Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for a guest having a valid general purpose credit card to register at a place of lodging having a computer, and which uses the general purpose credit card as a key to the assigned room. The method involves the inserting of a general purpose credit card into a card reader of a guest accessible registration terminal, the card reader reading the credit card information and delivering the information to a computer. The computer stores the card information, and the terminal, by means of registration software obtains further information from the guest, assigns the guest a room, and informs the guest of the room assignment, after which the credit card becomes a key to the guest room. When the credit card is inserted in the proper card reader at the assigned guest room door, the computer will actuate the lock and allow the guest access. The apparatus comprises a registration terminal accessible to a guest, the terminal having a terminal credit card reader, a keyboard, display screen, means to transmit guest and credit card information to the computer, and a plurality of remote general purpose credit card readers disposed at guest room entrances, each connected to the computer to actuate the door lock release apparatus at the assigned guest room when the guest credit card has been read by the guest room card reader and approved by the computer. Alternatively, wireless forms of communication such as commercially available pagers may be used so as to eliminate further expenses for modification and wiring.

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First Claim