Airplane Lavatory Reservation System

• US 20070241927A1
• Filed: 04/12/2006
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nitesh Ratnakar
• Original Assignee: Nitesh Ratnakar
• Inventors: Ratnakar, Nitesh
• Granted Patent: US 7,535,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.280
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/00 Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus, system, and method for providing reservations for lavatory use in airplanes. In one embodiment, a passenger on an airplane may submit a lavatory reservation request to the system. The reservation system assigns an access code to the passenger making the lavatory reservation request. The reservation system reserves a lavatory for a passenger when his or her request can be accommodated according to set of rules; and notifies the passenger when a lavatory has been reserved for him or her. Passengers are required to enter their assigned access code into the reservation system when it is their turn to use a lavatory. An input means is provided at lavatory doors for this purpose. Each lavatory door has a lock with means to restrict access to the lavatory only to authorized passengers with a valid access code; and only when it is a passenger'"'"'s turn to use the lavatory. The system improves airline safety; passenger convenience and passenger comfort by minimizing the time passengers spend standing outside a lavatory while an airplane is in flight. The present invention can also be used in other forms of public transport such as trains, buses, boats etc.; and at places of public gathering with limited lavatory availability such as theaters, restaurants, stadiums etc.

Claims

1. A apparatus for reserving lavatories comprising of;

1) lavatory reservation request input means;

     2) lavatory door lock with means to restrict access to the lavatory based on a set of rules;

     3) a computer system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1;

wherein lavatory reservation request input means comprises of an electronic display unit with touch screen or manual keyboard input means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1;

wherein lavatory reservation request input means comprises of a mechanical switch.

4. The apparatus of claim 1;

wherein lavatory reservation request input means comprises of a voice recognition application.

5. The apparatus of claim 1;

wherein the lavatory reservation request input means is connected to a computer system by wireless or wired network.

6. The apparatus of claim 1;

wherein the computer system further comprises of;

     1) a code to receive a reservation request from user;

     2) a code to process lavatory reservation requests based on a set of priority rules; and

     3) a code to notify user when a lavatory has been reserved for his or her use.

7. The apparatus of claim 1;

wherein the computer system further comprises of a code to assign an access code to users requesting lavatory reservation.

8. The apparatus of claim 1;

wherein lavatory door lock is connected to the computer system by wired or wireless network.

9. The apparatus of claim 1;

wherein the lavatory door lock has means to restrict access to the lavatory to users with a valid access code.

10. The apparatus of claim 1;

wherein input means is provided at the lavatory for user to enter identification information.

11. The input means on the lavatory of claim 10;

wherein it comprises of an electronic display unit.

12. The input means on the lavatory of claim 10;

wherein it comprises of a voice recognition application.

13. The input means on the lavatory of claim 10;

wherein it is connected to computer system by means of a wired or a wireless network.

14. A method of providing reservations for lavatory use;

wherein means is provided to determine occupancy status of lavatory.

15. The means to determine the occupancy status of a lavatory of claim 14;

wherein the occupancy status determination is based on the status of the lavatory door lock.

16. The means to determine the occupancy status of a lavatory of claim 14;

wherein the occupancy status determination is based on the information entered by a user in the input means provided at the lavatory.

17. The means to determine the occupancy status of a lavatory of claim 14;

wherein the occupancy status determination is done by a sensor apparatus;

such as motion sensor, heat sensor and the like.

18. A apparatus for accessing a lavatory comprising of;

1) lavatory reservation request input means;

     2) means to assign access code to users making lavatory reservation request;

     3) means to process lavatory reservation requests based on a set of priority rules; and

     4) a door lock on the lavatory having means to restrict access to users with a valid access code.

19. The apparatus of claim 18;

further comprising of a programmed computer system with a code to

     1) receive access code from user; and

     2) verify access code entered by user.

20. A method of reserving lavatories comprising of;

1) receiving lavatory reservation request from a user;

     2) assigning an access code to the user;

     3) reserving a lavatory for the user when the said lavatory becomes available;

     4) notifying the user when a lavatory has been reserved; and

     5) restricting access to the reserved lavatory until user enters his or her assigned access code.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising of an input means for a user to enter access code.

22. The method according to claim 20, further comprising of a programmed computer system with a code to 1) receive access code from user;

and

     2) verify access code entered by user.

23. The method according to claim 20, further comprising of a door lock on the lavatory having means to restrict access to users with a valid access code.