Patron service system and method

Abstract

A method provides for using a wireless patron unit within a venue and within a vicinity of the venue. The method includes providing at least one patron with a wireless patron unit by either permitting the at least one patron to temporarily use a provided wireless patron unit that includes at least one venue specific application program, or by providing at least one venue specific application program to the at least one patron for downloading into a patron-owned wireless communication device that can be used during the at least one patron's visit to the venue. The method also includes connecting the wireless patron unit to a server enabling communication between the wireless patron unit and the server, entering a patron order for at least one item or service provided by the venue into the wireless patron unit, and determining a current location of the wireless patron unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of using a wireless patron unit within a venue and within a vicinity of the venue, the method comprising:
 providing at least one patron with a wireless patron unit by either permitting the at least one patron to temporarily use a provided wireless patron unit that includes at least one venue specific application program, or by providing at least one venue specific application program to the at least one patron for downloading into a patron-owned wireless communication device that can be used during the at least one patron's visit to the venue;   connecting the wireless patron unit to a server enabling communication between the wireless patron unit and the server;   entering a patron order for at least one item or service provided by the venue into the wireless patron unit; and   determining a current location of the wireless patron unit.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 updating a status of the patron order and the current location of the wireless patron unit, when the patron moves to a different location, on the wireless patron unit; and   displaying the patron order on a display of the wireless patron unit.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying patron-related information regarding location provided by wireless patron unit; and   displaying patron-related information on the wireless patron unit, when available, that has been retrieved from a storage based on the patron identification information.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein connecting the wireless patron unit includes wirelessly connecting the wireless patron unit to the server using a cellular network.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein connecting the wireless patron unit includes wirelessly connecting the wireless patron unit to the server using a venue local area network.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein connecting the wireless one patron unit includes connecting the wireless patron unit to the server using the Internet.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the current location of the wireless patron unit is automatically updated when the wireless patron unit is transported within the venue and within the vicinity of the venue.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein patron-related information includes information relating to the at least one patron's previous orders for items and services at the venue.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 facilitating electronic payment for the at least one item or service provided by the venue based on patron payment information entered into the wireless patron unit.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the wireless patron unit within a venue or within a vicinity of the venue, based on patron unit location, displays on the wireless patron unit: advertisements, offers, coupons or other information.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one patron engages in two-way communication with at least one representative of the venue using the wireless patron unit.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one patron accesses the Internet, social media website and an email website using the wireless patron unit.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein the two-way communication includes audio communication between the at least one patron and the at least one representative of the venue.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein one or more wireless patron units are stationary in the venue, enabling patron to order from their current location.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the wireless patron unit is a portable handheld device, which is transportable by the at least one patron to different locations within the venue and within the vicinity of the venue.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 ,
 wherein the venue electronically monitors a current location of the wireless patron unit.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the wireless patron unit includes a touch-screen display that permits the at least one patron to enter and select information by touching the touch-screen display.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the provided patron unit is configured in a venue fixture or furniture that includes the display, and communicates to the server wirelessly by Local Area Network (LAN) or wireless Ethernet.   
     
     
         19 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that includes a venue specific application program for use by at least one patron using a wireless patron unit within a venue and within a vicinity of the venue, comprising:
 a connecting segment that enables communication between the wireless patron unit and a server;   an entering segment that enters patron identification information into the wireless patron unit;   a display segment that displays patron-related information on a display of the wireless patron unit, when available, that has been retrieved from a storage based on the patron identification information;   a patron order segment that enters a patron order for at least one item or service provided by the venue;   an updating segment that updates a status of the patron order, and updates a current location of the wireless patron unit when the patron moves to a different location, on the wireless patron unit;   a patron order display segment that displays the patron order on the display of the wireless patron unit; and   a providing segment that provides a current status of the patron order on the patron unit display.   
     
     
         20 . A method of using a wireless patron unit within a venue and within a vicinity of the venue, the method comprising:
 providing at least one patron with a wireless patron unit by either permitting the at least one patron to temporarily use a provided wireless patron unit that includes at least one venue specific application program, or by providing at least one venue specific application program to the at least one patron for downloading into a patron-owned wireless communication device that can be used during the at least one patron's visit to the venue;   enabling communication between the wireless patron unit and a server;   entering a patron order for at least one item or service provided by the venue into the wireless patron unit;   entering patron preference information into a patron preference database relating to an item or service, the patron preference database including patron preferences entered by the patron, and patron preferences automatically generated by a computer based on at least one previous patron order by the at least one patron;   determining a current location of the wireless patron unit;   updating a status of the patron order, and the current location of the wireless patron unit when the patron moves to a different location, on the wireless patron unit; and   displaying the patron order on a display of the wireless patron unit.