DE3401319A1 - Device for the settling of accounts and administration of services and/or goods, particularly in nursing institutions, hotels or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for the settling of accounts and administration of services and/or goods is described by means of which the settling of accounts of virtually all services provided in a nursing or recuperation home but also for all goods being issued via automatic machines is to be made possible. To achieve this, at least one computer (1) is provided which is connected to freely programmable and/or pre-programmed service facilities such as, for example, telephone (9), video devices (8) or devices (7) for issuing orders and/or output devices (14) with interposition of a release device (10, 12, 16, 12') which are provided with a reader (6) for reading a customer-specific identification in the form of a magnetic card or the like and the release device (10, 12, 16, 12') responding to a release signal from the computer (1) and enabling the service to be consumed or goods to be removed, the computer (1) being connected to memories associated with individual services and/or the removable goods with fixed costs and/or devices (13, 13') acquiring charges of variable-cost services such as, for example, telephone charges, and to memories (2, 2<1>...2<n>) allocated to one customer each and connected to at least one input device (3). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a device for billing

and administration of services and / or goods in particular in nursing homes, hotels or the like.

In nursing homes or convalescent homes it was previously common for Issuing receipts for various services or goods and for rendering them collect certain services.

However, there is the disadvantage that the receipt and the Settling the receipts is associated with considerable administrative effort. aside from that it is not possible for without a disproportionately large administrative burden all possible services that may arise or that are issued via vending machines Goods to be issued tokens, so that e.g.

Patients in a convalescent home cannot do without, even within the home Cash. Another disadvantage of the receipt system is that that it only makes sense for goods and services with fixed prices to but for services with variable costs, such as telephone, considerable difficulties result.

The aim of the invention is a device of the type mentioned at the beginning Kind of suggesting the billing of practically everyone, e.g. in a nursing or Recreational home-related services, but also for everyone via vending machines Issue of arriving goods enables.

According to the invention, this is achieved in that at least one computer is provided with freely programmable and resp.

or fixed-programmed service facilities, such as

Telephone, video equipment or equipment for placing orders and / or output devices with the interposition of a release device tied together is that with a reading device for reading a customer-specific Identifier, e.g. a magnetic card or the like., And the response to a release signal from the computer appealing, which enables the consumption of the service or the withdrawal Release devices are provided and the computer perform with individual nionqt and / or storages and associated with the removable goods with fixed costs or or fees for variable-cost services, such as telephone charges recording facilities as well as each assigned to a customer and with at least an input device connected memory is connected. That way is it is possible, for example, for a patient to deposit a sum of money and, by means of his Identification of various services, such as telephone, television, or e.g. orders for drinks or personal services can consume, using the calculator always before the desired service is released or the desired one is issued Goods through a machine checks whether this is covered by the deposited amount of money is. It can also be provided that the customer-specific identifier is its ATM or credit card is used and the individual services directly with it Bank account to be settled. Another possibility is that the Computer emits the release signal if the corresponding customer-specific memory is ready to take over the billing value of the requested service.

In this case, a check is carried out before the service is released the counter reading corresponding to the customer's account balance and it is unnecessary also the deposit of a final amount by the customer before the use of services but these are billed retrospectively. Such a way of operating the The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for hotels or the like.

According to a further feature of the invention it is provided that individual Terminals assigned to customers and connected to the computer with a reading device for reading customer-specific identifiers and one or more release devices as possibly a display and one with this and that reading device connectable to the memory assigned to the customer identified by the identifier are provided for reading out the value stored in this memory.

For example, such a terminal can be arranged in every room, whereby it is possible that the customer or patient always has his current account balance can retrieve. In addition, one of the release devices can also be used for forwarding of orders, e.g. for drinks. In this way it is possible that the order that is entered in the terminal is only after checking the account of the customer for appropriate coverage by the computer this order by the Release device assigned to such orders forwards the entered order. In this case too, it is of course also possible to operate in such a way that the Computer emits the release signal if the corresponding customer-specific memory ready to accept the value corresponding to the order placed is, or has already adopted it.

Furthermore, with such a terminal it is also possible to do the anyway for the connection of the terminal with the computer, as well as with other facilities Existing signal lines can also be used for a house call system, which means that there is no need to lay separate cables.

