Web Services Framework Bypasses Gateway for Hotel Internet Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hotel guests face challenges with inconsistent and inconvenient Internet access across hotels within a chain, including varying authentication methods, limited billing options, and frequent technical issues due to the interdependence of different systems and devices used for Internet access, leading to a suboptimal guest experience.
Innovation Solution
A web services framework is implemented to facilitate communication between a centralized authentication server and the property management system, bypassing the gateway device and enabling seamless high-speed Internet access with improved reliability and billing capabilities, allowing guests to connect easily and quickly without modifying their devices or creating multiple accounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate authentication server and gateway devices are used for Internet access, then authentication functionality is provided, but system complexity increases and reliability decreases due to interdependence of multiple systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the authentication server and property management system into a single integrated system. The authentication server is no longer a separate entity but is embedded within the PMS, eliminating the need for separate authentication infrastructure and reducing system interdependence. This integration directly addresses the reliability issue by removing failure points in communication between separate systems while simplifying the overall architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The property management system is enhanced to perform both property management functions and authentication functions. The PMS now serves as a universal system that handles reservations, billing, and Internet access authentication, eliminating the need for dedicated authentication hardware and software. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining comprehensive service capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If different gateway devices from multiple vendors are used, then Internet access functionality is provided, but ease of operation decreases due to varying communication interfaces and incompatibilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication functionality from the gateway devices and relocates it to the integrated PMS system. This removes the need for gateway devices to implement complex authentication protocols and communication interfaces. The gateway devices become simple network access points without authentication overhead, significantly improving ease of operation while reducing compatibility issues between different vendor devices.
3Loss of time
If authentication server and PMS communicate through Internet gateway device, then authentication is enabled, but loss of time occurs due to routing delays and communication overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the Internet gateway device from the authentication communication path. Authentication requests and responses now flow directly between the integrated PMS and the guest's device without being routed through the gateway device. This extraction of the gateway from the authentication path eliminates routing delays and reduces communication overhead, directly addressing the time loss issue while simplifying the communication architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved system and method for providing Internet access services to guests of a hotel chain. A web services (WS) framework is used for communications between a central authentication server (CAS) and property management system (PMS) of a hotel within a chain. Authentication of a user to a high speed Internet network is accomplished using the WS framework to facilitate communication between the CAS and PMS. A gateway device for authentication is bypassed and transactions are posted by implementing a WS interface between a CAS and PMS at each hotel. Additional transactions may be incorporated within the WS interface thereby increasing the system and method's ability to deliver significant improvements in customer service to the hotel guest. Reduced dependence upon a gateway device to facilitate communications allows a hotel to implement a high speed Internet access program with a degree of independence from one particular vendor.