Room Access Control With Private Status Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for managing access and privacy in hotel rooms, such as door signs and corridor panels, are inelegant, prone to errors, and compromise guest privacy, risking unwanted entries and theft.
Innovation Solution
A control system comprising an authorization system connected to an automatic lock, an interaction device, a signaling device, and a detection system that allows staff to request access and receive visual or audio signals about the room status, virtually replacing corridor panels and ensuring guest privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If corridor panels are used to show room status, then staff can see room status externally, but guest privacy is compromised and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the room status indication function from the public corridor space and relocates it to the private room space. The status indicators are now positioned inside the room, visible only to the guest and authorized staff, eliminating the privacy breach caused by external corridor panels while maintaining the information transmission function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system that transmits room status information internally within the room rather than externally in the corridor. This intermediary mechanism (electronic indicators and control system) mediates between the guest's privacy needs and staff's information needs, allowing status communication without direct external exposure.
2Loss of information
If manual signs are used on door knobs, then room status can be indicated, but the solution is inelegant and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual sign system with an electronic control system. Instead of physically hanging and removing signs on door knobs, the system uses electronic indicators controlled by the guest through electronic interfaces, eliminating manual errors and improving reliability while maintaining the same information communication function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the guest to independently control and update their room status information without staff intervention. The guest can directly operate the electronic controls to set their preferred status (e.g., do not disturb, cleaning requested), eliminating the need for staff to manually place signs and reducing errors in status indication.
3Ease of operation
If bell systems are used to warn users, then staff can alert guests, but the solution is annoying and leads to embarrassing situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system checks room status information in advance before allowing staff to initiate contact with the guest. By preliminarily verifying the room status (e.g., whether the guest has set do not disturb), the system prevents inappropriate bell warnings that would occur when the guest explicitly requests not to be disturbed, thereby avoiding embarrassment and discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the guest's room status preferences are continuously monitored and fed back to the staff interface. This feedback loop ensures that staff are informed of the guest's current preferences before attempting communication, allowing them to adjust their actions accordingly and avoid annoying or embarrassing situations.
Data Source
AI summary
Control system (1) for the control of accesses in a room comprising an authorization system (2), connected or connectable to an automatic lock (L), comprising an interaction device (3) which is usable by a user to request for an access to and/or information on a room, a signaling device (4) configured to emit a sound and/or visual signal representative of a status condition of the room and a detection system (5) of the room status.The authorization system (2) is configured to receive a request for access and/or information from the user and to notify the request for access and/or information to the signaling device (4) and the detection system (5).The signaling device (4) is configured to receive a signal of the room status condition from the detection system (5) to emit a sound and/or visual signal representative of the received room status condition.