Wireless guest engagement system

• US 10,045,184 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2017
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• 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): Talukder, Md
• Application Number:
  US15/459,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20180139569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 455 411, 455 412, 455 413
• 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. A guest engagement system comprising:

a plurality of portable guest devices provided to users of the guest engagement system to be carried by the users, each guest device including a wireless communication antenna and operative to emit a periodic beacon signal broadcasting a unique identifier of the guest device using Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communications;

a sensor network comprising a plurality of sensors each mounted at a different known location and operative to detect the periodic beacon signals including the unique identifiers emitted using BLE communications by portable guest devices of the plurality of portable guest devices that are proximate to the sensor;

a communication network connecting each of the plurality of sensors of the sensor network; and

a central server communicatively connected to each of the plurality of sensors of the sensor network via the communication network, and storing a log associating each unique identifier of a portable guest device detected using BLE communications by a sensor of the sensor network with the known location of the sensor and a timestamp,

wherein the plurality of sensors of the sensor network comprises a plurality of access panels each configured to control an associated electronically controlled door lock,

each access panel is operative to detect the periodic beacon signals including the unique identifiers emitted using BLE communications by guest devices that are proximate thereto, and to selectively unlock the associated electronically controlled door lock based on the unique identifier of the detected periodic beacons, and

each access panel comprises;

a radio configured for wireless communication with a door lock communication module electrically connected to an electronically controlled locking mechanism of the associated electronically controlled door lock;

a first transceiver configured for wireless BLE communication with the guest devices to identify users seeking to activate the electronically controlled locking mechanism; and

a second transceiver configured for communication with the central server storing identifiers of users authorized to activate the electronically controlled locking mechanism.

2. The guest engagement system of claim 1, wherein the central server comprises a central reservation server associating with each electronically controlled door lock a list of unique identifiers of guest devices being authorized to access the electronically controlled door lock,

wherein each access panel is operative to selectively unlock the associated electronically controlled door lock based on whether the unique identifier of the detected periodic beacon matches an identifier of the list stored in the central server of unique identifiers of guest devices authorized access to the electronically controlled door lock.

3. The guest engagement system of claim 1, wherein each access panel is further operative to report the unique identifiers detected using BLE communications to the central server via the communication network.

4. The guest engagement system of claim 1, wherein the radio, first transceiver, and second transceiver of each access panel operate according to different communication standards.

5. The guest engagement system of claim 1, wherein the sensor network comprises a plurality of sensor network peripherals each comprising a processor, memory, and a network transceiver configured for communication across the communication network, and

sensors of the sensor network are electrically connected to respective sensor network peripherals and are communicatively connected to the communication network via the respective sensor network peripherals.

6. The guest engagement system of claim 5, wherein each sensor network peripheral comprises a communication bus configured to support electric connections to a plurality of sensors of the sensor network.

7. A guest engagement system comprising:

a plurality of portable guest devices provided to users of the guest engagement system to be carried by the users, each guest device including a wireless communication antenna and operative to emit a periodic beacon signal broadcasting a unique identifier of the guest device using Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communications;

a sensor network comprising a plurality of sensors each mounted at a different known location and operative to detect the periodic beacon signals including the unique identifiers emitted using BLE communications by portable guest devices of the plurality of portable guest devices that are proximate to the sensor;

a communication network connecting each of the plurality of sensors of the sensor network;

a central server communicatively connected to each of the plurality of sensors of the sensor network via the communication network, and storing a log associating each unique identifier of a portable guest device detected using BLE communications by a sensor of the sensor network with the known location of the sensor and a timestamp; and

a plurality of interface devices providing personalized services to users of the guest engagement system,

wherein the plurality of sensors of the sensor network comprises a plurality of access panels each configured to control an associated electronically controlled door lock,

each access panel is operative to detect the periodic beacon signals including the unique identifiers emitted using BLE communications by guest devices that are proximate thereto, and to selectively unlock the associated electronically controlled door lock based on the unique identifier of the detected periodic beacons, and

each interface device comprises an associated sensor of the plurality of sensors of the sensor network, and provides the personalized services to a user proximate thereto based on an identity of the user determined based on the unique identifier emitted using BLE communications by a guest device of the user.

8. The guest engagement system of claim 7, wherein the interface device is an interactive display panel, a vending terminal, a cash register, or a slot machine.

9. The guest engagement system of claim 7, wherein the central server comprises a payment server associating with each unique identifier of a guest device account or payment information of a user associated with the guest device, and

the central server is configured to process a payment for the user in response to receiving, from an interface device of the plurality of interface devices, a payment authorization request including the unique identifier emitted using BLE communications by a guest device of the user.

