Wireless maitre d' system for restaurants

• US 20020147647A1
• Filed: 04/04/2001
• Published: 10/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3D Innovations Inc. (3d Innovations Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: 3D Innovations Inc. (3d Innovations Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kindell, Demeatres, Robinson, Deborah A., Ragsdale-Elliott, Deloris
• Granted Patent: US 6,636,835 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/15
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

An improved wireless maitre d'"'"' system and method which provide electronic interactive communication with a waiter/waitress for expediting and resolving menu orders made by local and remote patrons. The system includes a pager unit configured to fit in the palm of a waiter/waitress with multi-line scrolling and buffer capabilities for receiving and transmitting messages. The pager is programmed to provide a restaurant menu with message receiving and transmission features for sending corrected orders by patrons directly to kitchen personnel. Similar features are provided for patrons via a combination menu driven touch screen and transaction monitor. The system includes on-line Internet applications with miscellaneous options. The touch screen includes menu items linked to caloric expenditure data and health related menu information as approved by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Diabetic Association (ADA). On-line customer service surveys are compiled for advertising and marketing improvements.

Claims

1. An improved wireless maitre d'"'"' system for electronically filling and correcting menu orders in and outside of restaurants, the system having a computer with a wireless transmitter electronically connected thereto and at least one data storage means, at least one video monitor electrically connected to the computer and a computer readable code means, wherein the improvement comprises:

a first means for providing an electronically coded signal via said computer to at least one 2-way interactive device, said coded signal being readable by said readable code means which is digitally stored and accessible to the computer for wireless transmission and digital manipulation and processing, and

a second means for receiving and transmitting an electronically coded signal, the second means being configured for transmitting an electronically coded signal to at least one of said first providing means and said at least one video monitors via wireless transmission.

2. The improved wireless maitre d'"'"' system for restaurants according to claim 1, wherein said first providing means is a menu driven touch screen comprising a menu program resident with said computer which allows patrons to make visual orders and send messages to at least one restaurant employee being in possession with at least one of said second means for 2-way interactive communication.

3. The improved wireless maitre d'"'"' system for restaurants according to claim 2, wherein said menu program comprises a set of selective photo-realistic images digitally accessible via the storage means of the computer.

4. The improved wireless maitre d'"'"' system for restaurants according to claim 3, wherein said first menu driven means is a stand alone kiosk for attracting roaming patrons and for providing menu order vouchers therefrom.

5. The improved wireless maitre d, system for restaurants according to claim 3, wherein said first menu driven means is a stand alone kiosk for attracting roaming patrons and for providing menu order vouchers therefrom.

6. The improved wireless maitre d'"'"' system for restaurants according to claim 5, wherein said menu driven means further comprises an augmented program of readable source code which allows a user to interactively review menu items linked to caloric expenditure data and health related information, the data and information being interactively linked to an organ symbol for visually indicating personal health related items.

7. The improved wireless maitre d'"'"' system for restaurants according to claim 1, wherein said second means is a hand-held palm size pager unit having a display and equipped with multi-line scrolling and buffer capabilities for sending interactive page signals.

8. The improved wireless maitre d'"'"' system for restaurants according to claim 7, wherein said pager is adapted with a means for attaching to a user for hands-free use.

9. A method for providing wireless maitre d'"'"' service in restaurants, utilizing the maitre d'"'"' system according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:

(a) logging into the service;

(b) inputting personal data;

(c) selecting advertisements and miscellaneous data;

(d) selecting menu order information;

(e) reserving selective seating;

(f) selecting a maitre d'"'"';

(g) selecting help;

(h) logging out by patron payment processing.

10. The method for providing wireless maitre d'"'"' service in restaurants according to claim 9, wherein the log in step (a) includes activating a voice messaging system for remote menu orders.

11. The method for providing wireless maitre d'"'"' service in restaurants according to claim 9, wherein the inputting step (b) includes inputting data such as name, sex, age, zip code and a socio-economic level indicator, said indicator being an annual salary value.

12. The method for providing wireless maitre d'"'"' service in restaurants according to claim 11, wherein the inputting step (b) further comprises a compiling step for compiling said input data according to the group of parameters consisting of name, sex, age, zip code and the socioeconomic level indicator.

13. The method for providing wireless maitre d'"'"' service in restaurants according to claim 9, wherein the selecting step (c) includes the following steps of:

(c1) selecting a description of a selective advertisement;

(c2) selecting catering;

(c3) selecting for sale products in restaurant;

(c4) selecting job information opportunities;

(c5) selecting on-line games;

(c6) selecting trivia health questions;

(c8) selecting toll free call/paging

14. The method for providing wireless maitre d'"'"' service in restaurants according to claim 9, wherein the selecting step (d) for order information includes the steps of:

(d1) selecting from a set of preselected photo-realistic images representative of particular restaurants menu of selective food items, said selecting step (d1) include at least one touch activated organ symbol for visually indicating health related benefits for personal nutritional needs;

(d2) displaying order status; and

(d3) selecting a new order.

(d4) selecting a maitre d'"'"'

15. The method for providing wireless maitre d'"'"' service in restaurants according to claim 14, wherein the selecting step (d2) for displaying order information includes the steps of:

(d2)(a) completing an existing order; and

(d2)(b) updating order information.

16. The method for providing wireless maitre d'"'"' service in restaurants according to claim 14, wherein the selecting step (d3) for selecting a new order includes the steps of:

(d3) (a) displaying order items and preparation details; and

(d3) (b) completing an existing order;

17. The method for providing wireless maitre d'"'"' service in restaurants according to claim 14, further comprising the step of (d5) paging the selected maitre d'"'"'.

18. The method for providing wireless maitre d'"'"' service in restaurants according to claim 9, wherein the maitre d'"'"' selecting step (f) includes steps of selecting a maitre d'"'"' based on:

(f1) personal profile;

(f2) hobbies;

(f3) professional health related skills; and

(f4) mobile page device number.

19. The method for providing wireless maitre d'"'"' service in restaurants according to claim 9, wherein the selecting help step (g) includes selective steps of:

(g1) indicating a medical emergency;

(g2) requesting assistance with order;

(g3) activating a demo of the system;

(g4) requesting service for;

(a) selective condiments;

(b) selective utensils;

(c) selective beverages; and

(d) selective sweeteners.

20. An improved wireless maitre d'"'"' system network for electronically filling and correcting menu orders in and outside of restaurants, the system having a computer server network with a wireless transmitter electronically connected thereto and at least one data storage means, at least one video monitor electrically connected to the computer and a computer readable code means, wherein the improvement comprises:

at least one first means for providing an electronically coded signal via said computer to at least one 2-way interactive device, said coded signal being readable by said readable code means which is digitally stored and accessible to the computer for wireless transmission and digital manipulation and processing;

at least one second means for receiving and transmitting an electronically coded signal, the second means being configured for transmitting an electronically coded signal to at least one of said first providing means and said at least one video monitors via wireless transmission;

said at least one first providing means being a menu driven touch screen comprising a menu program resident with said computer which allows patrons to make visual orders and send messages to at least one restaurant employee being in possession with at least one of said at least one second means for 2-way interactive communication, and wherein said menu program comprises a set of selective photo-realistic images digitally accessible via the storage means of the computer server;

said at least one menu driven means further comprises an augmented program of readable source code which allows a user to interactively review menu items linked to caloric expenditure data and health related information;

the data and information being interactively linked to an organ symbol for visually indicating personal health related items;

said at least one second means is a hand-held palm size pager unit having a display means and equipped with multi-line scrolling and buffer capabilities for sending interactive pages, wherein said at least one pager is adapted with a means for attaching to a user for hands-free use; and

the network being a local area network.