Hotel Room Door Check-In With Time-Limited Digital Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hotel check-in processes are inefficient, time-consuming, and prone to errors or loss of physical room cards, requiring manual interaction and potential delays, especially during rush hours.
Innovation Solution
An authentication method utilizing Near Field Communication (NFC) and biometric data is implemented to enable secure and automated room access, where unlocking information is sent directly to user equipment (UE) or door lock equipment based on check-in information, allowing for contactless and efficient hotel entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional room card check-in process is used, then manual handling and verification are required, but this results in long wait times and queue delays during rush hours
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs check-in actions preliminarily by sending unlocking information to the door lock equipment before the user actually arrives at the room. The server receives check-in information from the user's terminal device, determines the room number, and proactively sends unlocking information to the door lock, enabling the user to access the room immediately upon arrival without waiting at the reception desk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing users to complete the check-in process independently through their terminal devices. The user's terminal device sends check-in information to the server, and the door lock equipment automatically authenticates and unlocks the door based on this information, eliminating the need for manual assistance from hotel staff during the check-in process.
2Reliability
If physical room cards are used, then access control is achieved, but there is risk of cards being lost, damaged, or left in rooms
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical room card system with an electronic authentication system. Instead of using physical cards that can be lost or damaged, the user's terminal device communicates electronically with the server and door lock equipment. The door lock equipment authenticates the user based on information from the terminal device and unlocks the door accordingly, eliminating physical cards entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the room card functionality within the user's terminal device. The terminal device stores and transmits check-in information that serves as a digital equivalent of the physical room card, enabling the same access control function without the vulnerabilities of physical media.
3Reliability
If biometric authentication is implemented, then security is improved, but biometrics can only be used after check-in at the reception
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the authentication setup preliminarily during the check-in process. The server receives check-in information from the user's terminal device, determines the room number, and sends unlocking information to the door lock equipment in advance. This preliminary action enables biometric authentication to be used immediately at the door without requiring prior reception procedures.
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
Facilitates quick, secure, and convenient hotel check-in without manual intervention, reducing wait times and minimizing the risk of lost or damaged room cards.
Implementation Method 1
The door lock equipment may be adapted to, during the check-in period, authenticating the user based on the NFC information. Alternatively, the door lock equipment may be adapted to acquiring authentication information based on the NFC information, and authenticating the user using the authentication information. The authentication information may include facial characteristics, fingerprint characteristics, iris characteristics, voiceprint characteristics, etc.
Implementation Method 2
generating Near Field Communication (NFC) information based on the check-in period; and sending the NFC information to the UE
Data Source
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AI summary
Check-in information sent by User Equipment, UE (500), of a user checking in is acquired (S11). The check-in information includes information on the user checking in and a check-in period. Information on a room of the user is determined based on the check-in information (S12). The information on the room is sent to the UE (500) (S12). Unlocking information is determined based on the check-in information (S13). The unlocking information is sent to at least one of the UE (500) or door lock equipment corresponding to the information on the room (S13). The door lock equipment is adapted to authenticating the user based on the unlocking information during the check-in period. The unlocking information may be invalid other than during the check-in period.