| Method and apparatus for managing hotel transactions from a gaming device -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Method and apparatus for managing hotel transactions from a gaming deviceRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), With Communication Link (e.g., Television Broadcast, Etc.), Network Type (e.g., Computer Network, Etc.)Method and apparatus for managing hotel transactions from a gaming device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070004518, Method and apparatus for managing hotel transactions from a gaming device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/302,063, filed Jun. 29, 2001, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to the gaming and hospitality industries, and more specifically to hotel transaction functions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The hotel industry provides rooms to millions of travelers each year. Travelers may encounter delays in checking in and/or checking out of a hotel. When there are more customers desiring to check in or check out than employees available to assist them, a waiting line for check-in or check-out is likely. Check-in delays may be particularly frustrating for visitors to casino resort hotels, who are often anxious to begin their gaming experience. [0004] One method that a resort casino has used to attempt to decrease long check-in lines has been to use a portable hand-held check-in device. Such a device, referred to as the EXPRESS CHECK-IN developed by INTER-AMERICAN DATA/LODGING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (IAD/LMS), enables hotel employees to check-in guests quickly and to give the guests room assignments based on swiping a credit card. The device uses hand-held wireless technology, and communicates in real-time over the known SPECTRUM24 wireless infrastructure to an AS/400-based property management system. Information concerning this device may be available at http://www.symbol.com/news/pressreleases/press_releases_wirelesslans.sub.- --8.html. [0005] One disadvantage of this device is that the system can only be operated by a hotel employee. As with conventional check-in procedures, the number of incoming or outgoing customers may exceed the number of employees equipped with the device. Thus, waiting lines are not likely to be eliminated in all cases. [0006] It has also been proposed, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,477, that a hotel guest perform check-in without assistance from hotel employees by using a kiosk that is operated with smartcards carried by the hotel guests. Among the disadvantages of this proposal are the costs of providing and maintaining the kiosk. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. [0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention; [0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a server; [0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a gaming device; [0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless terminal; [0012] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a room lock mechanism; [0013] FIG. 6 is a tabular representation of an embodiment of a customer database; [0014] FIG. 7 is a tabular representation of an embodiment of a room database; [0015] FIG. 8 is a tabular representation of an embodiment of an offer database; [0016] FIG. 9 is a tabular representation of an embodiment of a reservation database; [0017] FIGS. 10A and 10B together are a flow chart of an exemplary process according to one or more embodiments; [0018] FIG. 11 is a sample of a preferences page in accordance with one or more embodiments; and [0019] FIG. 12 is a flow chart of an exemplary process according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0020] According to various embodiments of the invention, a method for handling a hotel transaction, such as a check-in process or a check-out process, includes conducting the hotel transaction via a gaming device. According to other embodiments of the invention, a method is provided for communicating information with a person via a gaming device, such as reservation information, room information, guest preference information, message information, and/or offer information. Continue reading about Method and apparatus for managing hotel transactions from a gaming device... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for managing hotel transactions from a gaming device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for managing hotel transactions from a gaming device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method and apparatus for managing hotel transactions from a gaming device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method and apparatus for interactive real time distributed gaming Next Patent Application: Method for implementing games in a communication network using ptt/ptv technology and systems thereof Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and apparatus for managing hotel transactions from a gaming device patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.12351 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Qualcomm , Schering-Plough , Schlumberger , Seagate , Siemens , Texas Instruments , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
