Queue Prediction System Using Wireless Signal Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to provide real-time and predictive queue information to consumers about queue lengths and crowd behavior at public venues, leading to inefficient decision-making and misallocation of resources for both consumers and businesses.
Innovation Solution
A Queue Information & Prediction System (QIPS) that utilizes smartphone applications and cloud servers to collect, analyze, and distribute queue data, allowing consumers to make informed decisions and businesses to optimize staffing and resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If queue information is collected and distributed to consumers, then consumers can make informed decisions about queue avoidance, but businesses may lose control over queue information broadcasting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third-party service provider as an intermediary that collects queue information from businesses and distributes it to consumers. This mediator role allows consumers to access queue information while businesses can control what information is shared through the intermediary platform, thus resolving the contradiction between information availability and business control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables businesses to self-manage their queue information by opting in or out of the network and controlling what data is shared. Businesses can independently decide to participate in the queue information network without being forced, maintaining their operational autonomy while enabling information distribution when desired.
2Loss of time
If staffing is increased to reduce queues, then customer wait time decreases, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides advance queue information to consumers before they arrive at the venue, allowing them to plan their visits during off-peak times. This preliminary information enables demand management without requiring additional staffing, as customers self-regulate their arrival times based on predicted queue conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The queue information system provides dynamic, real-time data about queue lengths and predicted wait times, allowing businesses to flexibly adjust their operations based on actual demand patterns rather than maintaining static high staffing levels. This dynamic information enables optimized resource allocation that matches actual customer flow.
3Ease of manufacture
If queue information is not broadcasted, then businesses avoid discouraging customers, but consumers cannot make informed decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the queue information ecosystem into distinct roles: businesses that generate queue data, a third-party platform that aggregates and analyzes the data, and consumers who receive processed information. This segmentation allows businesses to share information without directly broadcasting it, maintaining their communication strategy while enabling consumer access through the intermediary platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The third-party service acts as an intermediary that receives queue information from businesses and redistributes it to consumers in a controlled manner. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by enabling information flow without requiring businesses to directly broadcast queue status, thus maintaining their communication preferences while informing consumers.
Data Source
AI summary
Queue Information & Prediction System (QIPS) uses the probability of queue existing in a given venue to assess the queue time. The instantaneous queue time for a location may be determined using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other wireless networks. QIPS uses the distances from signal strengths along with venue characteristics to determine an estimated queue time. Using queue probability for a venue and the instantaneous queue time for the same area QIPS may generate a Queue Decision Window (QDW). The QDW is a period of time leading up to a transaction or a consumption of a service. QIPS sorts through information surrounding a venue where crowds as well as queues may exists to determine queue time. Knowing the approximate queue time for transactions and consumption of services is helpful for consumers to manage their time.