Location-Based Appointment Self-Service With Proximity Check-In
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing appointment systems often require manual interaction with receptionists or customer service personnel, leading to unnecessary delays and inefficiencies, especially in locations without dedicated receptionists.
Innovation Solution
A computing device equipped with a processor, input/output modules, and a location module that allows users to schedule, check-in, or cancel appointments autonomously by determining proximity to a physical location where appointments are schedulable, using image recognition and network communication to access scheduling information and initiate actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual interaction with receptionists or customer service personnel is used for appointment scheduling and check-in, then human assistance is provided, but unnecessary delays and increased workload occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality through a mobile device application that enables users to independently schedule appointments, receive notifications, and perform check-in procedures without human assistance. The system automatically detects location proximity to the appointment venue and completes check-in when the user arrives, eliminating the need for receptionist interaction and reducing waiting time.
2Reliability
If manual interaction with receptionists or customer service personnel is used for appointment scheduling and check-in, then human assistance is provided, but increased workload of customer service personnel occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system transfers appointment management tasks from human staff to an automated mobile application. Users independently complete scheduling, receive automated notifications, and perform self-check-in by simply arriving at the location. This automation maintains service reliability through structured processes while completely eliminating the workload burden on customer service personnel for these routine tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual receptionist operations with an electronic automated system. The mobile application uses location detection technology and automated notification systems to perform functions previously requiring human physical presence and manual data entry, thereby increasing overall system productivity.
3Ease of operation
If dedicated receptionists are deployed for appointment management, then personalized service is provided, but resource utilization inefficiency occurs in locations without dedicated receptionists
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile application serves as a universal platform that consolidates multiple service functions into a single tool. It handles appointment scheduling, sends notifications, performs check-in, and provides location-based services all through one application, eliminating the need for separate receptionist roles and reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for providing location-based appointment operations is disclosed. The method includes receiving input indicating an instruction to perform an action related to appointments. Responsive to the input indicating the instruction to perform the action related to appointments, image recognition techniques may be used to determine that a computing device is proximate to a physical location where locations are schedulable. Then, responsive to determining that the computing device is proximate to the physical location, information related to scheduling appointments at the physical location is received via a network. The indication based on the received information is presented at the computing device. Input requesting an action in relation to an appointment at the physical location may be received at the computing device. An indication to initiate the requested action may be sent via the network. Related computing devices and computer-readable media are also disclosed.