Methods to improve automated check-in
View Patent ↗Techniques are provided to automate at least some of the information gathering required for check-in using a mobile device. A user may enter at least some required information using a mobile application on a mobile device. The mobile application may convert the entered data into a Quick Response (“QR”) code or other type of readable form that may be read or received by a device at the location of check-in. The information entered may be stored in the mobile device's memory and may be modified for future check-ins. A user would enter the location of check-in and present the mobile phone containing the information previously entered by the user to a reader at the location. The reader reads the information which may be transmitted to the location's database. Using the information submitted, the user may be checked in automatically.
1. A method comprising:
receiving a request for a mobile application from a user using a mobile device;
transmitting a request for access to the mobile application;
receiving the mobile application and displaying the mobile application to the user, wherein the mobile application is a standalone download for the mobile device that does not communicate any user data with a remote server to encode data entered by the user;
receiving data in the mobile device entered by the user in response to the mobile application, said data comprising information required for check-in;
converting the entered data into code locally in the mobile device; presenting the code to a reader to complete check-in, wherein the method is performed by one or more special-purpose computing devices.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile application is accessed via a mobile browser on the mobile device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device comprises one of a cell phone, a smartphone, a personal data assistant (“PDA”), a tablet computer, a laptop, or a notepad.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the code is a QR code encoding said information required for check-in.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein presenting further comprises presenting the QR code to an optical sensor on the reader.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the code is UPC code.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein presenting further comprises forming a Bluetooth connection to the reader.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein presenting further comprises transmitting a MMS message to the reader.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein presenting further comprises transmitting data via a RFID tag.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein presenting further comprises transmitting data via a NFC tag.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the reader transmitting the data to a server to complete check-in.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data from the user is stored on the mobile device when check-in is completed.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data from the user is erased from the mobile device once check-in is completed.
14. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the reader transmitting the data received from the mobile device to a server to complete check-in.
15. A system comprising:
one or more mobile devices; and
one or more self-service touch-based computing devices;
wherein one or more requests are received by a mobile device from a user for a mobile application to perform automated check-in, wherein the mobile application is a standalone download for the mobile device that does not communicate any user data with a remote server to encode data entered by the user;
the mobile device requesting access to the mobile application;
the mobile device receiving access to the mobile application; the mobile device receiving data entered by the user in response to the mobile application, said data comprising information required for check-in;
the mobile application converting the data into code locally;
the self-service touch-based computing device reading the code from the mobile device when placed in proximity to a sensor on the self-service touch based computing device; and
the self-service touch-based computing device completing check-in for the user.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the mobile application is a standalone download for the mobile device.
17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the mobile application is accessed via a mobile
browser on the mobile device.
18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the code is a QR code encoding said information required for check-in.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein presenting further comprises presenting the QR code to an optical sensor on the reader.