Patent Abstract:
A mini-bar and a system and a method of monitoring activity of a mini-bar where the mini-bar includes an imaging device disposed for acquiring an image of an interior of the mini-bar.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This patent application claims priority to a provisional application that was filed on Feb. 5, 2004, Ser. No. 60/542,432, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates generally to monitoring systems and, more particularly, to a system for monitoring the status of a mini-bar.  
         [0003]     Multi-unit buildings such as hotels, motels, inns, and the like, offer a variety of services and facilities for the convenience of their guests, such as a mini-bar. A mini-bar is a convenient store of goods within each room, usually within a refrigerator, that can be accessed by the occupant at his or her discretion. Typically, the mini-bar is re-stocked after the occupant checks out, and the occupant is billed for the items that he or she consumed. The mini-bar is also often checked on a daily basis, often while the room is occupied, for re-stocking. This can be annoying and inconvenient for the occupant.  
         [0004]     Monitoring devices and systems for mini-bars are known. One such device is a door switch that detects an opening of the door of a mini-bar. Door switches only provide information that the mini-bar door has been opened. They fail to provide any indication that an item from the mini-bar has actually been removed. Accordingly, if the switch indicates that the mini-bar has been opened then housekeeping will check the mini-bar for re-stocking. However, as is often the case, no item has been removed from the mini-bar. Another such monitoring system not only indicates when a mini-bar has been accessed but also indicates that consumable items have been removed. Such mini-bars track items by, e.g., pressure sensitive switches or infrared light barriers. These product-sensor type mini-bars carry the disadvantage that they are unforgiving to the user—a removed and returned product is registered as consumed. These product sensors tend to be unreliable as the number of sensors per mini-bar can be very high. One example of a mini-bar monitoring system is commercially available from Bartech Systems Corporation of Millersville, Md. Further, removed and returned items can lead to awkward situations at the front desk during checkout to reconcile the actual consumption.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies are overcome or alleviated by an exemplary system and method for viewing mini-bar status.  
         [0006]     In one aspect of the invention, a mini-bar includes an imaging device disposed for acquiring an image of an interior of the mini-bar.  
         [0007]     In another aspect of the invention, a system for monitoring activity of a mini-bar in a room of a multi-unit building, comprises an imaging device disposed for acquiring an image of an interior of the mini-bar, the imaging device configured to generate image data indicative of the image, and a display device receptive to the image data for displaying the image, the display device configured for viewing the image external to the mini-bar.  
         [0008]     In still another aspect of the invention a method for monitoring activity of a mini-bar in a room of a multi-unit building comprises acquiring an image of an interior of the mini-bar, and displaying the image.  
         [0009]     The above discussed and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top sectional view of an exemplary room;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a mini-bar in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2B  is an interior view of the door of the mini-bar of  FIG. 2A ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is an interior view of the mini-bar without the door, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of a controller for the mini-bar;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of a gateway module, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a front view of an IR transceiver plate assembly of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a display plate assembly of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a centralized occupant room control system or network. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary room  10  of a multi-unit building, the room including a number of devices enhancing the security and convenience of occupants, and the operating efficiency of the staff or the multi-unit building. One such device is a min-bar  12 . Multi-unit building includes hotels, motels, inns, dormitories, cooperatives, apartments, condominiums, and the like, that offer a variety of services and facilities for the convenience of their guests or residents (occupants).  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIGS. 2A  and B, a conventional mini-bar  12  comprises a housing  14  (which is typically a refrigerated housing, but it is within the scope of the present invention that the housing is not refrigerated, as such is not required with many consumable items) and a door  16 . Items are stored within the housing, which typically includes at least one shelf  18  to maximize storage therein. Additional shelves  20  at the inside of the door  16  also provide storage. In the present invention, a door switch  22  is provided to detect the state, i.e., an open state or a closed state, of the door  16 . One example of a mini-bar door switch is model S 241  or S 541  door switch commercially available from Inncom International, Inc, and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,072 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Cameras  24  are positioned on the inside of the door  16  to capture an image of the items at each level of the mini-bar and at the shelf to capture an image of the items on the door shelves  20 . A mechanical shutter may be employed over the lens of the camera to protect the lens from condensation and guest tampering.  
         [0022]     It is within the scope of the present invention that any number of cameras may be used, including a single camera, and that such camera(s) may be arranged at any desired location(s) and disposition(s) (e.g., positioned on an interior side, back, top, or bottom surface of the mini-bar housing  14 ). Further, the cameras may employ a wide-angle lens or any other suitable lens to capture the images. What is important is that the camera(s) be positioned to capture one or more images of the items. It is preferred that the cameras be triggered to capture images upon closure of the door  16 , as detected by switch  22 . This may require a flash or in the case of mini-bars with an interior light, a delay in turning the light off to allow the cameras to capture images. The cameras may be triggered sequentially or simultaneously. The camera being controlled (and powered) by a controller  25 , which could be mounted at the exterior back of the mini-bar or any other suitable location. A still-picture camera may be preferred, as such is typically less expensive than a continuous camera (although use of a continuous camera is within the scope of the invention). Further, limiting imaging to when the door is closed will eliminate any concerns regarding privacy, as it may not be desirable to capture images of an occupied room.  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , camera  24  is mounted on a track  26  at an inside surface of the housing  14  or door  16  ( FIG. 2A, 2B ) to allow the camera  24  to move up and down to allow for imaging of all of the items in the mini-bar  12 . Additional tracks  28  may be provided, when mounted inside of the housing  14 , to allow track  26  (and thereby camera  24 ) to move backward and forward within the housing  14 . Use of tracks  28  will require further accommodations within the mini-bar  12 . More specifically, the shelf  18  may require shortening (as shown) to provide sufficient clearance, as will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. The camera  24  is driven along track  26  and track  26  is driven along tracks  28  by miniature electric motors (continuous or step), with power being provided from a controller  25  ( FIG. 4 ). The camera is preferably driven to generate a series of sequential images.  
         [0024]     Further, the camera  24  may be pivotally mounted, in any of the exemplary embodiments, with the position being controlled by a miniature electric motor (continuous or step), with power being provided from controller  25 .  
         [0025]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a schematic block diagram of the controller  25  is generally shown. Controller  25  includes a micro controller  30  having associated memory, i.e., random access memory (working memory) and non-volatile memory (boot-code and programming instructions) and an interface for providing data communication over a Local Area Network (LAN). Controller  25  communicates over the LAN in a suitable protocol (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, Inncom International, Inc&#39;s proprietary P5 Protocol, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, 802.15.4, Bluetooth, etc.) with a central floor switch  60  ( FIG. 8 ) for the floor or area where the room is located, which is in communication with a central server or processor  62  ( FIG. 8 ), or directly with the central server  62 . Controller  25  interfaces with the LAN by way of conventional wiring or wireless communication configurations. With wireless communications a wireless transceiver  32  is connected to micro controller  30  for providing wireless (e.g., IR (infrared), RF (radio frequency), U/S (ultrasonic), etc.) communication.  
         [0026]     Wireless IR communication may utilize, for example, the protocol described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,792, which is incorporated herein by reference. Digital iterative gain control such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/631,457, entitled Digital Iterative Gain Control, filed Jul. 30, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference, may also be utilized. Further, the infrared communication protocol may be the IR5 infrared protocol described in the above-referenced applications. Other infrared communication protocols may include IrDA, or the like.  
         [0027]     Wireless RF communication may utilize, for example, 802.11b radio frequency protocol, WI-FI, Bluetooth, ZigBee, 802.15.4, or any other suitable protocol.  
         [0028]     Wired communication may comprise any conventional wiring, (e.g., twisted-pair not shown). Alternatively, the controller  25  could be connected to electrical or telephone wiring for providing communication over such, as communication configurations and protocols on such wiring are known.  
         [0029]     Controller  25  is powered by a power regulator or supply  34  connected to line power, although controller  25  may be directly powered from an appropriate low voltage line (whereby the power regulator  34  could be eliminated). Low voltage DC power could be obtained from a low voltage DC electric bus commonly found in such multi-unit buildings or could be generated by a AC-to-DC converter located within a wall or ceiling of the building. The converter would be powered directly from electrical wiring of the multi-unit building. While a micro controller is described as having integrated elements, it will be appreciated that the memory and interface could be discrete elements, as is well known in the art. Also, the micro controller may alternatively comprise a microprocessor, a programmable logic device (PLD), a programmable logic array (PLA), a programmable logic controller (PLC) or other suitable device, generically referred to herein as a processor, each being well known in the art and the configuration of each being readily apparent to one skilled in the art.  
         [0030]     Micro controller  30  of controller  25 , upon detection by door switch  22  of opening and closing of the mini-bar door, initiates a picture(s). This may be a single picture or a series of pictures when the camera is mounted for scanning on the aforementioned tracks or multiple cameras are employed. The data for the picture(s) is then transmitted to the central server  62  ( FIG. 8 ) for processing. Controller  25  may also control a light in the mini-bar to be on while images are being acquired. This light may be the light internal to the mini-bar (as are commonly found in conventional mini-bars) or a light mounted at the interior of the mini-bar (which would be powered by the controller).  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , a gateway module  38  may be employed within the room  10 . Gateway module  38  includes a micro controller  40  having associated memory, i.e., random access memory (working memory) and non-volatile memory (boot-code and programming instructions) and an interface for providing data communication with a central floor switch  60  ( FIG. 8 ). A wireless transceiver  42  is connected to micro controller  40  for providing wireless (IR or RF) communication. Gateway module  38  is powered by a power regulator or supply  44  connected to line power, although gateway module  38  may be directly powered from an appropriate low voltage line (whereby the power regulator  44  could be eliminated). While a micro controller is described as having integrated elements, it will be appreciated that the memory and interface could be discrete elements, as is well known in the art. Also, micro controller may alternatively comprise a microprocessor, a programmable logic device (PLD), a programmable logic array (PLA), a programmable logic controller (PLC) or other suitable device, generically referred to herein as a processor, each being well known in the art and the configuration of each being readily apparent to one skilled in the art.  
         [0032]     Gateway module  38  communicates over the LAN in a suitable protocol (e.g., TCP/IP or UDP/IP, Inncom International, Inc&#39;s proprietary P5 Protocol, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, 802.15.4, Bluetooth, etc.) that is compatible with the central floor switch  60  ( FIG. 8 ), or directly or wirelessly via wireless mesh-net backbone and/or over an aforesaid suitable protocol to the central server  62 . Gateway module  38  interfaces with the LAN by way of conventional wiring or wireless communication configurations in a suitable protocol. Gateway module  38  communicates with the controller  25  via wired or wireless communication in a suitable protocol.  
         [0033]     Wireless IR communication may utilize, for example, the protocol described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,792, which is incorporated herein by reference. Digital iterative gain control such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/631,457, entitled Digital Iterative Gain Control, filed Jul. 30, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference, may also be utilized. Further, the infrared communication protocol may be the IR5 infrared protocol described in the above-referenced applications. Other infrared communication protocols may include IrDA, or the like.  
         [0034]     Wireless RF communication may utilize, for example, 802.11b radio frequency protocol, WI-FI, Bluetooth, ZigBee, 802.15.4 or any other suitable protocol.  
         [0035]     Wired communication may comprise any conventional wiring, (e.g., twisted-pair not shown). Alternatively, the gateway could be connected to electrical or telephone wiring for providing communication over such, as communication configurations and protocols on such wiring are known.  
         [0036]     Typically, the mini-bar is re-stocked after the occupant checks out, and the occupant is billed for the items that he or she consumed. Server  62  ( FIG. 8 ) processes the image data for review by staff, with each image being time and date stamped. These images may displayed at any computer terminal or display  76  configured to receive the images. Server  62  ( FIG. 8 ) executes programming instructions to determine if restocking of the mini-bar is required, e.g., the mini-bar door has been opened and the collected images indicate that items may have been removed. Thereby providing staff with a current ‘slide-show’ of the mini-bars, i.e., a virtual walk-through.  
         [0037]     Known image enhancement/processing techniques may be employed to add a visual-difference picture, highlighting the picture areas where actual changes are recognizable (for ease of picture interpretation). Also, a second set of images can be obtained in the IR domain for enhanced evaluation/tamper checks. For example, temperature changes may indicate that an item has been removed and replaced or that a liquid has been refilled to avoid a charge.  
         [0038]     Displaying a sequence of pictures at a front desk terminal may assist the front desk clerk at time of checkout to reconcile consumption disputes. For example, the image at 9:00 a.m. shows a particular item in the mini-bar and an image at 10:00 a.m. shows that the particular item is no longer in the mini-bar, whereby it must have been removed when the mini-bar was opened causing the latter picture to be taken.  
         [0039]     In an alternate embodiment, the server  62  ( FIG. 8 ) executes programming instructions to process the image data with a heuristic image interpretation for automated tracking of items in the mini-bar. From this heuristic image interpretation the server can generate a report of items in a mini-bar and/or items removed from the mini-bar. This report can be printed, displayed, and/or archived. Once the server determines that an item has been removed it can also generate a charge on the guest&#39;s account for the item through an interface between the central server  62  and a point-of-sale system. This would eliminate any staff member review of images to determine mini-bar status, as the process would be fully automated. The staff member would only have to review images in the event of a detected anomaly or dispute with a guest, as to which item(s) were consumed/removed from the mini-bar.  
         [0040]     With RF wireless communications, images can be transmitted and received by a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other portable communication device, which supports RF communication, carried by a staff member. This allows the staff member to visually inspect the mini-bar without entering the room, by viewing images or a report. More specifically, the staff member sends a command from the PDA to the controller  25  to collect image data and/or reporting data (which may be acquired at that time or previously stored). This data is collected and sent to the PDA, where the inquiring staff member views images and/or a report. Images are preferably only acquired when the mini-bar door is closed, in order to protect the privacy of the occupants/guests.  
         [0041]     With IR wireless communication a transceiver is used. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , an IR transceiver plate assembly  46  is generally shown, which includes an IR transceiver  48  and may also include a room number thereon. The IR transceiver is of the type described hereinbefore with respect to the controller  25  and the gateway module  38  for wireless IR communication. This would allow for wireless IR communication between the IR transceiver  48  and a PDA or other portable communication device carried by a staff member. The IR transceiver  48  may be hard wired or wirelessly connected to the controller  25  or the gateway module  38  for communication as described hereinbefore. This allows the staff member to visually inspect the mini-bar without entering the room, by viewing images or a report. More specifically, the staff member sends a command from the PDA to the IR transceiver  48 , thereby to the controller  25  to collect image data and/or reporting data (which may be acquired at that time or previously stored). This data is collected and sent through the IR transceiver  48  to the PDA, where the inquiring staff member views images and/or a report. Again, images are preferably only acquired when the mini-bar door is closed, in order to protect the privacy of the occupants/guests.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 7 , a display plate assembly  50  is generally shown, which includes a flat panel display  52  and may also include a room number thereon. Display plate assembly  50  includes a hidden switch  54 , which may be either mechanically, magnetically, or wireless (RF or optically, e.g., IR) triggered or queried, for activating the display  52 . Hidden switch  54  is mechanically activated when a staff member activates hidden switch  54  by depressing it. Hidden switch  54  can also be magnetically activated when the staff member activates the hidden switch  54  by placing a small, handheld magnet (not shown) near the hidden switch. This allows the staff member to visually inspect the mini-bar without entering the room, by viewing images or a report. More specifically, the staff member activates the switch causing a command to be sent to the controller  25  to collect image data and/or reporting data (which may be acquired at that time or previously stored). This data is collected and sent to the display  52 , where the inquiring staff member views images and/or a report. Again, images are preferably only acquired when the mini-bar door is closed, in order to protect the privacy of the occupants/guests.  
         [0043]     Display plate assembly  50  may be hardwired to the controller  25  or the gateway module  38  for communication, as described hereinbefore, for receiving the image data and/or reporting data for display. Display plate assembly  50  may alternatively include a micro controller and a wireless transceiver (as described hereinbefore with respect to the controller  25  and the gateway module  38 ) for RF wireless communication. This would allow for RF wireless communication between the display plate assembly  50  and the controller  25 , directly or through the gateway module  38 . The display plate assembly  50  is typically mounted at the wall in close proximity to the door of the room.  
         [0044]     The system of the invention may additionally or alternatively include a display device disposed within the room  10  by which an occupant of the room may access images of the interior of the mini-bar provided by the camera  24  and/or data or information relating to the images. The occupant display device may be any device which is suitable for displaying images, text, graphics, etc., such as a CRT monitor, an LED panel, etc. For example, the occupant display device may be a device such as the Guestroom Digital Assistant (GDA-700) commercially available from Inncom International, Inc. Alternatively, the occupant display device may comprise a television disposed in the room. Further alternatively, the occupant display device may comprise a monitor, display panel, or the like disposed on the mini-bar. The occupant display device is disposed communicatively within the system  70  ( FIG. 8 ) so as to receive the images and/or image information and image data from the micro controller  25 , the gateway  38 , the central server  62 , or the internet  78  by way of any wired or wireless modes described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the occupant display device may be configured to display information concerning items removed from or remaining in the mini-bar. Such information may comprise an itemized listing of removed items and/or a monetary amount(s) corresponding to the removed items and/or an itemized listing of items remaining in the mini-bar and/or a monetary amount(s) corresponding to the remaining items and/or any other information pertaining to the status of the mini-bar.  
         [0045]     It is within the scope of the present invention, that micro controller  30  of controller  25  perform much of the processing described herein as being performed at the server  62 . In such an embodiment micro controller  30  has sufficient processing power to accomplish the desired tasks. For example, micro controller  30  may process the image data with a heuristic image interpretation for automated tracking of items in the mini-bar, as described hereinbefore. Further, from this heuristic image interpretation the micro controller would generate a report of items in a mini-bar and/or items removed from the mini-bar. Again, this report can be printed, displayed, and/or archived.  
         [0046]     A log of the images could be generated and stored at the central server. This log would be useful for analyzing anomalies or resolving disputes with guests at a later time. Further, the log could be useful to a mini-bar service company or a lodging corporation for data mining purposes and/or consumption interpretation and folio posting (ASP model). The log could be sent directly to a mini-bar service company or a lodging corporation over the Internet, as described herein.  
         [0047]     If pictures/images are scheduled to be collected periodically, then such could be suspended when the room is not occupied. The central server has data as to the occupancy/rental status of a room, whereby it would send a command to the controller  25  to suspend collecting images. Controller  25  may be configured to provide an event message in response to some event. An event message may include the opening of a door to a mini-bar or that images have been obtained and are available, for example. Further, in a refrigerated mini-bar the level of cooling or the times the unit is run for cooling could be set, thereby providing energy savings. Such could be substantial in the larger multi-unit buildings.  
         [0048]      FIG. 8  depicts a centralized room control system or network  70 . System  70  may be of the type described in one or more of the following: International Application Serial No. PCT/US02/02354, filed on Jan. 24, 2002; International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US02/02264 filed on Jan. 24, 2002; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/470,111 filed on Jul. 23, 2003; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/470,109 filed on Jul. 23, 2003; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/263,940 filed on Jan. 24, 2001; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/323,872 filed on Sep. 21, 2001; all of which said applications are incorporated herein by reference. Building-level services such as, but not limited to, central electronic lock control, energy management, room control, and Internet access services may be provided to one or more rooms  10  throughout one or more hotels  72  (or other multi-unit building) over the same network. While the present example is directed to one or more hotels  72 , it will be recognized that the system  70  has application in a wide range of multi-unit buildings including, but not limited to, universities, health care, multi-dwelling units (MDUs), office, resort, and residential.  
         [0049]     As depicted in  FIG. 8 , the server  62  may be in communication with the Internet  78  by way of a modem  80 , as is well known, or by wireless means, as is also well known, whereby the server  62  may be accessed remotely.  
         [0050]     While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best modes contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7