Patron service system and method
First Claim
1. A method for using a wireless patron unit in a venue or in a vicinity of the venue to improve the efficiency and patron satisfaction of patron ordering with the venue, comprising:
- wirelessly connecting the wireless patron unit to be in communication with a venue server using a first communication link;
authenticating the wireless patron unit by the venue server using patron security information over the first communication link;
providing at least one display on the wireless patron unit enabling a patron to place a patron order for at least one item or service provided by the venue using the first communication link;
providing the patron order and a location of the wireless patron unit in the wireless patron unit and at least one wireless staff unit, which is transported by a staff member;
updating a status of the patron order, and a location of the wireless patron unit when the patron moves to a different location, on both the wireless patron unit and the at least one wireless staff unit; and
indicating that the at least one item or service ordered has been completed on both the wireless patron unit and the at least one wireless staff unit when the at least one item or service ordered has been provided to the patron,wherein the patron using the wireless patron unit may selectively communicate with the at least one staff member using the wireless staff unit via a second communication link that does not include the venue server,wherein the location of the wireless patron unit is determined, by one of a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal, a Bluetooth signal, and a Near Field Communication (NFC) signal, and is automatically updated on a real-time basis on the wireless patron unit, the at least one wireless staff unit, and the venue server when the patron moves to the different location, andwherein the venue server verifies located wireless patron units and located wireless staff units as authorized devices, and authenticates the located wireless patron units and located wireless staff units using security codes.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method provides for using a portable patron unit in a venue or in a vicinity of the venue. The method includes wirelessly connecting the patron unit to be in communication with the venue, and providing at least one display on the patron unit enabling a patron to place a patron order for at least one item or service provided by the venue. The method also includes displaying the patron order and a location of the patron unit on the patron unit and at least one portable staff unit, and updating a status of the patron order, and a location of the patron unit when the patron moves to a different location, on both the patron unit and the at least one staff unit. The method further includes indicating that the at least one item or service ordered has been completed on both the patron unit and the at least one staff unit when the at least one item or service ordered has been provided to the patron.
52 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for using a wireless patron unit in a venue or in a vicinity of the venue to improve the efficiency and patron satisfaction of patron ordering with the venue, comprising:
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wirelessly connecting the wireless patron unit to be in communication with a venue server using a first communication link; authenticating the wireless patron unit by the venue server using patron security information over the first communication link; providing at least one display on the wireless patron unit enabling a patron to place a patron order for at least one item or service provided by the venue using the first communication link; providing the patron order and a location of the wireless patron unit in the wireless patron unit and at least one wireless staff unit, which is transported by a staff member; updating a status of the patron order, and a location of the wireless patron unit when the patron moves to a different location, on both the wireless patron unit and the at least one wireless staff unit; and indicating that the at least one item or service ordered has been completed on both the wireless patron unit and the at least one wireless staff unit when the at least one item or service ordered has been provided to the patron, wherein the patron using the wireless patron unit may selectively communicate with the at least one staff member using the wireless staff unit via a second communication link that does not include the venue server, wherein the location of the wireless patron unit is determined, by one of a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal, a Bluetooth signal, and a Near Field Communication (NFC) signal, and is automatically updated on a real-time basis on the wireless patron unit, the at least one wireless staff unit, and the venue server when the patron moves to the different location, and wherein the venue server verifies located wireless patron units and located wireless staff units as authorized devices, and authenticates the located wireless patron units and located wireless staff units using security codes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for using a wireless portable patron unit in a venue or in a vicinity of the venue to improve the efficiency and patron satisfaction of patron ordering with the venue, comprising:
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a wireless patron unit that is wirelessly connected and to be in communication with a venue server, and is authenticated by the venue server using patron security information over a first communication link; and at least one wireless staff unit, which is transported by a staff member, that is wirelessly connected to be in communication with the venue server, wherein the wireless patron unit provides at least one display enabling a patron to place a patron order for at least one item or service provided by the venue using a first communication link, wherein the wireless patron order and a location of the wireless patron unit are provided in the wireless patron unit and the at least one wireless portable staff unit, wherein a status of the patron order, and a location of the wireless patron unit when the patron moves to a different location, are updated on both the wireless patron unit and the at least one wireless staff unit, wherein both the wireless patron unit and the at least one wireless staff unit indicate that the at least one item or service ordered has been completed when the at least one item or service ordered has been provided to the patron, wherein the patron using the wireless patron unit may selectively communicate with the at least one staff member using the wireless staff unit via a second communication link that does not include the venue server, wherein the location of the wireless patron unit is determined, by one of a Global Positioning System (GPS) sinal, a Bluetooth signal, and a Near Field Communication (NFC) signal, and is automatically updated on a real-time basis on the wireless patron unit, the at least one wireless staff unit, and the venue server when the patron moves to the different location, and wherein the venue server verifies located wireless patron units and located wireless staff units as authorized devices, and authenticates the located wireless patron units and located wireless staff units using security codes. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A non-transitory computer readable medium for execution on at least one computer that includes computer executable instructions for using a wireless patron unit in a venue or in a vicinity of the venue, the medium including instructions for:
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wirelessly connecting the wireless patron unit to be in communication with a venue server using a first communication link; authenticating the wireless patron unit by the venue server using patron security information over the first communication link; providing at least one display on the wireless patron unit enabling a patron to place a patron order for at least one item or service provided by the venue; providing the patron order and a location of the wireless patron unit in the wireless patron unit and at least one wireless staff unit which is transported by a staff member; updating a status of the patron order, and a location of the wireless patron unit when the patron moves to a different location, on both the wireless patron unit and the at least one wireless staff unit; and indicating that the at least one item or service ordered has been completed on both the wireless patron unit and the at least one wireless staff unit when the at least one item or service ordered has been provided to the patron, wherein the patron using the wireless patron unit may selectively communicate with the at least one staff member using the wireless staff unit via a second communication link that does not include the venue server, wherein the location of the wireless patron unit is determined, by one of a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal, a Bluetooth signal, and a Near Field Communication (NFC) signal, and is automatically updated on a real-time basis on the wireless patron unit, the at least one wireless staff unit, and the venue server when the patron moves to the different location, and wherein the venue server verifies located wireless patron units and located wireless staff units as authorized devices, and authenticates the located wireless patron units and located wireless staff units using security codes.
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Specification