Order confirmation devices, systems, and methods

• US 20080262972A1
• Filed: 04/20/2007
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Patrick J. Blake
• Original Assignee: Patrick J. Blake
• Inventors: Blake, Patrick J.
• Application Number:
  US11/788,526
• Publication Number:
  US 20080262972A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/75
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for confirming online orders are provided. In some embodiments, a method of confirming an online food order is provided, where the method includes providing a confirmation device at a vendor facility, where the confirmation device is adapted to receive an order and send the order to a display or printing device; receiving an online order through the confirmation device; printing or displaying the order and an associated confirmation code; and entering the confirmation code into the confirmation device to confirm receipt of the order. The confirmation device may be dedicated to the single purpose of confirming online orders and may be incorporated into a point-of-sale device.

Claims

1. A method of confirming an online food order, the method comprising:

providing a confirmation device dedicated to confirming online orders, wherein the confirmation device is adapted to receive the order and send the order to a display or printing device;

receiving the order through the confirmation device;

printing or displaying the order with a confirmation code; and

entering the confirmation code into the confirmation device to confirm receipt of the order.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the confirmation device is located at a vendor facility.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the confirmation device is incorporated into a point-of-sale device.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein entering the confirmation code comprises using a bar code scanner, touch-sensitive screen, or buttons associated with the point-of-sale device.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining whether the order is valid before entering the confirmation code.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein determining whether the order is valid comprises manually reviewing the order.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising referring the order to a customer service representative when the order is determined to be invalid.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising generating and sending a confirmation message to a customer when the order is determined to be valid.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising printing or displaying the order at a location where the order is to be prepared.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the confirmation device is connected to a telephone line.

11. An online order confirmation system comprising:

a confirmation device adapted to receive an online order from a customer, send the order to a display or printing device located at a vendor facility, and receive input of a confirmation code, wherein the confirmation device is dedicated to confirming orders;

an order processing unit for generating a confirmation code for the order; and

a device for printing or displaying the order and the confirmation code;

wherein the confirmation device comprises an input mechanism for entering a confirmation code, and wherein the confirmation device is incorporated into a point-of-sale device.

12. The confirmation system of claim 11 wherein the device for printing or displaying the order comprises a printer or a facsimile machine.

13. The confirmation system of claim 11 wherein the confirmation system is adapted to generate and send a confirming message to the customer.

14. The confirmation system of claim 13 wherein the system is adapted to send the confirming message after entry of the confirmation code into the confirmation device.

15. An online order confirmation device comprising:

a connection to the Internet for receiving an online order from a customer;

an input mechanism for entering a confirmation code;

a processor; and

an output mechanism for sending the online order to a display or printing device located at a vendor facility;

wherein the confirmation device is dedicated to confirming orders.

16. The confirmation device of claim 15 wherein the vendor facility comprises a restaurant.

17. The confirmation device of claim 16 wherein the confirmation device is incorporated into a point-of-sale device at the vendor facility.

18. The confirmation device of claim 16 wherein the confirmation code comprises a bar code.

19. The confirmation device of claim 16 further comprising a button for routing the order to a customer service representative.

20. The confirmation device of claim 16 further comprising a confirm button, a resend button, and an error button.