Tip Meter

• US 20090322555A1
• Filed: 06/26/2008
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amy Mcintosh, Evan Potratz
• Original Assignee: Amy Mcintosh, Evan Potratz
• Inventors: McIntosh, Amy, Potratz, Evan
• Granted Patent: US 8,494,659 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 1/14 in the form of legs

Abstract

A tip meter for providing real time customer satisfaction information to a server is provided. The tip meter displays a tip percentage identified by the customer. During the course of the service experience, the tip percentage is adjusted up or down depending on the customer'"'"'s real time satisfaction. If the customer decreases the tip percentage, the service staff can attempt to improve service during the rest of the encounter and thereby increase the tip. The tip meter also calculates the total bill, including a particular tip amount for the customer and includes a light to notify staff when service is needed.

Claims

1. A tip meter comprising:

a) a base member;

b) at least one display screen on the base member;

c) at least one tip button on the base member for increasing and decreasing a tip percentage displayed on the display screen;

d) at least one button on the base member for turning the meter on and off; and

e) a means for performing functions coupled to the display screen, the tip button, and the on/off button.

2. The tip meter of claim 1, further comprising a grouping of buttons designating whole numbers from 0 to 9 coupled to the means for performing functions.

3. The tip meter of claim 1, further comprising a service light button.

4. The tip meter of claim 1, wherein the display screen is a liquid crystal display screen.

5. The tip meter of claim 1, wherein the display screen is a plasma screen.

6. A tip meter for use in displaying real time customer service satisfaction to a service provider comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a means for performing functions within the housing;

c) a display screen on the housing coupled to the means for performing functions; and

d) a plurality of buttons on the housing coupled to the means for performing functions, wherein the buttons include at least one button for raising or lowering a tip percentage and at least one function button.

7. The tip meter of claim 6, wherein the plurality of buttons further comprises numerical buttons representing whole numbers 0 through 9 coupled to the means for performing functions.

8. The tip meter of claim 6, wherein the function button turns the meter on and off.

9. The tip meter of claim 6, wherein engagement of the function button calculates a total bill, inclusive of a designated tip.

10. The tip meter of claim 6, further comprising a cover.

11. The tip meter of claim 10, wherein the cover further comprises a stand.

12. The tip meter of claim 6, further comprising a substantially rigid stand.

13. The tip meter of claim 12, wherein written material is displayed on the back side of the stand.

14. The tip meter of claim 12, further comprising a memory coupled to the means for performing functions.

15. A method of use of a tip meter comprising the steps of:

a) providing a tip meter comprising;

i) a housing;

ii) a display screen on the housing;

iii) a plurality of buttons on the housing, wherein the buttons further comprise at least one function button and at least one button to raise and lower a tip percentage; and

iv) a means for performing functions coupled to the display screen and the plurality of buttons;

b) displaying a tip percentage in the display screen of the tip meter; and

c) raising or lowering the tip percentage.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of buttons further comprises a grouping of buttons designating whole numbers 0 through 9.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of inputting a bill using the designated number buttons.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of calculating a tip based on an identified tip percentage.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of calculating a total bill, including a tip percentage.