WO2000013152A1

WO2000013152A1 - Method for controlling the use of furniture to sit or lie on, put at users' disposal and piece of furniture used therewith

Info

Publication number: WO2000013152A1
Application number: PCT/BE1999/000111
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ivo Mark Hubert Geubels
Original assignee: Sanagens-Belgio Besloten Venootschap Met Beperkte Aansprakelijkheid
Priority date: 1998-08-28
Filing date: 1999-08-17
Publication date: 2000-03-09
Also published as: BE1013008A3; AU5403099A

Abstract

Method for controlling the use of furniture to sit or lie on, put at users' disposal, characterized in that when a piece of furniture is reserved, a time mechanism (7) is started, as a result of which during a set period of time, a signal can be given which makes clear that the piece of furniture is reserved. The piece of furniture comprises a device (5) with detection means, a time mechanism (7) coupled thereto and visualization means (8) coupled to these detection means and to this time mechanism (7).

Description

Method for controlling the use of furniture to sit or lie on, put at users' disposal and piece of furniture used therewith.

This invention relates to a method for controlling the use of furniture to sit or lie on, put at users' disposal, more particularly chairs, such as deck-chairs, for example at a swimming pool or at a beach.

Usually, hotels or such have a number of deck-chairs at their guests' disposal around the swimming pool or at the beach.

The number of deck-chairs mostly is smaller than the number of hotel guests, and mostly there is a greater demand for deck-chairs than are available. Furthermore, mostly not all deck-chairs are standing at an equally favourable location.

Therefore, it often happens that hotel guests are reserving deck-chairs a long time beforehand, for example, by placing a towel or such thereupon. Also during a longer absence, the deck-chairs are reserved by users in the same manner, in order to make sure that they have the deck-chairs at their disposal again after their return.

A known manner for avoiding this and thus controlling the use of the chairs consists in engaging a guard which looks after the use of the chairs and, for example, stows them away in the evening, on demand hands them out to the hotel guests in the morning and, possibly, stows them away again when they are not used for a longer period of time during daytime.

Such method is little practical, and, as it requires the permanent presence of personnel, it is expensive, too.

The invention aims at a method for controlling the use of furniture to sit or lie on, put at users' disposal which does not show the aforementioned disadvantages and with which the use of the furniture to sit or lie on can be made more efficient in a simple and unexpensive manner.

According to the invention, this aim is achieved in that, when reserving a piece of furniture, a time mechanism is started, as a result of which during a set period of time, a signal can be given which makes clear that the piece of furniture is reserved.

A piece of furniture to sit or lie on, for example, a chair, thus can only be reserved for a limited period of time. Due to the limitation of time, it can, for example, be made impossible to reserve a piece of furniture already in the evening for the following day.

Rental methods are known for determining the time an object is used. US-A- .624.578 discloses a method and system for determining the time a rented television has been used. FR-A-2.747.214 discloses a method and system to count the time rented vehicles are used. Both methods do not concern the reservation of an object, and but the measurement of its effective use in order to obtain payment of the rent . A rental time has been paid in advance and, as the objects are powered objects, the moments of putting on and shutting off the power are used to determine the remaining renting time.

According to the invention, preferably, a code is given to possible users of the piece of furniture to sit or lie on which they, when using or reserving a piece of furniture, have to enter into a device installed on this piece of furniture or in the proximity thereof, which device, after a code has been entered, can show during a limited period of time that the piece of furniture is reserved.

Directly before temporarily leaving, for example, a chair, it can be reserved by a user for a limited period of time by entering the code.

It is not necessary to use towels or other objects for reserving a chair.

Preferably, different codes are given to the possible users, and on each reservable piece of furniture, a device is provided which can read these codes, whereby then preferably each device can visualize the entered code .

In a variant, the presence of a user on or next to the piece of furniture can be detected and the time mechanism can be started, either as this user sits down, or as this user leaves the piece of furniture.

