Auto service control system and method

Abstract

Drive-Thru System and Method The present invention relates to a drive-thru control system (100) comprising: a camera (10) provided at each of a plurality of locations in a drive-thru (300) to obtain real-time sequences of vehicles at each of the plurality of locations; and an intelligent video analytics (IVA) system provided and configured to determine, from the real-time sequences obtained by the cameras (10): the vehicle license plate numbers to identify each vehicle at each of the plurality of locations and variables associated with vehicles using the drive-thru (300), the variables comprising: a dwell time of each identified vehicle at each of a certain number of predetermined locations in the plurality of locations; and for each identified vehicle, at least a duration between at least one pair of distinct locations in the plurality of locations. FIG.1.

Description

Title of the invention: System and method for controlling car service technical field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a system and method for controlling a drive-through service (also known as drive-thru services). Background

[0002] Drive-through services offered by establishments such as quick-service restaurants allow customers to purchase products or services while remaining in their vehicles. In a simple example of a drive-through service, the customer typically stops their vehicle at an ordering point to place an order. Once the order is placed, the vehicle moves to a pick-up (or collection) point where it stops to wait for the ordered items before leaving the drive-through.

[0003] In conventional drive-through services, to detect the presence of a vehicle at the call point (in order to trigger the start of the call process), a magnetic vehicle detection loop comprising a coil of insulated wire is installed in the roadway at the call point, in a location where the vehicle would pass directly over it. To install the magnetic loop, slots must be cut into the roadway using a masonry cutter. The insulated wire is then placed in the slot, and the slot is filled with bitumen or epoxy to prevent water penetration and to secure the wire.Another way to install the magnetic loop is to bury the insulated wire in wet concrete during the pouring process of road construction. The ends of the magnetic loop are then electrically connected to an electronic vehicle detector module, which powers the magnetic loop to create a magnetic field around the loop wire. When a vehicle passes over the magnetic loop, a change in the magnetic field detected by the electronic module indicates the vehicle's presence.

[0004] It is evident that the installation of hearing loops for drive-through services involves significant costs and construction downtime. The costs and time required can be considerable for larger drive-through services or chain establishments with multiple drive-through locations requiring the installation of multiple hearing loops. Summary

[0005] According to a first aspect given by way of example, a drive-through service control system is proposed comprising: a camera provided at each of a plurality of locations in a drive-through service to obtain real-time sequences of vehicles at each of the plurality of locations; and an intelligent video analysis (IVA) system provided and configured to determine, from the real-time sequences obtained by the cameras: the vehicle registration numbers to identify each vehicle at each of the plurality of locations and variables associated with vehicles using the drive-through service, the variables comprising: a stay (or stop) time of each identified vehicle at each of a certain number of predetermined locations of the plurality of locations; and for each identified vehicle, at least a duration between at least one pair of distinct locations of the plurality of locations.

[0006] The IVA system can also be configured to determine, from the real-time sequences obtained by the cameras, whether a person appearing in the real-time sequences is a member of the drive-thru service team, the variables further comprising: a specific time at which a vehicle identified in the waiting area receives ordered items from a member of the service team, and a duration between the specific time at which the identified vehicle moved to the waiting area and the specific time at which the vehicle identified in the waiting area receives the ordered items from the member of the service team.

[0007] The IVA system may also include a data visualization module configured to present the determined variables and target variables on a dashboard displayed on an electronic visual display device.

[0008] The IVA system can also be configured to trigger an alert when it is determined that a preselected variable has crossed a predefined threshold.

[0009] An ultrasonic sensor can be provided at each location in the drive-thru requiring remote communication between a customer at the location and a service team member located elsewhere in the drive-thru in order to detect the arrival of a vehicle at the location, and consequently to automatically activate a voice communication system provided at the location allowing the customer and the service team member located elsewhere to speak to each other immediately without having to manually activate the voice communication system.

[0010] According to a second aspect given by way of example, a method for controlling a drive-through service is proposed, the method comprising: obtaining real-time sequences of vehicles at each of a plurality of locations in the drive-through service using a camera provided at each of the plurality of locations; and using an IVA system, from the real-time sequences obtained by the cameras: the determination of vehicle registration numbers to identify each vehicle at each of the plurality of locations and the determination of variables associated with vehicles using the drive-thru service, the variables including: a stay time of each identified vehicle at each of a number of predetermined locations of the plurality of locations; and for each identified vehicle, at least a duration between at least one pair of distinct locations of the plurality of locations.

