System and Method for Counting Objects in a Queue

A system for counting objects in a queue, said system comprising:

• a plurality of electronic points of service “EPOSs”;
• an object tracking system for tracking positions of objects within a service point area associated with said plurality of EPOSs;
• a processor system for processing data, said processor system having memory means storing data indicative of the positions of each of said EPOSs within the service point area, and being adapted to receive data from each EPOS indicating its operational status and to receive from said tracking system data relating to positions of objects within the service point area, said processor system being arranged to perform the steps of:
• determining from the positions of the plurality of EPOSs within the service point area an initial seed location as a point at which a single queue of objects forms if all of the EPOSs are in operation being fed by said single queue;
• determining from the actual operational statuses of said plurality of EPOSs a new seed location as a point at which the single queue forms, said new seed location being a point in the service point area prior to or adjacent to an operational EPOS that is a nearest one of the plurality of EPOSs to the initial seed location;
• assigning tracked objects within the service point area to the single queue dependent on their positional behavior within the service point area;
• and
• counting the number of assigned objects in the queue.