FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)
Title of application:
A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HOSPITALITY SERVICE ENHANCEMENT USING HOME INFOTAINMENT PLATFORM
Applicant:
TATA Consultancy Services Limited A company Incorporated in India under The Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
Nirmal Building, 9th Floor,
Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021,
Maharashtra, India
The following specification particularly describes the application and the manner in which

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION
The present application relates to broadcasting and telecommunications in the hospitality service. Particularly the application relates to a method and system for hospitality service enhancement using home infotainment platform (HIP). More particularly the application enables a cost effective method and system for broadband access and infotainment for hospitality service enhancement in a hospitality service unit by replacing the existing electronic private automatic branch exchange (EPABX) with a local area network (LAN) based communication system. Further, the application enables the user of a hospitality service unit to interact effectively with hospitality services provider using television as well as personal communication devices, wherein the user enhance their experience with various hospitality services such as dining, house-keeping etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE APPLICATION
In the recent past, broadcasting and telecommunication technologies have gained wider popularity in entertainment industry, particularly related to hospitality services. In today's scenario, interactivity with service provider is highly required for enhanced user experience; in particular visual interaction is preferred over telephonic, which is based on voice communication.
Considering the example of the current system employed for booking food and tables in restaurants is entirely non-visual and non-feedback centric. Sometimes the primary details of the food item do not explain what exactly it is. Ingredients of the menu item are rarely disclosed. The only information may be available of being it a vegetarian or non-vegetarian food. Hence, it becomes very difficult to choose a good food which a person may want to have.
The user currently has to depend on the service provider's recommendation; as a consequence, user may or may not find it satisfactory, especially over the telephonic communication. The user never gets to know what exactly a food looks like or the customer feedbacks about the same food. He may not be able to enjoy good food if the booking is done using telephone, just because he has no other way to know whether it is a popular food or not.
Lots of efforts have been made to develop the required infrastructure and technologies for proving a user with enhanced experience. The prior art approach have been concentrated

on non visual approaches, for example, when a user is booking tables in a restaurant, he or she has no option to visualize the position of the table (e.g. whether it is a corner one or a window side).
In order to achieve effective merchandizing strategy coupled with the enhanced user experience using visual based booking, a system is required to integrate user demand with it.
Integrating the user demand for enhancing experience with the available communication infrastructure is another significant issue which is highly desirable. The existing mode of ordering and booking depends on the backbone of an electronic private automatic branch exchange (EPABX) infrastructure, does not offer liberty to the user visual selectivity. Thus, the user is bound to avail and experience the services according to the service provider. The Infrastructure also incurs cost to the service provider, for maintaining it along with the internet connection facility to every room.
However, the existing method and systems are not capable of providing user selected service and enhanced experience. The existing methods and systems are more expansive and have to be maintained along with the internet connection facility. Some of them known to us are as follows:
US2008215385A by Veitch teaches about a system and method for making reservations. The problem addressed particularly related to making reservations for services provided to guests by a host organization through a central reservation system. The patent does not teach about replacing the existing telephone EPABX network with simple LAN connecting rooms with hotel central server.
US2004059815A by Buckingham et al. teaches about a guest room service and control system for a building including a plurality of guest rooms, the guest room service and control system. The problem addressed particularly related to guest room network including room hub, control device, centralized electronic locking system, room energy management system component, digital control system, minibar monitoring device, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing guest room control devices. The patent does not teach about replacing the existing telephone EPABX network with simple LAN connecting rooms with hotel central server,

US2003028611A by Kenny et al, teaches about a multi-task, multi-location networking system in combination with an internet service provider. The problem addressed particularly related to allowing a persons remotely located in a hotel room, to easily and conveniently request a variety of data provided by the hotel. The patent does not utilize the television as viewing terminal. The patent does not teach about replacing the existing telephone EPABX network with simple LAN connecting rooms with hotel central server.
JP2005176285A by HIROYASU et al. teaches about an environment having a LAN system with an RF modulation, thereby providing Internet connectivity for the lodger, etc. through an in-house CATV transmission line laid in the hotel, The problem addressed particularly related to the telephone connection equipment wherein the Internet protocol is integrated with the pay television broadcast viewing equipment, enabling connection to a telephone connection network using the Internet protocol. This patent also discloses about keeping telephone hardware device in room along with TV and channelizing the voice data through LAN The patent does not teach about replacement of the existing telephone service of a hotel by LAN based VOIPs.
Lee et al. in "Technology, service quality, and customer loyalty in hotels: Australian managerial perspectives" examines the perceptions of international hotel managers on the adoption of technology in their hotels. The results emphasize the growing demand of hotel customers for various technology-supported services.
Bjorkqvist in "Concepting the hotel for tomorrow" discloses about the making and conceptualization of a two hotel rooms that gives a glimpse of what the hotel rooms of the future could look and feel like. One concept is a next-generation sustainable room, and the other a room of individual customer technology, with the ability to alter itself according to customer wishes.
The above mentioned prior arts fail to disclose an efficient and economic method and system for hospitality service enhancement. The prior art also fail to disclose the enhanced user experience according to the user selectivity.
Thus, in the light of the above mentioned background art, it is evident that, there is a need for such a solution that can provide a cost effective method and system for hospitality service enhancement. There is also a need for such a solution that enables the can utilize the existing internet infrastructure to provide a user with enhanced service experience according to user selectivity.

