U.S. patent number 3,656,113 [Application Number 04/772,673] was granted by the patent office on 1972-04-11 for control system for room reservation.
This patent grant is currently assigned to UMC Electronics Company. Invention is credited to William G. Lince.
United States Patent |
3,656,113 |
Lince |
April 11, 1972 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ROOM RESERVATION
Abstract
This disclosure relates to a system which displays the
availability of categories of items over a predetermined number of
units of time. Provision is made to constantly update the display
by incrementing or decrementing the appropriate item categories
between initial and final dates of use of any item. The units of
time may be classified into groups to allow an expired group of
units of time to be annexed to the last group of units of time to
continuously utilize the system over a predetermined future time
period.
Inventors: |
Lince; William G. (Yarmouth
Port, MA) |
Assignee: |
UMC Electronics Company (North
Haven, CT)
|
Family
ID: |
25095833 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/772,673 |
Filed: |
November 1, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/4.6;
340/286.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B
5/221 (20130101); G06Q 10/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08B
5/22 (20060101); G06Q 10/00 (20060101); H04g
003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/153,151,334,339 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pitts; Harold I.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for continuously visually displaying the status of an
inventory of items over a period of time defined by a plurality of
units of time, comprising a plurality of numerical display devices
each corresponding to a unit of time, said devices being arranged
to display the availability of a number of items for a unit of
time, said devices being arranged in sequential order of units of
time to display the availability of the items over the defined time
period, means for selecting a number of items and the units of time
said selected number of items are to be utilized, and means
responsive to said selection means for decrementing the numerical
information in the display devices corresponding to the selected
units of time by the selected number of items.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said display devices corresponding
to units of time are divided into groups of units of time, and
means for resetting the display devices of each group to indicate
an additional group of units of time.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said units of time are days and
said groups comprise a plurality of successive days.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein each succeeding three groups of
days total 31 and no group is greater than 11 days.
5. The system of claim 1 further including means for displaying a
plurality of categories of items for said predetermined units of
time, and said means for selecting includes category selection
means.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the items are rooms and the units
of time are days.
7. A system for displaying the availability of a plurality of rooms
for a predetermined number of days, comprising a plurality of
counting registers sequentially displaying the available number of
rooms for each day, means for selecting the days a number of rooms
are to be reserved, and means responsive to said selection means
for decrementing the registers corresponding to the selected days
by the selected number of rooms.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein said day registers are classified
into groups, a plurality of month indicators for each group, means
for selecting a month of operation for each group, and means for
energizing the indicator of the month selected.
9. The system of claim 7 wherein the number of days displayed are
selected to display N months, said day registers being classified
into groups where a given plurality of groups add to at least 1
month, each of said groups having 12/N month indicators associated
therewith where said month indicators are adapted to display each
12/Nth month.
10. The system of claim 9 further including a month selector for
each group of days, and means responsive to said month selector for
energizing the indicator on each group for the selected month.
11. The system of claim 9 further including means for selecting a
particular 12/Nth month for operation, and means responsive to
selection means to enable said group to accept information only in
the month selected.
12. A system for visually displaying a number of stores in
inventory for each of a predetermined number of serial units of
time, comprising a plurality of counter means each corresponding to
a unit of time, said counter means being arranged to visually
display the number of available stores for each unit of time, means
for selecting a predetermined number of stores for use between two
units of time, and means responsive to selection of said two units
of time for changing the number displayed by said counters between
said two units of time by the selected predetermined number.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein said counter means are
responsive to pulses to change the number displayed therein, and
further comprising a number register arranged to receive and store
the number of selected stores, a temporary number storage register,
means providing a sequence of timing signals, means responsive to a
first number of said timing signals for clearing said temporary
storage register, means responsive to a succeeding second number of
said timing signals for setting the number in said number register
in said temporary storage register, means for generating a series
of pulses, means responsive to setting of said temporary storage
register for applying pulses of the series to selected counter
means and utilizing the pulses to decrement the number in said
temporary storage register, and means for interrupting application
of the pulses to said counter means when the number in said
temporary storage register reaches zero.
14. The system of claim 12 wherein said counter means are
responsive to pulses to change the number displayed therein and
further comprising a number register for statically storing the
selected number of stores, a buffer register, means for setting the
number in said number register in said buffer register, means
providing a train of pulses, means for applying the pulses of said
train to one or more counter means and to said buffer register to
decrement the number in said buffer register, and means for
interrupting application of the pulses to said one or more counter
means when the number in said buffer register reaches zero.
15. A system for continuously displaying a number of items
available for use in each of one or more categories for a
predetermined number of units of time comprising record means for
visually showing the number of items, category of items, initial
unit time of use, and final unit time of use, storage means for
storing the number of items, category of items, initial unit time
of use and final unit time of use, means for reading said record
means and storing the information thereon in said storage means,
numerical display means for displaying the number of each item
available for use in each category for each unit of time, and means
responsive to said storage means, for changing the number in each
of said numerical display means in a category between said initial
unit time of use and said final unit time of use by the number of
items on said record means.
16. The system of claim 15 further including a buffer register,
means for setting the number of items in said storage means in said
buffer register, means providing a train of pulses, means for
applying the pulses of said train to said numerical display means
between said initial unit time and said final unit time and to said
buffer register to decrement the number in said buffer register,
and means for interrupting application of the pulses to said
numerical display means when the number in said buffer register
reaches zero.
17. The system of claim 15 where the units of time are days, said
numerical display means being arranged in groups of days where a
plurality of groups of days total at least 31 days, 12/N month
indicators associated with each group of days, where N is the
number of months displayed by said system, and means for energizing
a month indicator for each group of days in accordance with the
month in which said each group of days resides.
18. A system for continuously visually displaying a number of items
available for use in each of one or more categories for each of a
predetermined number of units of time comprising a plurality of
counter means each adapted to display the number of items available
for a unit of time, means for selecting and storing the number of
items, category of items, initial unit time of use and final unit
time of use, and means responsive to said storage means for
changing the number in each counter in a category between said
initial unit time of use and said final unit time of use by the
number of items selected and stored.
Description
This invention relates to information storage and display systems,
and more particularly relates to systems for storing and displaying
an inventory of different items taking into consideration the total
availability of items, category of items, units of time over which
the items are utilized and continuous monitoring of items placed in
and removed from availability over the time period.
A system embodying the present invention may find many applications
where a large number of items are continuously taken from and
returned to an inventory over predetermined units of time. It is
particularly adaptable for use in hotels, motels, hospitals, and
where information regarding the use and availability of units over
successive units of time is critical to the efficient operation.
Accordingly, the invention will be disclosed in such
environment.
At the present time, most large hotels, motels, hospitals, and the
like, rely on a paper marking inventory system which is
continuously maintained and updated by a reservation clerk. In such
bookkeeping or inventory systems, mistakes and over-bookings for
units are frequent. The result may be that a reserve customer is
turned away or referred to another establishment resulting in a
loss of good will. Alternatively, the establishment, to maintain
good will, may give the customer a higher priced unit at the lower
reserve rate to maintain its reputation in good will. In either
event, or analogous situation, the establishment suffers a loss of
good will and/or income. Additionally, much clerical time is
required at all presently known reservation systems.
The present invention as applied to a hotel reservation system
presents a continuous display of all categories of rooms available
for a predetermined number of days, months or other periods of
time. The invention further provides a means for almost
instantaneously validating reservations and recording cancellations
or reservations for any number of units within the predetermined
time. The present invention further provides a means for gathering
statistical data regarding reserved arrival time, no-shows,
walk-ins, peak periods, etc. A system embodying the present
invention further saves much clerical, bookkeeping and reservation
time and allows the reservation and reception personnel an ever
present, positive indication of all available units for a given
number of units.
An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved
inventory information storage and display system.
Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved
system for maintaining and displaying a continuous inventory of
available units over a predetermined period of time, and further
allowing immediate updating of such inventory upon any change in
reserved unit, cancellations, etc.
Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved
system which will continuously display categories of available
items over a predetermined number of units of time and which may be
immediately updated when items are added to or subtracted from
availability.
Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved
system of the type described in which the units of time are divided
into groups and each group may be utilized to indicate a new period
of time upon passage of a first period of time.
Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved
system of the type described in which the date of first use and
date of final use of a category of items are selected and all units
of time therebetween are incremented or decremented by the number
of items removed from or added to availability.
A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved
arrangement for providing a plurality of pulse counts corresponding
in number to a number held in a storage register indicating a
number of items to be placed in or removed from availability.
The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are
particularly pointed out and definitely claimed in the concluding
portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to
its organization and operation, together with further objects and
advantages thereof, may best be appreciated by reference to the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a record medium in the form of a punch
card for reading information into the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a display console;
FIG. 4 is a drawing partly in schematic and partly in block form of
a circuit for reading the information on the cards of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a diagram partly schematic and partly in block form of
the room category register of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a diagram partly schematic and partly in block form of
the classification register of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a diagram partly schematic and partly in block form of a
portion of the display console of FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 is a drawing partly schematic and partly in block form of
the actuating mechanism of each display register;
FIG. 9 is a diagram partly schematic and partly in block form of
the arrival date register of FIG. 1 and further showing the month
selector and indicator of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a diagram in block form of the final occupancy day
register of FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a diagram partly schematic and partly in block form of
the occupancy days selector of FIG. 1;
FIG. 12 is a diagram partly schematic and partly in block form of a
register for storing a number of units to be utilized; and
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the count control and feed
register of FIG. 1.
Referring now to the drawings and, specifically, to FIGS. 1 and 2.
A system embodying the invention includes an information or data
input in the form of a card reader 10. Card reader 10 is adapted to
read information which is stored in a record medium which is
preferably a card 11.
With specific reference to a hotel or motel, when a reservation is
received, the necessary data is punched in the appropriate places
on the card 11 utilizing a card punch unit 12. The card 11 is a
standard punch card having a given number of columns (vertical) and
rows (horizontal). The card is inserted into card reader 10 which
in a conventional manner senses the perforations in each column of
the card and forwards this sensed information to appropriate
storage or information handling devices. Considering both the
system of FIG. 1 and the card of FIG. 2, the first classification
on the card may be marked with the identifying code number of the
hotel for later reference in statistical analysis. The next
classification on the card is the date a reservation (or
cancellation) is received. The next classification on the card will
show the type or category of room selected. This information will
appear in column nine of the card and will be conveyed to a room
category storage unit 13. As will hereinafter be more specifically
set forth, any number of room categories up to ten may be encoded
in one column to show rooms such as singles, doubles, twin bed
units, suites, conference rooms, and any other category of rooms in
a particular hotel. The next classification on the card will show
the type of reservation, that is, whether it is a new reservation
or cancellation of an existing reservation. As will hereinafter be
explained more specifically, classification may be divided into
such classifications as 6:00 PM arrival, 9:00 PM arrival,
guaranteed reservation, and walk-in, and further may be classified
as 6:00 PM no-show, 9:00 PM no-show, guaranteed no-show, and
announced cancellation. Such information is read from column 10 of
the card and applied to a classification storage register 14. The
next classifications on the card which occupy four columns each
show the arrival date and the final occupancy date. Such
information is read from columns 12 -14, 16 -18, and applied to
storage registers 15 and 16, respectively.
The final punched classification on this particular card will
indicate the number of rooms in a given reservation or
cancellation, and such information is read from the card reader to
a count control and feed register 17. The month during which the
occupancy will occur or during which a previously made reservation
is to be cancelled is applied to a month selector unit 18 which
further channels this information to the arrival date and final
occupancy date storage registers 15 and 16, respectively.
The month selector further provides a signal to a month display
indicator 19 which will display the months being utilized in a
system. As will hereinafter be more fully explained, the particular
unit disclosed is a 62-day or 2-month system.
The information stored in the arrival date register and the final
occupancy date register is applied in an occupancy days selector 20
together with information in the classification register to provide
an ultimate indication of whether room units are to be subtracted
from inventory as by additional reservations or added to inventory
by reasons of cancellation. This information is applied to a visual
register and indicating portion of the system identified at 21.
The inventory of available rooms of each category is preferably
displayed on a console or display register board 23 as shown in
FIG. 3. This display board is made in six sections, 23a -23f, and
will show for each of 62 days the number of available rooms in each
category. For example, the number of available single SGL rooms is
shown in the top row, the number of double DBL rooms, twin TW
bedroom rooms, suites STE, conference CON rooms and other special
SPE rooms is shown in succeeding rows. For each category of rooms
for each of the 62 days there is a numerical display register 24
which is preferably in the form of a numerical counter as
hereinafter more fully explained. The display board is shown as
physically arranged in six sections of 10 or 11 days each. This is
merely for purposes of symmetry of appearance and to facilitate
disclosure as will hereinafter be made apparent.
Below each column of room categories is a day of the month numbered
1-31 and on each section of the console are indicator lights 25 for
six different months. The odd-numbered months, January, March, May,
July, September and November are available to be shown on the upper
display sections 23a, 23b, 23c, and the even-numbered months,
February, April, June, August, October and December are available
to be shown on the lower console sections. It will be understood
that at any given time, only one of the month indicators on each
console section will be illuminated.
Briefly, by way of preliminary explanation, assume that the console
of FIG. 3 is to be programmed for January 1 through February 28.
All of the January indicators on the upper sections 23a, 23b and
23c would be illuminated and all of the February indicators on the
lower sections 23d, 23e and 23f would be illuminated. Initially,
each display register or counter 24 is set to the maximum number of
rooms of each category for each day. Then the cards 11 are fed into
the card reader and the information thereon would be utilized to
decrement the counts in the registers 24 in accordance with the
reservations. In some instances, the counters might later be
incremented upon cancellations or no-shows.
As has previously been stated, the disclosed system is arranged for
a maximum of 62 days or 2 months. Therefore, on January 11 all
registers in the upper left section 23a would be reset to the
maximum number of rooms available in each category, and the month
of March would be selected for display thereon. Similarly, on
January 22, all registers in the upper middle console section would
be reset to the maximum number of rooms in each category so that
these sections could then accept further reservations,
cancellations and other information, and the month of March would
be selected for display thereon. In this way, the console sections
are preferably divided into 10- or 11-day sections to obtain
maximum utilization of the equipment. However, other divisions of a
month or number of days may be utilized. In the illustrated system,
the upper console sections have only the odd-numbered months, and
the lower console sections have only the even-numbered months. This
is feasible in a 2-month system inasmuch as by the symmetry thereof
only the odd months will appear on the top sections and only the
even months will appear on the bottom sections. If a 3-month system
were involved, each display section would then only have to show
every 4th month.
A console of the type disclosed in FIG. 3 allows an immediate
visual inspection of the number of units or rooms in each category
available during any day of a 2-month period. Assume that the
reservation clerk receives a telephone call or a letter requesting
reservations for a given period of time during the next month. The
reservation clerk merely inspects the availability of room
categories for the period of time desired, determines that such are
available, then punches the necessary information on a card 11 and
places the card in the card reader. This will cause a decrementing
of the registers for the reserved days in the proper room category.
Alternatively, in smaller systems the information may be manually
read in to the system by setting preselected switches, as will
hereinafter be made apparent.
A series of indicator lamps, not shown in FIG. 3, below the
selected rooms on the reserved dates will be illuminated to allow
the reservation clerk a visual check against the requested
reservation to determine that no error has been made during the
card punching and reading operation. When this check has been made
such indicator lamps may be extinguished, as hereinafter
described.
Reference is now made to the information read-in logic or card
reader 10. The card reader generally comprises a Standard Register
Company Card Reader Type 1711, which may be further modified as
disclosed in FIG. 4 to handle the necessary control power. The
punch cards 11 are inserted into card reader 10 and the
perforations in each column thereon read by a conventional star
wheel contact (not shown) which sequentially reads the perforations
within each column on the card and a commutator switch (not shown)
which reads the column on the card. When a perforation occurs in
one of the columns, a source of power (not shown) is connected to a
contact SO -S9. This will read a number in a given column. At the
same time the card is being advanced column-by-column to the card
reader and a commutator switch contact C9 -C23 will have a source
of power connected thereto as each column is read. The contacts C9
-C23 when made indicate a particular column which is being read. In
FIG. 4 the pertinent portions of the card reader 10 are shown and
comprise a plurality of contacts which are made when a perforation
in a column occurs. When one of contacts SO -S9 is connected to a
source of power an associated relay SRO -SR9 is energized which
picks up its controlled contacts to connect a positive voltage to
associated terminals SOA -S9A.
At the same time, as the columns are read by the card reader,
contacts C9 -C23 may be connected to a source of negative potential
to selectively energize relays CR9 -CR23 which will cause the
selected relays to pick up their controlled contacts C9A -C23A to a
source of negative potential or ground.
In the various drawings, electrically common contacts, terminals,
and lines bear the same reference characters. In describing the
various logic elements of a system embodying the invention, relays
which operate between energized and de-energized states are set
forth to facilitate disclosure. However, it is to be understood
that the various circuits and networks may be composed of relays,
vacuum tubes, semi-conductor devices or any other elements operable
between two states or conditions.
As will be hereinafter more fully explained, the combination of an
energized S contact and a C contact will identify the location of a
perforation on the card 11 and will convey the intelligence on the
card to a predetermined portion of the system.
The manner in which a particular room category is read will be
apparent from reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 5 illustrates a
plurality of memory devices, namely, six in number, which are
selected and set to an indicative state through information read
from the card 11. Reference to FIG. will show that the room
category is shown on column nine of the card. As illustrated in
FIG. 5 there are six room categories and a memory device in the
form of a relay RC1 - 6 for each room category. Each memory device
RC includes a relay coil having self-latching contacts and a pair
of signal contacts. When one of the relays is energized it will
pick up all of its contacts. The relay will be latched in and the
signal contacts are all connected to line 33 or 34 having positive
voltage thereon. The contacts or terminals which read the room
category are identified - S1A -S6A and the individual memory relays
are connected between one of these terminals and a common line 26
which is connected at its other end to terminal C9A of FIG. 4.
Thus, when column nine of card 11 is read and a perforation appears
in any of positions S1 - S6 a particular category of room is called
for. One of relays RC1 - RC6 corresponding to such room category is
energized and its corresponding signal contacts RC1I - RC6I, RC1D -
RC6D closes to indicate that a particular category of room has been
called for by the card 11.
In FIGS. 4 and 5 it will be understood that each of the relays and
memories are identical in construction and those represented in
block diagram are the same as those shown in schematic. In FIG. 5
the relays are self-latching and serve as memory units while those
shown in FIG. 4 are not self-latching and intended only to give an
instantaneous signal to one of terminals S1A - S6A and C9A -
C23A.
The classification register 14 is exemplified in FIG. 6. Such
classification register comprises a plurality of memory devices
which again may be in the form of relays 32 and 33 which are
energized through contacts S1A - S8A by the card reader sensing
perforations in column 10 of card 11. The coils of the relays 32
and 33 are adapted to be energized by completion of a circuit
through one of contacts S1A - S8A and contact C10A indicating
information in column 10 of the card. In FIG. 6 only one memory
unit is indicated in schematic form and the remainder are indicated
in block form. Each memory unit has a particular significance and
is so labeled. For example, the first column of memory units 32
indicates reservations for 6:00 PM arrival, 9:00 PM arrival,
guaranteed reservation, or walk-in customer. The memory units 33 in
the second column each indicate a no-show or a cancellation. Hence,
the memory units 32 in the first column, when energized, are
utilized to decrement the available rooms, while the memory units
33 in the second column, when energized, are utilized to increment
the number of available rooms.
The signal terminal of each of the decrementing memories 32 are
applied to a common line 34 and the signal terminals of each of the
incrementing memories 33 are connected to a common line 35.
Accordingly, a decrementing count in any classification in memories
32 will apply a signal to line 34. If any of memories 33 are
energized indicating a no-show or a cancellation, an incrementing
signal is applied to line 35. The incrementing or decrementing
signals, as is hereinafter explained, are applied to terminal P and
signal line P1. The incrementing or decrementing signal is then
passed through the signal contact of the energized memory to line
35 or 34. Line 35 is connected to the lower signal terminals of
each of relays RC1 - RC6 and the line 34 is applied to the upper
signal terminal of each of memory units Thus, the output terminals
RC1I - RC6I and RC1D - RC6D upon reading columns nine and 10 of
card 11 will indicate a particular room category that has been read
from the card and whether a decrementing or incrementing count is
to be utilized for that room category.
Briefly stated, when the circuits of FIGS. 5 and 6 are set up, a
number of pulses may be applied to terminal P indicative of a given
room count which is read from columns 19 and 20 on card 11 and
which is applied to the network of FIGS. 5 and 6 to the selected
ones of the signal terminals of the RC relays.
It may be seen that the memories exemplified in the form of relays
act as coincident networks, that is, such memories are set or
energized upon the simultaneous occurrence of given conditions.
The outputs appearing on the signal terminals RC1I-RC6I, RC1D-RC6D,
of the room category register are applied to visual display
counting registers, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. The array of display
counters 24 shown in FIG. 7 represent the display on section 23b of
display 23. More specifically, they show the displays for an 11-day
period and for six room categories. The displays are in the form of
a counter such as Veeder-Root Company, Hartford, Conn., counter
Model No. KJ1659 which is either incremented or decremented by a
single pulse and is so arranged that it will not count below zero.
Each of the counters 24 will have a number of digits selected in
accordance with the number of available rooms of a given type. The
counters 24 a which indicate the number of available single rooms
receive inputs over line CR1I and CR1D from the room category
register of FIG. 5. The counters 24b which represent the number of
available double rooms receive inputs over lines CR2I and CR2D from
the room category register of FIG. 5. Similarly, the rows of
counters 24c, 24d, 24e, and 24f receive inputs from lines CR3I,
CR3D; CR4I, CR4D; CR5I, CR5D; and CR6I, CR6D, respectively, from
the room category register. The counters 24 will not be operated
unless a circuit is established therethrough from a CRI or CRD line
to the occupancy days selector register, which circuits indicate
the days in which reservations or cancellations are made.
Each of the display counters 24 have an indicator light 24g
associated therewith to indicate the days and room categories which
have been selected and thus provide a visual check to the operator.
Such lamps are arranged to be illuminated by the coincident
application of a signal on a category signal line L1 - L6 and
occupancy day signal line DM. Each of relays RC1 - RC6 will connect
a line L1 - L6, respectively, to positive voltage when energized.
Each of lines L1 - L6 is connected to a series of lamps 24g (FIG.
7) for a corresponding category of rooms for each day (only one day
shown for each category. Each lamp is further connected to an
associated day line DM.
FIG. 8 illustrates in simple schematic form the operating mechanism
of one of the counters 24. Each counter comprises an add-actuating
coil 27 and a subtract-actuating coil 28 which receive inputs from
a RCI or RCD terminal, each of which when energized is adapted to
advance or reverse counting wheels 29 having numbers serially
displayed thereon adapted to be viewed through a window port as
exemplified in FIG. 7. The unit counting wheel is arranged to
operate a detent or other means 29a when the absolute sum in the
counter decrements to zero, which will open a switch 29b and
prevent further decrementing of the counter. A circuit is completed
through one of the coils 27 or 28 when a negative signal appears at
the occupancy day selector, as will hereinafter be more fully
described.
The function of the arrival date register 15 together with the
month selector 18 and month indicator 19, are shown in FIG. 9. The
register 15 comprises a plurality of logic elements adapted to be
set in a given one of two stable conditions upon the occurrence of
coincident signals, and upon such coincident signals transmit a
signal therethrough. It will be recalled that the system under
description is a 2-month or 62-day system. Accordingly, 2 month
memories 50 and 51 are provided, four decade day memories 52 - 55
are provided, and 10-unit day memories for day zero through day
nine, 56 -65 are provided. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the
information on the card 11 under the classification "arrival date"
is read into the arrival date register 15 of FIG. 9 as follows: The
arrival date classification on card 11 comprises four columns. As
shown in FIG. 2, these columns bear the number 0612 which indicates
a 6-month, 18th day arrival date. The 06 indicates the month of
June which is an even month and, accordingly, a signal is applied
to terminal MS2 even month memory from month selector 18a. At the
same time the C13 contacts indicate that this information is in
column 13 and a signal is applied to terminal C13a.
This will, in turn, set memory 51 which applies signals from
terminal MS2' to decade day selectors 52, 53, 54 and 55. One of
these memories will be set upon the reading of column 14 on card
11. Referring to the example on the card, it will be seen that the
arrival date falls between the 10th and 19th. Therefore, when card
column 14 is read a signal will be applied to terminal C14A and
simultaneously to terminal S1A which will set memory 53. Each of
memories 52 - 55 is adapted to yield two output signals. One of the
output signals is indicative of an odd month and a day within its
range, while the other signal is indicative of an even month and
the day within its range. The outputs of each of memories 52 - 55
is marked to indicate its possible output. For example, the output
of memory 53, M110, indicates that the arrival date is in an odd-
or even-numbered month and is within the 10th to 19th day span.
Similarly, the output marked M210 indicates that the arrival date
is in an even-numbered month and the date falls within the 10th to
19th day span. The outputs of the memories 52 - 55 are indicated on
the common bus lines running vertically in the drawing.
At this point, after reading the first three columns in the
classification arrival date on card 11, the selected ones of the
month and decade days memories have been set. In the example given,
this signal will appear on line M210. When the fourth column in the
room arrival classification of card 11 is read, terminal C15A will
be energized and terminal S2A representative of the second day will
also be energized. These coincident signals to memory 58 will set
memory 58 and enable it to provide a signal on its output line
M212A. In effect, memory 58 when set passes the signal on line M210
to its output terminal M212A. This now signifies that the arrival
date June 12 has been read from card 11 and the arrival date
register 15 has read such information from the card and energized
an appropriate line.
It may be readily seen that in a similar manner any day of an odd
or even month may be read from the card.
Reference is now made to the month selector 18 and the even and odd
month selectors 18a and 18b, respectively.
The month selectors have a two-fold function. One function is to
indicate on each section of the display of FIG. 3 the month
indicated by that console.
A selector switch is associated with each section of the console.
The odd month selector 18b which comprises selector switches 18c,
18d and 18e illuminate the month indicator lights 24 on the upper
three sections 23a, 23b, and 23c of the display, while the even
month selector 18a through selector switches 18f, 18g, and 18h will
illuminate the month indicators 24 on the lower three sections of
the display of FIG. 3. As shown, the selector switches 18c, 18d and
18e will illuminate the January illuminers on the upper three
sections of the console and the selectors 18f, 18g and 18h will
illuminate the month February on the lower three sections of the
console. The selectors, as shown, comprise six position rotary
switches with two sets of six terminals. The first set of six
terminals of each of selectors 18c, 18d and 18e are connected to
terminals S1A, S9A, S7A, S5A, S3A and S1A of the card reader.
Connected to the movable contact of each of the selectors is the
line MS1 which is, in turn, connected to memory 50. Thus, when any
of the odd months are read from the card, line MS1 will be
energized and will apply a signal to memory 50. When such signal
coincides with the reading of column 13 on the card, memory 50 will
be set or energized.
Selector 18a operates in a similar manner on contacts SOA, S8A,
S6A, S2A and SOA and when the circuits are properly selected will
apply a signal at terminal MS2 to memory 51.
Assume that the system initially displays the month of January
across the upper sections thereof and the month of February across
the lower sections thereof, and that the first 10 days of January
have passed. Selector 18c will be set to March and arranged to read
an input from terminal S3A. This will then change the month
indicator on the upper lefthand section 23a of the display to
illuminate the indicator for the month of March. Similarly, when
the 21st day of January has passed, selector 18d will be turned to
contact S3A which will allow reservations to be read in for the
March 11th - 21st period and will illuminate the March month
indicator on the middle upper section 23b. Subsequently, after each
10- or 11-day period the overall register will be updated in a
left-to-right sequence as viewed in FIG. 3. Each time a section of
the display is updated the appropriate month indicator is
illuminated.
The outputs of the memories 56 - 65 are each indicative of 1 day in
a 2-month or 62-day period. Such outputs are indicated by the
prefix M followed by the numeral one to indicate the odd month and
the numeral two to indicate the even month. The last two digits of
a reference character indicate the day of the month and the suffix
A indicates that this is an arrival date.
Each of the memories 50 - 65 may comprise self-latching relays with
a plurality of signal contacts as previously described. For
example, the memories 56 - 65 will provide a total of 62 signal
contacts or terminals. Where relays are utilized as the memories
the signal contacts thereof are normally open when the relay is
de-energized.
The final occupancy day register 16 is identical in construction to
the arrival day register 15 with the exception that the signal
contacts thereof are normally closed when the relay is
de-energized. Thus, when a given final occupancy day is read from
the card 11, one of the terminals indicative of that day has no
voltage thereon.
The final occupancy day register, shown in block form in FIG. 10,
comprises odd and even month memories 70, 71 which receive inputs
over lines MS1 and MS2 and an input from terminal C16A. The decade
day memories 72, 73, 74 and 75 receive inputs from contacts SOA,
S1A, S2A, and S3A, respectively, and from terminal 17a when column
17 of the card is read. The unit day memories 76 - 85 receive
individual inputs from terminals SOA - S9A, respectively, when
column 18 on the card through terminal C18A is read. The memories
76 - 85 have a total of 62 outputs each indicative of one day in a
62 -day period and identify in the same manner as the signal
outputs of the arrival day register except that the signal output
terminals in the final day occupancy register 15 bear the suffix
F.
The final occupancy date register 16 is identical in construction
to the arrival date register 15 except for slight differences in
operation. The relay signal contacts provide a positive potential
signal when energized, while the relay contacts in memories 56 - 65
provide a negative polarity signal when energized. The relay
contacts in the arrival date register are normally open when their
associated relays are de-energized. In the final occupancy date
register the relay contacts are normally closed when the associated
memory relays are de-energized.
The occupancy date selector 20 is set forth in FIG. 11, partly in
schematic and partly in block form and comprises 62 memory units of
which 34 are shown.
The relays shown are D231 - D202, each memory relay being
representative of an odd or even month and the day in that month.
Accordingly, it will be apparent that the relay D131 represents the
odd month and the 31st day thereof.
The coil of each of the relays receives at either end thereof
signals from the arrival date register 15 and the final occupancy
date register 16 corresponding to the date of the month represented
by the energized signal terminal of that register. For example, the
coil of relay D101 receives at its upper terminal a signal from
terminal M101F (FIG. 10) at its lower terminal a signal at terminal
M101A of the arrival date register 15 (FIG. 8).
Assume that a registration or cancellation is to be made commencing
on the 31st day of an even month through the third day of the next
month, relay D231 would receive a negative signal at terminal
M231A. At this point it will be recalled that on the unit day
memories of the final occupancy register the signal contacts are
normally closed and a positive potential applied thereto.
Therefore, the coil of relay D231 will become energized and close
its controlled contact. This will connect the lower terminal of the
coil of relay D101 to negative bus line 80. Relay D101 will become
energized and close its control contact to connect the lower
terminal of the coil of relay D102 to line 80. The coil of relay
D012 will then become energized and close its controlled contact to
connect the lower terminal of the coil of relay D103 to line 80.
However, in the final occupancy date register the contact to
terminal M103F has been opened when relay memory 79 is energized.
Accordingly, the coil of relay D103 is not energized.
At this time, the lines DM231, DM101, DM102 and DM103 will be
connected through the closed relay contacts to the negative bus
line 80. This will supply a negative control potential to the
display and indicator registers 24 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
Accordingly, the selected counting registers 24 are now set up for
incrementing or decrementing by a predetermined number of rooms as
will be read from columns 19 and 20 of card 11.
In FIG. 11 only 34 of the 62 days are represented by the memories
D231 -D202. It will be understood, however, that in the system
described there will be 29 additional memories serially arranged in
a loop. The arrival date information and final occupancy date
information may be applied to any position as desired on the day
selector register. This register will automatically operate to
produce a circuit for each day which occupancy is reserved or,
alternatively, cancelled. FIG. 11 further indicates the importance
of the final occupancy date signal. If only an arrival date was
read into the system without a final occupancy date, it will be
apparent that the whole serial register would be set up inasmuch as
no signal would be removed from the upper terminals of any of the
day relays. This feature of construction, however, is utilized when
initially setting the system for the total occupancy period.
When the appropriate display counters, as exemplified in FIG. 8,
have been selected by energizing one or more of the DM lines and
the appropriate CRI or CRD line, the display counters are then
enabled to receive either incrementing or decrementing pulse counts
where each pulse count is indicative of a room to be reserved or a
previous reservation cancelled.
The count control and feed register 17 of FIG. 1 is more
specifically set forth in FIGS. 12 and 13. The number of units to
be reserved or cancelled are read into and stored in number
register 90, FIG 12. Such number in tens is read into relay
memories NDO-9 and in units in relay memories NUO-9. The number in
tens is read in when column 19 of card 11 is read through contact
C19A by the individual inputs SOA - S9A. Similarly, the unit
numbers are read in from card column 20 at terminal C20A and
through individual inputs SOA -S9A. It will be apparent that if the
number of rooms to be reserved is, say, 11, relay memories ND1 and
NU1 will be energized and latched in. The signal contacts of these
relays will be connected to common bus lines 91 and 92 which are,
in turn, connected to lines 93 and 94, respectively, for purposes
hereinafter set forth. The signal contacts of each pair of
associated relays is further connected to contacts T16, T18, T20,
T22, T24, T26, T28, T30, T32 and T34 in inverse order to the
storage number represented by the memory relays. Between each set
of these contacts is a uni-directional conducting device 84.
As will hereinafter be more fully explained, positive-going pulses
are sequentially applied to each of contacts T16 - T34 to read the
complement of the number stored in number register 90. Reference is
now made to the count control network shown in FIG. 13.
The network of FIG. 13 includes a sequence and time base generator
in the form of a stepping switch 96 having a contact arm 97 which
sequentially steps along contacts T1 - T40 which also provide
timing markers. It will be understood that the number of contacts
that are utilized is a function of the marker times desired. The
contact arm 97 in making contact with the terminals T1 - T40 as the
arm 97 is stepped provides a series of marker or timing pulse
signals. It is to be understood that such marker or timing signals
may be derived from other equipment such as an electronic marker or
time base generator.
The network of FIG. 13 further includes a buffer or temporary
storage counting register 99. In the embodiment of the invention
illustrated, this counting register may comprise a unit counter 100
and a decade counter 101 which are of the type CM1OR/ZT/V of the
Presin Company, Inc. of Bridgeport, Conn. These counters are down
counters arranged to count in one direction. The individual
counters are of the type having a counting wheel (not shown) which
is actuated one-tenth of a revolution upon energization of a coil
102. These counters further include a switch 103 (only shown on the
units counter) which closes as the counting wheel moves from zero
to nine to simulate a carry, and a switch 104 which opens when the
count is zero. When switch 103 closes indicating a borrow, a line
105 is connected directly to counter 101 to effect such borrowing
action.
To summarize, the temporary storage register 99 is utilized to
temporarily store the number of rooms read from number register 90
and thereafter to monitor the pulses derived from a pulse generator
106 and applied to selected ones of display register 24.
The network of FIG. 13 utilizes seven bi-stable devices in the form
of relays 107-113. Relay 107 is energized when all previous data
has been read into the system, and the system is ready to increment
or decrement the counting registers 24 by the number in card
columns nineteen and twenty. Relay 107 is enabled from terminal
C21A and is energized through time T40.
Relay 108 controls the application of pulses from pulse generator
106 to a stepping switch actuator 114 which operates the arm 97 of
timing switch 96, and also controls the application of pulse counts
to classification register 14, FIG. 6. Relay 108 is energized at
time T38.
Relay 109 also acts to control the application of pulses from pulse
generator 106 to classification register 14, FIG. 6, and to
decrement to zero the number of units read into storage register 99
from number register 90. Relay 109 is also energized at time
T38.
Relay 110 acts to clear storage register 99 during times T2 - T14.
It is energized at these times. When energized it completes a
circuit through storage register 99 to the negative voltage line,
and thus acts as a power control during the clearing time.
Relay 111 functions as a power control for storage register 99
commencing at time T15 when a new number is read in from number
register 90. When energized it unlatches relay 110.
Relay 112 at time T36 provides a signal to the card reader 10 to
signify that a cycle of operation is complete and print a
validating legend on card 11 in block 11a.
Relay 113 at time T37 opens the positive voltage supply to relay
107 to shut down the counting network.
When card column 21 is read, terminal C21A is energized and an
enabling signal is applied to a relay 107.
When an energizing signal is applied to relay 107 it applies
positive voltage over line 115 from positive bus line 115a to the
movable contact arm 97 on the time sequence generator 96.
Simultaneously, it enables pulse generator 106 which commences to
generate positive-going pulses. Such pulses are applied through the
contacts of relay 108 and lines 116 and 117 to stepping switch
actuator 114 which commences to index arm 97 in timed steps about
the contacts T1 - T40. When contact or time T2 is reached, an
energizing signal is applied to relay 110 over line 118 and relay
110 is set or latched in. As arm 97 moves to contact T3 and
subsequently moves through T14, each movement of the contact on one
of the terminals T3 - T14 produces a positive-going pulse which is
applied over line 119 through relay 110 and lines 120 and 121 to
counters 100 and 101, respectively, in parallel. At this time coils
of both of counters 100 and 101 are returned to negative voltage
over line 122 through relay 110. Accordingly, as arm 97 indexes
from - -T14 it will generate a total of 11 positive-going pulses
which are utilized to decrement the counters to zero. These pulses
are applied to the counters in parallel. At any time during the
sequence when the counters reach zero, the switches 104 open.
The counters 100 and 101 are inherently designed not to decrement
past zero in a positive direction. That is, they will move from
zero to nine, but not from zero to one.
When arm 97 makes contact with terminal T15 an energizing signal is
applied over line 123 to relay 111. When energized memory 110
latches in and accomplishes two functions. It opens line 124 to
de-energize memory 109 and it further connects line 125 to negative
voltage.
At this time, the temporary storage register has been decremented
to zero, relays 107 and 111 are energized or set and relays 108,
109, 110, 112 and 113 are de-energized. Relay 110 is energized only
from time T2 through T14 at which time any number in register 99 is
decremented to zero. At this time, arm 97 will sequentially make
contact with terminals T16 - T34 which correspond to the terminals
T16 - T34 in the number register of FIG. 12. As arm 97 moves past
each of terminals T14 T34 a pulse is generated which is
sequentially applied to the terminals T16 - T34. Such pulses may be
applied to lines 93 and 94 through the signal contact of the
energized ones of the ND and NU relays, FIG. 12. In the example
previously given, assume that relays ND1 and NU1 are energized, as
arm 97 steps from T16 to T32.
As arm 97 sweeps through contact T16 - T32, nine pulses will be
produced which are applied to line 127. Line 127 includes the
uni-directional conducting devices as well as the T16 - T34
terminals. The pulses applied to the terminals T16 - T34 pass along
line 127 to seek the signal terminals of the relays which are
closed and, hence, to lines 91 and/or 92 and then lines 93 and 94.
Lines 93 and 94 are connected to lines 120 and 121 through relay
110, hence, nine decrementing pulses are applied simultaneously to
each of counters 100 and 101. This will decrement the counters to
show a total of eleven therein. After the arm 97 moves past contact
T32, the diode 84 between terminals T32 and T34 prevents any
further application of pulse counts to lines 93 and 94.
The temporary storage register 99 is now set with the number stored
in the room number register of FIG. 12.
When terminal T35 is reached, an optional checking feature may be
employed. At this time the system is prepared to increment or
decrement the selected registers 24. Provision is made for the
operator to delay this action until the indicator lamps 24a under
the selected registers 24 are checked. At T35, a relay 130 is
energized over line 131 and opens its contact in line 117 to
interrupt pulses to actuator 114 and halt advance of arm 97. If the
lamps 24a indicate that the day selection is accurate, the operator
closes switch 132 to reapply pulses to actuator 114. At time T36 an
enabling or energizing signal is applied over line 133 to relay
112. When this occurs, relay 112 closes its contact and signals
card reader 12 which prints a validating legend in box 11a on card
11. Copies of the validated card may then be utilized as
hereinafter described.
At time T38, arm 97 energizes line 134, and relay 108. The lower
contact of relay 108 connects the coil of relay 109 to lines 122
and 125 and, hence, negative voltage to complete a circuit
therethrough. When relay 108 is energized it opens the circuit
between lines 116 and 117 and inhibits actuator 114, thus halting
arm 97. Line 116 now connects pulses from generator 106 to the
closed contacts of relay 109, and such pulses are simultaneously
applied to lines 135 and 136. Line 136 leads to terminal P in the
classification register (FIG 6). Line 135 is connected to line 121
which applies the pulses to unit counter 99. Assuming the number in
storage is 11, at the application of the second pulse, switch 103
closes and positive voltage is applied to counter 101 over line
137. This decrements the decade counter to zero and switch 104 in
counter 101 opens. After nine more pulses, counter 100 is
decremented to zero and its switch 104 opens. This opens the
circuit through the coil of relay 1009 by disconnecting line 138
from lines 122 and 125. The contacts of relay 109 return to their
normal position, the circuit to line 136 is broken, and application
of pulses to lines 135 and 136 is interrupted. Simultaneously, a
circuit from line 116 through lines 139 and 140 is established to
line 117 and actuator 114 is again rendered operative.
As arm 97 advances to T40, relay 113 is energized to open its
contact and remove voltage from line 115 and de-energize relay 107.
The network of FIG. 13 is now disabled and awaits a new cycle of
operation when another card is read.
In the described operation 11 pulses were transmitted to terminal P
in classification register 14, FIG. 6, which are in turn applied to
one of lines 34 or 35. Lines 34 or 35 will convey the pulses to the
selected RCI or RCD lines in room category register 13, FIG. 5, and
hence to the selected RC lines in FIG. 7. The pulses will be
applied to the selected day counter registers 24 having energized
DM lines, and the counter registers will be appropriately
indexed.
The invention has been disclosed within a system in which
information is read in from a prepared record medium. It will be
apparent that the read-in of information to the system could be
accomplished manually by appropriately substituting push-button or
other type switches to set information in the various registers.
For example, the classification register could be reduced to two
relays for reservation and cancellation where no permanent record
is desired and each of such relays could be actuated by a manually
operated switch. In all registers and controls, the bi-stable
devices may easily be operated by manually operated switches rather
than from the card reader 12.
However, the use of the cards 11 provide an added benefit in that
they may be stored and then utilized in a data processing system to
derive a statistical analysis of the establishments of business
over a period of time. The cards 11 may be in duplicate or in
triplicate. The cards bearing the reservation validation may be
mailed to the customer to verify the reservation, a second card may
be held for checkout purposes and a third card utilized for a
permanent record.
When the illustrated system is initially set up for operation for a
period including a predetermined number of units of time, all of
the counters 24 will be at zero or may be set to zero. Then a card
is prepared for each room category for each unit of time and fed
into the system as incrementing counts. This will set all of the
counters 24 to the total units in inventory or available.
Thereafter, the cards which have the reservation data thereon are
fed into the system and the appropriate counters 24 are decremented
to show the remaining available units during any unit of time.
The invention has been disclosed in a hotel or motel reservation
system. However, it will be apparent that it will have many other
utilizations to account for items of inventory which are used over
units of time. Such uses, for example, might be in the leasing of
equipment, such as automobiles, use of hospital rooms, or any other
system which requires accounting of categories of items, number of
it items and times of use of such items or stores of materials.
It may thus be seen that the objects of the invention set forth as
well as those made apparent from the preceding description are
efficiently attained. While a preferred embodiment of the invention
has been set forth for purposes of disclosures other embodiments
and modifications to the disclosed embodiment of the invention
which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention may
occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims
are intended to cover all embodiments of the invention as well as
modifications to the disclosed embodiment which do not depart from
the spirit and scope thereof.
* * * * *