US4891755A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for detecting removal of items from a hotel minibar and for the automatic charging of the bill of the gas for item removed from the minibar
Assignee: TADIRAN ELECTRICAL APPLICANCES INDUSTRIES Ltd
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Filing: 1988-05-05
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Granted: 1990-01-02
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Expires: 2008-05-05
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to minibars located in hotel rooms, and more specifically to such minibars provided with means for ascertaining whether any item has been removed, its nature and its price, thus facilitating the recharging of the minibar and the charging of the bill of the guest for the item taken. The system is based on accurate weight measurements which are indicative of the kind of item removed by the guest.
Inventors
- 👤 Amram Asher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/40; G01G19/413; G01G19/414; G01G19/4144; G01G19/52; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/08; G06Q10/087; G06Q10/0877; G06Q10/08772; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/04; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/12; G07; G07F; G07F5/00; G07F5/18; G07F9/00; G07F9/002; G06Q10/0872; G06Q10/08726; G06Q10/08778
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for detecting removal of items from a hotel minibar and for the automatic charging of the bill of the guest for each item removed from the minibar, comprising means for accurately detecting the removal of each item by establishing the resulting change of weight of the minibar, means for identifying the removed item according to a number of subclasses differing in weight from each other, and for charging the account of the guest according to the identified item removed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for detecting removal of items from a hotel minibar and for the automatic charging of the bill of the guest for each item removed from the minibar, comprising means for accurately detecting the removal of each item by establishing the resulting change of weight of the minibar, means for identifying the removed item according to a number of subclasses differing in weight from each other, and for charging the account of the guest according to the identified item removed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 1, comprising time-delay means according to which the charge is made only after a certain time delay, thus ascertaining the permanent removal of the item.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the system is an integral part of the minibar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the minibar is positioned on the system for determining weight changes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the change of weight is determined by an accurate balance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the change of weight is determined by one or more strain gauges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 1, connected directly to the computer of the hotel, a program being provided for identifying items removed and their price, and for charging the guest for each such item.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1, provided with a display of the cumulative charges.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3836755A
Cited
GB1438823A
Cited
GB2135292A
Cited
GB2161630A
Cited
US4629090A
Cited
FR2573889A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-01 | 1993-07-03 | 1994-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-01 | 1997-07-03 | 1998-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-01 | 2001-07-03 | 2002-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |