Cloud Virtual Queue Service with Sensor Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual queuing systems fail to efficiently manage multiple queues, address punctuality concerns, and utilize modern data analytics to optimize wait times, lacking access control and comprehensive data integration.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based queue service that continuously monitors queue states using sensors, assigns positions, and provides access keys to users, incorporating predictive analytics and load balancing to minimize wait times and optimize queue management across multiple queues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional physical queues are used, then access control is simple, but wait times are long and management is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical queues and manual monitoring with an automated virtual queuing system using mobile devices, sensors, and cloud-based management. Users receive digital queue positions and notifications through their devices, eliminating the need for physical line-standing and manual queue management, thereby reducing wait times and improving management efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to independently join queues, receive notifications, and access controlled resources through their own mobile devices without requiring manual intervention from queue managers. The automated notification system and access control mechanisms allow users to self-manage their queue participation, reducing operational overhead.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple queues are managed manually, then flexibility is maintained, but complexity increases and errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual queuing system serves multiple queue management functions through a single unified platform. The same mobile application and sensor network handle various queue types (security, service, access control), providing versatile multi-queue management while maintaining consistent user experience and reducing operational complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud-based queue management server acts as an intermediary that coordinates multiple queues and sensors centrally. This mediator consolidates the complexity of managing multiple queues into a single system that handles queue positions, notifications, and access control across different locations and queue types, reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If access control is integrated with virtual queuing, then security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines virtual queuing functionality with access control mechanisms into a single integrated system. The mobile application serves both as a queue management interface and an access credential, while sensors function as both queue monitoring devices and access control validators. This merging reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies overall architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses digital copies of access credentials (queue position data stored on mobile devices) instead of physical access cards or tokens. This digital credential copying enables seamless integration between queue management and access control, as the same digital data serves both purposes without requiring additional physical components.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for managing virtual queues for providing access control. A cloud-based queue service manages a plurality of queues hosted by one or more entities. The queue service is in constant communication with the entities and sensors located therein providing queue management, queue analysis, and access control to controlled systems. The queue service is likewise in direct communication with queued persons and provides an access key to a user device which can be used to access the controlled system when certain conditions are met.