Modern airports are now cxtremely busy at peak periods and, as a result, if a plane is unable to push back at its appointed time due to the late arrival of a passenger, the plane will not be able to take off until the next available departure slot which may be as much as 40 to 60 minutes later.

Normally, a passenger who arrives at an airport less than a predetermined time before the departure of a flight is not given a boarding card for his or her intended flight and consequently this does not cause a problem. The general cause of passengers arriving late at a departure gate is delays waiting to pay for last minute duty free shopping followed closely by passengers waiting for their bills to be prepared and processed in restaurants in the duty free area. Other reasons include the passenger getting lost and finding himself at the opposite end of a large airport at the appointed time and disabled people being unable to obtain assistance at the required time.

The costs to the airline and the airport authority are very high. If the airport authority losses a slot it is unable to work at full potential capacity. The airline may arrive late at its destination with tired and upset passengers unable to make connections and attend business meetings on time.

The present invention provides a method for facilitating the flow of pedestrian traffic in, for example an airport, which method comprises the steps of: a). providing a person, for example a passenger, with a device on or shortly before entry to a specific

area, for example a duty-free area; and b). transmitting a signal to said device at a specific time, for example when the passenger should make his or her way to a boarding gate.

Preferably, said device is a locating device. This can enable, for example a central computer to know' where a passenger is in relation to a departure gate.

This information can be used in several ways, for example if the time has come for a passenger to make his way to the departure gate the computer may send an appropriate signal to the passenger. Such a signal could conveniently be a vibration to avoid annoying other passengers. The timing of the signal could take into account specific factors, for example how far the passenger is from the departure gate and where he is located. Thus a passenger in a duty free shop or restaurant should be sent a signal significantly in advance of a passenger seated in a waiting area adjacent the restaurant. The timing of the signal might also take into account the passengers seating allocation. This will become increasingly important as the capacity of airplanes increases as there is little more infuriating than being trapped in a queue trying to move to seats in rows 40 to 50 when another passenger is passing the time of day blocking the aisle adjacent row 6.

The computer can then monitor the progress of the passenger towards the departure gate. Provided that the passenger is in an appropriate area with respect to the departure gate at a given time the location device will remain quiescent. However, if the passenger is not in the correct area then a further signal is sent to the passenger to alert him to the problem. If the passenger is moving away from the gate then an audible alarm may sound. If the passenger delays so that he is an area where he needs to walk briskly to arrive at the departure gate on time the locating device will vibrate continuously.

At this stage the ground staff at the gate will be alerted of a potential problem and given the location of the passenger. If the delay continues an airline official will be dispatched to find the passenger who may need assistance. At a certain time it may be appropriate for the computer to cause the location device to emit a continuous audible tone to allow the passenger to be immediately identified. This is particularly important if the passenger has suffered an acute medical problem and is unable to fly. This enables the information to be transmitted to the pilot who can then decide whether to take-off or arrange for the passengers baggage to be removed before pushing back.

Although it is conceivable that one receiver could scan a large modern airport it is anticipated that a multiplicity of receivers will be disposed at strategic locations around an airport so that the exact whereabouts of a passenger can be determined within a few meters.

With modern computers it is a relatively simple task to interrogate a large number of locating devices so that the departure gate and location of any passenger can be quickly located. By using colour coding problem areas can be quickly identified and remedial action taken. Thus, a screen could show a map of the airport with derelict passengers identified by red dots. A cluster of such red dots could identify a potential problem, for example inadequate staffing of check-out tills at the duty free.

A flash red dot could be used to identify a passenger in danger of delaying the take off of a plane.

The computer could automatically activate a screen connected to security cameras in the area to allow ground staff to see the problem and send the appropriate assistance.

At the present time it is envisaged that the locating device will resemble a portable telephone or pager or watch and will be separate and distinct from the ticket and which will be attached to the passenger at the

check-in gate via a disposable strap. An alarm will immediately be raised if the device is removed other than by an authorized official.

However, it is also envisaged that the locating device will eventually form a part of the ticket which may resemble a PCMCIA card for a mcdern laptop computer.

