Queue management

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and devices for queue management that allow a person waiting in the queue to choose to receive at least one warning communication, for example on a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone. In some embodiments, the person agrees to “buy” the warnings and concomitant free time by agreeing to pay for at least one warning communication and/or by agreeing to accept advertisements.

1 . A method for queue management for a service provided at a service location, comprising:
 a. positioning at least one turn-distributing terminal at a waiting area;   b. upon request by a person for a turn from a said turn-distributing terminal,
 determining whether said person has pre-ordered a said turn prior to arriving at said waiting area; 
   
       if said pre-ordering of said turn is confirmed through said turn-distributing terminal, assigning said person said turn, then:
 c. subsequent to ‘b’, offering said person an option of receiving at least one warning communication warning of the approach of said turn; 
 d. subsequent to c, if said person accepts said offer, accepting a communication route of the person in said waiting area; and 
 e. prior to said turn, transmitting to said person at least one said warning communication. 
 
     
     
         2 . A method for queue management for a service provided at a service location, comprising:
 a. positioning at least one turn-distributing terminal at a waiting area;   b. upon request by a person for a turn from a said turn-distributing terminal, assigning said person a turn in a queue;   c. offering said person an option of receiving at least one warning communication warning of the approach of said turn;   d. subsequent to c, if said person accepts said offer, accepting a communication route of said person in said waiting area; and   e. prior to said turn, transmitting to said person at least one said warning communication.   wherein said turn distributing terminal is configured to obtain positioning information,   wherein said request by said person for a turn comprises said person accessing an application running on a mobile communication device, and   wherein following said receipt of said request, said assigning a turn in said queue comprises said turn-distributing terminal obtaining positioning information for said mobile communication device, and assigning said person a turn in said queue only if said person is located in or near said waiting area, as indicated by said positioning information.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said positioning information comprises Global Navigation Satellite System information. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said positioning information comprises information obtained from a mobile communication center regarding a wireless relay point for mobile communication currently being accessed by said mobile communication device used by the person. 
     
     
         5 . A method for queue management for a service provided at a service location, comprising:
 a. positioning at least one turn-distributing terminal at a waiting area;   b. upon request by a person for a turn from a said turn-distributing terminal, assigning said person a turn in a queue;   c. offering said person an option of receiving at least one warning communication warning of the approach of said turn;   d. subsequent to c, if said person accepts said offer, accepting a communication route of said person in said waiting area; and   e. prior to said turn, transmitting to said person at least one said warning communication.   
       wherein said turn in a queue assigned to said person is a turn in a queue dedicated for people who have agreed to receive at least one said warning communication. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising, subsequent to said accepting said communication route, sending said person at least one advertisement. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said requesting a turn is free. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising, subsequent to said accepting said communication route, sending said person at least one advertisement. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said requesting a turn requires payment of a fee. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising, subsequent to said accepting said communication route, sending said person at least one advertisement.