Devices and accessories for use in wireless guest engagement systems

• US 10,037,642 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2017
• Issued: 07/31/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carnival Corporation
• Original Assignee: Carnival Corporation
• Inventors: Padgett, John, Jungen, Michael G., Steele, Douglas, Prestenback, Kyle, Criado, Richard J., Ball, Vince, Leonards, Adam, Curtis, Glenn, Vellon, Manny, Mendiuk, Patrick, Lam, Sander
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Trinh
• Application Number:
  US15/655,768
• Publication Number:
  US 20180137708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00412 the transmitted data signal being encrypted
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00904 for hotels, motels, office buildings or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2291 used in bluetooth or WI-FI devices of Wireless Local Area Networks [WLAN] H01Q1/241 takes precedence; WLAN in general H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0343 to be carried on the body
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/26 using coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/70 specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/33 using wearable devices, e.g. using a smartwatch or smart-glasses
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A guest engagement system and associated methods provide seamless engagement with guests of facilities through the use of wireless sensing technologies. The system makes use of individual guest devices which are carried by guests and used to automatically identify and authenticate the guests throughout the facility. Services can thereby be seamlessly provided to the guests throughout the facility. The services include automatic unlocking of doors, including hotel or state room doors, based on the guests'"'"' immediate proximity to their assigned room'"'"'s door. The services also include automated payment services provided at checkout or vending terminals, and automated log-on to interactive displays and portals, among others, based on secure wireless authentication of the guest devices.

Claims

1. An accessory configured to be worn by a user, the accessory comprising:

a metal body having opposing front and rear outer surfaces respectively configured to face away from and towards the user when the accessory is worn,

wherein the metal body has a tapered cavity extending between a front opening in the front outer surface of the metal body and a rear opening in the rear outer surface of the metal body, the rear opening has a same shape as the front opening, and the rear opening has a dimension that is greater than that of the front opening, and

wherein the metal body has at least one gap extending therethrough from the front outer surface to the rear outer surface, and from the tapered cavity to an outer peripheral surface of the metal body extending between the front and rear outer surfaces, and having a non-conducting material therein.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the cavity has a frustum shape, the front and rear openings are circular, and the rear opening has a diameter greater than that of the front opening.

3. The accessory of claim 1, further comprising a non-conducting layer disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the metal body facing the cavity.

4. The accessory of claim 3, wherein the non-conducting layer is disposed on the surface of the metal body facing the cavity to overlay the at least one gap.

5. The accessory of claim 1, wherein an angle between the rear outer surface and a side surface of the tapered cavity is in the range of 86 to 88 degrees.

6. The accessory of claim 1, further comprising four magnets embedded within the body and disposed adjacent to a periphery of the cavity,

wherein at least two adjacent magnets among the four magnets each have a pole of a same polarity facing the periphery of the cavity.