Abstract

A microprocessor control system for monitoring and controlling a plurality of different parameters or features of a large number of like-kind entities, each characterized by such parameters or features. The control system is particularly suitable for automatically controlling on an indiviudal room basis, parameters within hotels/motels such as: counting the number of outgoing calls, paging guests having messages and controlling room message waiting indicators, placing wake-up calls to guest rooms at predesired wake-up times, and tracking in real-time the housekeeping and occupancy status of each hotel/motel room. Incidentally to the room status feature, telephone sets within unoccupied rooms or within rooms being cleaned are automatically disabled from registering outgoing calls, but may be used for registering emergency calls. All control functions are performed by a microprocessor under hardwire program or firmware command. Each room has identified therewith in the control system a plurality of identifiable Feature circuits addressable by and responsive to commands by the microprocessor for interfacing with the respective telephone set circuits servicing that room. The microprocessor and Feature circuits interface with pre-existing telephone equipment within the hotel/motel at the site of the central telephone control circuit bay within the hotel/motel, requiring no additional wiring to or any new circuit installations within the hotel/motel rooms. Hotel/motel personnel and the control system communicate with one another by means of a plurality of personalized desk consoles, by means of a plurality of room status and message waiting display scanners strategically located throughout the hotel/motel, and by means of a printer. The room status and message waiting scanners sequentially display those room numbers currently requiring maid or housekeeping service, or for which a message is waiting, respectively. The printer provides, under microprocessor control, a hard-copy record of all console and many feature processing functions of the control system.