METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TURN NUMBER SYSTEMS

Abstract: A method for a queue number system for serving customers at least at one service position (1), by which method customers, to obtain a queue number, select a service type by means of a selector unit (2) and are thereby given a queue number from a particular queue number series for the type of service. The dispensed queue numbers are registered and the customers are summoned via an information unit (5) when they are to be served, preferably in queue number order. The method is particularly characterized in that a customer whom one wishes to identify and/or give priority to within the queue number system, is provided with an individual code, which is supplied to a central unit (4) included in the queue number system when the customer is allotted a queue number, whereby the customer is, to the desired extent, identified and/or given priority as regards queue numbers, and in that customer specific information including said code is stored in a customer data unit (10) and is transferred to the desired extent to the service position (1) to which the customer is directed. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Description: Method and device for turn number systems The present invention relates to a method for a queue number system for serving customers at least at one service position, by which method customers, to obtain a queue number, select a service type by means of a selection unit and are thereby given a queue number from a particular queue number series for the service type, the dispensed queue numbers being registered and the customers being summoned via an information unit to be served, preferably in queue number order. The invention also relates to a device for a queue number system. Queue number systems of substantially this type are previously known. Each queue number series corresponds to a particular queue, and thus there can be a number of queues, usually corresponding to the number of types of service. The present invention relates to a method and a device for a queue number system, by means of which customers can be given priority both in the queue and as regards information and service, and this can also provide security advantages. The invention thus relates to a method according to the preamble to the accompany¬ ing claim 1. The method is characterized in particular by that disclosed in the charac¬ terizing clause of said claim. The invention also relates to a device for a queue number system according to the preamble to the accompanying claim 6. The device is particularly characterized by that which is disclosed in the characterizing clause ofthe last mentioned patent claim. The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples and the accompanying drawing, where - Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a queue number system according to the invention, - Fig. 2 shows schematically a first embodiment of a queue number unit, the selection unit, according to the invention. The numeral 1 in Fig. 1 designates the service positions, e.g. a teller's windows intended for serving customers. The numeral 2 designates a selection unit, by means of which the customers can select at least one type of service and be allotted a queue number, e.g. in the form of a queue ticket 3, from a queue number series for a particular type of service. The numeral 4 designates a central unit, preferably in the form of a computer, arranged for registering the allotted queue number and for directing customers, via an information unit 5, to service at free service positions, preferably in queue number order. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, each service position is provided with an advancing unit 6 connected to the central unit in order to activate the advance to the next queue number when the service position becomes free. According to the invention, the queue number system comprises devices for identify¬ ing and/or giving priority to customers, there being means 7, such as a card reader 7, to supply the central unit 4, for example an individual code when a customer, whom one wants to identify and/or give a priority to within the scope ofthe queue number system, is supplied a queue number, whereby the central unit or the like is arranged to give priority to the code owner to the desired extent. This can be done in a number of different manners. According to one embodiment, the priority customers have their own number series. According to a preferred embodiment, said code is intended to be carried by an auto¬ matically readable information carrier 8, e.g. a magnetic card or a so-called smart card. The selection unit comprises here a reader unit, such as a card reader unit 9, via which said code is intended to be supplied to the central unit, which in this case is disposed to determine the identification and/or priority status ofthe customer on the basis ofthe code. In this case the choice ofthe customer is intended to be made by use ofthe information carrier. Also according to the invention there is a customer data unit 10 designed for storage of individual customer information, including said code. The customer data unit 10 is coupled to the queue number system, so that information from the customer data unit can be transferred to the desired extent to the service position, to which the customer is referred when it is his turn. For this purpose, the service positions are provided with a computer terminal 11. According to one embodiment, the customer data unit is the ordinary customer computer system of a bank or the like, to which the queue number system is connected. The individual information comprises in this case, for example, the customer's personal data, accounts, balance etc. as well as said code and priority status. According to one embodiment, the individual information comprises a picture ofthe customer and/or the customer's signature so that a more or less comprehensive identity check can be made at the service position, to which the customer has been referred. The method, as well as the functioning ofthe device according to the invention, should be evident from the above discussion. The desired customers can use their individual codes to be identified and/or given priority status, each code being supplied to the central unit for example, e.g. via the selection unit. From the customer data unit, the central unit receives the code corresponding to the status and thereafter places the customer in the proper queue, e.g. a special queue. When it is the customer's turn, the central unit selects the service position, and informa¬ tion concerning the service position is transferred to the customer data unit. The customer's individual information is transferred to the computer terminal ofthe service position and the information is shown on the screen at the service position or is printed on a printer or the like. In appropriate cases, a picture ofthe customer and/or the customer's signature is shown for identity check. As should be evident from the above, the invention provides substantial advantages over the prior art. It is thus possible to identify and/or give priority to a customer at the same time as information concerning a priority customer can be automatically transferred to the computer terminal at the correct service position. By transferring a picture and/or the customer's signature, security advantages are achieved since pictures stored in the computer are particularly difficult to fake. The advantages are achieved by using in most cases existing stored information, which is used in combi¬ nation with the queue number system. When the customer arrives at the service posi¬ tion in question, the desired information concerning the customer is already there. The invention has been described above in connection with examples. Other embodi¬ ments are of course conceivable as well as minor changes and supplements without deviating from the essential concept ofthe invention. Thus, it is possible that said code can indicate different levels of priority status as regards queue numbers. It is thus possible that a customer will not be given priority as regards queue number but that the individual information will be transferred to the service position to which the customer is referred. Said code can of course also be supplied by means of a set of buttons or the like. Furthermore, the queue number system can be ofthe type where the service posi¬ tions provide several types of service, and where in practice only one type of service can be selected, i.e. there is only one queue number series. The service positions can be one or more per type of service. A certain service posi¬ tion can, as was mentioned above, take care of one or more types of service, one or more selections, where the selection of service type can occur with a manual switch at the service position or automatically, controlled by the central unit for example. The advancing of queue numbers can also be done automatically, i.e. without any special advancing unit, for example by means ofthe central unit, the customer data unit or the customer computer system. The invention is thus not limited to the above described embodiments but can be varied within its scope defined by the accompanying patent claims.

