US6173209B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for managing attraction admission
Assignee: Disney Enterprises Inc
•
Filing: 1999-08-10
•
Granted: 2001-01-09
•
Expires: 2019-08-10
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a method and system for managing admission to an attraction. In one or more embodiments, the system comprises a first queue by which customers may access the attraction by waiting in line and a second queue by which customers may access the attraction in a manner which avoids the first queue. The system includes a first validator for validating an entitlement of a customer to receive an assigned time in the future for accessing the attraction via the second queue, a media distributor for distributing a media to an entitled customer, the media including the assigned time at which the entitled customer is entitled to access the attraction in the future, and a second validator for validating the entitled customer access to the attraction at the time provided on the media. In accordance with a method of the invention, a customer may access an attraction in a manner which avoids standing in a first waiting line by verifying entitlement to utilize a second queue, obtaining a pass entitling the customer to access the attraction at a future time, and returning to the attraction at the future time and gaining access with the pass. In this method, the customer may leave the vicinity of the attraction between when the pass is issued and the future time at which the customer is entitled to access to the attraction.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce G. Laval
- 👤 Gregory B. Hale
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:55
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/04; G06Q10/02; G06Q10/025; G06Q10/028; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G07; G07C; G07C11/00; G07C2011/02; G07C2011/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 186
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A system for managing admission to an attraction comprising: a first validator for establishing an entitlement of a customer to access the attraction; a controller for generating a singular assigned time at which said customer may access the attraction, said assigned time comprising a next available time as determined and selected by an algorithm performed by said system; and a second validator for permitting said customer to access said attraction at said assigned time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
A system for managing admission to an attraction comprising: a first validator for establishing an entitlement of a customer to access the attraction; a controller for generating a singular assigned time at which said customer may access the attraction, said assigned time comprising a next available time as determined and selected by an algorithm performed by said system; and a second validator for permitting said customer to access said attraction at said assigned time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system in accordance with claim 1 including a media distributor for distributing an admission media to each customer entitled to access the attraction, said admission media including said assigned time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said admission media is utilized with said second validator to establish entitlement of the customer to access said attraction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said admission media comprises a printed pass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first validator for establishing the entitlement comprises a card reader for reading a ticket belonging to a customer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system in accordance with claim 1 including a algorithm processor for determining at one or more times a capacity of said attraction, said algorithm processor for determining providing present capacity data to said controller for generating said assigned time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the attraction comprises a theme park ride.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system in accordance with claim 7 including sensors associated with said attraction providing data regarding a capacity of said attraction to said controller for generating an assigned time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system in accordance with claim 1 including a first queue by which customers access said attraction and a second queue by which said customers access said attraction and wherein first validator establishes the entitlement of a customer to access the attraction via the second queue and said second validator is associated with said second queue.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for managing admission to an attraction comprising; a first queue by which customers may access the attraction by waiting in line; a second queue by which customers may access the attraction in a manner which avoids the first queue; a first validator for validating an entitlement of a customer to access the second queue and providing a singular assigned time in the future at which an entitled customer may access the attraction via the second queue, wherein the assigned time is determined and selected by the system; and a second validator for validating the entitled customer access to the attraction at the assigned time.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for managing admission to an attraction comprising; a first queue by which customers may access the attraction by waiting in line; a second queue by which customers may access the attraction in a manner which avoids the first queue; a first validator for validating an entitlement of a customer to access the second queue and providing a singular assigned time in the future at which an entitled customer may access the attraction via the second queue, wherein the assigned time is determined and selected by the system; and a second validator for validating the entitled customer access to the attraction at the assigned time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system in accordance with claim 10 including a media distributor for distributing a media to an entitled customer, said media including said assigned time at which the entitled customer is entitled to access the attraction in the future via said second queue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system in accordance with claim 11 wherein said media comprises a printed pass.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system in accordance with claim 10 wherein said first validator comprises a card reader for reading a ticket.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system in accordance with claim 10 wherein said system includes a controller for receiving data regarding a capacity of said attraction and providing times to be assigned by said media distributor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system in accordance with claim 14 wherein said controller includes a server.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system in accordance with claim 10 including a database containing information regarding customers entitled to access said second queue.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said database contains information regarding tickets belonging to customers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system in accordance with claim 10 including a display for displaying a wait time associated with said first queue.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system in accordance with claim 10 including a display for displaying a time which is next to be assigned.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for managing admission to an attraction having a variable capacity comprising the steps of: forming a first queue by which customers may access the attraction by waiting in line; forming a second queue by which customers may access the attraction in a manner which avoids the first queue comprising the steps of verifying the entitlement of a customer to access the second queue, determining and selecting a singular assigned time, issuing an entitled customer said assigned time in the future at which the customer may access the attraction, permitting the customer to leave the area of the attraction, verifying the entitlement of the customer to access the attraction at the assigned time in the future, and if verified, permitting said customer to access the attraction at said assigned time.