Hospitality systems

Abstract

A locking device for providing access to a structure includes a locking mechanism configured to selectively switch between a locked state and an unlocked state. A wireless interface is operatively connected to the locking mechanism to control change between the locked and unlocked states. The wireless interface is configured to periodically beacon a data packet providing information to listening devices in a local area without requiring a bi-directional connection and to support bi-directional connections as needed to transfer data to the locking device.

1 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A system for controlling devices within a structure comprising:
 a structure including devices; and   a short range wireless interface operatively connected to the devices for control thereof.   
     
     
         45 . A system as recited in  claim 44 , wherein the structure includes a hotel room. 
     
     
         46 . A system as recited in  claim 44 , wherein the wireless interface includes a Bluetooth® Smart radio. 
     
     
         47 . A system as recited in  claim 44 , wherein the devices include a plurality of door locking devices, wherein the Bluetooth® Smart radio is configured to listen for beacons from respective door locking devices. 
     
     
         48 . A system as recited in  claim 47 , wherein there are a plurality of hotel rooms, each including one of the locking devices, wherein each hotel room includes an HVAC device configured to be controlled by data received from the respective locking device beacon. 
     
     
         49 . A system as recited in  claim 47 , wherein there are a plurality of hotel rooms, each including one of the locking devices, wherein each hotel room includes a room lighting device configured to be controlled by data received from the respective locking device beacon. 
     
     
         50 . A method of connecting devices within a structure comprising:
 moving a wireless device through a structure, wherein the wireless device listens for beacons from a plurality of locking devices; and   providing a temporary access point through the wireless device to connect between individual locking devices and a facility management system.   
     
     
         51 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , wherein the wireless device includes a Bluetooth® Smart and/or Bluetooth® Smart Ready radio. 
     
     
         52 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , wherein each of the locking devices includes a Bluetooth® Smart radio. 
     
     
         53 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , wherein the wireless device is a computer tablet. 
     
     
         54 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , wherein the wireless device is a smart phone. 
     
     
         55 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , further comprising:
 evaluating the beacons with the wireless device to determine locking device identifications.   
     
     
         56 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , further comprising:
 evaluating the beacons with the wireless device to determine status changes in the locking devices.   
     
     
         57 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , further comprising:
 connecting the wireless device to the locking devices to upload configuration updates to the locking devices.   
     
     
         58 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , further comprising:
 connecting the wireless device to the locking devices to download audit histories from the locking devices.   
     
     
         59 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , further comprising:
 monitoring the beacons with the wireless device to determine battery status of the locking devices.   
     
     
         60 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , further comprising:
 connecting the wireless device to the locking devices to upload firmware updates to the locking devices.   
     
     
         61 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , wherein moving the wireless device through the structure includes transporting the wireless device on a hotel service cart. 
     
     
         62 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , wherein moving the wireless device through the structure includes hotel staff carrying the wireless device through the structure. 
     
     
         63 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , further comprising locally indicating occupancy status from the wireless device. 
     
     
         64 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , further comprising locally indicating maid service access to the structure from the wireless device. 
     
     
         65 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , further comprising displaying location of the wireless device which as the wireless device is carried on a service cart, by guests, and/or by personnel. 
     
     
         66 - 85 . (canceled)