Electronic menu apparatus and method of ordering using electronic menu apparatus

• US 7,454,370 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2007
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E-Meal, LLC
• Original Assignee: E-Meal, LLC
• Inventors: Barbuto, Raymond Joseph, Baril, Daniel Joseph, Druan, Thomas Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MISIASZEK, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/940,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20080126220A1
• Time in Patent Office: 370 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/1, 705/15, 186/38, 186/39, 462 17- 24, 462 55- 63, 715810-845, 434/178, 434/317, 281 15- 44
• US Class Current: 705/14.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices

Abstract

A remote ordering system is provided using an electronic menu having a series of input devices corresponding to various menu items aligned with the input devices, and a wireless transmitter to send selected menu items to a receiving device for processing. A display to show selected menu items, an alpha-numeric keyboard, a non-cash payment device, and a printer for receipts are also contemplated for increased functionality.

Claims

1. An electronic menu apparatus comprising:

a series of physical pages, at least one of said physical pages listing a plurality of menu items;

a grouping of stationary input devices that are physically arranged such that the location of each of the input devices is aligned with the location of one of said menu items on said at least one physical page;

a display device for displaying information regarding input from the input devices, said display device configured to display menu item options so that the location of each menu item option on said display device is aligned with a corresponding stationary input device; and

a transmitting device for transmitting input information to a remote location.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one service button configured to alert a server.

3. The electronic menu apparatus of claim 1 wherein the information displayed on the display device includes advertisements.

4. The electronic menu apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input devices are discrete locations on a touch screen overlaying the display device.

5. The electronic menu apparatus of claim 1 wherein the menu further comprises a payment device.

6. The electronic menu apparatus of claim 1 wherein the information on said display device includes preferences, and wherein said input devices comprise membrane switches.

7. The menu apparatus of claim 1 wherein said display requests information from a customer.

8. The menu apparatus of claim 1 wherein said display is touch sensitive.

9. The menu apparatus of claim 1 comprising an audio feedback device.

10. The menu apparatus of claim 1 comprising a printer.

11. The menu apparatus of claim 1 wherein the menu is configured to provide identifying information to the remote location.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the stationary input devices is configured to select items from a plurality of the physical pages.

13. A method of ordering using an electronic menu apparatus comprising:

accessing a menu having a series of physical menu pages, a grouping of stationary input devices, a feedback mechanism including a display device, and a payment device wherein at least one of said physical pages lists a plurality of menu items;

selecting a desired menu item from one of the menu pages by activating one of said stationary input devices that is physically aligned with said desired item;

confirming a menu item was selected by referencing the feedback mechanism;

selecting a menu item option from the display device by activating one of said stationary input devices that is physically aligned with said menu item option; and

sending information regarding the selected items to a remote location for processing.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of paying for selected items using said payment device.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the at least one physical menu page is updated with a newly printed page and the input device is assigned a new menu item.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein there are multiple menus and the step of paying includes paying for items selected on a different menu.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising turning at least one of said physical pages to update the data selected by one of the stationary input devices to a different set of menu items.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of paying includes authorizing payment before the step of selecting an item.