REMOTE CHECK-IN SYSTEM

• US 20110054952A1
• Filed: 08/31/2009
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Craig C. Mateer
• Original Assignee: Craig C. Mateer
• Inventors: Mateer, Craig C.
• Application Number:
  US12/550,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20110054952A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events

Abstract

An illustrative method for performing a remote check-in service includes receiving accommodation information, where at least a portion of the accommodation information originates from an accommodation provider. The accommodation information includes key information corresponding to an accommodation for a customer. A key is provided to the customer for the accommodation based at least in part on the key information. The key is provided to the customer at a first location of the customer, where the first location is remote from a second location of the accommodation provider.

Claims

1. A method for performing a remote check-in service, the method comprising:

receiving accommodation information, wherein at least a portion of the accommodation information originates from an accommodation provider, and wherein the accommodation information includes key information corresponding to an accommodation for a customer;

providing a key to the customer for the accommodation based at least in part on the key information, wherein the key is provided to the customer at a first location of the customer, and wherein the first location is remote from a second location of the accommodation provider.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving identity information from the customer; and

verifying an identity of the customer based at least in part on the identity information.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving payment information from the customer; and

providing the payment information to the accommodation provider, wherein the payment information is used to pay for at least a portion of the accommodation.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating the key by encoding the key information onto a magnetic strip of a blank key.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving travel information corresponding to the customer; and

providing a boarding pass to the customer, wherein the boarding pass is based at least in part on the travel information.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving baggage information corresponding to one or more bags of the customer; and

generating one or more baggage tags for the one or more bags based at least in part on the baggage information.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising providing the customer with one or more baggage claim tickets corresponding to the one or more baggage tags.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising routing the one or more bags to the accommodation.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the accommodation information further includes a room number assigned to the customer.

10. A system for performing a remote check-in, comprising:

a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive accommodation information, wherein at least a portion of the accommodation information originates from an accommodation provider, and wherein the accommodation information includes key information corresponding to an accommodation for a customer; and

a processor operatively coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to activate a key for the accommodation based at least in part on the key information, wherein the key is activated at a first location of the customer, and further wherein the first location is remote from a second location of the accommodation provider.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit identity verification information to the accommodation provider.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a card scanner operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the processor uses the card scanner to activate the key.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the accommodation information further includes a room number assigned to the customer and a time at which the accommodation will be ready for the customer.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the key comprises a wireless transmitter.

15. The system of claim 10, further comprising a printer configured to generate one or more baggage tags for the customer.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor and the transceiver are incorporated into a kiosk that is accessible by the customer.

17. A tangible computer-readable medium having stored thereon, computer-executable instructions that, if executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising:

receiving accommodation information, wherein at least a portion of the accommodation information originates from an accommodation provider, and wherein the accommodation information includes key information corresponding to an accommodation for a customer; and

activating a key for the accommodation based at least in part on the key information, wherein the key is activated at a first location of the customer, and wherein the first location is remote from a second location of the accommodation provider.

18. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving baggage information corresponding to one or more bags of the customer; and

generating one or more baggage tags for the one or more bags based at least in part on the baggage information.

19. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving identity information from the customer; and

verifying an identity of the customer based at least in part on the identity information.

20. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising receiving the first location of the customer.