Personalized smart room

• US 20030149576A1
• Filed: 04/19/2002
• Published: 08/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Steven L. Sunyich
• Original Assignee: Steven L. Sunyich
• Inventors: Sunyich, Steven L.
• Application Number:
  US10/126,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20030149576A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A device and method for automatic hotel room check-in and pre-conditioning of hotel rooms. This device provides hotels or similar lodging facilities with the capability of personalizing a guest'"'"'s room at check-in time. A guest card may be scanned at the time of check-in, with or without any interaction from a person at the hotel or lodging facility. After the guest is identified, a networked software application checks the guest into the hotel, personalizes the room, and electronically enables the guest to enter the room. The invention results in a number of personalized events happening without any interaction with the hotel personnel. A preferences database allows the hotel guest to customize room options based on reservation and environmental preferences.

Claims

1. A method for electronically personalizing and preconditioning a hotel room for a hotel guest, comprising the steps of:

(a) identifying adjustable in-room conditions as environmental preferences;

(b) entering and storing the environmental preferences of a guest in an accessible electronic database in connection with the hotel visit;

(c) retrieving the hotel guest'"'"'s environmental preferences; and

(d) applying the environmental preferences to adjust the in-room conditions in preparation for the guest'"'"'s visit.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein step (d) further comprises the step of applying the environmental preferences remotely via an electronic network.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein step (d) further comprises the step of applying the environmental preferences at a pre-selected time associated with an arrival date for the guest.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein step (d) further comprises the step of applying the environmental preferences at hotel guest check-in time.

5. A method as in claim 4, further comprising the step of identifying a guest by directly scanning an identification card to initiate check-in and retrieval of hotel guest'"'"'s environmental preferences.

6. A method as in claim 4, further comprising the step of identifying a guest by scanning a proximity card to initiate room check-in and retrieval of the hotel guest'"'"'s environmental preferences.

7. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of electronically pre-adjusting the room temperature to a temperature defined in the hotel guest'"'"'s environmental preferences prior to the arrival of the guest.

8. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of electronically setting in-room lighting conditions based on the lighting conditions defined in the hotel guest'"'"'s environmental preferences.

9. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of setting a room lock electronically at check-in to match the hotel guest'"'"'s electronically readable key.

10. A method as in claim 1. wherein step (b) further comprises the step of storing the hotel guest'"'"'s environmental preferences prior to a hotel visit by storing information on the hotel guest'"'"'s identification card.

11. A method as in claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises the step of storing the hotel guest'"'"'s environmental preferences prior to a hotel visit by storing information in a database remote from a hotel.

12. A method for automatically and electronically preconditioning a hotel room for a specific hotel guest, comprising the steps of:

(a) identifying adjustable in-room conditions as environmental preferences;

(b) storing the hotel guest'"'"'s environmental preferences and reservation preferences in a database prior to a hotel visit;

(c) identifying the specific hotel guest in connection with the hotel visit to initiate the retrieval of the environmental and reservation preferences;

(d) selecting a room based on the reservation preferences; and

(e) applying the environmental preferences to the hotel room.

13. A method as in claim 12, further comprising the step of setting hotel guest information delivery and language options, based on a hotel guest'"'"'s data preferences.

14. A method as in claim 12, further comprising the step of enabling delivery of movies based on selections in a hotel guest'"'"'s data preferences.

15. A method as in claim 12, further comprising the step of enabling coffee delivery to a guest through an automated, remotely configurable in-room coffee dispenser.

16. A method as in claim 13, further comprising the step of enabling an in-room Internet connection based on the hotel guest'"'"'s data preferences.

17. A method for automatically and electronically preconditioning a hotel room for a specific guest, comprising the steps of:

(a) identifying adjustable in-room conditions as environmental preferences;

(b) storing hotel guest environmental preferences in a database for a hotel visit;

(c) identifying the specific guest at check-in time;

(d) retrieving the hotel guest environmental preferences for the specific guest; and

(e) setting room options via networked electronic peripherals located in the room, wherein the room option settings match the hotel guest environmental preferences.

18. An automated hotel room check-in and preference setting system, comprising:

(a) a data storage system;

(b) a data file stored in the data storage system, including the preferences of a specific guest;

(c) an electronic user interface, coupled to the data storage system, to allow a hotel guest'"'"'s environmental preferences to be entered;

(d) an identification means for identifying a guest and initiating the retrieval of reservation and environmental preferences from the database; and

(e) an electronic network, coupled between the database and the plurality of rooms, configured to prepare a hotel room as specified by the environmental preferences.

19. A method as in claim 18, wherein the electronic network is configured to apply environmental preferences to electronically enabled devices in the hotel room.

20. A method for automatic hotel room configuration and room selection, comprising the steps of:

(a) identifying adjustable in-room conditions as environmental preferences;

(b) storing a hotel guest'"'"'s reservation preferences and environmental preferences prior to a hotel visit;

(c) selecting a room based on the reservation preferences;

(d) preconditioning the room according to the environmental preferences; and

(e) providing the guest with electronic key access, wherein a room lock is remotely programmed as part of the room preconditioning to match an electronic key to be provided for the guest.

21. A method as in claim 20, wherein the step of preparing the room further comprises the step of identifying a guest via an electronic scanner to initiate the room preparation.

22. A method as in claim 20, wherein the step of preparing the room further comprises the step of preparing the room based on the environmental preferences at a pre-set time relative to entry of the guest into the room.

23. A method for automated check-in prior to arrival of a guest at a hotel, comprising:

(a) identifying preferences in accordance with in-room conditions;

(b) enabling activation of the preferences prior to arrival of a guest; and

(c) adjusting in-room conditions to a pre-set format prior to guest arrival.