Queue Control System Using LED Light Stripes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing queue control systems are inefficient, imprecise, and complex, often leading to excessive waiting times or unnecessary idle staff due to reliance on visual observation and require cumbersome card dispensers and readers.
Innovation Solution
A queue control system utilizing longitudinal light stripes with LEDs, which can be controlled to guide individuals to the correct queue, with features like dynamic lighting sequences and color changes to indicate availability, operated by a computer or EPROM-based controller, and potentially integrated with sensors for automatic management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If visual observation and personal judgement are used to control queues, then the system is simple to implement, but the measurement precision and reliability of queue control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual observation with an automated optical detection system using light stripes and sensors. The mechanical/manual queue control method is substituted by an automatic detection system that uses light barriers and electronic processing to monitor queue length, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light stripes as an intermediary element between the queue and the detection system. These light stripes create optical barriers that automatically detect when customers join or leave the queue, providing precise measurement without requiring direct visual observation or complex mechanical counters.
2Reliability
If continuous observation by management personnel is used, then queue control can be maintained, but the loss of time and productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The queue control system performs self-monitoring through automated light detection and electronic processing. The system automatically detects queue length changes, processes the information, and activates appropriate service points without requiring continuous human observation, thereby eliminating time loss while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where light sensors continuously monitor queue length and automatically signal the control unit, which then activates or deactivates service points based on real-time queue conditions. This closed-loop feedback system ensures continuous reliable control without requiring ongoing management personnel time investment.
3Measurement precision
If card dispensers and multiple card readers are used, then queue monitoring capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex card dispenser and multiple card reader subsystems from the queue control system. Instead, it uses a simplified light stripe-based detection system that achieves queue monitoring capability without requiring customers to interact with complex dispensing or reading devices, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining monitoring precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The light stripe system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects when customers join the queue, detects when customers leave the queue, and provides visual guidance information. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate card dispensers and multiple card readers, achieving comprehensive monitoring with simpler universal components.
4Productivity
If the queue length increases, then more service capacity is utilized, but the waiting time and customer dissatisfaction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of service points based on real-time queue length detection. The system automatically activates additional service points when queue length exceeds predetermined thresholds and deactivates them when queues are short, dynamically balancing service capacity utilization with customer waiting time reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses predetermined threshold values for queue length that trigger service point activation in advance. When the queue reaches a critical length, additional service points are automatically activated before customer dissatisfaction sets in, preventing rather than reacting to the problem of excessive waiting times.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a reliable, efficient, and simple method to manage queues, reducing waiting times and labor wastage by clearly directing individuals to available service points and dynamically adjusting to changes in queue demand.
Implementation Method 1
light stripes provided with a plurality of point-like light sources, such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diode)
Data Source
AI summary
A queue control system for guiding persons waiting for service by a plurality of service desks, such as check-in desks at an airport, the system comprising computer control means for controlling the system, wherein system further comprises: stripe-like or band-like lighting means arranged for each desk (Desk 1-Desk 3) provided with point-like light sources, like LEDs, coupled to a circuit board, the circuit board being adapted to provide variable lighting operations, wherein each lighting means have at least a stripe-like or band-like part (101-103) arranged in the direction of the queue; and wherein the control computer means are adapted to variably control the lighting of the stripe-like or band-like lighting means in order to guide the persons in the queues and/or entering and/or leaving the queues.