System and method for internet-based customer check-in

Abstract

An internet-based system and method allows customers to remotely check-in to a wait list for a no-appointment first listed-first served business. A location associated with a customer is received and an interactive map displays multiple icons with each icon corresponding to a location of the business. A dynamically updated estimated wait time for the wait list at each business location is displayed. A customer selection of a location at which to receive a service from the business is received by a selection of the icon representing the business and the customer is added to the wait list at the location.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A web-based graphical user interface configured to enable a customer to be placed on a waiting list at one of a plurality of no appointment, first listed, first served businesses having numerous physical locations, the graphical user interface comprising:
 an interactive map display including a plurality of icons corresponding to the plurality of no appointment, first listed, first served businesses, wherein the icons correspond to physical locations of the plurality of no appointment, first listed, first served businesses, the icons positioned on the interactive map display to show distances relative to each other and a geographic location of the customer, and wherein each of the plurality of icons further display an estimated wait time representing a length of time a customer checking-in at a given time would need to wait to be served at each of the corresponding plurality of no appointment, first listed, first served businesses;   a check-in screen enabling the customer to be placed on a waiting list at a selected location of the plurality of no appointment, first listed, first served businesses, wherein selection of one of the plurality of icons through user interaction with the interactive map display automatically displays the check-in screen for the corresponding selected location, wherein the check-in screen includes a request for an entry of a name and phone number prior placing the customer on the waiting list at the selected location; and   a confirmation screen confirming that the customer has been placed on the waiting list for the selected location.   
     
     
         17 . The web-based graphical user interface of  claim 16 , wherein the geographic location of the customer is based at least on one of an entered city, state or postal code. 
     
     
         18 . The web-based graphical user interface of  claim 16 , wherein a determination to display the plurality of no appointment, first listed, first served businesses as icons on the interactive map display is based on a defined quantity of no appointment, first listed, first served businesses, all no appointment, first listed, first served businesses geographically located within a defined distance of the geographic location of the customer, all no appointment, first listed, first served businesses having a wait time of less than a defined quantity of time, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The web-based graphical user interface of  claim 16 , wherein the interactive map display utilizes GOOGLE maps. 
     
     
         20 . The web-based graphical user interface of  claim 16 , wherein the estimated wait time for each of the plurality of icons is continually updated. 
     
     
         21 . The web-based graphical user interface of  claim 16 , wherein the estimated wait time for each of the plurality of icons is updated each time that a customer is moved from the waiting list to a service list, a service is completed for a customer, a customer is removed from the waiting list, an employee ceases servicing customers, an employee returns to servicing customers, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The web-based graphical user interface of  claim 16 , wherein the estimated wait time is based on an average historical service time for each employee currently servicing customers at the no appointment, first listed, first served business. 
     
     
         23 . The web-based graphical user interface of  claim 22 , wherein the average historical service time is specific to each employee. 
     
     
         24 . The web-based graphical user interface of  claim 23 , wherein the average historical service time is updated each time the employee completes a service for a customer. 
     
     
         25 . The web-based graphical user interface of  claim 22 , wherein the average historical service time is specific to the type of service performed, the sex of the customer, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The web-based graphical user interface of  claim 16 , wherein the estimated wait time is based on a remaining service time for each employee currently serving a customer, plus a service time for each customer on the waiting list, wherein each customer on the waiting list is paired with an employee currently servicing customers. 
     
     
         27 . The web-based graphical user interface of  claim 16 , wherein the check-in screen further includes a request for at least one of a type of service requested, a number of guests requesting services, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The web-based graphical user interface of  claim 16 , wherein the confirmation screen includes driving directions from the geographic location of the customer to an address of the selected location.