[0011] The method may also include, using the IVA system, from the real-time sequences obtained by the cameras, the determination of at least one of the following: a specific time at which an identified vehicle moved to the waiting area, the percentage of vehicles that moved to the waiting area, the number of vehicles in the drive-thru between the entrance and a final pick-up point, and the number of vehicles leaving the drive-thru before reaching the order point.

[0012] The method may also include, using the IVA system, from the real-time sequences obtained by the cameras, determining whether a person appearing in the real-time sequences is a member of the service team at the drive-thru, determining a specific time at which a vehicle identified at the waiting area receives ordered items from a member of the service team, and determining a duration between the specific time at which the identified vehicle moved to the waiting area and the specific time at which the vehicle identified at the waiting area receives the ordered items from the member of the service team.

[0013] The method may also include a data visualization module of the IVA system presenting the determined variables and the target variables on a dashboard displayed on an electronic visual display device.

[0014] The method may also include triggering an alert by the IVA system if it is determined that a preselected variable has crossed a predefined threshold.

[0015] The method may also include providing an ultrasonic sensor at each location in the drive-thru requiring remote communication between a customer at the location and a service team member located elsewhere in the drive-thru, and using the ultrasonic sensor, detecting the arrival of a vehicle at the location, and consequently automatically activating a voice communication system provided at the location allowing the customer and the service team member located elsewhere to speak to each other immediately without having to manually activate the voice communication system.

[0016] For both aspects, each pair of distinct locations may include a first location and a second location, the duration being at least one of the following: from arrival at the first location to arrival at the second location, from arrival at the first location to departure from the second location, from departure from the first location to arrival at the second location, and from departure from the first location to departure from the second location.

[0017] For each pair of distinct locations, the second location can be the pickup point and the first location can be one of: the order point and a drive-thru entrance.

[0018] The plurality of locations may include an order point where customers place their orders and a collection point where the ordered items are received; the predetermined locations including at least one of: the order point and the collection point.

[0019] The collection point may be at least one of the following: a payment point where payment for an order placed at the order point is made, a forward area provided after the payment point, and a waiting area provided after the forward area.

[0020] The variables may further include at least one of the following: a specific time at which an identified vehicle moved to the waiting area, the percentage of vehicles that moved to the waiting area, the number of vehicles in the drive-thru between entry and a final pick-up point, and the number of vehicles leaving the drive-thru before reaching the order point.

[0021] The variables may further include an average stay time from the stay times determined for multiple vehicles at each of the predetermined locations, and average durations from the durations determined between pairs of distinct locations for the multiple identified vehicles. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] In order for the invention to be fully understood and easily put into practice, only examples of embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example, the description referring to the accompanying illustrative drawings.

[0023] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a drive-through service equipped with a car service control system.

[0024] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is an example of a control system architecture diagram drive-through service.

[0025] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a screenshot of a given dashboard as for example, in tabular form, of the car service control system, showing real-time information on vehicle dwell time at various locations, vehicle order fulfillment up to pick-up time and exit time, delivery completion by service team at waiting areas, and also showing target durations and average durations of the hour elapsed at various drive-thru locations.

[0026] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] is a screenshot of a dashboard given as an example in the form of a pie chart, showing target stay times and average stay times.

[0027] [Fig.5] Fig.5 is a screenshot of an example dashboard in the form of a pie chart, showing drive-thru metrics such as the number of vehicles that have used the drive-thru in the last N minutes (Capacity), the number of vehicles currently in drive-thru lanes (Cars in Lane), the number of vehicles leaving the drive-thru before placing an order (Abandonment), the percentage of vehicles parked in the waiting area in the last N minutes (Parking in %), and the number of vehicles that have used the drive-thru in the last hour / day (Car Count) in tabular form, as well as the completion of a target order up to the pickup time and exit time (OEPE), a target total experience time (TET), and their respective average durations.

[0028] [Fig.6] The [Fig.6] is a screenshot of a dashboard given as an example showing a graph of target and average durations over time.

[0029] [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] is a screenshot of a dashboard given as an example showing stay times at different locations and at different times of the day in the form of a bar chart.