This also gives rise to the possibility, for example, in hospitals and the like Establish the device according to the invention in the nurse call systems customary there to integrate, with the patient devices of these systems as terminals for multiple use can be interpreted. Such terminals can be used in addition to the previously known Options such as calling the nursing staff, switching lighting circuits, Switching of a loudspeaker system for listening to radio programs, Manufacturing a voice connection with the nursing staff, etc.

also the release of services with automatic billing, such as telephone, television etc .. can be accomplished. The terminal can do this be equipped with a single headset, which is used for both the handling for Discussions with the nursing staff as well as internal and external telephone calls are used. The facilities required for recording fees can be arranged centrally be.

In this context it should be noted that after another Feature of the invention can be provided that services and goods offering Devices with reading devices for customer-specific identifications as well as with release devices are equipped and any fee recording devices assigned to the devices are arranged centrally, possibly with several similar devices a common fee collection device is assigned, whereby with a Minimum effort that is sufficient. In addition, commercially available Retrofit devices with little effort.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the computer is connected to a monitoring device with a display and preferably a printer and one with a dialing device for dialing any customer allocated memory is provided and that one with the dialing device and reading device which can be connected to the display and / or the printer for reading out the memory content is provided. This way it is easy and quick verification of the accounts of the individual customers or patients by the administration as well as the printing of statements is possible.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, further provision can be made be that at least one release device via the selection device of the monitoring device settable and erasable memory is assigned, the one with the assigned Reading device connected comparison circuit is connected, which when match the identifier entered into the memory or parts of the same with that of the reading device read-out identifier applies a blocking signal to the release device. To this In this way it is possible to exclude certain customers from certain services. For example, patients can start up after eye operations or certain treatments a television set in the room to be made impossible if this is necessary for medical reasons, or it can e.g. in hotels Adolescents can e.g. operate vending machines that dispense alcoholic beverages made impossible. In this context, there is also the possibility certain parts of the customer-specific identification e.g. by the identification of Young people and this part in the release facilities certain Service facilities, such as facilities for dispensing alcoholic Enter beverages, cigarettes, etc. associated memories, whereby the comparison circuit when reading out the corresponding part of the identifier by the reading device Release blocks.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the monitoring device at least has a signal generator, which preferably has a programmable time-dependent Control is controlled, and at least one group of a particular service associated release devices each connected to a flip-flop are the a signal from the signal generator changes its switching state and in one of its applies a blocking signal to the release device in both switching states. This allows certain services are also generally blocked, e.g. at certain times.

For example, it could be used to operate televisions in a rest home E.g. tied underneath after 10 p.m.

A further embodiment of the invention is also possible in such a way that that at least one group of release devices assigned to a specific service can be acted upon directly by the monitoring device with a release signal. This makes it possible to choose certain services, which are usually chargeable also to offer free of charge, such as radio or television reception for certain Times.

In principle, it can also be provided that for controlling the individual release devices several decentralized computers intended who work in the same way or on an equal footing, control each other, Assigned differently or differently to specific areas or services Organizational forms are adapted, whereby it is possible for already existing Systems intended to use computers for the system according to the invention. on the other hand can also arrange a separate central computer for the inventive Device can also be provided, or that die'Rechner simultaneously as control units are used for other communication systems, which may have a central or area-wise Have control.

In order to keep the installation effort low, further provision can be made be that the installation cables to connect the computer or computers with the Reading devices and the release devices at the same time also for connection from parts of other systems, such as house call, nurse call and the like.

A particularly low administrative effort for billing the various Services arises when the stores assigned to the individual customers connected input device (s) a cash dispenser to which a reading device is assigned, as well as possibly one connected to the computer (s) Identification output device comprises or comprise, as in this way the deposit can be carried out by the customer alone with practically no personnel.

The output of the customer-specific identifier can also be done without own staff. For this purpose, it is sufficient, for example, for the customer to provide his data via a Keyboard, whereby the computer reserves a memory and a corresponding Identifies the input device and via the identifier output device direction e.g. in the form of a Maanet map.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing.

1 shows schematically a first embodiment of the invention with a central computer, FIG. 2 an embodiment with a decentralized computer, Fig :. 3, 4 and 5 schematically different possibilities of connection or information the device according to the invention with existing communication systems, and F. 6 schematically an embodiment with remote control.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, there are a large number on the computer 1 Stores 2, 2, 22 2n assigned to individual customers or 1 2 n patients, which can also be brought to any desired status via an input device 3 can. For example, the input device 3 can be used by the customer or patient entered amount. The input device can also use equipped with a printer to print out a receipt for the deposited amount be. Furthermore, the input device 3 is connected to the computer 1, so that e.g.

stored by different customers or patients over the course of a day Amounts can be added up and printed out for accounting purposes. the Input device can be a reading device with a cash input machine 22 6 is assigned to be provided. This makes it possible for a deposit via the cash dispenser 22 manage without staff and the deposited amount to transmit to the computer the corresponding to the identifier read out identified memory accordingly. Furthermore, the input device 3 be provided with an identifier output device 23, which after entering the data of a customer and assignment of a. certain memory 2n by the computer a issues the corresponding identifier, e.g. in the form of a magnetic card.

In the illustrated embodiment are on the computer 1 each Terminals 5 assigned to a customer or patient are connected, of which only one is shown in the drawing. Such a terminal contains a reading device 6 for reading an identifier assigned to a customer or patient. When entering an identifier, e.g. a corresponding magnetic or punch card or a common one ATM card this is read and the computer is controlled in such a way that it works with the memory i, 21, ... 2 "corresponding to the identifier. In any case the computer checks whether the status of the memory determined by the identifier read out 2, 21, 22 n which is assigned to a specific customer or patient 2, for cover the request for a service entered by means of the keyboard 7, e.g. the Operating a video device 8 or placing an order for beverages, or the commissioning of a telephone 9 is sufficient, the state of this memory corresponds to the account balance of the requesting customer or patient. Is that the case, so the computer directs the release device assigned to the requested service 10, 11, 12 to a release signal. This causes, for example, a beverage order e.g. to a room waiter or e.g. a requested personal service is forwarded to the provider of such services, or the video device 8 or the telephone can be put into operation.

In the latter case it can also be provided that certain subscriber numbers, e.g. Emergency numbers can also be dialed without approval by the approval device. in the If the telephone 9 is used, the charges incurred are recorded by a charge meter 13 is detected and transmitted to the computer 1, which continuously has funds in the account of the user supervised.

A house call device 14 can also be arranged in the terminal 5 for which the signal lines to the computer are used.

The computer also has a monitoring device 4 for the Administration connected through all of the individual customers or patients Allocated memory is queried and bills for the individual customer or patient are expressed can be.

So is the monitoring device 4 with a display 16 and a Equipped with printer 17 and has a selection device 19 via the reading device 18 for reading out the memory contents of the memories assigned to the individual customers 21 ... 2n with the display 16 and resp.

or the printer 17 can be connected.

Certain services are also assigned to the dialing device Read and release devices or memory 23 assigned to them can be selected and settable. These memories 23 are connected to a comparison circuit 24 which is connected on the input side to the associated reading device 6 and the at Correspondence of the identifier read out by the reading device with the stored one Identifier or only certain parts of the same a blocking signal to the release device 10 sets.

The monitoring device also has a signal generator 21 equipped. Of depending on.

a time program unit 20, a pilot tone or a specific data signal sends out. On. the signal sent by the signal generator 21 speak certain one or more specific services enabling devices 10, 12, 12 ', 16f flip-flops 25 and change their switching state whereby they are in one of their switching states emit a blocking signal to the release device. This can be used at certain times certain services e.g. television in general be blocked.

There are still others on the computer, essentially for anyone Number of facilities accessible to customers or patients, such as B. an automatic dispenser 14, which can also be designed as a cash dispenser, for example, such a cash dispenser being combined with the input device 3 can or a telephone booth or a telex machine 15. This is the dispenser 14 equipped with a reading device 6, the prior to commissioning of the machine reads into this identifier to be inserted and prompts the computer with that of the sent out Identifier corresponding memory 2, 21 2n to work. If the state of the passes through the read-out identifier belonging to the memory, then commissioning is enabled of the dispenser 14 e.g. for drinks or other goods through the release device 16 'and the corresponding goods can be removed.

If the dispenser is designed as a cash dispenser, for example, can, as indicated by dashed lines, in addition to the reading device 6, a keyboard 30 can be provided for entering a security code. This results in an additional one Security in the event of a loss, e.g. one carrying the identifier and from the reading device 6 readable card, as this alone is not sufficient to operate the cash dispenser, but to do this, as with the usual "ATM cards", using an additional code the keyboard 30 must be entered.

The telex apparatus 15 with a reading device 6 is also similar provided, wherein the actual telexer 9: 'only after release by the release device 12 'can be put into operation after checking the account of the requester.

The release device 12 'as well as the telephone 9 The trunk line can be released for active use Similar to the telephone the charges incurred are recorded by a charge counter 13 'and sent to the Computer 1 forwarded the charges incurred from the user's account balance continuously withdraws.

This facility makes it possible to provide various services for example 13. a nursing home, hotel or the like to be continuously billed without cash, such as the Use of a telephone, television or video recorder, but also personal Services such as hairdressing and the like and the distribution of goods.

It is also possible not to have the release signal after a check the storage status corresponding to the account status of the customer, but already then when the corresponding memory is ready to accept a new entry, to hand over. The latter enables the requested services to be delivered on credit and only to be billed later, as is customary for hotels or the like, for example is.

The embodiment described works with a central one Computers, but it is also possible to provide several computers with non-exclusive rights work together and control each other.

The exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2 shows such a possibility.

Two computers 1 ', 1' 'with equal rights are provided for this, via encoder / decoder 31 ,. 32 are connected to a bus 33, on which also the memories 21 ... 2n assigned to the individual customers via an encoder / decoder34 are connected and controlled by both computers 1 ', 1 independently of each other will. The various devices provided according to the invention, such as the terminal 5, dispenser 14, input device 3 are also about encoder / decoder 35 to 37 connected with the bus.

The decentralized computers 1 ', 1 "can either be provided for different tasks be. such as for the dispensing machines and for the service facilities. But it is also possible to use each of the two for all tasks and them to be set up locally separately. For example, individual pavilions can be assigned to the computer 1 ', 1' ' be assigned.

For hospitals or nursing homes that already have communication system for communication between patient and nursing staff e.g. a nurse call system, as it is in the brochure "Visocall MP" from the company.

Schrack Automatisierungsanlagen GmbH and in DIN standard sheets 41 050 is described, it is also possible to use a device according to the invention to be integrated into or connected to these systems.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the custom memories are 21 2n, the computer 1 and the terminal 5 and the others in FIG. 3 do not go any further devices shown, such as input device, output device, etc. the bus 33 is connected. Furthermore, devices 40 are already on this bus 33 existing communication system connected via encoder / decoder 41, wherein in Fig. 3 only one of a plurality of devices is shown. Included an identifier for this communication system, e.g. for the individual beds or the individual patients are provided, the terminals 5 can be installed of identifiers or reading devices 6 can be dispensed with, the device 40 of the communication systems can be integrated into the terminal 5.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the device according to the invention belonging parts, of which only the computer 1, the customer-specific memory 21 2n and a terminal 5 are shown, connected to a bus 33 for a pre-existing communication system is provided. There is the terminal 5 and the computer 1 are connected to the bus 33 via encoder / decoder 42, 43. The computer 1 can also be an already existing communication intended computer can be used.

Another possibility of combining an existing communication system with a device according to the invention is shown in FIG. With this are the computer 1 and the Terminal 5 and the others not shown Parts of the device according to the invention, such as input device, etc.

connected via encoder / decoder 42, 43 to the bus 33, which simultaneously for a communication system 40; 50 e.g.

a light call system is used.

To increase the ease of use, as can be seen from Fig. 6, the individual parts of the device according to the invention, with receiving devices' 60 which respond to signals from a remote control 1.

Claims (1)

Device for billing and administration of services and / or goods, in particular in nursing homes, hotels or other goods, characterized in that that at least one computer (1) is provided with freely programmable and or or fixed-programmed service facilities, such as Telephone (9), video devices (8) or devices (7) for the task of orders and / or output devices (14) with the interposition a release device (10, 12, 16, 12 ') is connected to a reading device (6) for reading a customer-specific identifier, e.g. a magnetic card or the like. and the consumption of the responsive to a release signal from the computer (1) Service or release device enabling removal (10, 12, 16, 12 ') and the computer (1) with individual services and resp. or storage associated with removable goods at a fixed cost and / or fees for variable-cost services, such as telephone charges, detecting devices (13, 13 ~) as well as each assigned to a customer and with at least one input device (3) connected memories (2, 2nd device according to claim 1, characterized in that 2. characterized in that individual customers associated with the computer (1) connected terminals (5) with a reading device (6) for reading customer-specific identifiers and one or more enabling devices (10, 12), and possibly a display (11) and one with this and the dem Memory (2, 21 ... 2n) associated with customers identified by the identifier can be connected Reading device is provided for reading out the value stored in this memory are. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the computer (1) is connected to a monitoring device (4) which is connected to a Display (16) and preferably a printer (17) and one with a dialing device to select any customer assigned memory is provided and that a connectable to the selection device (19) and the display and / or the printer Reading device (18) is provided for reading out the memory contents. 4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that at least a release device (10, 12, 12 ', 16) via the selection device (19) of the Surveillance direction (4) is assigned to a settable and erasable memory (23), with a comparison circuit connected to the assigned reading device (6) (24) is connected, which when entered into the memory (23) match Identifier or parts thereof with the identifier read out by the reading device (6) applies a blocking signal to the release device (10, 12, 12 ', 16). 5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the monitoring device: (4) has at least one signal generator (21), which is preferably controlled via a programmable time-dependent controller, and at least one group of release devices assigned to a specific service (10) each with a flip-flop (25) connected to a signal from the signal generator (21) changes its switching state and into one of its two switching states Lock signal to the release device (10) sets. 6. Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that that at least one group of release devices assigned to a specific service (10, 12, 12 ', 16) directly from the monitoring device (4) with an enable signal can be acted upon. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that that for the control of the individual release devices several decentralized computers who work in the same way or on an equal footing are provided to each other control, assigned differently depending on the area or service or are adapted to various forms of organization. 8. Device according to claim.7, characterized in that the computer at the same time serve as control units of other communication systems that possibly have a central or regional control. 9. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that control units other communication systems, such as telephone exchanges, data processing systems, House technology systems, nurse call or nurse call intercom systems with central, area-by-area, Ward-wise, room-wise or call-wise control in addition to or instead of the central or decentralized computer (1, 1 ', 1' ') is also used as required the individual service facilities including their reading and release facilities (6, 10, 12, 16, 12 ') and the fixed-cost goods as well as the Costs of facilities that record variable-cost services (13, 13 ') assigned memory and the memory assigned to the customer (2, 21 ... 2n) together the input device (3) possibly fully or partially in these communication systems are integrated. 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that that services or goods offering facilities with reading facilities for customer-specific identifiers and are equipped with release devices (6) and any fee recording devices assigned to the devices centrally are arranged, where appropriate several similar devices one common billing device (13, 13 ') is assigned. 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that that the installation lines for connecting the computer or computers (1) to the reading devices (6) and the release devices (10, 12, 12 ', 16) at the same time also for connection from parts of other systems, such as house call, nurse call and the like. 12. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the input device (s) connected to the individual customers assigned memories (2, 21 ... 2n) (3) a cash dispenser (22) to which a reading device (6) is assigned, and optionally an identifier output device connected to the computer (s) (1) (23) includes or include. 13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that that the individual customers assigned terminals (5) and / or the service or output devices equipped with a wireless remote control are, if necessary, also for the operation of other communication or mechanical Systems such as bed control devices for patients or room terminals of a nurse call or light call intercom are provided. 14. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the input device (3) a cash dispenser (22) to which a reading device (6) for reading a is assigned customer-specific identifier. 15. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the input device (3) can be connected to a data processing system of a banking institute or the like and a reading device for customer-specific identifiers assigned to this institute, E.g. credit, check or debit cards, so that payments can be made cashless can be done. 16. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least an output device (14) as a money dispenser educated is, which preferably also has a keyboard (30) for entering a code number is sidered. 17. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that for the Enter the code for operating the service facilities and / or Output devices (14) a dial or keyboard, preferably one Telephone set (9) is provided.