JPH08194853A - Latency shortening system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To shorten latency by setting use reservation for plural use objects in an order managing device and allowing plural objects to simultaneously and parallely wait for in the device in a queuing mode set at respective objects. CONSTITUTION: An offerer requiring the use of objects 2 previously selects plural objects, e.g. 2a to 2c, required to be used and offers the use of the objects to the order managing device 3 through an input device 1. The device 3 accepts the offer of the use, issues an identification(ID) card 4 from the device 1 accepting the offer and manages the order of the accepted offer. When the offer is not accepted, negative acknowledge(NAK) to the objects concerned is executed and the disableness of use of the objects is reported through the device 1. When any one of objects offered from the offerer arrives at the offerer's order, a message indicating the usable state of the object is reported to the offerer by the use of the card number or the like of the ID card 4 through a display device 5. Consequently the objects 2 can be used without queueing up for use.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for shortening the waiting time when forming a queue for a plurality of objects and waiting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various methods have begun to be adopted in order to shorten the waiting time in amusement parks, theme parks, hospitals and the like.

A conventional method for shortening the waiting time for a queue will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 9 shows a case in which a waiting time shortening method is not adopted. For example, a desired object 100 to be used, such as a desired medical department such as a medical department of a hospital, a vehicle or attraction at an amusement park or a theme park, etc. It consists of a waiting space 101 for waiting in order. Those who wish to use the object 100,
It is possible to directly use the waiting space 101 and sequentially use the object. During this time, the user who wants to use the service waits in the waiting space 101 until he or she comes to his turn, and waits.

Next, FIG. 10 shows that the waiting time is shortened by the numbered ticket system. It is composed of a numbered ticket issuing machine 112 which issues a numbered ticket 111 for the object 110. The conventional method for reducing the waiting time configured as described above will be described below with respect to its mechanism. First, a person who wants to use the target object 110 uses the numbered ticket issuing machine 112 to target the target object 1
The numbered ticket 111 is obtained as a reservation of the use request for 10. A numbered ticket can be used to reduce the waiting time, for example, by indicating when the object can be used with a numbered ticket, waiting at a waiting space near the object at the time when it becomes available, and using the object. There is. When creating a queue for a plurality of objects and waiting, each queue will be lined up.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned configuration, if the reduction of waiting time is not taken into consideration, all the objects to be used will be lined up one after another, and the waiting time will be set to all the objects to be used. This is the total waiting time for each item, and it takes a very long time. In addition, when shortening the waiting time by the numbered ticket method etc., there is a queue in the numbered ticket issuing machine itself in order to obtain the numbered ticket of the object to be used, and for multiple objects to be used If you get the numbered ticket at once, you may not be able to use it when the available time becomes the same, which is a problem.

In view of the above problems, the present invention makes a reservation for use with respect to a plurality of target objects to be used by a device for order management, and causes the queues provided for the plurality of objects in the device to wait simultaneously and in parallel. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for reducing the waiting time.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the waiting time reduction system of the present invention uses an input device for making a use application for a plurality of desired objects to be used, and an input by the input device. An order having a storage means for storing the usage application information for each object (in a queue) and the storage means for storing the status of the usage applicant, by inputting the usage application information and the operating status of the object A management device and a plurality of the above-mentioned usage application information are managed by the order management device respectively, and when any of the usage application objects is in the order of the applicant, the applicant wishes This is a configuration including a display device that indicates that the object can be used.

[0009]

According to the present invention, with the above-described structure, the user who wishes to use makes an application to the order management device for a plurality of desired objects to be used, and the order management device manages the order of use. Since the display device notifies the applicant that one of the usage application objects can be used when the order of the usage applicant comes, it is not necessary to directly line up with the object, and order management is also possible. In the device, multiple usage applications are managed at the same time by a queue provided for each object, so waiting time can be shortened by waiting in parallel for multiple objects to be used Can be achieved.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A waiting time reduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a waiting time reduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1
Is an input device for making an application for the object of use, and n input devices 1a, 1b ,. ． ． 1n. 2 is a target object to be used, and m target objects 2a, 2b ,. ． ． , 2
m. 3 is a device for order management which inputs the use application information input by the input device 1 and the operating status of the object 2, 31 is a storage means for storing the use application information for each object, 32 is a use applicant It is a storage means for storing its own state. Reference numeral 4 is an identification card issued when the order management device 3 receives a usage application, and 5 is a usage object desired by the applicant when the usage application object is in the order of the applicant. It is a display device that shows that
52 ,. ． ． It consists of 5t.

Here, the number of users who want to use the object 2 is assumed to be a certain volume. FIG. 2 shows how the system configuration of FIG. 1 is used in an actual amusement park, theme park, hospital, or the like. Where input devices and objects,
The connection between the display device and the order management device is omitted.

The operation of the waiting time reduction system configured as described above will be described below with reference to the drawings.

A person who wants to use the object 2 selects a plurality of objects to be used, such as 2a, 2b, and 2c, in advance,
A use application is made to the order management device 3 using the input device 1. The order management device 3 issues an identification card 4 from the input device that has received the usage application, and manages the order of the received applications. If the object is not accepted, a negative response is given to the object and the input device 1 notifies that the object cannot be used.

Here, when any of the objects applied for by the application applicant comes in the order of the application applicant, the display device 5 uses the identification card 4 number or the like to indicate that the object can be used. By notifying the use applicant by using the target object 2, the use of the target object becomes possible without the use applicants needing to directly line up with the target object 2.

An example of the order management algorithm in the order management device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. For simplicity, only the operation related to the object 2a will be described. Depending on the operating status of the target object 2a, for example, it may be possible to use 10 persons at a certain point of time by the order management device 3
Will be notified. As a result, the order management device 3 extracts the use application information stored earliest in the storage means 31a indicating the queue of the object 2a, and uses the storage means 32 indicating the state of the extracted use applicant itself. Then, confirm that you are not using other objects, and take out the application applicant. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, when the use applicant extracted from 31a is using another target object,
The use of the use applicant is put on hold, the next candidate is searched from the storage means 31a, and it is confirmed that another target object is not used and the object is taken out. Repeatedly from the target object 2a until the number of users who have obtained the available information is taken out,
When the takeout is completed, the use applicant is displayed on the display device 5 to call. The calling applicant who made the call deletes the application information from the storage means 31a indicating the queue and updates it. The called usage applicant can use the object 2a by collating the identification card 4 and the like, and stores the usage status of the object 2a in the storage means 32 showing the status of the usage applicant itself. Until the end of use, even if other objects can be used, the use applicant is not called.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the object of use is notified to the applicant by the display device when any of the objects to be used is in the order of the applicant. There is no need to directly line up with each other, and since multiple usage applications are managed in the queue provided for each object at the same time in the order management device, it is possible to queue multiple objects to be used. Waiting at the same time or in parallel makes it possible to reduce the waiting time. Further, since the use applicant can confirm that he / she has the right to use the target object by using the identification card 4 when using the target object 2, it is possible to prevent the unauthorized use of the target object.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the waiting time reduction system in the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the object 2 of use desired and the device 3 for order management are the same as those in the configuration of FIG. 6 is an input function for making an application for an object to be used and a display function for showing to the applicant that the object to be used can be used when the object to be used is in the order of the applicant. The wireless input / output device has q wireless input / output devices 6
a, 6b ,. ． ． , 6q. Reference numeral 7 is a wireless base station for communicating with the wireless input / output device 6 moving in an amusement park or a theme park, and s wireless base stations 7a, 7
b ,. ． , 7s to cover amusement parks and theme parks. Here, assuming that the object 2 spreads over a wide range, that is, an attraction such as an amusement park or a theme park, an actual usage pattern is shown in FIG.

The operation of the waiting time reduction system configured as described above will be described below with reference to the drawings. The person who wants to use the object 2 selects a plurality of objects to be used, such as 2a, 2b, and 2c, in advance, and the user r
Input to the wireless input / output device 6r possessed by. The wireless input / output device 6r wirelessly transmits the applied information to the wireless base station 7 in the wireless zone where the user r is located, and the wireless base station is located in any wireless zone together with the usage application information. Whether or not it is added, and the order management device 3 is notified. As a result, it becomes possible to manage the location of the use applicant at the same time.

The position management of the usage applicant r is performed by, for example, performing periodic communication between the wireless input / output device 6r and the wireless base station 7 in the wireless zone where the usage applicant r is located to confirm the position. . When the subscriber r moves from the wireless zone, the wireless input / output device 6r is regularly exchanged at the wireless base station.
Since it becomes impossible to supplement the above, the wireless base station in the vicinity and the wireless input / output device 6r communicate with each other, and the storage means 32r is updated with the most probable wireless zone as new position information.

In order to accept the application for use, the order management device 3 returns a response from the wireless base station 7 to the wireless input / output device 6r for accepting the application, and the user r confirms. Similarly to the first embodiment, when the reception is not accepted, a negative response to the target object notifies that the target object cannot be used. The order management device 3 wirelessly inputs / outputs via the wireless base station 7 that the target object 2 can be used when any of the target objects 2 applied by the usage applicant comes in the order of the applicant r. By notifying the device 6r and calling the applicant r, it is possible to use the target object without having to directly line up with the target object 2.

Here, the order management algorithm in the order management device 3 may be the same as that of the first embodiment,
In the case of the present embodiment, since the information indicating in which wireless zone the use applicant is located is stored in the storage means 32 showing the state of the use applicant himself, other objects are stored as shown in FIG. After confirming whether or not the object has been used, the waiting time can be efficiently shortened by calling the usage applicants located near the object 2a as much as possible.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the wireless input / output device is used for the input device for making a use application and the display device for indicating that it has become available, and an amusement park or a theme park where an object is installed. By providing a wireless base station to cover a large number of wireless zones, etc., in addition to the first embodiment, it is possible for the applicant to use the object anywhere in a wide range such as an amusement park or a theme park. And it becomes possible to call anywhere. Furthermore, by preferentially calling from a user who is located closer to the object, it is possible to reduce the waiting time more efficiently.

The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 shows the configuration of an input device used in the waiting time reduction system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As a transmission means for notifying the order management device of the information indicating that the object cannot be used even when the object is available for use by the applicant, 81 in FIG. 7A,
Reference numeral 82 denotes a card insertion hole and a pause notification switch provided in the input device 1 in the first embodiment, and 9 in FIG. 7B indicates a pause notification provided in the wireless input / output device 6 in the second embodiment. Shows the switch.

The operation of the waiting time reduction system configured as described above will be described below with reference to the drawings. The card of the input device 1 in the case where the user becomes unable to use the object even if it becomes the order in which it can be used, for example, when eating or taking a break, or in the case of the identification card method. The identification card 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 81, and a notice of suspension is given by the switch 82. From the input device 1, the identification number of the identification card 4 is stored in the storage means 32 indicating the state of the user of the order management device 3 in which the user is in a dormant state. In the case of a system using the wireless input / output device 6, FIG.
The pause notification switch 9 shown in (b) is pressed, and the identification number of the use applicant is transmitted via the wireless line. Is stored in the storage means 32.

The algorithm for order management may be the same as that of the first embodiment, but as shown in FIG. 8, after confirming whether or not another target object is used, the use applicant is suspended. By confirming whether or not the call is being made and calling the user who is not suspended, it is possible to effectively reduce the waiting time.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, since a plurality of application objects for use in the order management device are applied for use and the order management is performed by the storage device in the order management device, the use target objects are selected. It is possible to shorten the waiting time by directly queuing and lining up a plurality of objects in a queue at the same time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a waiting time reduction system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an image diagram when the system in the embodiment is actually arranged.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a waiting time management algorithm for explaining the operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a waiting time reduction system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an image diagram when the system in the embodiment is actually arranged.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a waiting time management algorithm for explaining the operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a waiting time reduction system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a waiting time management algorithm for explaining the operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a conventional example in which the waiting time is not shortened.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram when a waiting time is shortened by a numbered ticket.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input device 2 Target object of use 3 Device for order management 4 Identification card 5 Display device 6 Radio input / output device 7 Radio base station 81 Card insertion hole for input device 1 82 Switch for notifying pause of input device 1 9 Radio input / output device No. 6 pause notification switch 100 Target object to be used in conventional example 101 Waiting space 110 Target object to be used in conventional example 111 Numbered ticket 112 Numbered ticket issuing machine

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An input device for making a usage application for a plurality of desired objects to be used, and the usage application information input by the input device and the operating status of the objects as inputs, and the usage application information for each object is stored. A storage unit that serves as a queue, a device for order management that has a storage unit that stores the status of the use applicant, and a plurality of the use application information items that are managed by the order management device. When the object to be used for application is in the order of the applicant, a display device indicating to the applicant that the object to be used can be used is provided, and A waiting time reduction system characterized by shortening the waiting time until the use of a plurality of objects by holding the usage application information in a storage means as a queue for each object provided in the order management device. 2. A wireless terminal is used as an input device for making a use application and a display device showing that it has become available, and a use application is made while the user is moving and an individual call is made when it is available. The waiting time reduction system according to claim 1. 3. A use application provided in the order management device, further comprising a transmission means for notifying the order management device of information indicating that the object cannot be used even if it becomes the order in which the object can be used. Stored in the storage means that stores the state of the person himself,
Even if it becomes the order of the applicable user when performing order management, until the information indicating that the user cannot use the order management device is released to the order management device, The waiting time reduction system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fact that the service is available is not notified.