[0030] [Fig. 8] [Fig. 8] is a flowchart of an embodiment given as an example of a method for controlling a self-service vehicle. Detailed description

[0031] Illustrative embodiments of the self-service control system 100 and the method for controlling a self-service 200 will be described with reference to [Fig. 1] to 8 in which the same reference numerals are used in the figures to refer to identical or similar parts.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in [Fig. 1], the drive-thru control system 100 can be deployed for a drive-thru 300 of an establishment 400 such as a fast-food restaurant or other. [Fig. 2] shows an example of the architectural diagram of the drive-thru control system 100, which includes a plurality of cameras 10. A camera 10 is provided at each of a plurality of locations in the drive-thru 300 to obtain sequences real-time footage of vehicles (not shown) is captured at each of the multiple locations. Each of the 10 cameras can be a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, an Internet Protocol (IP) camera, or any other suitable camera capable of capturing video of the service crew, vehicles, and license plates of vehicles using the 300-minute drive-through service. The 10 cameras continuously capture or record real-time vehicle footage as they move through the 300-minute drive-through service.

[0033] The plurality of locations in the drive-thru 300 generally includes at least one order point 120 where customers place their orders, and one or more pickup points 130 where the ordered items can be received. The pickup point 130 is generally considered the final location from the perspective of the customer experience when using the drive-thru 300, as it is usually the location from which the customer exits the drive-thru 300 after collecting the ordered items.

[0034] In certain embodiments of the drive-through service 300, the order point 120 can also be a payment point 340. In such embodiments, after placing an order at the order point 120, payment can be made electronically using a payment device installed at the order point 120. For example, the payment device can be a payment card reader mounted on a speakerphone at the order point 120. After making the payment, the customer moves the vehicle to the order collection point 130.

[0035] In other embodiments of the drive-through service 300, the pickup point 130 can also serve as the payment point 340. In such embodiments, after placing an order at the order point 120, the customer drives to the pickup and payment point 130, 340 to make the payment. Once the payment has been made, the customer continues to wait for the ordered items in the vehicle at the pickup and payment point 130, 340. After collecting the items at the pickup and payment point 130, 340, the customer exits the drive-through service 300 via the pickup and payment point 130, 340.

[0036] In several embodiments of the drive-through service 300, the payment point 340 may be provided separately before the pickup point 130. In such embodiments, after placing an order at the order point 120, the customer drives the vehicle to the payment point 340 to make the payment. Once the payment has been made, the customer drives the vehicle to the pickup point 130 for the ordered items before leaving the drive-through service 300. In such embodiments, the plurality of locations may optionally include a pickup or advance area 350 provided after the payment point 340. Optionally, the multiple locations may also include a waiting area 360 located after the advance zone 350. In these embodiments, the collection point 130 where the vehicle is stopped to wait for the ordered items can therefore also be the advance zone 350 or the waiting area 360, depending on the configuration of the drive-through service 300. In practice, once payment has been made at the payment point 340, if prompted, the customer may move the vehicle from the payment point 340 to the advance zone 350 where the vehicle is stopped to wait for the ordered items before exiting the drive-through service 300 via the advance zone 350. In certain situations, if prompted, the customer may also move the vehicle from the advance zone 350 to the waiting area 360 where the vehicle is stopped to wait for the ordered items before Exit the drive-thru service 300 by leaving the queue 360.

[0037] Although not shown in [Fig. 1], it will be understood that the drive-thru 300 can have multiple order points, multiple payment points, multiple advance zones and / or multiple waiting areas as needed, with cameras 10 provided at these locations to identify and detect vehicle arrivals and departures accordingly. Of course, the pick-up point 130 can be located at any of the payment point 340, the advance zone 350 or the waiting area 360, depending on the configuration of the drive-thru 300.

[0038] In the drive-thru 300, an ultrasonic sensor 20, as shown in [Fig. 2], can also be provided at each of the plurality of locations that require remote (i.e., non-face-to-face) communication between a customer at the location and a service team member located elsewhere in the drive-thru 300. For example, among the locations where an ultrasonic sensor can be provided is order point 120, where orders can be placed via a voice communication system by a customer speaking to a service team member. An ultrasonic sensor can be provided at another location, such as payment point 340, where a customer can be asked by a service team member to move the vehicle to a pick-up or advance zone 350.The ultrasonic sensor at each of these locations is designed to detect the arrival of a vehicle at the location, and consequently to automatically activate a voice communication system allowing the customer at the location and the service team member at another location to speak to each other immediately without having to manually activate the voice communication system.

