Abstract:
A system and method are provided for managing hotel operations through a wireless communications network. A central computer includes software for organizing and prioritizing data regarding desired room usage based upon input from arriving hotel guests. The data is organized into shift orders which take into account particular hotel guests needs. The shift orders are transmitted wirelessly to mobile units in the hotel mounted to housekeeping carts. Housekeeping personnel respond to tasks or orders which appear on the screens of the mobile units. The mobile units are also used to wirelessly transmit back to the central computer the status of the work being completed, as well as to advise the central computer as to changing conditions encountered by the housekeeping personnel. The central computer continually updates shift orders, prioritizes assignments to the particular mobile units, and therefore enhances communications directly between the needs of the guests and housekeeping personnel.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to methods and systems for managing businesses, and more particularly, to a method and system for managing hotel operations including a wireless communication network for managing the servicing of rooms in a hotel.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Hotel operations continue to become automated with time. Specifically, there are numerous types of hotel management software available for managing basic operations of a hotel to include check-in, money management, among other functions. Although hotels continue to incorporate automated systems, one continuing problem is the ability for a hotel to improve its efficiency in preparing and cleaning rooms for new guests. Typically, a new guest checks in at the hotel reception and then request a room. The receptionist/attendant checks to see room availability, and then assigns a room, assuming a room is available for the particular guest. If a room is not yet available, the guest must wait until one becomes available. For the great the majority of all hotels, there is a standard check-in time which allows housekeeping personnel to prepare and clean rooms for arriving guests. Travelers often arrive at hotels prior to the scheduled check-in time, which requires the guest to wait for a room to become available.  
           [0003]    Even with present automated hotel management systems, the typical way in which rooms are prepared for new guests is that a listing is prepared for housekeeping in the form of a work order to clean a particular set of rooms which become available that day. These lists are typically printed from a central computer near or at the reception, and then distributed to supervisory housekeeping personnel who then have to assign rooms to be cleaned by the housekeepers. The housekeepers then signal completion of room cleaning by either reporting directly to their supervisor, or by telephoning the front desk indicating that a particular room has been cleaned.  
           [0004]    If there are any changes to be made to the particular work order, this often requires a reprint of the work order, along with the extra time required to distribute the updated work order to various housekeeping personnel. Also, present systems have no efficient means by which particular rooms can be prioritized for cleaning based upon new guests arriving, nor do present systems have efficient means by which a guest can request at check in particular amenities to be stocked in the room such as extra towels, etc.  
           [0005]    Therefore, while some hotel management systems may help to automate housekeeping services, these systems are still inadequate for allowing more efficient room check-ins and reducing the wait time for arriving guests.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,908 discloses an interactive room status/time information system. The system is used to manage hotel operations and specifically managing room statuses in a hotel. The status of a room for occupancy is determined by a two step procedure. Input from both a maid and an inspector must be received before a room has a ready for occupancy status. Data may be transmitted by a room terminal cable television system to a system manager location.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,675,204 discloses a system for monitoring the status of a plurality of terminals, and discloses the use of transmitting terminals, logic structure, and display structure. This system may be used to identify a hotel room and monitor its status. Information as to whether the room is vacant and not made up, vacant and made up, or occupied, is shown on a display. Information identifying a particular room and describing its status is transmitted from any transmitting terminal to the logic structure. Both a room clerk and housekeeper have a separate display. Information on the clerk&#39;s display is capable of being corrected or updated by new information from the transmitting terminals and by information placed into the system by the clerk and a cashier. The clerk may change the status of any room. The clerk&#39;s display also shows running counts of total rooms occupied, total rooms vacant, total number of rooms scheduled to be vacated, and total number of rooms reserved for new components.  
           [0008]    While the invention disclosed in these references may be adequate for their intended purposes, one characteristic common to both of these references is that they require fairly complex circuitry, and are not capable of being incorporated within mobile units which can be carried by maids or other housecleaning personnel. Additionally, both of the references disclose wired systems which detract from their ability to be used in a more mobile environment.  
           [0009]    It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a system and method for managing hotel operations to include room cleaning services wherein the system and method makes use of a local wireless network allowing hotel personnel to carry individual mobile devices which are able to communicate wirelessly with a central computer which manages hotel operations.  
           [0010]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide software within the mobile units which allows a number of functions to be handled by hotel personnel, and to instantaneously update information for exchange with the central computer monitored by hotel management. Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple, reliable, and inexpensive management system and method which makes use of wireless communications technology.  
           [0011]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide a system and method which can be easily altered in terms of the specific functions which are capable through the system and method. The flexibility in the system and method is attributed to the software which can be modified for the particular desired application within the hotel operations.  
           [0012]    Yet another object of the system and method of this invention is to provide individual housekeeping personnel with the ability to input information, respond to orders sent from the front desk, and to handle other housekeeping duties without having to go to a central control panel, or to utilize some other centrally located device away from their location at the time.  
           [0013]    These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent from a review of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0014]    In accordance with the invention, a system and method is provided for managing hotel operations, specifically including housekeeping operations. The system of the invention includes a central computer which may be located at the front desk or lobby. The central computer may be any well known or standard computer including a visual display in the form of a monitor, a central processing unit, and a data entry device such as a keyboard. Loaded in the central computer is host software for managing a particular hotel operation. A plurality of mobile or cart units are located with housekeeping personnel, and can be conveniently mounted to the housekeeping carts. The mobile units can be in the form of wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs) which are capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. The mobile units can communicate with a base unit, via one or more transceivers. The transceivers are located at convenient locations which reduces the transmission and reception distances for the mobile unit so that the range of the system is increased. The function of the base unit is to interconnect the wireless PDAs with the central computer. The base unit is in the form of a server with a USB interface, and multi-port capability for servicing a number of intermediate transceivers. Conveniently, a standard router cable tray may be mounted in the base unit, and the various transceivers can simply plug directly into the tray. The base unit takes digital data from the central computer which is to be sent to the various mobile units, and converts the digital data into a format for wireless transmission by the transceivers. Similarly, the base unit communicates with the transceivers to receive the wireless data transmitted from the mobile units, and digitizes the data for subsequent wired transfer to the central computer.  
           [0015]    Any number of wireless communication protocols may be used to communicate between the mobile units and the transceivers. One particularly advantageous wireless transmission standard that may be used is the IEEE 802.11 standard.  
           [0016]    In operation, the mobile units act as data entry and reception ports. Housekeeping personnel are able to view data sent from the central computer, such as orders for cleaning rooms, and the mobile units are also used to transmit information back to the central computer to indicate the status of jobs completed, to request additional information for work to be completed, or to simply provide information to the central computer concerning other tasks or issues being handled by the housekeeping personnel.  
           [0017]    In accordance with the method of the invention as it applies to a method of managing housekeeping functions within a hotel, the method includes inputting particular room requirements, processing the data, creating and transmitting floor orders for a particular work shift, and receiving and displaying floor orders on the mobile units as transmitted by the central computer. Housekeeping personnel at anytime during the process may provide feedback to the central computer. Once a particular room is serviced, the housekeeping person checks off room requirements and transmits the update back to the central computer. The central computer continually updates the status of the floor order based upon updates from the mobile units. The central computer is then able to transmit new orders, or to modify existing orders based upon the received updates. Also, at any point in time within the process, the central computer has the ability itself to update work orders and instructions based upon updated information received from other sources such as management or supervisory housekeeping personnel.  
           [0018]    By providing an automated system for issuing instructions and providing feedback as to the status of work orders, great efficiencies can be realized within hotel operations. The mobile units allow housekeeping personnel with instant access to shift orders and other instructions, and also provides housekeeping personnel with the ability to immediately transmit updated information back to the central computer, to request further instructions, and to otherwise improve communications with the central computer which is receiving and processing hotel guests.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is s schematic diagram of the system of the current invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile or cart unit mounted to a housecleaning/maid cart;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a mobile unit;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a base unit;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4A is a fragmentary perspective view of a transceiver showing additional details;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a representative plan view of a hotel floor illustrating the manner in which the mobile units and a transceiver may be incorporated within the particular hotel layout;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating the method of the invention; and  