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for managing admission to an attraction having a variable capacity comprising the steps of: forming a first queue by which customers may access the attraction by waiting in line; forming a second queue by which customers may access the attraction in a manner which avoids the first queue comprising the steps of verifying the entitlement of a customer to access the second queue, determining and selecting a singular assigned time, issuing an entitled customer said assigned time in the future at which the customer may access the attraction, permitting the customer to leave the area of the attraction, verifying the entitlement of the customer to access the attraction at the assigned time in the future, and if verified, permitting said customer to access the attraction at said assigned time.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method in accordance with claim 20 including the step of issuing a media having said assigned time associated therewith.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method in accordance with claim 21 wherein said step of issuing a media comprises printing a pass.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method in accordance with claim 20 wherein said step of verifying the entitlement comprises obtaining information from a ticket belonging to a customer and comparing that information to verifying information.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method in accordance with claim 23 wherein said verifying information comprises a list of authentic tickets.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method in accordance with claim 20 including the step of calculating said time in the future.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method in accordance with claim 20 including the step of receiving information regarding the capacity of said attraction.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method in accordance with claim 20 wherein said step of verifying said customer is entitled to access said second queue includes determining whether the customer is already entitled to access a second queue associated with another attraction.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for managing admission to an attraction comprising: at least one first queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction generally in an order in which customers access said at least one first queue; at least one second queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction in a manner which avoids said at least one first queue; an access control system associated with said at least one second queue for validating an entitlement of at least one customer to access said attraction, determining and selecting a singular assigned time, and issuing to an entitled customer said assigned time in the future for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue and for validating the right of said at least one customer to access said attraction via said at least one second queue at said assigned time in the future.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for managing admission to an attraction comprising: at least one first queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction generally in an order in which customers access said at least one first queue; at least one second queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction in a manner which avoids said at least one first queue; an access control system associated with said at least one second queue for validating an entitlement of at least one customer to access said attraction, determining and selecting a singular assigned time, and issuing to an entitled customer said assigned time in the future for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue and for validating the right of said at least one customer to access said attraction via said at least one second queue at said assigned time in the future.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system in accordance with claim 28 wherein said access control system includes at least one first validator for validating an entitlement of said at least one customer to access said attraction and assigning to an entitled customer said time in the future.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system in accordance with claim 29 wherein at least one first validator is located remotely from said attraction.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system in accordance with claim 29 wherein said at least one first validator comprises a ticket reader.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system in accordance with claim 29 wherein said at least one first validator is arranged to validate at least one type of identifying information from the group consisting of: radio-frequency, retina, voice, thermal, finger or hand geometry and visual identification.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system in accordance with claim 29 including at least one data storage device for storing entitled customer information and wherein said first validator is adapted to receive information from at least one customer and verify said information using said entitled customer information associated with said at least one data storage device.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system in accordance with claim 28 including a media distributor for distributing a media having said assigned time associated therewith to said entitled customer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system in accordance with claim 34 wherein said media comprises a printed pass.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system in accordance with claim 28 including a processor for generating said assigned time in the future assigned to said entitled customer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system in accordance with claim 36 including at least one element providing data regarding a present capacity of said attraction to said processor for use in generating said time.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
89 words
The system in accordance with claim 36 wherein said processor generates said assigned time in the future based on at least one factor associated with said attraction selected from the group consisting of: capacity of said attraction, capacity of said attraction which is allocated to customers accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue, a total number of customers who may access said attraction, a current staffing level of said attraction, a future staffing level of said attraction, demographics of said customers, time information, and date information.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system in accordance with claim 28 wherein said attraction is part of a venue to which access is gained with a main ticket and wherein said access control system is arranged to validate said entitlement of at least one customer to access said attraction by verifying said main ticket.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system in accordance with claim 28 including at least one display displaying a time in the future associated with said at least one second queue which is next to be assigned.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system in accordance with claim 28 including at least one display displaying an estimated wait time for accessing said attraction via said at least one first queue.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system in accordance with claim 41 including a wait time generator for generating said estimated wait time.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system in accordance with claim 42 wherein said wait time generator includes at least one input device providing information regarding a length of a line associated with said at least one first queue.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system in accordance with claim 28 including at least one data storage device for storing data regarding times previously assigned to customers and wherein said access control system is arranged to deny validation of said at least one customer to entitlement to an assigned time in the future if said customer has an outstanding unused assigned time associated with said at least one storage device.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system in accordance with claim 29 including at least one second validator associated with said at least one second queue for validating an entitlement of at least one customer to access said attraction at said assigned time in the future.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system in accordance with claim 35 including at least one second validator associated with said at least one second queue for validating an entitlement of said at least one customer to access said attraction at said assigned time in the future, said at least one second validator including a reader for reading said pass.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system in accordance with claim 28 wherein a predetermined number of spots associated with said attraction which are assigned to customers accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue is varied over time.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for managing access of one or more customers to an attraction comprising: establishing at least one first queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction generally in an order in which customers access said at least one first queue; establishing at least one second queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction in a manner which avoids said at least one first queue; establishing entitlement of at least one customer and determining and selecting a singular assigned time in the future for each entitled customer for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue; and establishing entitlement of at least one customer to access said attraction via said at least one second queue at said assigned time in the future.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for managing access of one or more customers to an attraction comprising: establishing at least one first queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction generally in an order in which customers access said at least one first queue; establishing at least one second queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction in a manner which avoids said at least one first queue; establishing entitlement of at least one customer and determining and selecting a singular assigned time in the future for each entitled customer for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue; and establishing entitlement of at least one customer to access said attraction via said at least one second queue at said assigned time in the future.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method in accordance with claim 48 including the step of assigning a media to said at least one customer if entitlement to an assigned time in the future is established.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method in accordance with claim 49 wherein the step of establishing entitlement of at least one customer to access said attraction via said second queue includes verifying said media.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method in accordance with claim 50 wherein said verifying step comprises comparing said time in the future to a current time.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method in accordance with claim 48 wherein said step of establishing entitlement of at least one customer to an assigned time in the future for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue includes verifying that said customer does not have an outstanding assigned time in the future for accessing said attraction.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method in accordance with claim 48 wherein said step of establishing entitlement of at least one customer to an assigned time in the future for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue includes the step of verifying a ticket issued to said at least one customer.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method in accordance with claim 48 including the step of assigning an entitled customer a time in the future.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method in accordance with claim 48 wherein said assigned time in the future is varied dependent upon a changing capacity of said attraction over time.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method in accordance with claim 48 including the step of assigning said times in the future in chronological order.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method in accordance with claim 48 including the step of displaying an estimated wait time associated with said at least one first queue.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method in accordance with claim 48 including the step of displaying a next to be assigned time in the future for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method in accordance with claim 48 including the step of permitting at least one customer associated with said at least one first queue to access said attraction when a spot associated with said attraction is not filled by said at least one customer associated with said at least one second queue.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method in accordance with claim 48 wherein said assigned time in the future is generated based upon one or more factors affecting demand for and capacity of said attraction.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for managing access to an attraction located at a venue, said attraction having a first queue by which a customer may access said attraction and a second queue by which a customer may access said attraction in a manner which avoids the first queue comprising: issuing a customer a ticket for accessing a venue; verifying said ticket to determine entitlement of said customer to access said venue; verifying said ticket to determine entitlement of said customer to a future time assignment for accessing said attraction via said second queue; determining and selecting a singular assigned time for said customer to access said attraction in the future; and permitting said customer to access said attraction via said second queue at said future time.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for managing access to an attraction located at a venue, said attraction having a first queue by which a customer may access said attraction and a second queue by which a customer may access said attraction in a manner which avoids the first queue comprising: issuing a customer a ticket for accessing a venue; verifying said ticket to determine entitlement of said customer to access said venue; verifying said ticket to determine entitlement of said customer to a future time assignment for accessing said attraction via said second queue; determining and selecting a singular assigned time for said customer to access said attraction in the future; and permitting said customer to access said attraction via said second queue at said future time.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method in accordance with claim 61 wherein said ticket is verified to determine entitlement of said customer to access said venue and determine entitlement of said customer to a future time assignment in a single verification step.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method in accordance with claim 62 wherein said single verification occurs at an entry point to said venue.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method in accordance with claim 61 wherein said ticket is verified to determine entitlement of said customer to access said venue at a first location and said ticket is verified to determine entitlement of said customer to a future time assignment at a second location.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method in accordance with claim 61 wherein there is at least one first and one second attraction associated with said venue and including the steps of assigning a first future time assignment for said at least one first attraction and a second future time assignment for said at least one second attraction if said ticket is verified.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method in accordance with claim 61 including the step of issuing a pass to said customer having said future time assignment associated therewith.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method in accordance with claim 66 wherein said step of permitting said customer to access said attraction via said second queue includes verifying said pass.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of managing access to an attraction comprising: establishing at least one first queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction generally in an order in which customers access said at least one first queue; establishing at least one second queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction in a manner which avoids said at least one first queue; issuing media to said customers, said media having an assigned time in the future associated therewith at which time said customer may access said attraction via said at least one second queue, said media having assigned times which are issued in a chronological order; and permitting a customer having a media to access said attraction via said second queue at said assigned time in the future.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of managing access to an attraction comprising: establishing at least one first queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction generally in an order in which customers access said at least one first queue; establishing at least one second queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction in a manner which avoids said at least one first queue; issuing media to said customers, said media having an assigned time in the future associated therewith at which time said customer may access said attraction via said at least one second queue, said media having assigned times which are issued in a chronological order; and permitting a customer having a media to access said attraction via said second queue at said assigned time in the future.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method in accordance with claim 68 including the step of verifying entitlement of said customer to be issued said media.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method in accordance with claim 68 including the step of comparing a current time to said assigned time in the future associated with said media for determining if said customer is permitted to access said attraction via said second queue.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method in accordance with claim 68 wherein said media comprises a printed pass.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method in accordance with claim 68 including the step of generating said assigned times based upon a demand for and capacity of said attraction.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method in accordance with claim 68 including the step of generating said assigned times based upon a number of spots associated with said attraction allocated to customers accessing said attraction via said second queue in relation to a total number of spots associated with said attraction.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method in accordance with claim 68 wherein said attraction is associated with a venue and including the steps of verifying entitlement of said customer to access said venue and issuing said media at said time said customer accesses said venue.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method in accordance with claim 68 wherein said attraction is one of several at a venue and including the step of issuing said media having multiple assigned times in the future associated therewith, said times including a time at which said customer may access said attraction and a time at which said customer may access at least one other attraction of said venue.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method in accordance with claim 68 wherein said attraction is associated with a venue and wherein said media is issued prior to said customer accessing said venue.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said assigned time comprises a time range during which the customer may access the attraction.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said assigned time comprises a time range during which the entitled customer may access the attraction.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said assigned time comprises a time range during which the customer may access the attraction.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said assigned time comprises a time range during which the customer may access the attraction.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 48 wherein said assigned time comprises a time range during which the customer may access the attraction.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 61 wherein said assigned time comprises a time range during which the customer may access the attraction.
Claim 90
Independent Claim
76 words
A system for managing admission to an attraction comprising: a first validator for establishing the entitlement of a customer to access the attraction; a controller for unilaterally determining and issuing an assigned time at which said customer may access the attraction, said assigned time comprising a next available time as determined and selected by an algorithm performed by said system; and a second validator for permitting said customer to access said attraction at said assigned time.
Claim 91
Independent Claim
76 words
A system for managing admission to an attraction comprising: a first validator for establishing the entitlement of a customer to access the attraction; a controller for unilaterally determining and issuing an assigned time at which said customer may access the attraction, said assigned time comprising a next available time as determined and selected by an algorithm performed by said system; and a second validator for permitting said customer to access said attraction at said assigned time.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 83 wherein said assigned time comprises a time range during which the customer may access the attraction.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system in accordance with claim 83 including a media distributor for distributing an admission media to each customer entitled to access the attraction, said admission media including said assigned time.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system in accordance with claim 85 wherein said admission media is utilized with said second validator to establish entitlement of the customer to access said attraction.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system in accordance with claim 86 wherein said admission media comprises a printed pass.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system in accordance with claim 83 wherein said first validator for establishing the entitlement comprises a card reader for reading a ticket belonging to a customer.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system in accordance with claim 83 including an algorithm processor for determining at one or more times a real time operating capacity of said attraction, said algorithm processor determining a mix ratio of first queue patrons and second queue patrons and providing data about said real time operating capacity and said mix ratio to said controller for generating said assigned time.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system in accordance with claim 83 wherein the attraction comprises a theme park ride.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system in accordance with claim 90 including sensors associated with said attraction providing data regarding a capacity of said attraction to said controller for generating an assigned time.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system in accordance with claim 83 including a first queue by which customers access said attraction and a second queue by which said customers access said attraction and wherein first validator establishes the entitlement of a customer to access the attraction via the second queue and said second validator is associated with said second queue.
Claim 101
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for managing admission to an attraction comprising: a first queue by which customers may access the attraction by waiting in line; a second queue by which customers may access the attraction in a manner which avoids the first queue; a first validator for validating an entitlement of a customer to access the attraction at an assigned time in the fixture via the second queue, wherein the assigned time is determined and selected by the system; and a second validator for validating the entitled customer access to the attraction at the assigned time.
Claim 102
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for managing admission to an attraction comprising: a first queue by which customers may access the attraction by waiting in line; a second queue by which customers may access the attraction in a manner which avoids the first queue; a first validator for validating an entitlement of a customer to access the attraction at an assigned time in the fixture via the second queue, wherein the assigned time is determined and selected by the system; and a second validator for validating the entitled customer access to the attraction at the assigned time.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system in accordance with claim 93 including a media distributor for distributing a media to an entitled customer, said media including said assigned time at which the entitled customer is entitled to access the attraction in the future via said second queue.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system in accordance with claim 94 wherein said media comprises a printed pass.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system in accordance with claim 93 wherein said first validator comprises a card reader for reading a ticket.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system in accordance with claim 93 wherein said system includes a controller for receiving data regarding a real time operating capacity of said attraction and providing times to be assigned by said media distributor in accordance with a mixed ratio of first queue patrons and second queue patrons.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system in accordance with claim 97 wherein said controller includes a server.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system in accordance with claim 93 including a database containing information regarding customers entitled to access said second queue.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system in accordance with claim 99 wherein said database contains information regarding tickets belonging to customers.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system in accordance with claim 93 including a display for displaying a wait time associated with said first queue.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system in accordance with claim 93 including a display for displaying a time which is next to be assigned.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 93 wherein said assigned time comprises a time range during which the customer may access the attraction.
Claim 113
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for managing admission to an attraction having a variable capacity comprising the steps of: forming a first queue by which customers may access the attraction by waiting in line; forming a second queue by which customers may access the attraction in a manner which avoids the first queue comprising the steps of verifying the entitlement of a customer to access the second queue, determining an assigned access time wherein a subsystem operatively coupled to the attraction determines and selects the assigned time, issuing an entitled customer the assigned access time at which the customer may access the attraction, permitting the customer to leave the area of the attraction, verifying the entitlement of the customer to access the attraction at the assigned time in the future, and if verified, permitting said customer to access the attraction.
Claim 114
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for managing admission to an attraction having a variable capacity comprising the steps of: forming a first queue by which customers may access the attraction by waiting in line; forming a second queue by which customers may access the attraction in a manner which avoids the first queue comprising the steps of verifying the entitlement of a customer to access the second queue, determining an assigned access time wherein a subsystem operatively coupled to the attraction determines and selects the assigned time, issuing an entitled customer the assigned access time at which the customer may access the attraction, permitting the customer to leave the area of the attraction, verifying the entitlement of the customer to access the attraction at the assigned time in the future, and if verified, permitting said customer to access the attraction.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 104 wherein said assigned time comprises a time range during which the customer may access the attraction.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method in accordance with claim 104 including the step of issuing a media having said assigned time associated therewith.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method in accordance with claim 106 wherein said step of issuing a media comprises printing a pass.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method in accordance with claim 104 wherein said step of verifying the entitlement comprises obtaining information from a ticket belonging to a customer and comparing that information to verifying information.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method in accordance with claim 108 wherein said verifying information comprises a list of authentic tickets.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method in accordance with claim 104 including the step of receiving information regarding the capacity of said attraction.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method in accordance with claim 104 wherein said step of verifying said customer is entitled to access said second queue includes determining whether the customer is already entitled to access a second queue associated with another attraction.
Claim 122
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for managing admission to an attraction comprising: at least one first queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction generally in an order in which customers access said at least one first queue; at least one second queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction in a manner which avoids said at least one first queue; an access control system associated with said at least one second queue for validating an entitlement of at least one customer to access said attraction and determining selecting and issuing to an entitled customer an assigned time in the future for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue and for validating the right of said at least one customer to access said attraction via said at least one second queue at said time in the future.
Claim 123
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for managing admission to an attraction comprising: at least one first queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction generally in an order in which customers access said at least one first queue; at least one second queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction in a manner which avoids said at least one first queue; an access control system associated with said at least one second queue for validating an entitlement of at least one customer to access said attraction and determining selecting and issuing to an entitled customer an assigned time in the future for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue and for validating the right of said at least one customer to access said attraction via said at least one second queue at said time in the future.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system in accordance with claim 112 wherein said access control system includes at least one first validator for validating an entitlement of said at least one customer to access said attraction and assigning to an entitled customer said time in the future.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system in accordance with claim 113 wherein at least one first validator is located remotely from said attraction.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system in accordance with claim 113 wherein said at least one first validator comprises a ticket reader.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system in accordance with claim 113 wherein said at least one first validator is arranged to validate at least one type of identifying information from the group consisting of: magnetic strip, bar code, radio-frequency, iris, fingerprint, retina, voice, thermal, finger or hand geometry, and visual identification.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system in accordance with claim 113 including at least one data storage device for storing entitled customer information and wherein said first validator is adapted to receive information from at least one customer and verify said information using said entitled customer information associated with said at least one data storage device.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system in accordance with claim 112 including a media distributor for distributing a media having said future time associated therewith to said entitled customer.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system in accordance with claim 118 wherein said media comprises a printed pass.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system in accordance with claim 112 including a processor for determining said time in the future assigned to said entitled customer.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system in accordance with claim 120 including at least one element providing data regarding a present capacity of said attraction to said processor for use in determining said time.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
88 words
The system in accordance with claim 120 wherein said processor determines said time in the future based on at least one factor associated with said attraction selected from the group consisting of: capacity of said attraction, capacity of said attraction which is allocated to customers accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue, a total number of customers who may access said attraction, a current staffing level of said attraction, a future staffing level of said attraction, demographics of said customers, time information, and date information.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system in accordance with claim 112 wherein said attraction is part of a venue to which access is gained with a main ticket and wherein said access control system is arranged to validate said entitlement of at least one customer to access said attraction by verifying said main ticket.
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system in accordance with claim 112 including at least one display displaying a time in the future associated with said at least one second queue which is next to be assigned.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system in accordance with claim 112 including at least one display displaying an estimated wait time for accessing said attraction via said at least one first queue.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system in accordance with claim 125 including a wait time generator for generating said estimated wait time.
Claim 138
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system in accordance with claim 126 wherein said wait time generator includes at least one input device providing information regarding a length of a line associated with said at least one first queue.
Claim 139
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system in accordance with claim 112 including at least one data storage device for storing data regarding times previously assigned to customers and wherein said access control system is arranged to deny validation of said at least one customer to entitlement to an assigned time in the future if said customer has an outstanding unused assigned time associated with said at least one storage device.
Claim 140
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system in accordance with claim 113 including at least one second validator associated with said at least one second queue for validating an entitlement of at least one customer to access said attraction at said assigned time in the future.
Claim 141
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system in accordance with claim 119 including at least one second validator associated with said at least one second queue for validating an entitlement of said at least one customer to access said attraction at said assigned time in the future, said at least one second validator including a reader for reading said pass.
Claim 142
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system in accordance with claim 112 wherein a predetermined number of spots associated with said attraction which are assigned to customers accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue is varied over time.
Claim 143
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 112 wherein said assigned time comprises a time range during which the customer may access the attraction.
Claim 144
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for managing access of one or more customers to an attraction comprising: establishing at least one first queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction generally in an order in which customers access said at least one first queue; establishing at least one second queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction in a manner which avoids said at least one first queue; establishing entitlement of at least one customer to an assigned time in the future for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue, wherein the assigned time is determined and selected by a subsystem operatively coupled with the attraction; and establishing entitlement of at least one customer to access said attraction via said at least one second queue at said assigned time in the future.
Claim 145
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for managing access of one or more customers to an attraction comprising: establishing at least one first queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction generally in an order in which customers access said at least one first queue; establishing at least one second queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction in a manner which avoids said at least one first queue; establishing entitlement of at least one customer to an assigned time in the future for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue, wherein the assigned time is determined and selected by a subsystem operatively coupled with the attraction; and establishing entitlement of at least one customer to access said attraction via said at least one second queue at said assigned time in the future.
