Airplane lavatory reservation system
First Claim
1. A lavatory reservation system comprising of;
- 1) assigning lavatory set to user among multiple lavatories in a facility according to user location in the facility;
2) lavatory reservation request input means;
3) lavatory door lock having means to restrict access to the lavatory based on set of rules;
operatively connected to controller; and
having input means;
4) a controller;
5) a monitoring device coupled to the controller and adapted to monitor occupancy of a lavatory;
6) computer program code operative with the controller enabling the controller to;
receive a request to use lavatory from user;
enter user in queue in assigned lavatory set according to set of rules;
assign access code for lavatory reservation request;
notify user of lavatory status;
automatically operate lavatory door lock from second unlocked to first locked position upon lavatory door changing from first open to second closed position subsequent to entry of valid access code into corresponding lavatory door input means.
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Accused Products
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.
36 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A lavatory reservation system comprising of;
- 1) assigning lavatory set to user among multiple lavatories in a facility according to user location in the facility;
2) lavatory reservation request input means;
3) lavatory door lock having means to restrict access to the lavatory based on set of rules;
operatively connected to controller; and
having input means;
4) a controller;
5) a monitoring device coupled to the controller and adapted to monitor occupancy of a lavatory;
6) computer program code operative with the controller enabling the controller to;
receive a request to use lavatory from user;
enter user in queue in assigned lavatory set according to set of rules;
assign access code for lavatory reservation request;
notify user of lavatory status;
automatically operate lavatory door lock from second unlocked to first locked position upon lavatory door changing from first open to second closed position subsequent to entry of valid access code into corresponding lavatory door input means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- 1) assigning lavatory set to user among multiple lavatories in a facility according to user location in the facility;
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13. An airplane lavatory reservation system comprising of 1) controller;
- 2) lavatory door lock operatively connected to controller;
3) lavatory reservation request input means;
4) controller having means to assign lavatory access code to users making lavatory reservation request;
5) controller having means to process lavatory reservation requests based on a set of rides;
6) computer program code operative with the controller having means to move the lavatory door lock from first default unlocked position to second locked position subsequent to processing of lavatory reservation request; and
move the lavatory door lock from second locked position to first unlocked position upon entry of a valid access code.
- 2) lavatory door lock operatively connected to controller;
-
14. A lavatory reservation system comprising of;
- 1) lavatory reservation request input means;
2) controller having means to assign lavatory access code to users making lavatory reservation request;
3) controller having means to process lavatory reservation requests based on a set of rules;
4) lavatory access code input means at lavatory; and
5) lavatory door lock operatively connected to controller and controller having means to restrict lavatory door lock going from first unlocked position into second locked position until input of valid lavatory access code; and
furthermore having means to move lavatory door lock from first unlocked to second locked position upon corresponding door going from first open to second closed position subsequent to entry of valid access code. - View Dependent Claims (15)
- 1) lavatory reservation request input means;
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16. A lavatory reservation system comprising of;
- 1) lavatory reservation request input means;
2) controller assigning lavatory access code to user in response to lavatory reservation request;
3) controller assigning lavatory set to user according to user'"'"'s location in facility;
4) controller reserving a lavatory among assigned lavatory set for corresponding user when lavatory in assigned lavatory set becomes available;
5) controller notifying corresponding user when a lavatory has been reserved; and
6) controller restricting access to the reserved lavatory until valid lavatory access code entered within specified time period;
7) locking means for the lavatory door upon closure of the lavatory door subsequent to valid access code entry into lavatory door input means; and
8) activation of locking means providing input to controller to process next lavatory reservation request. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
- 1) lavatory reservation request input means;
Specification