Queue Management via Ground Projection for Terminal-Free Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing queue management systems cannot provide guidance to users forming a queue without a terminal device, making it difficult to form an appropriate queue.

Innovation Solution

A queue management system that includes a queue detection unit, a guidance position determination unit, and a guidance display control unit, which detects the queue state, determines a guidance position, and controls a display device to display guidance information, allowing users to form queues appropriately without terminal devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If guidance information is transmitted to terminal devices of users forming a queue, then queue management can be achieved, but users without terminal devices cannot receive guidance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequeue management capabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with users without terminal devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a display device as an intermediary between the queue management system and users. Instead of requiring users to have terminal devices, the system projects guidance information onto the ground through a display device, making queue management accessible to all users regardless of their personal equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electronic communication channel (terminal devices) with an optical projection system. By projecting guidance information directly onto the physical space where users stand, the system substitutes the need for electronic devices with a visual display mechanism that works universally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If a queue simply continues to the rear without personnel adjustment, then queue formation is simple, but it causes problems such as interfering with the surroundings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequeue formation simplicityVSAvoidinterference with surroundings

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously detects the queue state and dynamically adjusts guidance information based on real-time conditions. The detection unit monitors queue formation, and the control unit modifies projection positions and guidance messages to prevent interference with surroundings while maintaining simple queue structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the static queue formation into a dynamic system where guidance information automatically adapts to changing queue conditions. The projection position and guidance content change in real-time based on detected queue state, allowing the system to respond to environmental factors without complex manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11917485B2Queue management device, queue management system, queue management method, and computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 SHIMIZU CORP

AI summary

A queue management device includes: a queue detection unit that, on the basis of a detection result of forming elements at a site subject to queue management, detects the state of the queue; a guidance position determination unit that, on the basis of the state of the queue detected by the queue detection unit, determines a guidance position where a guidance should be displayed; and a guidance display control unit that controls a display device such that the guidance is displayed at the guidance position determined by the guidance position determination unit.