JPH07224560A - Hotel management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a work by conducting room assignment and key distribution based on identification information on the storage media carried by the guests. CONSTITUTION:A guest prsents a storage medium card 10 carried by him when the guest checks in. The card is inserted into a card reader 1 at the front desk to read identification information of the guest stored in a first storage means 12 so that a CPU 2 automatically makes a lodging record based on various information for identifying guest such as the name, the ID number, the address, etc. Thereafter, in the CPU 2, the information is inputted through a key board 25 so that assignment of room is conducted based on the additional information and key data and data representing the due date corresponding to the room number and lodging days are written into a second storage means 15 of the card 10 by means of a key data writing means 3, thereby completing the check-in work. Further the CPU 2 puts these key data on a communication frame to send them to an electric lock control means 60 of the corresponding room.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hotel management system which is effective in simplifying the front desk work in a hotel and shortening the waiting time at the front desk for guests.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Businesses performed at the front desk of a hotel (or inn) include checking guests' reservations, registering guests, allocating rooms and keys, and checking out at check-in. There are various services such as accommodation fees, usage fees for various facilities in the hotel used by guests, and purchase of beer, juice, etc., and food and drink for the vendors in the rooms.

Among these various operations, the operation of confirming the reservation of the guest, the registration of the guest, the accommodation fee, the usage fee of various facilities in the hotel used by the guest, the settlement of food and drink, etc. Part of this has already been automated using a computer or the like, and efforts are being made to save labor. However, among these operations, particularly in the operations of registering guests and distributing, storing, and collecting keys according to room allocation, the number of guests is diversified and the number of keys is the number of rooms. However, there is a problem that automation is delayed due to the fact that it only exists and that the actual key must be handed to the guest, and that the guest has to wait at the front desk for a long time at check-in. .

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Here, the present invention simplifies the front desk work at the time of check-in in a hotel so that the guest does not have to wait at the front desk for a long time and the labor is saved. The purpose is to provide a possible hotel management system.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention which achieves such an object is a storage medium for storing the identification information possessed by a guest and for identifying the guest, and reading the identification information from the storage medium. An accommodation record creating unit that creates an accommodation record based on the identification information and allocates a room, and a key that issues key data based on the room data allocated by the accommodation record creating unit and writes the key data to a storage medium. Data writing means and electric lock control means for reading out the key data from the storage medium in which the key data is written by the key data writing means and collating with the issued key data to unlock the electric lock in the room It is a structured hotel management system.

[0006]

[Function] As the identification information possessed by the guest to identify the guest, the name, the date of birth, the address, the telephone number, and I
It is the D number or passport number, etc., which is the information normally required by the hotel to be entered in the document when the guest checks in at the front desk.

The accommodation record creating means makes an accommodation record and room allocation based on these identification information read by the card reader from the storage medium possessed by the guest, and these matters to the guest at the time of check-in. The trouble of having to write (information) in documents is omitted. The key data writing means writes the key data based on the room data allocated by the accommodation record creating means in the storage medium functioning as the key of each room. The storage medium in which this key data is written is handed to the guest as a key.

The electric lock control means reads out the key data written therein from the storage medium possessed by the guest, compares it with the key data issued at the time of check-in on the front side, and unlocks the key lock when they match. To do.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a structural conceptual diagram showing an example of a storage medium card possessed by a guest used in the present invention. It is assumed that the storage medium card is issued by the hotel side to the guest who frequently uses the hotel in advance or the guest who has applied for membership recruitment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a storage medium card body, which is a thin card convenient for carrying and is made of, for example, a nonflammable plastic material. An information entry column 11 for identifying the owner is provided on the surface of the card. In this column, identification information for identifying the owner, such as the owner's name, sex, date of birth, nationality, address, ID number or passport number (passport number), is described.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a first storage means for storing each information and the like described in the information entry column 11, and stores at least a name and an ID number of the above-mentioned information. Further, if necessary, the guest's room preference, for example, the room on the upper floor or the lower floor, or the room on the sea side or the mountain side, may be stored. As the storage means 12, here, one that stores magnetically or optically is used, but in addition to this, a RAM (I
C memory) or the like may be used. Reference numeral 13 is a field for pasting a face photograph for confirming the owner, and 14 is a field for entering the owner's own signature (sign). Reference numeral 15 denotes a rewritable second storage means, which may be provided continuously to the first storage means 12, for example, and a means for storing information magnetically or optically is used. Information such as key data is written in the second storage unit 15 by a key data writing unit installed at the front, which will be described later. Reference numeral 16 is a mark indicating the direction in which the storage medium card 10 is inserted into a card reader or the like.

Each field provided on the surface of the card is filled with such information or after a photograph is attached to the card surface so that it cannot be rewritten or replaced, or it is directly printed on the card surface. It is desirable to devise it so that it is difficult to forge. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the configuration of the system according to the present invention. In the figure, FR is the front side of the hotel and RM is the room side.

In the front FR, 1 is a card reader having a function of reading out information stored in the first storage means 12 of the storage medium card 10 described in FIG. 2 is a CPU (personal computer), C
It is equipped with a display device such as an RT and a keyboard. Three
Is a key data writing means for storing key data based on room data allocated by the CPU 2 as a storage medium (this storage medium is assumed to be a storage medium card 10 which the guest has in advance, but the hotel side newly A storage medium card prepared may be used). The key data written here is coded data corresponding to the room number determined as a result of room allocation, and includes data indicating an accommodation deadline (date and time, etc.).

On the room RM side, 60 is an electric lock control means provided for each room and equipped with a card reader, which is connected to the CPU 2 on the front side via a signal line (bus) 70. The signal line 70 is shown as one set here, but may have a redundant configuration. The electric lock for opening and closing the door of each room is unlocked by using the storage medium card 10 in which information such as key data issued on the front side is written or the storage medium card newly prepared by the hotel side. Is able to.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing further details of the system shown in FIG. Here, the configuration of the electric lock control means 60 on the room side is shown representatively for only one room. In the front FR, the card reader 1 is a storage means 1 provided in the storage medium card 10.
If 2 stores information magnetically, a magnetic card reader is used, and if it stores information optically, an optical card reader is used. CPU2
Is a function of receiving the identification information of the guest read by the card reader 1 and performing an accommodation record and room allocation work based on the information, monitoring of the accommodation status, and an electric lock control means 60 provided in each room. It has a function of exchanging data between them, and these functions are realized by various programs stored in the ROM 22.

The key data writing means 3 has a function of issuing key data based on the room data allocated by the CPU 2 functioning as the accommodation record creating means and writing the key data in the storage medium card 10 or another storage medium card. have. In addition, when the storage medium card 10 which the guest has in advance is used as the storage medium card for writing the key data or the like,
The key data writing means 3 may be incorporated in the same device as the card reader 5 so that reading of various information and writing of key data can be performed by the same operation.

The CPU 2 has a communication interface 21,
A ROM 22, a RAM 23 backed up by a battery, a clock means 24, a keyboard 25, a printer 26 and the like are provided. Here, the card reader 1 and the key data writing means 3 are configured to function as one terminal with respect to the CPU 2. Note that the RAM 23 stores reservation data, data of guests, data indicating whether or not each room is used, various data for clearing charges for guests, and the like, and the CPU 2 stores these data. It also has the function of clearing charges by using it.

As the storage medium card into which the key data is written by the key data writing means 3, it is most convenient to use the one shown in FIG. 1 as it is, as described above. For guests who do not have a card, the hotel will prepare a similar storage medium card. The storage medium card in this case is made of a nonflammable plastic material in the form of a card, which is convenient for carrying, as in the case of FIG. 1, and has a function of storing key data magnetically or optically. The storage medium card may be used only once, or may be collected and reused.

Electric lock control means 6 installed on the room RM side
In 0, 5 is a room card reader, which is provided, for example, near a door knob that enters the room from the corridor side. Reference numeral 6 is a CPU, and 61 is a communication interface, which is connected to the front CPU 2 via a signal line 70. A ROM 62 stores various programs. CPU6 is R
According to a program stored in the OM 62, a function of storing the key data or the like transmitted from the front side through the signal line 70 in the RAM 63, reading the key data from the card reader 5, and reading the key data stored in the RAM 63. It has the function of performing collation and so on. In addition, the electronic lock 7 is also provided with a function of transmitting the signal from the door sensor 65 to the front side, and the like, if necessary, in a released or unlocked state (unlocked or locked).

The electric lock 7 is configured to open and close the door (release and unlock the key lock) based on the result of key data comparison by the CPU 6. Reference numeral 64 is a display means for displaying whether or not the door is opened / closed based on the result of reading the key data from the storage medium card. The door sensor 65 is a door sensor that detects opening and closing of the door. Card reader 5, electric lock 7, display means 64, door sensor 6
5 and the like each function as one terminal with respect to the CPU 6. Although not shown, the CPU 6 and the signal line 70 may be shared with a CPU for transmitting the sales result in, for example, a refrigerator or a bending machine installed in the room.

Although the front side and each room are connected by the signal line 70 in this embodiment, the signal line 70 is not necessary if wireless data transmission is used. As a data transmission method performed between the front side and each room, a known transmission method can be used, and various communication protocols which will be standardized in the future can also be used.

FIG. 4 is a structural conceptual diagram showing an example of data (communication frame) sent to the electric lock control means 60 side installed on each room side via the signal line 70. In this figure, PRA is a preamble part indicating the beginning of a communication frame, STF is a start flag, and ADR is an address, which corresponds to a room number, for example. KYDAT is key data, which corresponds to the key data written in the storage medium card 10 by the key data writing means 3, and includes time limit data and the like as necessary. FC is a frame check bit and EDF is an end flag.

The communication frame having the above-mentioned structure is used after the CPU 2 writes the key data to the storage medium card by the key data writing means 3 (issues the key data).
Is transmitted toward the corresponding room based on the determined communication protocol. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example near the door knob of each room. A key hole 50 for inserting a storage medium card is provided near the upper portion of the doorknob NB, and by inserting the storage medium card 10 into the key hole 50, the card reader 5 writes in the second storage means 15 of the storage medium card 10. You can read the key data that is stored. In the vicinity of the upper portion of the key hole 50, based on the reading result by the card reader 5, it is possible to open the door, for example, by an OK display portion 64 showing a green display.
A, NG display section 64B indicating that the door cannot be opened, for example, in red, and inserting the card again into the key hole 50 (reading the key code again)
For example, a warning display portion 64C that prompts the user with a yellow display is provided. As for the display of these readout results, in addition to the lighting of the display means 64, a sound may be output to notify.

The operation of the system thus configured will be described below. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the overall operation. In the following description, it is assumed that the guest has the storage medium card 10 issued by the hotel side or the hotel chain side as shown in FIG. 1 in advance, and the storage medium card is a storage that directly corresponds to the key of the room. It is supposed to be used as a medium card.

First, the guest at the front desk of the hotel
At the time of check-in, the storage medium card 10 possessed in advance is presented. At the front, the storage medium card 10 is inserted into the card reader 1, and the first storage means 1 is inserted.
The identification information of the guest stored in 2 is read (ST1
1). The CPU 2 automatically creates an accommodation record based on various information such as a name, an ID number, an address, etc., which identifies the guest read by the card reader 1. At this time, additional information such as the accommodation deadline (stay date and time) is input from the keyboard 25 based on the report from the guest (ST12). The accommodation record created here can be obtained as a hard copy by the printer 26.

Subsequently, the CPU 2 performs a room allocation process based on various information read by the card reader 1 and additional information input from the keyboard (ST1).
3). This room allocation processing refers to the vacant room information (this information is assumed to be always built in the RAM 23 by the CPU 2 itself), and the storage medium card 10
If there is information indicating the guest's preference for the room, it will be considered.

Subsequently, the key data and the data indicating the expiration date are stored in the second storage means of the storage medium card 10 by using the key data writing means 3 in accordance with the assigned room number (room number) and the number of stay days. Writing is performed on 15 parts (ST14). In this way, when the key data is written in the second storage means 15 of the storage medium card 10, the storage medium card 10 is returned to the guest as a key, and the check-in process ends.

Therefore, in the check-in process described above, the guest only has to perform a simple procedure such as presenting the storage medium card 10, reporting the date and time of stay, and signing as required. Further, since the storage medium card 10 is returned to the guest as a room key as it is, there is no need to search for the key, and the waiting time at the front desk is greatly shortened.

Subsequently, the CPU 2 transmits the key data and the like written in the storage medium card 10 on the communication frame as shown in FIG. 4 and transmits it to the electric lock control means 60 side of the corresponding room (ST15). When transmitting the key data from the CPU 2 side, by confirming the response of the acknowledge signal from the electric lock control means 60 or the like, the R in the electric lock control means 60 of the corresponding room is error-free.
The key data can be stored in the AM 63.

Prior to the transmission of the key data or after the transmission of the key data, the CPU 2 reads out the state (currently locked or unlocked) of the electric lock in the corresponding room, which is the locked state. Make sure that. If the result of the confirmation is that it is not in the locked state, a lock command signal is transmitted from the front side to the corresponding electric lock, and the locked state is set by remote control (ST16, 17).

In the electric lock control means 60 of the corresponding room, when the CPU 6 receives a communication frame having an address assigned to it from the front side CPU 2, it extracts key data from the communication frame and performs a parity check or the like. After going, the key data is RAM6
3 (ST21). On the other hand, the guest who possesses the storage medium card 10 in which the key data is written reaches the front of the door of the room assigned to him / herself and inserts the storage medium card 10 into the key hole 50. The card reader 50 reads the key data written in the second storage means 15 of the inserted storage medium card 10 (ST22). C
The PU 6 collates the key data read by the card reader 50 with the key data stored in the RAM 63 and transmitted from the front side (ST23). If the two match, or if the conditions are acceptable, the OK display means 64A is turned on, and the electric lock 7 is unlocked and unlocked (ST2).
4).

The unlocked state of the electric lock 7 is continued for a fixed time, for example, 20 seconds.
While the K display means 64A is recognized), the knob NB can be operated to open the door and enter the room. After a certain period of time, the CPU 6 returns the electric lock 7 to the locked state again and operates the knob NB from the corridor side so that the door cannot be opened. In addition,
The electric lock 7 can be locked and unlocked from inside the room in the same way as existing ones.
From the room side, the operation using the storage medium card 10 is unnecessary.

At ST (step) 23, the key data read by the card reader 50 is compared with the key data transmitted from the front side and stored in the RAM 63, and as a result, the key written in the storage medium card 10 is checked. If the data is different from the key data stored in the RAM 63, or if the data does not meet the permitted conditions, the CPU 6
Turns on the NG display means 64B and continues the locked state of the electric lock 7 (ST25). As a result, the guest who owns the storage medium card in which the invalid key data has been written or the guest who has written the key data after the declared staying date and time (deadline) is denied entry into the room. It

In ST22, if there is a problem in reading the key data by the card reader 5, the CPU
6 turns on the warning display means 64C to prompt the guest to read the storage medium card 10 into the card reader 5 again (the operation of inserting the storage medium card into the key hole 50). Here, the electric lock control means 60 on each room side
Further, there is further provided a collation result transmitting means for transmitting the result (entry information) obtained by collating the key data read from the storage medium card 10 and the key data issued by the key data writing means 3 to the front side. The side may be provided with a monitoring means for monitoring the usage status of each room based on the matching result transmitted from the matching result transmitting means.

In this case, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, after ST24 and ST25, a step of returning the collation result of the key data from the room side to the front side is provided. On the front side, the use status of each room can be monitored on the screen, for example, by activating the monitoring means as necessary. It is possible that the guest loses the storage medium card after writing the key data to the storage medium card on the front side. In order to deal with such a case, the front side is provided with means for transmitting a command to delete the registration of the key data to the corresponding room side, from which new key data is transmitted to the corresponding room side. By transmitting to the electric lock control means, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use by a lost storage medium card.

