Set-Top Box Data Collection for Hotel Property Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The hospitality industry faces challenges in managing complex property portfolios due to limitations in existing technology, which lack visibility and effective systems for the operation, control, and oversight of hospitality properties such as hotels and motels.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based property management system that includes a set-top box in each room, collecting and transmitting data to a remote server, which renders a map view of the hospitality establishment, annotating it with various types of data for improved management and guest customization of the interactive program guide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a set-top box system with data collection and map rendering is implemented, then visibility and control over hospitality environments are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a set-top box as an intermediary device in each room that collects local data (guest preferences, service requests, consumption information) and transmits it to a central server. This intermediary approach enables comprehensive visibility into hospitality environments without requiring direct complex connections between all components, thereby improving information visibility while managing system complexity through modular architecture.
2Ease of operation
If real-time data monitoring and map rendering are implemented, then management control is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic data transmission and map rendering updates rather than continuous real-time monitoring. The set-top boxes transmit collected data at intervals or when significant changes occur, and the server renders map views based on aggregated data batches. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring while still providing effective management control through timely updates.
3Productivity
If multiple set-top boxes with data collection capabilities are deployed, then productivity of property management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The set-top boxes are designed as universal multi-functional devices that simultaneously perform guest entertainment (TV, video-on-demand), data collection (preferences, service requests, consumption tracking), and communication functions. By consolidating multiple functions into a single device, the system improves property management productivity through comprehensive data gathering without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the same hardware platform serves multiple purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
A hospitality property management tool and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the system, the system includes a set-top box located in a room at a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms. The set-top box stores various types of set-top box data and transmits the set-top box data to a remote server. The remote server receives and stores the set-top box data. The server may render a map view of the hospitality establishment based on obtained map data. The map view may include a graphical representation of the room and other rooms at the hospitality establishment. The server may annotate the graphical representation of the room with at least a portion of the set-top box data.