Claim 146
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method in accordance with claim 133 including the step of assigning a media to said at least one customer if entitlement to an assigned time in the future is established.
Claim 147
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method in accordance with claim 134 wherein the step of establishing entitlement of at least one customer to access said attraction via said second queue includes verifying said media.
Claim 148
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method in accordance with claim 135 wherein said verifying step comprises comparing said time in the future to a current time.
Claim 149
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method in accordance with claim 133 wherein said step of establishing entitlement of at least one customer to an assigned time in the future for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue includes verifying that said customer does not have an outstanding assigned time in the future for accessing said attraction.
Claim 150
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method in accordance with claim 133 wherein said step of establishing entitlement of at least one customer to an assigned time in the future for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue includes the step of verifying a ticket issued to said at least one customer.
Claim 151
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method in accordance with claim 133 including the step of assigning an entitled customer a time in the future.
Claim 152
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method in accordance with claim 133 wherein said assigned time in the future is varied dependent upon a changing capacity of said attraction over time.
Claim 153
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method in accordance with claim 133 including the step of assigning said times in the future in chronological order.
Claim 154
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method in accordance with claim 133 including the step of displaying an estimated wait time associated with said at least one first queue.
Claim 155
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method in accordance with claim 133 including the step of displaying a next to be assigned time in the future for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue.
Claim 156
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method in accordance with claim 133 including the step of permitting at least one customer associated with said at least one first queue to access said attraction when a spot associated with said attraction is not filled by said at least one customer associated with said at least one second queue.
Claim 157
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method in accordance with claim 133 wherein said time in the future is determined based upon one or more factors affecting demand for and capacity of said attraction.
Claim 158
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 133 wherein said assigned time comprises a time range during which the customer may access the attraction.
Claim 159
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of managing access to an attraction comprising: establishing at least one first queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction generally in an order in which customers access said at least one first queue; establishing at least one second queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction in a manner which avoids said at least one first queue; displaying information regarding an estimated wait time associated with said at least one first queue; displaying information regarding a next future time to be assigned to a customer for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue, wherein the time to be assigned is determined and selected by a subsystem operatively coupled with said attraction; and permitting a customer to elect to access said attraction via said at least one first queue or said at least one second queue.
Claim 160
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of managing access to an attraction comprising: establishing at least one first queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction generally in an order in which customers access said at least one first queue; establishing at least one second queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction in a manner which avoids said at least one first queue; displaying information regarding an estimated wait time associated with said at least one first queue; displaying information regarding a next future time to be assigned to a customer for accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue, wherein the time to be assigned is determined and selected by a subsystem operatively coupled with said attraction; and permitting a customer to elect to access said attraction via said at least one first queue or said at least one second queue.
Claim 161
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method in accordance with claim 147 including the step of verifying said customer is entitled to be assigned said fixture time if said customer elects to access said attraction via said at least one second queue.
Claim 162
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method in accordance with claim 147 wherein the subsystem determines and selects said time to be assigned based on a changing capacity of said attraction.
Claim 163
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method in accordance with claim 147 including the step of verifying said customer is entitled to access said attraction via said at least one second queue at said future time.
Claim 164
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method in accordance with claim 148 including the step of determining if said customer has any outstanding assigned fixture times.
Claim 165
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method in accordance with claim 147 including the step of allocating a number of spots associated with said attraction to customers accessing said attraction via said at least one second queue.
Claim 166
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 147 wherein said assigned time comprises a time range during which the customer may access the attraction.
Claim 167
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for managing access to an attraction located at a venue, said attraction having a first queue by which a customer may access said attraction and a second queue by which a customer may access said attraction in a manner which avoids the first queue comprising: issuing a customer a ticket for accessing a venue; verifying said ticket to determine entitlement of said customer to access said venue; verifying said ticket to determine entitlement of said customer to a future time assignment for accessing said attraction via said second queue, wherein said future time assignment is determined and selected by a subsystem operatively coupled with said attraction; and permitting said customer to access said attraction via said second queue at said future time.
Claim 168
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for managing access to an attraction located at a venue, said attraction having a first queue by which a customer may access said attraction and a second queue by which a customer may access said attraction in a manner which avoids the first queue comprising: issuing a customer a ticket for accessing a venue; verifying said ticket to determine entitlement of said customer to access said venue; verifying said ticket to determine entitlement of said customer to a future time assignment for accessing said attraction via said second queue, wherein said future time assignment is determined and selected by a subsystem operatively coupled with said attraction; and permitting said customer to access said attraction via said second queue at said future time.
Claim 169
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method in accordance with claim 154 wherein said ticket is verified to determine entitlement of said customer to access said venue and determine entitlement of said customer to a future time assignment in a single verification step.
Claim 170
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method in accordance with claim 155 wherein said single verification occurs at an entry point to said venue.
Claim 171
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method in accordance with claim 154 wherein said ticket is verified to determine entitlement of said customer to access said venue at a first location and said ticket is verified to determine entitlement of said customer to a fixture time assignment at a second location.
Claim 172
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method in accordance with claim 154 wherein there is at least one first and one second attraction associated with said venue and including the steps of assigning a first future time assignment for said at least one first attraction and a second future time assignment for said at least one second attraction if said ticket is verified.
Claim 173
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method in accordance with claim 154 including the step of issuing a pass to said customer having said future time assignment associated therewith.
Claim 174
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method in accordance with claim 154 wherein said step of permitting said customer to access said attraction via said second queue includes verifying said pass.
Claim 175
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 154 wherein said assigned time comprises a time range during which the customer may access the attraction.
Claim 176
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of managing access to an attraction comprising: establishing at least one first queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction generally in an order in which customers access said at least one first queue; establishing a least one second queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction in a manner which avoids said at said at least one first queue; issuing media to said customers, said media having an assigned time in the future associated therewith at which time said customer may access said attraction via said at least one second queue, said media having assigned times which are determined and selected by a subsystem operatively coupled with the attraction and are issued in a chronological order; and permitting a customer having a media to access said attraction via said second queue at said assigned time in the future.
Claim 177
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of managing access to an attraction comprising: establishing at least one first queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction generally in an order in which customers access said at least one first queue; establishing a least one second queue by which one or more customers may access said attraction in a manner which avoids said at said at least one first queue; issuing media to said customers, said media having an assigned time in the future associated therewith at which time said customer may access said attraction via said at least one second queue, said media having assigned times which are determined and selected by a subsystem operatively coupled with the attraction and are issued in a chronological order; and permitting a customer having a media to access said attraction via said second queue at said assigned time in the future.
Claim 178
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method in accordance with claim 162 including the step of determining if said customer is entitled to be issued said media.
Claim 179
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method in accordance with claim 162 including the step of comparing a current time to said assigned time in the fixture associated with said media for determining if said customer is permitted to access said attraction via said second queue.
Claim 180
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method in accordance with claim 162 wherein said media comprises a printed pass.
Claim 181
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method in accordance with claim 162 wherein said subsystem determines and selects said assigned times based upon a demand for and capacity of said attraction.
Claim 182
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method in accordance with claim 162 wherein said subsystem determines and selects said assigned times based upon a number of spots associated with said attraction allocated to customers accessing said attraction via said second queue in relation to a total number of spots associated with said attraction.
Claim 183
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method in accordance with claim 162 wherein said attraction is associated with a venue and including the steps of verifying entitlement of said customer to access said venue and issuing said media at said time said customer accesses said venue.
Claim 184
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method in accordance with claim 162 wherein said attraction is one of several at a venue and including the step of issuing said media having multiple assigned times in the future associated therewith, said times including a time at which said customer may access said attraction and a time at which said customer may access at least one other attraction of said venue.
Claim 185
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method in accordance with claim 162 wherein said attraction is associated with a venue and wherein said media is issued prior to said customer accessing said venue.
Claim 186
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 162 wherein said assigned time comprises a time range during which the customer may access the attraction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3893097A
Cited
US3988570A
Cited
US4086475A
Cited
US4095739A
Cited
US4097727A
Cited
US4247759A
Cited
US4398257A
Cited
US4538056A
Cited
US4538056B1
Cited
US4816658A
Cited
US4889981A
Cited
US4802218A
Cited
US5066853A
Cited
US5006983A
Cited
US5287269A
Cited
US5245163A
Cited
US5429361A
Cited
US5408417A
Cited
US5305197A
Cited
US5724520A
Cited
US5502806A
Cited
US5491326A
Cited
US5987421A
Cited
US5987420A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-09 | 2004-07-10 | 2005-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-09 | 2008-07-10 | 2009-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-09 | 2012-07-10 | 2013-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |