Computer implemented method and system for ordering food from a restaurant

• US 9,031,867 B1
• Filed: 10/18/2012
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joshua Earl Crawford
• Original Assignee: Joshua Earl Crawford
• Inventors: Crawford, Joshua Earl
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilder, Hunter
• Application Number:
  US13/654,634
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 705/15, 705/26.1
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A computer implemented method and system for ordering food that creates a cloud-based central account. The method uses computer instructions to create and store a user account and restaurant accounts in the central account. A dynamic library of restaurant information is connected to the user account, the restaurant account and the central account. A menu ordering software application is accessed by a client device processor. Computer instructions create an order and a code indicating the order price and menu items, prompt the restaurant to create the menu items in the order, and tell the client device processor when the order is ready for pick up.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for ordering food between at least one client device connected to a computing cloud using a first network, the computer implemented method comprising:

a. creating a central account in a cloud data storage of the computing cloud connected to the first network;

b. creating a user account connected to the central account in a cloud administrative server, wherein the user account has a user account identifier and a user payment preference;

c. creating a restaurant account connected to the central account in the cloud administrative server;

d. forming a dynamic library of restaurant information in the cloud data storage, wherein the dynamic library of restaurant information comprises at least one restaurant with at least one menu item and a menu price connected to each menu item;

e. installing a menu ordering software application in the cloud data storage which can be downloadable to a client device with a client device processor and client device data storage, wherein the menu ordering software application comprises;

(i) computer instruction to create an order in the client device;

(ii) computer instructions to download a portion of the dynamic library of restaurant information in the client device; and

(iii) computer instructions to create a code using the client device linked to the order;

f. using the menu ordering software application to select a restaurant from the dynamic library of restaurants, then create the order linked to the user account;

g. using the menu ordering software application to create the code representing the order and linking the code to the order;

h. connecting the menu ordering software application with a restaurant processor at the restaurant to receive the code and transmit the code to the cloud administrative server;

i. connecting from the cloud administrative server to a financial services provider to process a payment for the order connected to the code;

j. providing a verification to the restaurant processor from the cloud administrative server that the payment processed and funds transferred;

k. providing, in response to the verification, a command from the restaurant processor to staff of the restaurant to create menu items identified in the order; and

l. providing tracking of the order and using the restaurant processor to provide an indication to the client device processor that the order is complete.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the command is a member of the group comprising:

a. a printed order for use by staff;

b. an electronic “

paid order”

for use by staff; and

c. combinations thereof.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the code is selected from the group:

a bar code, a QR code, a numeric code, an alpha numeric code, an audio bite, and combinations thereof.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the code comprises the user account with user financial information, the order including a total price, and a restaurant account.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the user account comprises at least one saved menu item and the cloud administrative server comprises computer instructions to retrieve at least one saved menu item from the user account to create the order.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the order comprises:

a menu item and a menu price.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the dynamic library of restaurant information comprises:

a. currently available deals;

b. future promotions; and

c. language for communicating with the restaurant.

8. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the cloud administrative server further comprises:

computer instructions allowing the user to input an account number for transferring a balance from a first account to the central account, and wherein the first account can be a member of the group consisting of;

(i) a third party card number;

(ii) a gift card number;

(iii) a PAYPAL™

account number;

(iv) a GOOGLE WALLET™

account number;

(v) a SQUARE™

account number;

(vi) a credit card number;

(vii) a bank account number;

(viii) borrowing; and

(ix) combinations thereof.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the menu ordering software application comprises:

a. computer instructions that allows the user to select a setting in the user account wherein the setting can;

(i) designate automatic deductions from balances in the user account for paying orders;

or

(ii) designate automatic deductions from a gift card number linked to the user account for paying orders;

b. computer instructions to request a gift card bar code from the restaurant processor;

c. computer instructions to link the gift card bar code in the user account;

d. computer instructions to perform an automatic deduction and transfer funds from the user account or linked gift card to the restaurant processor and the gift card bar code; and

e. computer instructions to print or display or both, the gift card bar code with the code associated with the order as payment for the order, or combinations thereof.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein groups of people can make a single order and use computer instructions for processing individual payments for menu items in the order.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising using computer instructions to create one or more physical cards, paper vouchers, or combinations thereof, with codes that designate (i) menu item identifiers and (ii) provide payment or user account information simultaneously.

12. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the order can be created or modified using a scanner located proximate to a drive-thru or a kiosk.

13. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising computer instructions which provide incentives based on preset limits for user spending, frequency at an establishment, frequency in placing orders at a restaurant, or frequency in placing orders.

14. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising computer instructions which provide incentives based on the amount of funds maintained in a user account which meet or exceed preset quantities.

15. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

a. providing a notice that payment would not process from the computing cloud to (i) the user account and (ii) the restaurant processor; and

b. allowing the user to select a different payment method to complete the order.

16. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising allowing immediate integration of the code within a point of sale ordering system of the restaurant enabling immediate sequential timed incorporation of the order into orders currently being processed by the restaurant.

17. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the restaurant processor further connects to a second network which communicates to the first network, and wherein the client device can communicate to the restaurant processor via the second network.

18. The computer implemented method of claim 17, wherein the second network is a wireless network.

19. The computer implemented method of claim 18, wherein a global positioning system in the client device uses a GPS location of the restaurant data storage to enable the restaurant processor to identify client device locations that are within the footprint of the restaurant.