Abstract:
A system and method for centralizing property management and/or call accounting services for a hotel through a network-based service provider. This architecture allows hotels to migrate from existing premise-based systems for PMS and Call Accounting to a centralized system without the need for replacing the existing PBX system at each hotel premise. An internetwork for providing property management services includes a client network and a service provider network. The client network transmits to the service provider network a call parameter for a completed call. The service provider network preferably determines a cost for the completed call based on the call parameter and transmits the call cost information back to the client network to charge the cost to an account.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 60/246,990 filed on Nov. 9, 2000, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Hotels typically utilize a property management system (PMS) generally located within a hotel premise network to property manage and bill hotel patrons. For instance, the PMS may manage the check-in and check-out of the patrons as well as bill them for charges, including telephone charges, incurred while staying at the hotel. The PMS typically interacts with a call accounting system (CAS) also located in the hotel premise network to bill the patrons for the telephone charges. The CAS typically includes logic for calculating the cost of completed calls and transmitting the cost information to the PMS for billing.  
           [0003]    [0003]FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a hotel premise network  10  typically hosted by a hotel. The hotel premise network  10  includes a PMS  12  coupled to a CAS  14  over a serial link  16 . The hotel premise network  10  also includes a private branch exchange (PBX) unit  18  coupled to the PMS  12  and the CAS  14  over serial links  20 ,  22 ,  24 .  
           [0004]    The hotel premise network  10  illustrated in FIG. 1 is self-contained in that the property management and call accounting functions may be handled by the PMS  12  and CAS  14  without the need to invoke external devices outside the hotel premise network  10 . In such a self-contained system, when a patron checks in, the patron&#39;s call account is typically activated through a message exchange on serial link  20  connecting the PMS  12  and the PBX unit  18 . When the patron initiates and terminates a call, a call detail record (CDR) including a calling extension, called number, and call duration is typically transmitted over serial link  22  from the PBX unit  18  to the CAS  14 . In response, the CAS  14  typically generates call cost information and transmits the call cost information on serial link  16  to the PMS  12  for billing to the patron&#39;s call account. When the patron checks out, the patron&#39;s call account is typically deactivated through a message exchange on serial link  20 , and the patron is billed for the completed calls and other hotel charges.  
           [0005]    Although such self-contained systems may offer many benefits for single hotel sites, they are typically highly inefficient for use by hotel chains. For example, making changes to the system on a chain-wide basis, such as adding a new billing parameter to the PMS  12 , making a tariff change, or incorporating a new telephone area code to the CAS  14 , may become laborious and time consuming since the changes must generally be programmed individually at each hotel site. The addition of a new hotel to a hotel chain is similarly laborious since the property management and call accounting parameters must generally be programmed at the new site from scratch.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, there is a need for a new architecture for property management and call accounting that is more efficient than the conventional self-contained systems. While promoting efficiency, the new architecture should be designed to protect to the greatest extent possible existing investments in the installed equipment at the hotel.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention is directed to a system and method for centralizing the property management and/or call accounting services through a network-based service provider. One of the benefits of the architecture described in the present invention allows hotels to migrate from existing premise-based systems for PMS and Call Accounting to a centralized system, without the need for replacing or modifying the existing PBX system at each hotel premise. Another benefit is that changes to call accounting and/or property management parameters may now be made from a centralized site instead of programming the changes individually at each hotel site.  
           [0008]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, an internetwork for providing property management services preferably includes a client network and a service provider network. The client network preferably transmits to the service provider network a call parameter for a completed call. The service provider network preferably determines a cost for the completed call based on the call parameter and transmits the call cost information back to the client network to charge the cost to an account.  
           [0009]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the internetwork preferably includes a plurality of client networks coupled to a service provider network over a wide area network. Ones of the client networks include ones of private branch exchanges, respectively, coupled to first ones of protocol converters, respectively, for exchanging data with the service provider network. The service provider network includes a call accounting system and a second protocol converter for exchanging data with ones of the client networks.  
           [0010]    In a further embodiment of the present invention, the internetwork preferably includes a client network that includes a call management unit and a first protocol converter. The call management unit generates call parameter data for a completed call. The first protocol converter is coupled to the call management unit and converts between a first transmission format and a second transmission format. The internetwork preferably further includes a service provider network including a call accounting system and a second protocol converter. The call accounting system receives the call parameter data and determines a cost for the completed call based on the call parameter data. The second protocol converter is coupled to the call accounting system and converts between a third transmission format and a fourth transmission format. The internetwork also includes a wide area network electronically linking the client network to the service provider network for allowing communication between the client network and the service provider network.  
           [0011]    In yet another embodiment, the present invention includes a method for providing property management services in a system including a client network coupled to a service provider network over a wide area network. The method preferably includes generating at the client network a call parameter for a completed call and transmitting to the service provider network the call parameter. Call cost information for the completed call is determined at the service provider network based on the call parameter. The call cost information is transmitted back to the client network to charge the cost to an account.  
           [0012]    It should be appreciated, therefore, that the centralization of property management services at the service provider network promotes efficiencies not generally encountered in the conventional self-contained systems. The addition of new hotel sites to a hotel chain should be less laborious under the present invention since parameters for property management and/or call accounting handled at the service provider network need not be reprogrammed at the new site. Changes to these parameters should also be more efficient. The changes need no longer be individually programmed at each affected hotel site, but may now be made at the single service provider network providing the property management and/or call accounting services for these hotel sites. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood when considered with respect to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a hotel premise network traditionally hosted by a hotel;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an internetwork for providing centralized property management services including call accounting services according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0016]    FIGS.  3 A- 3 B are flow diagrams for processing and billing telephone call charges according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an internetwork for providing centralized property management services including call accounting services according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an internetwork for providing centralized call accounting services according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram for processing telephone call charges according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an internetwork  100  for providing centralized property management services preferably to one or more hotel sites according to one embodiment of the present invention. The property management services may include the check-in, check-out, and billing of patrons of the hotels. Preferably, the property management services include the billing of telephone calls made by the patrons of the hotels. In other embodiments, the property management services may also include the accounting and billing of other services, such as fax services, other business services, minibar purchases, in-room internet access, housekeeping services, movie viewing, and/or other entertainment services.  
         [0021]    The internetwork  100  preferably includes client networks  102 ,  104  and an application service provider (ASP) network  106 . The client networks  102 ,  104  are preferably located at hotel sites remote from the ASP network  106 . The ASP network  106  may be located at a central location, which for example, may be a hotel headquarters. The ASP network  106  may also be referred to as an ASP site or service provider network.  
         [0022]    The client networks  102 ,  104  and ASP network  106  are preferably coupled to one another over computer networks  101  including but not limited to the public internet, a virtual private network (VPN), or a wide area network (WAN). The client networks  102  and  104  each preferably include a call management unit such as, for example, a private branch exchange (PBX) unit  110 ,  116 , protocol converter  112 ,  118 , and property management system (PMS) client  108 ,  120 . The PBX units  110 ,  116  are preferably coupled to the protocol converters  112 ,  118  over serial links  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 . PBX units are well known by those skilled in the art, and may include circuitry and logic for managing incoming and outgoing calls for their respective hotel sites. The PBX units  110 ,  116  preferably create and maintain a call detail record (CDR) including call parameters for each call sent and/or received at their respective client networks  102 ,  104  as is conventional in the art. The call parameters preferably include a calling extension number, called number, call duration, and the like. The PBX units  110 ,  116  may further create and maintain information relating to other services. For instance, each time housekeeping services are provided, a maid providing the services may enter a predetermined code in the hotel room&#39;s telephone set indicating that such service was provided. This information may then preferably transmitted through the PBX unit to the PMS system so that the clean/dirty status of the room can be determined by hotel personnel.  
         [0023]    The protocol converters  112 ,  118  are preferably serial-to-internet-protocol and/or internet-protocol-to-serial converters conventional in the art. The protocol converters  112 ,  118  preferably include network interfaces (not shown) for communicating over the computer networks  101 . The communication is preferably carried out using a computer network protocol, such as, for example, the internet protocol (IP).  
         [0024]    The PMS clients  108 ,  120  are preferably platform computers or network servers also conventional in the art. The PMS clients  108 ,  120  preferably include a network interface (not shown) for communicating over the computer networks  101 . The communication is also preferably carried out using a computer network protocol, such as, for example, the internet protocol. The PMS clients  108 ,  120  further preferably include user interfaces such as, for example, keyboards, keypads, displays, and the like, for allowing interaction with a user of the system.  
         [0025]    The ASP network  106  preferably includes a property management system (PMS) server  126 , a call accounting system (CAS)  124 , and a protocol converter  122 . The PMS server  126 , CAS  124 , and protocol converter  122  are preferably interlinked to each other over serial links  138 ,  140 ,  142 .  
         [0026]    The protocol converter  122  is preferably a serial-to-IP and/or from IP-to-serial converter conventional in the art, and may be similar to the protocol converters  112 ,  118  at the client networks  102 ,  104 . The protocol converter  122  preferably includes a network interface (not shown) for communicating over the computer networks  101 . The communication is preferably carried out using a computer network protocol, such as, for example, the internet protocol.  
         [0027]    The CAS  124  is preferably a centralized CAS providing centralized call accounting services to the hotel sites associated with the client networks  102 ,  104 . The CAS  124  may be similar to the CAS  14  of FIG. 1 traditionally used in the self-contained hotel networks, but preferably includes additional functionalities and interfaces for communicating with the protocol converter  122  and providing centralized call accounting services to the various hotel sites.  
         [0028]    The PMS server  126  is preferably a platform computer or network server also conventional in the art. The PMS server  106  preferably communicates with the PMS clients  102 ,  104  to provide centralized property management services to the hotel sites. The PMS server  106  also communicates with the PBX unit  110 ,  116  preferably using the PMS commands  128 . The PMS commands may include commands for activating and/or deactivating long-distance call access for a particular patron.  
         [0029]    It is to be understood that the client networks  102 ,  104  and the ASP network  106  may include other clients, servers, components, and/or functions that are not shown but are conventional in the art.  
         [0030]    FIGS.  3 A- 3 B are flow diagrams for processing and billing telephone call charges according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2. The process starts, and in step  141 , the PMS client  108 ,  120  determines if a patron has checked-in to the hotel. If the answer is YES, the patron&#39;s call account is activated in step  143  and the patron is given access for making long-distance phone calls. In this regard, the PMS client  108  transmits the check-in information to the PMS server  126  over the computer networks  101 . Upon receipt of the check-in information, the PMS server  126  preferably creates an account for the patron and transmits a PMS command to the PBX unit  110 ,  116  to enable long-distance calls for the patron. The PMS command is preferably transmitted in serial format to the protocol converter  122  which converts it into a network format, such as, for example, an IP format, and transmits it over the computer networks  101 . The protocol converter  112  at the client network  102 ,  104  reconverts the PMS command from the network format to the serial format, and transmits it to the PBX unit  110 ,  116 .  
         [0031]    In step  145 , the PBX unit  110 ,  116  works with the PMS server  126  to monitor and update telephone charges and other charges/services associated with the patron. In step  147 , the PMS client  108 ,  120  determines if the patron is to be checked-out of the hotel. If the answer is YES, the patron&#39;s call account is de-activated in step  149  and long-distance calls are disabled for the patron. In this regard, the PMS client  108  transmits the check-out information to the PMS server  126  over the computer networks  101 . Upon receipt of the check-out information, the PMS server  126  preferably de-activates the patron&#39;s call account and transmits a PMS command to the PBX unit  110 ,  116  to disable long-distance calls for the patron. The PMS command is preferably transmitted in serial format to the protocol converter  122  which converts it into a network format, such as, for example, an IP format, and transmits it over the computer networks  101 . The protocol converter  112  at the client network  102 ,  104  reconverts the PMS command from the network format to the serial format, and transmits it to the PBX unit  110 ,  116 .  
         [0032]    In step  151 , the PMS server  140  transmits the patron&#39;s call account information including information on the charged calls, to the PMS client  108 ,  120 . This information is also transmitted if the PMS client  108 ,  120  expressly requests the information from the PMS server  126  in step  157 .  
         [0033]    In step  153 , the PMS client  108 ,  120  determines if the patron is to be billed for the charges. If the answer is YES, the PMS client  108 ,  120  proceeds to generate a bill in step  155  with the call account information received from the PMS server  126 .  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3B is a more detailed flow diagram of the step  145  for updating telephone charges for a hotel patron according to one embodiment of the invention. In step  160 , the PBX unit  110 ,  116  creates a CDR including various call parameters for a particular telephone call initiated and completed by the patron at the hotel site according to conventional methods. The call parameters preferably include a calling extension number, called number, call duration, and/or any other information associated with the call, caller, and/or callee. The PBX unit  110 ,  116  at the client network  102 ,  104  preferably transmits the CDR to the CAS  124  at the ASP site for centralized call accounting. In this regard, the protocol converter  112 ,  118  at the hotel site in step  162 , preferably protocol converts the CDR from a serial format into a network format, such as, for example, an IP format. In step  164 , the protocol converter  112 ,  118  provides the converted CDR to the protocol converter  122  at the ASP site over the computer networks  101 . The protocol converter  122  at the ASP site reconverts the CDR into a serial format and transmits it to the CAS  124  over a serial link  138 .  
         [0035]    In step  166 , the CAS  124  preferably calculates the cost of the call based on the CDR data. In step  168 , the CAS  124  provides the call cost information to the PMS server  126  over serial link  140 . Upon receipt of the call cost information, the PMS server  126  preferably adds the cost to the patron&#39;s call account in step  170 .  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an internetwork  200  for providing centralized property management services including call accounting services according to another embodiment of the present invention. The internetwork  200  preferably includes client networks  202 ,  204  and an ASP network  206  which may be similar to the client networks  102 ,  104  and ASP network  106  of FIG. 2. As in the client networks  102  and  104 , the client networks  202  and  204  each preferably include a PBX unit  210 ,  216 , protocol converter  212 ,  218 , and PMS client  208 ,  220 .  
         [0037]    Furthermore, as in the ASP network  106  of FIG. 2, the ASP network  206  of FIG. 4 preferably includes a PMS server  226 , a CAS  224 , and a protocol converter  222 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, however, the PMS server  226  preferably does not transmit and/or receive PMS commands serially via the protocol converter  222 . Instead, the PMS server  226  preferably transmits and/or receives the PMS commands and other information directly over computer networks  201  using a computer network protocol, such as, for example the internet protocol. In an alternative embodiment, the call accounting system  224  also preferably transmits and/or receives information directly over computer networks  201 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an internetwork  300  for providing centralized call accounting services according to a further embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the call accounting service is preferably provided from a central location while the property management services preferably are not centralized, but provided individually at each hotel site.  
         [0039]    The internetwork  300  preferably includes client networks  302 ,  304  and a call accounting ASP network  306 . The call accounting ASP network  306  may also be referred to as an ASP network, an ASP site, or a service provider network.  
         [0040]    As in the client networks of the previous embodiments, the client networks  302  and  304  each preferably include a PBX unit  308 ,  314  and protocol converter  310 ,  316  which may be similar to the PBX units and protocol converters of the previous embodiments. The client networks  302 ,  304 , however, do not include a PMS client. Instead, each client network  302 ,  304  includes a PMS  312 ,  318 , which may be similar to the PMS  12  of FIG. 1 traditionally used in the self-contained hotel networks. The PMS  302 ,  304 , however, may also include additional functionalities and interfaces for communicating with the protocol converter  310 ,  316 .  
         [0041]    The call accounting ASP network  306  preferably includes a protocol converter  320  and a call accounting server  322 . The protocol converter  320  may be similar to the protocol converters of the previous embodiments. The call accounting server  322  is preferably a platform computer or network server including the functionalities of the CAS of the previous embodiments for providing centralized call accounting services for the hotel sites associated with the client networks  302 ,  304 . The call accounting server  322  may also be referred to as a CAS.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram for processing telephone call charges according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5. The process starts, and in step  400 , the PBX unit  308 ,  314  creates a CDR including various call parameters for a particular telephone call initiated and completed by a hotel patron at the hotel site. The call parameters preferably include a calling extension number, called number, call duration, and/or any other information associated with the call, caller, and/or callee. In step  402 , the PBX unit  308 ,  314  at the client network  302 ,  304  preferably transmits the CDR to the call accounting server  322  at the ASP site. In this regard, the protocol converter  310 ,  316  at the hotel site preferably protocol converts the CDR from serial format into a network format, such as, for example, an IP format, and provides the converted CDR to the protocol converter  320  at the ASP site over computer networks  301 . The protocol converter  320  at the ASP site reconverts the CDR into a serial format and transmits it to the CAS  324  over serial link  324 . In an alternative embodiment, the CDR is transmitted directly to the call accounting server  322  in a network format bypassing the protocol converter  320 .  
         [0043]    In step  406 , the call accounting server  322  preferably calculates the cost of the call based on the CDR data. In step  408 , the call accounting server  124  provides the call cost information to the protocol converter  320  over serial link  326 . The protocol converter converts the call cost information from a serial format into a network format, such as, for example, an IP format. In step  410 , the protocol converter  320  transmits the call cost information to the protocol converter  310 ,  316  at the hotel site over the computer networks  301 . In an alternative embodiment, the call cost information is transmitted in a network format directly over the computer networks  301  bypassing the protocol converter  320 .  
         [0044]    In step  412 , the protocol converter  310 ,  316  receives the call cost information and reconverts it to a serial format. In step  414 , the protocol converter  310 ,  316  transmits the call cost information to the PMS  312 ,  318  at the client network  302 ,  304  over serial links  328 ,  330 . In step  416 , the PMS  312 ,  318  receives the call cost information and bills the hotel patron&#39;s call account according to conventional methods.  
         [0045]    Although this invention has been described in certain specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will have no difficulty devising variations which in no way depart from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, the client networks  102 ,  104 ,  202 ,  204 ,  302 ,  304  and the ASP networks  106 ,  206 ,  306  may include other clients, servers, or components for supporting the centralized billing and/or accounting of other hotel services, such as, for example, fax services, other business services, minibar charges, in-room Internet access, housekeeping services, movie viewing charges, and/or other entertainment services. Thus, in addition to a call accounting system/server, an ASP network may include a fax accounting system/server, movie accounting system/server, or the like.  
         [0046]    It is therefore to be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than is specifically described. Thus, the present embodiments of the invention should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention to be indicated by the appended claims and their equivalents rather than the foregoing description.