US2009192898A1PendingUtilityA1

Remote Ordering System

63
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Nov 29, 2006Filed: Mar 18, 2009Published: Jul 30, 2009
Est. expiryNov 29, 2026(~0.3 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Daniel Baril
G06Q 50/12G06Q 30/0267G06Q 30/06G06F 3/0482G06Q 30/0641G06Q 20/204G06Q 30/0601G06Q 20/18
63
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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References
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Claims

Abstract

A remote ordering system is provided using an electronic menu having a series of input devices associated with various menu items, and a wireless transmitter to send selected menu items to a receiving device for processing. A display to show selected menu items, an alpha-numeric keyboard, a non-cash payment device, and a printer for receipts are also contemplated for increased functionality. The menu may be remotely updated to reflect the customer's preferences or a change to the menu choices.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A handheld electronic menu comprising:
 an electronic display for displaying both a first series of menu choices and a sub-series of menu choices;   a plurality of switches, each switch positioned to be aligned with one of the menu choices and one of the sub-menu choices;   a feedback mechanism for visually and/or audibly indicating selection of a menu choice;   a microcontroller including embedded software for operating the menu;   a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting selected menu choices to a central location;   an integrated payment device; and   a power supply for powering the display and the transmitter.   
     
     
         2 . The menu of  claim 1  wherein the switches are not part of the display. 
     
     
         3 . The menu of  claim 2  wherein the switches are membrane switches. 
     
     
         4 . The menu of  claim 1  further comprising a locator for providing a table and/or seat location of the device. 
     
     
         5 . The menu of  claim 1  comprising a scanner for scanning personal identification. 
     
     
         6 . The menu of  claim 1  further comprising software stored on a computer readable medium wherein the software includes encryption code. 
     
     
         7 . The menu of  claim 6  wherein the encryption code is compatible with industry standard credit card encryption standards. 
     
     
         8 . The menu of  claim 1  wherein the payment device is constructed and arranged to read credit cards, debit cards, gift cards and Smart cards 
     
     
         9 . The menu of  claim 1  further comprising a microphone and speaker for audibly communicating with restaurant staff. 
     
     
         10 . The menu of  claim 1  comprising an electronic signature pad. 
     
     
         11 . The menu of  claim 1  wherein the menu choices and the sub-menu choices can be displayed at the same position on the display. 
     
     
         12 . The menu of  claim 1  further comprising a switch for paging wait staff. 
     
     
         13 . The menu of  claim 1  further comprising software for presenting a customer with non-menu related features wherein the features are selected from the group consisting of advertising, games and internet access. 
     
     
         14 . The menu of  claim 1  further comprising an integral printer. 
     
     
         15 . A system including the menu of  claim 1  and a printer in communication with the menu. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the printer is integral with a charging station for charging the power supply of the menu. 
     
     
         17 . The menu of  claim 1  further comprising software for providing nutritional information for menu choices. 
     
     
         18 . The menu of  claim 1  wherein menu and sub-menu choices are available in more than one language. 
     
     
         19 . The menu of  claim 1  configured and arranged to send and receive information to and from the central location. 
     
     
         20 . The menu of  claim 1  comprising a microcontroller operated exclusively using embedded code. 
     
     
         21 . The menu of  claim 1  further comprising software for collecting information about a customer who uses the menu. 
     
     
         22 . The menu of  claim 1  further comprising software for recognizing a previous customer and customizing the menu in response to previous information obtained from the customer. 
     
     
         23 . A method for a customer to place an order at a restaurant without the use of wait staff, the method comprising:
 picking up a handheld electronic menu;   reviewing a series of menu choices presented on a display;   selecting a menu choice from the series of choices by activating a switch aligned with the menu choice;   reviewing a series of sub-menu choices presented on the display;   selecting a sub-menu choice by activating a switch aligned with the sub-menu choice;   wirelessly transmitting an order to a central location wherein the order includes selected menu choices and sub-menu choices; and   paying for the order via a payment device integral to the menu.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising communicating with a second customer electronically via the handheld electronic menu and a second electronic menu associated with the second customer. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein paying includes using a credit card, debit card, smart card or gift card. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the menu is electronically associated with a specific table or seating position; and
 wirelessly transmitting includes providing information regarding the customer's physical location within the restaurant to the central location.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising using a single menu to pay for orders placed using a plurality of menus. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23  comprising using the menu to pay for an order placed at a different location. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the order is transmitted to the central location prior to associating the menu with a specific seating or table location. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  including transmitting the specific seating or table location after the customer has been seated. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein seat and/or table location is determined using triangulation or signal strength techniques. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the menu is associated with a specific table or seating location by detecting and reading a tag associated with the table or seating position. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the tag is energized by the menu. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the tag comprises an RFID tag. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 26  comprising using a proximity sensor to provide the menu location. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the customer is a hotel guest and the customer's room number is transmitted to the central location. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the table or seating location is transmitted to the central location by activating a switch on the menu. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 23  comprising transmitting a second packet of information from the central location to the menu. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the second packet of information includes a query from kitchen staff regarding the customer's order. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39  further comprising speaking with a restaurant staff member via a microphone integral to the menu. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the query comprises a text query. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising updating the menu display from a location different than the menu. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 23  comprising responding to a menu query regarding customer allergies. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 23  comprising responding to a menu query regarding the customer's time limitations. 
     
     
         45 . A system comprising:
 an electronic menu comprising:
 an electronic display for displaying both a series of menu choices and a sub-series of menu choices; 
 a plurality of switches, each switch positioned to be aligned with one of the menu choices and one of the sub-menu choices; 
 a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting selected menu choices to a central location; 
 an integrated payment device; 
 a microcontroller including embedded software for operating the menu; 
 a power supply for powering the display and the transmitter; and 
   a central processor constructed and arranged to receive transmissions from the menu and to provide order information regarding customer orders to restaurant staff.   
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45  further comprising a printer associated with the menu and constructed and arranged to print a customer receipt. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 45  further comprising a menu docking station for charging the power supply of the menu. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 45  further comprising software embedded on the microcontroller, the software capable of encrypting transmissions from the menu to the central processor. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 45  wherein the central processor comprises a personal computer.

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