System and method for automated dynamic wait listing
First Claim
1. A method of enabling a customer to add the customer'"'"'s name to a waiting list at a selected restaurant, said method comprising the steps of:
- storing information in a central waiting list database regarding each customer waiting to be seated at one of a plurality of participating restaurants, said information indicating waiting times associated with each participating restaurant and each waiting customer;
interfacing the central waiting list database with a local database located at each participating restaurant for exchanging information regarding customers waiting to be seated and the associated waiting time at each participating restaurant;
providing a Website through which a customer can access the central waiting list database;
receiving from the customer, an indication of a selected restaurant;
upon request by the customer, providing the customer with an estimated waiting time for the selected restaurant;
determining whether the customer requests to be added to the waiting list for the selected restaurant;
upon determining that the customer does not request to be added to the waiting list for the selected restaurant, providing the customer with the ability to select other restaurants from the plurality of participating restaurants; and
upon determining that the customer requests to be added to the waiting list for the selected restaurant, adding the customer to the waiting list for the selected restaurant.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for adding a customer'"'"'s name to a waiting list at a selected restaurant. A central waiting list database stores waiting list information for a plurality of participating restaurants. The waiting list information indicates waiting times associated with each participating restaurant and each waiting customer. Local waiting list databases located at each participating restaurant are connected to the central database through a data network such as the Internet. The central database and the local databases periodically exchange information regarding the waiting customers and their associated waiting times at each participating restaurant. A Website connected to the central database and the network enables an accessing customer to review restaurant information for the participating restaurants, select a restaurant, determine the waiting time at the selected restaurant, and add the customer'"'"'s name to the waiting list for the selected restaurant.
69 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of enabling a customer to add the customer'"'"'s name to a waiting list at a selected restaurant, said method comprising the steps of:
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storing information in a central waiting list database regarding each customer waiting to be seated at one of a plurality of participating restaurants, said information indicating waiting times associated with each participating restaurant and each waiting customer;
interfacing the central waiting list database with a local database located at each participating restaurant for exchanging information regarding customers waiting to be seated and the associated waiting time at each participating restaurant;
providing a Website through which a customer can access the central waiting list database;
receiving from the customer, an indication of a selected restaurant;
upon request by the customer, providing the customer with an estimated waiting time for the selected restaurant;
determining whether the customer requests to be added to the waiting list for the selected restaurant;
upon determining that the customer does not request to be added to the waiting list for the selected restaurant, providing the customer with the ability to select other restaurants from the plurality of participating restaurants; and
upon determining that the customer requests to be added to the waiting list for the selected restaurant, adding the customer to the waiting list for the selected restaurant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for adding a name of a customer to a waiting list at a selected restaurant, said system comprising:
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a central waiting list database that stores waiting list information for a plurality of participating restaurants, said waiting list information indicating waiting times associated with each participating restaurant and each waiting customer;
a data network connecting the central waiting list database with a local waiting list database located at each participating restaurant, said network enabling the central database and the local databases to exchange information regarding the waiting customers and their associated waiting times at each participating restaurant; and
a Website connected to the central waiting list database and the network, said Website enabling an accessing customer to review restaurant information for the participating restaurants, to select a restaurant, to determine the waiting time at the selected restaurant, and to add the customer'"'"'s name to the waiting list for the selected restaurant. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of enabling a customer to add the customer'"'"'s name to a waiting list at a selected restaurant, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a telephone call from the customer with an auto attendant at the restaurant;
determining by the auto attendant, calling line identification information for the customer; and
storing information for the customer in a local waiting list database, said information being indexed in the database with the calling line identification information. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification