Method, system and program for specifying an electronic food menu on a data processing system

• US 6,859,215 B1
• Filed: 12/17/1999
• Issued: 02/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Paolini, Michael A., Brown, Michael Wayne, Lawrence, Kelvin Roderick
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Sy D.
• Application Number:
  US09/466,000
• Time in Patent Office: 1,894 Days
• Field of Search: 345/811, 345/745, 345/760, 345/810, 345/744, 345/968, 705/15, 705/26
• US Class Current: 715/811
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets

Abstract

Multiple food menu items are retrieved from a data storage medium by a data processing system with access to the data storage medium via a communications medium. The multiple food menu items are compared with previously stored food preferences for a particular customer. A food menu is selected, wherein the food menu items that satisfy said food preferences for said particular customer are distinguished, such that an electronic food menu is specified for a particular customer.

Claims

1. A method for specifying an electronic food menu, said method comprising the steps of:

retrieving a plurality of food menu items from a data storage medium;

comparing said plurality of food menu items with previously stored food preferences for a particular customer;

presenting a food menu, wherein said plurality of food menu items that satisfy said food preferences for said particular customer are designated on said food menu, such that an electronic food menu is specified for a particular customer;

graphically displaying said selected food menu, wherein said plurality of food menu items that do not satisfy said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer are graphically distinguishable from said plurality of food menu items that do satisfy said food preferences for said particular customer.

2. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying said selected food menu according to a output preference for said particular customer, such that the graphical representation of said selected food menu is provided to accommodate a display preference for said particular customer.

3. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 2, said step of graphically displaying said selected food menu further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying only said plurality of food menu items of said selected food menu that are designated.

4. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 2, said step of graphically displaying said selected food menu further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying said selected food menu in order from designated food menu items to non-designated food menu items.

5. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 2, said step of graphically displaying said selected food menu further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying a tactile-detectable graphical representation of said selected food menu, wherein said output preference for said particular customer designates a tactile-detectable graphical representation.

6. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 2, said step of graphically displaying said selected food menu further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying a graphical representation of said selected food menu utilizing a particular font size, wherein said output preference for said particular customer designates said particular font size.

7. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 2, said step of graphically displaying said selected food menu further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying a graphical representation of said selected food menu utilizing a particular language, wherein said output preference for said particular customer designates said particular language.

8. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 2, said step of graphically displaying said selected food menu further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying a graphical representation of said selected food menu wherein prices are displayed in a particular currency, wherein said output preference for said particular customer designates said particular currency.

9. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

transmitting auditory output of said selected food menu for said particular customer.

10. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

graphically printing said selected food menu for said particular customer.

11. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying said selected food menu according to a generic style sheet.

12. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said step of retrieving a plurality of food menu items from a data storage medium, further comprising the step of:

receiving said plurality of food menu items via a wireless transmission medium.

13. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 12, said step of retrieving a plurality of food menu items from a data storage medium, further comprising the step of:

receiving said plurality of food menu items via a radio frequency transmission medium.

14. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 13, said step of receiving said plurality of food menu items in a data transmission protocol, further comprising the step of:

transmitting said food menu items in an extensible mark-up language protocol.

15. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 12, said step of retrieving a plurality of food menu items from a data storage medium, further comprising the step of:

receiving said plurality of food menu items via an infrared connection.

16. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said step of retrieving a plurality of food menu items from a data storage medium, further comprising the step of:

receiving said plurality of food menu items in a data transmission protocol.

17. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said step of retrieving a plurality of food menu items from a data storage medium, further comprising the step of:

accessing a plurality of food menu items from a database, wherein each of said plurality of food menu items comprises a plurality of food and health identifiers.

18. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 17, said step of transmitting said previously stored food preferences further comprising the step of:

determining electronic coupons to provide to a particular customer from said previously stored food preferences.

19. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

transmitting said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer to said data storage medium for storage.

20. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 19, said method further comprising the step of:

confirming electronic payment for said order.

21. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 19, said method further comprising the step of:

adjusting a waiting period for said order in accordance with said food preferences for said particular customer.

22. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 21, said method further comprising the step of:

filtering said electronic coupons that are displayed to a particular customer according to said food preferences for said particular customer.

23. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 22, said method further comprising the step of:

retrieving electronic coupons that are specified for said plurality of customers.

24. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 23, wherein said graphical display monitor only displays said plurality of food menu items of said selected food menu that are designated.

25. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 23, wherein said graphical display monitor displays said selected food menu items in order from designated food menu items to non-designated food menu items.

26. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 23, wherein said graphical display monitor displays said specified food menu such that said plurality of food menu items that do not satisfy said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer are graphically distinguishable from said plurality of food menu items that do satisfy said food preferences for said particular customer.

27. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 23, wherein said graphical display monitor displays a tactile-detectable graphical representation of said selected food menu.

28. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 23, wherein said graphical display monitor displays a graphical representation of said selected food menu utilizing a particular font size.

29. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 23, wherein said graphical display monitor displays a graphical representation of said selected food menu utilizing a particular language.

30. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 23, wherein said graphical display monitor displays a graphical representation of said selected food menu wherein said prices are depicted utilizing a particular currency.

31. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 21, said method further comprising the step of:

updating an electronic calendar with said electronic coupons that are specified for a particular time period.

32. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the steps of:

receiving an order from said particular customer for food menu items from said selected food menu; and

transmitting said order to an order retrieval system.

33. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

updating an electronic calendar with said designated food menu items that are specified in said food preferences for a particular time period.

34. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said step of retrieving said plurality of food menu items from said data storage medium further comprises the step of:

retrieving electronic coupons for said plurality of food menu items from said data storage medium.

35. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the steps of:

comparing said plurality of food menu items with a plurality of previously stored food preferences for a plurality of customers; and

selecting a food menu wherein said plurality of food menu items that satisfy said previously stored food preferences for said plurality of customers are distinguished, such that an electronic food menu is specified for said plurality of customers.

36. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, said system further comprising:

a graphical display monitor for displaying said selected food menu according to an output preference for said particular customer, such that the graphical representation of said food menu is provided to accommodate a display preference of said particular customer.

37. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, system further comprising:

an audio element for transmitting auditory output of said selected food menu for said particular customer.

38. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, said system further comprising:

a printing element for graphically printing said selected food menu for said particular customer.

39. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 38, wherein said wireless communication element supports communication via a radio frequency transmission.

40. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 38, wherein said wireless communication element supports communication via an infrared transmission.

41. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, said system further comprising:

a graphical display monitor for displaying a graphical representation of said selected food menu according to a generic style sheet.

42. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, wherein said means for retrieving a plurality of food menu items from said data storage medium, further comprises:

a wireless communication element for receiving said plurality of food menu items via a wireless transmission medium.

43. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, wherein said means for retrieving a plurality of food menu items from said data storage medium, further comprises:

a network element for receiving said plurality of food menu items via a network connection.

44. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, wherein said means for retrieving a plurality of food menu items from said data storage medium, further comprises:

a socket interface for receiving said plurality of food menu items via a wired connection.

45. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, wherein said means for retrieving a plurality of food menu items from said data storage medium, further comprises:

a data transmission protocol for specifying data transmissions across said communications medium.

46. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, wherein said data transmission protocol is an extensible mark-up language protocol.

47. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, wherein said data storage medium further comprises:

a plurality of food menu items accessible from a database, wherein each of said plurality of food and health identifiers.

48. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, said system further comprising:

a local data storage medium comprising said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer, wherein said previously stored food preferences for a particular customer comprise a plurality of food and health ratings.

49. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, said system further comprising:

means for transmitting said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer to said data storage medium.

50. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, said data processing system further comprising:

a local data storage medium for storing said selected food menu, such that said selected food menu is recallable from said local data storage medium.

51. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 50, wherein said data processing system requests confirmation of an electronic payment for said order.

52. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, wherein said data processing system comprises a pervasive data processing system.

53. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, wherein said data processing system transmits an order to an order queue of food menu items from said selected menu that are selected by said particular customer.

54. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, wherein said data processing system further comprises an electronic calendar that is updated with food menu items that are designated for a particular time period.

55. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, wherein said data storage medium further comprises a plurality of electronic coupons for said plurality of food menu items.

56. The program according to claim 55, said program further comprising:

means for enabling a graphical display of said plurality of food menu items, wherein said plurality of food menu items that do not satisfy said previously stored preferences arc graphically designated.

57. The program according to claim 55, said program further comprising:

means for enabling said graphical display of said generated food menu according to an output preference for said particular customer.

58. The program according to claim 55, said program further comprising:

means for enabling auditory output of said generated food menu for said particular customer.

59. The program according to claim 55, said program further comprising:

means for enabling tactile-detectable output of said generated food menu for said particular customer.

60. The program according to claim 55, said program further comprising:

means for transmitting said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer to said data storage medium.

61. The program according to claim 55, said program further comprising:

means for receiving an order from said particular customer of selected food menu items from among said selected food menu; and

means for transmitting said order to an order retrieval system.

62. The program according to claim 55, said program further comprising:

means for designating those food menu items that do not meet said food preferences.

63. The program according to claim 55, wherein said food preferences includes health rating preferences for said particular customer.

64. The program according to claim 55, wherein said food preferences includes attributes of specified allowable ingredients and specified avoided ingredients for said particular customer.

65. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, wherein said data processing system further comprises:

means for comparing said plurality of food menu items with a plurality of previously stored food preferences for a plurality of customers; and

means for selecting a food menu wherein said plurality of food menu items that satisfy said previously stored food preferences for said plurality of customers are distinguished, such that an electronic food menu is specified for said plurality of customers.

66. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, said system further comprising:

means for designating those food menu items that do not meet said food preferences.

67. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, wherein said food preferences includes health rating preferences for said particular customer.

68. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 35, wherein said food preferences includes attributes of specified allowable ingredients and specified avoided ingredients for said particular customer.

69. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

designating those food menu items that do not meet said food preferences.

70. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, wherein said food preferences includes health rating preferences for said particular customer.

71. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, wherein said food preferences includes attributes of specified allowable ingredients and specified avoided ingredients for said particular customer.

72. A system for specifying an electronic food menu, said system comprising:

a data storage medium comprising a plurality of food menu items;

a data processing system with access to said data storage medium;

a graphical display monitor for displaying said specified food menu such that said plurality of food menu items that do not satisfy said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer are graphically distinguishable from said plurality of food menu items that do satisfy said food preferences for said particular customer;

wherein said data processing system comprises;

a communications medium for retrieving said plurality of food menu items from said data storage medium;

means for comparing said plurality of food menu items with a plurality of previously stored food preferences for a particular customer;

means for presenting a food menu wherein said plurality of food menu items that satisfy said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer are distinguished on said food menu, such that an electronic food menu is specified for a particular customer.

73. A program, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for retrieving a plurality of food menu items from a data storage medium;

means for comparing said plurality of food menu items with previously stored food preferences for a particular customer; and

means for generating a food menu designating a selection of said plurality of food menu items that satisfy said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer; and

means for graphically displaying said selected food menu, wherein said plurality of food menu items that do not satisfy said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer are graphically distinguishable from said plurality of food menu items that do satisfy said food preferences for said particular customer.

74. A method for specifying an electronic food menu, said method comprising the steps of:

retrieving a plurality of food menu items from a data storage medium;

comparing said plurality of food menu items with previously stored food preferences for a particular customer; and

presenting a food menu, wherein said plurality of food menu items that are indicated to be avoided by said food preferences for said particular customer are designated, such that a customized electronic food menu is specified for a particular customer.

75. A system for specifying an electronic food menu, said system comprising:

a data storage medium comprising a plurality of food menu items;

a data processing system with access to said data storage medium;

wherein said data processing system comprises;

a communications medium for retrieving said plurality of food menu items from said data storage medium;

means for comparing said plurality of food menu items with a plurality of previously stored food preferences for a particular customer; and

means for presenting a food menu, wherein said plurality of food menu items that are indicated to be avoided by said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer are distinguished, such that a customized electronic food menu is specified for a particular customer.

76. A program, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for retrieving a plurality of food menu items from a data storage medium;

means for comparing said plurality of food menu items with previously stored food preferences for a particular customer; and

means for generating a food menu designating a selection of said plurality of food menu items indicated to be avoided by said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer.