Hotel mini bar automation system

• US 20060226988A1
• Filed: 04/12/2006
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Edmund Haslam, Ian Soutar, Nick Ernst
• Original Assignee: Edmund Haslam, Ian Soutar, Nick Ernst
• Inventors: Haslam, Edmund, Ernst, Nick, Soutar, Ian
• Application Number:
  US11/402,451
• Publication Number:
  US 20060226988A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A mini-bar and a system and a method of monitoring activity of a mini-bar where the mini-bar includes radio frequency identification tags which communicate the status of inventory to a central system for billing and restocking purposes.

Claims

1. A mini-bar comprising:

A storage cabinet,

A plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and

A plurality of consumable items,

Wherein the items are sealed in packaging material inside the cabinet, and the items are labeled with the RFID tags.

2. The mini-bar of claim 1, further comprising:

RFID tags,

Wherein said tags form a seal on the packaging material.

3. The mini-bar of claim 1, further comprising:

A transparent glass door, said glass coated with transparent conductive coating,

Wherein the coating will block RFID communication outside the cabinet.

4. The mini-bar of claim 3,

Wherein the blocked RFID communication from one of the labeled items indicates that the item has been removed from the mini-bar or that the packaging has been opened.

5. The mini-bar of claim 1, further comprising:

A communication system for a building,

Wherein said communication system will transmit the information that the labeled item was removed from the inside of the radio shielded storage cabinet, or the labeled item has been opened.

6. The mini-bar of claim 5, wherein said communication system is a wireless or wired internet, an inductive loop communication system or a system of wires and radios to communicate with a central computer system.

7. The mini-bar of claim 6, wherein the central computer system keeps an inventory of all the items which are labeled with RFID tags, which leave and enter the cabinet.

8. A system for monitoring the activity of a mini-bar comprising:

A plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags attached to consumable items, the tags configured to transmit information about the items, and

A monitoring device receptive to the signals from the radio frequency identification tags, the monitoring device configured for receiving information about the consumable items in the mini-bar.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the RFID tag is configured to signal a change in the position or status of the item to which it is attached.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the change in the item status comprises an item that has been removed from the mini-bar.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the change in the item status comprises an item that has been opened.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the system is in communication with a central computer system.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the communication system is a wireless or wired internet, an inductive loop communication system or a system of wires and radios.

14. A method for monitoring activity of a mini-bar comprising:

Monitoring signals from items contained inside the mini-bar.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

Processing the signals from the items inside the mini-bar to determine a difference from signals acquired previously.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the difference comprises a removed item.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

Processing the signals to generate a report of items remaining or items missing from the mini-bar.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

Transmitting the report to a central computer system.