Whilst the present invention has been described in relation to an airport it is also applicable to any venue where a large number of people may wish to arrive at prescribed destinations at a particular time. Thus, for example in theme parks it is becoming increasingly common for a guest to be able to visit an attraction and take a ticket entitling him to go to the head of the queue provided that he returns between certain specified times.

At peak times there can be several hours between the time the guest takes his ticket and the ride. This results in people forgetting their time slot or, having remembered their time slot shortly after it has expired, arriving at the attraction and having to be admitted at an unscheduled time.

In the context of a theme park the present invention also has additional advantages. In particular, visitors can decide to leave the theme park regardless of prior bookings on attractions. This can be for a variety of reasons and mass movements can occur with little or no obvious reason. At these times it is not unusual for the queue at certain attractions to diminish quite dramatically. With the locating device it is possible for a computer to see'the distribution of visitors around an attraction and, if the queue is short, alert the visitors with the closest bookings and/or other visitors in close proximity to the attraction that it is available if they so wish. For the former purpose it is necessary for the locating device to know'that a booking has been made and for this purpose it is envisaged that the locating device will be programmed at the booking machine adjacent the attraction.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic plan view of an airport.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown an airport which is generally identified by the reference numeral 100.

The airport 100 comprises a departures area 101 provided with rows of departure piers 102 only two of which are shown. Each departure pier 102 comprises a multiplicity of check-in desks 103.

The departure area 101 is separated from a waiting/duty free area 104 by a wall 105, access to the waiting/duty free area 104 being through passport and security control in the security area 106.

The waiting/duty free area 104 accommodates a plurality of retail outlets including duty free shops 107-118, restrooms 119, restaurant 120 and bar 121.

Three departure piers 122,123 and 124 extend from the waiting/duty free area 104.

Each departure pier 122,123 and 124 accommodates a number of departure gates, only one of which, 125 has been identified.

In use, a passenger, Mr A. Jones, arrives at the airport at 1000 hours for a transatlantic flight due to push back at 1200 hours. The passenger first goes to check-in desk 103 where he is provided with a ticket and a locating device which resembles a mobile telephone.

As the ticket is processed the locating device is automatically programmed to tell the locating device that the passenger, Mr A. Jones is due to leave on Virgin Flight VA001 which will be departing from departure gate 125 at 1200 hours. He will be sitting in seat 2A in the upper level.

As the locating device is handed over a central computer picks up a signal from the locating device

(which it knows as device 4096) via a local transmitter/receiver 126. The computer then knows that a Mr A. Jones is in the departures area 101 and is scheduled to depart from departure gate 125 at 1200 hours. The computer knows Mr Jones seating allocation. A green dot representing Mr Jones appears on a screen in a passenger traffic control area 126.

Mr A. Jones then passes through the security area 106 where his passport maybe checked and his hand luggage is examined. He arrives in the waiting/duty free area 104 at 1050 hours.

After a quick look in the retail outlets 107 to 118 he decides to go to the restaurant 120 at 1100 hours for an early lunch.

The computer knows that Mr A Jones is in the restaurant and that it takes an average of 5 minutes to walk from the restaurant to the departure gate 125. It also knows that the plane should be fully boarded by 11.50 and that because of his seat allocation Mr A. Jones should ideally arrive at the departure gate at 1140 hours and at the door of the plane by 1145 hours It also knows that because Mr A. Jones is in the restaurant 120 he should be given an additional 15 minutes warning to enable him to finish his meal and attend to the payment of his meal.

Accordingly, at 1110 hours Mr A. Jones location device vibrates to remind him to make his way to the departure gate 125. Mr A. Jones asks the waiter to expedite service and bring his bill which he is in the process of paying at 11.36. By this time the computer has realised that Mr A. Jones should be in the departure pier 124. However, the transmitter/receiver 128 clearly identifies Mr A. Jones as being in the restaurant 120.

The computer sends a signal which causes the locating device to vibrate continuously and start beeping as Mr A.

Jones is in the restaurant 120. Mr A. Jones now becomes a red dot on the screen in the passenger control area 127

and the staff at the gate 125 receive a message telling them that passenger Mr A. Jones is still at the restaurant 120.

In the meantime the beeping has alerted the restaurant staff to Mr A. Jones problem and he is promptly dispatched and after a few seconds of brisk walking towards the departure gate 125 he becomes another green dot who arrives at the departure gate 125 at 1140 hours where he hands over his locating device before boarding the plane at 1145 hours precisely.

Mr A. Jones locating device is reset by the ground staff and returned to the check-in desk 103 for use by the next customer.

Had Mr A. Jones left the restaurant and ran towards departure pier 122 then he would have received a verbal message from his locating device saying wrong way, wrong way'.

Had Mr Jones collapsed and still been in the restaurant 120 by 1140 hours his red dot would start flashing and ground staff would be dispatched to assist him and the captain of the plane notified immediately thereafter.

It will be appreciated that the present method will reduce the likelihood of a passenger delaying the departure of a plane. If desired the locating device may be provided with a screen on which a message can be displayed. Such messages may include advising a passenger that he has left part of his luggage in the security area 106 or that the departure of his plane has been delayed.

It can also be used to relay messages from one passenger to another or to facilitate groups of passengers meeting.

The application with respect to a theme park is generally similar in overall concept. However, in addition to help ensure that the visitors arrive at their attractions on time it can also be used to modify crowd movement. Thus, if an attraction is temporarily disabled the reminder provided by the locating device may be

delayed by the appropriate time. Similarly, if an attraction is quiet a message could be sent to all the visitors in the area of the proximity of the attraction advising them that the wait for the attraction is minimal. The locating devices can also be used to monitor when a visitor enters the park, which attractions he or she visits, and when they leave. This information, when combined with a brief exit interview, can be invaluable to understanding the rhythm of the theme park and how that rhythm can be adjusted to allow a visitor to obtain the maximum enjoyment from his visit.

Various modifications to the embodiments described are envisaged, for example the locating device may be provided with means to enable a person to communicate with the computer. Thus, for example the locating device may be provided with one or more buttons which a user can press in response to specific questions.

Thus in the airport scenario the computer might issue an advisory message, for example Your Departure Gate has been changed to Gate 1-Press Button Y to acknowledge and Button Z if you require assistance.' If a passenger presses button Z then the computer sends a message to the nearest available ground staff to contact the passenger who will be identifiable by an intermittent beep generated from his locating device.

Other message might advise the passenger of delays in the proposed departure time. In such a case the computer would automatically reset all the warning signals intended to ensure that the passenger arrives at the departure gate on time to the new departure time.

If desired the passengers baggage could be provided with a disposable transponder which could be interrogated by the computer to ensure that the passenger and the luggage are on the same airplane. It should be noted that although uncommon in Europe it is not unusual for internal flights in the US to be preceded by an

announcement of the destination of the plane and suggesting that passengers not requiring the intended destination alight! The computer c : ould easily bring the attention of the ground staff to a discrepancy between the departure gate of the passenger and the location of the luggage in a different airplane.

If the locating device is in the general configuration of a wrist watch and worn as such by the passenger, it could be provided with a screen on which general information and commercial material could be displayed. The general information might include information on the location of the nearest restrooms and the operational status of internal transport such as shuttle trains, shuttle buse ; s, travelators and escalators. Commercial material could include promotional offers by shops and restaurants and collect at gate' gift management. It is envisaged that a passenger could opt out of receiving commercial material when checking in and his or her locating device would then be disabled in this regard.

The locating device might also have a facility for making frequently asked questions'such as where is the nearest restroom'. The computer would supply the answer knowing'the location of the passenger.

The locating device should be able to send the computer a low power'signal if its batteries run low- as might happen in a long delay situation. It should also be able to notify the computer immediately if it is removed by the wearer as this could signal a terrorist act.

Finally, the passenger can sit quietly in the bar awaiting the dreaded'cancelled flight'announcement and simultaneously receive this together with information on where he should go to be bussed to the local hotel.

This is significantly less painful than the usual situation of seeing the flight cancelled on the departures board and finding everyone at the airline's desk has departed for the day.