GB2361252A - A meeting facility in a commercial establishment e.g. hotel - Google Patents

Abstract

Meeting facility comprises entrance 2, reception areas 4, first and second corridors 10,12 , and sets of compartments 6,8. The facility provides two people the opportunity to meet in privacy, but in which physical contact between the parties is prevented, detected or discouraged. The compartments are separated by a window 20, curtain 30, and/or door 32. The door 32 can only be opened when unlocked from both compartments 6,8. Each compartment may include microphones, loud speakers, panic buttons, furniture, and various sensors (60,62, Fig 2).

Description

i 2361252 Meeting Facility The present invention relates to meeting

facilities, uses thereof and methods of doing business therewith.

Communicable disease, unplanned pregnancy and violent crime are problems in many societies. In addition, many societies place very great importance on virginity before marriage, with serious social and/or legal consequences if this is not preserved.

The present inventor has identified a need for facilities which enable two people to have privacy and/or the opportunity to get to known one another or to interact in a manner not presently available, whilst reducing the likelihood of a personally, socially and/or legally undesirable outcome as identified above.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a meeting facility having a set of two compartments which are capable of being in auditory and/or visual communication with one another, wherein the facility has means to prevent, detect or discourage occupancy by two parties (the "meeting parties") of the same compartment without the consent of both parties. As explained further below, occupancy by two parties of the same compartment may be prevented, detected or discouraged even if both parties consent.

Preferably the meeting facility has several such sets of compartments. Different preferred features of the facility (as detailed below) may be provided for different sets.

In a preferred embodiment, the meeting facility is a 1 commercial establishment, for example a hotel, motel or like establishment, and the compartments may be made available to clientele in return for payment. Normally the two compartments of a set will be made available simultaneously to two meeting parties, with the intention that the parties will (at least initially) occupy different compartments of the set. However, other possibilities are detailed below.

Preferably the compartments are provided with normal hotel or motel amenities, e.g. a bed and/or a bathroom and/or a telephone with internal and/or external lines.

Preferably the facility is adapted to allow each party substantially free access to and/or from a respective compartment of a set, but to prevent, detect or discourage occupancy by both parties of the same compartment without the consent of both parties. "Substantially free access" includes access which is dependent on passing through for example a reception area, where for e.g. payment or registration may be required. Again, occupancy by both parties of the same compartment may be prevented, detected or discouraged even if both parties consent.

Preferably the facility is adapted to detect, prevent or discourage the occupancy of a compartment by more than one person at a time. In particular, the detection means defined below may be arranged to detect the presence of more than one person in a compartment.

Preferably the two compartments of the or each set are adjacent and separated by a transparent partition or by a partition having a transparent portion. However, visual communication by electronic means, for example closed 2 circuit television, is also contemplated.

Preferably auditory communication is provided by a system which is independent of any telephone system of the facility (such as a telephone system linking the compartments to a reception area), especially any that would allow any third party access to a conversation between the two parties. Preferably the two compartments of the or each set are in auditory communication by electronic means, for example via a two-way intercom system. However, embodiments in which auditory communication is provided by small apertures in a separating partition are also contemplated. Preferably auditory communication is provided by a handsfree system, more preferably by a system involving nondirectional microphones and loudspeakers, so that the meeting parties are not constrained to particular locations in the compartments, nor required to wear transmitting, receiving and/or broadcasting equipment, e.g. headsets, earpieces or throat microphones.

Preferably the (or at least one) set is provided with means to prevent auditory and/or visual communication between the compartments if a party occupying the set so desires. Preferably both compartments of the set are provided with such means. Where communication is electronic, this may simply be an off control or mute control provided in the compartment. Alternatively, the auditory and visual communication systems may be controlled by the management of the facility, whom a party may contact (e. g. using an internal telephone system) if it wishes to prevent communication. Preferably communication may be both prevented and enabled, for example the parties, having prevented communication (or having entered a set in which the 3 compartments are not in communication), may restore it.

Embodiments having a transparent partition (or portion) between the compartments may be provided with obscuring means to prevent visual communication between the compartments, for example means to cover the transparent partition or portion, e.g. a curtain, blind, shutter or screen. Obscuring means incorporated within the transparent partition or portion are also contemplated, for example the partition or portion may comprise a liquid crystal array, which is switchable between transparent and opaque states.

Both compartments may be provided with obscuring means or the means to activate a common obscuring means, so that either party is able to prevent visual communication.

Alternatively, obscuring means may be absent.

The provision of means to prevent auditory and visual communication between the compartments also allows the compartments to be used individually and privately, for example as a normal hotel or motel room.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, one or both compartments are provided with means to indicate when an occupant of the other compartment wishes to establish visual and/or auditory communication between the compartments. For example, the opening (or partial opening) of a curtain or other obscuring means in one compartment may activate a signal (e.g. light) in the other compartment.

The facility may have means to prevent or discourage occupancy by both parties of the same compartment of the, 4 C or of at least one, set ("inappropriate occupancy"), whether or not both parties consent. For example, the two compartments of the set may be reachable only via separate respective passages from a common reception area of the facility. Furthermore, entrance to the separate passageways may be controlled by a receptionist to prevent both parties simultaneously having access to the same compartment.

The facility is preferably provided with means to detect actual or potential inappropriate occupancy of a, preferably either, compartment of the (or at least one) set. Such actual or potential inappropriate occupancy may be indicated by detecting the presence of a party in a compartment without simultaneous detection of the other party, when present in the facility, in the other compartment.

Means for detecting inappropriate occupancy may include means for detecting the presence, entrance or exit of a party in, to or from a or each compartment and circuitry or a microprocessor to analyse the outputs of the detecting means. The facility preferably also includes means to indicate such inappropriate occupancy at a remote location in the facility, for example to indicate inappropriate occupancy to a third party present at that remote location, e.g. the management of the facility or chaperone of one of the meeting parties.

The facility may additionally or alternatively include means to warn the meeting parties when inappropriate occupancy of a compartment has been detected. Such means may for example be an announcement that the compartment will be entered by the management of the facility, or an alarm signal. An alarm signal may be uncomfortable (e.g.

very loud), to discourage prolonged inappropriate occupancy.

Various means of detecting actual or potential inappropriate occupancy are within the competence of the skilled person, based on the detection or non-detection of different events and/or detection of the order in which such events occur. Such events may include one or more of the following: opening, closing, unlocking and/or locking of the entrance door (s) to the compartment (s); detection of the entrance to, exit from and/or movement in a compartment(s) by a party (e.g. using an ultrasound or infrared detector, as is commonly used in burglar alarms); and/or detection of the presence of an item (e.g. a key to the entrance door) within a detection unit inside the compartment, which detective is indicative of the presence of a party in the compartment.

Alternatively, the facility may include surveillance means, by which inappropriate occupancy of the compartments may be detected. For example the compartments may be observable, e.g. by closed circuit television, from a remote part of the facility. However, visual or auditory monitoring of the compartments is generally not preferred, as it impinges on the privacy of the meeting parties. In an alternative and more preferred embodiment, the meeting parties may each be tagged and their location within the set or facility monitored, to ensure that they remain in separate compartments. Such electronic tagging is known in various contexts, e.g. for expensive cars and for criminals during periods of probation, parole or curfew.

In alternative embodiments, entrance doors to the compartments may be opened/or and closed only a limited 6 number of times (e.g. twice) by a party, before being reset by the management of the facility. This restricts re-entry to a compartment and reduces the likelihood that one party, having entered a compartment and closed the door, will subsequently let another party into that compartment (since this will mean that both parties are locked in). Such restriction of opening and/or closing may for example be accomplished by suitably programmed and located electronic keys or key systems.

Alternatively, the entrance doors to the compartments may be openable only by the management of the facility, which can therefore control access to the compartments. The management may escort the parties to the compartments and allow access to respective compartments, or may for example control access remotely, for example using an intercom system, e. g. as frequently used to control the entrances of blocks of flats. Alternatively, access may be controlled via an automated system, which requires the parties to identify themselves before access to the compartments is allowed (e.g. using an assigned Personal Identification Number, or PIN). Alternatively or additionally to pre-entry identification, the parties may be required to identify themselves (either to the management or to an automated system) from within the compartments once the respective doors have been closed.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the entrance doors of the compartments are openable only using a key (which term includes electronic keys) and the facility includes: means for detecting when the entrance door of each compartment is opened and closed; and a detection unit in each compartment into which the key for the entrance door of that compartment is insertable and in which the presence of the key is detectable. In this 7 embodiment, each party should enter a respective compartment by unlocking the respective entrance door with a respective key, and having entered should close the door and insert the key into the detection unit. An inappropriate sequence of events from either compartment may be detectable to indicate inappropriate occupancy, for example the entrance door of one compartment being opened and closed without the key being inserted into the detection unit, or both doors not being closed and respective keys inserted into respective detection units within a predetermined time from the opening of the first door.

