Automatic registration system, as for lodging or other application

A registration system associated with premises comprising:

• a processor and a memory operably coupled thereto;
• a user interface including a display for displaying registration information relating to the premises and a data entry for entering user information, said user interface being operably coupled to said processor for coupling the registration information and the user information therebetween;
• a card issuing device for providing an access card having a card memory, said card issuing device being operably coupled to said processor for coupling information related to the registration information and the user information to be stored in the card memory of the access card for enabling access related to the premises;
• and
• at least one access device adapted for enabling access to at least one portion of the premises responsive to the information stored in the memory of the access card.

A electronic registration system associated with a premises including a number of spaces, said system comprising:

• at least one processor and at least one memory operably coupled thereto;
• a property management system including a computer program stored in said at least one memory and operating in conjunction with said at least one processor;
• a plurality of electronic access devices each adapted for enabling access to one of the spaces of the premises responsive to information stored in the card memory of an access card;
• an access control system including a computer program stored in said at least one memory and operating in conjunction with said at least one processor for defining access parameters for said plurality of electronic access devices;
• a user interface operably coupled to said at least one processor and said property management system for registering a user in relation to at least a given one of the spaces of the premises;
• and
• a card issuing device operably coupled to said at least one processor for storing registration information from said property management system and access parameters from said access control system in the card memory of a given access card for providing the given access card in response to registering a user for the given space, the given access card enabling at least one of said plurality of electronic access devices for access to the given space.

A method for registering a user comprising:

• providing a user terminal;
• providing a plurality of electronic access devices each operable responsive to an access card having certain information stored in a memory thereof to provide access to a facility or facilities;
• entering and displaying registration information using the user terminal;
• allowing the user to use the user terminal to change the registration information;
• allowing the user to use the user terminal to select the facility or facilities to which the user is to have access;
• storing information representative of the registration information, the changed registration information, if any, and the selected facility or facilities into a computer;
• storing certain information representative of the registration information, the changed registration information, if any, and the selected facility or facilities into the memory of the access card;
• and
• providing the access card with the certain information representative of the registration information, the changed registration information, if any, and the selected facility or facilities stored in the memory thereof, whereby the access card may be used with the electronic access devices to gain access to the facility or facilities.

A time recording and access control system associated with a premises including a number of spaces, said system comprising:

• at least one processor and at least one memory operably coupled thereto;
• a plurality of electronic access devices each adapted for enabling access to one of the spaces of the premises responsive to the information stored in the card memory of an access card;
• an access control system including a computer program stored in said at least one memory and operating in conjunction with said at least one processor for defining access parameters for said plurality of electronic access devices;
• a user interface operably coupled to said at least one processor and said property management system for registering a user in relation to at least a given one of the spaces of the premises;
• a card issuing device operably coupled to said at least one processor for storing registration information from said user interface and access parameters from said access control system in the card memory of a given access card for providing the given access card in response to registering a user, the given access card enabling at least one of said plurality of electronic access devices for access to the given space;
• and
• at least one time clock station including a clock for providing time information and responsive to the given access card for recording information relating to the given access card.

A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer instructions for registering a user using a user terminal comprising:

• means for causing the computer to enter and display registration information on a user terminal;
• means for causing the computer to allow the user to use the user terminal to change the registration information;
• means for causing the computer to allow the user to use the user terminal to select a facility or facilities to which the user is to have access;
• means for causing the computer to store information representative of the registration information, the changed registration information, if any, and the selected facility or facilities into the computer;
• means for causing the computer to store certain information representative of the registration information, the changed registration information, if any, and the selected facility or facilities into the memory of an access card in format adapted for operating an electronic access device associated with the selected facility or facilities;
• and
• means for causing the computer to provide the access card with the certain information representative of the registration information, the changed registration information, if any, and the selected facility or facilities stored in the memory thereof,
• whereby the access card is adapted to be used with an electronic access device to gain access to the selected facility or facilities.