Wireless Input Device for Facility Reservation Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional reservation management systems cannot associate reservation information with the use status of facilities, limiting their ability to efficiently manage and optimize the use of resources like conference rooms and meeting spaces.

Innovation Solution

A reservation management system that includes an input device with a manual operation part movable between two positions, sending wireless signals containing movement information and ID, and a reservation management unit that associates reservation information with time and determines the reservation performance status based on current and start times, enabling efficient tracking of reservation status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional use status management system is used, then the use status of facilities can be displayed, but reservation information cannot be associated with use status

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassociation between reservation information and use statusVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the display plate device with a manual operation part and wireless communication unit into an integrated input device. This merging allows the system to simultaneously display use status and receive operational inputs (start/end of reservation performance) without requiring separate complex systems, thereby enabling association of reservation information with use status while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual operation part acts as an intermediary between the user and the reservation management system. By requiring physical interaction (moving the operation part between positions) to signal start and end of reservation performance, the system creates a clear intermediary mechanism that links reservation information with actual use status, resolving the information association problem without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual operation part with wireless signal is used, then reservation information can be associated with use status, but power and network cables are not required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuitability for low-security public-access areasVSAvoidreservation management reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wired power and network connections with wireless communication technology. The input device communicates reservation status changes via wireless signals to the reservation management device, eliminating the need for physical cable installations. This substitution enables deployment in low-security public-access areas while maintaining functional reliability through wireless data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If display plate device with slidable operation is used, then use status can be changed between visible positions, but cannot track reservation performance status

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracy of reservation performance statusVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by requiring the user to manually operate the input device to signal both the start and end of reservation performance. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate tracking of reservation performance status, as the system only records status changes when explicitly confirmed by user action, thereby achieving precise measurement without overly complicating the operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by requiring the user to move the manual operation part to a predetermined position to indicate the start of reservation performance before the actual performance begins. This preliminary action ensures accurate tracking by establishing a clear temporal marker for when reservation performance commences, improving measurement precision while maintaining simple operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11551157B2Reservation management system, input device, reservation management method, and program

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

The reservation management system includes an input device and a reservation management unit. The input device includes a manual operation part movable between a first position and a second position and sends a wireless signal containing movement information of the manual operation part and ID information. The reservation management unit performs reservation management based on the wireless signal sent from the input device. The reservation management unit includes a clock unit, a storage unit, and a determination unit. The clock unit measures time. The storage unit associates reservation information containing a reservation start time, and the ID information with each other and stores them. The determination unit determines a reservation performance status based on a current time, the reservation start time, and the movement information.