Hand-held ordering device and system

Abstract

A hand-held ordering device and system which allows a user to order a meal at a restaurant or place an order at any business using a wireless transmission means.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for placing an order at a restaurant with a wireless device, the restaurant remote from the wireless device, the method comprising the steps of:
 a.) providing a wireless device having a video display, an input device, a wireless transceiver, a location detector to detect a location of the wireless device that is remote from the restaurant, and a processor communicatively coupled to the location detector, the video display, the wireless transceiver, and the input device;   b) activating the input device to generate the restaurant which is remote from and within a predetermined distance of the wireless device;   c) determining, by the processor, a respective set of distances between the location of the wireless device and the restaurant;   d) identifying, by the processor, whether the restaurant is within a predetermined distance of the location using the set of distances;   e) displaying, by the processor, the menu of the restaurant on the video display;   f) selecting at the input device an order of food chosen from the displayed menu;   g) determining a location of the wireless device that is remote from the restaurant using the location detector of the wireless device;   h) communicating the order and automatically providing the location of the wireless device to a communication system associated with the restaurant using the wireless transceiver of the wireless device;   i.) communicating navigation directions directing the wireless device to the restaurant;   j) automatically calculating and communicating an estimated time of arrival at the restaurant; and   k) placing the order into a queue at the restaurant based on the location of the wireless device to cause said order to be ready at or about said estimated time of arrival at the restaurant.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is to cause the video display to display a notification when the location of the wireless device is not within a predetermined distance of the restaurant. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein, when the location of the wireless device is not within a predetermined distance of the chosen restaurant, the processor is to cause a rechecking of the location of the wireless device relative to the restaurant at timed intervals until the location of the wireless device is within a predetermined distance of the restaurant. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the processor is to accept the order entered at the input device only when the location of the wireless device is within a predetermined distance of the restaurant.