Portable Module Reservation Management for Amusement Parks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for managing access to limited-capacity resources, such as amusement park attractions, face inefficiencies due to the need for physical queues and infrastructure, particularly with handheld Q-bot systems that require continuous communication and fixed infrastructure, limiting flexibility in throughput and demand adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A portable module system that allows users to request reservations and determines optimal access times based on updatable resource access parameters, including reservation requests and estimated throughput, without the need for continuous communication with a central database or docking stations, using wireless communication and a network of portable modules that exchange information to determine aggregate reservation requests and throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed infrastructure system with central queue managers and continuous communication is used, then access management reliability is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess management reliabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each portable module independently determines its own access time by calculating based on locally stored reservation requests and throughput parameters, without requiring continuous communication with central queue managers. The module autonomously manages its reservation status and updates access times based on changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized queue management system is divided into independent portable modules, each capable of autonomous operation. Instead of one central authority managing all reservations, multiple distributed modules each handle their own reservations independently, eliminating the need for continuous central communication infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If paper tickets with fixed time slots are used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to throughput changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of accessVSAvoidadaptability to throughput changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The access time stored in the portable module is dynamic rather than fixed. The module continuously updates the access time based on changing throughput parameters and reservation requests, allowing the system to adapt to varying attraction capacity and demand conditions while maintaining the simplicity of ticket-based access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the time parameter dynamically based on throughput conditions. When throughput increases or demand decreases, the access time is automatically updated to reflect the new optimal waiting period, allowing flexible adaptation without requiring physical ticket reissuance or complex user interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If Q-bots require continuous communication with central database, then measurement precision of reservation status is improved, but loss of time due to communication delays increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservation status accuracyVSAvoidcommunication time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

All necessary reservation data and throughput parameters are downloaded to the portable module in advance. The module performs local calculations to determine access times without requiring real-time communication with central databases, eliminating communication delays while maintaining accurate reservation tracking through autonomous updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The portable module acts as an intermediary that stores and processes reservation information locally. Instead of requiring constant communication with the central database, the module maintains an accurate local copy of reservation status and uses this to independently determine access times, reducing communication overhead while preserving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Area of stationary object

If multiple queue managers are deployed to cover larger areas, then coverage area is improved, but device complexity and signal range requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The queue management functionality is segmented into multiple independent portable modules distributed throughout the area. Each module operates autonomously without requiring coordination with other queue managers, eliminating the need for complex inter-manager communication infrastructure while providing widespread coverage through distributed deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10198699B2Reservation management system and method

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 LO Q

AI summary

A method and system for reserving a time slot to gain access to a resource, such as an attraction, ride, show or event, as may be found in an amusement park. A portable module is used to determine a time when the user is able to access the resource based on reservation requests and throughput, without need for a docking station or continuous communication with a central database of all reservations and queue times.