Internet online order method and apparatus

• US 8,738,449 B1
• Filed: 08/22/2012
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ipdev Company
• Original Assignee: Ipdev Company
• Inventors: Cupps, Bryan T., Glass, Tim
• Primary Examiner(s): Frenel, Vanel
• Application Number:
  US13/592,199
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 705/15, 705/26.1, 705/27.1, 719/328, 345/156, 715/701, 715/764, 235/381, 235/487
• US Class Current: 705/15
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A system and method for providing an online ordering machine that manages the distribution of products over a distributed computer system is herein disclosed.

Claims

1. An information management and real time synchronous communications system for configuring and transmitting hospitality menus comprising:

a. a central processing unit,

b. a data storage device connected to said central processing unit,

c. an operating system including a first graphical user interface,

d. a master menu including at least menu categories, menu items and modifiers, wherein said master menu is capable of being stored on said data storage device pursuant to a master menu file structure and said master menu is capable of being configured for display to facilitate user operations in at least one window of said first graphical user interface as cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens, and

e. menu configuration software enabled to generate a programmed handheld menu configuration from said master menu for wireless transmission to and programmed for display on a wireless handheld computing device, said programmed handheld menu configuration comprising at least menu categories, menu items and modifiers and wherein the menu configuration software is enabled to generate said programmed handheld menu configuration by utilizing parameters from the master menu file structure defining at least the menu categories, menu items and modifiers of the master menu such that at least the menu categories, menu items and modifiers comprising the programmed handheld menu configuration are synchronized in real time with analogous information comprising the master menu,

wherein the menu configuration software is further enabled to generate the programmed handheld menu configuration in conformity with a customized display layout unique to the wireless handheld computing device to facilitate user operations with and display of the programmed handheld menu configuration on the display screen of a handheld graphical user interface integral with the wireless handheld computing device, wherein said customized display layout is compatible with the displayable size of the handheld graphical user interface wherein the programmed handheld menu configuration is configured by the menu configuration software for display as programmed cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens appropriate for the customized display layout of the wireless handheld computing device, wherein said programmed cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens for display of the handheld menu configuration are configured differently from the cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens for display of the master menu on said first graphical user interface, and

wherein the system is enabled for real time synchronous communications to and from the wireless handheld computing device utilizing the programmed handheld menu configuration including the capability of real time synchronous transmission of the programmed handheld menu configuration to the wireless handheld computing device and real time synchronous transmissions of selections made from the handheld menu configuration on the wireless handheld computing device, and

wherein the system is further enabled to automatically format the programmed handheld menu configuration for display as cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens appropriate for a customized display layout of at least two different wireless handheld computing device display sizes connected to the system, and

wherein a cascaded set of linked graphical user interface screens for a wireless handheld computing device in the system includes a different number of user interface screens from at least one other wireless handheld computing device in the system.

2. The information management and synchronous communications system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the system is further enabled by a communications systemic relationship providing a common, linked system comprising:

a) A Wireless Hub Application;

b) A Web Hub Application;

c) Linked Databases between two or more different Hospitality Applications; and

d) A Communications Setup Application.

3. The information management and real time synchronous communications system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the information from the POS database is automatically imported into the system.

4. The information management and real time synchronous communications system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the said Hospitality Applications include at least reservations applications.

5. The information management and real time synchronous communications system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the said Hospitality Applications include at least a Ticketing applications.

6. The information management and real time synchronous communications system in accordance with claim 1 in which the wireless handheld computing device is a smart phone.

7. The information management and real time synchronous communications system in accordance with claim 1, further enabled to facilitate and complete payment processing directly from the wireless handheld computing device including:

a) Billing;

b) Status and c) Payment Information.

8. The information management and real time synchronous communications system in accordance with claim 1, wherein one or more of the layout, views or fonts of the programmed handheld menu configuration are created in conformity with the display screen parameters of the wireless handheld computing device and wherein the system is enabled to generate a view of the programmed handheld menu configuration for user preview from the central computing unit and which facilitates a further user manual modification prior to the transmissions of the programmed handheld menu configuration to the wireless handheld computing device.

9. An information management and real time synchronous communications system for configuring and transmitting hospitality menus comprising:

a) a central processing unit;

b) a data storage device connected to said central processing unit;

c) an operating system including a first graphical user interface, said operating system configured to interoperate with the central processing unit, the data storage device and application software;

d) a master menu including menu categories and menu items, wherein said master menu is capable of being stored on said data storage device pursuant to a master menu file structure and said master menu is capable of being configured for display to facilitate user operations in at least one window of said first graphical user interface as cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens; and

e) a modifier menu capable of being stored on said data storage device, and menu configuration software enabled to automatically generate a programmed handheld menu configuration from said master menu for display on a wireless handheld computing device, said programmed handheld menu configuration comprising at least menu categories, menu items and modifiers and wherein the menu configuration software is enabled to generate said programmed handheld menu configuration by utilizing parameters from the master menu file structure defining at least the categories and items of the master menu and modifiers from the modifier menu at least the menu categories, menu items and modifiers comprising the programmed handheld menu configuration are synchronized in real time with analogous information comprising the master and modifier menus wherein the menu configuration software is further enabled to generate the programmed handheld menu configuration in conformity with a customized display layout unique to the wireless handheld computing device to facilitate user operations with and display of the programmed handheld menu configuration on the display screen of a handheld graphical user interface integral with the wireless handheld computing device, wherein said customized display layout is compatible with the displayable size of the handheld graphical user interface,

wherein the programmed handheld menu configuration is configured by the menu configuration software for display as cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens appropriate for the customized display layout of the wireless handheld computing device, wherein said cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens for display of the programmed handheld menu configuration are configured differently from the cascaded sets of related graphical user interface screens for display of the master menu on said first graphical user interface, and

wherein the system is enabled for real time synchronous communications to and from the wireless handheld computing device utilizing the programmed handheld menu configuration including the capability of real time synchronous transmission of at least the menu categories, menu items and modifiers comprising the programmed handheld menu configuration to the wireless handheld computing device and real time synchronous transmissions of selections made from the handheld menu configuration on the wireless handheld computing device, and

wherein the system is further enabled to automatically format the programmed handheld menu configuration for display as cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens appropriate for a customized display layout of at least two different wireless handheld computing device display sizes connected to the system, and

wherein a cascaded set of linked graphical user interface screens for a wireless handheld computing device in the system includes a different number of user interface screens from at least one other wireless handheld computing device in the system.

10. The information management and real time synchronous communications system in accordance with claim 9, further including a communications systemic relationship comprising:

a) A Wireless Hub Application;

b) A Web Hub Application;

c) Linked Databases Between two or more different Hospitality Applications; and

d) A Communications Setup Application.

11. The information management and real time synchronous communications system in accordance with claim 9, wherein at least two different hospitality software applications are integrated between and with one another.

12. The information management and real time synchronous communications system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the system enables automatic importation of the POS database information into the system.

13. An information management and real time synchronous communications system for use with wireless handheld computing devices and the internet comprising:

a) a master database connected in said system and configured to store hospitality application information pursuant to a master database file structure;

b) at least one wireless handheld computing device connected in said system and configured to display said hospitality application information;

c) at least one web server connected in said system;

d) at least one web page connected in said system and configured to display said hospitality application information; and

e) real time communications control software enabled to link and synchronize hospitality application information simultaneously between the master database, wireless handheld computing device, web server and web page,

wherein the communications control software is enabled to utilize parameters from the master database file structure to synchronize the hospitality application information in real time between the master database, at least one wireless handheld computing device, at least one web server and at least one web page such that substantially the same information comprising the hospitality application information is capable of being displayed on the wireless handheld computing device, at least one web page and other display screens of the synchronized system, such that the hospitality application information is synchronized between any connected users,

wherein the communications control software is enabled to act as a real time interface between the elements of the system and any applicable communications protocol,

wherein the communications control software is enabled to automatically and simultaneously configure the hospitality application information for display on both the wireless handheld computing device and the web page in conformity with a customized display layout unique to the wireless handheld computing device or the web page, wherein said customized display layout is compatible with the displayable size of the handheld computing device display screen or the web page, and

wherein the communications control software is further enabled to automatically format a programmed handheld configuration for display as cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens appropriate for a customized display layout of at least two different wireless handheld computing device display sizes connected to the system, and

wherein a cascaded set of linked graphical user interface screens for a wireless handheld computing device in the system includes a different number of user interface screens from at least one other wireless handheld computing device in the system, and

wherein the system is enabled for real time synchronous transmission of the configured hospitality application information to the wireless handheld computing device, the web server and the web page and real time synchronous transmissions of inputs responding to the configured hospitality application information from the wireless handheld computing device, or the web server or the web page.

14. The information management and real time synchronous communications system in accordance with claim 13, further including a communications systemic relationship comprising:

a) A Wireless Hub Application;

b) A Web Hub Application;

c) Linked Databases Between two or more different Hospitality Applications; and

d) A Communications Setup Application.

15. The information management and real time synchronous communications system of claim 13, wherein the system is enabled to automatically import the information from the POS (point of sale) database into the system.

16. The information management and real time synchronous communications system of claim 13, wherein at least two different hospitality applications are integrated between and with one another.

17. The information management and real time synchronous communications system in accordance with claim 13, wherein the hospitality application information also includes the completion of payment processing.

18. The information management and real time synchronous communications system in accordance claim 13, wherein the configured wireless handheld computing device is a smart phone.

19. An information management and real time synchronous communications system for configuring and transmitting hospitality menus comprising:

a. a central processing unit,

b. a data storage device connected to said central processing unit,

c. an operating system including a first graphical user interface,

d. a master menu including at least menu categories, menu items and modifiers, wherein said master menu is capable of being stored on said data storage device pursuant to a master menu file structure and said master menu is capable of being configured for display to facilitate user operations in at least one window of said first graphical user interface as cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens, and

e. menu configuration software enabled to generate a programmed portable menu configuration from said master menu for wireless transmission to and programmed for display on a wireless portable computing device, said programmed portable menu configuration comprising at least menu categories, menu items and modifiers and wherein the menu configuration software is enabled to generate said programmed portable menu configuration by utilizing parameters from the master menu file structure defining at least the menu categories, menu items and modifiers of the master menu such that at least the menu categories, menu items and modifiers comprising the programmed portable menu configuration are synchronized in real time with analogous information comprising the master menu, wherein the menu configuration software is further enabled to generate the programmed portable menu configuration in conformity with a customized display layout unique to the wireless portable computing device to facilitate user operations with and display of the programmed portable menu configuration on the display screen of a portable graphical user interface integral with the wireless portable computing device, wherein said customized display layout is compatible with the displayable size of the portable graphical user interface wherein the programmed portable menu configuration is configured by the menu configuration software for display as programmed cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens appropriate for the customized display layout of the wireless portable computing device, wherein said programmed cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens for display of the portable menu configuration are configured differently from the cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens for display of the master menu on said first graphical user interface, and wherein the system is enabled for real time synchronous communications to and from the wireless portable computing device utilizing the programmed portable menu configuration including the capability of real time synchronous transmission of the programmed portable menu configuration to the wireless portable computing device and real time synchronous transmissions of selections made from the portable menu configuration on the wireless portable computing device, and wherein the system is further enabled to automatically format the programmed portable menu configuration for display as cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens appropriate for a customized display layout of at least two different wireless portable computing device display sizes connected to the system, and wherein a cascaded set of linked graphical user interface screens for a wireless portable computing device in the system includes a different number of user interface screens from at least one other wireless portable computing device in the system.

