Assigning and managing patron reservations for distributed services using wireless personal communication devices

Claim 1

A system for assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions, comprising: at least one personal communication device (PCD), each PCD associated with at least one patron, each PCD for generating at least one reservation request specifying a selected one of the attractions, for transmitting the reservation request, and for receiving a proposed reservation time for the reservation request; and at least one computer, each computer associated with at least one of the attractions, each computer for receiving a transmitted reservation request specifying the attraction associated with the computer, for determining a proposed reservation time for the received reservation request, and for transmitting the proposed reservation time to the PCD which generated the reservation request. wherein each PCD comprises: a user interface for receiving the reservation request from the patron and for providing output to the patron; a request generation module, coupled to the user interface, for processing the received reservation request; a communications module, coupled to the request generation module, for transmitting the processed reservation request to the computer associated with an attraction specified in the request; and patron information storage coupled to the user interface and to the request generation module, for storing information describing the patron; and wherein: the user interface receives patron information for storage in patron information storage; and the request generation module retrieves selected information from patron information storage and selectively determines the validity of the reservation request based on the patron information.

Claim 2

A system for assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions, comprising: at least one personal communication device (PCD), each PCD associated with at least one patron, each PCD for generating at least one reservation request specifying a selected one of the attractions, for transmitting the reservation request, and for receiving a proposed reservation time for the reservation request; and at least one computer, each computer associated with at least one of the attractions, each computer for receiving a transmitted reservation request specifying the attraction associated with the computer, for determining a proposed reservation time for the received reservation request, and for transmitting the proposed reservation time to the PCD which generated the reservation request. wherein each PCD comprises: a user interface for receiving the reservation request from the patron and for providing output to the patron; a request generation module, coupled to the user interface, for processing the received reservation request; a communications module, coupled to the request generation module, for transmitting the processed reservation request to the computer associated with an attraction specified in the request; and patron information storage coupled to the user interface and to the request generation module, for storing information describing the patron; and wherein: the user interface receives patron information for storage in patron information storage; and the request generation module retrieves selected information from patron information storage and selectively determines the validity of the reservation request based on the patron information.

Claim 4

A system for assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions, comprising: at least one personal communication device (PCD), each PCD associated with at least one patron, each PCD for generating at least one reservation request specifying a selected one of the attractions, for transmitting the reservation request, and for receiving a proposed reservation time for the reservation request; and at least one computer, each computer associated with at least one of the attractions, each computer for receiving a transmitted reservation request specifying the attraction associated with the computer, for determining a proposed reservation time for the received reservation request, and for transmitting the proposed reservation time to the PCD which generated the reservation request; wherein each PCD comprises: a user interface for receiving the reservation request from the patron and for providing output to the patron; a request generation module, coupled to the user interface, for processing the received reservation request; a communications module, coupled to the request generation module, for transmitting the processed reservation request to the computer associated with an attraction specified in the request; and a reservation confirmation module, coupled to the user interface and to the communications module, and wherein: the user interface further receives patron input specifying acceptance or rejection of the proposed reservation; and the communications module further receives a signal describing a proposed reservation and transmits a signal to the computer associated with the requested attraction describing the patron's acceptance or rejection of the proposed reservation; and the reservation confirmation module processes patron user input specifying acceptance or rejection of the proposed reservation.

Claim 5

A system for assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions, comprising: at least one personal communication device (PCD), each PCD associated with at least one patron, each PCD for generating at least one reservation request specifying a selected one of the attractions, for transmitting the reservation request, and for receiving a proposed reservation time for the reservation request; and at least one computer, each computer associated with at least one of the attractions, each computer for receiving a transmitted reservation request specifying the attraction associated with the computer, for determining a proposed reservation time for the received reservation request, and for transmitting the proposed reservation time to the PCD which generated the reservation request; wherein each PCD comprises: a user interface for receiving the reservation request from the patron and for providing output to the patron; a request generation module, coupled to the user interface, for processing the received reservation request; a communications module, coupled to the request generation module, for transmitting the processed reservation request to the computer associated with an attraction specified in the request; and a reservation confirmation module, coupled to the user interface and to the communications module, and wherein: the user interface further receives patron input specifying acceptance or rejection of the proposed reservation; and the communications module further receives a signal describing a proposed reservation and transmits a signal to the computer associated with the requested attraction describing the patron's acceptance or rejection of the proposed reservation; and the reservation confirmation module processes patron user input specifying acceptance or rejection of the proposed reservation.

Claim 6

A system for assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions, comprising: at least one personal communication device (PCD), each PCD associated with at least one patron, each PCD for generating at least one reservation request specifying a selected one of the attractions, for transmitting the reservation request, and for receiving a proposed reservation time for the reservation request; and at least one computer, each computer associated with at least one of the attractions, each computer for receiving a transmitted reservation request specifying the attraction associated with the computer, for determining a proposed reservation time for the received reservation request, and for transmitting the proposed reservation time to the PCD which generated the reservation request; wherein each PCD comprises: a user interface for receiving the reservation request from the patron and for providing output to the patron; a request generation module, coupled to the user interface, for processing the received reservation request; a communications module, coupled to the request generation module, for transmitting the processed reservation request to the computer associated with an attraction specified in the request; and a reservation alert module coupled to the user interface, the reservation alert module comprising: a timing device for determining a current time; and a comparator for comparing the current time with a reservation time for a previously-made reservation and for sending a signal to the user interface responsive to the comparison indicating that the reservation time is within a predetermined length of time from the current time; and wherein the user interface outputs a reservation alert responsive to receipt of a signal from the comparator.

Claim 7

A system for assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions, comprising: at least one personal communication device (PCD), each PCD associated with at least one patron, each PCD for generating at least one reservation request specifying a selected one of the attractions, for transmitting the reservation request, and for receiving a proposed reservation time for the reservation request; and at least one computer, each computer associated with at least one of the attractions, each computer for receiving a transmitted reservation request specifying the attraction associated with the computer, for determining a proposed reservation time for the received reservation request, and for transmitting the proposed reservation time to the PCD which generated the reservation request; wherein each PCD comprises: a user interface for receiving the reservation request from the patron and for providing output to the patron; a request generation module, coupled to the user interface, for processing the received reservation request; a communications module, coupled to the request generation module, for transmitting the processed reservation request to the computer associated with an attraction specified in the request; and a reservation alert module coupled to the user interface, the reservation alert module comprising: a timing device for determining a current time; and a comparator for comparing the current time with a reservation time for a previously-made reservation and for sending a signal to the user interface responsive to the comparison indicating that the reservation time is within a predetermined length of time from the current time; and wherein the user interface outputs a reservation alert responsive to receipt of a signal from the comparator.

Claim 8

A system for assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions, comprising: at least one personal communication device (PCD), each PCD associated with at least one patron, each PCD for generating at least one reservation request specifying a selected one of the attractions, for transmitting the reservation request, and for receiving a proposed reservation time for the reservation request; and at least one computer, each computer associated with at least one of the attractions, each computer for receiving a transmitted reservation request specifying the attraction associated with the computer, for determining a proposed reservation time for the received reservation request, and for transmitting the proposed reservation time to the PCD which generated the reservation request; wherein each computer comprises: a communications module for receiving transmitted reservation requests from any of the PCDs; a virtual queue for storing reservation information for a plurality of reservations for the attraction associated with the computer; an information storage device for storing information describing the associated attraction; and a request processor coupled to the communications module, the virtual queue, and the information storage device, for determining a proposed reservation time for a received reservation request responsive to information describing the associated attraction and to reservation information for previously-made reservations.

Claim 9

A system for assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions, comprising: at least one personal communication device (PCD), each PCD associated with at least one patron, each PCD for generating at least one reservation request specifying a selected one of the attractions, for transmitting the reservation request, and for receiving a proposed reservation time for the reservation request; and at least one computer, each computer associated with at least one of the attractions, each computer for receiving a transmitted reservation request specifying the attraction associated with the computer, for determining a proposed reservation time for the received reservation request, and for transmitting the proposed reservation time to the PCD which generated the reservation request; wherein each computer comprises: a communications module for receiving transmitted reservation requests from any of the PCDs; a virtual queue for storing reservation information for a plurality of reservations for the attraction associated with the computer; an information storage device for storing information describing the associated attraction; and a request processor coupled to the communications module, the virtual queue, and the information storage device, for determining a proposed reservation time for a received reservation request responsive to information describing the associated attraction and to reservation information for previously-made reservations.

Claim 14

A system for assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions, comprising: a wireless communications network for facilitating communication among personal communication devices and computers; at least one wireless personal communication device (PCD), each PCD associated with at least one patron, each PCD comprising: a user interface for receiving input including patron information, at least one reservation request for a selected one of the attractions, and confirmation or rejection of a proposed reservation time, and for providing output including a reservation alert; patron information storage, coupled to the user interface; attraction description storage; local reservation storage; a request generation module, coupled to the user interface, patron information storage, attraction description storage, and local reservation storage, for determining the validity of the reservation request; a wireless communications module, coupled to the request generation module, for, responsive to the request generation module indicating that the reservation request is valid, transmitting over the wireless communications network the reservation request to a selected computer associated with the selected attraction, for receiving a proposed reservation for the reservation request, and for transmitting confirmation or rejection of the proposed reservation to the selected computer; a reservation confirmation module, coupled to the user interface and to the communications module, for processing patron user input specifying acceptance or rejection of the proposed reservation; and a reservation alert module coupled to the user interface for sending a signal to the user interface to output a reservation alert, responsive to a reservation time being within a predetermined length of time from current time; at least one queue monitor for monitoring the state of a physical queue associated with one of the attractions; at least one computer, each computer associated with at least one of the attractions and coupled to one of the queue monitors, each computer comprising: a wireless communications module for receiving the transmitted reservation request and confirmation or rejection of the proposed reservation time, and for transmitting the proposed reservation time; a virtual queue for storing reservation information for the associated attraction; an information storage device for storing information describing the associated attraction; a request processor coupled to the communications module, the virtual queue, and the information storage device, for determining a proposed reservation time for a received reservation request; and a queue updater coupled to the virtual queue, for updating the virtual queue; and a central attraction control interface coupled to each of the computers, for monitoring and selectively updating each virtual queue and information describing each attraction.

