A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ACCESSING PLACES
DESCRIPTION
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a method and system for accessing places, such as
hotel or meeting rooms.
Background of the Invention
In the travel industry there is a continual focus on making travel more convenient
and easier for the traveler. This has provoked development of advanced technology,
methods and systems to continue to make traveling easier. Online check-in for
flights is an example of an advanced technology which reduces queuing time and
requires less airline personnel.
One of the most time-consuming and resource consuming processes in a hotel is the
check-in desk which handles both the check-in and check-out processes and often
many other queries and enquiries. Queuing is frustrating for the traveler and often
causes significant delay. In addition, especially at peak times, the hotel has to
allocate significant resources to the check-in and check-out processes. In the
hospitality industry the use of advanced technology would be helpful in this area.
As a result, the travel experience would be more convenient and easier for the
traveler and less costly for the hotelier.
US 2003/020 8386 discloses a wireless reservation, check-in, access control, ch eck
out and payment system. Amobile terminal is in communication with the
reservation, check-in, access control and payment systems of the hotel. Room
opening in the hotel is managed by means of the private key transferred to the
mobile terminal and then subsequently transmitted to the door via Bluetooth. The
system includes the expense of adapting the door to include a Bluetooth emitter and
receiver and the requirement of a processor to control and check the received key.
US 2010/020 1536 relates to a system and method for accessing a structure using a
mobile device. The system is based on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)
technology and all the hotel doors have to be equipped with an RFID reader. Shortrange
wireless communications detect the proximity of the user's mobile device to
effect opening. Again, this system requires adaptation of the doors and incurs the
cost of adding equipment to every door used within the system.
US2010/0191551 (Drance et al.) discloses a method and system to provide a
remote communication between a user and a hotel registration system by using a
smart phone. The user can remotely ask for a check-in process by sending a request
to the hotel registration system. The user sends identification information which
relates to a credit card number or a hotel reservation number, for example. In
addition, the smart phone can operate as a key for the room door. The hotel
registration system can send an electronic key in a form of a pattern for an electrical
reader located near the room door. Again, the system requires costly equipment to
be added to every door in each hotel.
In a large infrastructure, such as a hotel, the expense of adding readers or other
devices to every door in each hotel is a huge expense which has made the prior art
systems mainly unworkable.
Aneed still exists for a method and system which overcomes the problems of the
prior art and can add the convenience and ease of advanced technology to the
processes and methodologies of gaining access to a hotel room or the like.
One object of the present invention is to overcome at least some of the problems
associated with the prior art
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides a method and system for accessing locations, as
described in the accompanying claims.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method to
allow automatic access by a user to a pre-reserved place, such as a hotel room, the
method operating on a system, such as a hotel reservation system, which can
communicate with a user smart phone application, the method comprising:
- receiving at the system a request from the user smart phone application to effect
entry into the pre-reserved place, wherein the request includes user data relating to
the user and location data relating to the place, which location data relating to the
place is obtainable by the user using the smart phone to scan a code on or in the
vicinity of the place and decode the code to identify the location data relating to the
place;
- comparing in the system the user data and the location data with a list of prereserved
places to identify a matching pre-reserved place;
- if a matching pre-reserved place is identified automatically sending a signal to
cause the pre-reserved place to be opened to allow access by the user.
Optionally providing the code in the vicinity of the place as a QR code.
Optionally decoding the code identifies the name of a hotel and the number of a
room.
Optionally the step of receiving the request includes receiving user credentials and
identifying a corresponding user ID.
Optionally wherein the comparing step comprises comparing the user ID and the
location data with existing bookings to determine the matching pre-reserved place.
Optionally processing reservations made by users and storing the reservations in a
database for future access.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for
allowing automatic access by a user to a pre-reserved place, such as a hotel room,
the system, such as a hotel reservation system, can communicate with a user smart
phone application, the system comprising:
- a receiver for receiving a request from the user smart phone application to effect
entry into the pre-reserved place, wherein the request includes user data relating to
the user and location data relating to the place, which location data relating to the
place is obtainable by the user using the smart phone to scan a code on or in the
vicinity of the place and decode the code to identify the location data relating to the
place;
- a comparison module for comparing the user data and the location data with a list
of pre-reserved places to identify a matching pre-reserved place;
- wherein if a matching pre-reserved place is identified a signal is sent to cause the
pre-reserved place to be opened to allow access by the user.
