VIRTUAL RECEPTIONIST METHOD AND SYSTEM

• US 20090153325A1
• Filed: 12/18/2007
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brandon Reid Birtcher Family Trust
• Original Assignee: Brandon Reid Birtcher Family Trust
• Inventors: Shelansky, Andrew Ryan, Stuut, Brandon Bartley, Birtcher, Brandon Reid
• Granted Patent: US 8,446,281 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 11/00 Arrangements, systems or apparatus for checking, e.g. the occurrence of a condition, not provided for elsewhere
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

A method of reception includes detecting that an object has entered a first region of a space at a first time. A time period is measured around the first time. A determination is made whether any object has entered a second region of the space within the time period. Thereafter, a determination is made that the object needs attention when no object is detected entering the second region within the time period.

Claims

1. A method of reception, comprising:

detecting that an object has entered a first region of a space at a first time; and

measuring a time period around said first time;

determining if any object has entered a second region of said space within said time period; and

determining that said object needs attention when no object is detected entering said second region within said time period.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining that said object comprises:

determining that said object needs attention, wherein said object comprises a guest.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting an object comprises:

detecting that said object has crossed a threshold within said first region, wherein said first region comprises an entryway to said space.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting a first object comprises:

detecting that said object has entered said first region comprising at least one entryway to said space.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting an object comprises:

detecting that said object is moving in a direction towards said second region from said first region.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining if any object comprises:

determining if any object has entered said second region comprising at least one interior region in said space.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a means for grabbing the attention of said object after said object is detected in said first region.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a greeting to said object after determining said object needs attention.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a notification that said object needs attention without any active participation from said object.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

tracking a number of objects in said space needing attention; and

tracking a number of objects in said space not needing attention.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said measuring a time period comprises:

measuring said time period to include time both before and after said first time.

12. A method of reception, comprising:

providing at least two means for detection within a space;

determining when a guest needing attention has entered said space based on passive interactions of said guest with said at least two detection means; and

providing notification that said guest needs attention.

13. The method of reception of claim 12, wherein said detecting when a guest comprises:

detecting that an object has entered a first region within said space at a first time;

measuring a time period around said first time;

determining if any object has entered a second region of said space within said time period; and

determining that said object is said guest when no object is detected entering said second region within said time period.

14. The method of reception of claim 12, wherein said detecting when a guest comprises:

detecting that an object has entered a first region within said space at a first time;

measuring a time period around said first time;

determining if any object has entered a second region of said space within said time period; and

determining that said object is said guest when any object is detected entering said second region within said time period.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing a means for aborting said method of reception.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

detecting a plurality of guests entering said space; and

limiting the number of greetings for said plurality of guests.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

prompting said guest for information.

19. A system for reception, comprising:

at least two detectors for detecting an object within a space; and

a guest determinator coupled to said at least two detectors for determining when an object needing attention has entered said space based on interactions of said object with said at least two means for detecting.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising:

a tracker coupled to said guest determinator for tracking the number of objects in said space needing attention and for tracking the number of objects in said space not needing attention.

21. The system of claim 19, further comprising:

a notification system coupled to said guest determinator for providing notification that said object needs attention.