Guest Engagement System Using BLE Beacon Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current guest engagement systems in hotels, resorts, and other facilities require guests to manually identify and authenticate themselves for services, leading to impersonal and disjointed interactions, as they need to present identification and access cards for various services, which limits seamless engagement and personalized experiences.
Innovation Solution
A wireless sensing technology-based guest engagement system that uses medallions emitting periodic beacon signals for identification and authentication, allowing sensors to provide personalized services such as door unlocking, payment, and interactive portal access without manual intervention, enabling seamless and personalized guest interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual identification and authentication methods are used (presenting ID and access cards), then security and verification are ensured, but guest interactions become impersonal and disjointed, requiring repeated authentication for different services
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service authentication where the guest's mobile device automatically performs identification and authentication functions. The device continuously broadcasts its identity and the system automatically recognizes and authenticates the guest across multiple services without requiring manual intervention or repeated authentication actions by the guest.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the guest's identification card, access card for rooms and facilities, payment method, and authentication credential for various services. This single universal device replaces the traditional set of separate ID cards, access cards, and authentication systems.
2Productivity
If guests must present identification and access cards for each service, then authentication security is maintained, but the guest experience becomes disjointed and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The guest's mobile device continuously broadcasts its identification information in advance before any service interaction is needed. The system pre-authenticates and pre-loads guest information, so when the guest approaches a service point, authentication has already been completed or is automatically performed without requiring the guest to stop and present physical cards or documents.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical mechanical system of presenting and manually processing ID cards and access cards is replaced with wireless electronic communication. The mobile device uses wireless broadcasting to transmit authentication data, and sensors detect these signals automatically, eliminating the need for manual card handling, visual inspection, and physical authentication processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional access card systems are used for door unlocking and facility access, then security control is achieved, but seamless guest engagement is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges previously separate functions (door access control, facility access, service authentication, and guest identification) into a single integrated wireless authentication system. The mobile device broadcasts a unified identity that the system recognizes across all services and locations, allowing the guest to access rooms, facilities, and services through the same seamless wireless authentication mechanism throughout the entire property.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables automated and personalized guest engagement by securely identifying guests and providing services like door unlocking and payment without manual authentication, enhancing the guest experience through seamless interactions and location-based services.
Implementation Method 1
each guest device including a wireless communication antenna and being operative to emit a periodic beacon signal broadcasting a unique identifier of the guest device using Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communications
Implementation Method 2
a sensor network comprising a plurality of sensors each mounted at a different known location and operative to detect the periodic beacon signals including the unique identifiers emitted using BLE communications by guest devices
Data Source
AI summary
A guest engagement system and associated methods provide seamless engagement with guests of facilities through the use of wireless sensing technologies. The system makes use of individual guest devices which are carried by guests and used to automatically identify and authenticate the guests throughout the facility. Services can thereby be seamlessly provided to the guests throughout the facility. The services include automatic unlocking of doors, including hotel or state room doors, based on the guests' immediate proximity to their assigned room's door. The services also include automated payment services provided at checkout or vending terminals, and automated log-on to interactive displays and portals, among others, based on secure wireless authentication of the guest devices.