Apparatus and system for stock control
An apparatus ( 500 ) for detecting removal of items from a compartment is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a reader ( 540 ) for reading Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags attached to items in the compartment and a processor ( 510 ), coupled to the reader ( 540 ), for identifying items removed from the compartment. Removal of an item from the compartment is detected based on absence of a RFID tag that was previously detected by the reader ( 540 ). The RFID tags may be read exclusively when a door of the compartment is closed and the apparatus may further comprise a detector coupled to the processor ( 510 ) for detecting open/close status of the door. Removal of an item is preferably confirmed only when a RFID tag attached to an item has been absent from the compartment for longer than a defined time period.
1. An apparatus for detecting removal of items from a mini-bar, said apparatus comprising:
a reader for reading Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags attached to items in said mini-bar; and
a processor, coupled to said reader, for identifying items removed from said mini-bar;
wherein removal of an item from said mini-bar is detected based on absence of a RFID tag that was previously detected by said reader; and
wherein said apparatus couples with a central computer server coupled to a Property Management System (PMS), wherein the cost of items removed from said mini-bar are debited to an associated account by said PMS.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a detector coupled to said processor for detecting open/close status of a door of said mini-bar, wherein said RFID tags are read exclusively when said door is closed.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein removal of an item is confirmed only when a RFID tag attached to said item has been absent from said mini-bar for longer than a defined time period.
4. An apparatus for detecting removal of items from a mini-bar, said apparatus comprising:
a radio frequency detector for detecting items in said mini-bar;
a communications interface for transmitting and receiving data;
a memory unit for storing data and instructions to be performed by a processing unit; and
said processing unit coupled to said detector, said communications interface and said memory unit, said processing unit programmed to:
receive data from said radio frequency detector;
identify items removed from said mini-bar based on said data; and
report said removed items via said communications interface;
wherein said apparatus, via said communications interface, couples with a central computer server coupled to a Property Management System (PMS), wherein the cost of items removed from said mini-bar are debited to an associated account by said PMS.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said radio frequency detector comprises a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader for reading RFID tags attached to said mini-bar items.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said data comprises identification information relating to mini-bar items.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a detector coupled to said processor for detecting open/close status of a door of said mini-bar, wherein said RFID tags are read exclusively when said door is closed.
8. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein removal of an item is confirmed only when a RFID tag attached to said item has been absent from said mini-bar for longer than a defined time period.
9. A mini-bar, comprising:
a compartment for storing items;
a reader for reading Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags attached to items in said compartment; and
a processor, coupled to said reader, for identifying items removed from said compartment;
wherein removal of an item from said compartment is identified based on absence of a RFID tag that was previously detected by said reader;
wherein said mini-bar couples with a central computer sewer coupled to a Property Management System (PMS), wherein the cost of items removed from said compartment are debited to an associated account by said PMS.
10. The mini-bar of claim 9 , wherein the mini-bar comprises a communications interface for reporting items removed from said compartment to said central computer server.
11. The mini-bar of claim 9 , further comprising a display for reporting items removed from said compartment.
12. The mini-bar of claim 11 , wherein the cost of items removed from said compartment is reported on said display.
13. The mini-bar of claim 9 , further comprising a detector coupled to said processor for detecting open/close status of a door of said compartment, wherein said RFID tags are read exclusively when said door is closed.
14. The mini-bar of any one of claims 9 , 10 or 11 , wherein said processor reports removal of an identified item only when a RFID tag attached to said item has been absent from said compartment for longer than a defined time period.
15. The mini-bar of claim 9 , wherein said reader comprises one or more radio frequency antennae.
16. The mini-bar of claim 15 , wherein said one or more radio frequency antennae are disposed inside said compartment.
17. The mini-bar of claim 15 , wherein said one or more radio frequency antennae are disposed in a door frame of said compartment.
18. The mini-bar of claim 15 , wherein said one or more radio frequency antennae are disposed outside said compartment.
19. A system for managing stock in a plurality of hotel mini-bars, said system comprising:
a central computer server;
a plurality of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) units coupled to said central computer server, each said RFID unit associated with one of said mini-bars;
wherein said RFID units detect and report items removed from an associated mini-bar to said central computer server; and
wherein said central computer server is coupled to a Property Management System (PMS), wherein the cost of items removed from said mini-bars are debited to an associated account by said PMS.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein said plurality of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) units each comprise:
a reader for reading Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags attached to items in an associated mini-bar; and
a processor, coupled to said reader, for identifying items removed from said mini-bar;
wherein removal of an item from said mini-bar is detected based on absence of a RFID tag that was previously detected by said reader.
21. The system of claim 20 , further comprising a detector coupled to said processor for detecting open/close status of a door of said mini-bar, wherein said RFID tags are read exclusively when said door is closed.
22. The system of claim 20 , wherein a removed item is reported only when a RFID tag attached to said item has been absent from said mini-bar for longer than a defined time period.
23. The system of claim 19 , wherein said plurality of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) units each comprise:
a radio frequency detector for detecting items in an associated mini-bar;
a communications interface for transmitting and receiving data;
a memory unit for storing data and instructions to be performed by a processing unit; and
a processing unit coupled to said detector, said communications interface and said memory unit, said processing unit programmed to:
receive data from said radio frequency detector;
identify items removed from said mini-bar based on said data;
and report said removed items via said communications interface.
24. The system of claim 23 , further comprising a detector coupled to said processor for detecting open/close status of a door of said mini-bar, wherein said RFID tags are read exclusively when said door is closed.
25. The system of claim 23 , wherein said processing units are programmed to report removal of an item when a RFID tag attached to said item has been absent from said mini-bar for longer than a defined time period.
26. The system of claim 19 , further comprising a controller for controlling operation of at least one of said mini-bars remotely from said central computer server.
27. The system of claim 26 , wherein said controller turns at least one of said mini-bars on or off in response to a command from said central computer server.