Patent ID: 7606900

Claim:
A method for regulating access by users to a scarce resource, said resource being capable of handling multiple concurrent accesses, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a request for access to the scarce resource; determining whether the access level for said scarce resource is at a desired maximum, the desired maximum indicating a predetermined maximum number of users, the desired maximum indicating a plurality of users and being independent of a maximum physical capacity for the scarce resource, that it is desired be simultaneously accessing the scarce resource; responsive to determining that said access level is at a desired maximum, placing said requester in a queue for access to said scarce resource; providing said requester with a notification that the request has been enqueued, access being available to said requester upon reaching the head of the queue and said access level dropping below said desired maximum, receiving a late request for access to said scarce resource; identifying the late request as being one from said requester that was previously enqueued but for which access was missed when it became available; determining, upon receipt of the late request, whether the access level for said scarce resource is currently at a desired maximum; responsive to determining that said access level is currently at a desired maximum, determining whether said scarce resource is able to accommodate immediate access by said late requester; responsive to determining that it is possible to accommodate immediate access, by said requester, granting immediate access to said requester; and responsive to determining that it is not possible to accommodate immediate access by said requester, re-queuing said requester; wherein an enqueued user may remain enqueued while navigating an application used to access the scarce resource away from the scarce resource.