Dynamic Access Key System for Queue Length Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing access to popular attractions in amusement parks efficiently while minimizing queue lengths is challenging, as existing systems require complex communications and separate user groups, making it difficult to optimize access for all users.
Innovation Solution
A system using portable access keys with variable access parameters, sensors to determine queue characteristics, and controllers to set access criteria based on queue conditions, allowing users to determine access without specific time allocations, reducing system complexity and encouraging users to wait before choosing an attraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical queue lines are used to manage access, then access regulation is simple and fair, but queue lines become long and users experience boredom
Solution Approach 1:
The access parameter in the portable access key is dynamic, changing based on the user's waiting time rather than being fixed. This allows the system to adapt to changing queue conditions and attracton capacity, enabling users to access attractions when their dynamic parameter meets the access criterion, thereby reducing queue waiting time while maintaining fair access regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter stored in the portable access key based on the user's position in the queue and waiting time. This parameter change allows the system to manage access dynamically without requiring long physical queues, as users can access attractions when their updated parameter satisfies the access criterion.
2Productivity
If time slots are allocated to users, then access efficiency is improved, but complex communications and computational facilities are required
Solution Approach 1:
The portable access key automatically updates its own parameter based on waiting time without requiring complex communications with central systems. The key serves itself by maintaining and updating the access parameter locally, eliminating the need for sophisticated communication and computational infrastructure while still achieving efficient access management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the access parameter storage and update functionality from the central control system and places it directly in the portable access key. This extraction eliminates the need for complex communications and computational facilities at the attraction, as the key independently manages its own access parameter.
3Ease of operation
If users are divided into two groups, then access control is simplified, but collective optimization for all users becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The portable access key serves multiple functions: it stores the user's identifier, dynamically updates the access parameter based on waiting time, and enables access control. This universal approach allows all users to be treated uniformly through a single mechanism rather than dividing them into separate groups, enabling collective optimization while maintaining simplified access control.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for regulating access to a resource (50) by a plurality of users is provided. The system comprises: a plurality of portable access keys (10), each being provided to one of the users and having an associated variable access parameter; an access barrier (20), having an open state allowing passage through and a closed state denying access to the resource, and defining an access queue (40); a sensor (60) that determines an access queue characteristic related to a number of users in the access queue; a controller (60), which sets an access criterion based on the determined access queue characteristic; and a detector (25), located at the access barrier and which determines the variable access parameter of a portable access key when it is brought into the vicinity of the detector. The controller sets the access barrier in its open state if the variable access parameter determined by the detector meets the access criterion.