(19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`WANG et al.
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREMISE
`MANAGEMENT
`
`(71) Applicant: IGLOOHOME PTE. LTD., Singapore
`(SG)
`
`(52)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Yue WANG, Singapore (SG); Khee
`Kien HO, Singapore (SG); Anthony
`Wen Jie CHOW, Singapore (SG);
`Sharon May Ling GOH, Singapore
`(SG)
`
`(73) Assignee: IGLOOHOME PTE. LTD., Singapore
`(SG)
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US 20180350170Al
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2018/0350170 A1
`Dec. 6, 2018
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`G06F 1132
`G06Q 10102
`G06Q 50112
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC ........ G07C 9100023 (2013.01); H04L 910866
`(2013.01); G06F 113231 (2013.01); G06F
`113287 (2013.01); G07C 2009/00428
`(2013.01); G06Q 50112 (2013.01); G07C
`9100103 (2013.01); G07C 9100309 (2013.01);
`G07C 2009/00769 (2013.01); G06Q 10102
`(2013.01)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`15/571,826
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`May 6, 2016
`
`(86) PCTNo.:
`§ 371 (c)(l),
`(2) Date:
`
`PCT/SG2016/050214
`
`Nov. 4, 2017
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`May 6, 2015
`
`(SG) ........................... 10201503531V
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G07C 9100
`H04L 9108
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Systems and methods for premise management comprising
`a reservation 5 management module having at least one
`server, the at least one server arranged in data communica-
`tion with a user device to receive a request for reservation
`from the user device to access a premise for a specific
`duration; and a key generator arranged in data communica-
`tion with the reservation management module; wherein upon
`receipt of the request for reservation, the key generator
`generates a secret key for 1 0 the user to access the premise
`for the specific duration, is disclosed. The system may be
`integrated with other modules including, but not limited to,
`a lock system and a presence detection system to provide a
`seamless service to a user.
`
`Lock System
`
`Reservat:on Manageme:1t System
`
`104
`
`102
`
`Presence Detection Syste!T ~-~ Energy Conservatlon System
`
`Safety and Security
`System
`
`106
`
`Guest Control and
`Personalisat1on
`System
`
`,---·-·
`
`I
`
`110
`
`100
`
`Accommodation Management System
`
`iApartments Ex. 1012
`
`Page 1 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2018 Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 2018/0350170 A1
`
`Lock System
`
`--
`
`~
`
`:
`-----
`104
`
`Reservation Management System
`
`~
`
`: --
`-----
`102
`
`',
`
`Presence Detection System
`
`Energy Conservation System
`
`-----?
`
`Safety and Security
`System
`
`<E---
`
`:
`
`110
`
`100
`
`: ~ :
`: ----
`
`',
`
`1oii---
`
`~
`
`----
`106
`
`Guest Control and
`Personalisation
`System
`
`Accommodation Management System
`
`Fig. 1
`
`iApartments Ex. 1012
`
`Page 2 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2018 Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 2018/0350170 A1
`
`'-...
`
`_../
`
`Database
`Management
`System
`
`"-...
`
`1
`
`~ ... ---
`:
`·.
`-.-- ~
`204
`
`1
`
`Reservation
`Management System
`
`L,
`
`API Servers
`
`1
`
`Secret Key
`
`Provisioning Servers ---~
`j~
`____ ...
`206
`
`'
`
`Accommodation
`!Reservation Systems
`
`;
`
`____ ...
`2 02
`
`... ---
`:
`-----
`
`200
`
`Push Channel
`
`:
`_,_ __ ..
`10
`2
`
`·.
`
`.. ---
`
`;
`-----
`216
`
`Messaging System
`
`.----~
`·.
`___ ....
`218
`
`B
`
`Guests/
`Property
`Managers
`
`Controller Apparatus
`
`----
`;
`',
`-----
`208
`
`Lock System
`Logging System
`
`Lock System
`
`;
`____ ..
