Patron locating methods, systems and devices
OwnerDavid P. Fisherinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wireless system for locating patrons or customers is provided, the locating system including a wireless paging activator, one or more wireless pagers adapted to receive an identifying signal from the wireless paging activator and a plurality of a plurality of pager-caddies adapted to hold the wireless pagers, each pager-caddy affixed to a respective fixture located in a localized area, such as a restaurant, and each pager-caddy further adapted to temporarily hold a pager in a conspicuous location. In various embodiments, the locating system can rely less on visibility of the pager and alternatively use a transponder-based system that relies in part on a return signal generated by an activated transponder to provide at least a generalized a location of the transponder.
Claims29
A paging system for locating patrons, comprising:
- a wireless paging activator;
- at least one wireless pager adapted to receive an identifying code from the wireless paging activator;
- at least one pager-caddy adapted to hold the wireless pager and affixed to a respective fixture located in a localized area whereby the pager-caddy temporarily holds the wireless pager in a conspicuous location.
A paging apparatus having a high visibility, comprising:
- a wireless receiver for receiving an identifying code;
- a luminescent display element that activates when the wireless receiver receives an identifying code designating the wireless receiver, the luminescent display element being configured to emit light, and
- a securing means configured to temporarily secure the pager to a fixture.
A holding device for securing a pager, comprising:
- a securing device configured to temporarily secure the pager to a fixture, the pager producing a conspicuous visible signal when activated.
A method for locating a particular patron among a plurality of patrons, comprising:
- distributing a wireless electronic receiver to each of the plurality of patrons, each wireless receiver having an identifying code;
- activating a wireless paging activator configured to emit an identifying code of a particular receiver causing the particular receiver to activate;
- and
- locating the patron possessing the activated receiver based on a conspicuous signal means produced by the activated receiver.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.