[0039] The car service control system 100 further includes an intelligent video analysis (IVA) system 30 as shown in [Fig. 2] which uses the power of artificial intelligence and computer vision to extract valuable insights from the sequences obtained by the cameras 10, offering real-time analysis, visualization, and monitoring capabilities. In particular, the IVA 30 system is configured to determine vehicle license plate numbers to identify each vehicle at each of the multiple locations within the 300-minute drive-through service. To do this, the IVA 30 system is equipped with License Plate Recognition (LPR) capability. The IVA 30 system can also be configured to identify the different types of vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks, or motorcycles) using the 300-minute drive-through service. In this way, each vehicle using the 300-minute drive-through service is identified and tracked by the IVA 30 system, enabling precise control of each vehicle's route from entry to exit of the 300-minute drive-through service.In addition, the IVA 30 system has the ability to detect and distinguish service team members from other pedestrians, particularly in the 360 ​​waiting area. This feature allows for a detailed analysis of interactions between the service team and customer vehicles, ensuring efficient service delivery, optimizing operations and customer satisfaction, as we will explain in more detail below.

[0040] To assist the IVA 30 system in situations where License Plate Recognition (LPR) fails due to a vehicle license plate being obscured in the real-time camera footage, the IVA 30 system can also incorporate custom tracking logic to ensure accurate vehicle tracking, whether the vehicles are traveling forward or backward during their route through the drive-through lane. For example, the tracking logic can be configured so that when a second parking space immediately follows a first forward parking space along the 300-meter drive-through lane, the first vehicle to exit the field of view of a first camera 10 at the first forward parking space must be the same vehicle that is the first to enter the field of view of a second camera 10 at the second forward parking space.The tracking logic can also be configured to operate in the same way in reverse, so that a vehicle that is the first to leave the field of view of the second camera 10 at the second location in the opposite direction must be the same vehicle that is the first to enter the field of view of the first camera 10 at the first location in the opposite direction. In this way, the IVA 30 system is also able to track any vehicle moving in the opposite direction. The IVA 30 system is preferably integrated into the source code of the cameras 10 so as to be able to obtain real-time footage from all the cameras 10 without any delay.In this way, by integrating real-time footage from multiple strategically positioned cameras across the service to the 300 auto and applying LPR as well as customized tracking logic, the IVA 30 system can track each vehicle seamlessly. from entry to exit, forward and reverse, while allowing staff to optimize throughput and minimize waiting times for customers.

[0041] In addition to vehicle identification and tracking, the IVA 30 system is also configured to determine variables associated with vehicles using the car-to-car service 300 from the sequences obtained by the cameras 10. Of course, the variables can be determined for specific times (for example during the day or week), or over specific periods of time, or for a specific number of vehicles, etc., which makes it possible to obtain information on the use and operation of the car-to-car service 300.

[0042] One such variable determined by the IVA 30 system is the dwell time of each identified vehicle at each of a number of predetermined locations within the plurality of locations of the drive-thru service 300. For example, the predetermined locations where dwell times are determined may include the order point 120, the payment point 340, the advance zone 350, and / or the waiting area 360. In this way, the control system 100 is able to determine the time each identified vehicle spends at each of the predetermined locations. The IVA 30 system is preferably further configured to determine another variable, such as an average dwell time at each of the predetermined locations, based on the dwell times determined for multiple vehicles at each of the predetermined locations at specific times.Monitoring average dwell times at different times of the day or week can help managers adjust staff schedules to meet demand during peak periods, ensuring optimal service levels and customer satisfaction.

[0043] In addition to dwell times, another variable determined by the IVA 30 system is the duration of various stages of progression through the 300 drive-thru service. The duration of a distinct stage is the time spent by a vehicle between a pair of distinct locations out of the plurality of locations for each identified vehicle. Each pair of distinct locations comprises a first location and a second location. For example, a first pair of distinct locations might include a 300 drive-thru entrance 310 as the first location and pick-up point 130 as the second location. A second pair of distinct locations might include order point 120 as the first location and pick-up point 130 as the second location. Notably, the duration determined between pairs of locations might be one of the following: - from arrival at the first location to arrival at the second location, - from arrival at the first location to departure from the second location, - from the departure from the first location to the arrival at the second location, and - from the departure from the first location to the departure from the second location.