In some embodiments, however, occupancy by both parties of the same compartment is possible if both parties consent, but prevented or discouraged otherwise. For example, upon detecting actual or potential inappropriate occupancy as above, the meeting parties could be contacted to check that they are content with the situation. This may be done automatically, for example using an automated telephone system, with the parties identifying themselves (e.g. by means of an assigned PIN) and indicating their contentedness by pressing an appropriate button on the telephone according to a menu. Preferred embodiments include means, desirably a suitably programmed automated telephone system, automatically to check that both parties are content with the situation when inappropriate occupancy is detected and to alert the management if at least one party is not content. Alternatively, the parties could be contacted personally by the management of the facility to confirm their contentedness.

The (or at least one) set may be provided with means to allow access between the compartments if and only if both 8 parties consent. For example the facility may include a connecting door between the compartments which is lockable from both sides. If such an interconnecting door is initially locked, direct access between the compartments is possible only if both parties unlock the door from their respective compartments. In such sets, means are preferably provided whereby a party can signal that they are no longer content with the situation. For example a panic button or telephone link may be provided in one, or preferably both, of the compartments to summon the management of the facility.

Each compartment of a set may also be equipped with means of enhancing or modifying visual and/or auditory experiences, such as mirrors, artificial light systems and/or sound systems, which may broadcast auditory messages and/or background music.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of doing business, the method comprising making a facility as defined in the first aspect available to clientele for payment. Preferably sets of compartments are made available to pairs of parties, but the compartments may be made available separately. Usually the parties will be individuals.

Preferred features of the facility are as defined in relation to the first aspect.

Preferably payment is determined by the amount of time the facility is used by the clientele; measurement of time may be in any convenient units, e.g. minutes or hours. Rates may vary according to for example season and time of day.

9 Preferably the facility is part of a commercial establishment which provides sleeping accommodation for payment, for example a hotel or motel.

The method may include the provision of escorts to or from the compartments, either on a mandatory basis (for example as chaperones) or upon request (for example if one meeting party feels threatened by the other meeting party). In particular, escorts may be provided if a first meeting party believes the other party is waiting outside the first party's compartment and wishes to leave the facility in safety, or if the parties have consented to occupy the same compartment, but one party becomes unhappy with the situation and activates a panic button or contacts the management of the facility via telephone.

The method may be combined with the provision of a monitoring service, to monitor whether a compartment is being, or may be being, occupied inappropriately. The monitoring service may be by a person (i.e. a member of the management of the facility) or may be automated.

The method may be combined with the provision of an introduction service (or "dating agency" service), such that parties who are introduced to one another by means of the service may then make use of the facility of the first aspect, e.g. in order to get to know each other in safety. For example an initial meeting between the two parties may be arranged in a set of the facility of the first aspect.

In some embodiments. a party may use the facility individually, without a prior arrangement to meet another party. Such embodiments allow a party the possibility of a chance encounter with another party occupying the other compartment of the same set. Such embodiments may use facilities having means to prevent auditory and visual communication between compartments, so as to afford privacy to the clientele should they prefer. Alternatively, such means may be absent.

Preferably the meeting parties are individuals, although the facility may be made available to parties each consisting of two or more individuals if so desired.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides the use of a facility according to the first aspect to allow two parties to be in visual and auditory communication with one another, wherein actual or potential physical contact between the parties is prevented, detected or discouraged.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for allowing two parties to be in visual and auditory communication with one another, while preventing, detecting or discouraging actual or potential physical contact between the parties, the method comprising providing a meeting facility according to the first aspect and allowing the parties to have access to respective compartments of a set.

Preferred features of the use and method of the third and fourth aspects are as defined in relation to the first and second aspects.

Embodiments of the invention, in its various aspects, will now be described in detail by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows the general layout of a meeting facility according to the invention, the facility having several sets of two compartments, the compartments of each set being accessible via separate respective passageways; and Figure 2 shows the general layout of part of a different meeting facility, showing a set of two compartments which are accessible via a common passageway, but which have means for detecting inappropriate occupancy of the compartments.

