CUSTOMER LOCATING AND DELIVERY

• US 20160063606A1
• Filed: 08/29/2014
• Published: 03/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Fedak, Honza
• Granted Patent: US 11,250,494 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/02 using radio waves G01S19/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0295 Proximity-based methods, e.g. position inferred from reception of particular signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/04 Position of source determined by a plurality of spaced direction-finders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/35 for the management of goods or merchandise

Abstract

Various systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for locating a patron and delivering an order. One example method may comprise detecting a mobile device of a customer at an establishment. The example method may further comprise determining a location of the mobile device of the customer within the establishment. The example method may further comprise linking the determined location to an order placed by the customer. The example method may further comprise enabling delivery of the order to the customer at the determined location. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer program products are also provided.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting, by a processor of a Point-Of-Sale (POS) device, a mobile device of a customer at an establishment;

determining, by the processor of the POS device, a location of the mobile device of the customer within the

establishment;

linking, by the processor of the POS device, the determined location to an order placed by the customer from the mobile device via interactions with the POS device; and

enabling, by the processor of the POS device, delivery of the order to the customer at the determined location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the location further comprises:

determining the location based on signal information received from the mobile device, the signal information comprising information related to at least one signal received by the mobile device from at least one beacon located at the establishment.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the signal information comprises signal strength information for each of the at least one signals, and wherein determining the location further comprises:

calculating the location based on the signal strength information of the at least one signals.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the location comprises:

determining the location without receiving input from a user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein preparation of the order does not begin when the order is placed, and after detecting the mobile device of the customer at the establishment:

initiating preparation of the order.

6. The method of claim 1, accepting receipt of the order from the customer prior to detecting the mobile device of the customer at the establishment.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

assigning a staff member to the customer for providing service to the customer; and

alerting the staff member of the presence of the customer at the establishment, wherein the alert comprises an indication of the determined location.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

detecting that the order is ready for delivery to the customer; and

alerting the staff member that the order is ready for delivery.

9. A method comprising:

calculating, by a processor of a Point-Of-Sale (POS) device, a location of a mobile device of a customer within an establishment using beacon signal information received by the mobile device; and

linking, by the processor of the POS device, the determined location to an order placed by the customer from the mobile device through interactions with the POS device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the beacon signal information comprises signal strength information, and wherein calculating the location comprises:

calculating the location based on the signal strength information of a plurality of beacon signals received by the mobile device.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein preparation of the order does not begin when the order is placed, and after calculating the location:

initiating preparation of the order.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

detecting that the order is ready for delivery to the customer; and

triggering delivery of the order to the customer at the calculated location.

13. A method comprising:

receiving an order from a customer located remotely from a restaurant;

detecting, by a processor of a Point-Of-Sale (POS) device, arrival of the customer at the restaurant;

determining, by the processor of the POS device, a location where the customer is seated based at least in part on beacon signal information received from a mobile device of the customer; and

facilitating, by the processor of the POS device, delivery of the order to the customer at the location of the customer.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the beacon signal information comprises beacon signal information received by the mobile device from a plurality of beacons located at the restaurant, and wherein the beacon signal information received from the mobile device comprises beacon signal information from each of the plurality of beacons.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the beacon signal information comprises signal strength information of the signal from each of the plurality of beacons, and wherein determining the location further comprises:

calculating the location based on the signal strength information of the signal from each of the plurality of beacons.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

linking the determined location to the order from the customer.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

accepting receipt of the order from the customer prior to detecting arrival of the customer at the restaurant.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein preparation of the order does not begin when the order is received, and after detecting arrival of the customer at the restaurant:

initiating preparation of the order.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

detecting that the order is ready for delivery to the customer; and

alerting a waiter assigned to the location where the customer is seated that the order is ready for delivery.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

determining a loyalty account of the customer; and

associating the order with the loyalty account of the customer.