Claim 15

A system for assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions, comprising: a wireless communications network for facilitating communication among personal communication devices and computers; at least one wireless personal communication device (PCD), each PCD associated with at least one patron, each PCD comprising: a user interface for receiving input including patron information, at least one reservation request for a selected one of the attractions, and confirmation or rejection of a proposed reservation time, and for providing output including a reservation alert; patron information storage, coupled to the user interface; attraction description storage; local reservation storage; a request generation module, coupled to the user interface, patron information storage, attraction description storage, and local reservation storage, for determining the validity of the reservation request; a wireless communications module, coupled to the request generation module, for, responsive to the request generation module indicating that the reservation request is valid, transmitting over the wireless communications network the reservation request to a selected computer associated with the selected attraction, for receiving a proposed reservation for the reservation request, and for transmitting confirmation or rejection of the proposed reservation to the selected computer; a reservation confirmation module, coupled to the user interface and to the communications module, for processing patron user input specifying acceptance or rejection of the proposed reservation; and a reservation alert module coupled to the user interface for sending a signal to the user interface to output a reservation alert, responsive to a reservation time being within a predetermined length of time from current time; at least one queue monitor for monitoring the state of a physical queue associated with one of the attractions; at least one computer, each computer associated with at least one of the attractions and coupled to one of the queue monitors, each computer comprising: a wireless communications module for receiving the transmitted reservation request and confirmation or rejection of the proposed reservation time, and for transmitting the proposed reservation time; a virtual queue for storing reservation information for the associated attraction; an information storage device for storing information describing the associated attraction; a request processor coupled to the communications module, the virtual queue, and the information storage device, for determining a proposed reservation time for a received reservation request; and a queue updater coupled to the virtual queue, for updating the virtual queue; and a central attraction control interface coupled to each of the computers, for monitoring and selectively updating each virtual queue and information describing each attraction.

Claim 28

A method of assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions, comprising: a) generating on a personal communication device (PCD) a reservation request specifying a selected one of the attractions; b) transmitting the reservation request to a computer associated with the selected attraction; c) receiving the reservation request at the computer associated with the selected attraction; d) determining within the computer a proposed reservation time for the received reservation request; e) storing the proposed reservation time in a virtual queue; and f) transmitting the proposed reservation time to the PCD that generated the reservation request.

Claim 29

A method of assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions, comprising: a) generating on a personal communication device (PCD) a reservation request specifying a selected one of the attractions; b) transmitting the reservation request to a computer associated with the selected attraction; c) receiving the reservation request at the computer associated with the selected attraction; d) determining within the computer a proposed reservation time for the received reservation request; e) storing the proposed reservation time in a virtual queue; and f) transmitting the proposed reservation time to the PCD that generated the reservation request.

Claim 39

A method of assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions, comprising: a) storing patron information and attraction description information in a personal communication device (PCD); b) receiving on the PCD a reservation request from a patron for a selected one of the attractions; c) retrieving stored patron information and attraction description information and selectively determining the validity of the reservation request; and d) responsive to c) indicating that the reservation request is valid: d.1) transmitting the reservation request by a wireless communications network to a computer associated with the selected attraction; d.2) receiving a proposed reservation time from the associated computer; d.3) receiving a response from the patron comprising a confirmation or rejection for the proposed reservation time; d.4) transmitting the response by the wireless communications network to the computer; and d.5) alerting the patron when the proposed reservation time is within a predetermined time interval from a current time.

Claim 40

A method of assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions, comprising: a) storing patron information and attraction description information in a personal communication device (PCD); b) receiving on the PCD a reservation request from a patron for a selected one of the attractions; c) retrieving stored patron information and attraction description information and selectively determining the validity of the reservation request; and d) responsive to c) indicating that the reservation request is valid: d.1) transmitting the reservation request by a wireless communications network to a computer associated with the selected attraction; d.2) receiving a proposed reservation time from the associated computer; d.3) receiving a response from the patron comprising a confirmation or rejection for the proposed reservation time; d.4) transmitting the response by the wireless communications network to the computer; and d.5) alerting the patron when the proposed reservation time is within a predetermined time interval from a current time.