OBJECTIVES OF THE APPLICATION
The primary objective of the present Application is to enhance hospitality service using home infotainment platform (HIP).
Another objective of the application is to provide a method and system that enable a cost effective method and system for broadband access and infotainment for hospitality service enhancement in a hospitality service unit by replacing the existing electronic private automatic branch exchange (EPABX) with a local area network (LAN) based communication system.
Another objective of the application is to provide a method and system that enable a user of a hospitality service unit to interact effectively with hospitality services provider using television as well as personal communication devices, wherein the user enhance their experience with various hospitality services such as dining, house-keeping etc.
Another objective of the application is to provide a method and system that enable a user of a hospitality service unit to receive and transmit multimedia reviews on hotel services including dining, drinks, spas etc. thus creating a "social" aspect of the hospitality industry.
SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION
Before the present methods, systems, and hardware enablement are described, it is to be understood that this application in not limited to the particular systems, and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments of the present application which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application which will be limited only by the appended claims.
The present application provides a method and system for enhancing hospitality service using home infotainment platform (HIP).
In one embodiment of the application a cost effective method and system for broadband access and infotainment for hospitality service enhancement in a hospitality service unit

by replacing the existing electronic private automatic branch exchange (EPABX) with a local area network (LAN) based communication system.
In an embodiment of the application a method and system is enabling a user of a hospitality service unit to interact effectively with hospitality services provider using television as well as personal communication devices, wherein the user enhance their experience with various hospitality services such as dining, house-keeping etc.
In an embodiment of the application a method and system enabling a user of a hospitality service unit to receive and transmit multimedia reviews on hotel services including dining, drinks, spas etc. thus creating a "social" aspect of the hospitality industry.
In an embodiment of the application a method and system is provided for allowing the user to visualize exact pictures of foods in the menu chart of the hotel restaurant in room using the television screen. The user may also view videos about the food like the making or some value added comments from the chef.
In an embodiment of the application a method and system is provided for allowing the user to not only view reviews and rating of a menu item but also add their own rating and comments. The rating is provided at two levels, one by the hotel's panel of experts and also by previous customers.
In an embodiment of the application a method and system is provided for allowing the user to view seating position in a restaurant before booking tables, through the home infotainment platform (HIP) based boxes in each room of the hospitality service unit such as a hotel.
In an embodiment of the application a method and system is provided for presenting the social dining functionalities to the user on his television screen as well as to his personal gadgets using applications native to that gadget. Typical gadgets may include Tablets (Apple iPad, Android Galaxy or Windows 7 tablets), Smart Phones (iPhone, Android and Blackberry Smart Phones, Nokia Ovi based phones).
The above said method and system are preferably a method and system for event based joining to the real time or near real time stream of multimedia content based on event as selected by the viewer but also can be used for many other applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, are better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the application, there is shown in the drawings exemplary constructions of the application; however, the application is not limited to the specific methods and system disclosed, In the drawings:
Figure 1 shows flow diagram of the process for enhancing hospitality service using home infotainment platform (HIP).
Figure 2 shows system architecture for enhancing hospitality service using home infotainment platform (HIP).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION
Some embodiments of this application, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail,
The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present application, the preferred, systems and methods are now described.
The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the application, which may be embodied in various forms.
The present application provides a method for A method for an interactive content based products and services delivery to a plurality of communicatively coupled clients for enhanced product or service seeking experience, wherein the method is characterized by transmission of a plurality of interactive real-time videos associated with each client and

accessible through a plurality of access means, the method is configured to replace the existing electronic private automatic branch exchange (EPABX) with a local area network (LAN) based communication system, the method comprises the processor implemented steps of:
a. selecting at least one service or product from at least one programmed
transmit display menu accessible through at least one access means at
the client site;
b. receiving the said se lected service product request routed through a
home infotainment platform to a corresponding product or service
delivery display device communicatively coupled through a local area
network;
c. experiencing a real-time preparation of selected product or service on the
said display device at the client site;
d. interacting with the resource responsible for preparation and delivery of
products or services for customizing the services or product and
suggesting real-time amendments therein; and
e. availing at least one selected service or product offered by the service or
product provider by the client using the said interactive display device.
The present application provides a system for hospitality service enhancement, the system comprising of:
a. a home infotainment platform device adapted to route requests from plurality
of clients to selected service or product delivery section;
b. a plurality of display devices communicatively coupled with at least one
network server and adapted to display hospitality service offered by a
hospitality service unit; and
c. a network server adapted to receive at least one hospitality service request
from at least one user and transmit the contents associated with the said
hospitality service through user's display device.
Referring to Figure 1 is a flow diagram of the process for enhancing hospitality service using home infotainment platform (HIP).
The process starts at the step 102, at least one service or product is selected from at least one programmed transmit display menu accessible through at least one access

means at the client site. At the step 104, the said selected service product request is received routed through a home infotainment platform to a corresponding product or service delivery display device communicatively coupled through a local area network. At the step 106, a real-time preparation of selected product or service is experienced on the said display device at the client site. At the step 108, the resource responsible for preparation and delivery of products or services is being interacted with for customizing the services or product and suggesting real-time amendments therein. The process ends at the step 110, at least one selected service or product is availed which is offered by the service or product provider by the client using the said interactive display device.
Referring to Figure 2 is system architecture for enhancing hospitality service using home infotainment platform (HIP).
In one of the preferred implementations, an interactive content based products and services delivery to a plurality of communicatively coupled clients for enhanced product or service seeking experience, wherein the method is characterized by transmission of a plurality of interactive real-time videos associated with each client and accessible through a plurality of access means, the method is configured to replace the existing electronic private automatic branch exchange (EPABX) with a local area network (LAN) based communication system, the method comprises the processor implemented steps of selecting at least one service or product from at least one programmed transmit display menu accessible through at least one access means at the client site, receiving the said selected service product request routed through a home infotainment platform to a corresponding product or service delivery display device communicatively coupled through a local area network, experiencing a real-time preparation of selected product or service on the said display device at the client site, interacting with the resource responsible for preparation and delivery of products or services for customizing the services or product and suggesting real-time amendments therein, and availing at least one selected service or product offered by the service or product provider by the client using the said interactive display device.
In one of the preferred implementations, the system comprising of a home infotainment platform (HIP) device (202) which is accessible to plurality of users and adapted to facilitate each user to access the hospitality services provided by the hospitality service provider. A plurality of display devices communicatively coupled with at least one server and adapted to display hospitality service offered by a hospitality service unit. A server (206) adapted to receive at least one hospitality service request from at least one user

and transmit the contents associated with the hospitality service to the user through display device.
In an embodiment of the present application, a hotel is considered as a hospitality service unit, wherein the home infotainment platform (HIP) device (202) is communicatively coupled with the server (206) through existing local area network (LAN). The cost effective method and system is provided for broadband access and infotainment for hospitality service enhancement in a hospitality service unit by replacing the existing electronic private automatic branch exchange (EPABX) with a local area network (LAN) based communication system.
In an embodiment, of the present application, a hotel is considered as a hospitality service unit, wherein, every room (212) of the hospitality service unit has a display device, such as television (204), which may be used as a rich viewport. The user is enabled to receive and transmit multimedia reviews on hotel services including dining, drinks, spas etc. thus creating a "social" aspect of the hospitality industry. The real picture of the any hospitality service, such as a food item in the menu, feedback of the other customers, chefs comment if any, may be visualize on the televison (204) screen. Users have the liberty to put their own feedback and comments in same mode. The user may also view videos about the food like the making or some value added comments from the chef.
In an embodiment of the application, the user is enabled to in teract effectively with hospitality services provider using television (204) as well as personal communication devices (210) such as mobile phones, tablet personal computers, wherein the user enhance their experience with various hospitality services such as dining, house-keeping etc. The user is allowed to not only view reviews and rating of a menu item but also add their own rating and comments. The rating is provided at two levels, one by the hotel's panel of experts and also by previous customers.
In an specific embodiment of the application, the user is allowed to view seating position in a restaurant before booking tables, through the home infotainment platform (HIP) (202) based boxes in each room of the hospitality service unit, such as a hotel room (212). The social dining functionalities are presented to the user on his television screen (204) as well as to his personal gadgets (210) using applications native to that gadget. Typical gadgets may include Tablets (Apple iPad, Android Galaxy or Windows 7 tablets), Smart Phones (iPhone, Android and Blackberry Smart Phones, Nokia Ovi based phones).

The application also provides enhanced user Interaction with the hospitality service provider, which includes multimedia interactivity with hotel staff like voice/video chats with actually concerned people which can possibly reduce complaints.
The methodology and techniques described with respect to the exemplary embodiments can be performed using a machine or other computing device within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.
The machine may include a processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit {GPU, or both), a main memory and a static memory, which communicate with each other via a bus. The machine may further include a video display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The machine may include an input device (e.g., a keyboard) or touch-sensitive screen, a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit, a signal generation device (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device.
The disk drive unit may include a machine-readable medium on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory, the static memory, and/or within the processor during execution thereof by the machine. The main memory and the processor also may constitute machine-readable media.
Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise

be constructed to implement the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations.
In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs running on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementations can include, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein.
The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containing instructions, or that which receives and executes instructions from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a network environment can send or receive voice, video or data, and to communicate over the network using the instructions. The instructions may further be transmitted or received over a network via the network interface device.
While the machine-readable medium can be a single medium, the term "machine-readable medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "machine-readable medium" shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure.
The term "machine-readable medium" shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: tangible media; solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; non-transitory mediums or other self-contained information archive or set of archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein and including art-recognized

equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations herein are stored.
The illustrations of arrangements described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Many other arrangements will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Other arrangements may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
The preceding description has been presented with reference to various embodiments. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this application pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principle, spirit and scope.
ADVANTAGES OF THE APPLICATION:
The present application provides the following advantages:
• Low cost - The home infotainment platform (HIP) is an extremely low cost device. It costs approximately an order of magnitude less than existing interactive television platform.
• Ease of deployment - The software solution provided with home infotainment platform (HIP). The HIP box itself doubles up as a infotainment box in the room which can play audio/video transmitted through hotel's server, user's own audio/video or photos from his pen drive, music, videos and photos from Internet.
• Infrastructure Friendly - The home infotainment platform (HIP) also replaces the hotel's electronic private automatic branch exchange (EPABX) with a local area network (LAN) based communication system for enhancing user experience for hotel services.

WE CLAIM:
1. A method for an interactive content based products and services delivery to a plurality of communicatively coupled clients for enhanced product or service seeking experience, wherein the method is characterized by transmission of a plurality of interactive real-time videos associated with each client and accessible through a plurality of access means, the method is configured to replace the existing electronic private automatic branch exchange (EPABX) with a local area network (LAN) based communication system, the method comprises the processor implemented steps of:
a. selecting at least one service or product from at least one programmed
transmit display menu accessible through at least one access means at
the client site;
b. receiving the said selected service product request routed through a
home infotainment platform to a corresponding product or service
delivery display device communicatively coupled through a local area
network;
c. experiencing a real-time preparation of selected product or service on the
said display device at the client site;
d. interacting with the resource responsible for preparation and delivery of
products or services for customizing the services or product and
suggesting real-time amendments therein; and
e. availing at least one selected service or product offered by the service or
product provider by the client using the said interactive display device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the clients comprises a customer, a service seeker, a students/trainee seeking to knowledge feed, a peer seeking meeting feedback or a small area retailing customer.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the client seeking services in hospitality service unit is configured to select services and products through at least one access means, order at least one service or product therefrom, and further configured to transmit the real-time preparation of ordered service or product through the interactive means provided at the client site.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said display device is selected from the group comprising of television or personal gadgets.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said personal gadget is selected from the group comprising of tablet personal computer and smart phone.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user of the hospitality service unit is enabled to receive, transmit and add value to the multimedia reviews, rating, comments or feedback on hotel services for creating a social aspect of the hospitality industry by using the said display device.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said hospitality service is selected from the group comprising of dining, drink, spa, car booking or sight seeing.
8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the user is enabled to visualize exact pictures of dining space or dining menu of the hospitality service unit in room using the said display device.
9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the user is enabled to visualize view videos related to the food such as the making or some value added comments from the chef.
10. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the user is enabled to visualize seating position available in the dining space of the hospitality service unit before booking tables, using the said through the home infotainment platform device in each room of the hospitality service unit.
11. A system for hospitality service enhancement, the system comprising of:
d. a home infotainment platform device adapted to route requests from plurality
of clients to selected service or product delivery section;
e. a plurality of display devices communicatively coupled with at least one
network server and adapted to display hospitality service offered by a
hospitality service unit; and
f. a network server adapted to receive at least one hospitality service request
from at least one user and transmit the contents associated with the said
hospitality service through user's display device.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the said display device is selected from the group comprising of television or personal gadgets.
13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the said personal gadget is selected from the group comprising of tablet personal computer and smart phone.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the hospitality service enhancement comprises: utilizing the processor to:
a. receive at least one hospitality service offered by a hospitality service unit
using the home infotainment platform device through a local area
network;
b. select at least one received hospitality service offered by trie hospitality
service unit by a user using a display device; and
c. avail at least one selected hospitality sen/ice offered by the hospitality
service unit by the user using a display device.