Local Portal Messaging for Hotel Access Credentials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Small independent hotel properties lack the resources to implement complex loyalty programs and messaging systems for guest communication and access control, as they do not have the support of large corporate entities, making it difficult to efficiently manage guest accounts and coordinate services like larger hotel chains.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that allows for local, cloud-free messaging and credential distribution using a mobile device application, enabling communication with a local portal via Bluetooth or internet, which can send and receive encrypted credentials and messages directly, eliminating the need for centralized account management and cloud services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cloud-hosted credential service with centralized account management is implemented, then messaging and credential distribution capabilities are improved, but system complexity and subscription costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessaging capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the credential service from cloud-hosted centralized systems and places it locally on premises. The local portal device hosts the credential service locally, eliminating dependence on external cloud services while maintaining credential distribution and messaging capabilities. This extraction reduces system complexity and subscription costs while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The local portal device serves as an intermediary between mobile devices and access control systems. It hosts the credential service locally and facilitates direct communication between guests' mobile devices and the access control system, eliminating the need for cloud-based intermediaries and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If cloud-based credential services are used, then credential distribution is improved, but subscription fees and ongoing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecredential distribution efficiencyVSAvoidsubscription cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The local portal device performs credential distribution autonomously without requiring external cloud service subscriptions. The credential service runs locally on the portal device, enabling self-service credential distribution to mobile devices while eliminating recurring subscription fees and ongoing external service costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If centralized account management systems are implemented, then guest account management is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex registration processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccount management capabilityVSAvoidguest registration simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The account management functionality is extracted from centralized cloud systems and implemented locally on the portal device. Guests can create and manage accounts locally without complex cloud-based registration processes, simplifying operations while maintaining full account management capabilities for credential distribution and messaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3566213B1Access control system with messaging

Publication Date: 2023.07.19 CARRIER CORP

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AI summary

A method of messaging includes communicating a message to an application on a mobile device via an access control credential system and displaying the message on the mobile device.