         [0026]    FIGS.  7 - 20  illustrate representative screen shots or screen displays which incorporate functionality of software used in conjunction with the system of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 illustrates the system of the present invention within a simplified schematic diagram. The system  10  comprises a central or main computer  12 , illustrated as a common personnel computer  12  having a screen  14 , a microprocessor  16 , and an input device in the form of a keyboard  18 . The central computer communicates with the base unit  20  as by bus  22 . A plurality of cart units or mobile units  28  are interspersed throughout desired locations in the hotel. Depending upon the size of the hotel, there may be multiple mobile units on each floor, or there may be only a need for a single mobile unit. In the event that a number of mobile units are found on different floors or other geographically remote locations within the hotel, one or more transceivers  26  may be used to facilitate wireless communication between the mobile units  28  and the base unit  20 . As shown in FIG. 1, six mobile units utilize a single transceiver which in turn transfers data to and from the base unit. Accordingly as shown, the base unit services two transceivers, and a total of twelve mobile units are employed. The base unit may handle a number of additional transceivers, each transceiver in turn able to handle multiple mobile units. Therefore, in a very simplified scheme of the present invention, a great number of mobile units may be deployed in various locations of the hotel.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 illustrates one manner in which a mobile unit  28  may be secured to a housekeeping cart  30 . As shown, connecting hardware  31  may be provided in the form of a transverse bar  32  which mounts on the side rails  33  of the housekeeping cart. Those skilled in the art can envision multiple additional ways in which the cart unit may be secured to a housekeeping cart.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 is a simplified perspective view of a mobile unit in the form of a personal digital assistant (PDA). FIG. 3 illustrates a PDA having standard features to include a case  34 , a resistive touch screen  36 , and various control buttons  37  (such as on/off control, volume control, cursor control, etc.). An antenna  38  may be employed to enhance reception and transmission capabilities for the mobile unit. A top cover  40  may be incorporated to protect the resistive touch screen when not in use. Additionally, the top cover may have attached thereto instructions  50  for operation of the mobile unit, or for other functional purposes in achieving tasks in accordance with the method and system of this invention. As further shown in FIG. 3, the PDA may have a base  51  which has attached thereto a mounting bracket  41  for attachment to the bar  32 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 illustrates the base unit  20 , and a pair of transceivers  26  which are connected to the base unit  20 . Additional transceivers may be added to accommodate installations in larger hotels. Only a pair of transceivers is illustrated to simplify the diagram. The base unit includes a housing  42 , a base  43 , a main circuit board  44  mounted within the housing, the main circuit board having the circuitry which is able to receive and transmit data between the mobile units  28  and the central computer  12 . A data cable  45  communicates with the computer  12 . A router cable tray  46  may be mounted adjacent to the main circuit board  44 . The cable tray  46  may also be referred to as the server port for receiving the connectors  49  from additional transceivers. Transceiver cables  48  interconnect connectors  49  to the transceivers  26 . The transceiver cables may be of a desired length to position the transceivers at a location within the hotel so that the various mobile units are able to easily communicate with each transceiver.  
         [0031]    As shown in the simplified schematic diagram of FIG. 4A, the transceiver includes a housing  52 , a split FM transmitter/receiver board  53  containing transmitter circuitry  54  on one side, and receiver circuitry  55  on another side of the board  53 . The board  53  receives data and sends data via the transceiver cable  48 . The transceiver cable  48  also provides power to the transceiver unit. A simple coil antenna  59  can be incorporated within the casing or housing of the transceiver to enhance transmission and reception capabilities. Although the antenna coil  59  is shown as wrapping around a particular end of the transceiver housing, those skilled in the art can envision other ways in which an antenna may be incorporated within the transceiver.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 illustrates a representative floor plan for one floor of a hotel. As shown, this particular example of a floor plan shows three floor wings  56  having a number of rooms  58 , and a central elevator area  57  in which a transceiver  26  may be centrally located for enhancing communication between the various mobile units  28  interspersed on the housekeeping carts. The transceiver  26  may be mounted external to a wall or ceiling, within a wall or ceiling, and may be accessible through a small door when internally mounted on the wall.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 6 illustrates the basic steps in the method of the invention. Although FIG. 6 illustrates these steps, it shall be understood that not all the steps shall be deemed critical and furthermore, as discussed below with respect to the software functionality, a number of additional steps in the method can be employed.  
         [0034]    The method of the invention is set within a hotel scenario wherein hotel staff and management have the daily task of monitoring and servicing various guests who are arriving and who are leaving the hotel. One of the first requirements is to input particular room requirements as guests check into the hotel. This is shown at block  62 . Room requirements may be input through the central computer  12  by hotel staff in the lobby/front desk area who greet guests for check in. The room requirements may include not only a particular type of room, but the various amenities which may be desired within the room, the location of the room within the hotel, and others. These room requirements are stored within the central computer and existing hotel management software can be used to process the data, shown at step  64 . Once a preset number of rooms have been entered for new guests arriving, the central computer may create a floor order for delineating which rooms are to be vacated that day, and which are to be then revacated by arriving guests. The floor order includes instructions for particular rooms to be cleaned, the amenities to be placed in the room, and other instructions which may be provided by the guest when they check in. As shown at step  66 , floor orders for a particular shift are then transmitted via the base unit  20 , transceivers  26 , and then to the appropriate mobile units  28 . Each of the mobile units are addressed so that only shift orders for a particular floor corresponding to mobile units on the floor receive such shift orders. Additionally, each of the mobile units can be provided with functionality such that individual operators may view shift orders for other locations within the hotel.  
         [0035]    As shown in block  68 , the mobile units receive and display the particular floor order that has been generated. The double outline for block  68 , as well as the other double outline blocks in FIG. 6, indicate a functional step within the method occurring at mobile unit. In block  70 , the housekeeper is then able to service the particular room on the order. Once all tasks are completed for a particular room, the housekeeper then checks off the requirements on the screen of the mobile unit and the housekeeper may then transmit this completed task back to the central computer. Preferably, the screen is a resistive touch screen that allows the housekeeper to simply touch the desired area on the screen to control the mobile unit. The central computer receives the updated data, processes the data and transmits an updated floor order, or issues other instructions which are commensurate with the data which has been received from the particular mobile unit. This is shown at block  76 . At block  78 , then a decision point is reached whether there are other rooms on the shift order. If there are other rooms to service on the order, then the housekeeper as shown at block  80  services the next room on the order. If no additional tasks are required, then the floor order is finished as shown at block  82 .  
         [0036]    FIGS.  7 - 20  illustrate various screen shots for sample screens which may be viewed on the mobile units or on the central computer. As discussed above, touch screen capability may be provided on the mobile unit so that operators of the particular mobile units can enter commands or data. FIGS. 7 through 11 are examples of screens which may be viewed on the central computer. Beginning first with FIG. 7, screen  84  prompts the user as to the task to be completed such as assigning available rooms, training of new users, changing languages, or performing inventory management. The software contemplated within the invention would have automatic language change capability wherein users could choose from various languages. A set of training screens could also be provided to train new users. These training screens would guide the new user through a set of sample screens, explaining the purpose of each and how each screen allows control of the particular hotel function.  
         [0037]    Now beginning with a discussion of the system and method of the invention, a user would first designate or prompt the “assign available rooms” block which in turn would result in the computer showing screen  86  at FIG. 8. The user would then choose the particular type of room which has been requested by the hotel guest. This could be done by simply designating the desired choice, and then designating the box for completing the room assignment shown as the box “done assigning rooms”. The next screen which could be displayed is one which includes the particular amenities which the hotel guests would like to have stocked in the room. This is shown at screen  88 . Additionally, there could be an entry for the time in which the hotel guests would like to check in, shown as the “time required” portion in screen  88 . The user would click on the desired choices for the particular amenities, and also the time required for the room to be available for the guest. Of course, in addition to the amenity options shown on screen  88 , many others could be provided depending upon the type of hotel, season, etc.  
         [0038]    As shown in screen  90 , the next time the user would view the available rooms for a subsequent guest, the previously selected room (Room  3002 ) would not be shown, and the guests would then, of course, be able to choose only from the remaining rooms. The user would repeat filling out the information in the previous screens for a number of guests. At a predetermined time, or when a predetermined number of guests have checked in, then a shift order could be created which delineates the particular rooms to be prepared, the particular amenities desired, as well as the times required for check in. Of course, the user could telephonically receive the instructions from the various guests well prior to the guests actually arriving to the hotel. Therefore, the shift order might be created days in advance of the actual day in which the shift order needed to be completed.  
         [0039]    As shown in screen  92 , the user could then view the particular shift order, verify its accurateness, or modify the shift order as necessary by reentering data in the shift order. Then, the user could click on the box in the lower left hand comer which would automatically result in the shift order being transmitted by the central computer to the particular mobile units which are to respond to the particular shift order. As shown in screen  92 , there are three rooms which have been issued to a particular cart unit, along with the times required, the special requirements for stocking each of the rooms, and an additional special instruction of not cleaning the Room  3018 . Room  3018  might be a room already occupied by a guest who is not departing, and simply wants additional amenities to be provided for the day.  
         [0040]    Screen  94  (FIG. 12) illustrates a sample screen which could be viewed by a housekeeping employee on a respective mobile unit, corresponding to a room to be serviced with the existing shift order. As shown, the Room  3002  is required to be prepared no later than 12:10 p.m., and the amenities for the room include extra soap/shampoo, extra towels, and an iron. The employee would complete the tasks for the particular room and would designate/click on the boxes indicating the items had been stocked. The employee would finally designate the “Room Ready” box which would transmit indication of completion of the work for that particular room back to the central computer wherein the shift order would be automatically updated at the central computer to reflect completion of that particular room. As also shown on the screen  94 , a present time can be displayed in order for the housekeeping employee to conveniently compare how much time is left before the room is required to be completed. In addition to clicking on the “Room Ready” box, the housekeeping employee would also click on the other boxes to positively signify that the particular tasks have been completed, or items have been stocked.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 13 illustrates another example of an order which could appear on a particular cart unit, corresponding to yet another room which needed to be serviced according to the shift order. As shown in screen  96 , the next room to be serviced is Room  3011 , with a required time of 12:40 p.m., and the special requirements of having extra soap/shampoo, and extra towels. As with the screen  94 , the operator would also simply click on the boxes in screen  96  to include the Room Ready box, thereby indicating completion of the room and transmission of the information back to the central computer.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 14 illustrates another example of a screen which can appear on the home unit, relating to the performance of inventory management. Referring first back to FIG. 7, one of the other options under the main screen or menu is to perform inventory management. A user could click on this option which will then present the screen shown at FIG. 14. One purpose of inventory management in the present invention would be to track the amount of inventory consumed over a particular period of time. Inventory would include consumed items and stocked items such as soap, shampoo, towels, and other items which are stocked in a room based upon the content of shift orders created over a designated time period. The purpose of conducting inventory management has many useful purposes. As those experienced in the hotel industry understand, unaccounted consumption of inventory materials unnecessarily adds to the cost of operating the hotel. By tracking inventory materials either by floor, shift, or by individual cart units, supervisory personnel can make more informed decisions as to better management of the inventory materials, as well as reducing or eliminating abuses of the system to include pilfering by employees, or other problems by employees who are improperly completing shift orders by either overstocking or understocking particular rooms.  
         [0043]    The software within the central computer makes use of a database which performs the function of adding amounts of materials used or consumed over a selected period of time for each cart unit, shift, and/or floor. As shown in FIG. 14, screen  98  presents the user the option to choose a reporting period for a specific time period, and also to create an inventory report by floor, or by a particular cart unit. Once the operator checks the desired box(es), the user would simply click on the “go” button which will then bring up either the screen  100  shown at FIG. 15, or the screen  102  shown at FIG. 16. The screen  100  at FIG. 15 is shown in the event the user chooses to access the inventory report by floor. Screen  102  would be shown if the user selected the option for accessing the report by a particular cart unit. For screen  100 , the user would then input the floor number in the upper box, or if multiple floors reports were desired, would enter the exact floors in the lower box. The user would then simply click on the “go” button which results in the data being retrieved from the database in the central computer. In the event the operator chooses to access the reports by cart unit, screen  102  at FIG. 16 simply instructs the user to input the selected cart units. As discussed above, each cart unit can be identified by a particular number or identifier such as a serial number. After the user entered the information regarding the desired cart unit, the user would then also press the “go” button thereby accessing the information from the database in the central computer. Finally, the user would have the option of either printing a hard copy of the report, or forwarding the report electronically as by email. Accordingly, screen  104  at FIG. 17 provides the user this option by either pressing the “print” or “email” buttons.  
         [0044]    Yet another additional feature of the present invention is the ability for hotel personnel to instantaneously access the status of any particular room without having to refer to a particular shift order, or contacting the front desk or supervisor who may be in charge of a particular floor. Now referring to FIG. 18, screen  106  is shown. A hotel employee who has access to a cart unit or the main computer could simply request the status of a room by accessing this screen, and then typing the room number in the blank for which a status is desired. Then, this message would be transmitted to the central computer, and the central computer would respond by providing information as to the then updated status of the room. In the example of FIG. 18, three statuses could be shown such as room “scheduled for cleaning,” room “currently being cleaned,” or room “completed-ready for occupancy.” Accordingly, after the user had entered the room number and clicked on the go button, one of these three statuses would appear as highlighted or otherwise annotated as being the particular status for the room at that time. The three statuses provided in FIG. 18 are easily tracked by the system of the present invention. For the status “scheduled for cleaning,” this status would appear if no hotel employee had begun working on a particular shift order, yet the room does at least appear in a shift order to be completed that day. For the status “currently being cleaned,” this status is easily tracked because once a user accesses a particular shift order and begins transmitting information back to the central computer as to completion of the work on the room, this would signal to the central computer that the room had been in the process of being cleaned, yet not completed. Of course, the “completed” status is also easily tracked by the central computer because for each shift order completed by a worker, indication of such completion is always sent back to the central computer.  
