WO2018048352A1

WO2018048352A1 - System and method for online hotel check-in and check-out

Info

Publication number: WO2018048352A1
Application number: PCT/SG2017/050445
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sudhir ABDUL RAHMAN; Tet Siong CHIN; Muhamed Nadhir ABDUL RAHMAN
Original assignee: Starfusion Pte. Ltd.
Priority date: 2016-09-06
Filing date: 2017-09-06
Publication date: 2018-03-15

Abstract

The present invention relates to systems and methods for online hotel check-in and check-out. There is disclosed a system and method for online hotel check-in and check-out that can be integrated into existing systems of online travel agencies or booking engines to reduce the conventional lengthy hotel check-in process, expedite check-out process and to improve customer experience.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ONLINE HOTEL CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of systems and methods for online hotel check- in and other related online services in the hospitality and related industries and in particular but not exclusively, to such systems and methods for online hotel check-in and check-out.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the application.

One of the current methods that hotel owners or operators typically rely on to sell their rooms online is through online travel websites or agencies such as priceline.com; expedia.com; ctrip.com, etc. In such an arrangement, guests who book hotel rooms through such online travel agencies will deal with such agencies to manage their bookings instead of dealing with the hotels directly. Once a successful booking is made, the relationship between the guest and the online travel agency through which the booking is made ceases. The next step is for the guest to arrive at the hotel on the day of check-in and go through the typical hotel check-in process.

The process for checking into a hotel has remained largely unchanged in the hospitality industry. After a guest arrives at the hotel, the guest will have to wait in line to be served or received by a hotel employee at the hotel reception. Thereafter, the guest will be required to produce the hotel booking confirmation issued by the online travel agency and be requested to fill in a registration form or card which requires the guest to provide personal information such as full name, date of birth, passport number, expiry date of passport, address of residence, contact number, contact email, etc. The guest is also required to produce his or her passport for identification and further verification. The hotel employee will also request credit card details from the guest and information on any room preferences that the guest may have. The hotel employee will then compile the information and documents provided and request for the guest's signature. Thereafter, the hotel employee will identify an available room and assign it to the guest, and the guest will be issued a room key accordingly.

The typical check- in process described above is time consuming and cumbersome, and the step of having the guest fill in the registration form or card is repetitive to the guest as he or she would have already provided the personal information to the respective online travel agency when the booking was made.

Therefore, the present invention seeks to provide a system and a method for online hotel check-in and check-out that can be integrated into existing systems of online travel agencies or booking engines to overcome at least in part some of the aforementioned disadvantages and to improve customer experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the terms "comprising", "consisting of, and the like, are to be construed as non-exhaustive, or in other words, as meaning "including, but not limited to".

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for facilitating a request for online check-in and/or checkout of a hotel, comprising a database for storing one or more user identification data and lodging reservation data, and a software for transmission of said data, wherein the system is configured to allow transmission of said data between a property management server system of the hotel and one or more third party.

Preferably, the system is configured for adopting and implementing by the hotel property management system and/or the one or more third parties.

Preferably, the system is configured to provide identification data and approves or declines check- in and/or check-out requests.

Preferably, the system comprises a network communication means configured to allow transmission between the hotel property management system and the third party. Preferably, the system comprises a software module for transmitting the identification data on the one or more users and the lodging reservation data between the hotel property management system.

Preferably, the software module comprises an application programming interface through a metalanguage.

Preferably, the system provides a user device configured for communication with the hotel property management system, wherein a request for online check-in and/or checkout is sent using the user device and further transmitted to the hotel property management server system. Preferably, the user device comprises one or more of: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, personal digital assistants or any communication devices suitable for offering the online check-in or check-out services.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for facilitating a request for online check-in and/or check-out of a hotel, the method comprising:

Providing a system for facilitating a request for online check-in and/or check-out of the hotel, wherein the system connects the hotel property management server system to one or more users of a third party which adopts and implements the system;

Storing identification data on one or more users and lodging reservation data in the system;

Retrieving the identification data on the one or more users eligible for online check-in and/or check-out service, by determining based on one or more criteria and the lodging reservation data;

Prompting an activity request for online check-in or check-out, based on the one or more criteria, the lodging reservation data and the identification data on the one or more users; and

Providing an access mechanism for one or more users to access and submit the online check- in and/or check-out request.

Preferably, the method further comprises: Receiving, from the one or more users, the lodging reservation data that indicates the requirement for check-in and/or check-out of the lodging facility; and

Verifying the lodging reservation data with the previously stored lodging reservation data when lodging reservations was initially made;

- wherein the lodging reservation data comprises one or more of: the unique booking confirmation number for lodging reservations, a date when the one or more users check-in to the lodging facility, a date when the lodging reservations was initially made, or any other information associated with the booking and suitable for verifying the lodging reservations. Preferably, the method comprises accepting the check-in and/or check-out request by notifying the one or more users, by means of an email, text message or through any other form of messaging services that include the use of mobile applications.

Preferably, the method comprises declining the check-in and/or check-out request and prompting for re-submission of the online check-in and/or check-out, or a request to approach the service area of the hotel on check-in or check-out date or any suitable request for providing assistance.

Preferably, the method comprises one or more one or more criteria for determining whether the one or more users are eligible for online check-in and/or check-out includes the date on which the one or more users is allowed for check-in and/or check-out of the lodging facility.

Preferably, the method comprises:

Scheduling an aggregated transmission of confirmation requests for online check- in and/or check-out,

Wherein the aggregated transmission is carried out in accordance with a predetermined schedule of the lodging facility.

Preferably, the method comprises:

Facilitating a secure check-in without a personnel at a service area of the hotel by providing a kiosk, wherein the kiosk comprises an image generating device; - Generating images of the one or more users and identifying the one or more users by means of facial images; and Selectively providing access to lodging facility when the one or more users are identified.

Preferably, the image generating device comprises one or more of: a camera, video camera, or any device suitable for capturing the images of the one or more users.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an open platform system. The system comprises a content management system. The content management system connects to the respective hotel property management system of every participating hotel via a communications means and the content management system allows for the exchange of information between the respective hotel property management systems and users of an entity which adopts and implements the open platform system.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an open platform method. The method comprises the steps of checking and retrieving daily guest information booking details from participating hotels; triggering a guest check-in notification; sending a notification to the respective guests to offer the service of an online check-in; inputting requested information; verifying the information; displaying the booking confirmation for the guest to verify; accepting any terms and conditions as set out; acknowledging and confirming successful check-in; and sending a confirmation to the guest for successful online check-in.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is described a direct integration system. The direct integration system provides an application programming interface through a metalanguage, such as XML, in order to store and transport data between the content management system and the property management system of the hotel.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is described a direct integration method. The method comprises the steps of requesting and retrieving all eligible guest check-ins for the day; triggering a guest check-in notification; sending a notification to the respective guests to offer the service of an online check-in; inputting requested information; verifying the information; displaying the booking confirmation for the guest to verify; accepting any terms and conditions as set out; approving the check-in and updating the database by the property management system; submitting the successful check-in to the system; and sending a confirmation to the guest for successful online check-in.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is described an online check-out method based on the open platform system. The method comprises the steps of updating the system on a daily system for guest check-out eligibility; sending a notification to guests who are eligible for online check-out; inputting requested information by guests who decide to proceed with the online check-out; verifying the information by the system; displaying guest information and confirmation for online check-out; verifying the displayed information by the guest; submitting the request for online check-out by the guest; and sending a confirmation to the guest for successful online check-out.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is described an online check-out method based on the direct integration system. The method comprises the steps of updating the property management system of a hotel; updating the direct integration system; triggering the eligibility of check-out option to a guest; inputting requested information by guests who decide to proceed with the online check-out; verifying the information by the system; displaying guest information and confirmation for online check-out; verifying the displayed information by the guest; submitting the request for online check-out by the guest; and sending a confirmation to the guest for successful online check-out.

The present invention has at least the following advantages:

The present invention offers to online travel agencies to provide for another layer of service so as to provide an online check-in / check-out through smart devices or web browsers.

The present invention is a new method for a hotel guest to manage its booking from an online travel agency.

The present invention allows a hotel guest booking his or her room through an online travel agency to perform an online check-in / check-out of the hotel on the check in-date. The present invention allows a hotel to provide online check-in / check-out services to their guests without having a system on premise.

The present invention is another layer of object created to provide a business to business service offering between an online travel agency and a hotel. The present invention creates another process for a hotel guest to manage his or her hotel room after booking through an online travel agency.

The present invention creates an automated online process to reduce the manual operational process practices for the hotel.

The present invention creates an object to allow online travel agencies to provide the online check- in and check-out platform for hotels.

The present invention quickens the existing check-in / check-out process for hotel guests.

The present invention automates the majority existing work flow of how a hotel manages the hotel guest check in.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the ensuing description, which proceeds with reference to the following illustrative drawings of various embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of illustrative example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: FIG. 1 illustrates a system for facilitating online check-in or check-out in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2a illustrates a process of online hotel check-in in accordance with preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2b illustrates a process of online hotel check-in in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 illustrates a hotel guest check-in process at a hotel after a guest performs a successful online hotel check-in via the process of the online hotel check-in of FIG. 2a and 2b; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an online check-out process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Additionally, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", an", and "the" include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The use of "or", "/" means "and/or" unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the terms "including" and "having" as well as other forms of those terms, such as "includes", "included", "has", and "have" are not limiting.

The use of "lodging facility" in the present document, reference is made to any type of accommodation, such as hotels, hostels, guesthouses, service apartments, or resorts. For purposes of description herein, reference made to "lodging facility" can be any hotels.

Fig. 1 illustrates a system 100 for facilitating online check-in requests in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

System 100 is connected to the respective hotel property management system 110 of every participating hotel via a communication means and the system 100 allows for exchange of information between the respective hotel property management system 110 and users of the third party 120 which adopts and implements the system 100. Requests for online check-in are made by the user through user device 130. Although only one user device 130 is depicted for ease of explanation, multiple user devices 130 may connect to the hotel property management system 110 via the system 100. Examples of user device 130 include tablets, laptops, personal digital assistants, and mobile phones that are capable for establishing calls over telephone network and connecting to the Internet. Fig. 2a and 2b illustrate a process of online hotel check-in in accordance with two embodiments of the present invention. Prior to the online hotel check-in, a user or hotel guest is required to first book a hotel room online. Firstly, a user or hotel guest visits an online travel agency website. Secondly, the user inputs his or her search requirement on the website. Thereafter, results of hotel listings appear on the website for the user to select and book a hotel room of his or her choice. The user then selects the preferred room and performs a check-out for payment or reservation of the particular room. Finally, the online travel agency responds to the user with booking confirmation details which includes information such as a unique booking confirmation number, the hotel and room type, the duration of stay, the user's personal information, etc. Open Platform System and Methodology for Online Check-In

After the booking has been confirmed, the user will be notified of the option to perform an online hotel check-in on the date of check-in. However, it is also possible to perform an online hotel check-in prior to the actual date of check-in. Advantageously, such an arrangement would allow guests the benefit of performing an online hotel check-in even in situations where they are scheduled to take a night flight and are only arriving at the hotel the next day, which is the actual date of check-in, where they may not have access (for example, access to internet connection) to perform an online check-in on the actual date of check-in until they reach the hotel. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is described an open platform system and methodology (see Fig. 2a) for online hotel check-in. Through the open platform system and methodology, an online travel agency is now able to advantageously offer a user the additional service of performing an online hotel check-in, a service which an online travel agency is not able to provide previously.

The open platform system comprises a system 100. The system 100 connects to and is in communication with the respective hotel property management system 110 of every participating hotel. The system 100 connects to and is in communication with the respective hotel property management systems 110 through a communications means. The communications means can be one of a dedicated network, the Internet, an intranet, and any network suitable for connecting the open platform system to the respective hotel property management system 110. The system 100 allows the exchange of relevant information between the respective hotel property management systems 110 and users of the online travel agency. The system 100 also provides a verification tool and approval submission of every successful process submitted by a user or hotel guest using the online hotel check-in service provided by the online travel agency. In a first step of the open platform methodology, an online travel agency which adopts and implements the open platform system checks and retrieves daily guest information booking details from participating hotels 201.

In a second step, the system 100 triggers a Guest Check-In Notification 201 in which the system 100 will send out a notification to the respective guests to offer the service of an online hotel check-in through a user device 130 such as a computer or mobile smart devices such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop or personal digital assistant. The notification may reach the guest via email, text message, or other types of messaging services that includes the use of mobile applications. Such mobile applications may be provided by the online travel agency entity that manages the online check-in service. In a third step, guests who decide to proceed with the online hotel check-in will be required to input certain information 202 such as the unique booking confirmation number, name of guest, check-in date, check-out date, room type, room rate, any extra requests, credit card information, copy of passport picture, personal information on passport, etc., into the system 100 for the system 100 to verify the validity of the request 203 for online hotel check-in. This information will vary depending on the requirements of each of the participating hotel and country in which the hotel is located. If the system 100 verifies that the request is valid, the guest can proceed to the next step for the online check-in 204. If the system 100 rejects the request, the guest will be prompted and the system 100 will request for the guest to retry the submission of information or re-enter one or more fields of the information that is required 210. In a fourth step, after the system verifies that the request is valid, the system 100 displays the booking confirmation details for the guest to verify 204.

In a fifth step, after verification by the guest, the guest accepts the terms and conditions set out by the online travel agency and/or the hotel which the guest is checking into and submits the check-in 205.

In a sixth step, the system 100 acknowledges the submitted check-in and confirms successful check-in 206.

In a seventh step, the system 100 sends an email notification to the guest for confirmation of successful online check-in 207. The notification may also be in the form of a text message or through other types of messaging services that includes the use of mobile applications.

In the sixth step, when the system 100 acknowledges the submitted check-in and confirms successful check-in, the system communicates the information to the respective hotel 208. The information can be communicated to the respective hotel immediately upon the confirmation of a successful check-in or later, such as a scheduled batch transmission for all guest check-ins for the day or through a predetermined batch methodology 209. The schedule for transmission, for example, the frequency of transmission, can be fixed according to what each of the participating hotel desires. The communication to the respective hotel is carried out by the system 100 via the communications means.

Direct Integration System and Methodology for Online Check-In

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is described a direct integration system and methodology 220 (see Fig. 2b) for online hotel check-in.

Through the direct integration system and methodology 220 for online check-in, a participating hotel is now able to advantageously offer a user the additional service of performing an online hotel check-in through an online travel agency. Previously, a hotel which sells their rooms online via any online travel agency is not able to provide the additional service of an online hotel check-in through the online travel agency. The direct integration system 220 provides an application programming interface through a metalanguage, such as XML, in order to store and transport data between the system 100 and the property management system 110 of the hotel.

In a first step of the direct integration methodology 220, the application programming interface/XML calls and requests all eligible guest check-in for the day and retrieves the information 221.

In a second step, the direct integration system 220 triggers a Guest Check-In Notification in which the system 100 will send out a notification to the respective guests to offer the service of an online hotel check-in through a user device 130 such as a computer or mobile smart devices such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop or personal digital assistant. The notification may reach the guest via email, text message, or other types of messaging services that includes the use of mobile applications. Such mobile applications may be provided by the online travel agency entity that manages the online check-in service. In a third step, guests who decide to proceed with the online hotel check-in will be required to input certain information 222 such as the unique booking confirmation number, name of guest, check-in date, check-out date, room type, room rate, any extra requests, credit card information, copy of passport picture, personal information on passport, etc., into the system 100 for the system 100 to verify the validity of the request 223 for online hotel check-in. The system 100 requests verification through the application programming interface/XML and the property management system of the hotel 110. The information requested will vary depending on the requirements of each of the participating hotel and country in which the hotel is located. If the system 100 verifies that the request is valid, the guest can proceed to the next step for the online check-in. If the system 100 rejects the request, the guest will be prompted and the system will request for the guest to retry the submission of information or re-enter one or more fields of the information that is required 228.

In a fourth step, after the system 100 verifies that the request is valid, the system 100 displays the booking confirmation details for the guest to verify 224. In a fifth step, after verification by the guest, the guest accepts the terms and conditions set out by the online travel agency and/or the hotel which the guest is checking into and submits the check-in 225.

In a sixth step, the property management system 110 approves the check-in and updates in the database of the property management system 110 accordingly, then submits successful check-in to the system 226.

In a seventh step, the property management system 110 sends an email notification to the guest for confirmation of successful online check-in 227. The notification may also be in the form of a text message or through other types of messaging services that includes the use of mobile applications.

A participating hotel is a hotel which sells their rooms online via an online travel agency which adopts and implements the open platform system and methodology 200 and/or the direct integration system and methodology 220 for online check-in. The participating hotel can choose to adopt and implement either one of the methodologies or both the methodologies as described above. The advantage of adopting and implementing both the methodologies provide the participating hotel with a system backup. For example, in a situation where the property management system 110 of a participating hotel fails or is not functioning properly, the participating hotel is able to also access the system 100 to update check-in details directly, bypassing the property management system 110 of the participating hotel.

Hotel Guest Check- In Process Upon Arrival

The typical hotel guest check-in process prior to the present invention has remained largely unchanged and is described below. After a guest arrives at the hotel, the guest will have to wait in line to be served or received by a hotel employee at the hotel reception. Thereafter, the guest will be required to produce the hotel booking confirmation issued by the online travel agency and be requested to fill in a registration form or card which requires the guest to provide personal information such as full name, date of birth, passport number, expiry date of passport, address of residence, contact number, contact email, etc. The guest is also required to produce his or her passport for identification and further verification. The hotel employee will also request credit card details from the guest and information on any room preferences that the guest may have. The hotel employee will then compile the information and documents provided and request for the guest's signature. Thereafter, the hotel employee will identify an available room and assign it to the guest, and the guest will be issued a room key accordingly.

However, with the present invention, the hotel guest check-in process is now simplified, fast and efficient. Advantageously, guests do not have to go through the conventional time consuming and cumbersome process as descried above. The hotel guest check-in process after successful online hotel check- in has been performed by the guest is described hereinafter with reference to Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 illustrates a hotel guest check-in process at a hotel after a guest performs a successful online hotel check-in via the process of the online hotel check-in described above. When a hotel guest arrives at the hotel, the guest can proceed to the express check-in counter 300. In an express check-in counter that is manned (see Fig. 3, left side of the process flow diagram), the front desk reception will verify the hotel guest physical identity based on his or her passport and/or based on the identification that has been captured via the online check- in 301. Once the identity of the guest has been verified, the front desk reception will issue a room key and the guest can proceed to the room 302.

In an express check-in counter that is not manned (see Fig. 3, right side of the process flow diagram), the will be a self-check-in kiosk with a facial recognition camera to identify the hotel guest 303. The system in the self-check-in kiosk will match the image captured via the facial recognition camera with the image that has been submitted via the online check-in. If both images match, the kiosk will then proceed to issue a room key to the guest and the guest can proceed to the room 304.

Advantageously, the typical hotel guest check-in process upon arrival has been substantially reduced with the present invention. Guests who perform online check-in of the present invention prior to their arrival at the hotel can now proceed expeditiously with the hotel check-in upon arrival at the hotel.

Advantageously, the invention allows an online travel agency to send/receive the booking confirmation and feedback the eligibility of online check-in to the participating hotels. The hotels will feedback through the confirmation verification step of the room booking and accept the online check-in. The online check-in confirmation will be sent to the respective hotels, providing the information that has been requested by the hotel. The information includes, but is not limited, to the following: booking confirmation number; check-in date; check-out date; room type; room rate; extra request; credit card information; copy of passport picture; personal information on passport, etc.

Advantageously, the participating hotel can use the information relating to the successful online check-ins that is sent by the content management system to the property management system as a reference to receive the guest upon check in. As described above, the typical practice for a hotel front desk operation is to receive the guest at the reception and request the guest to fill in a registration card or form and will go through the lengthy check-in process which includes the filling in of personal details, verifying credit card information, making a copy of the passport or any means of legal identification, submitting all the information gathered to the property management, checking the system for an available room and issuing a room key to the guest.

The present invention advantageously eliminates almost all the steps of the typical lengthy check-in process by providing the information gathered from successful online check-ins to the back of house operations and hence they have knowledge of the guest's information and can proceed to arrange for rooms, etc., prior to the arrival of the hotel guest.

Following from the above, the operations team of the hotels may even prepare room keys prior to the arrival of the guest so as to speed up the check-in process even more. In such a case, upon arrival, the front desk reception only needs to verify the passport information supplied during the online check-in process and upon verification, they can quickly issue the room key.

Hotel Guest Check-Qut Process

The typical hotel check-out process, which takes place on the day of check-out, requires the guest to wait in line to be served or received by a hotel employee at the hotel reception. Thereafter, the guest will be required to confirm whether any non- complimentary food and/or beverage items from the room minibar that are have been consumed during the stay at the hotel. The guest will also be required to settle the payment of any other outstanding charges or incidentals incurred during the stay such as extended stay, in-room dining or room service, laundry, massage services, etc., on the day of check-out. With the present invention, the hotel guest check-out process is now expedited and can be performed at the ease and convenience of a hotel guest by means of an online checkout process. Based on the direct integration system between a hotel operator or owner and an online travel agency entity of the present invention, there are two types of online check-out that are offered to a guest.

The first type of online check-out relates to an express check-out in which a guest has prepaid for the hotel room and did not incur incidentals during the stay at the hotel such as extended stay, in-room dining or room service, consumption of non-complimentary food and/or beverage items from the room minibar, laundry, massage services, etc. In such a situation, the system will verify the eligibility of the guest for online express check-out. Once verification is completed, the guest is able to proceed with the online express check-out by means of smart devices in the hotel room or in common public spaces within the premise of the hotel, mobile site, mobile application or website portal that can be accessed by a guest's personal mobile or smart device, and the like. The second type of online check-out relates to a check-out involving a guest who has incurred incidentals during the hotel stay. In such a situation, the system will verify with the guest the incidentals incurred during the hotel stay and seek approval from the guest to charge the incidentals incurred to the corresponding credit card that has been supplied by the guest during the booking of the hotel room. This verification and approval process is mandatory to prevent or minimise any discrepancy and dispute between a guest and a hotel operator or owner.

In a first step, hotel operations 400 update the system 100 on a daily basis for guest check-out eligibility. This is based on the open platform system 200 of the present invention. In an alternative embodiment, the system can be based on the direct integration system 220. In this regard, hotel staffs are not required to update the system 100 and will only need to look at the property management system of the hotel 110 to view the guest check-out eligibility. Once the property management system of the hotel 110 has been updated, the direct integration system 220 of the present invention will automatically update its system and trigger the eligibility of (check-in and) check-out options to the guests through means such as smart devices provided in the hotel room or in common public spaces within the premise of the hotel, or mobile site, mobile application/services application or website portal that can be accessed by a guest's personal mobile or smart device, and the like. In a second step, the system 100 sends a notification to guests who are eligible for checkout, to offer to these guests the service of an online hotel check-out through a communications device such as a computer or mobile smart devices such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop or personal digital assistant 401. The notification may reach the guest via email, text message, or other types of messaging services that includes the use of mobile applications. Such mobile applications may be provided by the online travel agency entity that manages the online check-out service. The hotel may also be the entity that provides both the hardware (such as smart devices placed in hotel rooms or in common public spaces within the premise of the hotel) and software (such as the mobile applications, website portal, etc., that can be accessed by the hardware or by a guest's personal mobile or smart device).

In a third step, guests who decide to proceed with the online hotel check-out will be required to input certain information, such as guest details like name of guest and identification number or passport number, into the system 100 (for example, through a web browser or a mobile application) for verification 402. This information will vary depending on the requirements of each of the participating hotel and country in which the hotel is located.

In a fourth step, the system 100 verifies the guest details that have been entered and also the eligibility for check-out 403. If the system 100 verifies that the details entered are valid and the guest is eligible for check-out, the guest can proceed to the next step to complete the online check-out. If the system 100 verifies that the guest is eligible for check-out but is unable to verify that the guest details entered are valid, the system 100 will then send a request to the guest, requesting the guest to re-enter one or more of the required details into the system 100. If however the system 100 verifies that the guest is not eligible for check-out for some reason, the system 100 will prompt the guest to proceed to the hotel front desk or reception for further assistance regarding the check-out 408. In a fifth step, after the system 100 verifies that the details entered are valid and the guest is eligible for check-out, the system 100 displays the guest information and confirmation for online check-out 404.

In a sixth step, after verification of the details by the guest, the guest proceeds to submit the request for online check-out 405.

In a seventh step, the system 100 acknowledges the submitted request for check-out and confirms successful check-out 406 by sending an acknowledgement of the same to the guest. The acknowledgment can be in the form of an email, a text message or through other types of messaging services that includes the use of mobile applications. Optionally, in an eighth step, the system 100 can also send to the guest a promotional code notification 407 such as a discount code for the next hotel visit that the guest can utilise. The notification can be in the form of an email, a text message or through other types of messaging services that includes the use of mobile applications.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an online check-out process which comprises a further step of providing the guest with a statement or bill of any outstanding charges incurred during the stay, for the guest to verify. After verification by the guest, the guest can proceed to make payment online directly through the system 100 or through third party online payment systems. Once payment has been made, the system 100 will notify the guest of the successful payment and the guest can then proceed to submit a request for online check-out.

The additional or further step of providing the guest with a statement or bill of any outstanding charges incurred during the stay can be integrated into the fifth step as described in the embodiment above, or it can be included in the online check-out process as an additional step that comes after the fifth step and before the sixth step. Advantageously, the hotel guest check-out process is now expedited and can be performed at the ease and convenience of a hotel guest by means of the online check-out process(es) of the present invention.

It is to be understood that the above embodiments have been provided only by way of exemplification of this invention, and that further modifications and improvements thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the present invention described herein. It is further to be understood that features from one or more of the described embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments.

Claims

A system for facilitating a request for online check-in and/or check-out of a lodging facility comprising a database for storing one or more user identification data and lodging reservation data, and a software module for transmission of said data, wherein the system is configured to allow transmission of said data between a property management server system of the lodging facility and one or more third party.

The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured for adopting and implementing by the property management system and/or the one or more third parties.

The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to provide verification of the identification data and approves or declines check-in and/or checkout requests.

The system according to claim 1, further comprising a network communication means configured to allow transmission between the property management server system and the third party.

The system according to claim 1, further comprising a software module for transmitting the identification data on the one or more users and the lodging reservation data between the property management server system.

The system according to claim 4, wherein the software module further comprises an application programming interface through a metalanguage.

The system according to claim 1, further provides a user device configured for communication with the property management server system, wherein the request for online check-in or check-out is sent using the user device and further transmitted to the property management server system.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the user device comprises one or more of: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, personal digital assistants or any communication devices suitable for offering the online check-in or check-out services.

9. A method for facilitating a request for online check- in and/or check-out of a lodging facility, the method comprising:

Providing a system for facilitating a request for online check-in and/or check-out of the lodging facility, wherein the system is configured to allow transmission of data between a property management server system of the lodging facility to a third party;

Storing identification data on the one or more users and lodging reservation data in the system;

Retrieving the identification data on the one or more users eligible for online check-in or check-out service, by determining based on one or more criteria and the lodging reservation data;

Providing an access mechanism for users to access and submit the online check-in or check-out request.

10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

Receiving, from the one or more users, the lodging reservation data that indicates the requirement for check-in or check-out of the lodging facility; and

Wherein the lodging reservation data comprises one or more of: the unique booking confirmation number for lodging reservations, a date when the one or more users check-in to the lodging facility, a date when the lodging reservations was initially made, or any other information associated with the booking and suitable for verifying the lodging reservations.

11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising accepting the check-in and/or check-out request by notifying the one or more users, by means of an email, text message or through any other messaging services that includes the use of mobile applications.

12. The method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising declining the check-in and/or check-out request and prompting for re-submission of online check-in and/or check-out, or a request to approach the service area of the lodging facility on check-in or check-out date or any suitable request for providing assistance.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the one or more criteria for determining whether the one or more users are eligible for online check-in and/or check-out includes the date on which the one or more users is allowed for check-in and/or check-out of the lodging facility.

14. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

Scheduling an aggregated transmission of confirmation requests for online check- in and/or check-out;

15. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

Facilitating a secure check-in without a personnel at a service area of the lodging facility by providing a kiosk, wherein the kiosk comprises an image generating device;

Generating images of the one or more users and identifying the one or more users by means of facial images; and

Selectively providing access to the lodging facility when the one or more users are identified.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the image generating device comprises one or more of: a camera, video camera, or any device suitable for capturing the images of the one or more users.