[0044] In this way, it is possible to determine various durations such as: the total experience time (TET), which runs from the arrival of an identified vehicle at entry 310 to its departure from pickup point 130; and the time from order completion to pickup and departure time (OEPE), which runs from departure from order point 120 to departure from pickup point 130. Another variable that is preferably also determined by the IVA 30 system is the average duration among the durations between pairs of distinct locations determined for multiple identified vehicles. In practice, by analyzing the time required for vehicles to place their order at order point 120, to reach pickup point 130, and to complete the transaction, the system can identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the self-service area 300.

[0045] As mentioned above, the IVA 30 system has the ability to detect and distinguish the service team from other pedestrians, particularly in the 360 ​​Waiting Area. The objective is to be able to determine the specific time at which a vehicle identified as being in the 360 ​​Waiting Area receives the ordered items from a member of the service team. This is necessary to accurately determine the time until pickup in the 360 ​​Waiting Area, which is the time spent by the vehicle identified as being in the 360 ​​Waiting Area waiting for the items to be picked up.To accurately determine the pick-up time at 360 Waiting, only the time between the specific time the identified vehicle moved to 360 Waiting and the specific time the vehicle identified at 360 Waiting receives the ordered items from a member of the service team is counted, and additional time after the order items are picked up that the identified vehicle may spend in addition at 360 Waiting (for example, for the customer to consume the picked-up items) is not counted.

[0046] In addition to dwell times at predetermined locations and durations between pairs of locations, the IVA 30 system can also be configured to determine other variables associated with vehicles using the drive-thru service. These variables may include: the number of vehicles (Car Count) that have moved to the advance zone, a specific time at which an identified vehicle moved to the Waiting area, a specific time at which vehicles at the Waiting area receive the ordered items from the service team, the percentage of vehicles that have moved to the Waiting area, the number of vehicles in the drive-thru between entry and a final pickup point (e.g., Waiting 360) and / or the number of vehicles leaving the drive-thru before reaching the order point. Thus, the system Control 100 is able to accurately control the length of the drive-thru queue in real time.

[0047] The IVA 30 system can also be configured to trigger an alert when it is determined that a preselected variable has exceeded a predefined threshold. For example, if the IVA 30 system determines a prolonged dwell time at a pickup point 130, it can automatically trigger an alert to notify staff members to expedite order preparation and minimize customer wait times.

[0048] Preferably, the IVA 30 system further comprises a data visualization module 44 configured to present information from predetermined variables associated with vehicles using the Auto 300 service for monitoring the performance of the Auto 300 service. These variables may include predetermined average dwell times and average durations for various predetermined locations and pairs of locations. Using advanced data visualization techniques, the information obtained from the predetermined variables is automatically converted into interactive pie charts, bar charts, and line charts, which are presented on a dashboard displayed on an electronic visual display device 500, such as a computer monitor or the screen of an electronic device (as shown in [Fig. 2]).Triggered alerts can also be displayed on the dashboard, for example, as flashing icons. The dashboard thus provides users of the 100-hour self-service monitoring system with clear, real-time information, enabling operators to easily interpret trends, identify patterns, and make informed decisions to improve operational efficiency. For example, the information displayed on the dashboard can be used to optimize staffing levels, streamline operations, and reduce customer wait times. In this way, the 100-hour self-service monitoring system helps the facility identify areas for improvement and implement targeted interventions to enhance the overall customer experience.

[0049] Figure 3 is a screenshot of an example dashboard presented by the Data Visualization Module 44. In Figure 3, the determined variables are presented in tabular form, where COD1 and COD2 refer to two different order points 120, CASHIER refers to the payment point 340, and PRESENT refers to an additional pickup point 130 outside the advance area 350 (PULL FWD) and the waiting area 360 (WAITBAY). The abbreviations OEPE and TET have been explained above. Figures 4 to 6 are additional screenshots of other example dashboard presentations that show the determined variables under other Data visualization forms. As can be seen in [Figs. 3] to 6, target average dwell times and target average durations can also be displayed on the dashboard. These targets can be entered by the facility 400 based on what it considers acceptable for customers using the drive-thru 300. In this way, by looking at the dashboard, a user of the control system 100 can see if vehicles are spending more time than is considered acceptable at each predetermined location.