`214
`
`',
`
`;
`
`~
`
`-----
`
`212
`
`220
`
`Reservation Management And Lock System
`
`Fig. 2
`
`iApartments Ex. 1012
`
`Page 3 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2018 Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 2018/0350170 A1
`
`........_,
`.-/
`
`'-.
`
`Database
`Management
`System
`
`.---·
`
`:
`---.. ~
`302
`
`Geolocati on Information
`:
`-----
`316
`
`',
`
`.. .
`
`:
`____ ..
`300
`
`Presence Detection Servers
`
`Mobile Terminals of
`Guests
`
`',
`
`API Servers
`
`314
`
`Wire!
`ess Device
`ing Location
`Advertis
`e.g.
`!Beacon
`:
`...
`312
`
`----·
`:
`-----
`310
`
`~
`
`Router(s)
`
`t
`
`Network Inspection
`Device
`
`:
`-----
`308
`
`',
`
`Controller Apparatus
`
`Human Detection
`Sensors
`
`',
`
`304
`
`:
`
`306
`
`Presence Detection System
`
`Fig. 3
`
`iApartments Ex. 1012
`
`Page 4 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2018 Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 2018/0350170 A1
`
`...._
`
`. /
`
`Database
`Management
`System
`
`...... ~-
`:
`
`',
`
`----
`402
`
`Presence Detection
`System
`
`:
`
`',
`
`----
`106
`
`Messaging System
`
`:
`--
`
`412
`
`---~
`
`414 B
`
`Property
`Managers
`
`---
`:
`____ ..
`',
`400
`
`Energy Conservation Servers
`
`Admin System
`
`:
`-----
`416
`
`',
`
`API Servers
`
`# .. - -
`
`:
`----
`408
`
`Push Channel
`
`',
`
`Controller Apparatus
`
`----
`:
`',
`-----
`404
`
`Logging System
`
`Power Controllers
`
`--:
`
`410
`
`--:
`
`406
`
`Energy Conservation System
`Fig. 4
`
`iApartments Ex. 1012
`
`Page 5 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2018 Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 2018/0350170 A1
`
`"----.,,...._~--./
`Database
`Management
`System
`
`Presence Detection
`System
`
`Environmental and Ambience
`Control Servers
`
`API Servers
`
`106
`
`504
`
`Control Device
`
`Push Channel
`
`506
`
`Controller Apparatus
`
`502
`
`500
`
`508
`
`Environmental and
`Ambience Sensors
`
`Environmental and
`Ambience Controllers
`
`510
`
`i
`
`514
`
`i
`
`512
`
`Logging System
`
`Guest Control and Personalisation System
`
`Fig. 5
`
`iApartments Ex. 1012
`
`Page 6 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2018 Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 2018/0350170 A1
`
`,.----
`'--
`Database
`Management
`System
`
`_./
`
`602
`
`Presence Detection
`,----i
`System
`
`106
`
`Messaging System ~----+!
`
`Servers
`
`Admin System
`
`600
`
`API Servers
`
`614
`
`---~
`
`610
`
`612
`
`Property
`Managers
`
`Controller Apparatus
`
`604
`
`Logging System
`
`Safety and Security
`Sensors
`
`608
`
`606
`
`Safety and Security System
`
`Fig. 6
`
`iApartments Ex. 1012
`
`Page 7 of 25
`
`

`

`US 2018/0350170 AI
`
`1
`
`Dec. 6, 2018
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREMISE
`MANAGEMENT
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`[0001] This application claims priority from Singapore
`patent application 10201503531 V, the contents of which are
`incorporated by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION
`[0002] The invention relates to a system and method for
`premise management. The invention is suitable, but not
`limited to accommodation reservation and is described in
`such context.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`[0003] The following discussion of the background to the
`invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the
`present invention only. It should be appreciated that the
`discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any
`of the material referred to was published, known or part of
`the common general knowledge of the person skilled in the
`art in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the invention.
`[0004] Existing accommodation reservation systems, such
`web services provided by Airbnb™ or HomeAway™, pro-
`vide online portals for users to post accommodation offers
`for lodgings that they own or occupy. In most cases, the
`users of the accommodation reservation systems are home-
`owners and not professional hoteliers. These accommoda-
`tion reservation systems that match users looking for short
`term accommodation needs with other users seeking to rent
`their lodgings are often termed as short termed rental
`reservation systems.
`[0005] The users who seek to rent out their accommoda-
`tions are often termed as hosts. These short term rental hosts
`suffer from many pain points. Firstly, these hosts have to
`coordinate key exchanges with their guests who check in at
`different times of the day, even if the hosts are away or
`asleep. Secondly, many of the guests may not remember to
`turn off the home appliances, for example air conditioners,
`while they are away during their stay, resulting in substantial
`energy waste. Another problem is that the guest's prefer-
`ences, for example that the guests prefers for the temperature
`of the room, are not brought across to different hotels he or
`she is staying in.
`[0006] Current approaches require heavy investment in
`infrastructure and require installation in many rooms to
`achieve operational efficiency to achieve economies of
`scale. They are hence expensive and not suitable for short
`term rental hosts with the apartment or room to rent out.
`Present approaches adopted by the short term rental hosts to
`solving these pain points include key delivery services
`which is labour intensive and expensive; the cost for such
`services can be as high up to 10% of amount paid for
`reserving the accommodation. Hence there exists a need for
`the provision of affordable premise accommodation man-
`agement system to short term rental hosts for alleviating one
`or more of the aforementioned problems.
`
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`[0007] Throughout the specification, unless the context
`requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such
`as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply
`
`the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not
`the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
`[0008] Furthermore, throughout the specification, unless
`the context requires otherwise, the word "include" or varia-
`tions such as "includes" or "including", will be understood
`to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers
`but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of
`integers.
`
`Definitions
`[0009]
`In the description, the term "premise" is a broad
`term which includes "house", "accommodation", shelters,
`office space, etc. The term is used generically to refer to any
`type of dwelling or building in which users inhabit for any
`length of time, including businesses or homes or hotel rooms
`or office space, meeting rooms, sport facilities etc.
`[0010]
`In the description, the term "mobile terminal"
`refers to any radio or mobile device connected to a network
`(such as mobile phone (e.g., smart phone, feature phone),
`mobile wideband, computer, tablet, PDA (Personal Digital
`Assistant), Smart Watch, any type of fixed station or data
`terminal). The network can be either wireless or wired.
`[0011]
`In the description, the term "mobile phone finger-
`print" refers to the identification information that uniquely
`identifies a mobile phone. For example, a mobile phone
`fingerprint could include the identification of the operating
`system (OS) via a freedom textual description of the OS, and
`a classification which provides the vendor name, underlying
`OS, OS generation, and device type (general purpose, router,
`switch, game console, etc). Most fingerprints also have a
`Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) representation, like
`cpe:/o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6. Other examples include, but
`are not limited to, the use of phone including the Bluetooth
`and Ethernet Mac address and the hostname.
`[0012]
`In the description, the term "electronic command"
`refers to a portion of programming code that is sent from a
`source to an apparatus, device or equipment over one or
`more communication channels, the "electronic command"
`operable to prompt an apparatus, device or equipment to
`execute a function. The "electronic command" can be a
`segment of code that contains steps that need to be executed
`by the apparatus, device or equipment that receive the
`segment of code. In this regard, the "electronic command"
`can also function as an electronic enabler or disabler.
`[0013] The invention seeks to provide systems and meth-
`ods for premise management not limited to hotels or accom-
`modation for short term stay, although various embodiments
`may be described in such context.
`[0014] The premise management system for improved
`controlled access to the accommodation, energy conserva-
`tion and guest personalisation so that to have an affordable
`accommodation management system that integrates the
`guest reservations with the systems for issuance of secret
`keys of a lock system, and a presence system to detect the
`presence of guests to conserve energy, and for the guests to
`have personalised settings across their stay in different
`properties with the management system installed.
