US 8,264,329 B2 · Method and system for room activity communication

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system for room activity communication. In one embodiment, a tray sensing device detects the presence of a tray in a given location and forwards the information to a room controller. The tray can be a conventional tray for supporting food articles or can be supported or integral with a food cart. The system also includes a door lock/tag controller for monitoring door lock and door tag information. Information from the tray sensing device, door lock/tag controller is communicated to a room controller. The room controller of each room can include a wireless network to the tray controller and/or door lock/tag controller. The room controller can also monitor information of the room such as, for example, temperature, humidity and light intensity information, and receive information regarding room activities, such as, for example, room service ordering and status, housekeeping, minibar, phone messages and checkout routine. Information from the room controller can be forwarded to a central host controller for management of the information. The central host controller can display the information, activate an alarm or separate and send data to relevant controllers located, for example at security, service, housekeeping and front desk. The alarm can be an audio or visual alert. The alarm can be deactivated upon removal of the tray from the given location or acknowledgement of request.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A method for room activity communication comprising the steps of:

a door lock/tag controller receiving door lock information from a door lock or determining door lock information from said door lock or an RFID card;
optionally providing a door tag, said door tag including an associated RFID tag, said RFID tag adapted for communicating door tag information of said RFID tag to said door lock/tag controller;
receiving one or more of said door lock information from said door lock/tag controller and said door tag information from said door lock/tag controller at a room controller, and associating a room address with said door lock information and/or said door tag information;
forwarding said associated room address, said door lock information and/or said door tag information from said room controller to a central information system;
managing said door lock information and/or said door tag information at said central information system;
communicating information from said central information system to said room controller;
and
communicating said information received at said room controller to said door lock/tag controller.

5 more elements

A system for room activity communication comprising:

a door lock/tag controller receiving door lock information from a door lock or determining door lock information from said door lock or an RFID card;
a door tag, said door tag including an associated RFID tag, said RFID tag adapted for communicating door tag information of said RFID tag to said door lock/tag controller;
a room controller receiving one or more of said door lock information from said door lock/tag controller and said door tag information from said door lock/tag controller at, and associating a room address with said door lock information and/or said door tag information;
means for forwarding said associated room address, said door lock information and/or said door tag information from said room controller to a central information system;
means for managing said door lock information and/or said door tag information at said central information system;
means for communicating information from said central information system to said room controller;
and
communicating said information received at said room controller to said door lock/tag controller.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for room activity communication

Life of this patent

Method and system for room activity communication

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30