Patent ID: 7769596

Claim:
A computer implemented method for guiding a mobile device user to optionally select a mobile device service retail service center comprising: receiving a request from a mobile device for mobile device service; determining a location of the mobile device; identifying one or more retail service centers for servicing a mobile device based on the location of the mobile device; estimating a wait for the mobile device service at each of the retail service centers; providing the estimated wait and each location of the retail service centers to the mobile device; providing a net wait time at each of the retail service centers to the mobile device to guide a user of the mobile device to optionally select a retail service center, the net wait time being calculated by subtracting a travel time to a corresponding retail service center from the estimated wait at the corresponding retail service center, wherein each of the receiving a request, determining a location, identifying one or more retail service centers, estimating a wait, and providing the estimated wait and each location occur prior to optionally selecting a retail service center.