KR20020096686A - Network system for customer - Google Patents

Abstract

The network system for providing internet and customer support and contents through a laptop computer and a PDA equipped with a local area network and a wireless LAN card installed in a hotel, a restaurant, a hospital, a tourist facility, etc. according to the present invention, the local area network, a laptop computer and a PDA Connect to the Internet and internal network, perform billing and customer authentication process through interworking of web server / radius server and PMS / HIS, provide internal customer service and external customer service, and the customer can use laptop computer and PDA When requesting access through, PMS via access point and customer information database through Radius server are automatically linked to provide a number of contents including billing in customer's country language.

Description

Network System for Customers {NETWORK SYSTEM FOR CUSTOMER}

The present invention relates to a local network, and more particularly, to a network system supporting wireless communication in a local network.

The Internet is a worldwide computer network system, a network of networks where a user can access and get information from any other computer if he or she has permission to use it. The current Internet consists of servers scattered around the world, and each remote server is interconnected according to a communication protocol called TCP / IP. Regional network is a term that includes local area network, metropolitan area network, and wide area network.

A local area network is a collection of PCs, mainframes, and workstations that are connected by 300m or less communication lines. In addition, a local area network is a high-speed network that allows employees to most effectively use computer equipment installed in an institution's building, which is the distance that currents or radio signals between computers can be transmitted accurately. Wide area network refers to geographically dispersed networks and is used as a term for a communication structure that covers a wider area by distinguishing from a local area network. In general, a local area network is within a certain area such as a building, a school, a research institute, and a production plant, whereas a wide area network refers to a network that connects a large area, and a region and a province, a country and a country, or a continent and a continent. It is a network that connects long distance areas that are completely separated geographically. A metropolitan area network is a larger network than a local area network, but it is a network that connects computer resources and users within a geographically smaller place than the area covered by the wide area network. Urban networks are applied to connect networks within a city into one large network.

However, in the past, regional networks applied to hotels, restaurants, hospitals, tourism facilities, etc. are based on wired networks, so that customers who are out of rooms are supported by hotels, restaurants, hospitals, tourism facilities, etc. There is a problem that it is difficult to provide network services such as services.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, an object of the present invention is a network system for customers who can use the network services provided by hotels, restaurants, hospitals, tourist facilities, etc. In providing.

In order to solve the above problems, a network system for customers connecting the local area network and the Internet installed in hotels, restaurants, hospitals, tourism facilities, etc.,

A device that connects separate networks using the same transport protocol, and performs a function of connecting network layers to each other, the router being connected to the Internet;

And a web server / radius server that performs a billing and customer authentication procedure with reference to a customer information database and provides a plurality of contents in a language used by the customer when the customer makes an access request.

In addition, according to the present invention, a laptop computer having a local area network and a wireless LAN card installed in a hotel, a restaurant, a hospital, a tourist facility, and the like, and a network system for providing Internet and customer support and content through a PDA

Connect the local area network, laptop computer and PDA with the Internet and internal network, perform billing and customer authentication procedures through the interworking of web server / radius server and PMS / HIS, and provide internal customer service and external customer service. When the customer requests access through the laptop computer and the PDA, the PMS via the access point and the customer information database through the Radius server are automatically linked to provide a plurality of contents including billing in the customer's country language. .

1 is a view showing a network system for customers, such as hotels, restaurants, hospitals, tourism facilities according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

2 is a view showing the configuration of a PMS / HIS shown in FIG.

3 is a view for explaining the operation of the network system shown in FIG.

4 is a view for explaining the function of the network system shown in FIG.

5 is a view for explaining the case that the network system shown in Figure 1 is applied to a personal portable network,

6 to 13 illustrate web pages provided by the web server shown in FIG. 1;

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described an embodiment of the present invention; In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related well-known functions and configurations are omitted in order not to obscure the subject matter of the present invention.

1 is a view showing a network system for customers, such as hotels, restaurants, hospitals, tourism facilities according to the present invention. The network system 100 includes a plurality of access points 130, a hub 140, a router 160, a web server / radius server 150, which support a plurality of customer terminals 110 and 120. , PMS / HIS (Property Management System / Hotel Information System, 200).

The customer terminal 110 or 120 refers to a laptop computer 110, a PDA 120, or a Bluetooth terminal provided with a wireless LAN card or a Bluetooth chip provided to a customer in a hotel, restaurant, hospital, tourist facility, or the like.

The access point 130 retransmits wireless data received from a plurality of customer terminals 110 and 120 located within a predetermined service area through the local area network 170 by wire, and received through the local area network 170. The wireless data is retransmitted to the customer terminal 110 or 120 wirelessly.

The hub 140 is a place where data received from the router 160, the access point 130, or the web server / radius server 150 is collected, and the received data is again the corresponding destination of the router 160. ), Access point 130, or web server / radius server 150.

The web server / radius server 150 performs a function of providing a plurality of contents in the form of a web page to the customer, and performs a billing and customer authentication procedure through interworking with the PMS / HIS 200. . The web server / radius server 150 provides a plurality of contents in the language of use of the customer by referring to the customer information database when the customer requests access using the laptop computer 110 and the PDA 120. do.

The router 160 is a device for connecting separate networks using the same transmission protocol, and performs a function of connecting network layers to each other and is connected to the Internet / wide area network.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the PMS / HIS 200 shown in FIG. 1. The PMS / HIS 200 is interworked with the web server / radius server 150, and by the customer information database 250 and the web server / radius server 150 that store all information related to the customer. An application database 300 for storing a plurality of applications to be executed, and a web-related database 210 for storing web-related files used by the plurality of applications.

The customer information database 250 may include an IP address, a visited IP address, a login information, a nationality, a language, a history of a laptop computer or a PDA 110 or 120, etc. of a customer staying at the hotel, restaurant, hospital, or tourist facility. All information related to the customer is stored.

The web-related database 210 includes a web page 215, a video 220, an image 225, a sound 230, and the like.

Applications constituting the application database 300 are classified into applications supporting the basic internal service 310 and applications supporting the PDA service 370. Examples of the application may include a database program, a web browser, a mail program, and the like. The application may be a common gateway interface (CGI) program, an active server page (ASP), PHP, or the like. CGI is the standard way to communicate customer needs to applications and return the results back to the customer. CGI programs can be written in programming languages such as C, C ++, Java, and Perl. ASP is processed on the web server before being sent to the user as an HTML page containing one or more scripts. PHP is also a scripting language and interpreter similar to JavaScript or Microsoft's VBScript.

The basic internal service 310 includes a customer check in / out information service 315, a wireless LAN (WLAN) usage history service 320, a room data image service 325, and a room change. / Exchange service 330, message service 335, locator service 340, wake-up service 345, express check out service 350 And a room order service 355 and a print use service 360.

The customer check-in / out information service 315 maximizes customer service by registering all information in the web server / radius server 150 when the customer checks in / out through the PMS.

The WLAN usage history service 320 is a service that provides information such as time zone details and the number of times of access for the WLAN card provided to the customer.

The room data image service 325 is a service that maintains an optimal system by automatically exchanging the state of the latest information of the customer in the room when the network system 100 recovers again after a problem occurs.

The room change / exchange service 330 is a service for transmitting all information to a changed room when changing a room at the request of a customer.

The message service 335 is a function for transmitting a message generated in the absence of the customer to the laptop computer 110 of the customer. Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a web page provided with a menu for confirming a call and a message from a customer.

The locator service 340 maximizes the service by providing information on the surroundings of hotels, restaurants, hospitals, tourist facilities, etc., and recommends places and restaurants to visit. Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown a web page provided with a map showing the periphery of a hotel, restaurant, hospital, tourist facility, and the like.

The wake-up service 345 is a service that automatically provides a wake-up call to a person or exchange in the exchange room when a customer inputs a desired time. Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a web page provided with a plurality of expanded lists from which a customer can set when to receive a wake-up call and how to receive it.

The express check-out service 350 is a service that allows a customer to check out in a room without waiting at the front desk when checking out.

The room order service 355 is a service that allows a customer to place an order and receive a meal service through the Internet without using a desired meal in a room. Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a web page provided with a number of expanded lists where a customer can set a time to order a meal, a meal menu, and other options.

The print service 360 is a service to automatically print when the customer prints the desired information.

The PDA service 370 includes a butler call service 375, a room state change service 380, a check in / out service 385, a translation service 390, and a digital global positioning service. Service, 395).

The butler call service 375 maximizes the service by inquiring or inputting the service and complaints desired by the customer in real time, and realizes customer satisfaction by interworking with the customer information database 250.

The room state change service 380 may change a room state in real time, check a mini bar and post in real time, and manage inventory.

The check-in / out service 385 checks in / out through the PDA 120 when the customer waiting time increases during check-in / out, and the polyo is a function for printing through a designated printer. In the future, it is a service that can be used without a terminal in hotels, restaurants, hospitals, tourist facilities, etc., which are low-cost or have fewer rooms.

The translation service 390 refers to a translation service provided through the Internet.

The DGPS service 395 services the customer's location and the place he wants to go to when the customer has a PDA at the time of the tour, and enables the customer's native language service automatically, and when passing the tourist attraction. It is a service that allows you to automatically service the attractions and to generate revenue through advertising effects.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of the network system 100 shown in FIG. 1. 3 shows a procedure of connecting a customer using a wireless LAN card provided to the network system 100.

The automatic driver installation process 410 is a web server / radio server 150 (Cisco Bank) when a customer borrows a WLAN card from a hotel, restaurant, hospital, tourist facility, etc. and installs it on the laptop computer 110 brought to him. It is a process of installing a driver (automatic plug & play) through the access point (130).

The browser execution process 120 automatically executes a browser such as Internet Explorer and Netscape in the language of the customer. The initial web page displayed on the browser is shown in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 6, a web page where a customer can log in by inputting an ID and password is illustrated.

In the customer authentication process 430 and the main menu access process 440, the web server / radius server 150 performs a customer authentication process by interworking with the PMS / HIS 200 and accesses a main web page. The main web page is shown in FIG.

The service providing process 450 is a process of providing various services to the customer through a menu displayed in the browser.

4 is a view for explaining the function of the network system 100 shown in FIG. The function of the network system 100 is not to create a community of its own, but to create a community for value-added distribution in cooperation with and jointly with an Internet service provider.

In addition to the above, the service to be provided by the network system 100 is as follows.

1. Billing Information Service

It is a service that automatically posts the time and amount of the wireless Internet used by the customer to the customer's folio.

2. Game and music service

This service allows customers to play WMF games and songs on PDAs and laptops.

3. Internet service for restaurants and public places

It is a service that generates revenue as a customer performs internet services in restaurants, coffee shops, hospitals, libraries, etc. through wide wireless LAN (WWLAN) or WLAN.

4. Mobile Computing Services

It is a service that enables payment using electronic money when requesting payment to a customer terminal.

5. V.O.D Service

You can watch movies that were previously only available in your room at any place inside hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and tourist facilities. , Restaurants, hospitals and tourist facilities are services that can generate profits for a certain fee.

6. Concierge Service (Locator Service)

It is a service that maximizes the service by providing information on the surroundings of hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and tourist facilities, and recommends places to visit and restaurants. Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown a web page provided with menus for viewing entertainment information such as hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and tourist facilities and nearby geographic information.

7. Reservation Service

As a service that customers can automatically book in their rooms, each service company can receive the status of the reservation as a text message, and hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and tourist facilities can generate revenue by receiving a certain fee. It is a service. Referring to FIG. 9, a web page provided with a plurality of spread lists for setting a corresponding event, restaurant, gym, reservation time, and the like is illustrated.

8. Cyber shopping

In conjunction with DFS (Duty Free Shop), customers can shop in the room without visiting DFS, and customers can purchase a product in the folio at the time of purchase and settle at checkout. The customer can also pick up the goods by presenting the confirmation receipt at the airport departure. It creates a community to sell general products to customers, and it is a service that can generate profits by acquiring patents on product symbols and a certain fee for transactions from hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and tourist facilities.

Billing for the services in conjunction with the PMS / HIS billing in addition to the customer's fee to pay and distribute it, and the shopping is directly operated or interworked with the domestic shopping mall companies to distribute the profit. Reservations can be operated with a monthly membership fee for each chain.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a case where the network system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is applied to a personal portable network.

The personal portable network 500 includes a plurality of base stations 510, a base station controller 520, a mobile switch 530, a subscriber information processing device 540, and a network interworking system 550.

The plurality of base stations 510 perform wireless communication with laptop computers and PDAs 110 and 120 respectively located within a predetermined service area 560, and the base station controller 520 operates the plurality of base stations 510. To control.

The mobile switch 520 automatically connects to the network interworking system 550 when the PDA 120 selects a packet service option. Thereafter, when the customer terminal 520 selects a receiving side IP address, that is, an IP address of the customer support system 100, the network interworking system 550 transmits data to the IP address.

Thereafter, the web server / radius server 150 provided in the network system 100 performs a function of performing a customer authentication procedure through interworking with the PMS / HIS 200. The subsequent process is as described above.

As described above, the network system for a customer according to the present invention has an advantage that a customer can use a network service provided to his wireless terminal at any location by using an access point and a radio server.

Claims (5)

In the network system for customers connecting the local area network and the Internet installed in hotels, restaurants, hospitals, tourism facilities, A device that connects separate networks using the same transport protocol, and performs a function of connecting network layers to each other, the router being connected to the Internet; Characterized in that it includes a web server / radius server that performs billing and customer authentication procedures with reference to the customer information database and provides a plurality of contents in the language used by the customer when the customer requests an access. Network system for The method of claim 1, And a plurality of wireless terminals connected to the local area network and at least one access point for retransmitting data received through the local area network to the local area network or the wireless terminal. Network system for The method of claim 2, A place where data received from the router, an access point, or a web server / radius server are collected, and further comprising a hub for transmitting the received data back to the router, the access point, or the web server / radius server as a corresponding destination. Network system for customers characterized by. The method according to claim 1, wherein In conjunction with the web server / radio server, a customer information database for storing all information related to the customer, an application database for storing a plurality of applications executed by the web server, web-related files used by the plurality of applications A network system for a customer further comprising a PMS / HIS having a web-related database for storing. In the network system for providing internet and customer support and contents through the laptop computer and PDA equipped with local area network and wireless LAN installed in hotels, restaurants, hospitals, tourist facilities, etc. Connect the local area network, laptop computer and PDA with the Internet and internal network, perform billing and customer authentication procedures through the interworking of web server / radius server and PMS / HIS, and provide internal customer service and external customer service. When the customer requests access through a laptop computer and a PDA, the PMS via the access point and the customer information database through the Radius server are automatically linked to provide a plurality of contents including billing in the country language of the customer. Network system for customers characterized.