JPH06268569A - Waiting time display system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow an applicant to await the execution of a predetermined service while its behavior is not bound with respect to the waiting time display system notifying a wait time till the start of the utility to the applicant of the predetermined service. CONSTITUTION:A mobile terminal equipment (200) such as a pocket pager provided with a notice means (201) is possessed by a utility applicant of a service whose utility is started in the order of application, and an exchange (100) having a function calling individually an optional mobile terminal equipment (200) is provided with a utility applicant registration means (101) registering a reception time and a mobile terminal equipment number corresponding to the accepted utility application, a waiting time calculation means (102) calculating periodically the waiting time from a current point of time with respect to each utility application registered in advance, and a time transmission means (103) adding the mobile terminal equipment number to data at the calculated wait time and informing the wait time to the notice means (201) of the mobile terminal equipment (200).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a waiting time display system for notifying a user who has applied for the use of a predetermined service, a waiting time until the service can be started.

[0002] For example, when a large number of people share a limited number of entertainment facilities, there are increasing opportunities to wait for the facilities in order of application until they become available. In such a case, each applicant strongly requests to know the waiting time until it becomes available.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art An operator of a predetermined number of facilities accepts applications for using the facilities from a large number of users, provides the users with the facilities in the order of application, and the users who are provided with the facilities generally spend a fixed amount of time on the facilities. In the case of occupying, the applicant is worried about the waiting time from the acceptance of the usage application to the actual start of usage.

[0004] If the operator does not provide information on the waiting time, the applicant will wait near the window where he is notified of the start of use until it becomes available after application.
The actions during that time are bound, and other business cannot be added.

Depending on the operator side, the waiting time from the reception of the application to the start of use is estimated and posted at the reception desk for the use application, or the form in which the start time of use is estimated and entered at the time of application is applied. There are cases where the service is being handed over to someone.

However, the above-mentioned estimated waiting time or estimated use start time is a prediction at the time of accepting the application, and the estimated wait time depends on the usage situation of each facility thereafter.
Alternatively, the scheduled start time of use usually deviates gradually from the actual situation, and the estimated waiting time displayed at the time of reception,
Or, there is some anxiety in completely trusting the notified estimated use start time, and it is necessary to wait near the window where the use start is notified.

[0007]

As is apparent from the above description, conventionally, the user of this type of facility must continue to wait near the window where he is notified of the start of use after making an application. There was a problem that actions were tied up and time wasted.

It is an object of the present invention to allow an applicant to wait unconstrained for his / her actions from the time when he / she applies for the service to the time when the service is actually provided.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 100 is an exchange, 200 is a mobile terminal, and 201 is a notification means provided in the mobile terminal (200).

101 is an exchange (100) according to the present invention.
It is a means for registering for use provided at. 102 is a waiting time calculation means provided in the exchange (100) according to the present invention.

103 is an exchange (100) according to the present invention.
It is a waiting time sending means provided in.

[0012]

When the user applies for the use of a predetermined service that can be used in the order of application, the applicant is made to carry the mobile terminal (200) having the notification means (201) from the application to the start of use.

The exchange (100) is connected to each mobile terminal (20).
It has a function of transmitting the terminal number assigned to 0) and individually calling an arbitrary mobile terminal (200). The use application registration means (101) corresponds to the received use application, the reception time and the mobile terminal (20) possessed by the applicant.
Register the terminal number of 0).

The waiting time calculating means (102) periodically calculates the waiting time from the present time until the service can be started for each use application registered in the use application registration means (101).

The waiting time sending means (103) sends the waiting time calculated by the waiting time calculating means (102) by adding the terminal number of the mobile terminal (200) possessed by the corresponding applicant to the waiting time. The notification means (201) provided in the terminal (200) is notified of the waiting time.

The waiting time calculating means (102) calculates the waiting time of each applicant, the remaining service time of the service currently provided, the order of waiting for use by the applicable applicant,
It is considered to be calculated from the average usage time of the service.

The use application registration means (101), the waiting time calculation means (102) and the waiting time transmission means (10).
It is considered that 3) is provided in the waiting time display device that is installed in the exchange (100).

Further, the mobile terminal (200) has a notification means (2
01) equipped with a radio calling terminal (commonly called pager)
It is considered to apply. Therefore, each user periodically calculates his / her waiting time from when he / she applies for the use of the predetermined service until the service is actually provided.
Since it is notified to the notification means of the mobile terminal in possession, there is no need to wait at a predetermined position at all, and the waiting time can be effectively used for other purposes, greatly improving the convenience for users of the service. Improve to.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 2 is a diagram showing a waiting time display system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a waiting time calculation process in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a waiting time calculation explanatory diagram. .

In FIG. 2, the exchange (1
00) is an exchange (1), a mobile terminal (200) in FIG. 1 is a radio calling terminal [hereinafter referred to as pager (3)], and a use application registration means (101) in FIG. Waiting time calculation means (10
2) and a waiting time display device (2) as a waiting time sending means (103) are attached to the exchange (1).

The waiting time display device (2) is provided with a registration terminal (2) as a use application registration means (101) in FIG.
1), user registration unit (22) and registration memory (23)
Is provided, and the waiting time calculating means (10
A waiting state monitoring unit (24) is provided as 2), and a waiting time sending unit that utilizes the pager (3) calling function originally provided in the exchange (1) as the waiting time sending unit (103) in FIG. (25) is provided.

In FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the operator who is the subject of this embodiment accepts the application for use of the two facilities from a large number of users. Immediately provide the facilities and start using them, but if any of the facilities are in use, they will be put on standby once, and as soon as the facilities are available, the facilities will be provided in the order of application and start to use.

First, the two facilities are in an unused state
So, when the first user (Ua) applies to use the facility,
The user is a user (Ua) because all the facilities are vacant
Determines that the user can start using the service immediately, the user (Ua)
Either without carrying a pager (3)
The facility to provide and start using
From (21), the identification information of the user (Ua) [hereinafter the user
The identification information of (Ua) is simply displayed as the user (Ua)]
And enter the application time (t_A) And start of use
Tick (t_S) Is specified, the user registration section (2
2) corresponds to the registration memory (23) and corresponds to the user (Ua).
Application time (t_Aa) And start time (t _Sa)When
The current time (t_P) Is registered.

When the user registration unit (22) registers the user (Ui) who has accepted the application (where i is a, b, c, ..., Same below), the use start time (t _S ) Is compared with the usage application time (t _A ) of each unregistered user (Ui), the waiting order (Qi) is determined on a first-come-first-served basis, and registration is performed corresponding to each user (Ui). Time (t _s )
Waiting order (Qa) corresponding to the user (Ua) who registered the
Does not decide.

When the next user (Ub) applies for the use of the facility, the operator determines that the remaining one of the facilities is in an empty state and the user (Ub) can immediately start using the user (Ub). ) Without carrying a pager (3)
While providing the remaining one of the facilities and starting the use, input the user (Ub) from the registration terminal (21),
When the user inputs the user application time (t _A ) and the user start time (t _S ), the user registration unit (22) sets the registration memory (2).
In 3), the current time (t) is set as the usage application time (t _Ab ) and the usage start time (t _Sb ) corresponding to the user (Ub).
_P ) is registered and the waiting order (Qb) is not set.

In this state, when the next user (Uc) applies for the use of the facility, the operator determines that the facility is in use and the user (Uc) immediately cannot use the facility. Request to wait until there is a free user (Uc)
A pager (3) equipped with a display unit (31) and lent and possessed a pager (3) that can be called from the exchange (1), and possessed by a user (Uc) from a registration terminal (21). Enter the terminal number (DNc) given to the user and specify the application time (t _A )
The user registration unit (22) registers the current time (t _P ) as the usage application time (t _Ac ) corresponding to the user (Uc) in the registration memory (23), and also inputs the terminal number (DNc).
The waiting time (Qc) [= 0th] corresponding to the user (Uc) whose registration start time (t _Sc ) has not been registered.
Decide and register.

