Method and system for electronic route planning and virtual queue handling

• US 20030010822A1
• Filed: 07/01/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lo-Q PLC
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Davies, Robert J., Fulton, Paul M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,889,900 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• 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 queue monitoring system is disclosed. A detection system (10) provides at least one coverage zone (15) covering at least a part of a queuing area (30). A handset (12) is issued to a user, the detection system (10) being arranged to detect the handset (12) when it is within the coverage zone (15) and to record the user of the handset as being in the queue. Queue load is subsequently used to provide recommended itineraries to visitors via the handsets (12).

Claims

1. A queue monitoring system comprising a detection system providing at least one coverage zone covering at least a part of a queuing area and a handset for issue to a user, wherein the detection system is arranged to detect the handset when it is within the coverage zone and to record the user of the handset as being in the queue.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the detection system provides a second coverage zone, one of the two coverage zones covering the entrance to the queuing area and the other covering the exit, wherein the detection system is arranged to record a user as being in the queue when the respective handset is detected by the coverage zone covering the entrance and is arranged to record the user as not being in queue when the respective handset is detected by the other coverage zone.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the detection system comprises one or more wireless transmitter/receivers arranged to communicate with the handset, a coverage zone comprising a transmission/reception zone of the wireless transmitter/receiver.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the wireless transmitter/receiver is a BlueTooth beacon.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the detection system provides a plurality of coverage zones individually covering all queues within a theme park.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the detection system provides a plurality of coverage zones between them covering all public areas of the theme park.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the handset is arranged to be able to communicate with a control system via the detection system when the handset is within a coverage zone.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the control system is arranged to provide directions to the handset in dependence on the coverage zone it is within.

9. A system according to claim 7, in which the control system is arranged to accept payment authorisation from the handset to obtain a place in a virtual queue to thereby avoid waiting in a physical queue.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein a cost for obtaining a place in the virtual queue is dependent on the physical queue size and/or attraction popularity.

11. A system according to claim 9, wherein the control system is arranged to credit people in the physical queue when a place in the virtual queue is purchased.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the credit comprises a portion of the payment made to virtually queue.

13. A system according to claim 7, wherein the control system is arranged to compile a recommended itinerary for a handset, the recommended itinerary being determined in dependence on detected queuing loads.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the itinerary comprises plurality of timed virtual queue places.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the control system is arranged to prompt and guide user around park via messages displayed on the handset in dependence on the virtual queue times.

16. A system according to claim 14, further comprising remote access system arranged to generate an itinerary for a user prior to a visit.

17. A system according to claim 16, in which the remote access system comprises an extension of the detection system to a hotel.

18. An itinerary planning method for attractions employing a queue monitoring system comprising a detection system providing at least one coverage zone covering at least a part of a queuing area and a handset for issue to each user, the detection system being arranged to detect the handset when it is within the coverage zone and to record the user of the handset as being in the queue, the method comprising:

issuing a handset to each user;

maintaining a record of users in each queue; and

,

generating an itinerary for a user visiting the attractions in dependence on the record of users in each queue and in dependence on other itineraries generated for the same period.