`[0015] An advantage of the invention seeks to provide a
`property manager managing the accommodation a more
`efficient way of managing guest check ins and check outs, to
`reduce energy consumption when the guests are not around,
`and to improve the guest experience by providing person-
`alised settings.
`
`iApartments Ex. 1012
`
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`

`US 2018/0350170 AI
`
`2
`
`Dec. 6, 2018
`
`[0016] The invention seeks to provide systems and meth-
`ods for premise management not limited to hotels or accom-
`modation for short term stay, although various embodiments
`may be described in such context.
`[0017] The premise management system for improved
`controlled access to the accommodation, energy conserva-
`tion and guest personalisation so that to have an affordable
`accommodation management system that integrates the
`guest reservations with the systems for issuance of secret
`keys of a lock system, and a presence system to detect the
`presence of guests to conserve energy, and for the guests to
`have personalised settings across their stay in different
`properties with the management system installed.
`[0018]
`In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there
`is a system for premise management comprising: a reserva-
`tion management module having at least one server, the at
`least one server arranged in data communication with a user
`device to receive a request for reservation from the user
`device to access a premise for a specific duration; and a key
`generator arranged in data communication with the reser-
`vation management module; wherein upon receipt of the
`request for reservation, the key generator generates a secret
`key for the user to access the premise for the specific
`duration. The present system mitigates the existing technical
`problem of coordinating key exchanges between the short
`term rental hosts and the guests. First of all, as short term
`rental guests might check in at different times of a day, even
`while the hosts are away or asleep, it is challenging to
`coordinate the key exchanges between the hosts and the
`guests. Although some try to manage the key exchanges by
`engaging key delivery services, it is still labour intensive for
`the delivery personnel and the associated costs are high. The
`present system does not require the physical delivery of the
`key as a secret key can be automatically generated by a key
`generator arranged to be in data communication with a
`premise reservation management module, and provided to
`the respective user. The present invention therefore allevi-
`ates the technical problems in coordinating the delivery of
`physical keys as well as reducing the costs and labours
`required for key delivery.
`[0019] Preferably, the key generator is in data communi-
`cation with a lock system arranged to receive the secret key.
`Arranging the key generator to be data communication with
`a lock system can provide further technical advantages as
`the lock system can directly and efficiently store the infor-
`mation about the secret key generated, and can accordingly
`grant the guest access to the premise when guest presents the
`secret key to the lock system.
`[0020] Preferably, the lock system is arranged to receive
`an electronic command to enable the usage of the secret key
`from a first predetermined time before the specific duration.
`Applying an electronic command to enable the usage of the
`secret key from a first predetermined time before the specific
`duration can further improve the efficiency and security of
`the premise management system, as the secret key is enabled
`only at a predetermined time. This prevents the guests from
`entering into the premise earlier than scheduled.
`[0021] Preferably, the lock system is arranged to receive
`an electronic command to disable the usage of the secret key
`at a second predetermined time after the specific duration.
`This can further improve the efficiency and security of the
`premise management system by, for example, preventing
`guests from overstaying at the premise (e.g., a guest might
`
`gain access to the premise after the reservation period if the
`secret key is not timely disabled).
`[0022] Preferably, the lock system further comprises: a
`compartment for storing at least one pre-identified item; a
`controller arranged to receive the secret key from the key
`generator; a detection device comprising an identifier tag
`attached to the at least one item, the identifier tag arranged
`in data communication with the controller to determine a
`first status on whether the at least one pre-identified item is
`present or absent in the compartment and a second status on
`whether the at least one pre-identified item is associated with
`the compartment.
`[0023] Preferably, the secret key is in the form of at least
`one of the following: personal identification number (PIN)
`code, biometric signature. Such identification information is
`particularly suited for generating a secret key of high
`security.
`[0024] Preferably, the lock system comprises at least one
`lock controller device. A lock controller device is particu-
`larly suited for facilitating the secret key generator to enable
`or disable the secret key.
`[0025] Preferably, the data communication between the
`key generator and the lock system is based on a wireless
`communication protocol. Having the key generator and the
`lock system in data communication via a wireless commu-
`nication protocol is particularly suited for low-cost imple-
`mentation of the present invention. For example, there is no
`need to setup cables and wires to connect the key generator
`and the lock system.
`[0026] Preferably, the reservation management module is
`in data communication with a presence detection module.
`Having a presence detection module can, for example,
`further converse the energy expenses at the premise, as the
`presence detection module can instruct the reservation man-
`agement module to tum off energy-consuming devices.
`Another example is that the presence detection module,
`when detecting that the guest has left the premise, can
`instruct the premise management to send the relevant service
`personnel to clean the premise while the guest is not around.
`[0027] Preferably, the system further comprises a service
`module operable to receive the specific duration and a status
`whether the user is within range of the premise, and there-
`after to determine at least one goods or service to offer to the
`user. Comprising a service module can further improve the
`user/guest experience at the premise, and improve the over-
`all efficiency and effectiveness of the premise management
`system.
`[0028] Preferably,
`is
`the presence detection module
`arranged in data communication with a plurality of sensors
`to detect whether a user is within range of the premise.
`Having a plurality of sensors can further enhance the accu-
`racy of the presence detection module in determining the
`presence of the guest, and reduces the errors in detecting the
`presence of guest at the premise.
`[0029] Preferably, the plurality of sensors include at least
`two of the following: a motion sensor positioned within the
`premise; a network inspector to detect network access or
`usage by the user; a location sensor operable to detect and
`interact with the user device to determine the location of the
`user. The motion sensor is particularly suited for detecting
`the motions (of users) at the premise. The network inspector
`is particularly suited for detecting the network access or
`usage of the users. A location sensor is particularly suited for
`detecting the location of the users at the premises. These
`
`iApartments Ex. 1012
`
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`

`US 2018/0350170 AI
`
`3
`
`Dec. 6, 2018
`
`specialized sensors can generate useful information about
`the users, and improve the accuracy of the presence detec-
`tion system in determining the presence of users.
`[0030] Preferably, the location sensor includes a Bluetooth
`beacon. A Bluetooth beacon is particularly suited for accu-
`rately and conveniently detecting the location of the users.
`the presence detection module
`is
`[0031] Preferably,
`arranged in data communication with the lock system.
`Having the presence detection module and the lock system
`in data communication can further improve the accuracy of
`the presence detection module since the lock system can
`provide useful information/data for determining the pres-
`ence of users at the premise.
`is
`the presence detection module
`[0032] Preferably,
`arranged with a probabilistic engine to determine the prob-
`ability of whether a user is present in the premise. A
`probabilistic engine takes various types of factors, data and
`information into consideration when calculating the prob-
`ability of the presence of user. Thus, the probabilistic engine
`can improve the overall accuracy of the presence detection
`system in determining the presence of the user.
`[0033] Preferably, the probabilistic engine is configured to
`allocate weights associated with each of the plurality of
`sensors and the lock system. Allocating weights associated
`with each of the plurality of sensors and the lock system can
`further improve the accuracy of the presence detection
`system, as the information/data from different sensors and
`the lock system carry different values in determining the
`presence of user-allocating different weights to different
`information/data can further reduce the chance of false
`positive and false negative presence detections.
`is
`the presence detection module
`[0034] Preferably,
`arranged in data communication with an energy conserva-
`tion module. The presence detection module can instruct the
`energy conservation module to operate depending on the
`presence/absence of users at the premise, and therefore
`improve the efficiency of energy usage at the premise.
`[0035] Preferably, the energy conservation module is
`arranged in data communication with a plurality of energy
`controllers installed at a plurality of locations within the
`premise, wherein each of the energy controller is associates
`with at least one apparatus. This arrangement enables the
`energy conservation module to control a plurality of energy
`controllers installed at a plurality of locations with the
`premise, and accordingly further conserve the energy usage
`at the premise.
`[0036] Preferably, the power controllers include at least
`two of the following: a thermostat controller, a light intensity
`controller, and an air conditioner controller. These energy
`controllers are particularly suited for controlling the main
`energy consuming devices at the premise, and accordingly
`can further converse the energy usage at the premise.
`[0037] Preferably, the energy conservation module is con-
`figured to send a command to the plurality of energy
`controllers to reduce the energy consumption or switch off
`the at least one apparatus associated with the plurality of
`energy controller. This arrangement can further converse the
`energy usage at the premise.
`[0038] Preferably, the energy conservation module is con-
`figured to reduce the energy consumption or switch off the
`at least one apparatus associated with the plurality of energy
`controller when a user is determined to be absent from the
`premise in the day. This arrangement makes sure that the
`energy-consuming apparatuses are not in operation while the
`
`user is absent from the premise in the day, and accordingly
`further improves the efficiency of energy usage at the
`premise.
`[0039] Preferably, the energy conservation module is con-
`figured to maintain the energy consumption of the at least
`one apparatus associated with the plurality of energy con-
`troller when a user is determined to be absent from the
`premise in the night. This arrangement makes sure that the
`energy-consuming apparatuses are not in operation while the
`user is absent from the premise in the night, and accordingly
`further improves the efficiency of energy usage at the
`premise.
`is
`the presence detection module
`[0040] Preferably,
`arranged in data communication with a user preference
`engine, the user preference engine configured to collect user
`preference settings from a plurality of environmental sensors
`associated with an ambient or environmental variable of the
`premise. Incorporating the user preference engine can facili-
`tate the premise management system to provide services and
`products that can cater to the specific needs of a particular
`user. This could improve the overall user experience at the
`premise.
`[0041] Preferably, the plurality of environmental sensors
`include a temperature sensor, a light intensity sensor, a
`humidity sensor, a sound level sensor or any two of the
`same. These environmental sensors are particularly suited
`for collecting environmental information/data important to
`users. These sensors can therefore effectively improve the
`user experiences.
`[0042] Preferably, the user device is a mobile device
`associated with an identifier of the user. A mobile device is
`particularly suited for submitting the user request (e.g., for
`reservation) to the reservation management system, as well
`as for identifYing the presence and identity of the user.
`is
`the presence detection module
`[0043] Preferably,
`arranged in data communication with a safety and security
`module. Arranging the presence detection module in data
`communication with a safety and security module can
`improve the overall safety of the premise and accordingly
`improve the user experience at the premise.
`[0044] Preferably, the safety and security module is
`arranged to receive input from a plurality of safety or
`security sensors, the plurality of safety or security sensors
`positioned at various locations of the premise. Having a
`plurality of safety or security sensors can further enhance the
`security of the premise and accordingly improve the user
`experience at the premise.
`[0045] Preferably, the plurality of safety and security
`sensors include a water hazard sensor and an access sensor.
`Water hazard sensor is particularly suited for detecting water
`hazards such as the leakages of water pipes. The access
`sensor is particularly suited for detecting unauthorized
`access into the premise. These sensors can further enhance
`the security of the premise and accordingly improve the user
`experience at the premise.
`[0046] Preferably, the user device is a mobile device
`equipped with at least one wireless communications means.
`A mobile device with at least one wireless communications
`means is particularly suited for submitting the user request
`(e.g., for reservation) to the reservation management system,
`as well as for identifying the presence and identity of the
`user.
`[0047] Preferably, the key generator is in built within the
`key controller device and the user device. Having the key
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`generator built within the key controller device and the user
`device allows the generation of pin codes and synchroniza-
`tion without placing reliance on the internet. This is par-
`ticular useful for premises with poor internet connectivity or
`users whose devices are not connected to internet.
`[0048] Preferably, the system further comprises a notifi-
`cation center operable to send notifications related to the
`reservation to the user device or at least one premise
`manager. Having a notification center further improves the
`communication between the users (guests) and the premise
`manager, and enables to premise manager to remotely
`manage the premise in an efficient and effective manner.
`[0049] Preferably, the system comprises a log database
`operable to store records of events. The log database cap-
`tures and stores the events, the information/data of which
`can be applied to further enhance the premise management
`system.
`[0050]
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention,
`there is provided a method for managing a premise com-
`prising the steps of: receiving from a user device a request
`for reservation to access a premise for a specific duration;
`verifying the request for reservation; wherein upon verifi-
`cation generating by a key generator a secret key; wherein
`the secret key permits the user to access the premise for the
`specific duration. The present method could mitigate the
`existing technical problem of coordinating key exchanges
`between the short term rental hosts and the guests. First of
`all, as short term rental guests might check in at different
`times of a day, even while the hosts are away or asleep, it is
`challenging to coordinate the key exchanges between the
`hosts and the guests. Although some try to manage the key
`exchanges by engaging key delivery services, it is still
`labour intensive for the delivery personnel and the associ-
`ated costs are high. The present system does not require the
`physical delivery of the key as a secret key can be auto-
`matically generated by a key generator arranged to be in data
`communication with a premise reservation management
`module, and provided to the respective user. The present
`invention therefore alleviates the technical problems in
`coordinating the delivery of physical keys as well as reduc-
`ing the costs and labours required for key delivery.
`[0051] Preferably, the method further comprises the step
`of sending the secret key to a lock system. Sending the secret
`key to a lock system can provide further technical advan-
`tages as the lock system can directly and efficiently store the
`information about the secret key generated, and can accord-
`ingly grant the guest access to the premise when guest
`presents the secret key to the lock system.
`[0052] Preferably, the lock system is arranged to receive
`an electronic command to enable the usage of the secret key
`from a first predetermined time before the specific duration.
`Applying an electronic command to enable the usage of the
`secret key from a first predetermined time before the specific
`duration can further improve the efficiency and security of
`the premise management system, as the secret key is enabled
`only at a predetermined time. This prevents the guests from
`entering into the premise earlier than scheduled.
`[0053] Preferably, the lock system is arranged to receive
`an electronic command to disable the usage of the secret key
`at a second predetermined time after the specific duration.
`This can further improve the efficiency and security of the
`premise management system by, for example, preventing
`guests from overstaying at the premise (e.g., a guest might
`
`gain access to the premise after the reservation period if the
`secret key is not timely disabled).
`[0054] Preferably, the secret key is in the form of at least
`one of the following: personal identification number (PIN)
`code, biometric signature, barcode, or QR code. The iden-
`tification information is particularly suited for particularly
`suited for generating the secret key.
`[0055] Preferably, the lock system comprises at least one
`lock controller device. A lock controller device is particu-
`larly suited for facilitating the secret key generator to enable
`or disable the secret key.
`[0056] Preferably, the step of sending the secret key to the
`lock system is based on a wireless communication protocol.
`Utilizing a wireless communication for sending the secret
`key to the lock system enables low-cost implementation of
`the present invention. For example, there is no need to setup
`cables and wires to connect the key generator and the lock
`system.
`[0057] Preferably, the method further comprises the step
`of detecting by a presence detection module whether the
`user is within range of the premise. Comprising a further
`step of using the presence detection module to detect the
`presence of the user within the range of the premise can
`further improve the user/guest experience at the premise,
`and improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the
`premise management system.
`[0058] Preferably,
`is
`the presence detection module
`arranged in data communication with a plurality of sensors
`to detect whether a user is within range of the premise.
`Having a plurality of sensors can further enhance the accu-
`racy of the presence detection module in determining the
`presence of the guest, and reduces the errors in detecting the
`presence of guest at the premise.
`[0059] Preferably, the plurality of sensors include at least
`two of the following: a motion sensor positioned within the
`premise; a network inspector to detect network access or
`usage by the user; a location sensor operable to detect and
`interact with the user device to determine the location of the
`user. The motion sensor is pa