CA2291463A1 - Method and system for computer access - Google Patents
Method and system for computer access Download PDFInfo
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- CA2291463A1 CA2291463A1 CA 2291463 CA2291463A CA2291463A1 CA 2291463 A1 CA2291463 A1 CA 2291463A1 CA 2291463 CA2291463 CA 2291463 CA 2291463 A CA2291463 A CA 2291463A CA 2291463 A1 CA2291463 A1 CA 2291463A1
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- traveller
- hotel
- internet
- access
- bill
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/02—Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
Abstract
The present invention provides a novel system and method for accessing the Internet that is particuarly useful for travellers. In one embodiment, an information appliance located in the traveller's hotel room that has a dedicated Internet connection to an Internet service provider. Usage of the information appliance is charged on the traveller's hotel bill. In other embodiments of the invention, other applications can be rented to the traveller, and the charges for such rental can be charged directly to the traveller's hotel bill. A royalty the rental can be electronically remitted from the hotel and directly to the appropriate party.
Description
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMPUTER ACCESS
Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to computer services and more particularly relates to a system and method for providing computer access and Internet access to travellers.
Background of the Invention Internet access has become a integral part of a daily routine for many people.
Such access can be critical for people who rely on the Internet for information services such as email, weather reports, stock quotes, news reports and the like. It is believed that Internet use will only increase, as people become further dependant on the Internet for information services.
Internet access from the home is well-known, wherein a home-computer with a modem can be used to dial-in to an Internet service provider (ISP). High-speed Internet access is now readily available in homes, as home-computers equipped with cable-modems can obtain neax instantaneous Internet connections. Internet access from the office is also well known, wherein a office-computer with an ethernet connection can be connected to a corporate ISP affiliated with the office.
However, home-computer users and office-computer users face certain hurdles when travelling. Such travellers typically must carry a laptop computer with a modem in order to dial-up to their ISP. As known to those of skill in the art, Internet access through a laptop computer can be unreliable, slow, and expensive. For example, problems with software or hardware on the laptop computer cannot be readily addressed by a traveller, and as such, a faulty laptop computer can prevent the traveller from accessing his or her Internet account. Even if the laptop is fully functional, the traveller is faced with the additional burden of locating a telephone line and establishing a connection between the laptop and the traveller's ISP. When dialling long-distance, billing can be difficult to arrange, as the traveller's credit-card number may need to be preprogrammed into the dialing sequence of the laptop modem. Even once the traveller has established a connection, the physical distance between the traveller and the ISP may result in a poor and even slower-than-normal connection. As known to those of skill in the art, a dial-up telephone connection can rarely achieve speeds above 56kB, so even the fastest dial-up connections will be band-limited for a heavy Internet user. Traveller's using dial-up laptops from modems can face exorbitant long-distance telephone expenses when dialing their ISP using their hotel room telephone line. These problems are similar when using trains, planes or other modes of transportation.
Summary of the Invention It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novel method and system for providing computer access that obviates or mitigates at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.
In one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of providing access to a computer application to a traveller occupying a hospitality entity, the hospitality entity having an information appliance operable to execute the computer application, the method comprising the steps of:
presenting a menu on an output device of the information appliance, the access program offering at least one computer application to the traveller;
receiving a selection for one of the computer applications from the traveller;
loading an application onto the information appliance based on the selection;
recording a billing measurementrepresentative of the a fee for accessing the application; and, adding the billing measurement to a bill.
The hospitality entity can include hotels, motels, airports, planes and train stations. Other hospitality entities will occur to those of skill in the art.
The computer application can include a web-browser, a word-processor, a spread-sheet.
Other applications will occur to those of skill in the art.
The present invention provides a novel system and method for accessing the Internet that is particuarly useful for travellers. In one particular embodiment, an information appliance located in the traveller's hotel room that has a dedicated Internet connection to an Internet service provider.
Usage of the information appliance is charged on the traveller's hotel bill.
In other embodiments of the invention, other applications can be rented to the traveller, and the charges for such rental can be charged directly to the traveller's hotel bill. A royalty or other type of fee for the rental can be electronically remitted from the hotel and directly to the appropriate party.
Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be explained, by way of example only, with reference to certain embodiments and the attached Figures in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for providing Internet access to travellers in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of one of the Hotel LANs shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of one of the information appliances of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a flow-chart of a method of providing Internet access to travellers in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention Referring now to Figure 1, a system for providing Internet access to travellers is indicated generally at 20. System 20 includes an Internet service provider (ISP) 24 that is connected to at least one hotel local area network 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d via a communication link 28. It is presently preferred that communication link 28 is a fractional T1 link, however, other high-bandwith links will occur to those of skill in the art.
ISP 24 can be structured in any known format. In a present embodiment, ISP 24 includes a Hub server 32. A firewall 36 manages security between hub server 32 and a mail server 38, a primary DNS server 40 and a secondary DNS server 42. Hub server 32 is connected to the Internet 46 via a second communication link 48. Second communication link 48 is preferably a full T 1 link, however, other types of links will occur to those of skill in the art.
Each Hotel LAN 26a, 26b, 26c ... 26n is located in any one of a hotel, motel, bed & breakfast or any other type of traveller's lodging. (As used herein, the term 'hotel' should be construed broadly to include all types of traveller's lodgings.) Well-known hotel-chains suitable for Hotel LANs 26a, 26b, 26c ... 26n include RadissonTM, HiltonTM, Days-InnTM, Holiday-InnTM. Other hotel-chains and lodgings will occur to those of skill in the art. Each Hotel LAN
26a, 26b, 26c ... 26n can be located anywhere in the world, and are generally remotely located from ISP
24.
In a present embodiment, the architecture of Hotel LANs 26b, 26c ... 26n are substantially identical to hotel LAN 26a. Accordingly, for the purposes of simplifying the explanation of the present invention, only Hotel LAN 26awi11 be explained in detail. Referring now to Figure 2, Hotel LAN 26a includes an Internet server 52 that manages Internet access to a plurality of information appliances 54a, 54b, 54c ... 54m. Each information appliance 54a, 54b, 54c ...
54m is located in various guest-rooms, conference-rooms and other locations throughout the hotel, as desired. Internet server 52 is connected to communication link 28 and is operable to access Internet 46 via ISP 24.
1 S In turn, Internet server 52 is also operable to provide Internet access to each information appliance 54a, 54b, 54c ... 54m over a communication link 55. Communication link 55 can be based on any known architecture such as ethernet, ISDN, coaxial cable, as will occur to those of skill in the art.
Internet server 52 is also connected to a hotel-billing computer 56. Hotel-billing computer 56 is operable to determine any charges incurred by travellers during their stay at the hotel. Hotel-billing computer 56 includes a central processing unit, random access memory, a persistent storage device such as a hard-drive, one or more input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a credit-card reader, a television billing system for charging movies, a hotel-restaurant invoicing computer, hotel telephone system for charging fees for telephone calls. Hotel billing computer 56 also includes one or more output devices such as a printer and a monitor.
Hotel-billing computer 56 is operable to perform one or more conventional invoicing functions such as:
1) charges for each day a room is occupied by a traveller;
2) charges for meals consumed by the traveller;
3) charges for telephone calls made by the traveller;
Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to computer services and more particularly relates to a system and method for providing computer access and Internet access to travellers.
Background of the Invention Internet access has become a integral part of a daily routine for many people.
Such access can be critical for people who rely on the Internet for information services such as email, weather reports, stock quotes, news reports and the like. It is believed that Internet use will only increase, as people become further dependant on the Internet for information services.
Internet access from the home is well-known, wherein a home-computer with a modem can be used to dial-in to an Internet service provider (ISP). High-speed Internet access is now readily available in homes, as home-computers equipped with cable-modems can obtain neax instantaneous Internet connections. Internet access from the office is also well known, wherein a office-computer with an ethernet connection can be connected to a corporate ISP affiliated with the office.
However, home-computer users and office-computer users face certain hurdles when travelling. Such travellers typically must carry a laptop computer with a modem in order to dial-up to their ISP. As known to those of skill in the art, Internet access through a laptop computer can be unreliable, slow, and expensive. For example, problems with software or hardware on the laptop computer cannot be readily addressed by a traveller, and as such, a faulty laptop computer can prevent the traveller from accessing his or her Internet account. Even if the laptop is fully functional, the traveller is faced with the additional burden of locating a telephone line and establishing a connection between the laptop and the traveller's ISP. When dialling long-distance, billing can be difficult to arrange, as the traveller's credit-card number may need to be preprogrammed into the dialing sequence of the laptop modem. Even once the traveller has established a connection, the physical distance between the traveller and the ISP may result in a poor and even slower-than-normal connection. As known to those of skill in the art, a dial-up telephone connection can rarely achieve speeds above 56kB, so even the fastest dial-up connections will be band-limited for a heavy Internet user. Traveller's using dial-up laptops from modems can face exorbitant long-distance telephone expenses when dialing their ISP using their hotel room telephone line. These problems are similar when using trains, planes or other modes of transportation.
Summary of the Invention It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novel method and system for providing computer access that obviates or mitigates at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.
In one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of providing access to a computer application to a traveller occupying a hospitality entity, the hospitality entity having an information appliance operable to execute the computer application, the method comprising the steps of:
presenting a menu on an output device of the information appliance, the access program offering at least one computer application to the traveller;
receiving a selection for one of the computer applications from the traveller;
loading an application onto the information appliance based on the selection;
recording a billing measurementrepresentative of the a fee for accessing the application; and, adding the billing measurement to a bill.
The hospitality entity can include hotels, motels, airports, planes and train stations. Other hospitality entities will occur to those of skill in the art.
The computer application can include a web-browser, a word-processor, a spread-sheet.
Other applications will occur to those of skill in the art.
