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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
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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 07:35
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

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