Remote ordering system
First Claim
1. A system for the remote ordering of items from a menu for delivery from one of a plurality of order fulfillment centers located in a spectator venue having identifiable seats occupied by event patrons, said system enabling a patron to use a wireless, hand-held communication device, having means for presenting the menu visually and/or audibly, to self-order menu items for delivery to an identified seat, comprisingmeans for associating an identification code for the identified seat in said venue with an order, an order-processing computer for providing a menu of items offered for sale to said device and for receiving orders for selected items transmitted from said device and for communicating said order to order fulfillment center personnel, means for confirming order receipt by the computer to the device from which the order was received, at least one transmitter/receiver node for receiving orders from a plurality of said devices and communicating them via said computer for display to order fulfillment center personnel for subsequent order delivery to said identified seat location, means for providing patron payment account information to said computer in association with said order when said order is placed, and payment charging means for automatically charging the cost of an order to said payment account without intervention by the patron or order fulfillment personnel apart from delivery confirmation.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for enabling patrons at large-scale spectator events at confined venues having identifiable seats utilizes conventional or special hand-held, wireless communication devices to self-order food, drink and souvenir items from remote order fulfillment locations within the venue for delivery to identified seats. Hierarchical menus are provided for display of items for purchase on the devices. A seat identification code is associated with the order when transmitted via the existing telecommunications and Internet infrastructure. Receipt of the order is acknowledged, and a confirmation code is sent upon receipt of order delivery. There is automatic electronic payment for the order charged to a patron account that is established by prearranged means.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A system for the remote ordering of items from a menu for delivery from one of a plurality of order fulfillment centers located in a spectator venue having identifiable seats occupied by event patrons, said system enabling a patron to use a wireless, hand-held communication device, having means for presenting the menu visually and/or audibly, to self-order menu items for delivery to an identified seat, comprising
means for associating an identification code for the identified seat in said venue with an order, an order-processing computer for providing a menu of items offered for sale to said device and for receiving orders for selected items transmitted from said device and for communicating said order to order fulfillment center personnel, means for confirming order receipt by the computer to the device from which the order was received, at least one transmitter/receiver node for receiving orders from a plurality of said devices and communicating them via said computer for display to order fulfillment center personnel for subsequent order delivery to said identified seat location, means for providing patron payment account information to said computer in association with said order when said order is placed, and payment charging means for automatically charging the cost of an order to said payment account without intervention by the patron or order fulfillment personnel apart from delivery confirmation.
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9. A system for the remote ordering of items from a menu for delivery from one of a plurality of order fulfillment centers located in a spectator venue having identifiable seat locations occupied by event patrons, said system enabling a patron to self-order selected menu items, for delivery to an identified seat, using a wireless, hand-held communication device that has means for presenting the menu to patron visually and/or audibly, comprising
an order-taking computer for communicating with said device including means for interactively transmitting lists of menu items for presentation to the patron, and means responsive to the patron'"'"'s selections for assembling a completed order including a selected payment method, means for associating an identification code, for identifying the identified seat location in said venue, with said order, an order-processing computer, distinct from said order-taking computer, for receiving and communicating an order, including seat location, to order fulfillment center personnel; -
means for confirming order receipt by said order-processing computer to said device from which the order was received;
at least one wireless transceiver node for receiving orders from a plurality of said devices and communicating them to said order-taking computer, and means for enabling the patron to provide payment account information for use in association with said order when said order is placed, and means for automatically charging the cost of said order to said payment account without intervention by said patron or order fulfillment-personnel apart from delivery confirmation. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of remote ordering of items by a patron from a menu for delivery from an order fulfillment center at a spectator venue having identifiable seats, where the patron has a wireless, hand-held communication device having means for presenting the menu to patrons visually and/or audibly, comprising the steps of
providing menu item information for reception, presentation and selection by said device, using said device to place an order with said fulfillment center for selected menu items, associating an identification code for a seat in said venue to use with the order to identify order delivery location, providing patron payment account information for use in association with the order when placed, confirming acceptance of a patron'"'"'s order to said device, the order including the selected menu items, the seat location identification code, and the payment account information, communicating the order and said seat location to order fulfillment personnel, processing the order for fulfillment, delivering the order to the identified seat location, confirming order delivery, and automatically charging the cost of the order to the patron'"'"'s payment account without intervention by the patron or order fulfillment personnel apart from delivery confirmation.
Specification