Web Enabled Patron Queuing System

Team Members: Adnan Salam, Archit Agarwal, Thanh V. NguyenFaculty Advisor: Prof. Weibo Gong

Background

Many businesses have lost customers due to the impatient nature of the human being. People usually do not like to wait in a line; instead, they usually go on to the next available venue. Upon consulting with few of these businesses as well as few of the disgruntled users, team Gong discovered the importance of the Patron Queuing System. In order to meet the customers’ demands, our client has requested us to create a system where users can access real-time information on the number of customers in queue as well as the approximate wait time. A web-based queuing system will provide real-time information to the users hence smart customers would be spending less time in a line, providing the customers a greater level of satisfaction. This in-turn would help business provide better service and retain the patriotism of its customers.

AbstractThe Patron Queuing System would contain three main components:

•Infrared Sensors•Reader/Controller/Communicator•Remote Web Server

The IR sensors will indicate to the controller whether a customer enters or exists. The controller will then transmit the information to the remote web server where the data will be processed and based on intelligent algorithms, data with best approximate wait time will be supplied to the customers. Customers can access the information on the Patron Queuing System Web Site via PDA or computers or cell-phones.

Sandy’s Barber Shop Website

Patron Queuing System

Controllers / DataHunter

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

ECE 415/ECE 416 SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT 2007College of Engineering - University of Massachusetts Amherst

Foundational SubsystemsThe PQS System consists of four sub-systems: IR Sensors, Controller Board, WIFI Data Relay, and Server. Data is captured by IR Sensors as 0's and 1's and transmitted to the Controller board. Upon receiving the data, the Controller board adds/subtracts from the count stored in its memory. This data is then transmitted to the DataHunter (Data Relay via WIFI) which transmits the count to the server remotely.

All four subsystems are independent of other systems and will work accurately. This allows for further improvement on the individual systems in the future without hindering the process of other subsystems.

Sensors• Detects things in trigger zones• Infrared motion detectors• Pressure pads, door triggers

Controller• Receives various sensor signals• Determines direction of travel i.e. whether to inc/dec count• Updates current count• Pushes data to WIFI via RS232

WIFI• Joins local WIFI network• Makes TCP connection w/ server• Receives data from controller• Transmits data to server

ReceiverTransmitter

Controller

WirelessRouter

Laptop

Sandy’s Barber Shop Installation

AVR Controller

Data Hunter

LED/Count Indicators

Acknowledgments

This work has been funded by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Team Gong would like to thank those whom made this project possible: Professor Weibo Gong – AdvisorProfessors C. V. Hollot and T. B. Soules - Course CoordinatorsFrancis Caron – SDP Lab TechnicianSandy Lorraine Robidoux - Events Coordinator School of EngineeringAshley and the Marcus Café DudesAnd special thanks to John Danaher

Thanh Nguyen, Archit Agarwal and Adnan Salam ( left to right)

SummaryAll subsystems implement their function. The system was installed for a month of Fridays and two five day weeks. In that time piggy-backing due to sensor disarm delay was the only source of count error. Traffic/congestion was not of sufficient magnitude to warrant a public call for use or statistical analysis.

Predictable sensor disarm performance is the main need of the system right now.