Wireless guest engagement system
DCFirst Claim
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, andeach 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.
4 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A guest engagement system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A guest engagement system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A guest engagement system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A guest engagement system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification