Restaurant video display system

• US 4,388,689 A
• Filed: 01/28/1981
• Issued: 06/14/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stanley Hayman and Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: OCR Marketing Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Bugash, Robert S., Lynn, Joe J., Brown, Robert J., Hayman, Richard W., Goldstein, Burton
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Gary
• Application Number:
  US06/229,034
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 364/401, 364/403, 364/404-408, 364/521, 364/138, 364/171, 364/188, 364/189, 364/200, 364/900, 340/709, 340/717
• US Class Current: 705/15
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants

Abstract

A plurality of data entry terminals is connected to a microprocessor system which analyzes terminal data for display on a production CRT, intended to be located in a restaurant kitchen. Food items entered on the terminal are displayed with a corresponding symbol denoting a work station where such food item is to be prepared. As each item is prepared, the food preparer enters a display symbol to signify its completion. Upon completion of all items in a food order, the microprocessor system erases the order from the CRT. A separate CRT may be connected to the microprocessor system for use by a food expediter. As each order is completed by the food preparers, the order is visually displayed on the expediter CRT thereby alerting the food expediter to collect the items of an order in the kitchen so that they may be picked up by a waiter.

Claims

1. A video display system comprising:

a plurality of item data entry means, connected to an input of data computing means, for entering individual items of an item group;

a plurality of production CRTs connected in circuit with the output of the computing means for displaying the entered items, each item assigned a symbol, by the computing means, corresponding to a work station whereat the item is prepared;

cursor control means located at the work station and connected in circuit with the computing means for marking an item upon completion of its preparation by selective cursor placement;

the computing means determining when preparation of all entered items of a group have been completed and thereafter erasing such displayed items from the CRT.

2. The subject matter of claim 1 together with an expediting CRT connected in circuit with the computing means for displaying the items of each group as its preparation has been completed.

3. The subject matter of claim 1 together with printing means connected to the output of the computing means for printing selected data entered into the computing means.

4. The subject matter of claim 1 together with a keyboard connected to an input of the computing means for entering a message therein which is displayed on the expediting CRT.

5. The subject matter of claim 2 together with a second cursor control means located at an expediter station and connected in circuit with the computing means for positioning the cursor at the last item of a group displayed on the expediting CRT, causing the erasing of the group displayed thereon.

6. The subject matter of claim 2 wherein the computing means is a microprocessor.

7. The subject matter set forth in claim 6 together with RAM means for storing data entered into the microprocessor.

8. The subject matter set forth in claim 7 together with video RAM means connected between the microprocessor and respective CRTs for storing characters to be displayed thereon;

and

character generating means connected between the video RAM means and respective CRTs for converting stored characters to character display information.

9. In a video display system comprising:

a plurality of item data entry means, connected to an input of data computing means, for entering individual items of an item group;

a plurality of production CRTs connected in circuit with the output of the computing means for displaying the entered items, each item assigned a symbol corresponding to a work station whereat the item is prepared;

cursor control means located at the work station and connected in circuit with the computing means for marking an item upon completion of its preparation by selective cursor placement;

the computing means determining when preparation of all entered items of a group have beem completed and thereafter erasing such displayed items from the CRT;

an expediting CRT connected in circuit with the computing means for displaying the items of each group as the preparation of each group has been completed;

printing means connected to the output of the computing means for printing selected data entered into the computing means;

a keyboard connected to an input of the computing means for entering a message therein which is displayed on the expediting CRT; and

a second cursor control means located at an expediter station and connected in circuit with the computing means for positioning the cursor at the last item of a group displayed on the expediting CRT, causing the erasing of the group displayed thereon.

10. A method for tracking the preparation of food items in an order as entered in a data entry terminal, the method comprising the steps:

transferring order data from the terminal to a storage medium;

removal of the data from storage for display of the items;

ascribing a work station symbol for each displayed item, depending upon the station at which it is prepared;

selectably positioning a cursor next to each item as its preparation is completed;

displaying a symbol on the line of the item indicating such completion;

detecting the completion of the last item of each order; and

erasing the display of the entire order thereby creating blank space for displaying newly entered orders.

11. The subject matter set forth in claim 10 together with the steps of transferring the data of each completed order to an expediting station for display thereat;

selectably positioning a cursor next to an item of the transferred displayed order and therafter erasing the display of the order.

12. The method as described in claim 11 together with the step of printing order data.

13. The method as set forth in claim 11 together with the step of entering messages on the display at the expediting station.