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System and method for lane merge sequencing in drive-thru restaurant applications

  • US 10,387,945 B2
  • Filed: 05/05/2016
  • Issued: 08/20/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising:

  • acquiring images using one or more image capturing devices aimed at order placing locations of a multi-lane drive-thru system, said order placing locations comprising multiple primary lanes merging into a reduced number of at least one secondary lane, said at least one secondary lane comprising one or more pickup windows, said one or more pickup windows being separate from said order placing locations;

    continually performing automated image processing of said images from said order placing locations of said multi-lane drive-thru system, using an automated ordering system operatively connected to said one or more image capturing devices;

    automatically determining if a vehicle is present at any of said order placing locations of said multi-lane drive-thru system based on said automated image processing, using said automated ordering system;

    automatically determining if an order has been initiated into said automated ordering system;

    when said order has been initiated into said automated ordering system while said vehicle is present at any of said order placing locations;

    automatically associating said order with said vehicle and tracking said vehicle, using said automated ordering system, andautomatically beginning an automated sequencing processing of said automated ordering system, said automated sequencing processing determining an order pick-up sequence for picking up orders at said one or more pickup windows;

    outputting said order pick-up sequence using an interface at said one or more pickup windows, said interface being operatively connected to said automated ordering system; and

    when said order has been initiated while no vehicle is present at any of said order placing locations, automatically associating a potential out-of-sequence warning with said order, and outputting said potential out-of-sequence warning using said interface.

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