[0050] Thanks to the IVA 30 system, the Auto 100 Service Control System leverages real-time data analysis, providing valuable insights and enabling data-driven decision-making. The data visualizations presented can include real-time and / or historical data, allowing users of the Auto 100 Service Control System to optimize Auto 300 Service operations and improve their efficiency.This allows the 400 establishment to improve its operations to enhance the overall customer experience and increase sales by reducing wait times, providing real-time alerts and even personalized recommendations, as the IVA 30 system can be configured to track repeat customers by associating their previously ordered items with their vehicle identity and using this information to suggest items they might want to order the next time they use the 300 drive-thru service.

[0051] Compared to conventional 300-hour drive-through services that use magnetic loops for vehicle detection, the 100-hour drive-through service control system disclosed herein uses 10 cameras and LPR 42 capability, along with intelligent video analytics, to detect vehicles and service crews and to track their movements more accurately and reliably. The IVA 30 system can also analyze historical data to identify peak hours and periods of high traffic volume.By visualizing this information through intuitive charts and graphs via the Data Visualization Module 44, managers can adjust staffing levels and allocate resources more effectively to ensure smooth operations and timely order fulfillment during peak periods, including more accurate order taking, better traffic management, and reduced service errors.

[0052] Advantageously, unlike magnetic loop systems, the installation of the present 100 control system requires no construction in the city at the 300 drive-through or 400 facility, thus ensuring continuous operation and uninterrupted service for customers. The camera-based 100 control system is also much easier to size and adapt to changing facility needs than magnetic loop systems, as cameras and / or ultrasonic sensors can be easily added or repositioned to accommodate fluctuations in traffic volume, layout changes and / or facility upgrades.

[0053] Although the foregoing description has described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will understand that many variations in the details of the design, construction, and / or operation can be made without departing from the present invention. It will be understood that many other alterations, modifications, and permutations of the various aspects of the described embodiments are possible and fall within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

Demands

1. A drive-through service control system (100) comprising: a camera (10) provided at each of a plurality of locations in a drive-through service (300) to obtain real-time footage of vehicles at each of the plurality of locations; and an intelligent video analytics (IVA) system (30) provided and configured to determine, from the real-time footage obtained by the cameras (10): - vehicle license plate numbers to identify each vehicle at each of the plurality of locations, and - variables associated with vehicles using the drive-through service (300), wherein the variables include: — a dwell time of each identified vehicle at each of a certain number of predetermined locations in the plurality of locations; and — for each identified vehicle, at least one duration between at least one pair of distinct locations in the plurality of locations.

2. Car service control system (100) according to claim 1, wherein each pair of separate locations comprises a first location and a second location, and wherein the duration is at least one of the following: from arrival at first location to arrival at second location, from arrival at first location to departure from second location, from departure from first location to arrival at second location, and from departure from first location to departure from second location.

3. Drive-through service control system (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plurality of locations includes an order point (120) where customers place their orders and a pickup point (130) where the ordered items are received; and wherein the predetermined locations include at least one of: the order point (120) and the pickup point (130).

4. A self-service control system (100) according to claim 3, wherein the pickup point (130) is at least one of: a payment point (340) where payment for an order placed at the order point (120) is made, an advance zone (350) planned after the payment point (340), and a waiting area (360) planned after the advance area (350).

5. Drive-through service control system (100) according to claim 4, wherein the variables further comprise at least one of: a specific time at which an identified vehicle moved to the waiting area (360), the percentage of vehicles that moved to the waiting area (360), the number of vehicles in the drive-through (300) between entry and a final pick-up point, and the number of vehicles leaving the drive-through (300) before reaching the order point (120).

6. Drive-Thru Service Control System (100) according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the IVA system (30) is further configured to determine, from the real-time sequences obtained by the cameras (10), whether a person appearing in the real-time sequences is a member of the drive-thru service team (300), and wherein the variables further comprise: a specific time at which a vehicle identified at the waiting area (360) receives ordered items from a member of the service team, and a duration between the specific time at which the identified vehicle moved to the waiting area (360) and the specific time at which the vehicle identified at the waiting area (360) receives the ordered items from the member of the service team.

7. Car service control system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the variables further comprise an average dwell time from the dwell times determined for multiple vehicles at each of the predetermined locations, and average durations from the durations determined between pairs of distinct locations for the multiple identified vehicles.

8. Car service control system (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 7 when they depend on claim 2, wherein, for each pair of separate locations, the second location is the withdrawal point (130) and the first location is one of: the control point (120) and a car service input (300).

9. Car service control system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the IVA system (30) further includes a data visualization module (44) configured to present determined variables and target variables on a dashboard displayed on an electronic visual display device (500).

10. Car service control system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the IVA system (30) is further configured to trigger an alert when it is determined that a preselected variable has crossed a predefined threshold.

11. Drive-Thru Service Control System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an ultrasonic sensor is provided at each location in the drive-thru (300) requiring remote communication between a customer at the location and a service team member located elsewhere in the drive-thru (300) in order to detect the arrival of a vehicle at the location, and consequently automatically activate a voice communication system provided at the location allowing the customer and the service team member located elsewhere to speak to each other immediately without having to manually activate the voice communication system.

12. A method for controlling a drive-through service (200), the method comprising: obtaining real-time sequences of vehicles at each of a plurality of locations in the drive-through service (300) using a camera (10) provided at each of the plurality of locations; and using an intelligent video analytics system (IVA) (30), from the real-time sequences obtained by the cameras (10): -determining vehicle license plate numbers to identify each vehicle at each of the plurality of locations, and -determining variables associated with vehicles using the drive-through service (300), wherein the variables include: —a stay time of each identified vehicle at each of a certain number of predetermined locations in the plurality of locations; and —for each identified vehicle, at least a duration between at least one pair of distinct locations in the plurality of locations.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein each pair of distinct locations comprises a first location and a second location, and wherein the duration is at least one of the following: from arrival at the first location to arrival at the second location, from arrival at the first location to departure from the second location, from departure from the first location to arrival at the second location, and from departure from the first location to departure from the second location.

14. The method of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the plurality of locations includes an order point (120) where customers place their orders and a collection point (130) where the ordered items are received; and wherein the predetermined locations include at least one of: the order point (120) and the collection point (130).

15. Method of claim 14, wherein the collection point (130) is one of: a payment point (340) where payment for an order placed at the order point (120) is made, an advance area (350) provided after the payment point (340), and a waiting area (360) provided after the advance area (350).

16. A method of claim 15, comprising, using the IVA system (30), from the real-time sequences obtained by the cameras (10), the determination of at least one of: a specific time at which an identified vehicle moved to the waiting area (360), the percentage of vehicles that moved to the waiting area (360), the number of vehicles in the drive-thru (300) between entry and a final pick-up point, and the number of vehicles leaving the drive-thru (300) before reaching the order point (120).

17. A method of claim 15 or claim 16, further comprising, using the IVA system (30), from the real-time sequences obtained by the cameras (10), determining whether a person appearing in the real-time sequences is a member of the drive-thru service team (300), determining a specific time at which an identified vehicle in the waiting area (360) receives ordered items from a member of the service team, and determining a duration between the specific time at which the identified vehicle moved to the waiting area (360) and the specific time at which the vehicle identified at the waiting area (360) receives the ordered items from the service team member.

18. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the variables further comprise an average stay time from the stay times determined for multiple vehicles at each of the predetermined locations over time, and average durations from the durations determined for the multiple vehicles identified between pairs of distinct locations.

19. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 18 when they depend on claim 13, wherein, for each pair of separate locations, the second location is the withdrawal point (130) and the first location is one of: the control point (120) and an auto service entry (300).

20. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 19, further comprising a data visualization step (44) of the IVA system (30) showing the determined variables and target variables on a dashboard displayed on an electronic visual display device (500).

21. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, further comprising triggering an alert by the IVA system (30) if it is determined that a preselected variable has crossed a predefined threshold.

22. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, further comprising providing an ultrasonic sensor at each location in the drive-thru (300) requiring remote communication between a customer at the location and a service team member located elsewhere in the drive-thru (300), and using the ultrasonic sensor, detecting the arrival of a vehicle at the location, and consequently automatically activating a voice communication system provided at the location allowing the customer and the service team member located elsewhere to speak to each other immediately without having to manually activate the voice communication system.

Images