Claims: Claims 1. Method for a queue number system for serving customers at least at one service position, by which method customers, to obtain a queue number, select a service type by means of a selection unit and are thereby given a queue number from a particular queue number series for the service type, the dispensed queue numbers being registered and the customers being summoned via an information unit to be served, preferably in queue number order, characterized in that a customer, whom one wishes to identify and/or give priority to within the queue number system, is provided with an individual code which is supplied to a central unit (4) comprised in the queue number system when the customer is given a queue number, whereupon the customer, to the desired extent, is identified and/or given priority as regards queue numbers, and in that individual information for the customer including said code is stored in a customer data unit (10) and is transferred to the desired extent to the service position ( 1 ) to which the customer is directed. 2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that said code is carried by means of a readable information carrier (8). 3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the information carrier is read by means of the selector unit (2) when me owner thereof is to be given a queue number. 4. Method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the queue number system is coupled to a customer computer system of a bank or the like, said customer data unit (10) being a part ofthe customer computer system and said individual information including information concerning the customer's identity, accounts etc. 5. ~ Method according to Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that said individual information includes a picturc-of the customer and/or the -customer's signature, whereby an identity check can be made at the service position to which the customer is directed. 6. Device for a queue number system for serving customers at least at one service position, there being a selector unit by means of which the customers, for dispensing of queue numbers, can select at least one type of service and then be given a queue number from a particular queue number series for that type of service and there being means for registering dispensed queue numbers and for summoning customers via an information unit to be served, preferably in queue number order, characterized in that there is a central unit (4) which is adapted to be supplied with an individual code when a customer whom one desires to identify and/or give priority to within the queue number system, is allotted a queue number and, to the desired extent, identify the customer and/or give priority to the customer as regards queue numbers, and in that there is a customer data unit (10) arranged for storage of individual information for a customer as well as said code, there being means (4, 10) for transferring said individual information to the desired extent to the service posi¬ tion to which the customer is directed. 7. Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that said code is intended to be carried by means of a readable individual information carrier (8). 8. Device according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the queue number system is coupled to a customer computer system of a bank or the like, said customer data unit (10) being included in the customer computer system and said individual infor- mation comprising information concerning the customer's identity, accounts etc. 9. Device according to Claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that said individual infor¬ mation comprises a stored picture ofthe customer and/or ofthe customer's signa¬ ture, whereby an identity check can be carried out at the service position to which the customer is directed.

Inventors: AHLSTROEM BENGT, JARDER LARS, AHLSTROEM, BENGT, JARDER, LARS
Applicants: ABBELA ELEKTRONIK AB, AHLSTROEM BENGT, JARDER LARS, AHLSTROEM, BENGT, JARDER, LARS
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G07B5
IPC codes: G07C11