Electronic Wearable Access Control for Family Entertainment Centers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current point of sale (POS) systems in Family Entertainment Centers (FECs) face challenges in managing customer access, ticket redemption, and data integration, including inefficiencies with paper-based systems, waste generation, and limitations of paperless RFID card systems in storing waiver information and providing real-time status updates.
Innovation Solution
A wireless control system utilizing electronic wearable devices with integrated ICs for communication and visual indicators, connected to a central database via a Mobile Point of Sale (MPOS) system, enabling real-time transaction management, gamification, and data collection, while providing staff with visual status updates and customer leaderboard rankings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If paper wristbands are used to manage customer access, then visual indication of access permission is provided, but waste is generated and operational efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical paper wristband system with an electronic wearable device system that uses visual indicators (LEDs, displays) to show access permission status. This substitution eliminates paper waste while maintaining the visual indication function, and enables real-time remote updates of access status without manual intervention.
2Loss of substance
If paperless RFID card systems are used, then waste is reduced, but the ability to store waiver information and provide real-time status updates is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device is designed to perform multiple functions: it stores customer information including waiver status, provides real-time visual indication of access permission, enables two-way communication with the POS system, and supports various credit types. This multi-functional design resolves the limitation of basic RFID cards by integrating information storage, communication, and visual feedback capabilities into a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device acts as an intermediary between the customer, the POS system, and the attraction access control. It receives and stores waiver information and access status from the POS system, then provides real-time visual feedback to the customer, enabling comprehensive information management without waste from paper systems.
3Productivity
If traditional POS systems are used, then ticket sales and redemption are managed, but data integration and real-time monitoring across the facility are inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements two-way communication between the wearable devices and the POS system. The POS system can remotely update access permission status in the wearable devices in real-time based on credit availability, waiver status, or other factors. This feedback mechanism enables real-time monitoring and coordination across the facility without manual intervention, significantly improving data integration efficiency and reducing response time.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for electronic ticketing, monitoring, and indicating permissive use of facilities for family entertainment centers that implement connected terminal devices or kiosks, wireless communication networks, and a plurality of electronic wearable devices. Customers perform transactions with or without a facility employee, using the wearable device as a means of identifying the patron within the facility in addition to verifying the validity of said transactions. Systems and methods provide real-time status information regarding patrons via visual indicators embedded within wearable devices, gamification of facility attractions through an embedded motion-tracking component embedded in the wearable device, and alerts that provide facility employees with activity and/or status information about patrons.