Queue management
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for queue management for a service provided at a service location, comprising:
- a. positioning at least one turn-distributing terminal at a waiting area;
b. upon request by a person for a turn from a said turn-distributing terminal, assigning said person a turn in a queue;
c. allowing said person, who requested a turn from said turn-distributing terminal and was assigned said turn in said queue, to select whether or not to receive at least one warning communication warning of the approach of said turn;
d. subsequent to c, if said person selects to receive said at least one warning communication, accepting a communication route of said person in said waiting area; and
e. subsequent to d and prior to said turn, if said person selects to receive said warning communication, transmitting to said person at least one said warning communication,wherein said transmitting of at least one said warning communication is contingent on receipt of a valid response to a confirmation communication transmitted through said communication route, said response provided by said person via said turn-distributing terminal located at said waiting area.
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Abstract
Disclosed are methods and devices for queue management that allow a person waiting in the queue to choose to receive at least one warning communication, for example on a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone. In some embodiments, the person agrees to “buy” the warnings and concomitant free time by agreeing to pay for at least one warning communication and/or by agreeing to accept advertisements.
21 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for queue management for a service provided at a service location, comprising:
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a. positioning at least one turn-distributing terminal at a waiting area; b. upon request by a person for a turn from a said turn-distributing terminal, assigning said person a turn in a queue; c. allowing said person, who requested a turn from said turn-distributing terminal and was assigned said turn in said queue, to select whether or not to receive at least one warning communication warning of the approach of said turn; d. subsequent to c, if said person selects to receive said at least one warning communication, accepting a communication route of said person in said waiting area; and e. subsequent to d and prior to said turn, if said person selects to receive said warning communication, transmitting to said person at least one said warning communication, wherein said transmitting of at least one said warning communication is contingent on receipt of a valid response to a confirmation communication transmitted through said communication route, said response provided by said person via said turn-distributing terminal located at said waiting area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A queue management device configured to manage a queue, comprising a controller functionally associated with at least one turn-distributing terminal configured for positioning in a waiting area of a service location, together configured to:
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a. assign a turn in a queue to a person located in said waiting area and requesting such; b. accepting a communication route from said person located in said waiting area and storing said communication route in association with a said assigned turn in the queue; and c. accepting from said person located in said waiting area a selection as to whether or not the person wishes to receive at least one warning communication, wherein the device is functionally associated with a communications component, and d. prior to a said turn of a said person, if the person selected to receive said at least one warning communication, transmitting a confirmation communication to a said stored communication route of said person using said communications component, and receiving from said person, via said turn distributing terminal located in said waiting area, a response to said confirmation communication; and e. prior to a said turn of a said person, if the person selected to receive said at least one warning communication and responded to said confirmation communication, transmitting a warning communication to said person using said communications component. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification