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Interactive room status/time information system    
United States Patent4994908   
Link to this pagehttp://www.wikipatents.com/4994908.html
Inventor(s)Kuban; Curt M. (Snellville, GA); Ting; Jeffrey C. (Lawrenceville, GA); Williams; Fitzroy E. (Lawrenceville, GA); Johnson; Lee R. (Lawrenceville, GA); Smith; Elizabeth A. (Cumming, GA); Myers; Howard L. (Lawrenceville, GA)
AbstractAn interactive room status/time information system is provided having a terminal associated with a television comprising a processor for processing data, an associated memory for storing operation data and control algorithms, a keypad with remote control for inputting information, a character generator responsive to the processor for generating a multiple character, multiple line display, a power supply input, and a cable transmission link for communication at television frequencies with a system manager. A maid or inspector can send status information from a hotel/hospital room terminal over a cable television system to a system manager location. 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. Screens of compiled room status and historical data can be displayed at the system manager. Also, certain screens of room status data may be displayed on an associated television at the room terminal. Functions can be performed at the system manager location including searching stored status information for historical data of a particular room or maid. In accordance with a further time control feature of the present system, a hotel guest may actuate a wake-up mode of operation of a room terminal through a terminal keyboard or remote control. The system manager subsequently polls the terminal to determine if the room terminal is properly operating or if the wake-up alarm has been responded to. If not, hotel personnel may be dispatched to the room.
   














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Drawing from US Patent 4994908
Interactive room status/time information system - US Patent 4994908 Drawing
Interactive room status/time information system
Inventor     Kuban; Curt M. (Snellville, GA); Ting; Jeffrey C. (Lawrenceville, GA); Williams; Fitzroy E. (Lawrenceville, GA); Johnson; Lee R. (Lawrenceville, GA); Smith; Elizabeth A. (Cumming, GA); Myers; Howard L. (Lawrenceville, GA)
Owner/Assignee     Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. (Atlanta, GA)
Patent assignment
All assignments
Publication Date     February 19, 1991
Application Number     07/340,660
PAIR File History     Application Data   Transaction History
Image File Wrapper   Patent Term   Fees
Litigation
Filing Date     April 20, 1989
US Classification     725/83 725/82
Int'l Classification     H04N 007/10
Examiner     Ng; Jin F.
Assistant Examiner     Chan; Wing F.
Attorney/Law Firm     Banner, Birch, McKie & Beckett
Address
Parent Case     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 289,218, filed Dec. 23, 1988 and entitled "Automatic Interactive Television Terminal Configuration" and is related to U.S. application Ser. Nos.: 07/340,642, entitled "Cable Television Transaction Terminal"; 07/342,987, entitled "Storage Control Method and Apparatus for an Interactive Television Terminal"; 07/340,731, entitled "Terminal Authorization Method"; 07/340,987, entitled "Interactive Television Terminal with Programmable Background Audio or Video"; and 07/340,659, entitled "Terminal Polling Method" filed concurrently herewith.
Priority Data    
USPTO Field of Search     358/86 455/5 455/4
Patent Tags     interactive room status/time information
   
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Market Size
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