Drive-thru / point-of-sale automated transaction technologies and apparatus
First Claim
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1. A method of dispensing food items prepared for consumption by a customer, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) receiving programmable code for execution on a customer smart device;
b) entering into the customer smart device an identification of the customer;
c) receiving a desired delivery destination from the customer smart device;
d) displaying on the customer smart device a preferred restaurant based on a restaurant criterion, wherein the restaurant criterion comprises at least one of;
one or more preferred restaurants;
a first predetermined distance from the customer to restaurants located within the first predetermined distance; and
a second predetermined distance from the desired delivery destination to restaurants located within the second predetermined distance;
e) receiving from the customer smart device a selected preferred restaurant;
f) generating an order comprising food items into a customer interface on the customer smart device;
g) transmitting the order comprising food items to the selected preferred restaurant;
h) transmitting payment information for an amount based upon at least one of;
the food items and a delivery fee;
i) displaying a unique identifier associated with the order for food items;
j) conveying a customer identification associated with the order for food items to at least one of;
the selected preferred restaurant and a delivery driver;
k) selecting a delivery driver based on a delivery driver criterion, wherein the delivery driver criterion comprises at least one;
position of the delivery driver relative to the customer;
position of the delivery driver relative to the preferred restaurant;
association of delivery driver with a delivery driver service; and
approximated cost of delivery;
l) using global positioning system coordinates, generating a desired route from the restaurant to a first automated food dispenser located proximate to the desired delivery location;
m) preparing the food items at the selected preferred restaurant;
n) based upon conveyance of a delivery identifier to the first automated dispenser, causing the first automated food dispenser to receive the food items, wherein the delivery identifier comprises at least one of;
the unique identifier, a barcode, a package label, a name, input from an image capture device, or input from a keypad, and wherein receiving the food items comprises placing the food items into a first thermally insulated bin;
o) storing the food items within the first thermally insulated bin; and
p) based upon conveyance of a receipt identifier, causing the first automated food dispenser to dispense the food items, wherein the receipt identifier comprises at least one of;
the delivery identifier, the unique identifier, a barcode, a package label, a name, input from an image capture device, and input from a keypad.
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Abstract
The present invention includes methods and apparatus for the automated provision of goods through the use of scanning systems. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for automatically conveying which goods are being ordered, where the goods will be picked up, an associated method of payment, kitchen fulfillment, item tracking, and automatic delivery by a dispenser apparatus. In preferred embodiments, the present invention is applied to the automated ordering and pick-up of food items at a fast food restaurant and delivery to a food dispenser at a customer location.
38 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of dispensing food items prepared for consumption by a customer, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving programmable code for execution on a customer smart device; b) entering into the customer smart device an identification of the customer; c) receiving a desired delivery destination from the customer smart device; d) displaying on the customer smart device a preferred restaurant based on a restaurant criterion, wherein the restaurant criterion comprises at least one of;
one or more preferred restaurants;
a first predetermined distance from the customer to restaurants located within the first predetermined distance; and
a second predetermined distance from the desired delivery destination to restaurants located within the second predetermined distance;e) receiving from the customer smart device a selected preferred restaurant; f) generating an order comprising food items into a customer interface on the customer smart device; g) transmitting the order comprising food items to the selected preferred restaurant; h) transmitting payment information for an amount based upon at least one of;
the food items and a delivery fee;i) displaying a unique identifier associated with the order for food items; j) conveying a customer identification associated with the order for food items to at least one of;
the selected preferred restaurant and a delivery driver;k) selecting a delivery driver based on a delivery driver criterion, wherein the delivery driver criterion comprises at least one;
position of the delivery driver relative to the customer;
position of the delivery driver relative to the preferred restaurant;
association of delivery driver with a delivery driver service; and
approximated cost of delivery;l) using global positioning system coordinates, generating a desired route from the restaurant to a first automated food dispenser located proximate to the desired delivery location; m) preparing the food items at the selected preferred restaurant; n) based upon conveyance of a delivery identifier to the first automated dispenser, causing the first automated food dispenser to receive the food items, wherein the delivery identifier comprises at least one of;
the unique identifier, a barcode, a package label, a name, input from an image capture device, or input from a keypad, and wherein receiving the food items comprises placing the food items into a first thermally insulated bin;o) storing the food items within the first thermally insulated bin; and p) based upon conveyance of a receipt identifier, causing the first automated food dispenser to dispense the food items, wherein the receipt identifier comprises at least one of;
the delivery identifier, the unique identifier, a barcode, a package label, a name, input from an image capture device, and input from a keypad. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An automated food dispenser dispensing food prepared for consumption by a human, the dispenser comprising:
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a) a container comprising multiple disparate bins, each bin suitable for storing prepared food and comprising thermal insulation from atmospheric temperature ambient to the respective bins; b) a digital input device for receiving a unique order identifier associated with a customer comprising; i) an automated barcode, QR Code, image associated with a package label, or other unique order identifier recognition device; and ii) a computer capable of transmitting information relayed by unique identifier and verified by a verification means to the automated food dispenser for further processing; c) a receiver for receiving digital information via a distributed network; d) a processor in communication with a storage device storing executable code for causing the processor to; i) receive an order comprising food items; ii) associate the order with a customer, a delivery entity, and the unique order identifier; iii) verify payment status associated with a customer order; iv) display on a graphical interface the food items; v) associate the container to receive food items comprising the order; vi) register placement of the food items comprising the order into the container; vii) receive into a digital input device a user input into the digital input device, the user input comprising the unique order identifier; and viii) transmit a command to make contents of the container available to the user; and e) automation for delivering the bins containing the ordered food items to a proper delivery entity upon recognition of a unique customer identifier following confirmation of customer payment. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification