Remote ordering system

• US 6,873,970 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2002
• Issued: 03/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mobilserv Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Robert S. Showghi, Scott Juds
• Inventors: Juds, Scott, Showghi, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coggins, Wynn W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAQ, NAEEM U
• Application Number:
  US10/226,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20030014330A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/15
• US Class Current: 705/7.22
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06312 Adjustment or analysis of established resource schedule, e.g. resource or task levelling, or dynamic rescheduling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• 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 7/0012 by comparing receiver clock with transmitter clock

Abstract

A system and method for enabling patrons at large-scale events at confined venues 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 the patrons'"'"' seats. Hierarchical menus are provided for display of items for purchase on the devices. Patrons transmit a seat identification code with the order, which is acknowledged, and send a confirmation code upon receipt of order delivery, which causes automatic electronic payment for the order by prearranged means.

Claims

1. A system for the remote ordering of menu items from one of multiple order fulfillment centers located in a spectator venue that has identifiable seats occupied by event patrons, said system enabling a patron to self-order selected items from a menu by voice or keypad input on a hand-held communication device via the public telecommunications and Internet infrastructure, for delivery to an identified seat, comprising

means for associating a seat identificatian code for the identified seat with an order for selected menu items,

an order-taking computer for communicating with said hand-held communication device via the public telecommunications and Internet infrastructure to receive said order from said hand-held communication device,

an order-processing computer located in the venue in communication with said order-taking computer, including means for directing said order, including seat location, to order fulfillment personnel in one of multiple venue order fulfillment centers that is selected to assure prompt and accurate delivery of the order, for processing and delivery to the identified seat,

means for confirming order receipt by said order-processing computer to said hand-held communication device,

providing patron payment account information to associate with the order, and

automatically charging the cost of the order to the patron account without intervention by the patron or order fulfillment personnel apart from delivery confirmation.

2. The system of claim 1, including means for determining availability of delivery service to the identified seat.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said device is a cellphone and including patron database means preexisting said order containing patron cell phone identification information, and at least one of patron payment account information and seat identification code.

4. A method of remote ordering of menu items at a spectator venue having identifiable seats, by a patron having a hand-held communication device, for delivery to a specified seat, comprising the steps of

providing an order-taking computer,

an order-processing computer in communication with said order-taking computer,

providing menu item information to said patron for selection and input to said hand-held communication device,

using said hand-held communication device by the patron to transmit an order via the public telecommunication and Internet infrastructure to said order-taking computer for communication via said order-processing computer to order fulfillment personnel at an order fulfillment center,

associating the specified seat with the order,

processing the order,

providing patron payment account information to associate with the order,

automatically charging the cost of the order to the patron account without intervention by the patron or order fulfillment personnel apart from delivery confirmation, and

delivering the order to the specified seat.

5. The method of claim 4, including the further step of determining availability of delivery service to the identified seat.

6. The method of claim 4, including the step of

confirming the acceptance of the order by the processing computer to said hand-held communication device.

7. The method of claim 4, including the step of

confirming delivery of the order to the patron by a delivery person to the order processing computer.

8. The method of claims 5, 6 or 7, including the steps of

providing patron payment account information to associate with the order, and

automatically charging the cost of the order to the patron account.

9. A system for the remote ordering of menu items from an order fulfillment center at a spectator venue having identifiable seats, by a patron who has a hand-held communication device, for delivery of said order by a delivery person to a specified seat, comprising

an order-taking computer, for communicating with said hand-held communication device via the Internet, to receive orders of selected items sent by the patron from said hand-held communication device,

means for associating the specified seat with the order,

an order-processing computer located in said venue for communicating an order received from said order-taking computer, including specified seat location, to order fulfillment personnel in the order fulfillment center,

a communication link between said order-taking computer and said order-processing computer for communicating information about said order, and

means for confirming receipt of an order by said order-taking computer to said hand-held communication device via the Internet,

providing patron payment account information to associate with the order, and

automatically charging the cost of the order to the patron account without intervention by the patron or order fulfillment personnel apart from delivery confirmation.

10. The system of claim 9, including

means for confirming delivery of the order to the patron by the delivery person to said order-taking computer.

11. A method for the remote ordering of menu items at a spectator venue having identifiable seats, by a patron who has a hand-held communication device, for delivery of said order to a specified seat, comprising the steps of

providing an order-taking computer, for communicating with said hand-held communication device via the Internet, to receive orders of selected items sent by the patron from said hand-held communication device,

associating the specified seat location with the order,

providing an order-processing computer located in said venue for communicating an order, including specified seat location, received from said order-taking computer via the Internet, to order fulfillment personnel in the order fulfillment center, and

confirming receipt of an order by said order-taking computer to said hand-held communication device via the Internet,

providing patron payment account information to associate with the order, and

automatically charging the cost of the order to the patron account without intervention by the patron or order fulfillment personnel apart from delivery confirmation.

12. The method of claim 11, including the further steps of

delivering the order to the patron, and

confirming said delivery to said order-taking computer.

13. The method of claim 12, including the step of determining availability of delivery to service to the identified seat.