Hotel Room Access Card Re-Encoding for Instant Room Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing process for changing hotel rooms is time-consuming and manually intensive, often requiring users to wait and interact with hotel staff, which is inefficient and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows users to request switching from one premises to another using a user device, where access credentials are generated and transmitted to an access terminal, enabling the user to encode an access card for seamless entry into the new premises without direct hotel staff interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user requests a change of premises at the front desk, then the user can obtain a new premises allocation, but the user experiences significant waiting time and manual intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to autonomously request premises changes through a mobile application without requiring manual intervention from hotel staff. The user initiates the premises change request, selects preferred alternatives, and receives updated access credentials automatically, transforming a staff-dependent process into a self-service operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-generates access credentials for alternative premises before the user actually needs them. When a user requests a premises change, the system has already prepared the credentials for available alternative rooms, eliminating the need for real-time credential generation and reducing waiting time.
2Productivity
If hotel staff manually encode access cards for premises changes, then premises allocation can be changed, but the process becomes manually intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the manual mechanical process of staff encoding access cards with an automated electronic system. The access terminal automatically encodes credentials onto the user's access card through electronic communication, eliminating the need for staff to physically handle and encode cards manually.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an automated intermediary system consisting of the server and access terminal that mediates between the user's premises change request and the credential encoding process. This intermediary automates the entire workflow, from receiving the request to generating and encoding credentials, removing manual task involvement.
3Loss of time
If the system generates access credentials automatically, then waiting time is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access terminal performs multiple functions: it serves as a check-in device, a credential encoding device, and a premises change processing device. By making the access terminal multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate dedicated devices for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enabling automated credential generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the credential generation, validation, and encoding functions into a single integrated workflow handled by the server and access terminal. Instead of separate systems for each function, the processes are combined into one cohesive automated system, reducing complexity while maintaining efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the invention are directed towards systems and methods for changing the premises in a building such as hotel or the like. A user sends to a request from a user device to a server for switching a first premises with the second premises. An access card is able to access the first premises. Based on the request, the server determines the second premises and generates access credentials for the second premises. The access credentials are transmitted to a first access terminal associated with the first premises and the access card is encoded with the access credentials to access the second premises and permitting entry inside the second premises.