20. An information management and real time synchronous communications system for configuring and transmitting hospitality menus comprising:

a) a central processing unit;

b) a data storage device connected to said central processing unit;

c) an operating system including a first graphical user interface, said operating system configured to interoperate with the central processing unit, the data storage device and application software;

d) a master menu including menu categories and menu items, wherein said master menu is capable of being stored on said data storage device pursuant to a master menu file structure and said master menu is capable of being configured for display to facilitate user operations in at least one window of said first graphical user interface as cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens; and

e) a modifier menu capable of being stored on said data storage device, and menu configuration software enabled to automatically generate a programmed portable menu configuration from said master menu for display on a wireless portable computing device, said programmed portable menu configuration comprising at least menu categories, menu items and modifiers and wherein the menu configuration software is enabled to generate said programmed portable menu configuration by utilizing parameters from the master menu file structure defining at least the categories and items of the master menu and modifiers from the modifier menu at least the menu categories, menu items and modifiers comprising the programmed portable menu configuration are synchronized in real time with analogous information comprising the master and modifier menus wherein the menu configuration software is further enabled to generate the programmed portable menu configuration in conformity with a customized display layout unique to the wireless portable computing device to facilitate user operations with and display of the programmed portable menu configuration on the display screen of a portable graphical user interface integral with the wireless portable computing device, wherein said customized display layout is compatible with the displayable size of the portable graphical user interface, wherein the programmed portable menu configuration is configured by the menu configuration software for display as cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens appropriate for the customized display layout of the wireless portable computing device, wherein said cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens for display of the programmed portable menu configuration are configured differently from the cascaded sets of related graphical user interface screens for display of the master menu on said first graphical user interface, and wherein the system is enabled for real time synchronous communications to and from the wireless portable computing device utilizing the programmed portable menu configuration including the capability of real time synchronous transmission of at least the menu categories, menu items and modifiers comprising the programmed portable menu configuration to the wireless portable computing device and real time synchronous transmissions of selections made from the portable menu configuration on the wireless portable computing device, and wherein the system is further enabled to automatically format the programmed portable menu configuration for display as cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens appropriate for a customized display layout of at least two different wireless portable computing device display sizes connected to the system, and wherein a cascaded set of linked graphical user interface screens for a wireless portable computing device in the system includes a different number of user interface screens from at least one other wireless portable computing device in the system.

21. An information management and real time synchronous communications system for use with wireless portable computing devices and the internet comprising:

a) a master database connected in said system and configured to store hospitality application information pursuant to a master database file structure;

b) at least one wireless portable computing device connected in said system and configured to display said hospitality application information;

c) at least one web server connected in said system;

d) at least one web page connected in said system and configured to display said hospitality application information; and

e) real time communications control software enabled to link and synchronize hospitality application information simultaneously between the master database, wireless portable computing device, web server and web page, wherein the communications control software is enabled to utilize parameters from the master database file structure to synchronize the hospitality application information in real time between the master database, at least one wireless portable computing device, at least one web server and at least one web page such that substantially the same information comprising the hospitality application information is capable of being displayed on the wireless portable computing device, at least one web page and other display screens of the synchronized system, such that the hospitality application information is synchronized between any connected users, wherein the communications control software is enabled to act as a real time interface between the elements of the system and any applicable communications protocol, wherein the communications control software is enabled to automatically and simultaneously configure the hospitality application information for display on both the wireless portable computing device and the web page in conformity with a customized display layout unique to the wireless portable computing device or the web page, wherein said customized display layout is compatible with the displayable size of the portable computing device display screen or the web page, and wherein the communications control software is further enabled to automatically format a programmed portable configuration for display as cascaded sets of linked graphical user interface screens appropriate for a customized display layout of at least two different wireless portable computing device display sizes connected to the system, and wherein a cascaded set of linked graphical user interface screens for a wireless portable computing device in the system includes a different number of user interface screens from at least one other wireless portable computing device in the system, and wherein the system is enabled for real time synchronous transmission of the configured hospitality application information to the wireless portable computing device, the web server and the web page and real time synchronous transmissions of inputs responding to the configured hospitality application information from the wireless portable computing device, or the web server or the web page.