Wireless electronic drive-thru system and method

Abstract

In a particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a system including a customer authentication and payment server, a merchant data server, a merchant network, and a merchant station. The merchant data server is coupled to a public data network and the public data network is coupled to the customer authentication and payment server. The merchant network is coupled to the merchant data server and the merchant station. The merchant station includes a communication interface to provide for wireless communication with customers located within a wireless coverage area using an ad hoc connection.

1 .- 53 . (canceled)  
     
     
         54 . A system comprising: 
 a merchant station comprising a wireless communication interface to provide for wireless communication with wireless communication devices of customers located within a wireless coverage area, the merchant station adapted to provide an order selection menu to the wireless communication devices to facilitate a transaction;    wherein in response to a first order placed via a first wireless communication device a status of the first order is communicated from the merchant station to the first wireless communication device.    
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein at least one of the customers is located within a vehicle having a telematics control unit, wherein the telematics control unit is able to communicate with the merchant station via the wireless communication interface.  
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the telematics control unit is one of a mobile phone, personal digital assistant, and a laptop computer.  
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein data communicated between the merchant station and the first wireless communication device is XML type data that is enhanced to provide further customization for display at a user interface of the telematics control unit.  
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the merchant station includes a headset for use by a merchant representative, wherein the merchant representative, via the headset, may communicate with a customer via the wireless communication interface.  
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the first customer receives a first customized menu via the first wireless communication device and a second customer receives a second customized menu via a second wireless communication device.  
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 54 , further comprising: 
 a data network coupled to the merchant station; and    a merchant data server coupled to the data network.    
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 60  wherein the merchant data server uses data related to previous transactions to provide a customized experience for a customer.  
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 60  wherein the merchant data server uses customer preferences to provide a customized experience for a customer.  
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the merchant station notifies the first customer of procurement instructions for receiving the first order.  
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the order selection menu comprises a text description and an image associated with at least one item on the order selection menu.  
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the order selection menu comprises a video clip associated with at least one item on the order selection menu.  
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the order selection menu comprises an audio announcement associated with at least one item on the order selection menu.  
     
     
         67 . A method of processing wireless electronic drive-thru orders comprising: 
 receiving an order selection from a wireless communication device associated with a first customer within a wireless coverage area, the order selection communicated via data over a wireless channel; and    sending a status of the order to the wireless communication device.    
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , further comprising authenticating the use of the wireless communication device at an authentication server.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the authentication server returns identifying information associated with vehicles owned by a user of the wireless communication device to facilitate matching the vehicle with the order selection.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the authentication server returns identifying information related to the user of the wireless communication device for providing a customized order selection menu.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 67 , further comprising selecting a desired language for an order selection menu.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 67 , further comprising initiating an interactive text message communication session between a user of the wireless communication device and a merchant representative operating a merchant station.  
     
     
         73 . A method of placing a wireless electronic order comprising: 
 displaying an order selection menu on a mobile telematics unit within a wireless coverage area supported by a merchant electronic ordering service, the order selection menu communicated by the merchant electronic ordering service over a wireless channel;    sending an order selection from the mobile telematics unit to the merchant electronic ordering service over the wireless channel; and    receiving and displaying a status of the order on the mobile telematics unit.