The present invention provides a number of advantages. Ahotel guest is able to
reserve and open a hotel room without having to go through the reception process
in the hotel. An automatic door opening system can be put in place without having
to modify the doors or any hotel systems by adding expensive readers or devices.
The hotel can potentially reduce the number of staff required to handle check-in of
guests, particularly at peak times. The travel experience of the user is enhanced and
queuing is avoided.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a system and method for accessing a place,
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a flow chart of the messages and actions for a first part of the figure 1
system and method, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 is a flow chart of the messages and actions for a second part of the figure 1
system and method, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 4 is a flow diagram of the messages and actions for accessing the place, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 5a and 5b are sequence diagrams for the system and method for booking,
checking in and accessing the place, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
The present invention relates to a method and system for accessing a place, such as
a hotel room, by means of a remote, self-service, check-in procedure which has a
minimum impact on the physical infrastructure of the hotel.
In the travel industry all aspects of management of the hotel are supported by a
software system known as the property management system (PMS). The PMS has
many functions including the management of room rates and inventory; check-in
and room assignment; check-out and invoicing; housekeeping etc. The PMS is
connected to external systems such as credit card payment systems, room access
systems, etc.
Aroom access system and method allows the hotel to control access to the hotel
rooms via the PMS. The hotel can issue key cards, temporarily or permanently lock
or unlock doors of specific hotel rooms and generally control all access to the rooms
in the hotel. As previously indicated complex room access systems, such as RFID or
fingerprint identification processes, are expensive and are not widely used.
Another part of the hotel system is the hotel reservation system which manages the
hotel reservations and is in communication with the PMS. The hotel reservation
system is accessed during the system and method of the present invention.
Afurther element of the present invention is the use of the smart phone with
associated applications that support the functionality of the present invention, as
will be described in greater detail below.
Referring to figure 1 an overview of the present invention is shown. Auser 100 uses
a smart phone 102 to communicate with the hotel system shown generally at 104.
The hotel system includes a central reservation system 106, which may be specific
to a particular chain of hotels. The hotel system also includes a guest profile
database 108, a reservation database 110, a hotel PMS or equivalent database 112
and at least one hotel PMS 114.
The smart phone includes an application which displays information to the user in
respect of reservations and online check-in information. In addition, the smart
phone can be used to interact with the hotel system to make reservations and then
to subsequently effect online check-in when the user is at the hotel door.
In order for the online check-in system to work, it is necessary to identify the hotel
door. This is accomplished by fixing a label or other appropriate indicator on or in
the vicinity of the hotel door. This label is capable of being scanned by the smart
phone to extract the door information. The label may include a quick response (QR)
code, a barcode, a written notice or any other appropriate unique identifier. Aquick
response code is a matrix barcode consisting of black modules arranged in the
square pattern on a white background. The label may be made of any appropriate
material and be fixed on or in the vicinity of the hotel door by any appropriate
means. An example would be a QR code on a paper label stuck to the door. Use of
this type of labeling offers an inexpensive means for identifying the door that can be
used in any hotel and the system and method of the present invention. There is no
need to provide expensive equipment and/or readers on each door, which in the
past has made automatic systems too expensive.
Referring to figure 2, the process of determining existing or pre-reserved
reservations in accordance with the present invention will now be described. Auser
or guest 100 is in communication with a smart phone 102. The smart phone is in
communication with the central reservation system 106 of the hotel system 104.
The central reservation system is in communication with the guest profile database
108 and the reservation database 110.
In a first step 200 the guest requests their reservations via the smart phone. The
smart phone sends the guest credentials to the central reservation system in step
202. The guest credentials may be any appropriate identification, such as a loyalty
card number, a credit card number, a name or any other appropriate information.
The central reservation systems sends the guest credentials to the guest profile
database in step 204 and the guest ID is communicated to the central reservation
system in step 206. The guest ID is the identifier relevant to the system which
provides a link to identify all relevant information for that particular guest. The
guest ID is sent from the central reservation system to the reservation database in
step 208. The reservation database generates a list of guest reservations, including
any necessary details, and communicates this to the central reservation system in
step 210. The central reservation system then sends the reservation list and details
to the smart phone in step 212. The smart phone displays the reservation list and
details to the user in step 214. The list may include reservations that are ready to
check-in.
Referring now to figure 3, the online check-in process will now be described. The
user requests online check-in at step 300 and the smart phone generates a message
at step 302 which is sent to the central reservation system. The message includes
guest credentials and a reservation number relating to a pre-reserved booking. The
central reservation system sends the guest credentials to the guest profiles database
in step 304 and receives the guest ID in step 306. The guest ID and reservation
number are then sent to the PMS of the appropriate hotel. The PMS of the
appropriate hotel determines the availability of the room and whether online checkin
can be validated at this time. If check-in is possible the PMS associates a
particular room with the reservation and communicates the room number to the
central reservation system in a step 310. The central reservation system sends the
room details to the smart phone in step 312 and the details are displayed to the user
in step 314. There are a number of reasons why check-in may not be possible at the
time the user makes a request, these include: the hotel may have specific times for
entry to a room, the housekeeping process may not have been completed, the
previous guest may not yet have checked out, or any other appropriate reason.
Once the user has checked in using the above steps and has the room number of the
hotel the user needs only to proceed directly to the hotel room. On arriving at the
hotel room the user will find a label as described above, such as a QR code, barcode,
or other appropriate labeling device. The user uses the smart phone to read and
decode the QR code on the label in the vicinity of the hotel room. The QR code
includes at least an indication of the hotel name and the room number. Once the
smart phone has read and decoded the QR code, the smart phone will then interface
with the central reservation system to effect entry to the room.
Referring now to figure 4, the room opening process will be described. On arrival at
the hotel door the user wishes to open the door and enter the room. The smart
phone sends the decoded room and hotel number from the QR code or other
identification tags along with the guest credentials and reservation number to the
central reservation system in step 400. The central reservation system sends the
guest credentials to the guest profiles database, in step 402, in order to obtain the
guest ID which is communicated back to the central reservation system in step 404.
The central reservation system then sends the guest ID reservation number, hotel
name and room number to the PMS of their appropriate hotel in step 406. The PMS
verifies that the guest ID reservation number, room number and hotel name all
correspond with the correct booking and open or unlock the door of the hotel room
remotely at step 410. For future access to the room a traditional key or key-card
may be available for the user inside the room. Alternatively, the user may continue
to use the above-mentioned room opening process at any time.
Referring to figures 5a and 5b a full sequence diagram of the process will now be
described. Auser 500 is in communication with the smart phone application 502.
The smart phone application communicates with the central reservation system
504, which in turn communicates with a PMS 506. Aroom door 508 can be
controlled by the PMS 506.
The first part of the sequence diagram relates to a reservation selection process 510.
In step 512 the user requests a display of their reservations. The smart phone
application requests reservations from the central reservation system by sending
guest credentials in step 514. The central reservation system obtains the guest ID in
step 516 and reservation details in step 518. The central reservation system sends
the reservation list and details to the smart phone application in step 520. These
are then displayed to the user in a step 522.
The second part of the sequence diagram relates to the online check-in process 524.
The user requests online check-in at 526 through the smart phone 502. The smart
phone generates an on line check-in request including guest credentials and
reservation number which is sent to the central reservation system in step 528. The
guest ID is identified in step 530 and the online check-in request including the guest
ID and the reservation number is sent to the PMS step 532. The PMS checks the
reservation number against the guest ID in step 534 and the check-in day against
the current day in step 536. The PMS then assigns the room number if the checks
are both positive. The PMS then communicates the room number to the central
reservation system in step 540, which in turn sends a communication to the smart
phone in step 542. This is then displayed to the user in step 544.
In the third part of the sequence diagram the door scanning process 546 is
described. The user requests the smart phone to scan the room door in step 548.
The smart phone is used to scan the QR code or other appropriate label in step 550
and the code is read into the smart phone in step 552. The smart phone decodes the
QR code in step 554. From the decoded QR code the smart phone sends a room
opening request in step 556 to the central reservation system. The room opening
request includes the guest credentials, the reservation number and the scanned
hotel name and hotel room number from the QR code. The central reservation
system obtains the guest ID in step 558 and then sends a room opening request to
the PMS at step 560. This room opening request includes the guest ID, the
reservation number, the scanned hotel name and the scanned room number. The
PMS makes a comparison of the received reservation data against the PMS database
in step 562. The PMS database includes a list or lists of all reservations relevant to
the particular PMS. If the comparison is matching, the device number of the room
door is obtained in step 564. The PMS then instructs opening of the door in step
564 which is communicated to the door and the door opens at step 565. When the
door is opened the PMS can identify that this has occurred in step 566 by means of
an LED display on the PMS for example. The PMS optionally indicates to the central
reservation system that the door has been opened in step 568 and the central
reservation may communicate this to the smart phone application in step 570. The
smart phone application may present a message to the user indicating that the door
is open at step 572; alternatively the door opening will indicate the same to the user.
This invention has been described with reference to the opening of hotel doors, but
may equally apply to other environments, either related to the travel environment
or not. Likely use of the present invention would be in situations where a user
requires access to a place for a short time or for temporary use. Another example of
the invention may be the use of this technology for accessing a hire car at the care
hire depot. In this case the car hire location is equipped with a transmitter for
generating the tones associated with car keys for cars in the vicinity thereof. The
user may scan and decode a label on the car in a predetermined and pre-identified
location, which was communicated during an earlier reservation or check-in
process. The car hire central reservation system and the car hire system can cause
the local transmitter to generate a signal corresponding to the tone produced by the
key. The car identifies the tone and is unlocked. The real keys and papers may then
be found within the vehicle.
Aperson skilled in the art will understand that some or all of the functional entities
as well as the processes themselves may be embodied in software, or one or more
software-enabled modules and/or devices, or in any combination thereof. The
software may operate on any appropriate computer or other machine.
It will be appreciated that this invention may be varied in many different ways and
still remain within the intended scope of the invention.
CLAIMS
1. A method to allow automatic access by a user to a pre-reserved place, such as a
hotel room, the method operating on a system, such as a hotel reservation system, which
can communicate with a user smart phone application, the method comprising:
- receiving at the system a request from the user smart phone application to effect entry
into the pre-reserved place, wherein the request includes user data relating to the user
and location data relating to the place, which location data relating to the place is
obtainable by the user using the smart phone to scan a code on or in the vicinity of the
place and decode the code to identify the location data relating to the place;
- comparing in the system the user data and the location data with a list of pre-reserved
places to identify a matching pre-reserved place;
- if a matching pre-reserved place is identified automatically sending a signal to cause the
pre-reserved place to be opened to allow access by the user.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising providing the code in the
vicinity of the place as a QR code.
3. Amethod as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein decoding the code identifies
the name of a hotel and the number of a room.
4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the step of receiving the
request includes receiving user credentials and identifying a corresponding user ID.
5. Amethod as claimed in claim 4, wherein the comparing step comprises comparing
the user ID and the location data with existing bookings to determine the matching prereserved
place.
6. The method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising processing
reservations made by users and storing the reservations in a database for future access.
7. A computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method of any
of claims 1 to 6 when said computer program is executed on a programmable apparatus
8. Asystem for allowing automatic access by a user to a pre-reserved place, such as a
hotel room, the system, such as a hotel reservation system, can communicate with a user
smart phone application, the system comprising:
- a receiver for receiving a request from the user smart phone application to effect entry
into the pre-reserved place, wherein the request includes user data relating to the user
and location data relating to the place, which location data relating to the place is
obtainable by the user using the smart phone to scan a code on or in the vicinity of the
place and decode the code to identify the location data relating to the place;
- a comparison module for comparing the user data and the location data with a list of
pre-reserved places to identify a matching pre-reserved place;
- wherein if a matching pre-reserved place is identified a signal is sent to cause the prereserved
place to be opened to allow access by the user.
9. Asystem as claimed in claim 8, wherein the code in the vicinity of the place is a QR
code.
10. A system as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein decoding the code identifies
the name of a hotel and the number of a room.
11. A system as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the step of receiving the
request includes receiving user credentials and identifying a corresponding user ID.
12. A system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising comparing the user ID and
the location data with existing bookings to determine the matching pre-reserved place.
13. A system as claimed in any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the system processes
reservations made by users and stores the reservations in a database for future access.
14. Alabel having a code thereon for use with the system of any of claims 8 to 13.
15. The label of claim 14 having a QR code thereon.
16. Asmart phone application for reading and decoding a code associated with a prereserved
location and communicating decoded data to the system of any of claims 8 to 13
to effect entry to the pre-reserved location.