Shown in figure 1, a meeting facility 1 according to the invention has an entrance 2, leading to a reception area 4. A first set 5 consists of first and second compartments 6, 8, which are accessible via lockable doors 7, 9 from corridors 10, 12, respectively. The corridors are accessible from the reception area only through respective first and second lockable turnstiles 14, 16, which are controlled from reception desk 18. A member of the management of the facility sits at the reception desk 18. When two parties enter the facility (usually, but not necessarily, together or by prior arrangement), the member of management controls the turnstiles and distributes keys such that one party gains access to the first corridor 10 and hence to the first compartment 6 and the other party gains access to the second corridor 12 and hence the second compartment 8.

the reception area 4 via first and second The reception area 4 also contains seating for chaperones to wait for the parties while they use the facility.

The compartments 6, 8 are separated by a large window 20 by which they are in visual communication. Auditory communication between the two compartments is provided by 12 a non-directional microphone and loudspeaker (not shown) in each compartment.

Thus, once they have entered their respective compartments, the two parties may see and speak to each other, but cannot contact each other physically, so can get to know each other with minimal risk to health, personal safety and reputation. Alternatively, the facility may be used by two parties who are already acquainted, but who wish to use the facility for reasons other than to ensure their health, personal safety and reputation.

The facility also contains second, third and fourth sets 22, 24, 26 of compartments similarly separated by windows and provided with auditory links. Again, one compartment of each set is accessible from the first corridor 10 and one from the second corridor 12. The sets of compartments are separated by opaque partitions 28.

The second set 22 has a curtain 30 in each compartment and means (not shown) in each compartment for switching off the auditory link. These compartments may be made available to two parties wishing to communicate without physical contact, or may be made available as normal hotel rooms, since unwanted visual or auditory communication between the compartments may be prevented from within each compartment.

The third set 24 has a communicating door 32 between the compartments. The communicating door is initially locked and may be opened only when unlocked from both sides. Thus two parties may enter the same compartment, but each party has the option of remaining separated from the other. Each compartment of the third set 24 has numerous 13 panic buttons (not shown) by which a party can summon a member of the management of the facility should they become unhappy with the situation.

Each compartment of the facility is provided with the normal facilities (not shown) of a hotel room, e.g. telephone with internal and external lines, a bed, a bathroom, desk, clock, wardrobe, trouser press, alarm clock, minibar.

Shown in f igure 2, another embodiment of a meeting facility according to the invention has two compartments 50, 52, separated by a partition 58, which are both accessible through respective lockable doors 51, 53 from a reception area of the facility (not shown) via a common corridor 54.

Visual communication between the compartments is provided by a large window 56 in the partition 58. Auditory communication is provided as in the facility shown in figure 1.

The doors 51, 53 are openable only by means of respective keys (not shown) which are issued in the reception area to two respective parties.

Each compartment is provided with a first detector (the "entry detector", not shown) which senses, by detecting the interruption and reestablishment of an infra-red beam, the opening and closing of the door, and a second detector (the "detector unit") 60, 62 into which the key for that compartment is insertable and which detects such insertion.

When the entry detector in either compartment detects 14 opening of the door of that compartment, the following events should occur within a predetermined time period (e.g. thirty seconds): the door of that compartment should close, the key for that compartment should subsequently be inserted into the detector unit of that compartment and the door to the other compartment should open then close and then the key be inserted into the detector unit of that compartment. Since the doors 51, 53 are openable from the inside only with the key, the occurrence of these events in the correct order, without subsequent removal of either key from its detector unit (or subsequent opening of a door), indicates with certainty that the parties are in separate compartments, not the same compartment.

If the necessary events do not occur in the correct sequence within the predetermined time period, a warning sounds, indicating that a default has occurred. If this is not remedied within a further predetermined time period, then the management is alerted. The management may then either contact the parties, to ensure they are content with the situation, or may expel the parties from the compartments, according to operating rules of the facility, which should be made clear to the parties on entry to the facility. Expulsion may be direct, by members of the management of the facility, or may be accomplished by activating an unbearable alarm in the compartments.

In an alternative embodiment, the alarm is activated automatically, rather than by the management, so that human supervision of the facility is not required.

In addition, each compartment is provided with a sensitive movement detector, which detects the presence is of one or more parties in that compartment (but which is not sensitive to movement in the other compartment), e.g. a suitably directed infrared movement detector, as commonly used in burglar alarms and movement- activated lights.

r_ If, after the door of one compartment (the "first-opened compartment") has opened, the door of the other compartment is opened before the party which had occupied the first-opened compartment has returned to the reception area (which might indicate that both parties have entered the same compartment), then the movement detectors in both compartments are activated. An y movement in either compartment will activate a warning and then alarm as before.