10. The guest engagement system of claim 7, wherein the central server stores guest information associating with each unique identifier of a guest device profile information of the associated user including a name and a photograph of the user, and

each interface device provides a personalized service to a user proximate thereto based on the device profile information of the user retrieved from the central server based on the unique identifier emitted using BLE communications by the guest device of the user and detected by the interface device.

11. A guest engagement system comprising:

a plurality of portable guest devices provided to users of the guest engagement system to be carried by the users, each guest device having a unique identifier and including first and second wireless communication antennas respectively configured for Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and near field communication (NFC) communications;

a sensor network comprising a plurality of sensors each mounted at a different location, wherein at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is operative to detect portable guest devices that are proximate thereto and receive unique identifiers therefrom based on BLE communication with the portable guest devices and at least another sensor of the plurality of sensors is operative to detect portable guest devices that are proximate thereto and receive unique identifiers therefrom based on NFC communication with the portable guest devices;

a communication network connecting each of the plurality of sensors of the sensor network; and

a central server communicatively connected to each of the plurality of sensors of the sensor network via the communication network, and storing a log associating each unique identifier of a portable guest device received using BLE or NFC communications by a sensor of the sensor network,

wherein each guest device is configured to selectively operate according to first and second operating modes, each guest device engaging in bi-directional communication using the first wireless communication antenna configured for BLE communications in the first operating mode and engaging in a beacon mode periodically broadcasting a beacon signal using the first wireless communication antenna configured for BLE communications in the second operating mode, and

each sensor of the sensor network is operative to transmit a command to a guest device in its communication range to cause the guest device to change operating mode between the first and second operating modes.

12. The guest engagement system of claim 11, wherein sensors of the plurality of sensors of the sensor network are operative to engage in two-way communication with guest devices of the plurality of guest devices.

13. The guest engagement system of claim 12, wherein sensors of the plurality of sensors of the sensor network are operative to engage in secure encrypted communication with guest devices of the plurality of guest devices.

14. The guest engagement system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of sensors of the sensor network comprises a plurality of access panels each configured to control an associated electronically controlled door lock, and

each access panel is operative to engage in encrypted bi-directional communication with a guest device using BLE communications to authenticate the guest device and selectively unlock the associated electronically controlled door lock based on the identity of the authenticated guest device.

15. The guest engagement system of claim 11, wherein each guest device is configured to emit a periodic beacon signal broadcasting the unique identifier of the guest device using BLE communications, and

each sensor of the sensor network is operative to detect the periodic beacon signals including the unique identifiers emitted using BLE communications by guest devices of the plurality of guest devices that are proximate to the sensor.

16. The guest engagement system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of sensors of the sensor network comprises omni-directional sensors configured to detect guest devices that are proximate thereto in all directions surrounding the sensor, and spotlight sensors having a beam-shaped communication range configured to only detect guest devices that are proximate thereto within the beam-shaped communication range.

17. The guest engagement system of claim 11, wherein the sensor network comprises a plurality of sensor network peripherals each comprising a processor, memory, and a network transceiver configured for communication across the communication network, and

each sensor network peripheral is electrically connected to at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors and provides a communication connection between the at least one sensor and the communication network.

18. The guest engagement system of claim 11, wherein each sensor network peripheral comprises a communication bus configured to support electric connections to a plurality of sensors of the sensor network.

19. A guest engagement system comprising:

a plurality of portable guest devices provided to users of the guest engagement system to be carried by the users, each guest device having a unique identifier and including first and second wireless communication antennas respectively configured for Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and near field communication (NFC) communications;

a sensor network comprising a plurality of sensors each mounted at a different location, wherein at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is operative to detect portable guest devices that are proximate thereto and receive unique identifiers therefrom based on BLE communication with the portable guest devices and at least another sensor of the plurality of sensors is operative to detect portable guest devices that are proximate thereto and receive unique identifiers therefrom based on NFC communication with the portable guest devices;

a communication network connecting each of the plurality of sensors of the sensor network; and

a central server communicatively connected to each of the plurality of sensors of the sensor network via the communication network, and storing a log associating each unique identifier of a portable guest device received using BLE or NFC communications by a sensor of the sensor network,

wherein the plurality of sensors of the sensor network comprises a plurality of vending terminals each configured authorize a payment based on a guest device, and

each vending terminal is operative to engage in encrypted bi-directional communication with a guest device using NFC communications to authenticate the guest device and selectively authorize the payment based on the identity of the authenticated guest device.

20. The guest engagement system of claim 19, wherein each guest device is configured to selectively operate according to first and second operating modes, each guest device engaging in bi-directional communication using the first wireless communication antenna configured for BLE communications in the first operating mode and engaging in a beacon mode periodically broadcasting a beacon signal using the first wireless communication antenna configured for BLE communications in the second operating mode, and

each sensor of the sensor network is operative to transmit a command to a guest device in its communication range to cause the guest device to change operating mode between the first and second operating modes.