Portable wireless devices for use in wireless guest engagement systems
DCFirst Claim
1. A portable wireless device comprising:
- a body having a fully enclosed cavity, the body having all dimensions equal to or smaller than 2.5 inches, and the body having a thickness equal to or smaller than ⅝
inch;
a processor, a memory, a battery, and first and second wireless communication antennas disposed in the cavity,wherein the first and second wireless communication antennas are respectively configured for Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and near field communication (NFC) communications, the first communication antenna configured for BLE communications has a J-shape that is elevated above a printed circuit board (PCB), the processor disposed in the cavity is configured to engage in bi-directional BLE and NFC communications using the first and second wireless communication antennas disposed in the cavity, and the processor selectively operates according to first and second operating modes having different respective intervals between periodic listen time periods during which the processor periodically listens for communications through the first or second wireless communication antennas.
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.
139 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A portable wireless device comprising:
-
a body having a fully enclosed cavity, the body having all dimensions equal to or smaller than 2.5 inches, and the body having a thickness equal to or smaller than ⅝
inch;a processor, a memory, a battery, and first and second wireless communication antennas disposed in the cavity, wherein the first and second wireless communication antennas are respectively configured for Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and near field communication (NFC) communications, the first communication antenna configured for BLE communications has a J-shape that is elevated above a printed circuit board (PCB), the processor disposed in the cavity is configured to engage in bi-directional BLE and NFC communications using the first and second wireless communication antennas disposed in the cavity, and the processor selectively operates according to first and second operating modes having different respective intervals between periodic listen time periods during which the processor periodically listens for communications through the first or second wireless communication antennas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A portable wireless device comprising:
-
a body having a fully enclosed cavity, the body having all dimensions equal to or smaller than 2.5 inches, and the body having a thickness equal to or smaller than ⅝
inch;a processor, a memory, a battery, and first and second wireless communication antennas disposed in the cavity, wherein the first and second wireless communication antennas are respectively configured for Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and near field communication (NFC) communications, the processor is configured to establish secure communication links with remote communication devices using the first wireless communication antenna configured for BLE communications, the memory stores both public and private identifiers unique to the portable wireless device, the processor controls the first wireless communication antenna to emit a periodic beacon signal broadcasting the unique public identifier of the portable wireless device using BLE communications, and the processor controls the first wireless communication antenna to transmit the private identifier only across secure communication links established with remote communication devices using BLE communications.
-
-
12. A portable wireless device comprising:
-
a body having a peripheral member having front and rear openings respectively covered by front and rear caps, the peripheral member extending around a periphery of an enclosed cavity disposed within a space formed by the front and rear caps and the peripheral member, and a processor, a memory, a battery, and first and second wireless communication antennas disposed in the cavity, and a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed in the cavity and having the processor and the memory mounted thereon, wherein the first and second wireless communication antennas are respectively configured for Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and near field communication (NFC) communications, and wherein the first communication antenna configured for BLE communications has a J-shape that is elevated above the PCB. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A portable wireless device comprising:
-
a body having a fully enclosed cavity, and a printed circuit board (PCB), a processor, a memory, a battery, and first and second wireless communication antennas disposed in the cavity, wherein the body has a frustum shape, including a front surface that is circular, a rear surface that is circular and has a diameter greater than that of the front surface, and a side surface that extends between the front and rear surfaces and is formed of a metal housing, having at least one gap extending through the metal housing from the front surface to the rear surface, and a non-conducting material disposed in the at least one gap of the metal housing, wherein the front and rear surfaces have diameters of 0.75 to 2.5 inches, the body has a thickness of ⅛
to ⅝
inch, and an angle between the front surface and the side surface of the frustum-shaped body is in a range of 86 to 88 degrees,wherein the first and second wireless communication antennas are respectively configured for Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and near field communication (NFC) communications and the processor disposed in the cavity is configured to engage in bi-directional BLE and NFC communications using the first and second wireless communication antennas disposed in the cavity and the first communication antenna configured for BLE communications has a J-shape that is elevated above a surface of the PCB on which the processor and memory are mounted.
-
Specification