         [0045]    Yet another feature which may be incorporated within the method and system of the current invention is email communications between different hotel staff groups. Accordingly, screen  108  at FIG. 19 can also be provided which is a communication screen allowing users to send email messages through the cart units. As shown in the FIG. 19, a user could choose from a list of addresses to include reservations, house keeping, maintenance, check-in/check-out-front desk, guest services/concierge, or supply. Once the user clicked on the appropriate choice, then as shown in FIG. 20, screen  110  would appear which would allow the user to then type in a message to the addressee. The message could then be sent by clicking on the send button. FIGS. 19 and 20 are intended to illustrate an email or electronic messaging system which allows users of the particular cart units to communicate with hotel staff.  
         [0046]    The mobile units can be powered either by a rechargeable battery (not shown), or could be plugged into a conventional 110 volt outlet. Because the mobile units use such little power, the most preferred manner would simply provide the rechargeable battery. Each of the maid carts could be equipped with their own battery recharging units, thereby simplifying battery recharging for the mobile units. For example, when a particular shift ends and a particular housekeeping cart is no longer used, the mobile unit may then be recharged.  
         [0047]    In order to control activation of each of the mobile units, each mobile unit would be activated only by its corresponding activation code which is transmitted by the central computer. Thus, control could be exercised over each particular mobile unit which would be assigned to handle particular shifts for a designated day, based on availability of housekeeping personnel, and other factors. This activation code can also be used to provide a one to one correspondence for the particular cart unit which is to be designated work for a particular set of rooms or for a particular floor in the hotel. This activation code can simply be in the form of a wirelessly transmitted bit stream, which will translate into a group of preset alphanumeric characters. Each shift order generated would include the activation codes to assign specific rooms and tasks to each designated mobile unit  
         [0048]    To further describe the basic software loaded within the central computer, the software may simply be compatible with any Windows operating system or Windows NT operating system. The software could be accessed initially by a desk top icon placed on the central computer running the software. The software would guide the user through the sets of screens (a graphical user interface—GUI) to place shift orders and to achieve other functions. The special preferences which can be added to the floor order from front desk personnel running the software thus allows each room to be tailored to the guest&#39;s needs. Once floor orders have been arranged for hotel rooms on a particular wing or area of the hotel, the software sorts the orders by priority, and assigns them to the specific mobile units which are to be activated for the particular shift. Regardless of the order of the rooms and floors which are assigned by front desk personnel, the mobile unit assignments are made to best support the number of rooms to be prepared in the times designated. For example, the software would automatically cross level room orders for the employed mobile units such that each mobile unit would have room orders to be completed, the earliest rooms to be completed receiving the highest priority by appearing first on the mobile unit screens.  
         [0049]    As mentioned above, the particular wireless protocol which may be used could include a direct sequencing spectrum (DSS) protocol in accordance with an IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless local area networks. As understood by those skilled in the art, DSS uses a radio transmitter to spread data packets over a fixed range of the frequency band, and assures up to an 11 MBPS high transmission rate for the wireless network. Each particular mobile unit would have its own identifying address. Each of the transceivers used would have capability to receive multiple transmissions from their corresponding mobile units, as well as to transmit data to the respective mobile units having their corresponding addresses. Some commercial examples of PDAs which can be used as mobile units of the invention include the Palm VII™, the Compaq® iPac™ with wireless modem, and the Handspring® Visor® with wireless modem. Each of these mobile units could be programmed with the host software of the system for communicating with the central computer via the transceivers and base unit.  
         [0050]    One example of a transceiver which may be used in accordance with the present invention includes a Lynksys systems transceiver. The base unit could simply be a commercially available network router.  
         [0051]    From the foregoing, it is apparent that there are many advantages to the current invention. Reliable wireless communications can be achieved with the system which enhances efficient communication between housekeeping personnel and front desk personnel. This enhanced communication results in more efficient work for the housekeeping staff to handle shift orders which in turn, greatly improves overall hotel management and the ability to satisfy hotel guests. The method and system herein also provides great flexibility for hotel management to better tailor their housekeeping staff to respond to various and changing needs of hotel guests. Clear, concise instructions can be provided to the housekeeping staff nearly simultaneously with the particular requests made by a hotel guest. By tailoring and prioritizing shift orders according to hotel guests needs, the hotel will ultimately be able to better provide better services for their guests.  
         [0052]    This invention has been described in detail with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof; however, it shall be understood that various other modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention.