Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed towards a system and a method for activating a privacy status of a lock. One or more embodiments of the invention describe the method comprising steps of capturing activity information of a user by a user device. The method also describes steps of analyzing the captured activity information and determining a busy status of the user based on the analysis. The method further describes steps of transmitting the busy status of the user to a lock for activating a privacy status of the lock.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing an availability status associated with a facility. One system includes a visual indicator associated with a facility subsystem of the facility and a sensor configured to detect data associated with the facility subsystem. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the visual indicator and the sensor. The controller is configured to receive a data from the sensor. The controller is also configured to determine a current availability status associated with the facility subsystem based on the data received from the sensor. The controller is also configured to control the visual indicator to indicate the current availability status associated with the facility subsystem.

Abstract: Techniques for hospitality light are provided. A hospitality light can determine characteristics of the environment in which the hospitality light is installed, determine capabilities of hospitality light, determine one or more objectives of the installation of hospitality light related to providing a hospitality service to a guest in the environment, perform a self-configuration of hospitality light according to the determined one or more objectives, and determine and execute suitable actions for hospitality light to perform to achieve the determined one or more objectives.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a controller. When an operation to set a door in a state in which the door will be opened is performed on one side of the door and if someone is on the other side of the door, the controller causes an informing unit to provide information that the door will be opened and someone is on the other side of the door.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for providing access to a network via a first one of a plurality of network access nodes in the network. The network access nodes each have a network address associated therewith which is unique on the network, the first network access node having a first network address associated therewith. The first network address is associated with a first computer while the first computer is connected to the first network access node thereby providing access to the network. When implemented at a hospitality structure such as a hotel, as a guest is checking in or in response to some other appropriate event, information regarding the guest's room environment and other preferences in a database record is transmitted from a head-end module to the network access node in the guest's assigned room. The assigned room is then automatically configured to suit the guest's preferences.

Abstract: A wireless network hotel room management system includes a communications network. The system includes a computer connected to the communications network and includes a memory configured to store programming and a processor to execute the programming. A guest room unit is situated in each guest room and is in data communication with the network. A housekeeping module is in communication with the network. The computer monitors real time status of the room. Each guest unit is configured to receive projected absence data from a guest and to communicate the same to the computer through the communications network. Programming executed by the processor determines if received projected absence data is indicative that a guest will be gone long enough for housekeeping to clean the room and, if so, communicates a housekeeping order. The system includes a room reservation module for reserving a room and receiving a room key.

Abstract: A wireless network hotel room management system includes a communications network. The system includes a computer connected to the communications network and includes a memory configured to store programming and a processor to execute the programming. A guest room unit is situated in each guest room and is in data communication with the network. A housekeeping module is in communication with the network. The computer monitors real time status of the room. Each guest unit is configured to receive projected absence data from a guest and to communicate the same to the computer through the communications network. Programming executed by the processor determines if received projected absence data is indicative that a guest will be gone long enough for housekeeping to clean the room and, if so, communicates a housekeeping order. The system includes a room reservation module for reserving a room and receiving a room key.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for managing utilization of rooms in a clinic, for example, include a visible display, for example, colored lights at an examining room, indicating one or more of several available room status values for the room. An input device including, e.g., push buttons, is coupled to the display and adapted for selecting the room status value. A timer coupled to the input device and display automatically changes the status value of a room when a predetermined time period has elapsed after the status value is first selected, except when a third room status value is selected. This feature notifies personnel if, for example, a patient has been left alone in a room too long. A central control provides a database to accumulate minute-by-minute utilization data of the clinic rooms and also programs to access and compute from the data the overall utilization by variable periods. This utilization data are useful for planning, reallocation and investment in new space.

Abstract: Included are methods for providing crowd determination. At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving presence data related to at least one subject in an environment and determining at least one occupancy statistic of the environment from the received presence data. At least one other embodiment of a method includes providing at least one occupancy statistic of the environment.

Abstract: A method for automatic registration of a patient-bound medical device with a remote data processing system, physician identification data being transmitted to the patient-bound medical device, the physician identification data being combined together with device identification data to form a registration message, the registration message being transmitted from the patient-bound medical device to the data processing system, and the data processing system checking the data contained in the registration message and, in case of success, performing the registration, as well as apparatuses for this purpose.

Abstract: A portable, battery-powered per-patient device automatically detects and logs patient encounters with items, such as medical equipment, drug containers, caregivers, visitors and other patients, in a healthcare facility. A separate per-patient device is assigned to each patient in the facility. The per-patient device is intended to remain with the patient during the patient's stay. The device may be attached to the patient's bed, wheelchair, walker or the like. If the patient is ambulatory, the patient may carry the device. RF-ID or other suitable tags are attached to items that a patient may encounter. Each per-patient device automatically detects and logs RF-ID-tagged items, including the patient, that come within a range of the device. The device also detects and longs when an item is no longer within range of the device, such as because a caregiver leaves the patient's room or a medical device is removed from the patient's room.

Abstract: A system and method of queuing orders locates data-entry modules relative to a pickup location such that a customer who places an order after a customer who placed an earlier order can be signaled to approach a pickup location before the first customer if the order of the second customer is ready before the order of the first customer. The system can signal a customer to wait in a predefined location until the order is ready, or the system can signal the customer to approach the pickup location.

Abstract: A system is described which replaces conventional “do not disturb” and “maid service” or “housekeeping” signs in hotel guestrooms. The system comprises means for allowing a hotel guest to choose, from within the hotel room, a message to convey to hotel staff and others such as “do not disturb”. The message is expressed by indicators housed within assemblies located outside of the hotel room, which are visible to passers-by. The system may also convey such messages to a more remote location such as a housekeeping office and the switch may be activated remotely.

Abstract: A system is described which replaces conventional “do not disturb” and “maid service” or “housekeeping” signs in hotel guestrooms. The system comprises means for allowing a hotel guest to choose, from within the hotel room, a message to convey to hotel staff and others such as “do not disturb”. The message is expressed by indicators housed within assemblies located outside of the hotel room, which are visible to passers-by. The system may also convey such messages to a more remote location such as a housekeeping office and the switch may be activated remotely.

Abstract: A system is described which replaces conventional “do not disturb” and “maid service” or “housekeeping” signs in hotel guestrooms. The system comprises means for allowing a hotel guest to choose, from within the hotel room, a message to convey to hotel staff and others such as “do not disturb”. The message is expressed by indicators housed within assemblies located outside of the hotel room, which are visible to passers-by. The system may also convey such messages to a more remote location such as a housekeeping office and the switch may be activated remotely.