the thus-printed ticket, wherein said printer and said manually-activated device independently communicate with said control computer.
14 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
System and method for integrating multiple customer ordering channels into a single service queue to obtain goods or services from a provider includes enabling customers to request service for goods or services from the provider using multiple ordering channels, and arranging the service requests placed using the ordering channels in a single service queue based on the time at which each is placed regardless of the ordering channel used. The ordering channels may include one or more ticket dispensers which dispenses tickets having the next number in the service queue to waiting customers, one or more computerized ordering systems which enable ordering of goods or services from the provider via a computer or other processing device, and combinations thereof.
57 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for integrating into a single service queue managed by a control computer order-fulfillment service-requests from customers to a provider of goods or services through multiple ordering channels, comprising:
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enabling customers to request service from the provider though a plurality of ordering channels; arranging the service-requests in a single service queue using at least one service-transaction terminal connected to said control computer based on the time at which each is placed regardless of the ordering channel used; providing at least one ticket dispenser which dispenses tickets and thus constitutes a first ordering channel whereby upon activation of the at least one ticket dispenser, a customer requests fulfillment service for an order to be placed by the customer to a service person and receives a ticket having the next number in the service queue, wherein each of said at least one ticket dispenser includes a printer and a manually-activated device which when activated, causes printing of a ticket by said printer with the next number in the service queue and enables access to the thus-printed ticket, wherein said printer and said manually-activated device independently communicate with said control computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for integrating multiple customer ordering channels into a single service queue to obtain goods or services from a service location of a provider, comprising:
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a control computer; at least one ticket dispenser connected to said control computer and arranged to dispense tickets upon activation; and computerized ordering means connected to said control computer for enabling placement of orders for goods or services using a processor linked to said control computer; said control computer being arranged to assign the next number in the service queue to an order placed via said computerized ordering means or to a ticket dispensed from said at least one ticket dispenser based on the time at which the ticket is dispensed from said at least one ticket dispenser or the order is placed via said computerized ordering means; and wherein each of said at least one ticket dispenser includes a printer and a manually-activated device which when activated, causes printing of a ticket by said printer with the next number in the service queue and enables access to the thus-printed ticket, wherein said printer and said manually-activated device independently communicate with said control computer. - View Dependent Claims (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)
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Specification