The necessary analysis of the detector outputs, and activation of alarms or alerting of the management, is achieved using a suitably programmed microprocessor (although a suitably wired logic circuit could equally be used).

16

Claims (15)

1. A meeting facility having a set of two compartments which are capable of being in auditory and/or visual communication with one another, wherein the facility has means to prevent, detect or discourage occupancy by two parties of the same compartment without the consent of both parties.

2. A meeting facility according to claim 1 having several such sets of compartments.

3. A meeting facility according to claim 1 or claim 2 which is a commercial establishment.

4. A meeting facility according to any preceding claim wherein the compartments are provided with normal hotel or motel amenities.

5. A meeting facility according to any preceding claim wherein the facility is adapted to allow each party substantially free access to and/or from a respective compartment of a set.

6. A facility according to any preceding claim wherein the or a set is provided with means to prevent auditory and/or visual communication between the compartments if a party occupying the set so desires.

7. A facility according to any preceding claim having means to prevent, detect or discourage occupancy or possible occupancy by both parties of the same compartment of the or a set, whether or not both parties consent.

17

8. A facility according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein occupancy by both parties of the same compartment is possible if both parties consent, but prevented or discouraged otherwise.

9. A facility according to claim 8 wherein the or a is provided with means to allow access between the compartments if and only if both parties consent.

10. A facility according to any preceding claim wherein the compartments of the or a set are equipped with means to enhance or modify visual and/or auditory experiences of the parties.

11. A method of doing business, the method comprising making a facility according to any preceding claim available to clientele for payment.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein sets of compartments are made available to pairs of parties.

13. A method according to claim 11 or claim 12 further including the provision of escorts to or from the compartments.

14. A method according to any of claims 11 to 13 further including the provision of a monitoring service, to monitor whether a compartment is being, or may be being, occupied by two parties.

15. The use of a facility according to any of claims 1 to 9 to allow two parties to be in visual and auditory communication with one another, wherein actual or potential physical contact between the parties is prevented, detected or discouraged.

15. A method according to any of claims 11 to 14 further including the provision of an introduction service.

16. The use of a facility according to any of claims 1 to 10 to allow two parties to be in visual and auditory 18 communication with one another, wherein actual or potential physical contact between the parties is prevented, detected or discouraged.

17. A method for allowing two parties to be in visual and auditory communication with one another, while preventing, detecting or discouraging actual or potential physical contact between the parties, the method comprising providing a meeting facility according to any of claims 1 to 10 and allowing the parties to have access to respective compartments of a set.

19 PIMerAX1 6 k dms kla Lmn CJ 05 ZO CLAIMS 1. A meeting facility having a several sets of compartments, each set comprising two compartments which are capable of being in auditory and visual communication with one another, wherein the facility has means to prevent, detect or discourage occupancy by two parties of the same compartment without the consent of both parties.

2. A meeting facility according to claim 1 or claim 2 which is a commercial establishment.

3. A meeting facility according to any preceding claim wherein the compartments are provided with normal hotel or motel amenities.

4. A meeting facility according to any preceding claim wherein the facility is adapted to allow each party substantially free access to and/or from a respective compartment of a set.

5. A facility according to any preceding claim wherein the or a set is provided with means to prevent auditory and/or visual communication between the compartments if a party occupying the set so desires.

6. A facility according to any preceding claim having means to prevent, detect or discourage occupancy or possible occupancy by both parties of the same compartment of the or a set, whether or not both parties consent.

7. A facility according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein occupancy by both parties of the same compartment is 1 Z1 possible if both parties consent, but prevented or discouraged otherwise.

8. A facility according to claim 7 wherein a set is provided with means to allow access between the compartments if and only if both parties consent.

9. A facility according to any preceding claim wherein the compartments of a set are equipped with means to 1.0 enhance or modify visual and/or auditory experiences of the parties.

10. A method for allowing two parties to be in visual and auditory communication with one another, while preventing, detecting or discouraging actual or potential physical contact between the parties, the method comprising providing a meeting facility according to any of claims 1 to 9 and allowing the parties to have access to respective compartments of a set.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein sets of compartments are made available to pairs of parties.

12. A method according to claim 10 or claim 11 further including the provision of escorts to or from the compartments.

13. A method according to any of claims 10 to 12 further including the provision of a monitoring service, to monitor whether a compartment is being, or may be being, occupied by two parties.

212.

14. A method according to any of claims 10 to 13 further including the provision of an introduction service.