METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENTERING ORDERS OF CUSTOMERS

• US 20100023410A1
• Filed: 10/01/2009
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: William T. Doan
• Original Assignee: William T. Doan
• Inventors: Doan, William T.
• Application Number:
  US12/571,855
• Publication Number:
  US 20100023410A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/15
• 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

Abstract

A method and system for entering an order into an onsite computer-based sales management system of a restaurant. A communication link is established between an offsite employee and an order-placing talk box at the restaurant. The communication link is utilized for two-way voice communication so that a food order can be taken from a customer located at the restaurant by the offsite employee. A data communication link is utilized by the offsite employee to enter the order into the onsite computer-based sales management system which facilitates food preparation, fee collection, and the recording of sales. Preferably, the offsite employee utilizes a personal computer to accomplish the stated functions, the communication links are provided via the Internet, and the customer is located within a vehicle adjacent the restaurant when placing his/her order.

Claims

1. A restaurant/store management system for entering orders, comprising:

an order-placing station located at a restaurant/store;

an onsite computer-based system within the restaurant/store for facilitating preparation, fee collection, and sales recording functions with respect to orders input into said onsite computer-based system;

an offsite communication device and data entry terminal at a location offsite relative to the restaurant/store and said order-placing station;

a first communication link between said order-placing station and said offsite communication device; and

a second communication link between said offsite data entry terminal and said onsite computer-based system;

whereby customers at the restaurant/store place orders by communicating via said first communication link to a person at said offsite location and the person thereafter enters the customer'"'"'s order into said onsite computer-based system via said second communication link.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said offsite communication device and data entry terminal is a personal computer having a modem, a microphone and a speaker.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said first communication link is a two-way voice communication link.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein said voice communication link is established via the Internet, and wherein said personal computer has a voice communication software program enabling voice communication over the Internet.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein said second communication link is a data communication link established via the Internet.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein said offsite location is a home residence, and wherein said personal computer functions as an electronic point of sale register.

7. A system according to claim 5, wherein said order placing station is located adjacent a drive through lane of a restaurant.