The present invention provides a novel system and method for accessing the Internet that is particuarly useful for travellers. In one particular embodiment, an information appliance located in the traveller's hotel room that has a dedicated Internet connection to an Internet service provider.
Usage of the information appliance is charged on the traveller's hotel bill.
In other embodiments of the invention, other applications can be rented to the traveller, and the charges for such rental can be charged directly to the traveller's hotel bill. A royalty or other type of fee for the rental can be electronically remitted from the hotel and directly to the appropriate party.
Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be explained, by way of example only, with reference to certain embodiments and the attached Figures in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for providing Internet access to travellers in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of one of the Hotel LANs shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of one of the information appliances of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a flow-chart of a method of providing Internet access to travellers in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention Referring now to Figure 1, a system for providing Internet access to travellers is indicated generally at 20. System 20 includes an Internet service provider (ISP) 24 that is connected to at least one hotel local area network 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d via a communication link 28. It is presently preferred that communication link 28 is a fractional T1 link, however, other high-bandwith links will occur to those of skill in the art.
ISP 24 can be structured in any known format. In a present embodiment, ISP 24 includes a Hub server 32. A firewall 36 manages security between hub server 32 and a mail server 38, a primary DNS server 40 and a secondary DNS server 42. Hub server 32 is connected to the Internet 46 via a second communication link 48. Second communication link 48 is preferably a full T 1 link, however, other types of links will occur to those of skill in the art.
Each Hotel LAN 26a, 26b, 26c ... 26n is located in any one of a hotel, motel, bed & breakfast or any other type of traveller's lodging. (As used herein, the term 'hotel' should be construed broadly to include all types of traveller's lodgings.) Well-known hotel-chains suitable for Hotel LANs 26a, 26b, 26c ... 26n include RadissonTM, HiltonTM, Days-InnTM, Holiday-InnTM. Other hotel-chains and lodgings will occur to those of skill in the art. Each Hotel LAN
26a, 26b, 26c ... 26n can be located anywhere in the world, and are generally remotely located from ISP
24.
In a present embodiment, the architecture of Hotel LANs 26b, 26c ... 26n are substantially identical to hotel LAN 26a. Accordingly, for the purposes of simplifying the explanation of the present invention, only Hotel LAN 26awi11 be explained in detail. Referring now to Figure 2, Hotel LAN 26a includes an Internet server 52 that manages Internet access to a plurality of information appliances 54a, 54b, 54c ... 54m. Each information appliance 54a, 54b, 54c ...
54m is located in various guest-rooms, conference-rooms and other locations throughout the hotel, as desired. Internet server 52 is connected to communication link 28 and is operable to access Internet 46 via ISP 24.
1 S In turn, Internet server 52 is also operable to provide Internet access to each information appliance 54a, 54b, 54c ... 54m over a communication link 55. Communication link 55 can be based on any known architecture such as ethernet, ISDN, coaxial cable, as will occur to those of skill in the art.
Internet server 52 is also connected to a hotel-billing computer 56. Hotel-billing computer 56 is operable to determine any charges incurred by travellers during their stay at the hotel. Hotel-billing computer 56 includes a central processing unit, random access memory, a persistent storage device such as a hard-drive, one or more input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a credit-card reader, a television billing system for charging movies, a hotel-restaurant invoicing computer, hotel telephone system for charging fees for telephone calls. Hotel billing computer 56 also includes one or more output devices such as a printer and a monitor.
Hotel-billing computer 56 is operable to perform one or more conventional invoicing functions such as:
1) charges for each day a room is occupied by a traveller;
2) charges for meals consumed by the traveller;
3) charges for telephone calls made by the traveller;
4) charges for films viewed by the traveller;
5) charges for laundry services used by the traveller; and 6) charges for mini-bar items consumed by the traveller.
Other hotel-billing functions performed by hotel-billing computer 56 will occur to those of skill in the art.
Hotel billing computer 56 is also operable to receive an input from Internet server 52. Thus, hotel billing computer 56 is also operable to invoice and/or receive payments for charges for Internet access incurred by a traveller accessing one or more information appliances 54a, 54b, 54c ... 54m.
It is presently preferred that hotel billing computer 56 also include an output to Internet server 52, and is thus operable to remit a payment for the Internet access from the traveller and directly to ISP
24.
In a present embodiment, information appliances 54b, 54c ... 54m are substantially identical to information appliance 54a. Accordingly, for the purposes of simplifying the explanation of the present invention, only information appliance 54a will be explained in detail.
Referring now to Figure 3, information appliance 54a includes a processing unit 60, a keyboard 62, a mouse 64, a monitor 66, speakers 68, a LAN connection 72 for connection to communication link 55, and a data cable 74. Processing unit 60 houses a central processing unit, random access memory, and read only memory. Processing unit 60 can be any known configuration of the aforementioned components, such as a Pentium 166MN1~~ computer with 64 megabytes of random access memory, and having an operating system, such as Windows 98, stored in a persistent storage device, such as a hard-disc drive, which loads the operating system upon actuation of processing unit 60.
Processing unit 60 further includes a web-browser, such as Netscape Communicator 4.5, that can be loaded over the operating system when initiated by an access program. The details of the access program will be discussed in greater detail below.
Processing unit 60 further includes a network interface card that is connected to LAN
connection 72, and provides a data communication conduit for the web-browser to load web-pages from the Internet. Processing unit 60 is operable to receive user input from keyboard 62 and mouse 64. It will be apparent that other user-input devices, other than or in addition to keyboard 62 and S
mouse 64 can be provided, as desired. User-input from these user-input devices can include instructions to browse web-sites via the web-browser.
Processing unit 60 is also operable to present user output to monitor 66 and speakers 68. It will be apparent that other user-output devices, other than or in addition to monitor 66 and speakers 68 can be provided, as desired. User-output to these devices can include visual content from web pages delivered to monitor 66, and/or audio content from web-pages and delivered to speakers 68.
Processing unit 60 also includes an access program that is stored on the persistent storage device. The access program is operable to present a menu of choices to a travellerusing information appliance 54a. At least one of the choices available to the traveller is whether the traveller wishes to access the web-browser. Typically, the access program will inform the traveller of the fees that will be charged and added to the traveller's bill if the traveller chooses to access the web-browser.
The access program is further operable to initiate the web-browser and allow the traveller to interact therewith, should the traveller choose to access the web-browser. The access program is further operable to monitor when the traveller finishes accessing the web-browser and to report such 1 S information to the hotel-billing computer 56 via the Internet server 52.
Data cable 74 is connected to a peripheral port on processing unit 60, such as a serial port, parallel port, USB port or the like. The free end of data cable 74 includes a plug to fit into a mating port on a laptop computer or other portable computing device carried by the traveller occupying the room respective to information appliance 54a. Thus processing unit 60 is further operable to download and/or upload data from a portable computing device carried by the traveller that is connected to data cable 74. A suitable software program for managing data communication between appliance 54a and the portable computing device is LapLinkTM. Typically, the data communication software can be initiated via the access program. Other data communication software will occur to those of skill in the art.
A method of providing Internet access to a traveller will now be discussed with reference the foregoing system 20 and the flow-chart shown in Figure 4. For purposes of the explaining the present embodiment, itwill assumed that information appliance 54a is located on the desk of a hotel room, and that a traveller has checked into the same hotel room. It is further assumed that information appliance 54a is 'on', and that the access program is running. The access program presents a menu of choices on monitor 66 to the traveller. One of the choices available to the traveller is an option to access the Internet. It is presently preferred that the access program include a list of prices for Internet access and can include terms of access.
At step 100, it is determined whether Internet access has been selected.
Typically, the S selection will be made by using mouse 64 or keyboard 62 to make the appropriate selection on the access program. While not a critical feature of the present invention, the access program can require one or more confirmations that the traveller is certain he or she wishes to access the Internet. If access program does not determine that the traveller has selected to access the Internet, then the method returns to step 100 and awaits for further input from the traveller.
If, however, the traveller selects Internet access then the method proceeds to step 110.
At step 110, the access program instructs processing unit 60 to load the web-browser and to offer access to the web-browser to the traveller. At this point, the traveller can enter "urls" or point and click to various web-sites and interact with the web-browser in the usual fashion. A traveller can also access his or her personal email using an Internet-based email account, such as hotmailTM
or yahooTM. If such a service is available through the Internet-based email account, the traveller can also access a personal POP3 email account with his or her home or office Internet service provider.
The web-browser may include a default home page that offers the traveller a range of information about local attractions and restaurants proximal to the hotel where the traveller is staying. Such services may include, for example, restaurant listings, maps, movie theatres, airport information, weather reports and the like. The service may also include access to the hotel intra-net, where the traveller can review and/or pay the hotel bill, make future reservations, order room-service and so forth. It is presently preferred that the default home page prominently displays the trade-mark of the hotel where the traveller is staying.
The web-browser also offers a selection that allows the traveller to terminate the Internet access.
At step 120, a billing measurement is modified. In a presently preferred embodiment, the billing measurement is modified to reflect of the amount of time that the traveller has accessed the Internet. At step 130, it is determined whether the traveller has terminated access to the Internet.
If the access has not been terminated, then the method returns to step 120 and the billing measurement is modified to reflect the additional time that the traveller has accessed the Internet.
It is to be understood that a variety of billing measurements can be effected, and accordingly, the exact sequence of steps 120 and 130 can vary, and such variations are within the scope of the invention. For example, the traveller may be offered a daily flat-rate access of the Internet.
S Returning again to step 130, if the traveller terminates Internet access then the method moves to step 140. At step 140, a billing entry reflecting the traveller's use of the Internet is added to the traveller's hotel bill. In a presently preferred embodiment, the billing measurement determined at step 120 is forwarded to the hotel-billing computer 56. Accordingly, when the traveller checks-out of the hotel, the billing measurement determined at step 120 will appear as a charge on the traveller's final hotel bill.
In another embodiment of the invention, the traveller can download a file from information appliance 54a to his or her personal laptop. In the present embodiment, the traveller accesses the Internet as previously described. During access of the Internet the traveller can choose to download a file from a remote location using any known means in the art, such as saving an email attachment 1 S to an Internet-based email account or by downloading a file from a website. Upon selecting to download the file it is transferred over the Internet and down to a persisent storage device on processing unit 60. At this point, the traveller can choose to terminate Internet access in the previously described manner. Next, the traveller connects data cable 74 to his orherpersonal laptop.
The traveller can then use the access program to select the data communication program and download the file from processing unit 60 to the laptop. The access program can further include functionality to add an additional charge to the traveller's hotel bill for using this feature of information appliance 54a. It will now be apparent that the traveller can upload files to the Internet by using a similar sequence of steps.
In another embodiment of the invention, all or a portion of the fee received from the traveller forthe use of information appliance 54a can be directly remitted using any secure electronic payment means. The payment will typically be from hotel billing computer 56 to ISP 24 via hotel Internet server 52. Other means of payment will occur to those of skill in the art.
While the embodiments discussed herein are directed to particular implementations of the present invention, itwill be apparent that the sub-sets and variations to these embodiments are within the scope of the invention. For example, information appliance 54a can be used to 'rent' a variety of applications to the traveller in lieu of or in addition to a web-browser.
Such applications can be either hosted locally on information appliance 54a or can be hosted remotely at ISP 24. Other rented applications can include word-processors, spread-sheets, drawing packages, presentation software.
Fees for 'renting' the software can be added directly to the traveller's bill, and appropriate royalties can be remitted electronically directly to the respective copyright holder of the software, with a service charge being rendered by the hotel and/or ISP 24.
Alternatively, the Internet access and/or renting of other software applications can be incorporated directly as a flat fee into the hotel room rate, and the services offered on the information appliance can be freely available to the traveller. Alternatively, no fee need be charged for use of the information appliance, and the information appliance can simply be another amenity offered in the hotel room. It is also contemplated that the access program can offer a range of services to the traveller, each service being charged at different levels of fees.
Furthermore, a variation of hotel LAN 26a can be implemented in a variety of different places frequented by travellers. For example, LAN 26a can be located in an airport lounge or a train-station, whereby a fee can be charged by swiping a credit-card through a read attached to the information appliance connected to the LAN. Alternatively, LAN 26a can be incorporated into seating on airplane or train. Other locations frequented by travellers and suitable for LAN26a will occur to those of skill in the art.
It is also contemplated that the ISP providing Internet access for each hotel can host its own web-site that is accessible to travellers. The ISP's website can offer a variety of e-commerce services that are external to the hotel, such as travel bookings, gift purchases and stock trading. Othre e-commerce services will occur to those of skill in the art.
Another variation of hotel LAN 26a can be implemented in a condominium or neighborhood of residences. Fees can be charged to each condominium owner with an information appliance as part of their metered services, or they can be incorporated into monthly condominium maintenance fees.
The present invention provides a novel system and method for accessing the Internet. The present invention is particularly suited to the needs of a traveller wishing to access the Internet, by providing a high-speed Internet connection that can be readily accessed by the traveller. When placed in a hotel room, the traveller can access the Internet without the need for configuring his or her portable computer or laptop to interface with the hotel telephone system.
By offering a higher bandwidth than conventional telephone lines, the traveller can download files to his or her portable computer with relative ease via the Internet enabled information appliance in the hotel room. When the traveller checks out of the hotel, he is presented with a convenient summary of charges for Internet access, and avoids paying telephone charges in conjunction with using the traveller's portable computer. Additionally, the traveller can access the Internet without tying up the telephone line in the hotel room.
Other hotel-billing functions performed by hotel-billing computer 56 will occur to those of skill in the art.
Hotel billing computer 56 is also operable to receive an input from Internet server 52. Thus, hotel billing computer 56 is also operable to invoice and/or receive payments for charges for Internet access incurred by a traveller accessing one or more information appliances 54a, 54b, 54c ... 54m.
It is presently preferred that hotel billing computer 56 also include an output to Internet server 52, and is thus operable to remit a payment for the Internet access from the traveller and directly to ISP
24.
In a present embodiment, information appliances 54b, 54c ... 54m are substantially identical to information appliance 54a. Accordingly, for the purposes of simplifying the explanation of the present invention, only information appliance 54a will be explained in detail.
Referring now to Figure 3, information appliance 54a includes a processing unit 60, a keyboard 62, a mouse 64, a monitor 66, speakers 68, a LAN connection 72 for connection to communication link 55, and a data cable 74. Processing unit 60 houses a central processing unit, random access memory, and read only memory. Processing unit 60 can be any known configuration of the aforementioned components, such as a Pentium 166MN1~~ computer with 64 megabytes of random access memory, and having an operating system, such as Windows 98, stored in a persistent storage device, such as a hard-disc drive, which loads the operating system upon actuation of processing unit 60.
Processing unit 60 further includes a web-browser, such as Netscape Communicator 4.5, that can be loaded over the operating system when initiated by an access program. The details of the access program will be discussed in greater detail below.
Processing unit 60 further includes a network interface card that is connected to LAN
connection 72, and provides a data communication conduit for the web-browser to load web-pages from the Internet. Processing unit 60 is operable to receive user input from keyboard 62 and mouse 64. It will be apparent that other user-input devices, other than or in addition to keyboard 62 and S
mouse 64 can be provided, as desired. User-input from these user-input devices can include instructions to browse web-sites via the web-browser.
Processing unit 60 is also operable to present user output to monitor 66 and speakers 68. It will be apparent that other user-output devices, other than or in addition to monitor 66 and speakers 68 can be provided, as desired. User-output to these devices can include visual content from web pages delivered to monitor 66, and/or audio content from web-pages and delivered to speakers 68.
Processing unit 60 also includes an access program that is stored on the persistent storage device. The access program is operable to present a menu of choices to a travellerusing information appliance 54a. At least one of the choices available to the traveller is whether the traveller wishes to access the web-browser. Typically, the access program will inform the traveller of the fees that will be charged and added to the traveller's bill if the traveller chooses to access the web-browser.
The access program is further operable to initiate the web-browser and allow the traveller to interact therewith, should the traveller choose to access the web-browser. The access program is further operable to monitor when the traveller finishes accessing the web-browser and to report such 1 S information to the hotel-billing computer 56 via the Internet server 52.
Data cable 74 is connected to a peripheral port on processing unit 60, such as a serial port, parallel port, USB port or the like. The free end of data cable 74 includes a plug to fit into a mating port on a laptop computer or other portable computing device carried by the traveller occupying the room respective to information appliance 54a. Thus processing unit 60 is further operable to download and/or upload data from a portable computing device carried by the traveller that is connected to data cable 74. A suitable software program for managing data communication between appliance 54a and the portable computing device is LapLinkTM. Typically, the data communication software can be initiated via the access program. Other data communication software will occur to those of skill in the art.
A method of providing Internet access to a traveller will now be discussed with reference the foregoing system 20 and the flow-chart shown in Figure 4. For purposes of the explaining the present embodiment, itwill assumed that information appliance 54a is located on the desk of a hotel room, and that a traveller has checked into the same hotel room. It is further assumed that information appliance 54a is 'on', and that the access program is running. The access program presents a menu of choices on monitor 66 to the traveller. One of the choices available to the traveller is an option to access the Internet. It is presently preferred that the access program include a list of prices for Internet access and can include terms of access.
At step 100, it is determined whether Internet access has been selected.
Typically, the S selection will be made by using mouse 64 or keyboard 62 to make the appropriate selection on the access program. While not a critical feature of the present invention, the access program can require one or more confirmations that the traveller is certain he or she wishes to access the Internet. If access program does not determine that the traveller has selected to access the Internet, then the method returns to step 100 and awaits for further input from the traveller.
If, however, the traveller selects Internet access then the method proceeds to step 110.
At step 110, the access program instructs processing unit 60 to load the web-browser and to offer access to the web-browser to the traveller. At this point, the traveller can enter "urls" or point and click to various web-sites and interact with the web-browser in the usual fashion. A traveller can also access his or her personal email using an Internet-based email account, such as hotmailTM
or yahooTM. If such a service is available through the Internet-based email account, the traveller can also access a personal POP3 email account with his or her home or office Internet service provider.
The web-browser may include a default home page that offers the traveller a range of information about local attractions and restaurants proximal to the hotel where the traveller is staying. Such services may include, for example, restaurant listings, maps, movie theatres, airport information, weather reports and the like. The service may also include access to the hotel intra-net, where the traveller can review and/or pay the hotel bill, make future reservations, order room-service and so forth. It is presently preferred that the default home page prominently displays the trade-mark of the hotel where the traveller is staying.
The web-browser also offers a selection that allows the traveller to terminate the Internet access.
At step 120, a billing measurement is modified. In a presently preferred embodiment, the billing measurement is modified to reflect of the amount of time that the traveller has accessed the Internet. At step 130, it is determined whether the traveller has terminated access to the Internet.
If the access has not been terminated, then the method returns to step 120 and the billing measurement is modified to reflect the additional time that the traveller has accessed the Internet.
It is to be understood that a variety of billing measurements can be effected, and accordingly, the exact sequence of steps 120 and 130 can vary, and such variations are within the scope of the invention. For example, the traveller may be offered a daily flat-rate access of the Internet.
S Returning again to step 130, if the traveller terminates Internet access then the method moves to step 140. At step 140, a billing entry reflecting the traveller's use of the Internet is added to the traveller's hotel bill. In a presently preferred embodiment, the billing measurement determined at step 120 is forwarded to the hotel-billing computer 56. Accordingly, when the traveller checks-out of the hotel, the billing measurement determined at step 120 will appear as a charge on the traveller's final hotel bill.
In another embodiment of the invention, the traveller can download a file from information appliance 54a to his or her personal laptop. In the present embodiment, the traveller accesses the Internet as previously described. During access of the Internet the traveller can choose to download a file from a remote location using any known means in the art, such as saving an email attachment 1 S to an Internet-based email account or by downloading a file from a website. Upon selecting to download the file it is transferred over the Internet and down to a persisent storage device on processing unit 60. At this point, the traveller can choose to terminate Internet access in the previously described manner. Next, the traveller connects data cable 74 to his orherpersonal laptop.
The traveller can then use the access program to select the data communication program and download the file from processing unit 60 to the laptop. The access program can further include functionality to add an additional charge to the traveller's hotel bill for using this feature of information appliance 54a. It will now be apparent that the traveller can upload files to the Internet by using a similar sequence of steps.
In another embodiment of the invention, all or a portion of the fee received from the traveller forthe use of information appliance 54a can be directly remitted using any secure electronic payment means. The payment will typically be from hotel billing computer 56 to ISP 24 via hotel Internet server 52. Other means of payment will occur to those of skill in the art.
While the embodiments discussed herein are directed to particular implementations of the present invention, itwill be apparent that the sub-sets and variations to these embodiments are within the scope of the invention. For example, information appliance 54a can be used to 'rent' a variety of applications to the traveller in lieu of or in addition to a web-browser.
Such applications can be either hosted locally on information appliance 54a or can be hosted remotely at ISP 24. Other rented applications can include word-processors, spread-sheets, drawing packages, presentation software.
Fees for 'renting' the software can be added directly to the traveller's bill, and appropriate royalties can be remitted electronically directly to the respective copyright holder of the software, with a service charge being rendered by the hotel and/or ISP 24.
Alternatively, the Internet access and/or renting of other software applications can be incorporated directly as a flat fee into the hotel room rate, and the services offered on the information appliance can be freely available to the traveller. Alternatively, no fee need be charged for use of the information appliance, and the information appliance can simply be another amenity offered in the hotel room. It is also contemplated that the access program can offer a range of services to the traveller, each service being charged at different levels of fees.
Furthermore, a variation of hotel LAN 26a can be implemented in a variety of different places frequented by travellers. For example, LAN 26a can be located in an airport lounge or a train-station, whereby a fee can be charged by swiping a credit-card through a read attached to the information appliance connected to the LAN. Alternatively, LAN 26a can be incorporated into seating on airplane or train. Other locations frequented by travellers and suitable for LAN26a will occur to those of skill in the art.
It is also contemplated that the ISP providing Internet access for each hotel can host its own web-site that is accessible to travellers. The ISP's website can offer a variety of e-commerce services that are external to the hotel, such as travel bookings, gift purchases and stock trading. Othre e-commerce services will occur to those of skill in the art.
Another variation of hotel LAN 26a can be implemented in a condominium or neighborhood of residences. Fees can be charged to each condominium owner with an information appliance as part of their metered services, or they can be incorporated into monthly condominium maintenance fees.
The present invention provides a novel system and method for accessing the Internet. The present invention is particularly suited to the needs of a traveller wishing to access the Internet, by providing a high-speed Internet connection that can be readily accessed by the traveller. When placed in a hotel room, the traveller can access the Internet without the need for configuring his or her portable computer or laptop to interface with the hotel telephone system.
By offering a higher bandwidth than conventional telephone lines, the traveller can download files to his or her portable computer with relative ease via the Internet enabled information appliance in the hotel room. When the traveller checks out of the hotel, he is presented with a convenient summary of charges for Internet access, and avoids paying telephone charges in conjunction with using the traveller's portable computer. Additionally, the traveller can access the Internet without tying up the telephone line in the hotel room.
Claims (15)
- We Claim:
A method for providing internet access to a traveller occupying a hotel room, said hotel room having an information appliance operable to provide said internet access, said method comprising the steps of:
presenting a menu on an output device of said information appliance, said menu offering Internet access to said traveller;
loading a web-browser onto said information appliance when said traveller uses an input device to select said internet access;
recording a billing measurement representative of said internet access;
terminating said web-browser when said traveller elects to terminate said Internet access; and, adding said billing measurement to a hotel bill. - 2. A computer system for generating a hotel bill comprising:
an input device for receiving data representative of hotel services utilized by a traveller, at least one of said hotel services being internet access;
a processing unit operably connected to receive sad data from said input device;
said processing unit being further operable to perform an operation that considers said hotel services to determine a total bill owing by said traveller; and an output device for presenting said bill to said traveller. - 3.The computer system according to claim 2 further including an electronic payment input device for receiving an electronic payment for said bill;
- 4. The computer system according to claim 4 wherein said processing unit is operable to remit at least a portion of said bill to a third-party, said at least a portion of said bill representing a payment in consideration of said internet access.
- 5. An information appliance for providing internet access to a traveller in a hotel room, said appliance comprising:
an input device operable to receive user-input from said traveller;
a processing unit operably connected to said input device to receive said user-input therefrom;
an output device operable to present user-output to said traveller;
said processing unit operably connected to said output device to deliver said user-output thereto;
said processing unit having network interface card for connection to the internet, said processing unit being further operable to load and execute an operating system and an access program, said access program offering internet access to said traveller, such that when said traveller selects said Internet access program said processing unit loads and executes a web-browser that accesses the internet via said network interface card and is operable to allow said traveller to interact with said web-browser via said input device and said output device. - 6. The information appliance of claim 5 wherein said access program is further operable to determine a fee to be charged to said traveller based on said internet access
- 7. The information appliance of claim 5 further including a data communication cable connected at one end to a data port in said processing unit and connectable to a portable computer at a free end, said access program being further operable to offer a data communication application to said traveller such that when said traveller selects said data communication application and connects said data port to said portable computer, said traveller can transfer data files between said information appliance and said processing unit.
- 8. A method of providing access to a computer application to a traveller occupying a hospitality entity, said hospitality entity having an information appliance operable to execute said computer application, said method comprising the steps of:
presenting a menu on an output device of said information appliance, said menu offering at least one computer application to said traveller;
receiving a selection for one of said computer applications from said traveller;
loading an application onto said information appliance based on said selection;
recording a billing measurement representative of said a fee for accessing said application;
and, adding said billing measurement to a bill. - 9. The method according to claim 8 wherein said hospitality entity is a hotel.
- 10. The method according to claim 9 wherein said bill is a hotel bill and further comprising the step of issuing said bill to said traveller.
- 11. The method according to claim 10 further comprising the step of remitting a royalty to a licensor of said computer application.
- 12. The method according to claim 8 wherein said hospitality entity is a train.
- 13. The method according to claim 8 wherein said hospitality entity is a condominium.
- 14. The method according to claim 8 wherein one of said at least one computer applications is a web-browser operable to access the internet.
- 15. The method according to claim 8 wherein one of said at least one computer applications is a word-processor.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2291463 CA2291463A1 (en) | 1999-12-02 | 1999-12-02 | Method and system for computer access |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2291463 CA2291463A1 (en) | 1999-12-02 | 1999-12-02 | Method and system for computer access |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2291463A1 true CA2291463A1 (en) | 2001-06-02 |
Family
ID=4164782
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2291463 Abandoned CA2291463A1 (en) | 1999-12-02 | 1999-12-02 | Method and system for computer access |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2291463A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7596566B1 (en) | 2005-02-24 | 2009-09-29 | Rearden Commerce, Inc. | System and method for flexible handling of rules and regulations in labor hiring |
| US7660743B1 (en) | 2004-10-15 | 2010-02-09 | Rearden Commerce, Inc. | System for optimization of cost management |
| US7743002B2 (en) | 2005-02-24 | 2010-06-22 | Rearden Commerce, Inc. | Method and system for testing of policies to determine cost savings |
| US7937330B2 (en) | 2005-07-22 | 2011-05-03 | Rearden Commerce, Inc. | System and method for optimization of group shipments to reduce shipping costs |
| US7966213B2 (en) | 2006-10-16 | 2011-06-21 | Rearden Commerce, Inc. | System and method for automatic review of travel changes and improved suggestions and rules set |
| US8126776B2 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2012-02-28 | Rearden Commerce, Inc. | Method and systems for personal restaurant assistant |
| US9161994B1 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2015-10-20 | Deem, Inc. | Cost model analysis and breakdown for cost buildup |
| US9226975B1 (en) * | 2004-09-17 | 2016-01-05 | Deem, Inc. | Apparatus and method to provide community pricing |
-
1999
- 1999-12-02 CA CA 2291463 patent/CA2291463A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9226975B1 (en) * | 2004-09-17 | 2016-01-05 | Deem, Inc. | Apparatus and method to provide community pricing |
| US7660743B1 (en) | 2004-10-15 | 2010-02-09 | Rearden Commerce, Inc. | System for optimization of cost management |
| US7596566B1 (en) | 2005-02-24 | 2009-09-29 | Rearden Commerce, Inc. | System and method for flexible handling of rules and regulations in labor hiring |
| US7743002B2 (en) | 2005-02-24 | 2010-06-22 | Rearden Commerce, Inc. | Method and system for testing of policies to determine cost savings |
| US9161994B1 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2015-10-20 | Deem, Inc. | Cost model analysis and breakdown for cost buildup |
| US7937330B2 (en) | 2005-07-22 | 2011-05-03 | Rearden Commerce, Inc. | System and method for optimization of group shipments to reduce shipping costs |
| US8126776B2 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2012-02-28 | Rearden Commerce, Inc. | Method and systems for personal restaurant assistant |
| US7966213B2 (en) | 2006-10-16 | 2011-06-21 | Rearden Commerce, Inc. | System and method for automatic review of travel changes and improved suggestions and rules set |
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