Method, system and program for specifying an electronic food menu with food preferences from a universally accessible database

• US 6,646,659 B1
• Filed: 12/17/1999
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Paolini, Michael A., Brown, Michael Wayne, Lawrence, Kevin Roderick
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Sy D.
• Application Number:
  US09/466,051
• Time in Patent Office: 1,425 Days
• Field of Search: 345/810, 345/811, 345/968, 345/744, 345/745, 345/760, 705/15, 705/26
• US Class Current: 715/811
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants

Abstract

Food preferences for a particular customer are requested from a universally accessible database, wherein a key for the particular customer is required to access the food preferences for the particular customer. The food preferences for the particular customer are compared with multiple previously stored food menu items. A food menu comprising only said food menu items that satisfy the food preferences for the particular customer are selected, such that an electronic food menu is specified for a particular customer.

Claims

1. A method for specifying an electronic food menu, said method comprising the steps of:

retrieving food preferences for a particular customer from a universally accessible database, wherein a key for said particular customer is required to access said food preferences for said particular customer;

comparing said food preferences for a particular customer with a plurality of previously stored food menu items;

presenting a food menu wherein a plurality of food menu items that satisfy said food preferences for said particular customer are designated on said electronic food menu, such that, an electronic food menu is specified for said particular customer; and

graphically displaying said electronic food menu, wherein a plurality of food menu items that do not satisfy said food preferences for said particular customer are graphically distinguishable from said plurality of food menu items that do satisfy said food preferences for said particular customer.

2. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying said electronic food menu according to a output preference for said particular customer, such that the graphical representation of said electronic food menu is provided to accommodate a display preference for said particular customer.

3. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 2, said step of graphically displaying said electronic food menu further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying only said plurality of food menu items of said electronic food menu that are designated.

4. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 2, said step of graphically displaying said electronic food menu further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying said electronic food menu in order from designated food menu items to non-designated food menu items.

5. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 2, said step of graphically displaying said electronic food menu further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying a tactile-detectable graphical representation of said electronic food menu, wherein said output preference for said particular customer designates a tactile-detectable graphical representation.

6. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 2, said step of graphically displaying said electronic food menu further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying a graphical representation of said electronic food menu utilizing a particular font size, wherein said output preference for said particular customer designates said particular font size.

7. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 2, said step of graphically displaying said electronic food menu further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying a graphical representation of said electronic food menu utilizing a particular language, wherein said output preference for said particular customer designates said particular language.

8. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 2, said step of graphically displaying said electronic food menu further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying a graphical representation of said electronic food menu wherein prices are displayed in a particular currency, wherein said output preference for said particular customer designates said particular currency.

9. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

transmitting auditory output of said electronic food menu for said particular customer.

10. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

graphically printing said electronic food menu for said particular customer.

11. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying said electronic food menu according to a generic style sheet.

12. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said step of retrieving food preferences for a particular customer from a universally accessible database, further comprising the step of:

receiving said food preferences from said universally accessible database via a wireless transmission medium.

13. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said step of retrieving food preferences for a particular customer from a universally accessible database, further comprising the step of:

receiving said food preferences from said universally accessible database via a network transmission medium.

14. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said step of retrieving food preferences for a particular customer from a universally accessible database, further comprising the step of:

retrieving said food preferences from said universally accessible database wherein said universally accessible database is distributed throughout a remote server system.

15. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said step of retrieving food preferences for a particular customer from a universally accessible database, further comprising the steps of:

searching said universally accessible database for a customer identification for said particular customer;

comparing said key with an enabling key for said customer identification, in response to locating said customer identification for said particular customer;

enabling the retrieval of said food preferences for said particular customer, in response to a match with said key and said enabling key.

16. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 13, said step of retrieving food preferences for a particular customer from a universally accessible database, further comprising the step of:

receiving a customer identification and key from a personal integrated circuit device.

17. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 15, said step of retrieving food preferences for a particular customer from a universally accessible database, further comprising the step of:

receiving a customer identification and key from data entry by said particular customer.

18. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said step of comparing said food preferences for a particular customer with a plurality of previously stored food menu items, further comprising the step of:

accessing said plurality of previously stored food menu items from a database, wherein each of said plurality of food menu items comprises a plurality of food and health identifiers.

19. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

transmitting said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer to said universally accessible database.

20. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the steps of:

receiving an order from said particular customer for food menu items from said electronic food menu; and

transmitting said order to an order retrieval system.

21. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 20, said method further comprising the steps of:

confirming electronic payment for said order.

22. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 20, said method further comprising the steps of:

updating an electronic calendar with said food menu items that are specified for a particular time period.

23. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

enabling a particular customer to amend said food preferences for said particular customer that are retrievable from said universally accessible database.

24. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

designating those food menu items that do not meet said food preferences.

25. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, wherein said previously stored food preferences includes health rating preferences for said particular customer.

26. The method for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 1, wherein said previously stored food preferences includes attributes of specified allowable ingredients and specified avoided ingredients for said particular customer.

27. A system for specifying an electronic food menu, said system comprising:

a universal communications identification device comprising a plurality of food preferences for a plurality of customers, wherein a key is required to access said food preferences for each of said plurality of customers;

a data processing system with access to said universal communications identification device;

wherein said data processing system comprises;

a communications medium for retrieving food preferences with a key for a particular customer from among said plurality of food preferences for said plurality of customers in said universally accessible database;

means for comparing said food preferences for said particular customer with a plurality of previously stored food menu items;

means for presenting a food menu comprising only a plurality of food menu items that satisfy said food preferences for said particular customer, such that an electronic food menu is specified for said particular customer; and

means for graphically displaying said electronic food menu, wherein a plurality of food menu items that do not satisfy said food preferences for said particular customer are graphically distinguishable from said plurality of food menu items that do satisfy said food preferences for said particular customer.

28. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, said system further comprising:

a graphical display monitor for displaying said electronic food menu according to an output preference for said particular customer, such that the graphical representation of said food menu is provided to accommodate a display preference of said particular customer.

29. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 28, wherein said graphical display monitor only displays said plurality of food menu items of said electronic food menu that are designated.

30. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 28, wherein said graphical display monitor displays said electronic food menu items in order from designated food menu items to non-designated food menu items.

31. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 28, wherein said graphical display monitor displays a tactile-detectable graphical representation of said electronic food menu.

32. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 28, wherein said graphical display monitor displays a graphical representation of said electronic food menu utilizing a particular font size.

33. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 28, wherein said graphical display monitor displays a graphical representation of said electronic food menu utilizing a particular language.

34. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 28, wherein said graphical display monitor displays a graphical representation of said electronic food menu wherein said prices are depicted utilizing a particular currency.

35. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, said system further comprising:

an audio element for transmitting auditory output of said electronic food menu for said particular customer.

36. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, said system further comprising:

a printing element for graphically printing said electronic food menu for said particular customer.

37. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, said system further comprising:

a graphical display monitor for displaying a graphical representation of said electronic food menu according to a generic style sheet.

38. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, wherein said means for retrieving a plurality of food menu items from said data storage medium, further comprises:

a wireless communication element for receiving said plurality of food menu items via a wireless transmission medium.

39. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, wherein said means for retrieving a plurality of food menu items from said data storage medium, further comprises:

a network element for receiving said plurality of food menu items via a network connection.

40. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, wherein said means for retrieving a plurality of food menu items from said data storage medium, further comprises:

a socket interface for receiving said plurality of food menu items via a wired connection.

41. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, wherein said data storage medium further comprises:

a plurality of food menu items accessible from a database, wherein each of said plurality of food menu items comprises an item name, a list of at least one ingredient, a price, and a plurality of ratings.

42. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, said system further comprising:

a local data storage medium comprising said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer, wherein said previously stored food preferences for a particular customer comprise a plurality of food ratings.

43. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, said system further comprising:

means for transmitting said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer to said data storage medium.

44. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, said data processing system further comprising:

a local data storage medium for storing said electronic food menu.

45. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, said system further comprising:

a second data processing system for accessing said data storage medium, wherein said data processing system accesses said data storage medium via said second data processing system.

46. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, wherein said data processing system comprises a pervasive data processing system.

47. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, wherein said data processing system comprises a workstation.

48. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, wherein said data processing system transmits an order from said particular customer of food menu items from said electronic food menu.

49. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 48, wherein said data processing system requests confirmation of an electronic payment for said order.

50. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 48, wherein said universally accessible database further comprises an electronic calendar for each particular customer that is updated with food menu items that are designated for a particular period of time.

51. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, wherein said data processing system further comprises:

means for comparing said plurality of food menu items with a plurality of previously stored food preferences for a plurality of customers; and

means for selecting a food menu wherein said plurality of food menu items that satisfy said previously stored food preferences for said plurality of customers are distinguished, such that an electronic food menu is specified for said plurality of customers.

52. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, said system further comprising:

means for designating those food menu items that do not meet said food preferences.

53. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, wherein said previously stored food preferences includes health rating preferences for said particular customer.

54. The system for specifying an electronic food menu according to claim 27, wherein said previously stored food preferences includes attributes of specified allowable ingredients and specified avoided ingredients for said particular customer.

64. The program according to claim 51, wherein said previously stored food preferences includes attributes of specified allowable ingredients and specified avoided ingredients for said particular customer.

55. A program, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for retrieving food preferences with a key for a particular customer from among said plurality of food preferences for said plurality of customers in said universally accessible database;

means for comparing said food preferences for said particular customer with a plurality of previously stored food menu items;

means for generating an electronic food menu comprising said plurality of food menu items that satisfy said food preferences for said particular customer, such that an electronic food menu is specified for said particular customer; and

means for graphically displaying said electronic food menu, wherein a plurality of food menu items that do not satisfy said food preferences for said particular customer are graphically distinguishable from said plurality of food menu items that do satisfy said food preferences for said particular customer.

56. The program according to claim 55, said program further comprising:

means for enabling a graphical display of said plurality of food menu items, wherein said plurality of food menu items that do not satisfy said preferences are graphically designated.

57. The program according to claim 55, said program further comprising:

means for enabling said graphical display of said generated food menu according to an output preference for said particular customer.

58. The program according to claim 55, said program further comprising:

means for enabling auditory output of said generated food menu for said particular customer.

59. The program according to claim 55, said program further comprising:

means for enabling tactile-detectable output of said generated food menu for said particular customer.

60. The program according to claim 55, said program further comprising:

means for transmitting said food preferences for said particular customer to said data storage medium.

61. The program according to claim 55, said program further comprising:

means for receiving an order from said particular customer of electronic food menu items from among said electronic food menu; and

means for transmitting said order to an order retrieval system.

62. The program according to claim 55, said program further comprising:

means for designating those food menu items that do not meet said food preferences.

63. The program according to claim 55, wherein said previously stored food preferences includes health rating preferences for said particular customer.

65. A method for specifying an electronic food menu, said method comprising the steps of:

retrieving a plurality of food menu items from a data storage medium;

comparing said plurality of food menu items with previously stored food preferences for a particular customer; and

presenting a food menu, wherein a plurality of food menu items that are indicated to be avoided by said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer are presented in said food menu and are designated in a manner to distinguish from other food menu items presented in said food menu, such that a customized electronic food menu is specified for a particular customer.

66. A system for specifying an electronic food menu, said system comprising:

a data storage medium comprising a plurality of food menu items;

a data processing system with access to said data storage medium;

wherein said data processing system comprises;

a communications medium for retrieving said plurality of food menu items from said data storage medium;

means for comparing said plurality of food menu items with a plurality of previously stored food preferences for a particular customer; and

means for presenting a food menu, wherein a plurality of food menu items that are indicated to be avoided by said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer are presented in said food menu and are designated in a manner to distinguish from other food menu items presented in said food menu, such that a customized electronic food menu is specified for a particular customer.

67. A program, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for retrieving a plurality of food menu items from a data storage medium;

means for comparing said plurality of food menu items with previously stored food preferences for a particular customer; and

means for generating a food menu presenting a selection of said plurality of food menu items indicated to be avoided by said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer, and a selection of said plurality of food menu items not indicated to be avoided by said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer, wherein said selection of said plurality of food menu items indicated to be avoided is designated in a manner to distinguish from said selection of said plurality of food menu items not indicated to be avoided by said previously stored food preferences for said particular customer.