Further, in order to cope with an emergency situation such as a fire, the front side is provided with means for transmitting (broadcasting) the electric lock unlock signal to each room all at once. However, when the electric lock control means in each room receives this unlock signal, the electric lock control means releases the electric lock of itself to freely enter and exit each room to ensure safety.

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the storage medium card 10 shown in FIG. 1 is used as it is as a storage medium card corresponding to a room key. However, the storage medium card corresponding to a room key is used. May be separately prepared by the hotel. In addition, the storage medium possessed by the guest or the storage medium functioning as a room key is
All of them have a card-like structure for easy carrying,
Other configurations such as a pencil configuration or a wristwatch configuration that can be worn on the wrist may be used.

In the above embodiment, the electric lock control means provided in each room is a memory means for storing in advance the key data transmitted from the key data writing means installed on the front side. Although the one provided with the (RAM 63) is shown, such a memory means is provided on the front side, and the electric lock control means is provided on the front side via the signal line during the key data matching process. The key data may be read out.
In this case, the load on the CPU 2 provided on the front side increases, but if a large CPU 2 is used, there is no particular problem.

[0039]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, during the front desk work at the time of check-in, room allocation, key distribution work, etc. are stored in the storage medium card that the guest has in advance. These operations can be performed in a short time because they are performed based on certain identification information.

Therefore, there is no longer a situation where the guest is kept waiting at the front desk for a long time, and in addition, the labor of the hotel business can be reduced. Also, if the storage medium card that the guest has in advance also functions as a room key at the same time, it can be released from the troublesome work associated with key distribution, collection, and storage, and high security. Can be maintained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural conceptual diagram showing an example of a storage medium card possessed by a guest used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a structural conceptual diagram of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing further details of the system shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is data (communication frame) sent to the electric lock control means 60 side installed on each room side via a signal line 70.
It is a structural conceptual diagram which shows an example.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example near a door knob of each room.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the overall operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 FR Front side RM Room side 1,5 Card reader 10 Storage medium card 12 First storage means 15 Second storage means 2,6 CPU 3 Key data writing means 60 Electric lock control means 70 Signal line (bus)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An accommodation record creating means for reading, on the front side, identification information for identifying the guest from a storage medium possessed by the guest, creating an accommodation record based on the identification information, and allocating rooms. And key data writing means for issuing key data based on the room data allocated by the accommodation record creating means and writing the key data in the storage medium, and the key data writing means is provided on each room side for the key data by the key data writing means. A hotel management system provided with electric lock control means for reading out key data from a storage medium in which is written, and collating the key data with the key data issued by the key data writing means to unlock the electric lock in the room. 2. A rewritable storage means is provided in the storage medium possessed by the guest, and the key data is written in the storage means by the key data writing means so that the storage medium possessed by the guest can be an electric lock. The hotel management system according to claim 1, wherein the hotel management system is also used as a key. 3. The guest also writes information indicating the preference of the room of the guest in the storage medium possessed by the guest, and the accommodation record creating means performs the room allocation process in consideration of the information indicating the preference of the room. The hotel management system according to claim 1, which is characterized in that. 4. The electric lock control means, a rewritable memory means for storing the key data transmitted from the key data writing means side, a card reader for reading the key data written in the storage medium, and the card reader. And CP with one electric lock
3. The CPU according to claim 1, further comprising U, wherein the CPU compares the key data read by the card reader with the key data stored in the memory means to unlock the electric lock in the room. Hotel management system. 5. The electric lock control means on each room side is provided with a collation result transmission means for transmitting to the front side the collation result of the key data read from the storage medium and the key data issued by the key data writing means. The hotel management system according to claim 1, wherein the front side is provided with a monitoring unit that monitors the usage status of each room based on the matching result transmitted from the matching result transmitting unit.