Customer order communication apparatus and methods

• US 20040183790A1
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Richard L. Miller
• Original Assignee: Richard L. Miller
• Inventors: Miller, Richard L.
• Application Number:
  US10/376,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20040183790A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0386 for light pen

Abstract

A device for taking orders from a drive-thru customer, including a menu board, photoreceptors positioned on the menu board to correspond to menu selections, and a communications link in communication with the photoreceptors and generating a signal indicative of which photoreceptors have received light corresponding to certain menu selections.

Claims

1. A system for remotely taking orders from a customer, the device comprising:

a menu board having a menu selection listing a number of items;

for each item of the number of items, a photoreceptor associated uniquely to that item, and positioned on the menu board to correspond to that item, and generating a signal when activated by light;

communications link in communication with the photoreceptors and generating a signal indicative of which photoreceptors have received light.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a radio-frequency identification transmitter/receiver.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

for each item of the number of items, an audio receptor associated uniquely to that item, and positioned on the menu board to correspond to that item, and generating a signal when activated by sound;

communications link in communication with the audio receptors and generating a signal indicative of which audio receptors have received sound.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a light emitting selection device remotely positioned from the menu board, and emitting a light having characteristics suitable for activating the photoreceptors.

5. A method of remotely taking orders from a customer, the method comprising:

(A) accepting light signals from a customer onto a menu board having photoreceptors uniquely corresponding to menu items; and

(B) generating an order signal indicative of which photoreceptors have received light.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein in step (A), the customer is positioned within a vehicle positioned near the menu board.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising filling an order based on the order signal.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein step (A) further includes accepting customer information from the customer in the form of magnetic, light or radio signals.

9. A method of placing an order for desired items, the method comprising:

(A) directing light signals at a menu board and activating appropriate photoreceptors corresponding to the desired items.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising, prior to step (A) positioning a vehicle near a menu board, and wherein step (A) is carried out from within the vehicle.