Remotely configurable wireless intercom system for an establishment

• US 9,020,553 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2014
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Partech Incorporated (Par Technology Corporation)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Awiszus, Steven T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, David Q
• Application Number:
  US14/186,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20140170984A1
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 455/517, 455/403, 455/73, 455/569.1, 455/63
• US Class Current: 455/517
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0281 Customer communication at a business location, e.g. providing product or service information, consulting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/17 Detection of non-compliance or faulty performance, e.g. response deviations H04B17/18 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72502 with one base station connected to a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72513 On hold, intercom or transfer communication modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/04 Arrangements for maintaining operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services

Abstract

Systems and methods associated with an intercom system for a drive-through, quick service restaurant facility is disclosed. Generally, a plurality of headsets is configured for communication with a base station. A speaker is associated with the drive-through facility is configured to be located near a menu board, and is configured for communication with the base station. A microphone is also configured to be located near the menu board and configured for communication with the base station. A plurality of parameters control the configuration of the intercom system, and the base station is connectable to a wide area communication network to enable remote adjustment of the plurality of parameters.

Claims

1. An intercom system being configurable for an establishment having a drive-through ordering point and a staff comprising:

a base station configured to connect to a wide area communication network;

at least one headset configured for two-way wireless communication with the base station;

the wireless communication between the at least one headset and the base station being configurable with at least one parameter comprising volume level of communications wirelessly received or wirelessly transmitted by the headset;

wherein the base station is further configured such that the at least one parameter is locally adjustable at the establishment and remotely reviewable and adjustable from a facility remote from the location of the establishment when the base station is connected to the wide area communication network; and

wherein the at least one parameter can be saved into a template of parameters for later use.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter is a plurality of parameters.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of parameters further comprises a vehicle alert.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the template of parameters can be saved locally at the establishment.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the template of parameters can be saved to a location remote from the establishment.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the template of parameters is a default.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the template of parameters is a factory default.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the template of parameters is configured for recall to reset the system.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of parameters comprises a first parameter and a second parameter, wherein the first parameter comprises a volume level of communications emitted by a speaker in the headset, and wherein the second parameter comprises a volume level of communications emitted by a speaker in a drive-through lane.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one headset is a plurality of headsets.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of parameters comprises volume levels of communications between the headset and an ordering point in a drive-through lane.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a speaker and a microphone configured for two-way communication with the base station, wherein the speaker and microphone are further configured for installation in a drive-through lane outside of the establishment.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the speaker and the microphone are configured to be hard-wired to the base station.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to determine if a fault condition exists in the system and send a notification of the fault condition to the remote facility.

15. The system of claim 2, wherein one of the plurality of parameters comprises a master volume.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein one of the plurality of parameters comprises a master volume.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to execute remote adjustment of the at least one parameter without local intervention.

18. An intercom system, the intercom system being configurable for a drive-through, establishment having a staff, comprising:

a base station configured to connect to a wide area communication network;

a plurality of headsets configured for two-way wireless communication with the base station;

wherein the wireless communication between each of the plurality of headsets and the base station being configurable with at least one parameter comprising at least one volume level of communication between each of the headsets and at least one ordering point in a drive-through lane;

wherein the base station is configured such that the at least one parameter is locally adjustable at the establishment and

remotely reviewable and remotely adjustable from a facility remote from the location of the establishment when the base station is connected to the wide area communication network; and

wherein the at least one parameter for each of the plurality of headsets is grouped into a template of parameters that can be saved for later use.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a speaker and a microphone configured for installation in the at least one ordering point , wherein the speaker and microphone are positioned near a menu board and are configured for communication with the base station.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the template of parameters can be saved locally at the establishment.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the template of parameters can be saved to a location remote from the establishment.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the template of parameters is a default.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the template of parameters is a factory default.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein the template of parameters is configured for recall to reset the system.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one parameter is a plurality of parameters.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of parameters comprises a first parameter and a second parameter, wherein the first parameter comprises a volume level of communications emitted by a speaker in one of the plurality of headsets, and wherein the second parameter comprises a volume level of communications emitted by a speaker of the ordering point.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of parameters further comprises a vehicle alert parameter.

28. The system of claim 19, wherein said the speaker and microphone are configured to be hard-wired to the base station.

29. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is configured to determine if a fault condition exists in the system and send a notification of the fault condition to the remote facility.

30. The system of claim 25, wherein one parameter of the plurality of parameters comprises a master volume.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein one parameter of the plurality of parameters comprises a master volume.

32. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is configured to execute remote adjustment of the at least one parameter without local intervention.