The invention also relates to a piece of furniture to sit or lie on, which is particularly suitable for the application of the method according to the invention.

According to the invention, this piece of furniture to sit or lie on is characterized in that it comprises a device with detection means, a time mechanism coupled thereto and visualization means coupled to these detection means and to this time mechanism.

Preferably, the visualization means comprise a display.

The detection means may be code reading means.

The code reading means and the visualization means can be such that these latter can visualize the code read by the code reading means .

The visualization means can visualize continuously during a period of time determined by the time mechanism, after a code has been read by the code reading means, or visualize only when a new code is entered.

The code reading means can be formed by a magnetic stripe reading device or comprise a keyboard.

In a variant, the detection means can be means for detecting the presence of a person on the piece of furniture . With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, hereafter, as an example without any limitative character, two preferred forms of embodiment of a method for controlling the use of furniture to sit or lie on put at users' disposal and of a piece of furniture used therewith according to the invention are described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 represents a view in perspective of a deck- chair according to the invention; figure 2 represents a block diagram of a device which forms part of the deck-chair of figure 1 ; figure 3 represents a top view of a device analogous to that which forms part of the deck-chair from figure 1, but in respect to another form of embodiment thereof ; figure 4 represents a view of the part indicated by F4 in figure 1, but in respect to another form of embodiment of the invention; figure 5 represents a side view of the uppermost part of the deck-chair according to the invention, but in respect to still another form of embodiment; figure 6 represents a view analogous to that of figure 5, but in respect to still another form of embodiment of the invention.

In figure 1, a deck-chair is represented with a seat 1 resting on feet 2, a back rest 3 which is attached adjustably to the seat 1, arm rests 4 which form a whole with a number of feet 2, and a device 5 which can read codes and visualize informations.

With the exclusion of this device 5, the deck-chair can be of a known construction.

The device 5 is attached to the upper edge of the back rest 3.

As represented in the block diagram of figure 2, this device 5 substantially comprises code reading means 6 formed by a magnetic stripe reading device, a time mechanism 7 connected thereto, and visualization means 8 coupled to the code reading means 6 and the time mechanism 7 and, if the read code is correct, visualizes this code or another sign or other information which shows that the chair is reserved, during a period of time which is determined by the time mechanism 7.

These electronic components are also fed by a power supply 9, for example, a battery or a solar cell, and the whole is built-in in a casing 10 which, as represented in figure 1, has a slot 11 giving out to the code reading means 6 for inserting a card 12 with magnetic stripe, and has a display 13 forming said visualization means.

When the hotel chambers also comprise a door lock operated by a card with magnetic stripe, the same card can also be used for insertion in a device 5.

The use of several of such chairs with a device 1, which are placed, for example, around the swimming pool of a hotel, is controlled as followed.

The possible users, these are, thus, the hotels guests, each are assigned a code which is provided on a magnetic stripe of a card 12.

When a hotel guest provides his card 12 in the slot 12 of the device 5 of a deck-chair, then the code reading means 6 read the magnetic stripe of this card 12 and, if the code is an acceptable code, they start the time mechanism 7.

During the period of time determined by the time mechanism 7, an image is represented on the display 13, for example, a pictogram, or a text, such as "occupied" or "reserved", possibly in several languages, showing that the deck-chair is reserved.

It can be agreed upon that the hotel guests bring the card 12 into the device 5 as they want to sit down, such that the image or the text which show that the deck-chair is reserved, also is shown when a hotel guest actually has sat down on the deck-chair.

This manner of working allows to limit the period of time during which a hotel guest uses a deck-chair, for example, up to half a day and also allows to control whether users other than hotel guests and, thus, users without a card 12 occupy a deck-chair. Preferably, it is, however, such that the hotel guests only have to insert the card 12 when they do not use the deck-chair immediately, and in order to reserve it for a later use, or if they temporarily leave the deck-chair during use, for example, for going to eat something or swim or similar.

For such application, the period of time of the time mechanism is set much shorter, for example, 1 to 2 hours.

It is self-evident that the display 13, apart from a visual sign that the deck-chair is reserved or occupied, can show other data, such as the code number itself. In the last case, each of the hotel guests can be given a different code. In this way, it is avoided that discussions may occur about who reserved a certain deck- chair with his card 12.

In figure 3, in fact, a device 5 is represented with such a display 13 which, when an acceptable code is entered, shows the following data: a pictogram 14 from which it becomes evident that the deck-chair is occupied or reserved, the code in the form of a number 15 which, for example, can be the number of the chamber, or only the number of the chamber if the code comprises this number of the chamber, a timer 16 showing the remaining period of time during which the deck-chair is reserved, a clock

17 and the temperature 18. With the exception of the code number 15 and the pictogram 14, these data even can be shown permanently. When there is no reservation, the timer 16 then will indicate no time, and another picto- gram can be shown which indicates that the deck-chair is free .

On the display 13, also other data can be visualized, such as the starting time of certain activities, publicity etc.

In this case, the power supply 9 is a solar cell which is provided next to the display, for example, above a logotype of the hotel or similar.

The device 5 can be programmed such that the display 13 shows all or certain visual parameters only each time a card 12 with an acceptable code is brought into the device 5 and is read by the code reading means 6 and this during a short period of time, for example, one or two minutes. This saves energy, but a hotel guest, however, has to bring his card 12 into the device 5 of a deck- chair to know whether it is occupied or not.

The possibility can be provided for that the time which can be reserved, can be set by the hotel personnel, for example, by inserting a special card with magnetic stripe, or by means of a push-button to be operated with a key.

The card 12 can be assigned a certain intelligence, which, for example, can be performed by integrating a chip, which can be programmed, into the card 12. This programming can comprise said time adjustment, but other functions can be made possible as well. So, it can be made possible that a card 12 can not be used for a second time as long as the set time after insertion in a device 5 still runs, which can prevent that with one and the same card 12, several deck-chairs are reserved at the same time.

It can also be provided for that, by a second insertion of the card 12 in the device 5, the reservation is cancelled automatically, after which possibly another deck-chair can be reserved with the card 12.

The cancellation of a reservation or the resetting of a device 5 should possibly also be performed by the personnel, by inserting a special card 12 into the device 5.

The form of embodiment of the deck-chair of which a part is represented in figure 4, differs from the form of embodiment described heretofore in that the code reading means 6 are not formed by a magnetic stripe reading device, but by a keyboard 19. If the keys, as represented in figure 4, are numerical keys, then the code has to be a number consisting of several numerals.

The use of the device 5 is analogous to what is described heretofore, with the difference that a hotel guest, in order to reserve a deck-chair, enters his code on the keyboard 19 instead of inserting a card 12. Certain functions, such as the cancellation of a reservation, can be ordered by entering the code a second time or entering another number.

In order to prevent that others find out the code, it is recommended for this last form of embodiment that the code does not appear on the display 13.

Instead of a display 13, the device 5 can comprise other visualization means, such as a small lamp or similar.

The form of embodiment of the deck-chair to which figure 5 relates, substantially differs from the forms of embodiment described heretofore in that the device consists of two parts which are separable from each other, namely, a base 20 and a casing 21 with therein the code reading means 6, the time mechanism 7, and the visualization means 8.

Both parts are locked in respect to each other or unlocked from each other by means of a key or similar which, for example, has to be inserted in a keyhole 22 in the casing 21.

At night, the casings 21 with, thus, the electronic components can be safely stowed away. Push-buttons with which the personnel can cancel a reservation or reset the device 5 or also set the maximum reservation time, can be provided at the underside of the casing 21 and, thus, be made accessible by removing the casing 12 from the base 20.

In said form of embodiment, a springy clip 23 is attached at the device which is pushed against the back rest 3. The user can clamp his towel between this clip 23 and the back rest in order to prevent it from being blown away.

In figure 6, the deck-chair is provided with a somewhat simpler form of embodiment of the device 5. This device 5 does not comprise any code reading means 6, but instead thereof detection means 24 for detecting the presence of a person on the deck-chair. These detection means 24 can be a capacitive detector, an infrared sensor, a photoelectric cell, or a pressure sensor. They are coupled to the time mechanism 7 in such a manner that the latter starts at the moment when the detection means 24 either detect the presence of a person or stop detecting this presence.

In still another form of embodiment, the device 5 comprises code reading means 6 as well as detection means 24, whereby, as the detection means 24 detect the presence of a person, this person has to enter his code.

With the deck-chairs described heretofore, the use thereof can be controlled easily and can take place much more efficient in that it is avoided that deck-chairs are not used for too long a period of time.

The invention is not limited to deck-chairs, but other pieces of furniture to sit or lie on can be provided with a device 5, such as described heretofore.

Claims

1.- Method for controlling the use of furniture to sit or lie on, put at users' disposal, characterized in that when a piece of furniture is reserved, a time mechanism (7) is started, as a result of which during a set period of time, a signal can be given which makes clear that the piece of furniture is reserved.

2.- Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a code is given to the possible users of the furniture to sit or lie on, which code they, when using or reserving a piece of furniture, have to enter into a device (5) provided on this piece of furniture or in the proximity thereof, which device, after the code has been entered, can show during a limited period of time that the piece of furniture is reserved.

3.- Method according to claim 2, characterized in that different codes are assigned to the possible users and that on each piece of furniture, a device (5) is provided which can read these codes.

4.- Method according to claim 3, characterized in that each device (5) can visualize the entered code.

5.- Method according to any of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the code is entered in a device (5) by means of a card (12) with a magnetic stripe and possibly a chip.

6.- Method according to claim 5, characterized in that this card (12) is programmed such that the reservation can be cancelled by inserting this card for a second time into the device (5) .

7.- Method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that this card (12) is programmed such that, after having been brought into a device (5) , it can not cause any reservation by being brought into a second device (5) during the reserved period of time.

8.- Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the presence of a user on the piece of furniture or in the proximity thereof is detected and the time mechanism (7) is started, either as this user sits down on or next to the piece of furniture, or as this user leaves the piece of furniture.

9.- Piece of furniture to sit or lie on, for applying the method according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a device (5) with detection means, a time mechanism coupled thereto, and visualization means

(8) coupled to these detection means and to this time mechanism (7) .

10.- Piece of furniture according to claim 9, characterized in that a springy clip (23) is attached to the device (5) .

11.- Piece of furniture according to claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the visualization means (8) comprise a display (13) .

12.- Piece of furniture according to claim 11, characterized in that this display (13) can show other data than being reserved or not reserved, such as, amongst others, one or more of the following data: the still remaining reservation time, the time and the temperature .

13.- Piece of furniture according to claim 9 to 12, characterized in that the detection means are code reading means (6) .

14.- Piece of furniture according to claim 13, characterized in that the code reading means (6) and the visualization means (8) are such that these latter can re-visualize the code read by the code reading means (6) .

15.- Piece of furniture according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the visualization means (8), during a period of time which is determined by the time mechanism (7) , after the reading of a code by the code reading means (6) , visualize continously.

16.- Piece of furniture according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the visualization means (8) , during a period of time which is determined by the time mechanism (7) , after the reading of a code by the code reading means (6) , visualize only when a new code is entered.

17.- Piece of furniture according to any of the claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the code reading means (6) are formed by a magnetic stripe reading device, possibly together with a chip, or comprise a keyboard (19) .

18.- Piece of furniture according to any of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that the detection means are means (24) for detecting the presence of a user on this piece of furniture or in the proximity thereof .

19.- Piece of furniture according to any of the claims 9 to 18, characterized in that the device (5) consists of a base (20) and a detachable casing (21) , which can be locked on the base (20) , with therein the detection means, the time mechanism (7) and the visualization means (8) .