Patent Publication Number: US-2022217421-A1

Title: Set-top box, system and method for providing awareness in a hospitality environment

Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT &amp; CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/825,594, entitled “Set-Top Box, System and Method for Providing Awareness in a Hospitality Environment” filed on Mar. 20, 2020, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 11,284,120 issued on Mar. 22, 2022; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/201,783 entitled “Set-Top Box, System and Method for Providing Awareness in a Hospitality Environment” filed on Nov. 27, 2018, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 10,602,196, issued on Mar. 24, 2020; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/652,622 entitled “Set-Top Box, System and Method for Providing Awareness in a Hospitality Environment” filed on Jul. 18, 2017, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 10,142,662, issued on Nov. 27, 2018; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/165,851 entitled “Set-Top Box, System and Method for Providing Awareness in a Hospitality Environment” filed on May 26, 2016, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 9,712,872, issued on Jul. 18, 2017; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/461,479 entitled “Set-Top Box, System and Method for Providing Awareness in a Hospitality Environment” filed on Aug. 18, 2014, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 9,357,254, issued on May 31, 2016; which claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/935,862 entitled “System and Method for Providing Awareness in a Hospitality Environment” and filed on Feb. 5, 2014, in the name of Vanessa Ogle; all of which are hereby incorporated, in entirety, by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates, in general, to remote control devices and, in particular, to set-top/back boxes as well as systems and methods for providing awareness in a hospitality environment, such as a lodging establishment, motel, or hotel, for example. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the background will be described in relation to employee safety in hospitality environments, as an example. Employees face increased personal security risks at work in hospitality environments, such as lodging establishments, motels, and hotels, for example. Such hospitality industry employees often work alone and range over large interior areas that may be divided into many small, closed spaces. As a result of limited existing security measures, there is a need for improved systems and methods of providing awareness and safety in hospitality environments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It would be advantageous to achieve awareness in hospitality environments that would decrease personal security risks to workers. It would also be desirable to enable a wireless-based solution that would mitigate or eliminate the cost of providing increased security in lodging establishments, such as a motel, or hotel, for example. More generally, it would be desirable to enable such a solution for any multi-unit environment including hospitality environments, educational campuses, hospital campuses, office buildings, multi-unit dwellings, sport facilities and shopping malls, whether a single story, multiple stories, or a combination thereof. To better address one or more of these concerns, systems and methods, including a set-top box, are disclosed for providing awareness in hospitality environments. In one embodiment of the system, a vertical and horizontal array of set-top boxes is provided and each set-top box includes an identification corresponding to the room in which the set-top box is placed. Each set-top box includes a wireless transceiver that periodically transmits an identification beacon that is received by a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device. The proximate wireless-enabled interactive device, in turn, broadcasts data packets including an indication of the strength of set-top box identification signals received. The broadcasts are received by a server via an array of wireless routers. The location of the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device is determined based on the signal strength information in the data packets. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is schematic building diagram depicting one embodiment of a system for providing awareness in a hospitality environment illustrated as a hotel, according to the teachings presented herein; 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic floor plan depicting a floor of the hotel presented in  FIG. 1A  in further detail; 
         FIG. 1C  is a schematic floor plan depicting a floor of the hotel presented in  FIG. 1A  in further detail, wherein an event requiring an alert is occurring; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram depicting one embodiment of the signal flow in the system presented in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram depicting one embodiment of a set-top box and one embodiment of a programmable device, both components of the system presented in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram depicting one embodiment of a beacon and another embodiment of a programmable device, both components of the system presented in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram depicting one embodiment of a server, a component of the system presented in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a signal flow diagram depicting one embodiment of signalization and data transfer within the system presented in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 6B  is state diagram depicting one embodiment of the states of the system presented in  FIG. 1A ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method for providing awareness in a hospitality environment according to the teachings presented herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , therein is depicted a system for providing awareness in a hospitality environment, such as a furnished multi-family residence, dormitory, lodging establishment, hotel, hospital, or other multi-unit environment which is schematically illustrated and designated  10 . More generally, the system  10  and the teachings presented herein are applicable to any multi-unit environment including hospitality environments, educational campuses, hospital campuses, office buildings, multi-unit dwellings, sport facilities and shopping malls. 
     As shown, by way of example and not by way of limitation, the hospitality environment is depicted as a hotel having a lobby and floors F, which are appropriately labeled the 2 nd  floor through the 10 th  floor. Further, by way of example, the 4 th  floor is depicted with rooms  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404 ,  405 ,  406 ,  407 ,  411 ,  412 ,  413 ,  414 ,  415 ,  416 , and  417 . Additionally, a common area near the elevators is labeled E, a hallway labeled P, and a stairwell is labeled S. 
     Set-top boxes  12  are communicatively disposed with various amenities associated with the hospitality environment, which as mentioned is depicted as the hotel H. As used herein, set-top boxes include back boxes and set-top/back boxes may be discussed as set-top boxes. By way of example, each set-top box  12  may be a set-top unit that is an information appliance device that generally contains a TV-tuner input connected to an external source of content and a television output connected to a television set. The set-top box tunes the source signal into content in a form that can then be displayed on the television screen or other display device. Such set-top boxes are used in cable television, satellite television, and over-the-air television systems, as well as other uses, such as, an informational appliance coupled to various hospitality suites of service provided by the hotel H, including, for example, check in/check out, maid service, spa, room service, and front desk. As shown, each room includes a set-top box  12 . The set-top boxes are deployed as part of a horizontal and vertical array, which is generally a spatial array, throughout the hotel H. It should be appreciated, however, that the set-top boxes and more generally deployment of the system may include a horizontal array. Further, the deployment may be in a single story, multiple stories, or a combination thereof. 
     Each of the set-top boxes  12  emits a beacon, which is illustrated as field B, for identifying itself to detecting programmable devices, as will be discussed hereinbelow. In the aforementioned common areas, including the elevators E, the hallway P, and stairwell S, beacon devices  16  are depicted that emit fields B for identifying themselves to the programmable devices also. Wireless routers  14  are deployed as part of a horizontal and vertical array, or more generally a spatial array, throughout the hotel H to send and receive information. As shown, the wireless routers  14  are WiFi enabled. It should be appreciated however that the wireless routers  14  may communicate via infrared (IR), 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), or Bluetooth and Bluetooth low energy, for example. 
     The set-top boxes  12  and beacon devices  16 , which are collectively beacons, periodically transmit beacons to the programmable devices, such as wireless-enabled programmable device  18 , being utilized by individual I 1 . The programmable device  18  may be a wireless-enabled smart and interactive handheld device that may be supplied or carried by the user or guest and may be selected from a range of existing devices, such as, for example iPads®, iPhones®, iPod Touch®, Android® devices, Blackberry® devices, and laptops. In another implementation, the programmable device  18  may be a special purpose device, including a battery powered personal locator device. As shown individual I 1  works in the hospitality industry at hotel H and is presently working on the 4 th  floor. As the individual I 1  is working in room  404 , the programmable device  18  is receiving beacons from the set-top box  12  that is located within the room  404 . Additionally, the programmable device  18  is receiving beacons from the set-top box  12  that is located within the room  406 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1C and 2 , the individual I 1  having the programmable device  18 , which is receiving beacons from the set-top box  12  located within the room  404  and the set-top box  12  located within the room  406 , perceives danger and requires assistance and help. The individual I 1  activates the programmable device  18 , which sends a data packet that, via the wireless routers  14  and the network  22 , communicates with a server  24 . The server  24 , in turn, sends out the appropriate notifications to various phones  26 , to activate alarms  28 , or notify others via a computer, such as computer  30 . As a spatial array of horizontal and vertical set-top boxes  12  and beacon devices are provided, the system presented herein is able to determine the location of the individual I 1  within a building. The location information determined includes which floor the individual I 1  is presently located as well as the room or common area. 
     In another mode of operation, the individual I 2  is located on the 3 rd  floor of the hotel H. This individual is within the field of several beacons, including set-top boxes and common area beacon devices. The wireless-enabled interactive device associated with the individual I 2  periodically broadcasts a data packet to the server  24 , via the wireless routers  14  and the network  20 . The location of this individual is known and the individual I 2  publishes the location so that others may contact this individual or find this individual. Similarly, the location of the individual I 3  is known to be on the 6 th  floor of the hotel H. The individual uses associated wireless-enabled interactive device to report service requests to the management of the hotel H. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the set-top box  12  and programmable device  18  are illustrated in further detail. With regard to the set top box  12 , a housing  50  includes a wireless transceiver  52  associated therewith, internally, externally or via combination thereof, in order to communicate with the programmable device  18 , which, as discussed, may have the form of a proximate wireless-enabled electronic device or interactive handheld device, or battery powered transmitter, for example. Communication between the programmable device  18  and the set-top box  12  may be enabled by a variety of wireless methodologies, including 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth low energy and Bluetooth, for example. Also, infrared (IR) may be utilized. If direct communication is not possible, communication between the interactive device and the set top box may be made through indirect communication protocols. For example, a proxy service may be used to route messaging to the interactive device by way of the Internet or 802.11 communication. 
     A television input  54  and a television output  56  are also secured in the housing  50  in order to receive content from a source in a multi-unit environment and forward content to a television. A processor  58  located within the housing  50  is coupled to the wireless transceiver  52  and the television input  54  and the television output  56  by a bus  60  or other architecture. A memory  62  and storage  64  are accessible to the processor  58  and the memory  62  includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to execute a series of operations. Other inputs  66  and outputs  68  may be associated with the set-top box  12  as well. 
     The processor-executable instructions periodically transmit an identification signal including set-top box identification that may be received by a proximate wireless-enabled interactive handheld device. As previously discussed, the programmable device  18  may include an application, which assists in the receiving, or alternatively a NFC protocol may be utilized to facilitate the receiving of the identification. In many embodiments of the beacon methodology, physical proximity between the programmable device  18  and the set-top box  12  is leveraged to establish signaling therebetween. 
     The programmable device  18  may be a wireless communication device of the type including various fixed, mobile, and/or portable devices. To expand rather the limit the previous discussion of the programmable device  18 , such devices may include, but are not limited to, cellular or mobile telephones, two-way radios, personal digital assistants, digital music players, Global Position System units, and so forth. The programmable device  18  may include a transmitter/receiver  72 , processor  74 , bus  76 , display  78 , I/O panel  80 , a camera  82 , memory  84 , and storage  86 . It should be appreciated that although a particular architecture is explained, other designs and layouts are within the teachings presented herein. 
     In operation, the teachings presented herein permit a programmable device  18  such as a smart phone or simple transmitter to communicate with a set-top box that is able to relay an alert with location to a main server and security or other individuals needing to know about the emergency. In the operation embodiment being described, the programmable device  18  may be “paired” on a temporary basis to the set top/back box on a room-by-room basis, whereby the pairing changes as the hospitality employees location changes, thereby changing the strongest received signal. 
     As shown, the programmable device  18  includes the memory  84  accessible to the processor  74  and the memory  84  includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive set-top box identification beacon signals and measure the strength of the identification beacon signals. The programmable device  18  then periodically transmits a broadcast signal including a data packet having at least one set-top box identification, a corresponding signal strength identification indicating the strength of the set-top box identification beacon signal, and a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device identification. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a beacon  16  and a simplified programmable device  18  are shown. With respect to the beacon  16 , a housing  90  protects a transmitter/receiver  92 , outputs  94 , inputs  96 , processor  98 , bus  100 , memory  102  and storage  104 . The memory  102  is accessible to the processor  98 , and the memory  102  includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor  98  to periodically transmit, via the transmitter/receiver  92 , an identification beacon signal including beacon device identification. 
     With respect to the simplified programmable device  18 , a housing  110  protects a transmitter/receiver  112 , processor  114 , bus  116 , memory  118  and storage  120 . A button  122  provides the activation that triggers the alert. As shown, the programmable device  18  includes the memory  118  accessible to the processor  114  and the memory  118  includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive set-top box identification beacon signals and measure the strength of the identification beacon signals. The programmable device  18  then periodically transmits a broadcast signal including a data packet having at least one set-top box identification, a corresponding signal strength identification indicating the strength of the set-top box identification beacon signal, and a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device identification. Responsive to the activation of the emergency button, the programmable device  18  immediately transmits a broadcast signal including a data packet having at least one set-top box identification, a corresponding signal strength identification indicating the strength of the set-top box identification beacon signal, a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device identification, and an emergency alert. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , one embodiment of the server  24  as a computing device includes a processor  130 , memory  132 , storage  134 , inputs  136 , and outputs  138  interconnected with various buses  140  in a common or distributed, for example, mounting architecture. In other implementations, in the computing device, multiple processors and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along with multiple memories and types of memory. Further still, in other implementations, multiple computing devices may be provided and operations distributed therebetween. The processor  130  may process instructions for execution within the server  24 , including instructions stored in the memory  132  or in storage  134 . The memory  132  stores information within the computing device. In one implementation, the memory  132  is a volatile memory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory  132  is a non-volatile memory unit or units. Storage  134  includes capacity that is capable of providing mass storage for the server  24 . Various inputs  136  and outputs  138  provide connections to and from the server  24 , wherein the inputs  136  are the signals or data received by the server  24 , and the outputs  138  are the signals or data sent from the server  24 . 
     The memory  132  is accessible to the processor and  130  and includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor  130  to execute a series of operations. The processor-executable instructions receive the data packet from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device and process the data packet to determine the set-top box/beacon device or, more generally, beacon identification of strongest signal strength and the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device identification. Based on this analysis, the instructions determine the location of the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device as being proximate to the set-to box or beacon device of strongest signal strength. Depending on the configuration of the wireless-enabled interactive device, the processor-executable instructions update a database with the location and timestamp of the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device. Further, the processor-executable instructions may transmit a service request relative to the wireless-enabled interactive device, publish the location of the wireless-enabled interactive device, or execute an emergency alert or alarm. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates one embodiment of signalization and data transfer  150 . As shown, set-top boxes  1  through n respectively transfer data packet  152  including beacon identification  154  and data packet  156  including beacon identification  156 . The data packets  152 ,  156  are received by an interactive handheld device, which determines the signal strength of each received data packet  152 ,  156 . The interactive handheld device then establishes data packet  160 , including device indicator  162 , mode of operation indicator  164 , beacon identifications  154 ,  158 , and respective signal strength identification  166 ,  168 . 
     Once the data packet  160  is broadcast, it is received by a wireless router which relays the data packet  160  as data packet  170  that is received by a server. The server analyzes the data packet and determines that the interactive handheld device is proximate to the set-top box as the signal strength associated with received data packet of set-top box  1  is strongest. The server then sends out signal  172 , which includes the device identification  162 , the location as represented by a set-top box and the mode of operation for appropriate action. 
       FIG. 6B  depicts one embodiment of a state diagram  180  of the states of the system  10 , which include an alert mode of operation  182 , a service request mode of operation  184 , and a tracking/non-tracking update mode of operation  186 . As will be appreciated, the modes of operation may overlap or, to a partial or full extent be combined. In the alert mode of operation  182 , a user of a wireless-enabled interactive device may send an alert to indicate distress. In the service request mode of operation, the user may send a service along with the location information. The tracking/non-tracking update mode indicates the level of privacy the user expects and how much of the location history will be saved. 
       FIG. 7  depicts one embodiment of a method  190  for providing awareness in a hospitality environment, according to the teachings presented herein. At block  192 , the array of set-top boxes and common area beacons is deployed vertically and horizontally throughout the hospitality environment. At block  194 , beacon signals are periodically transmitted from the set-top boxes and common area beacons to be received by the wireless-enabled interactive devices. 
     At block  196 , the signal strength between the beacon transmission of the set-top boxes and the common area beacons at the wireless-enabled interactive programmable device is measured. At block  198 , the wireless-enabled interactive programmable device broadcasts data packets, including the beacon identifications and associated signal strengths. At block  200 , via the wireless routers, the server receives and processes the data packets. At decision block  202 , the server takes action based on the mode of operation. In a first mode of operation at block  204 , a service request is associated with the location of the user utilizing the location of the wireless-enabled interactive programmable device as a proxy. In a second mode of operation at block  206 , an emergency alert is sent and subsequent notification (block  210 ) occurs. The emergency alert includes an indication of distress and the location of the user utilizing the location of the wireless-enabled interactive programmable device as a proxy. In a third mode of operation at block  210 , the map of individuals is updated with the location of the user with, if privacy settings being enabled, the system maintains the privacy of the individual working in the hospitality environment such that the system only retains in memory the last known position and time of the user-supplied wireless-enabled smart and interactive handheld device. Further, in this mode of operation, the system does not reveal the location of the individual and programmable device unless and until an alert is issued. 
     The order of execution or performance of the methods and data flows illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, elements of the methods and data flows may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methods may include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular element before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are all possible sequences of execution. 
     While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.