METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WIRELESS CUSTOMER INTERACTION WITH THE ATTENDANTS WORKING IN A RESTAURANT
First Claim
1. An apparatus for electronic customer-attendant interaction in a food service establishment, said apparatus comprising:
- a computer server, said computer server comprising;
a programmable central processing unit, a memory unit, a server wireless network interface, a peripheral interface; and
wherein said processing unit is operatively connected to said memory unit; and
wherein said processing unit is operatively connected to said server wireless network interface; and
wherein said processing unit is operatively connected to said peripheral interface;
a plurality of personal computing devices;
said personal computing devices each having a personal computing device wireless network interface; and
wherein said server wireless network interface and each personal computing device wireless network interface are operatively connected;
such that food service information is sent from the computer server to the personal computing devices and service requests are sent from the personal computing devices to the computer server.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed of a wireless system for customers to interact with attendants (e.g waiters) in restaurants. The system provides for a computing system that transmits electronic menus to wireless portable digital assistants (PDA'"'"'s) and enables customers to place orders and make real-time service requests. For example, the customer is able to select food items from the menus, indicate preparation instructions for each food item, send comments to the attendants, and request drink refills. The customer is able to check on the status of food preparation via the PDA and observe the food being prepared by a camera link. Upon finishing the meal the restaurant can transmit an electronic bill to the customer.
207 Citations
32 Claims
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1. An apparatus for electronic customer-attendant interaction in a food service establishment, said apparatus comprising:
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a computer server, said computer server comprising;
a programmable central processing unit, a memory unit, a server wireless network interface, a peripheral interface; and
wherein said processing unit is operatively connected to said memory unit; and
wherein said processing unit is operatively connected to said server wireless network interface; and
wherein said processing unit is operatively connected to said peripheral interface;
a plurality of personal computing devices;
said personal computing devices each having a personal computing device wireless network interface; and
wherein said server wireless network interface and each personal computing device wireless network interface are operatively connected;
such thatfood service information is sent from the computer server to the personal computing devices and service requests are sent from the personal computing devices to the computer server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of providing food service to a customer in a food service establishment, the method comprising:
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receiving a table identification value and/or a seat identification value over a wireless network from a customer using a personal computing device;
receiving a food service request over a wireless network from a customer using a personal computing device; and
instructing a human attendant to service said food service request, said instructing including informing said human attendant as to the nature of the food service request and the table for which the food service request is relationally associated. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification