System and device for integrated display and service communication in catering and hotel establishments

Abstract

System for integrated display and service communication in catering and hotel establishments, comprising an electronic device 101 arranged at a table or in a hotel room with a display device 110, at least one operating element 111 for manually or touch-based generation of an input signal, a control unit 112 for processing the input signal and a communication unit 113 for data transmission to a server 102, wherein the server 102 is configured to manage a status and transmit it to the device 101, so that the display device 110 represents a changed status.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system and a device for displaying table, room, and reservation information, as well as for requesting services in restaurants and hotels. The invention particularly relates to an electronic device 101 arranged at a table or in a hotel room, comprising a display unit 110 and at least one control element 111 for manual or touch-based input.

[0002] In restaurants, tables are often marked as reserved using manual reservation signs or organizational measures. This is a time-consuming and error-prone process. Furthermore, it is difficult for service staff to identify the optimal moment to approach a guest, which can lead to waiting times, disruptions, or a lack of additional orders. Current digital solutions are unable to integrate display and service request functions into a seamless technical control loop.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a technical solution that combines the display of table, room and reservation information with the request, processing and feedback of services in an integrated, feedback-based service process.

[0004] The task is solved by an integrated display and service communication system comprising a device 101 located on a table or in a hotel room, with a display unit 110, at least one operating element 111, a control unit 112, and a communication unit 113, which is connected to a server 102 for transmitting service requests and status information. The server 102 manages status information and transmits it to the device 101, so that the display unit 110 shows a changed status. Acknowledgement and / or processing can be carried out by service personnel via a service terminal 103 and fed back into the status. Optionally, acknowledgment can also occur automatically by detecting proximity. The device 101 can be operated offline and / or in an energy-efficient manner and can temporarily store service requests when a connection is unavailable.

[0005] An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the Fig. 1 to 4 explained. Fig. Figure 1 shows a system overview of a system with a device 101, a server 102 and a service terminal 103, wherein the device 101 is connected to the server 102 for status transmission and the service terminal 103 is intended for processing and / or acknowledging service requests. Fig. Figure 2 shows a device block diagram of the electronic device 101 with a display device 110, at least one operating element 111, a control unit 112 and a communication unit 113. Fig. Figure 3 shows a flowchart of an exemplary service process with process steps 120 to 123 for generating, transmitting, managing and acknowledging a service request. Fig.Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a device 101 arranged at a table or in a hotel room, wherein a display device 110 and a control element 111 are arranged in a common housing.

[0006] An exemplary embodiment is described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0007] The device 101 includes a display unit 110 for showing status information, symbols, or text. Furthermore, at least one control element 111 is provided, which can be a mechanical button, a touch-sensitive surface, a capacitive sensor, or a comparable input element. A control unit 112 processes the input signals generated by the control element 111 and transmits a service request derived therefrom to the server 102 via a communication unit 113. The communication unit 113 can be implemented as a wireless and / or wired communication unit. The server 102 assigns the service request to a table or room, manages the associated status, and transmits status information back to the device 101. The display unit 110 presents the received status information so that a guest and / or service personnel can recognize the current status.Service requests can be acknowledged manually by service personnel via the service terminal 103. Server 102 then transmits updated status information to device 101, which is displayed on the display unit 110. Alternatively or additionally, acknowledgment can occur automatically by detecting proximity between service personnel and device 101. Device 101 can switch between active and sleep states and buffer service requests when a connection is unavailable to enable energy-efficient operation. Optionally, server 102 can transmit context-sensitive information to device 101, enabling interaction with a terminal used by the guest. Reference symbol list 101 Device 102 servers 103 Service terminal 110 Display unit 111 Control element 112 Control unit 113 Communication unit 120 Service request 121 Transfer 122 Status Management 123 Status display

Images