Wireless Queue Management Using Customer Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional queue management systems require significant specialized hardware and labor, making them costly and inefficient, particularly in managing customer wait times effectively.
Innovation Solution
A queue management system utilizing communication circuitry and a processor to store customer information and wirelessly contact personal communication devices when it's their turn in the queue, eliminating the need for specialized hardware and reducing wait times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional sign-in and queue area management is used, then customers can be managed through physical presence, but specialized hardware and labor are required making it costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses universal personal communication devices (cell phones, pagers) that customers already possess, eliminating the need for specialized queue management hardware. These multi-functional devices serve both as communication tools and queue position indicators, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
Customers receive automated notifications through their own communication devices, eliminating the need for personnel to manually activate beepers or notify customers. The system autonomously manages queue positions and sends notifications when tables become vacant, reducing labor requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional queue management with personnel is used, then customers can be notified of table availability, but labor requirements increase operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system automates the entire queue management process including position assignment, monitoring, and notification. Customers are automatically notified when their number is called or when a table becomes available, eliminating the need for manual personnel intervention and reducing operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors queue status and automatically provides feedback to customers through communication devices. When a table becomes vacant or the customer's number is called, the system immediately notifies the customer, creating an automated feedback loop that replaces manual management.
3Productivity
If manual queue management is used, then customers can be served in order, but customer wait time is extended due to inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
Customers are assigned queue positions in advance upon arrival, and the system proactively notifies them when their number is called or when a table becomes available. This preliminary positioning and advance notification reduces unnecessary waiting time and improves service efficiency by keeping customers informed of their status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical queue management with an automated electronic notification system. Communication circuitry and processors automatically track queue positions and send notifications, eliminating the inefficiencies of manual management and reducing customer wait time through faster, more accurate service coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A queue management system and method which uses a computer to manage queue priorities and contact customers. The queue management system includes communication circuitry, and a processor for storing contact information of a customer in a list, for establishing a position of the customer in a queue, and for automatically causing the communication circuitry to wirelessly contact a personal communication device carried by the customer using the contact information if the position is first for service in the queue.