Hotel check-in system with wireless communication
US5614703A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07C9/27
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for a guest having a valid general purpose credit card to register at a place of lodging having a computer, and which uses the general purpose credit card as a key to the assigned room. The method involves the inserting of a general purpose credit card into a card reader of a guest accessible registration terminal, the card reader reading the credit card information and delivering the information to a computer. The computer stores the card information, and the terminal, by means of registration software obtains further information from the guest, assigns the guest a room, and informs the guest of the room assignment, after which the credit card becomes a key to the guest room. When the credit card is inserted in the proper card reader at the assigned guest room door, the computer will actuate the lock and allow the guest access. The apparatus comprises a registration terminal accessible to a guest, the terminal having a terminal credit card reader, a keyboard, display screen, means to transmit guest and credit card information to the computer, and a plurality of remote general purpose credit card readers disposed at guest room entrances, each connected to the…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.