When the user (Ud) subsequently applies for the use of the facility, if the operator (Ud) immediately determines that the facility is still in use and the user (Ud) cannot immediately start using the facility, as in the case described above. , Request to wait until the facility is vacant, provide a display (31) to the user (Ud), lend a pager (3) that can be called from the exchange (1), and have it
When the user (Ud) and the terminal number (DNd) given to the carried pager (3) are entered from the registered terminal (21) and the application time (t _A ) is specified, The person registration unit (22) is a registration memory (23).
, The current time (t _P ) is registered as the usage application time (t _Ad ) corresponding to the user (Ud), the entered terminal number (DNd) is registered, and the usage start time (t _Sd ) is registered. Waiting order (Qd) corresponding to unregistered user (Ud)
Decide [= No. 1] and register.

Further, when the user (Ue) applies to use the facility, the operator determines that the facility is still in use and the user (Ue) cannot immediately start using the facility, as described above. Ask the user (U) to wait until the facility is vacant
The pager (e) having a display unit (31) and renting and carrying a pager (3) that can be called from the exchange (1) and carrying the user (Ue) from the registration terminal (21). 3) and inputs the terminal number (DNe) granted to and specify the input of utilization request time (t _a), the user authorization unit (22) registration memory (23), the user (Ue ), The current time (t _P ) is registered as the usage application time (t _Ae ), and the entered terminal number (DN)
e) is registered, and the waiting time (Qe) [= second second] corresponds to the user (Ue) whose usage start time (t _Se ) is not registered.
No.] and register.

On the other hand, the waiting state monitoring unit (24)
Start at intervals (for example, 1 minute interval) and apply for facility use
So, the waiting time of each user (Ui) waiting for the provision of facilities
(T _WiRefer to registration memory (23) to calculate)
The registered information corresponding to each user (Ui).
It is extracted for each person [step S1 in FIG. 3], and the extracted information is
Start time (t_S) Is already registered [Step
S2].

As a result of the analysis, if the use start time (t _S ) is registered, it is identified that the corresponding user (Ui) has already started using the facility, and the waiting time (T _Wi ) is calculated. However, if the usage start time (t _S ) is not registered, the corresponding user (Ui) has not started using the facility. If not, the waiting time (T _Wi ) is calculated.

First, the waiting state monitoring section (24) has the earliest use start time (t) from the use start times (t _S ) registered in the registration memory (23) for each user (Ui).
_S ) is searched and extracted from the registration memory (23) [step S3].

In FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the first opening
Usage start time (t) of the user (Ua) who started_Sa) Is extracted
Be done. Next, the waiting state monitoring unit (24)
Start time (t_Sa), Current time (t _P) And predetermined
Average usage time (T_H) And the start time
(T _SaThe user (Ua) who extracted
Time to wait [The remaining usage time (T_W1)]
Is calculated according to the equation (1) [step S4].

[0033] _{T W1i = T H - (t} P -t Sa) ...............
…………………… (1) Next, the waiting state monitoring unit (24) calculates the average usage time ( _TH ), the number of facilities (N), and the waiting time (T _Wi ). From the waiting order (Qi) of Ui), the waiting time from when the U user (Ua) finishes using the facility until the target user (Ui) starts using the facility [later waiting time (T _W2i )] is calculated according to the equation (2) [step S5].

T _W2i = [Qi ÷ N] × T _H ………………
(2) However, [Qi ÷ N] indicates that the decimal part of the quotient (Qi ÷ N) is truncated and only the integer part is adopted.

Next, the waiting state monitoring unit (24) _{calculates the} waiting time (T _Wi ) of the target user (Ui) from the remaining usage time (T _W1i ) and the waiting time (T _{W2 i} ) by (3). It is calculated according to the formula [step S6].

T _Wi = T _W1i + T _W2i …………………………
(3) The waiting state monitoring unit (24) transmits the calculated waiting time (T _Wi ) to the waiting time sending unit (25) together with the corresponding terminal number (DNi).

The above process is executed for all users (Ui) registered in the registration memory (23) [step S7]. 2 and 4, the waiting state monitoring unit (24) sequentially extracts various information registered in the registration memory (23) corresponding to the users (Ua) and (Ub). ) And (Ub) are starting to use the facility immediately after applying, and since both use start times (t _Sa ) and (t _Sb ) have already been registered, the waiting time (T _Wa ) and (T _Wb ) Various information registered in the registration memory (23) corresponding to the next user (Uc) is extracted without calculation, and the use start time (t _Sc ) is unregistered. ) Determines that it is necessary to calculate the waiting time (T _Wc ), and since the waiting order (Qc) is the 0th, the waiting time (T _Wc ) [= T _W1c ] of the user (Uc) is _calculated . The waiting time sending unit (2)
5), and then various information registered in the registration memory (23) corresponding to the user (Ud) is extracted, and since the use start time (t _Sd ) is not registered, the user ( Ud) determines that the waiting time (T _Wd ) needs to be calculated, and the waiting order (Qc) is the first, so the user (Uc)
Of the waiting time (T _Wd ) [= T _W1d ] is transmitted to the waiting time sending unit (25) together with the terminal number (DNd), and further registered in the registration memory (23) corresponding to the user (Ue). Since various types of information that have already been extracted are extracted and the use start time (t _Se ) is not registered, the user (Ue) determines that the waiting time (T _We ) needs to be calculated, and the waiting order (Q) Is the second
Since it is the turn, the waiting time of the user (Ue) (T _We )
[= T _W1e + T _W2e = T _W1e + T _H ] is calculated and transmitted to the waiting time sending unit (25) together with the terminal number (DNe),
All users registered in the registration memory (23) (U
After extracting various information corresponding to a) to (Ue),
The calculation process of the waiting time (T _Wi ) in the corresponding cycle is ended.

On the other hand, the waiting time sending unit (25) receives the terminal number (DNi) and waiting time (T _Wi ) corresponding to each user (Ui) from the waiting state monitoring unit (24),
A call is made to the exchange (1), and the terminal number (DNi) and the waiting time (T _Wi ) are transmitted.

The exchange (1) has a waiting time sending unit (25).
When the terminal number (DNi) is transmitted from the connection device (13), the terminal number (DNi) and the waiting time (T _Wi ) are transmitted from the connection device (13) and transferred to each pager (3).

Each pager (3) has a connecting device (1
3) receiving the terminal number (DNi), and only the pager (3) that matches the own terminal number (DNi) receives the waiting time (T) together with the terminal number (DNi).
_Wi ) is _visually displayed on the display unit (31).

Each user (Ui) recognizes the waiting time (T _Wi ) until the facility can be used by monitoring the display part (31) of the pager (3) possessed by the user (Ui).
As long as the waiting time (T _Wi ) is long enough, other tasks are added away from the window that notifies the start of use of the facility, and when the waiting time (T _Wi ) falls below a certain value, Return to near the window and wait for the facility start notification.

A user (Ua) who is currently using the facility
After (Ub) has finished using, the operator uses the registered terminal (21) to finish using (Ua) or (U).
When the input of the end time of use (t _E ) is specified together with the input of b), the user registration unit (22) causes the registration memory (2
In 3), the current time (t _P ) is set as the usage end time (t _Ea ) or (t _Eb ) corresponding to the user (Ua) or (Ub).
To register.

Subsequently, the operator calls the user (Uc) whose waiting order (Q) is No. 0 at the counter, notifies the user that the vacant facility can be used, and lends it. If the user (Uc) who has started using the registration terminal (21) and the corresponding input of the start time of use (t _Sc ) are specified, the user registration unit ( 22) shows the user (Uc) in the registration memory (23).
The current time (t _P ) as the use start time (t _Sc ) corresponding to
, The registered waiting order (Qc) [= 0] and the terminal number (DNc) corresponding to the user (Uc) are deleted, and accordingly, the users (Ud) and (Ue) are deleted. ) Waiting order (Qd) [= first] and (Qe) [= second]
No.] is updated to the waiting order (Qd) [= No. 0] and (Qe) [= No. 1], respectively.

As is clear from the above description, the present embodiment
According to the above, the operator determines that each user (U
Corresponding to i), the application time (t_A), Start time
(T _S) And end time (t_E) Are registered one after another and
For users (Ui) who are waiting for use of the equipment
Register the terminal number (DNi) of the pager (3)
Various information entered by entering from (21)
Registered in the registration memory (23) with the waiting order (Qi)
Each of the registered memory (23) that has been registered and is in a standby state.
Waiting time of user (Ui) (T_Wi) Is the waiting state monitoring unit
(24) is calculated periodically, and the waiting time sending unit (2
5) is sent to the exchange (1) so that
Display of pager (3) carried by user (Ui)
In (31), the waiting time (T_Wi) Is displayed visually
Therefore, the user (Ui) has to wait until the facility can be used.
Chi time (T_Wi), Waiting time (T_Wi) Is long enough
During the period, apart from the window where you are notified of the start of using the facility,
I have added some errands, and wait time (T_Wi) Is below a certain value
When I arrived, I returned to the area near the above-mentioned window and started using the facility.
It becomes possible to wait for knowledge.

2 to 4 are merely examples of the present invention, and the facilities provided by the operator are not limited to two sets, and the user (U) has five sets. [= (U
The present invention is not limited to a) to (Ue)], and various modifications may be considered, but the effect of the present invention does not change in any case. Further, the use application registration means (101), the waiting time calculation means (102), and the waiting time transmission means (10).
3) is not limited to the waiting time display device (2) provided side by side with the exchange (1), and various other modifications such as incorporation in the central processing system device (12) of the exchange (1) are possible. Although considered, the effect of the present invention does not change in any case. Further, the mobile terminal (200) carried by the user (Ui) in the standby state is not limited to the pager (3), but a mobile phone or a dedicated terminal prepared for notification of the waiting time (T _Wi ). Many other modifications such as machines are considered, but in any case, the effect of the present invention does not change.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, each user periodically calculates his / her waiting time from the application for the use of the predetermined service until the actual service is provided,
Since it is notified to the notification means of the mobile terminal in possession, there is no need to wait at a predetermined position at all, and the waiting time can be effectively used for other purposes, greatly improving the convenience for users of the service. Improve to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a waiting time display system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a waiting time calculation process in FIG.

[Fig. 4] Calculation diagram of waiting time

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 100 switchboard 2 waiting time display device 3 pager 11 network 12 central processing system device 13 connection device 21 registration terminal 22 user registration unit 23 registration memory 24 waiting state monitoring unit 25 waiting time sending unit 31 display unit 101 use application registration Means 102 Waiting time calculating means 103 Waiting time sending means 200 Mobile terminal 201 Notifying means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An applicant, who has applied for the use of a predetermined service that can be started in the order of application, carries a mobile terminal (200) equipped with a notification means (201) from the time of application to the start of use. An exchange (100) having a function of individually calling any of the mobile terminals (200) by transmitting a terminal number assigned to each of the mobile terminals (200) is accepted in response to the received application for use. Use application registration means (101) for registering the time and the terminal number of the mobile terminal (200) possessed by the applicant, and the service from the present time for each use application registered in the use application registration means (101). Waiting time calculating means for periodically calculating the waiting time until the start of use (1
02) and the waiting time calculated by the waiting time calculation means (102) with the terminal number of the mobile terminal (200) possessed by the corresponding applicant added and transmitted, and provided to the corresponding mobile terminal (200). A waiting time display system characterized in that a waiting time sending means (103) for notifying the notified notifying means (201) of the waiting time is provided. 2. The waiting time calculating means (102) calculates the waiting time of each applicant, the remaining service time of the service currently provided, the order of waiting for use by the corresponding applicant, and the service. The waiting time display method according to claim 1, wherein the waiting time display method is calculated from the average usage time of 3. The use application registration means (101), waiting time calculation means (102) and waiting time transmission means (10)
3. The waiting time display system according to claim 1, wherein 3) is provided in a waiting time display device provided in the switching system (100). 4. The waiting time display system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal (200) is a radio call terminal equipped with the notification means (201).